With the 2014-15 NHL season officially in the books, the hockey universe can turn its attention to an offseason full of moving and shaking.
That means it's time to shine a spotlight on free agency and trade rumors galore, particularly as teams begin to thrust a focus on retooling their rosters in hopes of achieving the glory that the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks are basking in.
Phil Kessel on the Move?
The Toronto Maple Leafs are apparently looking to shake things up and embrace a younger foundation now that Mike Babcock is in tow as the team's new boss, and that could mean parting with right-winger Phil Kessel before the next season gets underway.
According to TSN's Bob McKenzie, Toronto could deal Kessel to a select few teams based on the parameters of his contract:
Toronto is looking to rebuild and the Leafs' veteran core players will generate varying degrees of interest. Most of them have limited no-trade clauses.
Kessel's limited NTC is believed to include eight teams he can be traded to. Prior to the trade deadline, TSN reported those eight teams were believed to be: Boston; Chicago; Los Angeles; Minnesota; Montreal; New York Rangers; Philadelphia; and Pittsburgh.
The trepidation for interested parties here revolves around Kessel's bloated contract. According to Broad Street Hockey's Travis Hughes, Kessel is accompanied by an $8 million cap hit every season through 2022. And as Spotrac indicates, that annualized cap hit is set to be the third largest among right-wingers next season. Only Patrick Kane ($10.5 million) and Corey Perry ($8.6 million) reside above Kessel.
"I go where they want me," Kessel said back in February, according to the National Post. "I love Toronto. But [if] it’s not here, it’s not here."
Los Angeles Finally Parting Ways with Mike Richards?
Mike Richards' relationship with the Los Angeles Kings has been strange, to say the least.
After he helped the Kings win Stanley Cup titles in 2012 and 2014, the team waived Richards in January as it sought to offload the remainder of his 12-year, $69 million deal.
However, after no team claimed him, Richards has been relegated to the role of financial blemish on the team's cap sheet.
But according to ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun, there's a glimmer of hope regarding Los Angeles' ability to find a willing trade partner:
The Los Angeles Kings have talked to a few teams again about a potential Mike Richards trade, although certainly at this point nothing is imminent.
The Kings would dearly love to move Richards’ contract, which still has five more years on it at a $5.75 million cap hit. But to do that, they will need to sweeten the pot by adding another asset. Whether that’s a draft pick of value, a player or a prospect, the Kings will need to entice another team with another asset or two if they want to get a deal done.
If those are the parameters, the Kings need to ask themselves if ridding the franchise of Richards' unsightly cap hit is worth the cost of parting with a young, cost-controlled piece who could help down the line.
Given that the 30-year-old's cap hit clocks in at $5.75 million a year through 2020, per Spotrac, the Kings would be wise to maximize their financial flexibility and do whatever it takes to dump Richards on a competing squad.
St. Louis Leaving the Big Apple?
Martin St. Louis' time with the New York Rangers may be ending with a whimper.
After scoring just one goal over the course of 19 postseason appearances against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals and Tampa Bay Lightning, the decorated veteran appears to be on his way to another locale.
The New York Post's Larry Brooks explains:
Meanwhile, it also can be pretty much etched in stone that if Martin St. Louis chooses to continue his career, it will not be in New York, with both sides prepared to move on.
It is unknown whether the winger, who will turn 40 on Thursday and who has used outside doubts as fuel to generate a slam-dunk Hall of Fame career, will seek employment elsewhere.
Interestingly enough, Brooks' report comes two months after St. Louis went on the record regarding his desire to close his career at Madison Square Garden.
"There’s no doubt that I want to play next year. Period," he said in April, according to Brooks. "And for sure, yes, I want to play here. I want to finish my career as a Ranger."
At 39 years old, St. Louis tied for the second-most goals on the Rangers this past season with 21. He also ranked fourth with 31 assists. According to Hockey-Reference.com, St. Louis became just the 20th player in league history to record at least 20 goals at the age of 39 or older.
While his postseason showing was uninspiring, it's clear that St. Louis still has some gas left in the tank to offer a title-contending club.
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