Boston Bruins goaltender Linus UllmarkFred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The 2024 NHL Draft is at Sphere in Las Vegas from June 28-29. Activity has already picked up in the trade market while the rumor mill is buzzing over potential trades and free-agent signings.

As the draft approaches, there’s speculation over which teams might be willing to trade their first-round picks in this year’s draft. Meanwhile, the recent trades of goaltenders Jacob Markstrom and Darcy Kuemper have shifted the focus onto the future of Boston Bruins netminder Linus Ullmark.

The free-agent market begins on July 1 at noon EDT following the draft. Rumors are brewing over potential destinations for pending unrestricted free agents like Carolina Hurricanes winger Jake Guentzel.

Figuring out which rumors are believable can be difficult. To help you, we’re using our trusty B/R BS Meter on the most notable conjecture to separate fact from fiction. Let us know what you think in the app comments below.

Some NHL Teams Could Trade Their 2024 First-Round Picks

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On May 24, the Chicago Blackhawks sent the No. 20 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and two second-rounders to the New York Islanders for the 18th overall selection and a 2024 second-round pick. Chicago had acquired the No. 20 selection from the Tampa Bay Lightning in return for Brandon Hagel on March 18, 2022.

That’s led to reports of several other clubs being willing to part with their first-rounders for the right price leading up to the opening round of this year’s draft. A week before the Chicago-Islanders deal, we noted the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, and Buffalo Sabres could move their picks.

The Canadiens also own the 26th overall pick acquired from the Winnipeg Jets. Montreal Hockey Now’s Marco D’Amico wondered if they might attempt to bundle that pick with one of their promising defensemen to move higher in the first-round order.

Meanwhile, Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported Utah could be willing to move the sixth overall selection. The Hockey News‘ Lou Korac noted the St. Louis Blues are open to all options with their pick (16th overall). Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reported the Senators are getting lots of calls about the seventh and 25th overall selections.

BS Meter: Not BS…but not a certainty

There could be more swapping of first-rounders among clubs before and during the first round. One or two clubs might part with their 2024 first-rounders in a larger deal involving an established player. Nevertheless, it’s unlikely we’ll see a lot of teams making these moves. Most clubs tend to stick with their picks in the opening round.

New York Rangers Could Still Trade Kaapo Kakko

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Kaapo Kakko’s struggles in 2023-24 made him the subject of trade speculation. The 23-year-old New York Rangers winger was due to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. Speculation that his contract negotiations with Rangers management could get tense fuelled the trade conjecture.

On June 13, the Rangers announced Kakko signed a one-year, $2.4 million contract for 2024-25. However, that didn’t keep his name out of the rumor mill.

Following the signing, the New York Post‘s Larry Brooks called it a “win-win deal” for the Rangers. They avoided the possibility of arbitration with Kakko following his difficult season by signing him to an affordable contract. The deal could also make it easier for the Rangers to trade him for the right price.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman agreed with Brooks’ take. He believes this contract removes some uncertainty for clubs still interested in Kakko. At the same time, it’s a deal both sides can live with if he remains part of their roster for next season.

BS Meter: Not BS

The Rangers could still trade Kakko if a rival team pitches an offer that is too good to turn down. However, they can afford to retain him for next season hoping he’ll enjoy a breakout performance like Alexis Lafreniere in 2023-24.

The Columbus Blue Jackets Could Trade Patrik Laine to the Seattle Kraken

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After four difficult seasons, Patrik Laine is ready to move on from the Columbus Blue Jackets. On June 12, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported the two sides had agreed to seek a trade. The 26-year-old winger has two years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $8.7 million and a 10-team no-trade list.

On June 18, we listed five potential trade destinations for Laine. One of them was the Seattle Kraken as their lack of offense last season doomed their playoff hopes. The Kraken has $22.5 million in cap space for 2024-25. Part of that will go to re-sign Matty Beniers and Eeli Tolvanen should leave enough to acquire Laine.

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, several people informed him that Laine could be on the Kraken’s radar. He also cited their need for more scoring and believes they can afford to take on his cap hit.

Blue Jackets beat writer Jeff Svoboda reported general manager Don Waddell hopes to make a “hockey trade” for Laine, preferring to get a player in return rather than picks or prospects. He also doesn’t want to retain any salary in the deal. “We’ll certainly exhaust every opportunity,” he told Svoboda,

BS Meter: Not BS

It remains to be seen if the Kraken and Blue Jackets could work out a player-for-player swap. Still, there could be a good opportunity for the Jackets to move Laine to a team where he’ll get a fresh start and reboot his NHL career.

The Vancouver Canucks Could Pursue Jake Guentzel Via Free Agency

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It’s been an eventful year thus far for Jake Guentzel. Before the March trade deadline, the 29-year-old winger was traded by the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Carolina Hurricanes. He played well with the Hurricanes but is expected to head to the free-agent market on July 1 where he could land a lucrative long-term contract.

The Hurricanes are reportedly shopping Guentzel’s signing rights. That sparked rumors suggesting the Vancouver Canucks could be a suitor. Team president Jim Rutherford and general manager Patrik Allvin know Guentzel well from their days with the Penguins.

So far, there’s no indication the Canucks intend to acquire Guentzel’s rights from the Hurricanes. However, that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t be interested in bidding for the two-time 40-goal scorer if he hits the open market on July 1.

Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli expects the Canucks will make a big play for Guentzel in the free-agent market. He cited several sources claiming they could offer him the best mix of money and opportunity. Seravalli also cited Guentzel’s links to Rutherford and Allvin.

BS Meter: It’s BS

We’re not doubting Seravalli’s sources but we doubt the Canucks can afford him. They have $17 million in cap space with 16 active roster players under contract for 2024-25 with notable free agents Elias Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov, Tyler Myers, and Dakota Joshua to re-sign or replace. Guentzel’s asking price could eat around $9 million of that cap space.

The Boston Bruins Could Trade Linus Ullmark Before the NHL Draft

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Linus Ullmark appeared in the rumor mill leading up to the March 8 trade deadline. The 30-year-old Boston Bruins goaltender continued to surface in media trade chatter. He’s among the eight biggest stars we believed could be moved by the draft.

Ullmark is drawing even more attention after the Calgary Flames traded Jacob Markstrom on June 19 to the New Jersey Devils. Reports suggest the 2023 Vezina Trophy winner could become a target for clubs that lost out to the Devils for Markstrom. He has a year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $5 million and a 16-team no-trade list.

Boston Hockey Now’s Anthony Fantucchio suggested the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators could be among the suitors. The Hurricanes are listening to offers for winger Martin Nečas while the Senators could part with the seventh overall pick in this year’s draft or defenseman Jakob Chychrun.

The Ottawa Sun‘s Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators have circled back to the Bruins about Ullmark after losing out on Markstrom. Meanwhile, Nick Kypreos of the Toronto Star thinks Ullmark could be among the goalies on the Maple Leafs’ radar.

BS Meter: Not BS

The Bruins could stick with Ullmark for next season if they don’t get a suitable trade offer. However, they can also get some cap relief by moving him this summer. He’ll be too tempting a target for clubs in the market for a goaltending upgrade.