NHL Rumors for Sunday include the latest for the Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, and Dallas Stars. Let’s dig right in.

Philadelphia Flyers – Claude Giroux

Rumor: Per – Dan Kingerski – pittsburghhockeynow.com. Forward Claude Giroux ranks second on the NHL trade bait list. At a soon to be 34 years old, it may be time to see his trade value as the Flyers really haven’t excelled with him in the lineup. The Flyers are 10 points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Metro Division.

Analysis: What could hold up a trade is Giroux’s $8.275 million deal due to expire after this season. The Flyers would more than likely be required to take back some salary to make things work. He is owed just $5 million in total salary for this season, but would need a new contract with another team. Expecting a new team to absorb his $8.275 million salary cap hit will limit the number of interested teams wanting his services.

Giroux is still playing great hockey as evidenced by his 11 goals, 14 assists in 29 games. If the Flyers continue to flounder, a trade would become more conducive. He has played for the team for 15 years so there is that to also consider. Stay tuned in to CSM’s NHL rumors for any updates.

Edmonton Oilers – Philip Broberg

Rumor: Per Lyle Richardson – spectorshockey.net. Richardson reports that Allan Mitchell from the Athletic feels if the Edmonton Oilers want to go after either Jakob Chychrun or Marc-Andre Fleury they will need to dangle promising defenseman Philip Broberg as trade bait.

Analysis: Broberg is the Edmonton Oilers top prospect and still has two years remaining on his entry-level $863,333 contract. If the Oilers are interested in going deep into the playoffs, they may consider improving their roster by trading Broberg.

To make such a deal to work under the salary cap, other players would need to be moved. Such candidates may include Mikko Koskinen, Zack Kassian, or Kyle Turris.

Broberg is doing very well with the AHL Bakersfield Condors collecting one goal, 10 assists in 15 games. The young Swede has been impressive even though he was considered to be playing the entire season in the AHL. He possesses great speed and has worked on the Condors’ power play making him the best offensive D-man on the team. But, is he ready for the NHL? And will general manager Ken Holland trade him to get deeper into the playoffs? Seems the Oilers are motivated to do what it takes.

Dallas Stars – Change coming if Stars don’t surge

Rumor: Per Elliotte Friedman – sportsnet.ca. On Friedman’s 32 Thoughts, #17 he stated, “The stress is on in Dallas. Change is coming if the Stars don’t surge over the second half of the season.”

Analysis: What possible changes could take place? The most obvious would be shopping pending unrestricted free agents such as John Klingberg, Alexander Radulov, Joe Pavelski and Braden Holtby at the trade deadline.

Removing a seasoned veteran like Pavelski makes little sense. He has 12 goals, 15 assists in 29 games this season. His three-year $21 million deal ends after this season, but he has been worth every penny of it. In 152 games in Dallas he has accumulated 51 goals, 58 assists. Of those 51 goals, 25 are of the power play variety. Would the Stars power play survive without Pavelski?

Even at 37 years old, Pavelski has performed but the Stars really do need to evaluate their roster to succeed and make the postseason. Losing Pavelski may be a hard pill to swallow. Be sure to follow NHL rumors here on CSM to see what goes down in Dallas.

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