NHL Rumour Report - NHL Trade Rumours and Speculation: May 2016

At least 6 first round NHL draft picks rumoured to be in play

Although the top two or three draft picks rarely ever get dealt, there seems to be a lot of chatter this season that some teams in the 3-14 range may trade spots. Here are five teams rumoured to be looking at moving their first rounder this year:

There are a few reports suggesting Senators wingers Mike Hoffman and Alex Chiasson could both be dangled on the trade market ahead of the draft this June. Hoffman has developed into a top sniper and will be expecting a decent raise as he enters restricted free agency. Chiasson has earned his keep and will look for security somewhere.

All signs point to the Vancouver Canucks being very active this summer in an attempt to rebuild on the fly. After acquiring Erik Gudbranson from the Panthers for center Jared McCann and two picks, rumours are quickly turning to the rest of the Canucks core.

Jonathan Drouin has been bumped down from 90% to 40% on the Trade Rumour Board. In fact, 40% is probably generous. There's a growing belief that the relationship between head coach Jon Cooper and Drouin, as well as Yzerman and Drouin's agent Adam Walsh, have vastly improved over the last few months. Drouin is getting the ice time he wants, so there's reason to believe he will stay put in Tampa. As a result, this increases the odds of the Lightning letting Steven Stamkos walk to free agency.

The 2016 offseason is shaping up to be one of the best in recent memory. Many trades that could have taken place before the trade deadline were scuttled due to the cap constraints that limit in-season dealing. Much of that chatter has spilled over into the summer, meaning this offseason has the potential to be busier than ever.

We're only 44 days away from unrestricted free agency, and the speculation continues to heat up across the NHL. With 26 clubs sitting on the sidelines, talk around the league is picking up as focus shifts toward next season.

The Kostitsyn brothers, Sergei and Andrei, are once again generating buzz of a potential NHL return. The two last played in the NHL in 2012, and rumours of a comeback have surfaced from time to time. Hard to tell if this is a negotiation tactic with their KHL teams or if they genuinely have interest in returning. Reports out of the World Championships suggest Andrei is perhaps not in the greatest shape of his life, which could scare teams away.

With a new ownership group poised to take over the franchise, expect big changes to the Islanders both on and off the ice this summer.

When the Avalanche acquired Coyotes forward Mikkel Boedker at the NHL trade deadline it was assumed he was going to be a long term investment. Instead, extension talks seem to have broken down and Boedker is more likely than not to head to free agency on July 1st. Among the teams rumoured to be interested are the New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers, although many more should emerge. Boedker is just one of several elite pending UFAs in a star-studded and top-heavy free agency class.

The NHL Rumour Report is very excited to re-launch both the NHL Trade Rumour Board and NHL Free Agency Rumour Board.

On the NHL UFA Rumour Board you'll find all of the latest free agency rumours from around the league in the leadup to July 1st and beyond.

The NHL Trade Rumour Board shows all of the latest trade rumours, breaks down the odds of them happening, and lists the NHL teams rumoured to have interest in making the trade.

>>NHL Trade Rumour Board

>>NHL Free Agency Rumour Board

Don't forget to check out our NHL Coaching Rumour Board as well!

Wild roster overhaul coming? + rumours from around the NHL

Multiple reports suggest the Wild will make a significant roster shakeup this summer. Fan frustration is mounting after the team of well-paid veterans once again made an early exit from the Stanley Cup playoffs, and there has been no shortage of trade speculation.