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

Six top NHL trade targets rumoured to be on the move

For a while, there was a sense that this offseason would be filled with trades as cap concerns and expansion drafts sparked panic among NHL GMs. Instead, there seems to be a very cautious and quiet tone to the market, despite the large number of names in play. But for these six skaters, it seems not a matter of 'if', but a matter of 'when' they get dealt.

A rumour is floating out there that the Bruins and Blues could be contemplating a swap of Kevin Shattenkirk for David Krejci.

Two key pending RFAs need new deals, and the time to negotiate has all but run out. But if the history of NHL GM decisionmaking is any indication, deadlines usually produce timely resolutions.

Reports have pointed in all sorts of directions regarding the Maple Leafs search for backup goalie. It's long believed the club would go for one with plenty of NHL experience, which rules out anyone currently in the Leafs system.

The frenzy of NHL free agency has long dissipated, but several key players remain there for the taking. Here are the top five still available:

Has there been a shift in the race for pending free agent Jimmy Vesey?

Depends who you ask. According to one analyst, he race has been trimmed down to Detroit, Toronto and Chicago. Others believe Vesey still weighing all his options, which includes New Jersey and Pittsburgh, but is leaning towards Boston. The Sabres have thus far been unsuccessful in signing Vesey, and may look to trade his negotiating rights ahead of the August 15th deadline.

- The bidding war for KHL forward Vadim Shipachev seems to be growing by the day. The Canucks are the latest team to get into the mix. The Panthers, Canucks and Canadiens are also believed to be making serious pitches.

The Stars are okay with their goaltending. Just okay. General Manager Jim Nill has made it clear that the Stars will in no circumstance buy out either Antti Niemi or Kari Lehtonen - the 10 million dollar two headed monster that helped the Stars get a top seed but couldn't take them much further.

While July 1st was as wild as it's ever been, the days following have been absolutely abysmal.

At this stage there just isn't a lot left, which is why the top free agents continue to take their time in hopes that their salary demands are met. There's also been a significant lack of trades, with six getting done between July 1st and 6th last year, versus a single trade this year.

When the Buffalo Sabres aggressively pursued and traded for Evander Kane last spring, most assumed it was to make him a central figure of the team's youth movement for years to come.