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

Six bizarre names in the NHL rumour mill

In the last year or so we have seen a massive uptick in trade rumours as teams feel the pressure of a stagnant salary cap and the threat of the expansion draft. While many of these rumours don't come to fruition, the Taylor Hall and PK Subban trades remind us not to be dismissive every time a big name surfaces.

Several weeks have passed since Jacob Trouba's public request out of Winnipeg, and while little progress has been made on the trade front, a conclusion seems to be drawing closer. With the December 1st RFA deadline to sign an NHL contract looming, his ability to play this season is in jeopardy. Neither side wants that deadline to pass without a resolution, and the pressure is slowly beginning to mount.

The LA Kings have a difficult situation on their hands with Jonathan Quick out for the next three months or so. The team has spent the last week or two going with Jeff Zatkoff (now injured) and Peter Budaj as their NHL tandem, which isn't working out so well.

The NHL season may have just gotten underway, but several rumours have already emerged (or re-emerged) on the trade front. Most teams take a few weeks to assess their team before turning to the trade market, but here are eleven names that are already bubbling to the surface.

At some point the Tampa Bay Lightning will have to trade a key player to get out from under their crippling cap situation. With several key RFAs and UFAs needing new contracts, the Bolts may have no choice but to do something drastic. Most believe Ben Bishop is the prime candidate, and there should be several serious contenders. Here are a few possibilities:

In our tour around the NHL, we stop in the Atlantic Division to see what the Lightning, Canadiens, Leafs, Sabres, Senators, Panthers, Red Wings and Bruins might get up to on the trade front this season.

The Metropolitan Division is packed with teams under pressure to produce big results in 2016-2017, so we should expect a busy season of trade rumours. Here's a look at what the 'Canes, Pens, Flyers, Jackets, Isles, Caps and Devils could get up to this year:

Today we look at the season ahead for the Blues, Blackhawks, Wild, Predators, Avalanche, Stars and Jets of the Central Division.

With the season upon us, NHL Rumour Report will look at what to expect from each team on the trade front. Today, we look at the Ducks, Sharks, Kings, Oilers, Flames, Coyotes and Canucks of the Pacific Division.