The pressures of the expansion draft and salary cap are likely to produce trades all across the NHL this offseason. We look at a few rumours that have recently surfaced in today's Rumour Report.
- As the regular season winds down, all fan attention will rightly be on the Stanley Cup playoffs. But in 14 front offices around the NHL, the focus shifts to what will make for a very busy offseason.
- We're still quite a ways away from the Las Vegas expansion draft, but teams that are out of the playoff picture have shifted their focus there already. Among the teams that may have to make a deal or two are the Detroit Red Wings. Rumours swirl around potential unprotected players such as Riley Sheahan and Danny DeKeyser. Surprisingly, names such as Gustav Nquist and Petr Mrazek, both seen at points as key parts of the Wings future, are potentially available.
- Mrazek, who is a pending RFA, is the name to keep an eye on in Detroit this offseason. The crease was his to run with this season, but he has struggled mightily. If the Wings aren't fully committed to him, could he be shopped?
- Further to the goalie market - still no clear idea where Ben Bishop might land in the summer. What about Philadelphia, who might be saying farewell to pending UFA Steve Mason? There's a wide open void for Bishop to fill there. Carolina, Calgary and Dallas are rumoured possibilities as well.
- If not a landing spot for Bishop, Carolina might be after a goalie like Scott Darling, who some teams see as a potential starter. We know the Hurricanes aren't happy with their current tandem of Cam Ward and Eddie Lack - the latter who's on the trading block, and former being a little past his prime.
