The market is ready to bust open with trade rumours flying and free agency just around the corner.
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- Trade chatter continues to build momentum post-draft the free agency landscape takes shape.
- Artemi Panarin appears to be holding things up, and should be one of the first names to go off the board when free agency opens. The Avalanche, Islanders and Rangers and Panthers are strong frontrunners.
- The Panthers appear focused on Sergei Bobrovsky as well, despite taking goalie Spencer Knight early in the draft as their heir to the crease in a few years.
- Lots of buzz around Mats Zuccarello. Dallas appear to be out, while the Avalanche look to be near the front of the pack.
- The Hurricanes continue to explore the forward market, both in free agency and on the trade market. A trade with the Maple Leafs, which has been rumoured for months now, still remains a strong possibility. They are rumoured to be after goalie Mike Smith as well.
- Somewhat surprisingly, it looks like Joe Pavelski will hit free agency. The lifetime Shark has been linked to the Coyotes and Lightning.
- Rumblings suggest the Sabres are looking to trade Rasmus Ristolainen. The flawed but offensively productive blueliner should fetch a decent return in a defenseman market that always has more demand than supply.
- Plenty more to come as things heat up around the NHL.
