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Trade, free agency talk set to spill into NHL Draft weekend
Milan Lucic is among the most notable free agents in NHL offseason. Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images

Trade, free agency talk set to spill into NHL Draft weekend

With just a couple days until Round 1 of the 2016 NHL Draft, the bulk of the attention should be focused on the prospects. That's not to say presumptive No. 1 overall pick Auston Matthews is out of the spotlight, but there are plenty of headlines this week that are being snagged by established players and their moves to different clubs.

This offseason isn’t unlike offseasons past. There are always trades leading up to the draft with the start free agency right around the corner. But the past week has certainly seemed more active than usual, as this summer hosts a wealth of talent testing the waters on the open market. Said activity won’t halt for the NHL prospects this weekend, either.

Here’s a look at the  trade market as it spills into draft weekend, along with notable free agent possiblities.

Steven Stamkos is still the biggest name of any forward in trade talks, but news Wednesday that Milan Lucic is entering the fold makes things even more interesting. Per ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun:

“Lucic is ready to go to market after failing the last couple of months to come to a new agreement with the Kings. The Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings and a long list of other teams are believed to have interest in the hulking power forward. Lombardi also added that he's sent out a letter authorizing the Lucic camp to solicit offers and talk to the other 29 teams right away; they don't have to wait until Saturday’s window. Stay tuned.”

The 28-year-old agitator made headlines at this same time last year when he was traded to L.A. from Boston during last year’s draft. Remember, he was part of that trade that gave the B’s one of back-to-back-to-back picks in the first round. Such a big move might not be in the cards for the massive forward this time around, however. As Adam Gretz discussed for CBS Sports, Lucic is still a good player, although his stock has dipped:

“… the legend of Milan Lucic seems to be greater than what you are actually getting on the ice. The name and reputation from his Boston days as the focal point of the recent 'Big Bad Bruins' sometimes seems to carry more weight than the actual play on the ice.”

It seems more likely that while rumors of where Lucic ends up will carry throughout draft weekend, he will be testing the market on July 1.

The movement of unrestricted free agents (UFAs) ahead of the market opening up kicked off with a bang on Monday, starting with netminder Frederik Andersen's trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs. It gives wonder as to whether any of the other goalies will be moved over the course of draft weekend, a la Martin Jones getting traded to the Bruins last year. (Even though that resulted in Jones being traded just a couple days later to the Western Conference champion Sharks.)

Never mind the whispers of trade talk over Vezina finalist Ben Bishop or speculation that the Pittsburgh Penguins will ask Marc-Andre Fleury to waive his no-movement clause. There is a long list of UFA goalies hitting the market, and there are seemingly more of them than there are available starting jobs. The list is of course topped by James Reimer, who is looking to prove his prowess as Jones’ backup in San Jose can translate into a starting job somewhere else. The idea of an UFA netminder being traded for draft picks isn’t out of the question, either.

Keith Yandle has wanted to be traded from the New York Rangers for what seems like forever, a situation that became complicated last season when he took on minutes for a concussed Ryan McDonagh. Now with the defenseman’s rights having been traded to the Florida Panthers this week, the Blue Shirts can focus on stocking up on young blood in the draft — something that Adam Kimelman of NHL.com aptly points out as a need in New York’s arsenal. (Granted, the Rangers don’t have a pick until the third round, having traded their second-round pick to Carolina for Eric Staal back in February. And now there is the issue of having to restock their blue line.)

This also ramps up talk about defensemen and Yandle’s sway if he tests the market. The market for blue liners became thinner this week when Alex Goligoski’s rights were traded to the Arizona Coyotes, and they subsequently locked him up with a five-year deal. Yandle, along with St. Louis’ Kevin Shattenkirk, are the big fish in the pond, and talk over their moves isn’t going to halt over the weekend of the draft.

Then there’s P.K. Subban and the reports that there have been an increased number of phone calls to the Montreal Canadiens’ front office this week. With the no-movement clause of the superstar defenseman’s contract going into effect on July 1 — and the public drama with Habs coach Michel Therrien — more rumors surrounding a potential Subban trade will surely be floating about at the draft in Buffalo this weekend.

More must-reads:

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