NHL Rumors: Trade Buzz Surrounding Tyson Barrie, Free-Agency Rumblings, More

Big names such as Milan Lucic, Loui Eriksson and Kyle Okposo all made major splashes by signing with new teams on the first day of free agency. 

Per NHL.com, Lucic signed a seven-year, $42 million deal with the Edmonton Oilers, while Eriksson inked a six-year, $36 million contact with the Vancouver Canucks.

Okposo left the New York Islanders and agreed to a seven-year, $42 million deal with the Buffalo Sabres, per NHL.com.

There were dozens of other deals as well, but there are still more trades moves in free agency to come. Colorado's Tyson Barrie has heard his name discussed quite a bit since the end of the season, and with good reason.

Barrie is a 24-year-old defenseman who has already played 264 games throughout his career. He has scored 102 points in the last two seasons, and it stands to reason that his productivity will only go up from this point.

The Oilers are apparently interested in acquiring Barrie's services, as TSN's Ryan Rishaug claimed Barrie remains a top priority for the team.

Colorado general manager Joe Sakic is not going to give Barrie away at a bargain-basement price, because young defensemen who can move the puck and join the attack are difficult to come by. However, if the Oilers are persistent, they have a shot at adding a defenseman who can upgrade their blue line.

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

Matt Cullen played a key role for the Pittsburgh Penguins in their Stanley Cup run. The 39-year-old Cullen scored 16 goals and 16 assists during the regular season, and he added four goals and two assists in the postseason. 

The Penguins could have a difficult time spending the money to bring back Cullen next year. Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette speculated that Cullen could be someone the Minnesota Wild are looking at signing and Michael Russo of the Star Tribune reported that the Wild are interested in Cullen, per a team source. Cullen is a Minnesota native, and ending his career in his home state might be very tempting.

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Defenseman Kris Russell is still available at this point, and he may have as many as four teams pursuing his services. The Calgary Flames moved the reliable D-man at the trade deadline to the Dallas Stars, but he will likely sign with another team shortly.

Allain Roy, Russell's agent, said his client is still considering "multiple" teams. TSN hockey insider Darren Dreger tweeted the Leafs are still one of four teams bidding for his services.