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TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 4:  Ondrej Pavelec #31 of the Winnipeg Jets watches the corner against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on November 4, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Jets defeated the Maple Leafs 4-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 4: Ondrej Pavelec #31 of the Winnipeg Jets watches the corner against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on November 4, 2015 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Jets defeated the Maple Leafs 4-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)Claus Andersen/Getty Images

NHL Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz on Ondrej Pavelec, Cam Fowler and Jacob Trouba

Joe PantornoOct 20, 2016

The NHL is wrapping up its first week of the 2016-17 season, and trade rumors are still swirling around some familiar names, while new ones are also joining the conversation. 

Here is the latest on the league's most prevalent rumors.

Ondrej Pavelec

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The Los Angeles Kings are facing time without their stalwart No. 1 goaltender, Jonathan Quick, after he suffered a groin injury on Oct. 12 against the San Jose Sharks. 

On Tuesday, Quick underwent a non-surgical procedure. On Wednesday, Kings general manager Dean Lombardi said Quick is expected to miss around three months, per Lisa Dillman of the Los Angeles Times

His replacement, Jeff Zatkoff, hasn't done well early on to fill the void left by the All-Star. In three games, he's allowed 10 goals on 62 shots, which comes out to an .839 save percentage and a 4.38 goals-against average.

Zatkoff's backup, 34-year-old Peter Budaj, has played in just two games dating back to the start of the 2015-16 season. 

As Los Angeles seeks its first win of the season, it seems to be in search of a suitable replacement for Quick. 

According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, there have been reports that the Kings have contacted the Winnipeg Jets regarding Ondrej Pavelec, "but there are also some very firm denials."

The 29-year-old started the majority of the franchise's games from 2010 to 2015, providing steady play despite allowing the most goals each year among all starting goalies from 2011 to 2014:

He saw his time docked last season in favor of the younger Connor Hellebuyck (23) and Michael Hutchinson (26).

Those two got the nod for the NHL roster this season, while Pavelec is playing with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL.

While he wouldn't step in and play like Quick if he were dealt to Los Angeles, Pavelec would at least bring an expansive starting resume to the Kings, which can't be said about Zatkoff and Budaj. 

Cam Fowler

The Anaheim Ducks are still attempting to sign restricted free-agent defenseman Hampus Lindholm, who is holding out due to unsuccessful contract negotiations. 

Per Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register, Lindholm is "believed to be seeking more than $6 million per season over eight years."

What's holding things up is the Ducks possessing a number of blueliners who are already with the team and playing.

Through the first four games of 2016-17, Anaheim has rolled out eight different defensemen, which could force it to the trade market in order to free up space to make a more suitable run at Lindholm. 

According to ESPN.com's Craig Custance, the Ducks would "prefer to move" either Kevin Bieksa, Simon Despres or Clayton Stoner to free up said space. 

But there's a problem with that, as one NHL team executive told Custance: "[They] don’t have value. They might be stuck moving [Cam] Fowler. I don’t know what the timing would be."

Fowler has been a part of trade whispers dating back to the summer, including a possible deal that would have sent him to the Montreal Canadiens, per TSN's Darren Dreger. But the deal that sent P.K. Subban to the Predators for Shea Weber ended any hope of that. 

Fowler's owed $4 million this season and in 2017-18, per Spotrac, which could be enough to free up space to get Lindholm a new deal. 

Jacob Trouba

Like Lindholm, Jets restricted free-agent defenseman Jacob Trouba hasn't seen the ice this season.

However, it's unlikely that the 22-year-old will be back with his team, as he requested a trade on Sept. 23, per Friedman

There's also a good chance that he won't be seeing the ice anytime soon. 

An NHL source told Custance that he would "be stunned if [a trade] happened [quickly]" and that it's "going to take some time."

Custance delved into why it would take so long: "Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff already has a reputation as one of the most patient GMs in the league, and he’s certainly not going to suddenly change his tactics when faced with a trade that could shape his tenure in Winnipeg."

Trouba has been playing in the NHL since he was 19, recording 72 points and a plus-16 rating during that span. 

But with Dustin Byfuglien and Tyler Myers logging more minutes than Trouba last season, the youngster wants to look for top-pairing opportunities elsewhere. 

Hopefully for him, it will be worth the wait, because he is facing a lengthy absence from the ice. 

Stats courtesy of Hockey-Reference.com.

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