NHL Rumors: Jaromir Jagr, Ryan Miller and More Offseason Chatter

The 2013 NHL offseason is in full swing, and the focus of the hockey community has shifted from the draft to free agency and trades.

All of the following big-name stars are either reportedly looking for a new home or rumored to be on the trade block.

Here is the latest chatter concerning each player.

Jaromir Jagr Staying Patient?

One of the best free agents on the market this offseason is winger Jaromir Jagr. While there are teams interested in his services, the veteran is taking his time making a decision and finding the best deal.

According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, Jagr’s patience may be forced because of the high asking price on the reported one-year deal he desires:

While there is no question that Jagr isn’t the same player he was earlier in his career, even at 41 years old the former scoring ace is still a smart addition to any franchise.

With an offensive knack around the net, an incredible work ethic and the ability to make the players around him better, any team would be lucky to have him for just $4 million per season.

Ryan Miller to Tampa Bay a Possibility?

It’s hard to find a good reason for the Buffalo Sabres to move goaltender Ryan Miller, but recent reports from ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun suggest the franchise could be shopping the veteran before he becomes a free agent next offseason.

According to Daren Millard of Sportsnet, the Tampa Bay Lightning could be a viable landing spot:

Tampa Bay has a great core of offensive and defensive players, but the franchise lacks an elite goaltender. With great depth at the forward positions and Buffalo's need for an offensive spark, this could be the trade partner that finally results in Miller being dealt.

Roberto Luongo Not Sold on Vancouver?

The Vancouver Canucks have gone all-in on Roberto Luongo as the team’s No. 1 goaltender, trading the talented Cory Schneider to the New Jersey Devils on draft day, per Kevin Allen of the USA Today. However, that may have been the worst possible deal.

According to RDS' Renaud Lavoie, Luongo may not want to return to Vancouver:

Luongo is still one of the best goalies in the NHL, and if the Canucks can convince him to stay with the team, this plan could work out. If the veteran netminder believes that he can’t play for a franchise that tried so hard to trade him, then Vancouver is in a horrible position.

The $5.3 million per season contract through 2022, per CapGeek, is the major holdup in all trades for the star, and there is a chance the team won’t be able to move him even if he requests to be traded again.

This is a tough situation that is only going to get tougher.

Follow @Donald_Wood