NHL Trade Rumors: Latest Rumblings on Nathan Horton, Jakub Kindl and More

The NHL season is officially underway, and there are already a number of rumors floating around the league.

The upstart Columbus Blue Jackets may look to make a move to quell the recent string of bad luck they have experienced, and the Detroit Red Wings could make multiple changes on the defensive end.

With all that in mind, let’s dig into some of the latest rumors from around the league.

Columbus Blue Jackets Looking to Make a Move?

Gerry Broome/Associated Press

Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch noted that the Blue Jackets may have their eyes on a big prize:

The persistence of Nathan Horton’s back injury is just the latest in a number of setbacks Columbus has experienced recently. Brandon Dubinsky was placed on injured reserve Tuesday after abdominal surgery, Boone Jenner is already out with a broken hand and Ryan Murray is dealing with a knee issue.

Gerry Broome/Associated Press

What’s more, star Ryan Johansen just took part in his first practice Wednesday after a summer of contract negotiations.

Coach Todd Richards discussed the state of the team, via Rob Mixer of BlueJackets.com:

"

It’s a big blow, but again, I feel good about this group. I’d like to have Brandon in the lineup, but everyone deals with injuries at different parts of the season, and we just have to deal with it now. Other players are going to get great opportunities, because Brandon is a guy that plays an important role and logs a lot of ice time, penalty kill, power play, 5-on-5 and key situations. It’s just more opportunities now for other players.

"

It appears big-time help may be on the way with this latest rumor. 

The Blue Jackets surprised many in the NHL when they reached the playoffs and challenged the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, and they are looking to take the next step in 2014-15. A solution for the list of early setbacks from the front office would certainly help.

Detroit Red Wings Shopping Jakub Kindl

Duane Burleson/Associated Press

Greg Brady of Sportsnet 590 provided an update on the Red Wings’ efforts to ship Jakub Kindl:

The 27-year-old defenseman scored two goals and tallied 17 assists in 2013-14 for the Red Wings. Those 19 points were a career high for a single season, but Detroit is clearly looking to move him.

In fact, the Red Wings sent defensive prospect Xavier Ouellet to Grand Rapids before the season started, but Ouellet may be the more talented of the two players. He certainly has a bright future, and Detroit may want him in the NHL sooner rather than later.

Brady provided another update along that front:

It’s really not difficult to connect the dots here. The Red Wings apparently want Ouellet.

Detroit Looking for Defender 

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Speaking of Detroit and defensemen, it appears to be looking outside for help as well, but it may be a long-term rumor to follow. Darren Dreger of TSN passed along the latest:

Interestingly, the Red Wings currently have seven defensemen on the roster in the form of Brendan Smith, Kyle Quincey, Niklas Kronwall, Jonathan Ericsson, Danny DeKeyser, Brian Lashoff and Kindl. 

It may be worth seeing how the Ouellet situation unfolds and if the team can actually move Kindl before making assumptions that outside help will come, but this is certainly interesting this early in the season.

Follow me on Twitter:

Follow @ScottPolacek