NHL Rumors: Latest Buzz Around the League Entering New Season

We're not even a full week into the 2014-15 NHL season, but the quest for the next Stanley Cup is already in full swing for all 30 teams.

The offseason is in the rearview mirror and plenty of moves have already been made, but the talking never comes to a complete close in this around-the-clock league. From players mulling a return to teams searching for a way to improve their rosters sooner rather than later, the rumors haven't ceased with hockey's best returning to the ice.

Let's take a look at the latest rumblings around the league as the season gets underway.

Tough Start for Bruins a Sign of Interior Friction?

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The Boston Bruins' 177-87-30 record and two Stanley Cup appearances over the last four years signifies the grit and determination this team has made an identity out of in recent seasons. But with some early-season turmoil has come significant questions surrounding the B's.

After being trounced 4-0 at home by the Washington Capitals, CSNNE.com's Joe Haggerty reported it's much more than poor hockey being played that is holding the Bruins back:

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Players, coaches and executives can say all the right things after a deal like the Johnny Boychuk salary dump, but the message that's reverberating from the upper levels down to the locker room is that the team isn’t “all in” to win this season. That can have a toxic effect in the clubhouse, and signs of that toxicity have shown up in the first three games. Witness how many B’s players seem to have a look of doom on their faces when they get down by a couple of goals, and there have been more shoulders slumped in the last two losses to Detroit and Washington than at any time in the last five years.

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Albeit probably a little surprised, it's not like the Bruins front office should be shocked at this. In fact, general manager Peter Chiarelli told ESPNBoston.com's Joe McDonald after the trade, "I’m sure the guys are bummed and they’re probably a little bit bummed at me for doing it."

Those same Bruins players may be even more bummed after hearing Boychuk—a player who was unable to make a power-play impact in Boston—has notched four points on the power play in his first two games with the New York Islanders.

But whether he's scoring goals at will or not, the Bruins should be focused on what they have in the locker room—a seasoned lineup with years of high-quality experience. They're in a tough salary-cap situation largely because stars like Patrice Bergeron, Milan Lucic, David Krejci, Brad Marchand, Tuukka Rask and Zdeno Chara grace the roster and all command at least $4.5 million per year apiece.

That's not a roster that has any business starting 1-3, with or without Boychuk in the fold.

The Bruins front office proved when it shelled out big deals to the franchise's marquee players that it's "all in" for sustained playoff success. Now, it's up to the players to right the ship and turn around the attitude in the locker room.

Daniel Alfredsson, Red Wings Staying Patient

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Daniel Alfredsson is 41 years old and has been in the NHL since 1994. At this point, he deserves a bit of a break to start the season—if he even does come back at all.

When the season began, the Red Wings made it clear they weren't expecting anything out of Alfredsson. Detroit general manager Ken Holland told the 41-year-old, "Let me know when your body has made a decision for you," according to Detroit Free Press' Helene St. James.

"Based upon Daniel Alfredsson's decision, I'll sit down with Mike Babcock and look at our schedule," Holland added. If we're seven games in and are 7-0, maybe there's no room. If we're 0-7 and can't score goals—we're going to look to see what's going on with our team. Do we think he makes us better?"

Alfredsson had been seen around Joe Louis Arena plenty entering the season, according to Ansar Khan of MLive.com, but that has changed in recent days. Khan reported that "the chances that Alfredsson will return for one more season are diminishing each week."

The Red Wings likely wouldn't mind Alfredsson making up his mind now, with Pavel Datsyuk still out with injury. Detroit started the season 1-1-0 with a win over Boston followed by a loss to the Anaheim Ducks.

After scoring 18 goals and posting 49 points a season ago with Detroit, there's little doubt that Alfredsson could return to effectiveness soon after making his return. But it seems to look less and less likely that said return will ever come.

Tyler Myers Back in Trade Discussions

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Tyler Myers is no stranger to having his name floated around in trade circles, and it has happened once again as we gear up for another NHL season.

Darren Dreger and Bob McKenzie reported on TSN's Insider Trading video that Myers' name is still around and the Red Wings are among the top shoppers:

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Tyler Myers of the Buffalo Sabres. His name is out there now. The Sabres are downplaying it, but reality sucks sometimes and the reality for the Sabres is they're going to be real bad this year. So why not improve your chances in the draft? Detroit is believed to be interested. They've had talks with the Red Wings about a trade, and perhaps Anaheim as well.

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The Sabres are almost certainly due for a tough season ahead with a young roster still needing to develop, but don't be surprised if such a deal takes some time to develop. However, Buffalo has started the season 0-3-0, and it might not be long before it starts building toward next season.

It should be sooner rather than later that the Sabres are well on the outside of the playoff picture, but it could also take a while for them to get what they're asking for. Until those two things work themselves out, Myers should stay put in Buffalo.