NHL Rumors: Latest Trade Buzz from Around the League

Trade rumors are a huge part of the NHL, and the buzz surrounding many of the struggling teams possibly looking to make a deal has already began circulating.

With franchises like Buffalo and Edmonton already starting the slide to the bottom of the standings, each will likely be sellers as the season continues. The result could be several marquee trades before the trade deadline is even on the horizon.

Here is the latest buzz from around the league.

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Buffalo Looking to Sell on Chris Stewart?

One of the most talented players on the Buffalo Sabres' roster is right winger Chris Stewart, but the franchise is not trying to win right now. With a long-term rebuild ongoing, trading Stewart while his value is high would help yield young players and possibly draft picks.

According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.ca, the Boston Bruins are one of the teams very interested in a possible trade:

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Boston and Buffalo did talk quite seriously about Chris Stewart, but it doesn’t appear at this time to be a match. According to other teams, the Sabres want two young players (or a young player and a draft pick) for the winger and couldn’t reach an agreement with the Bruins. Buffalo won’t make the move early unless it gets what it wants.

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Buffalo has already slipped to eighth in the Atlantic Division and is clearly not going to make the postseason anytime soon. The franchise has done a great job of posturing for the future, and Stewart is likely not part of the long-term plan.

Stewart will be 27 years old on Thursday and has plenty of hockey left in him.

While he is no doubt one of the best players on the Sabres, the franchise understands that by the time the young players in the developmental system are ready for the big time, Stewart will likely not be playing at the same level he's at now.

Trading him would continue the trend of stockpiling young players and picks, and would also help the franchise tank the season once again in order to get a top pick in the draft.

A team that acquires Stewart would get a gritty winger with an offensive touch at an affordable price. CapGeek indicates that he's in the final year of a deal that carries a $4.15 million salary-cap hit.

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Edmonton Fielding Offers for Nail Yakupov?

Many experts and hockey fans expected former No. 1 overall pick and Edmonton Oilers right winger Nail Yakupov to grow as a player on and off the ice in his third year in the NHL.

With only four points and a minus-five rating in nine games thus far in 2014, it is clear that the talented scorer has not developed like the franchise had expected. As Edmonton continues sliding down the Pacific Division standings, the rumors of a possible deal for Yakupov continue to surface.

A report from Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports suggests the Oilers are drawing interest for Yakupov:

Edmonton has bounced Yakupov around the lineup in order to find chemistry with anyone who could bring out the best in him, but he has struggled in almost every situation.

Now assigned to the third line, Yakupov managed to score a goal on Monday night and looks to be finding a comfort level with a lack of pressure on him.

Unfortunately for Yakupov, the pressure will always be there as a No. 1 overall pick, but a change of scenery may be exactly what he needs. If a franchise is willing to take the educated risk, Yakupov could likely be acquired in an affordable deal due to his lack of production.

Stats via NHL.com.

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