NHL Rumors: Latest Trade Buzz and 2015 Free-Agency Reports After 2015 Draft

While every NHL team made moves to build for the distant future at the 2015 draft, they will soon have an opportunity to prepare for the more immediate future in the form of trades as well as free agency when the signing period opens July 1.

There was a whirlwind of player movement prior to and during the draft, and Dougie Hamilton, Milan Lucic and Ryan O'Reilly are just a few of the players who were dealt. More trades are likely on the way, and the free-agent frenzy will almost certainly alter the landscape of the league.

With the NHL draft firmly in the rear-view mirror, here is a look at the latest trade and free-agency rumblings that are making the rounds.

Patrick Sharp

While this year's free-agent crop isn't particularly strong when it comes to forwards, a skilled and experienced winger could potentially be had on the trade market in the form of Chicago Blackhawks veteran Patrick Sharp.

With Chicago needing to free up cap space in order to make room for the extensions of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane that are set to take effect next season, moving a substantial salary like Sharp's seems like a necessity.

Although the Blackhawks didn't get a deal done at the draft, Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times is hearing that the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens are among the teams with the most interest in Sharp.

Also, Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune added a couple more suitors to the mix:

The 33-year-old forward is coming off a down year as he posted just 16 goals and 43 points in 68 games after racking up a career-high 78 points one season earlier. He still managed a solid 15 points in 23 playoff contests, though, and his status as a three-time Stanley Cup winner makes him particularly attractive.

Sharp has proven to be a quality complementary player alongside star forwards like Toews, Kane and Marian Hossa, so the fact that the Pens with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and the Caps with Alexander Ovechkin are courting him makes sense.

It is difficult to get a gauge on what type of return Chicago will be able to get for an aging winger who is coming off a down season, but a team is bound to bite after missing out on their targets in free agency.

Dion Phaneuf

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Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Dion Phaneuf has long been the subject of trade talks, and with the Leafs firmly committed to a rebuild, rumors have intensified regarding the possibility of the former Calgary Flames star getting dealt.

According to David Pagnotta of TheFourthPeriod.com, the Los Angeles Kings have emerged as one of the top potential landing spots for Phaneuf:

The 30-year-old blueliner is coming off a so-so season that saw him post three goals and 29 points, while registering a minus-11 rating for one of the league's worst teams. Interest in him is understandable to some degree due to his overall track record of success, but he is saddled with an absolutely awful contract.

Phaneuf carries a $7 million cap hit through the 2020-21 season, according to NHLNumbers.com, and since he is already a player who isn't deserving of that much money, it is tough to imagine the contract will look any better years down the line.

In addition to his base contract, there is an even greater incentive to trade Phaneuf as soon as possible, per Pagnotta:

Even if Toronto is able to get rid of Phaneuf and his contract, one can only assume that the Leafs will have to eat a sizable chunk of his hefty contract in order to do so.

While Phaneuf is a good leader and a steady presence along the blue line, his contract is an albatross that the Leafs must get rid of in order to truly take the next step as a franchise.

Justin Williams

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One of the most intriguing players set to hit the open market July 1, especially for teams that are looking to contend for the Stanley Cup in 2015-16, is winger Justin Williams.

The 33-year-old forward has been a huge part of the Los Angeles Kings' playoff success, as he has led them to two cup victories and won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2014, but every indication is that his days in L.A. are numbered.

After the Kings acquired Milan Lucic in a trade with the Boston Bruins, general manager Dean Lombardi essentially spelled out Williams' fate, according to Elliott Teaford of the Los Angeles Daily News:

"This deal, we gave up quite a bit, but I was very clear I would not give up that unless it was not only the player, but a fit," Lombardi said. "Is it the loss of the other player (Williams)? Yeah, but that's not what drives it. This isn't done unless it's that type of player (Lucic)."

Lombardi's comments don't come as a huge surprise since Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet recently reported that the Kings and Williams weren't making any measurable progress in contract negotiations.

Williams had only a decent year this past season with 18 goals and 41 points, but that was right in line with his 43 points one year earlier. Williams' true value isn't seen until the postseason, where he's netted 30 goals and 78 points in 115 career contests.

Based upon his comments to Sportsnet, Williams wants another opportunity to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup and contribute to that type of cause no matter where he ends up:

It certainly looks as though that won't happen with the Kings, but Williams is very much like Sharp in that teams on the brink of cup contention could benefit greatly from acquiring him.

Williams may not be the same player he once was at 33, but his experience and penchant for coming through on the big stage make him invaluable.

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