NHL Rumors: Buzz and Analysis on Possible Trade Candidates

While July 1 brought with it the beginning of free-agency drama in the NHL, some of the biggest moves were made on the trading block.

The Phil Kessel saga in Toronto is complete, as the forward was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in what Adam Gretz of CBS Sports called a "blockbuster multi-player trade" to headline Wednesday's transactions. 

There are still many more names being shopped around, and the next few days will still be busy in the NHL.

Continue below for the latest buzz and analysis of some of the big names who could be dealt.

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Patrick Sharp

Chicago Blackhawks left winger Patrick Sharp could find a home down south, according to the Chicago Sun-Times' Mark Lazerus.

Sharp looks to be the next Blackhawk who could be dealt as a result of salary-cap issues. Chicago traded Brandon Saad to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday, lowering their salary-cap payroll to $2 million under the limit, according to HockeyBuzz.com.

Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman told Lazerus of his outlook moving forward: 

"

We’ve got a lot of options that we can pursue now. We don’t have one path we’re going down. A lot of discussions that will happen over the next few days with free agency. We’ve got a few different plans, and it’s too early to tell what we’re going to do. Everything is a possibility going forward.

"

According to Arthur Staple of Newsday, the Islanders have since dropped out of the Sharp sweepstakes.

The Florida Panthers have money to spend and would be the best fit for Sharp. According to HockeyBuzz.com, Florida has over $19 million in cap space as they search for the last few pieces to make them into an Eastern Conference playoff contender. Rotoworld says Sharp is due to earn $10.5 million in the final two seasons of his contract.

Florida finished 10th in the conference last season, seven points out of the eighth and final playoff spot. They have a pair of solid left-wing options in Jonathan Huberdeau and Jussi Jokinen but not much scoring. Huberdeau led the Panthers with 54 points (15 goals and 39 assists) while Jokinen was second with 44 (eight goals and 36 assists) on a team that was 25th last season with 2.42 goals-per-game average. 

Sharp could be the first-line wing the Panthers need. Last season, in which he recorded 16 goals and 27 assists, was a down year for the three-time Stanley Cup winner. Those 43 points represent his lowest output in a full season since 2008-09. He has recorded 62 points or more in five of the past eight seasons.

He could join a first line that could consist of Nick Bjugstad at center and the ageless Jaromir Jagr. Bjugstad led the Panthers with 24 goals, while Jagr recorded 18 points in 20 games after being dealt from the New Jersey Devils 57 games into last season.

Add in another winger, draft pick Lawson Crouse, who could be playing in the NHL by 2016-17 if he does not take to the ice in 2015-16, and the Panthers could develop a skilled side that could challenge plenty of teams.

Tyler Bozak

Tyler Bozak might be the leading man next season in Toronto after the departure of Phil Kessel to the Pittsburgh Penguins. That is if he makes it to 2015-16 with the Maple Leafs. TSN's Darren Dreger reported: 

The Arizona Coyotes received another center on Wednesday, signing Antoine Vermette back from Chicago on a two-year, $3.75 million deal, according to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun. His signing is not the answer to all of Arizona's problems down the middle, but bringing back a productive forward who spent three-and-a-half years with the organization is a start. 

Sam Gagner, Arizona's best center last year with 15 goals and 26 assists, is now with the Philadelphia Flyers. During the 2014-15 season, there were nine other centermen who dressed for the Coyotes not named Vermette or Gagner. They combined for just 25 goals. 

Bozak could help bring depth and a scoring touch to the Coyotes. He has recorded 15 goals or more in five of his first six NHL seasons, including a career-high 23 last season. While he has shown improvement, his asking price could make him a steal, according to SportsNet's Damien Cox:

The center played first-line minutes with the Maple Leafs and could possibly flourish in a smaller market with far less media scrutiny. He has shown he has the talent—he just needs to find the right situation.

It could be in Arizona, as the Coyotes now have a franchise center brewing in the minors after taking Dylan Strome third-overall in this year's draft. Bozak can carry the Coyotes while Strome matures into an NHL-ready player. If that's the case, they could be making a serious run for a postseason spot in the Western Conference in the near future.

Stats courtesy of NHL.com