The Latest Updates on the NHL's Hottest Offseason Rumors

As the dog days of the NHL offseason drag on, much of the trade and free-agent action has slowed to a crawl. However, there's still some activity churning in the rumor mill.

Some of the conjecture involves stars like Nashville's Shea Weber and Winnipeg's Dustin Byfuglien. There's also speculation about possible destinations for notable free agents like Cody Franson.

Here's a look at the latest updates on this summer's hottest NHL rumors, with analysis of each and potential outcomes. As always, feel free to weigh in with your opinion in the comments sections below.

Senators Still Shopping Colin Greening

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Rumor: The Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch reported Ottawa Senators general manager Bryan Murray will continue trying to trade little-used left wing Colin Greening.

Analysis: Greening only saw action in 26 games last season with the Senators. The 29-year-old is under contract for two more seasons at an annual salary-cap hit of $2.65 million. That's a lot of money invested in a frequent healthy scratch, especially for the budget-conscious Senators.

Potential outcome: To improve Greening's trade value, the Senators must showcase him with more playing time during the preseason. Another option to make him more enticing is to offer to pick up part of his remaining cap hit. 

Could Christian Ehrhoff Don a Blue Jacket?

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Rumor: Citing a German reporter, SI.com's Allan Muir noted free-agent defenseman Christian Ehrhoff confirmed he received an offer from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Muir also speculates the 33-year-old blueliner could be using it as leverage in talks with another club. 

Analysis: Ehrhoff's experience and puck-moving skills could be attractive to teams such as the Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes. His recent concussion history, however, has probably hampered his efforts to find a deal to his liking. 

Potential outcome: The offer from the Blue Jackets appears to be the only one on the table for Ehrhoff. Unless he gets a better one before training camp, he could be moving to Columbus for the coming season.

Flyers Could Trade a Defenseman

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Rumor: On July 17, NJ.com's Randy Miller reported the Philadelphia Flyers have eight defensemen under one-way contracts, which leaves the club with limited cap space for 2015-16. He believes general manager Ron Hextall could trade one of them before training camp opens in September.  

Analysis: Miller speculated Luke Schenn ($3.6 million salary-cap hit) is the top trade candidate. He doubted Andrew MacDonald has much value, citing his $5 million cap hit and poor performance last season. 

Potential outcome: It could take a while for Hextall to find a trade partner for one of his blueliners. At this point in the offseason, most GMs prefer to evaluate their rosters in training camp before deciding if other moves are necessary.

Where Will Cody Franson End Up?

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Rumor: On July 29, Sportsnet's Mike Johnston listed the Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings, Arizona Coyotes and Buffalo Sabres as potential landing spots for unrestricted free-agent defenseman Cody Franson. 

Analysis: On July 21, Franson told TSN Radio 1040 in Vancouver he had spoken with the Bruins and five other teams. Coming off a one-year, $3.3 million contract, he could prove too expensive for the Bruins and Kings. The Stars, meanwhile, recently added Johnny Oduya to their defense. The Coyotes and Sabres have plenty of cap room but haven't publicly indicated they're pursuing Franson.

Potential outcome: Teams with interest in Franson seem to be playing the waiting game in hopes of signing him to an affordable short-term deal. It could take until well into training camp for Franson to finally land a new deal, perhaps with the Coyotes or Sabres.

More Roster Changes Coming for the Maple Leafs?

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Rumor: Over a month after the Toronto Maple Leafs traded Phil Kessel to Pittsburgh, ProHockeyTalk's Jason Brough wondered if they'll trade other core players this summer. He noted trade speculation still hangs over veterans such as Dion Phaneuf, Joffrey Lupul and Tyler Bozak. Even young Leafs like Nazem Kadri and James van Riemsdyk aren't untouchable.

Analysis: Three weeks after the Kessel trade, the Leafs again surprised the hockey world by hiring former New Jersey Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello as their new GM. TSN's Frank Seravalli believes Lamoriello will take some time to evaluate his roster.

Potential outcome: It doesn't appear any of the Leafs' current core players will hit the trade market before training camp opens in September. Lamoriello could take most of the coming season to analyze his lineup before deciding if a shake-up is necessary.

Hurricanes Listening to Offers for Jeff Skinner

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

Rumor: On July 24, the News & Observer's Luke DeCock reported the Carolina Hurricanes listened to offers this summer for left wing Jeff Skinner. So far, they haven't received one to their liking. 

Analysis: Skinner, a two-time 30-goal scorer, has a history of concussions. The most recent occurred last October. While he returned to play 77 games last season, he tallied only 31 points. The 23-year-old winger is entering the third season of a six-year contract worth an average salary-cap hit of $5.725 million.

Potential outcome: Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis may be listening to offers for Skinner, but it doesn't mean he'll jettison the youngster before next season. He could wait to see if a better performance by Skinner bolsters his trade value. Then again, that could also provide a good reason for the Hurricanes to retain him. 

Dustin Byfuglien to the Bruins

Winslow Townson/Associated Press

Rumor: On Aug. 3, SI.com's Allan Muir reported Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien had recently surfaced in the rumor mill. Speculation linked the 30-year-old to the Boston Bruins.

Analysis: Since trading Dougie Hamilton to Calgary back in June, the Bruins need another big-bodied puck-moving defenseman. Landing Byfuglien, however, will be expensive. While the Bruins would have to take on his $5.2 million cap hit for 2015-16, the Jets could also demand a return consisting of a good young roster player, a top prospect and a first-round pick. 

Potential outcome: The Jets have no reason to trade Byfuglien now. While he's an unrestricted free agent next summer, they aren't facing any cap pressure retaining him for the coming season. Meanwhile, the Bruins have limited cap space for 2015-16. As a result, they can't afford to take on a high-salaried star, let alone part with a significant trade package to get him.

Is The Time Right To Trade Shea Weber?

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Rumor: On July 30, Yahoo Sports' Josh Cooper explained why he thinks it would make sense for the Nashville Predators to trade defenseman Shea Weber now. Among his points, Cooper believes trade offers will be in the Predators' favor and their blue line will remain strong without Weber. Another factor is the expense of re-signing young stars such as Seth Jones and Filip Forsberg.

Analysis: Predators general manager David Poile hasn't indicated Weber is available, and there are no reports of other clubs pursuing him. The Predators can still benefit from their captain's skills, experience and leadership. They're a better team with Weber in the lineup.

Potential outcome: Some day, the Predators could trade Weber. Don't expect that day to come anytime soon. He remains invaluable to their championship aspirations in 2016.

Player stats via NHL.com. Salary info via General Fanager.