NHL Trade Rumors: Latest Surrounding Steven Stamkos, Adam Larsson

Not even a month into the NHL season and there are already forecasts of change. After an 0-7 start, the Columbus Blue Jackets were the first team to shake things up, relieving Todd Richards of his coaching duties and hiring John Tortorella to take his place. 

While Columbus' move was behind the bench, some teams are looking to find alternatives for their rosters on the ice. Lets take a look at the latest trade rumors surrounding some of the game's most notable trade targets.

Adam Larsson

The New Jersey Devils don't want a repeat of last season. Already toward the bottom of the Metropolitan Division, the Devils have been outscored 16-11 through their first six games. 

Something needs to change in New Jersey, and the team that made a coaching change seems to be a willing trade partner for them, according to the Columbus Dispatch's Aaron Portzline:

At just 22 years old, Adam Larsson is already beginning his fifth season in the NHL with the Devils and is continuing his development into a solid two-way defenseman. 

It was never more evident than on Tuesday night when he broke up an Arizona Coyotes rush in overtime, as shown by MSG Network:

With that kind of skating ability from a defenseman, Columbus has to put together a multi-player offering for Larsson, as Portzline reported. The Blue Jackets are in dire need of defensive help after giving up 34 goals in their seven games this season, the most of any team in the league. 

Cam Atkinson would reportedly be the headliner of the deal as a young offensive option for the Devils. The 25-year-old recorded a career-high 22 goals last season. With great breakaway speed to complement a nice finishing touch, Atkinson could provide a much-needed offensive boost for the Devils. 

SB Nation NHL shared footage of his goal against the New York Rangers:

Columbus might add a draft pick to sweeten the pot for the Devils if they want a deal done quickly. Showing early on they don't stand for this kind of play, the Blue Jackets might just be the Devils' savior when it comes to getting some added offensive punch.

Steven Stamkos

An expiring contract is looming over the Tampa Bay Lightning and their star man, Steven Stamkos. With one year remaining on his original five-year, $37 million contract, per Spotrac, Stamkos is set to hit free agency at the end of the 2015-16 season. 

Nothing was done during the offseason heading into this year, and there has been little talk from that front since. 

Whether that means Stamkos wants to test the free-agency waters or wait for another 40-plus-goal season to get as much money as possible out of the Lightning, one team might not want Stamkos to be wearing blue and white by the end of the season. 

The Calgary Flames have had a dreadful, 1-5 start to their season. A young team that made plenty of noise in the Western Conference last term is struggling to find the back of the net, averaging just two goals per game. 

According to Mark Spector of Sportsnet, somehow receiving Stamkos sounds like a necessity for Flames general manager Brad Treliving:

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No small trade is going to fix his Flames, who are entirely broken right now, and word is out that Treliving is willing to talk about a very big deal if he can find one. We even heard that his conversation with Tampa Bay general manager Steve Yzerman was all about the Lightning’s obvious issues with signing soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Steven Stamkos.

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Dealing for Stamkos would also mean parting with some of their best young talent. Spector threw in the name of Sam Bennett, the Flames' 19-year-old gem who is preparing for his first season in the NHL. 

This kind of deal would only come off if the Lightning and Stamkos couldn't reach a deal. Instead of simply letting him walk, they have the option of trying to clean a team out of its best young talent. The Flames would be just that kind of team.

But it would be a dangerous move for the Flames. Giving up the likes of Bennett or even Sean Monahan, who scored 31 goals as a 20-year-old last season, for the rental of Stamkos could blow up in their face if the veteran right winger decides to go elsewhere during the offseason. 

Stats courtesy Hockey-Reference.com.