NHL Trade Rumors: Reviewing Latest Reports Before 2016 Deadline Passes

The NHL trade deadline is Monday at 3 p.m. ET, and teams have been busy trying to position themselves to make deals. There are a few names that have seemingly dominated the rumor mill this past weekend.

Here's a look at the most compelling reports as the deadline approaches.

Bruins Are Expected to Be Active

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According to Joe Haggerty of CSNNE.com, the Boston Bruins have positioned themselves to be active ahead of the deadline. They placed Max Talbot on waivers and sent Tyler Randell to the AHL on a conditioning stint. Those moves have cleared roster spots for the team to add players.

According to Haggerty, the Bruins aren't just expected to make a single move; it's possible general manager Don Sweeney could be looking to pull the trigger on multiple deals.

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Dan Hamhuis is someone Boston is interested in acquiring, according to TSN hockey insider Darren Dreger (h/t Haggerty). Haggerty, citing NHL sources, also mentioned Calgary Flames defenseman Kris Russell and Arizona Coyotes winger Mikkel Boedker as potential targets.

Dan Hamhuis Weighing His Options

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

Per Ben Kuzma of the Province, Hamhuis isn't sure if he'll waive his no-trade clause. One thing seems certain: There's a group of teams waiting to make a deal for the 33-year-old if he decides to allow Vancouver to deal him.

The Bruins are one team said to be interested in Hamhuis, but non-contending teams need not apply. It seems the Western Conference's No. 2 seed, the Dallas Stars, could be a likely destination, per Dan Murphy of Sportsnet:

Hamhuis is plus-five this season, and he hasn't been on the wrong side of the plus-minus stat in his last seven years in the NHL. He's not the guy he was from 2010-12, when he had back-to-back seasons with a plus-29 rating, but he's still a solid player and a veteran presence.

If he lands with the Stars, it would be a huge boost for their team and the locker room.

Jonathan Drouin Is a Wanted Man

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It seems almost every team in the NHL has expressed some level of interest in acquiring 20-year-old left winger Jonathan Drouin. He's in the Tampa Bay Lightning organization, but it would be a surprise if he remains there past Monday.

Take a look at the laundry list of teams said to have interest in the young Canadian, per TSN's Bob McKenzie:

Boston might be the most likely suitor. Sportsnet.ca reported that negotiations between Boston and 30-year-old forward Loui Eriksson have broken down. That could make Eriksson a piece of a package that could land Drouin with the Bruins.

In 19 games with the Lightning this season, Drouin has tallied just eight points, but it's his upside that has teams interested in acquiring him.

He doesn't turn 21 until March 28, and his best days are clearly ahead of him. He'll be a free agent at the end of the season, but if a team can re-sign him to a new deal, he could become a valuable contributor for the future and not just a rental.