NHL Rumors: Analyzing Buzz on Kevin Shattenkirk Trade, Steven Stamkos and More

The 2016 NHL draft has come and gone, which allows teams to hone their focus back on this summer's free-agent market.

For those general managers worried about finding any value in free agency, the trade market could prove more fertile ground to improve their teams.

Below are some of the more recent rumors around three players who could be on the move in the offseason.

Kevin Shattenkirk

Bill Boyce/Associated Press

On Sunday, the Detroit Free Press' Helene St. James reported the St. Louis Blues threw out a trade offer to the Detroit Red Wings, which included Kevin Shattenkirk going to Detroit and Dylan Larkin heading for St. Louis. St. James described the potential deal as a "no-go."

Fox Sports Midwest's Andy Strickland reported the Blues weren't looking to get Larkin.

One way or another, Shattenkirk's agent, Jordan Neumann, expects his client to have a new home for the 2016-17 season, per Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "I would say at this point, Kevin and I do think it is inevitable that he ultimately will get traded."

It's understandable for the Blues to have a high asking price for Shattenkirk, regardless of whether or not they actually made a proposal that included Larkin. The free-agent market doesn't have a lot of depth at defenseman, which means those players available are likely to be overpaid. St. Louis might as well swing for the fences.

Trading for Shattenkirk could be an intriguing pursuit for those teams hoping to strengthen their blue lines. The 27-year-old is consistent, registering at least 43 points in all but one of his six seasons—the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign.

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong should have little trouble trading Shattenkirk this summer if his goal is solely to get Shattenkirk's salary off the team's books. If he wants to maximize his return in any deal, though, Armstrong might be better off waiting until the 2016-17 trade deadline, when teams might be even more desperate to add a veteran defenseman than they are now.

Steven Stamkos

Chris Szagola/Associated Press

No unrestricted free agent is more coveted this summer than Steven Stamkos. In 77 games this past year, Stamkos finished with 36 goals and 28 assists. At 26, he's in the prime of his career, and his earning power will likely never be higher. As a result, Stamkos could sign one of the richest deals in the league.

Sportsnet's Eric Engels reported Monday the Montreal Canadiens are angling to sign Stamkos but added the team only has a long shot of actually landing him. Given how fierce the competition will be, the Canadiens are probably better off taking themselves out of the race and focusing on more realistic targets.

The Detroit Red Wings will be in the hunt for Stamkos after trading Pavel Datsyuk and the $7.5 million he's due for next year. The Buffalo Sabres will be heavy hitters as well, with the Buffalo News' Mike Harrington reporting the team would be willing to offer Stamkos a contract worth an average of $11-12 million annually.

According to the Toronto Star's Dave Feschuk, Toronto Maple Leafs team president Brendan Shanahan met with Stamkos' agent, Don Meehan, at the draft, and the two talked for a few minutes. Feschuk noted representatives from the Red Wings and Sabres also spoke with Meehan in Buffalo.

Although the New York Rangers weren't among those publicly adding themselves to the Stamkos sweepstakes, a source told Feschuk the team is weighing up a contract offer worth "gazillions."

The Tampa Bay Times' Joe Smith explained why the Tampa Bay Lightning are in a strong position to retain Stamkos, even if their contract offer doesn't match what's being offered elsewhere:

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Aside from being a great on-ice fit, the Lightning. which is believed to have offered Stamkos an extension with worth $8.5 million annually, holds a couple x-factors over other suitors in that there's no state income taxes in Florida and the Lightning is the only team that can offer him eight year contract (others only seven). As Tampa Bay Times analysis in January showed Stamkos could net nearly the same annually after taxes in Tampa Bay at $8.5 million as $10 million in New York (Rangers, Islanders), presuming he'd be a New York City resident (see chart); Stamkos would make more over the length of the deal in Tampa because of the extra year. Stamkos would net just $500,000 less annually than a $10 million deal Detroit, another strong suitor, but, again, more over the length of the deal.

"

Whatever Stamkos ultimately decides, it will send shock waves throughout the league and cause numerous dominoes to fall this offseason.

Loui Eriksson

Tom Mihalek/Associated Press

For those teams that miss out on Stamkos, Loui Eriksson could be a cost-effective backup plan. Of course, Eriksson will actually have to hit free agency first. The Boston Bruins could still potentially re-sign the 30-year-old before he officially becomes an unrestricted free agent Friday.

TSN's Darren Dreger reported on June 22 that the Bruins were hoping to agree on a four-year deal with Eriksson, but Eriksson was looking to sign for six years. WEEI.com's DJ Bean reported Boston may be willing to go longer than four years but with a lower average annual value in the contract.

Eriksson appears to have a strong negotiating position, with Bean noting six teams have talked to Eriksson's agent about signing him.

Anything longer than four years is a bit risky for a player who turns 31 on July 17 unless Boston can negotiate a more team-friendly salary. As good as Eriksson is, he's not worth a massive long-term financial commitment.

Another team may be willing to go above and beyond to secure his signature, but the Bruins would be smart to let Eriksson test the waters and see his true value on the open market.