NHL Rumors: Latest News on Milan Lucic, Steven Stamkos Trade and More

With the opening of NHL free agency at noon ET on Friday fast approaching, trade rumors are beginning to heat up. 

Milan Lucic had some choice words for a report that he's headed to Edmonton, while the Tampa Bay Lightning are apparently looking to sign and trade Steven Stamkos. 

Take a look at the latest rumors below, and get ready for the real fun to begin on Friday once the interview period ends and the signing period begins.  

Milan Lucic likely to sign with Edmonton Oilers

ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun reported that the Edmonton Oilers have thrown their hat into the ring for the services of free agent Milan Lucic, who reportedly visited with the team Tuesday.

Lucic and Jason Demers took a tour of Rogers Place, via Sportsnet video:

Though there are multiple teams pursuing Lucic, reports and rumors Tuesday indicated that Edmonton is likely to be the team that wins out. 

In fact, former Edmonton Journal writer Curtis Stock actually reported that a deal had been reached between the two sides, though that has not yet been confirmed:

Lucic, of course, can't actually agree to a deal during the NHL's interview period, but that doesn't mean that the terms of a potential deal with the Oilers couldn't be agreed upon in principle. 

For his part, however, Lucic appears to be in no hurry to sign a contract. He told Bruins beat writer DJ Bean of WEEI on Tuesday that the report was "bulls--t."

Tampa Bay Lightning could sign and trade Steven Stamkos

If the Tampa Bay Lightning are going to lose Stamkos anyways, shouldn't they at least try to get something back for the center?

According to Chris Johnston of Sportsnet, that idea is gaining steam for general manager Steve Yzerman.

"Never given it a thought so maybe I should think about it," Yzerman said when asked about the possibility of a sign-and-trade at the entry draft, per Johnston. "It's an interesting idea…well losing him for nothing or losing him for an asset? I’d love to get an asset for him."

If Stamkos wants a maximum eight-year contract, he can either sign an extension with Tampa Bay before Friday, or agree to a sign-and-trade agreement between the Lightning and whichever team he wants to join next. 

Per Johnston, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Buffalo, Detroit and Boston are all rumored to be interested in Stamkos. 

The center had 36 goals, which ranked seventh in the NHL, and 28 assists in 2015-16.

Kevin Shattenkirk expects St. Louis Blues to trade him

Not only does defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk expect to be traded by the Blues, but his agent is surprised he's still with the team at this point, Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

Per Rutherford, St. Louis GM Doug Armstrong approached Shattenkirk’s agent, Jordan Neumann, about the possibility of signing an extension with the defenseman, but ultimately the club isn't "comfortable with the numbers it would take to bring Shattenkirk back."

Thus, trade talks have begun.

It's no surprise that Shattenkirk's camp is looking for a big payday. He had 14 goals and 44 points in 72 games last season and was an integral part of the Blues' deep playoff run. 

Per Rutherford, it's believed that the 27-year-old could command between $6 million and $7 million per season. 

While Rutherford pointed to rumors that Shattenkirk is only open to moving to a team in the Eastern Conference, details about potential trade partners are unconfirmed.