NHL Rumors: Latest Buzz on Kyle Okposo, Milan Lucic and More

After an event-filled start to the NHL offseason, the drama is only going to continue with a number of high-profile free agents still available.

Fans were struggling to keep up with the news on Wednesday afternoon, when seemingly every major story was followed by another. ESPN.com's Scott Burnside recapped some of the action, which included P.K. Subban being traded to the Nashville Predators and Steven Stamkos re-signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

It will be tough to follow that mayhem, but teams are still on the lookout for top talents who could improve their rosters heading into next season. This could lead to some noteworthy races concerning the biggest names on the market.

Here is a look at the latest info surrounding a few of the major targets around the league.

Kyle Okposo

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After playing a big role in helping the New York Islanders return to the postseason, Kyle Okposo is a wanted man around the NHL.

Arthur Staple of Newsday provided a list of teams interested in signing the 28-year-old:

One team that could make a major play for the forward is the Minnesota Wild, according to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune:

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During the courting period that started Saturday, the Wild has spoken with Okposo and his agent, Pat Brisson, multiple sources say. Not a shock, I know, so it shouldn't surprise you, too, that many teams have talked to Okposo. He clearly has a shot at a term of at least six years and hefty money, likely the $6 million per year range.

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The price tag is pretty high, but so too is the demand, with teams in need of a passer of this ability. Okposo knows how to create offense, finishing the regular season with 22 goals and 42 assists. That marked the second time in three years he finished with at least 40 assists on the season.

With Stamkos off the market, Okposo has likely moved near the top of the list for many teams this summer.

He would especially make a lot of sense for Minnesota, a team that already has a solid defense but ranked just 18th in the league in scoring, averaging 2.6 goals per game last season. Even without an elite goal scorer, this unit would feature a balanced attack that could be enough to make a deeper run in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Milan Lucic

Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images

After eight years with the Boston Bruins, Milan Lucic had a successful first season with the Los Angeles Kings, but it seems like he will be on the move once again to a team that desperately needs someone like him.

ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reported the wide interest from around the league, noting the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers led the charge:

LeBrun later reported the left wing's visit to Edmonton along with Jason Demers. 

According to Rob Williams of the Daily Hive, the Oilers quickly became the leader in this race:

Nothing will be final until a contract is signed, but it seems as though Edmonton is the heavy favorite to land the 28-year-old veteran.

This would be good timing, too, since the Oilers just traded Taylor Hall for defenseman Adam Larsson, according to ESPN.com's Joe McDonald. Hall led the team in both goals and assists this past season, while no one else on the roster finished with more than 51 points. Adding Lucic and his 20 goals and 35 assists from last season would serve as a nice replacement for the offense.

The rest of the league likely won't give up on pursuing this highly touted player until he officially signs, but it appears as though one team has the clear advantage in this race.

Eric Staal

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He was once one of the top offensive players in the league, but Eric Staal's disappointing season has left plenty of question marks heading into free agency.

The 31-year-old center played 83 combined games last season for the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers yet managed just 39 total points. That was his lowest total since his rookie campaign at age 19 and the only time he failed to reach 50 since.

Despite the struggles, Staal is confident of having a bounce-back season, per LeBrun:

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I feel like I've got a lot of good years left in me, I know I do. I need to obviously perform. But I'm hoping to be picking a spot and a team where I can be put in a position to be at my best. I think there are some spots out there where I can fit well and perform well with good teams. That's what I'm looking at, at this point in my career, it's more about the fit and winning.

I feel like I've got a lot of miles left yet. And just looking for that right fit and opportunity and go from there.

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While there isn't quite the demand there is for players such as Okposo or Lucic, Staal still has some suitors this offseason, according to John Shannon of Sportsnet:

Staple speculated the Islanders are one of those interested teams if their first options aren't there:

There would be plenty of upside if a team could get Staal on a short-term deal. He isn't quite reaching 100 points like he did a decade ago, but he did lead the Hurricanes in goals and points in 2014-15 and could be a useful threat for a contending team. He also could provide some veteran leadership for a younger team on the rise.

In any case, Staal likely won't be a free agent for too long.

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