NHL Trade Rumors: Examining Latest 2016 Offseason Reports

As the NHL's offseason winds deeper into July, things get quieter on both the free-agent and trade fronts. 

The New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators did add a spark to the transaction wire when Derick Brassard and a 2018 seventh-round pick were traded north of the border in exchange for 23-year-old Mika Zibanejad and a 2018 second-round draft pick.

With some big names and teams still looking to make moves, here is the latest on the rumors swirling around the league.

Radim Vrbata

Unrestricted free agent Radim Vrbata is still in search of a deal after a down 2015-16 season. 

The 35-year-old went from scoring 31 goals in 2014-15 with the Vancouver Canucks to just 13 last year. The drop-off in play and his age haven't made him the most attractive free-agent target. 

However, much of that had to do with his removal from the Canucks' first line that featured Henrik and Daniel Sedin. The trio accounted for 69 goals two years ago, almost 30 percent of Vancouver's tallies that season:

With that line broken up, the Canucks stumbled to a 75-point season and missed the postseason for just the second time in the past eight years.

Vrbata's agent, Rich Evans, has kept offseason negotiations close to his vest, but he did disclose to Craig Morgan of ArizonaSports.com that four teams have been involved in talks with the right winger. Morgan added that the Arizona Coyotes are "believed" to "have had at least some level of discussion."

The Czech forward spent six seasons with the Coyotes, the most with any team throughout his 14-year career, where he recorded 137 goals and 151 assists. 

A return to Arizona would ensure another veteran presence alongside captain Shane Doan who could help mentor the numerous young forwards on the roster, including Max Domi, Anthony Duclair and Tobias Rieder.

Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings might have missed out on the Steven Stamkos sweepstakes after he re-signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning, but they've tried to make up for it by acquiring Frans Nielsen and Thomas Vanek. However, aging forwards don't hold nearly as much offensive firepower as Stamkos does. 

With a logjam at the forward position, the Red Wings could use their depth to their advantage on the trade market, according to Jared Clinton of the Hockey News: "[Red Wings general manager Ken] Holland’s idea appears to be potentially flipping some of his forward depth for a top-four defenseman. Getting a blueliner of that ilk won’t come cheap—not financially or in terms of what Detroit has to give up."

Holland recently told Gregg Krupa of the Detroit News that he is "hoping" the Red Wings have 15 or 16 NHL-ready forwards, which makes two or three expendable this offseason. The best-case scenario would be acquiring a "No. 1 or No. 2 defenseman."

In terms of defensemen who could fit the bill, Detroit has already been linked with Cam Fowler of the Anaheim Ducks, according to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press. Kevin Shattenkirk of the St. Louis Blues has also been a regular name on the trade block, per Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 

Each of those defensemen could put up 30 points a season or more, as both are above-average puck-handlers for their position. The 24-year-old Fowler recorded 28 points last year, while the 27-year-old Shattenkirk recorded 44.

One of them could also bring some youth to Detroit's two-way defensemen, who are led by 30-year-old Mike Green and 35-year-old Niklas Kronwall.

For a team looking to make its 26th straight playoff appearance next year, the kind of skill offered by Fowler or Shattenkirk from the back could ignite Detroit's offense, as it would add another attacking dimension while providing a long-term fixture on the blue line. 

Stats courtesy of Hockey-Reference.com.