NHL Rumors: Latest on Evander Kane Trade, Kris Russell and More

The NHL rumors market tends to slow this time of year, but it has just enough juice to compete with other majors leagues such as the NBA. 

How could it not? Guys like Evander Kane potentially find themselves on the trade market, and many teams and individuals head to arbitration meetings—if not work something out before the clock expires.

It's a tense time, with contenders opening up the checkbooks on what still remains on the market. Players themselves have options, though this wild offseason has made league hierarchy more difficult to analyze than usual.

Here's a look at the most notable rumors making the rounds.

Kris Russell Update

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Teams in need of help on the blue line should look no further than defender Kris Russell.

Russell, 29, has yet to find a new home after spending 51 games with the Calgary Flames and 11 with the Dallas Stars last year. He posted all of 19 points between the two teams yet remained his usual enforcer self otherwise.

Such prowess explains why Andy Strickland of Fox Sports Midwest hears the only factor stopping a deal is cash:

Russell has the right idea of wanting to cash in while he can. Another notable defender, Jason Demers, secured a deal north of $20 million with the Florida Panthers.

Folks who have followed Russell's free agency know he's turned down offers already. In an article from early July talking about interest from the Boston Bruins, Joe Haggerty of CSNNE noted Russell backed off the Toronto Maple Leafs.

"One source told CSNNE.com that Russell’s camp turned down a four-year, $17 million plus offer from Toronto, and was looking for something richer than that in the secondary D-men market," Haggerty wrote.

So far the market hasn't given Russell what he wants. One almost has to think sooner or later it will, though, with the situation perhaps ready to give way to a bidding war. Patience has been the key, and Russell is the biggest name out there in his area, so expect something soon. 

Mark McNeill Watch?

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Should those faithful to the Chicago Blackhawks stand at the ready for a Mark McNeill trade?

Perhaps. The 23-year-old center has spent most of his career with the team's AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, where he's been called up to the NHL just once for a single game. An injury might have derailed another promotion in the past, but his ascension hasn't happened as quickly as some would have expected.

The Athletic's Scott Powers dropped an interesting nugget recently about McNeill's situation:

"

According to a source, there are some in the Blackhawks organization who believe McNeill has been NHL ready the past few years and others who don’t. Considering that, it wasn’t surprising McNeill’s name was floated in trade rumors around July 1. The Edmonton Oilers were one rumored destination. Plus, the Blackhawks have dealt players in McNeill’s situation in the past.

"

The Blackhawks understand the value of McNeill, who scored 25 goals and 23 assists over 64 games last year with the IceHogs. It's why the team inked him to a new deal and why he took it earlier in July.

If McNeill doesn't come up and make an impact soon, though, the doubting voices within the organization could win out, and a team more liable to give him a legit shot at the pro level might offer a package Chicago cannot refuse.

It's not necessarily a now-or-never situation, but younger high-upside talent is always something to watch.

The Evander Kane Saga

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The future of Kane with the Buffalo Sabres might come down to much more than a recent off-ice issue.

Namely, Jimmy Vesey might have a say in the matter.

Vesey is the hottest free agent set to hit the market right now, and his addition would make Kane rather expendable. According to TSN's Matthew Sekeres, the Sabres will lean more toward the idea of a trade based on Vesey's decision:

Vesey becomes an unrestricted free agent August 15 and is all of 23 years old, whereas Kane has two years left on his current deal and is 24.

Not a huge age difference, but it's Kane who has had his name in the headlines as of late for the wrong reasons. According to the Buffalo News, he was arrested on misdemeanor criminal trespass charges recently.

Sabres general manager Tim Murray has made it quite clear Kane's behavior needs to change.

"He's going to have to pick and choose his spots when he goes out a lot better than he does, and he's going to have to behave himself a lot better than he has obviously," Murray said, according to the Associated Press (via ESPN.com).

The writing on the wall seems obvious enough. Vesey has a say in the matter, and remember: The Sabres drafted Alex Nylander, who also plays the same spot, No. 8 overall this year.

Odd issues or not, Kane offers plenty of value for a team in need after 35 points over 65 games last season, his first in Buffalo. If Buffalo truly wants out, the team has positioned itself to do so and can still get a quality return. It sounds like this one, though, won't have a resolution until mid-August.

Stats and information courtesy of NHL.com unless otherwise specified.