NHL Rumors: Latest Trade Buzz on Kevin Shattenkirk, Dougie Hamilton and More

The further the 2016-17 NHL season progresses, the clearer pictures and needs become within respective rosters, which has created further buzz around the trade market. 

Some notable names are familiar faces around trade talks, while others could provide surprises if they are shipped off. 

Here are the latest whisperings around the trade market:

Kevin Shattenkirk

St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk's name has cropped up in trade talks for the past year, although his team hasn't been able to find the right deal. 

The 27-year-old is in his final season of a four-year deal with the Blues, according to Spotrac, and there has been no evidence that he'll be re-signing with them. 

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun confirmed those notions, adding that Shattenkirk could be on the move before free agency hits: "The Blues are going to do something with blueliner Kevin Shattenkirk, and it’s doubtful there will be an extension on the table. If Armstrong wants to shake things up and he doesn’t want to give Hitchcock his walking papers, then maybe this is the move that shakes up his roster."

St. Louis, a team that's made the playoffs in each of the past four seasons, has started the year 7-6-3 while allowing 37 goals, which is eighth-worst in the league. 

While the defense has struggled to keep pucks out of the net, Shattenkirk has had one of the best starts to a season in his career on the offensive end, racking up 12 points in 16 games, further cementing his status as one of the best two-way defensemen in the league. 

That will only drive his interest up if the Blues are desperate to move him before the end of the season. 

Dougie Hamilton

The Calgary Flames' 5-9-1 start to the season isn't making anyone within the organization hit the panic button yet, but teams on the outside are looking to swoop in and poach a big name or two if they are desperate to shake things up. 

According to Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos, via Rory Boylen of Sportsnet, the Arizona Coyotes and Pittsburgh Penguins have inquired about young defenseman Dougie Hamilton. 

Kypreos was quick to state that he did not "suggest for one second that Calgary’s shopping this guy."

Now in his second year with the Flames after being dealt from the Boston Bruins, the 23-year-old has had a tough start to the 2016-17 season after putting up a career-high 43 points last year. 

Through 16 games, he has just two goals and six assists, which might not yield a promising return for the Flames if they were to deal him. 

However, the fact that he's signed through the 2020-21 season will provide a long-term option for interested parties.

If the Flames continue to struggle and Hamilton can pick up his two-way play, then talks could heat up as the season progresses.

Canucks Searching for Scoring 

It's become abundantly clear through 16 games this season that the Vancouver Canucks are an offensively challenged team. 

With 33 goals, the Canucks have just four players with more than two tallies, while none of them have more than five. 

Canucks general manager Jim Benning has apparently seen enough, according to Garrioch: "Benning has been busy working the phones. He hasn’t been the least bit pleased with the way his group of forwards has started the season, and how could he be? The talk is the Canucks have been trying to find someone who might be able to chip in 20 goals per season." 

Garrioch noted that their newest signing, Loui Eriksson, was expected to be that player after signing a six-year, $36 million deal in the offseason. But the left winger has scored just two goals with four assists so far. 

If the Canucks can't find the back of the net more often, it could mean the end for Benning and head coach Willie Desjardins, bringing a complete overhaul of the organization.