NHL Rumors: Latest Buzz on Michael Stone, Ryan Murphy and More

While he has not gotten on the scoreboard yet this season, offensive defenseman Michael Stone of the Arizona Coyotes could be a valuable pickup for a team that is looking for some decent production on the blue line. 

Stone is on the trading block, according to Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal.

Stone has three assists in eight games this season, but he scored six goals and had 30 assists last season for the Coyotes. The 26-year-old skates well and has fine offensive instincts, and he could bring some punch to the power play. He had 14 assists with the man advantage last season.

Stone is not the only defenseman on the trading block. Ryan Murphy of the Carolina Hurricanes appears to be available as well.

Karl B DeBlaker/Associated Press

Darren Dreger of TSN reports that Murphy is being made available because he does not appear to be a fit for Carolina head coach Bill Peters' system.

Murphy has played in just four games for the Hurricanes this season, and he has one assist and a minus-six rating. Murphy scored four goals in 2014-15, but he did not light the lamp last season.

Murphy, 23, is under salary-cap control, as he is earning $750,000 this season and is scheduled to earn $825,000 next year, per Spotrac. The right-handed defenseman was the No. 12 pick in the 2011 draft, and since quality righty defensemen are in great demand, the Hurricanes should be able to find a willing trade partner.

The Hurricanes have been trying to upgrade their defense, and it seems clear their coach does not have much confidence in Murphy.

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The New York Islanders have gotten off to a miserable start and find themselves in the cellar of the Metropolitan Division with the fewest points among all Eastern Conference teams.

The Islanders have not won a road game yet, and they are struggling to score goals. They need help wherever they can get it, and Arthur Staple of Newsday reports that the team is looking to trade for a forward.

That would seem to make quite a bit of sense, as John Tavares (13 points) and fellow center Brock Nelson (12 points) are the only Islanders who have reached double figures in points this season.

The Islanders figured to have some trouble scoring after losing forward Kyle Okposo to free agency in the offseason.

The Islanders have not gotten much from Andrew Ladd (three points) or Ryan Strome (six points), and it appears general manager Garth Snow needs to make a deal to bring in some scoring help.