NHL Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz on Dion Phaneuf, Matt Duchene and More

The NHL draft is complete, and free agency is just around the corner. In the meantime, NHL teams approach each other about making moves on the trade front.

The Ottawa Senators continue to try to move defenseman Dion Phaneuf, but it is not easy because the veteran has a list of teams that he does not want to be traded to.

That list is 19 teams deep, but while the defenseman may be somewhat reticent to leave the Canadian capital, that means he would accept a trade to 12 teams.

Ottawa general manager Pierre Dorion said teams have been calling about Phaneuf, according to TSN senior hockey writer Frank Servalli.

If Phaneuf had waived his no-trade clause, the Sens could have made him available in last week's expansion draft. Instead, the Senators had to expose defenseman Marc Methot, who was claimed by the Vegas Golden Knights.

While Dorion is still listening to calls, he attempted to put a good face on the relationship between the team and the defenseman. 

"That's his right and I respect the right that Dion can say 'No,'" Dorion said, per Servalli. "Isn't it a good thing that someone wants to be in Ottawa? I think it's a good thing that Dion still wants to be part of what we're trying to build here. So I've got no problems with Dion."

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Colorado center Matt Duchene is one of several members of the Avalanche who could be available in a trade. The Avs had the worst record in the league last year, and it's clear that the team needs a new direction and Duchene has quite a bit of appeal throughout the NHL.

One of the teams interested in acquiring his services includes the Nashville Predators, who are coming off a sensational run to the Stanley Cup Final.

The Preds lost James Neal to the Vegas Golden Knights in the expansion draft, and they are clearly a team that is stronger on defense than they are on offense.

NHL insider Darren Dreger tweeted that the Preds have a strong interest in Duchene. David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, another website concerned with NHL maneuvers, also tweeted that the Carolina Hurricanes have an interest in Duchene.

Duchene was the third pick in the 2009 NHL draft and has the profile of a star player, but he was held to 18 goals and 23 assists last year. A change of scenery may help his career at this point.

The Montreal Canadiens are willing to entertain talks about trading center Alex Galchenyuk, according to Dan Rosen of NHL.com.

The Habs have spoken with the New Jersey Devils, Minnesota Wild and Anaheim Ducks about Galchenyuk, and they would like a defenseman in return for the center.

Galchenyuk scored 17 goals and 27 assists last year. He scored 30 goals and 56 points in 2015-16.