NHL Rumors: Potential Jason Demers Trade, Jaromir Jagr Buzz and More

With free agency just days away, let's take a look at the latest buzz around the NHL.

We start with blue-liner Jason Demers.

During an interview on TSN 1050, hockey insider Pierre LeBrun spoke about the likelihood that the Florida Panthers would trade blue-liner Demers. 

"Florida will move him. Possibly this week," LeBrun said (h/t MapleLeafsHotStove.com). "He has a list, and I don't know if Toronto's on it or not. I'm just telling you that's a guy I think would fit in."

In the effort to find a defenseman this offseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs have done their due diligence, as Mike Babcock confirmed per Chris Johnston of Sportsnet:

"We're busy. We've been busy the whole time. Just because you're busy doesn't mean anything happens as far as from (the media's) perspective. It happens from our perspective because we're gathering the information and putting ourselves in the best spot. A lot of deals that you think you might be in on you're never in on.

"We're going to do what we can to improve our team, we've been trying to do that since we finished (the season) and we continue to try and do that."

Surely, the Maple Leafs likely won't be alone in kicking the tires on Demers if they go that route. Demers, 29, had a career-high nine goals last season and scored 28 overall points. While he's generally a solid two-way player, he does offer a bit of a mixed bag. 

As Harvey Fialkov of the Sun-Sentinel noted, Demers is signed "through 2021 at $4.5 million per season," adding "despite his stellar penalty-killing skills, Demers notched a minus-14 ice rating and isn't overly physical." 

Those reasons likely contributed to the Panthers making him available in last week's expansion draft. And now, it would appear, it will lead to them ultimately trading him. It's hard to imagine a defenseman-starved team not pouncing. 

The Red Wings may be one of those teams, with Craig Custance of The Athletic writing that the Red Wings are in the market for help on the blue line:

"According to multiple sources, the Red Wings have had conversations with the camps for defensemen Trevor Daley, Dan Girardi and Ron Hainsey. It's expected they'll also give strong consideration to defenseman Dmitry Kulikov.

"And if you've sensed a common theme, there most certainly is one. Red Wings GM Ken Holland and his staff are in the market for a veteran left-shot defenseman who can bridge the gap until their younger defensive prospects are ready."

Demers doesn't fit the left-shot description, but he fits the rest of it. Add them to the list of teams that could acquire him in a trade, along with pursuing a number of veteran options in free agency.

Speaking of veterans and players last employed by the Panthers, Jaromir Jagr is still playing hockey and doing so at a respectable level, even at the age of 46. The winger scored 16 goals and 46 overall points in the 2016-17 season and reportedly wants to be back with the Panthers next season.

Negotiations are ongoing, however, as George Richards of the Miami Herald reported:

Diamonds and Jagr in the NHL: Both are forever.