NHL Rumors: Latest Intel Surrounding Joe Thornton, Ryan Miller and More

While teams across the NHL always want young talent who can develop and make an impact through their prime years, several older veterans remain in high demand going into free agency.

Adding players who have established resumes of both individual and team success can improve any lineup, and there are plenty of those available on the open market.

Here is a look at the latest buzz on a few notable veterans who could be changing teams this week.

Everyone Wants Joe Thornton

Although he will be 38 years old throughout next season, Joe Thornton is high on the wish list of many teams.

Pierre LeBrun of TSN initially claimed about a dozen teams have called about the veteran center, although noting the top choice was to stay with the San Jose Sharks. Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider added Thornton spoke with the Los Angeles Kings, while the Toronto Maple Leafs and others remain a possibility.

However, the most recent team that LeBrun named might be the most intriguing:

The Nashville Predators didn't have the most consistent team during the regular season, but they showed how dangerous they could be in the postseason by reaching the Stanley Cup Final before losing in six games.

Thornton is coming off a relatively disappointing year where he tallied just 50 points, his lowest mark in a full season since his 1998-99. Still, he continued to show his ability as a passer with 43 assists, which would have ranked second on the Predators behind only Ryan Johansen.

The Sharks are still likely the eventual landing spot for Thornton after spending 12 seasons with the team—especially if they also re-sign Patrick Marleau—but Nashville could be an interesting possibility.

Ryan Miller On the Move?

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

After a relatively disappointing year with the Vancouver Canucks, Ryan Miller could get a chance at a fresh start with the Anaheim Ducks.

As Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported, "there is a lot of expectation of Ryan Miller to Anaheim for approximately $1 million."

John Gibson is coming off another solid year as the Ducks' top goaltender and is still just 23 years old. He should remain the No. 1 option while keeping the squad a legitimate contender for the Stanley Cup title.

Meanwhile, Miller could become a quality veteran presence as a former Vezina winner who can add a lot with his experience. With the pressure off him, he could be even better.

Per Ben Kuzma of The Province, the Canucks want to re-sign their goalie, but they don't seem to be trying too hard.

"We'll see what happens," general manager Jim Benning said of Miller. "If he goes to Anaheim, I understand it. The plan for us would be to find a younger goaltender who has some upside."

An incentive-laden contract makes sense regardless of who lands him, and the Ducks could be the best situation.

Trevor Daley Evaluating Options

There are a lot of teams asking about Trevor Daley, but fewer are in contention to sign the Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman.

As Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press noted, Daley has spoken to about eight teams but only considered three or four a good fit, with the Detroit Red Wings in that group.

LeBrun added the Boston Bruins are a contender as well as the Red Wings, while Bob McKenzie of TSN mentioned the Dallas Stars also getting a meeting with the 33-year-old.

One team apparently not in contention is the Penguins. Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported two or three teams are still on his list but his former squad is out.

Daley accomplished just about all he could with Pittsburgh, winning Stanley Cup titles in each of the last two seasons. He was a key part of each run, especially this past year when injuries forced him into a bigger role.

This is what the rest of the league sees in him as a veteran presence who has seen what it takes to win in the NHL.

Both Detroit and Boston are coming off relatively disappointing seasons that ended prematurely, which could lead to a bidding war to bring in a player of this makeup.