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

While many general managers throughout the NHL are focusing their attention on free agency, the trade market remains fertile ground for teams that are searching for upgrades to their rosters.

Most of this summer's big moves will revolve around marquee free agents such as Kevin Shattenkirk, Martin Hanzal and Joe Thornton. Fans can expect at least a small handful of trades that won't necessarily shape the league landscape but could provide nice dividends.

Below are the most recent rumors swirling around three players who could be on the move.

Dion Phaneuf

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Last Saturday, TSN's Darren Dreger reported the Ottawa Senators were in discussions with Dion Phaneuf's representatives about whether the 32-year-old defenseman would be open to moving to a team not on his pre-approved list.

Dreger followed up Wednesday, reporting the Senators have settled on keeping Phaneuf this summer. According to Dreger, the volume of interest began falling after the 2017 draft and the trade of Marc Methot from the Vegas Golden Knights to Dallas Stars, which was finalized Tuesday.

Phaneuf had nine goals and 21 assists for the Senators in 2016-17 and continues playing at a relatively high level. Despite that, the Senators' previous desire to trade the 32-year-old is understandable.

Phaneuf still has four years remaining on the seven-year, $49 million deal he signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2013. That's a lot to pay to a player who's in the latter half of his playing career.

With that said, Methot's departure leaves Ottawa in a bind regarding Phaneuf. The team could ill afford to lose two experienced defensemen in one offseason.

Matt Duchene

Kamil Krzaczynski/Associated Press

Newsday's Arthur Staple reported last Sunday the New York Islanders were working on a deal with the Colorado Avalanche to acquire Matt Duchene. Islanders general manager Garth Snow was prepared to trade a 2018 first-round pick and Travis Hamonic, only to be rebuffed by Avalanche counterpart Joe Sakic.

The Islanders eventually traded Hamonic to the Calgary Flames.

The door to a possible Duchene trade may not be closed, however. Staple also reported Duchene's agent is "seriously unhappy with Sakic's foot-dragging on a deal."

Duchene only has two years remaining on his current deal with Colorado. The fact that Duchene would be unhappy with talks about a potential extension would seemingly indicate he wants to stay with the Avalanche, but the Avs may alienate him to the extent he agitates for a move out of Denver.

It makes sense that Sakic would be reluctant to trade Duchene despite the fact the 26-year-old finished last season with only 18 goals and 23 assists. But if Sakic is unwilling to commit to Duchene on a long-term deal, he's only hurting his leverage in trade negotiations by letting more time on his contract run down.

Alexei Emelin

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

At present, Alexei Emelin is a member of the Golden Knights, who selected him in the expansion draft. That may not be the case much longer.

TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported the Montreal Canadiens expressed interest in bringing Emelin back into the fold. LeBrun added the Senators were looking into an Emelin trade as well.

In all likelihood, the Golden Knights are looking at few seasons of losing hockey before they start to look like a serious playoff contender. In that sense, Emelin arguably has more value to Vegas as a trade piece than as a part of the team's rotation.

A veteran third-line defenseman has more worth to a team with postseason hopes rather than one that's likely to be anchored near the bottom of the standings.