NHL Rumors: Latest on Andrei Markov, Possible Matt Duchene Trade and More

The National Hockey League has been a bit of an afterthought this summer, thanks to an exciting NBA offseason and the general popularity of the NFL. However, the NHL offseason has been pretty exciting for those who have been paying attention.

We've seen some interesting trade and free-agent activity in the days since the Pittsburgh Penguins took home the Stanley Cup. We've also had two drafts—the regular draft and one of the expansion variety.

That expansion draft helped fill out the roster for the new Las Vegas Golden Knights.

With the NBA summer league coming to a close and NFL training camps about to begin, the NHL is still flying under the radar. Make no mistake, though, there is still plenty of offseason hockey activity to follow. We're here to examine some of the latest storylines and rumors.

Market Not Dead for Duchene

One player who still hasn't been traded is Matt Duchene of the Colorado Avalanche. Duchene has been linked to several teams since the start of the offseason but remains on Colorado's roster in mid-July.

According to TSN hockey insider Darren Dreger, the asking price for Duchene has "definitely [been] the holdup." During an appearance on Winnipeg's TSN 1290 earlier this month, Dreger explained exactly what Colorado could be looking for.

"As high as a couple of first-round picks, or at least a first-round pick and a former first-round draft pick who's now a young NHL prospect, and then some and then some," Dreger said.

In recent days, it seems the trade chatter surrounding Duchene has quieted down a bit. (Though life for Duchene, who got married earlier in the month, hasn't been quiet at all.)

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, however, we may be looking at a delayed trade market for Duchene, not a dead one. He recently wrote the following on his 30 Thoughts column:

"Everyone decided to take a deep breath and go back to their corners when Matt Duchene wasn't traded July 1. It sounds like everyone is realizing the possibility he could start next season in Colorado. But remember this: Avalanche assistant GM Chris MacFarland was with Scott Howson in Columbus when Howson waited until July 20, 2012, to trade Rick Nash. Sometimes the best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour, and MacFarland could be following that blueprint. I wouldn't be surprised if interested parties (Boston, Columbus, Nashville, Pittsburgh, maybe Calgary) try again to see if anything shakes loose."

Don't be surprised if some offers start coming in for Duchene later in the month. He has two years and $12 million remaining on his current contract and would be a nice young piece for a potential contender to build around.

Red Wings Still in Play for Vanek

The pool of available free agents may be dwindling, but there are still some intriguing options available. One is experienced veteran Thomas Vanek, who spent last season with the Detroit Red Wings and the Florida Panthers—he was traded to Florida in March.

Vanek may be 33 years old, but he's still a quality offensive piece, as NBC hockey analyst Jeremy Roenick recently pointed out:

Between the two teams last season, Vanek produced 17 goals and 48 total points. He appeared in a total of 68 games.

According to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, Vanek is interested in re-joining the Red Wings, and the Red Wings have been in contact with him.

"It’s possible a re-engagement with the Red Wings materializes, despite obstacles," St. James explained. "Vanek spoke highly of his experience in Detroit, and the Wings were pleased with the return on the gamble they took in signing him last year after he was bought out by Minnesota."

The problem for Detroit is that the team has virtually no salary cap space available. If Vanek is going to return to the team, he'll likely have to do so for less than the $2.6 million he made last season.

Markov's Time With Canadiens May Be Over

Veteran defenseman Andrei Markov is on the verge of accomplishing a noteworthy feat if he can find a way to return to the Montreal Canadiens this offseason. He's only 10 games away from hitting 1,000 career outings with Montreal.

Unfortunately, it's beginning to look like the accomplishment may not occur this coming season. Montreal general manager Marc Bergevin made it clear that if Markov is going to return, it has to be on the team's terms, per Eric Engels of Sportsnet:

Markov obviously remains unsigned, and Stu Cowen of the Montreal Gazette believes that the longer he goes without a deal, the less likely it is he returns to the Canadiens:

"Bergevin — who has said 'expect the unexpected' more than once since the end of last season — has 22 players signed to his 23-man roster and still has just over $9 million left in salary-cap space. Bergevin can afford Markov, but appears reluctant to give him a two-year deal with the GM saying he had given the defenceman a take-it-or-leave-it offer. Bergevin said the same thing about free-agent forward Alexander Radulov, who ended up signing with the Dallas Stars."

Would Bergevin be willing to give the team's last roster spot to Markov? Probably, but he doesn't appear willing to do so on a deal that is fair to or is wanted by the defenseman. He's one of the better players still left on the market, and if he was going to accept a take-it-or-leave-it offer from Montreal, he'd likely have done so already.