NHL Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz on Patrik Laine, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, More

The NHL draft has come and gone, but the free-agency period opens Friday, which means the trade conversations won't be stopping any time soon. 

This week saw a number of big names added to the rumor mill, with former New York Rangers star Henrik Lundqvist reportedly heading to the Washington Capitals, and Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask saying he's not interested in finishing his NHL career anywhere other than Beantown, per Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald.

Elsewhere, teams have expressed interest in Winnipeg Jets winger Patrik Laine, while the Bruins and Vancouver Canucks are reportedly battling it out with the Arizona Coyotes for Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Away from the spotlight, the Chicago Blackhawks are reportedly shopping two-time Stanley Cup champion Brandon Saad.

Here's a rundown of some of the latest NHL rumors.

Patrik Laine's Complicated Future

Nick Wass/Associated Press

Anyone in the market for Laine should get a strong return on their investment right away. The winger has scored 138 goals—including 52 on the power play—and collected 247 points through four seasons with the Jets.

However, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman warned on Tuesday that while "a lot of teams are interested," the implications of what will hold up in a trade offer and how to keep him around after his contract expires make the deal "complicated." 

The 22-year-old is owed $6.75 million as he finishes out the last year of his contract, whether it is in Winnipeg or elsewhere. 

TSN's Frank Seravalli reported that the Philadelphia Flyers were the team most interested in Laine and would offer a defender to fill holes on a Winnipeg blue line that dropped Jacob Trouba, Dustin Byfuglien and Tyler Myers last offseason.

After re-signing Dylan DeMelo to a four-year deal this week, a defender from Philadelphia would bolster the backline, especially after the potential loss of Laine up front. 

Seravalli also reported that the Flyers are not interested in Alex Pietrangelo, who has been one of the most coveted free agents so far, which means the money saved by the retirement of Matt Niskanen can be put toward other priorities.

Arizona's Relaxed Approach to OEL Interest

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Coyotes defenseman Ekman-Larsson has a no-movement clause in his eight-year contract that carries an $8.25 million payout annually, but he has opened himself up to a trade to either Boston or Vancouver on the condition that a decision is made by Friday afternoon, according to Dan Rosen of NHL.com.  

But Arizona general manager Bill Armstrong told the @TheRink podcast the Coyotes aren't pushing the issue:

"When you deal with clubs on any player, they're not maybe as high as offers as you'd like to come back or assets that you'd like to gain, so there's a patience. Our ownership has done a great job just saying, 'Hey, listen, we're going to hold the [NHL] salary cap where it is and we're not going to panic here, you're going to go in there and do your work.'"

The team is reportedly more interested in Boston's prospect market, but TSN's Darren Dreger noted Thursday that the Bruins "don't like the asking price" for the 29-year-old. That leaves Vancouver, which has begun the process of clearing house and making room within the salary cap by preparing to part ways with Tyler Toffoli and Troy Stecher. 

With Boston on the verge of losing a mainstay blueliner in Torey Krug and Vancouver building its future around Quinn Hughes, Ekman-Larsson is a benefit to both. 

Brandon Saad's Quiet Entry into the Market

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

With a fixed ceiling on the salary cap this season, players who have shorter contracts are more in demand this offseason.

This new development makes Blackhawks winger Saad, who won the Stanley Cup with Chicago in 2013 and 2015, a strong candidate for a trade. And according to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun, the Bruins and the Colorado Avalanche are among the teams interested in adding a secondary scorer.

The 27-year-old ended the year with 21 goals and 12 assists through 58 games before posting five points by way of two goals and three helpers in nine postseason outings. He is owed $6 million in the last year of his contract, and the Avalanche will likely have around have $11 million in cap space, according to The Athletic's Ryan S. Clark.

Colorado has the room to add Saad for at least a season, since it was announced that netminder Corey Crawford, who also made $6 million, will hit the free-agent market alongside a number of other veteran goaltenders.