Each day through the NHL Draft on June 21 and free agency on July 1, TSN.ca breaks down the latest news and rumours around the NHL.

On the Move?

Jacob Trouba is set to become a restricted free agent for the last time this summer and Ken Wiebe of The Winnipeg Sun writes that with little signs pointing to a long-term future with the Jets, he believes the defenceman could be dealt ahead of the draft.

Trouba, 25, requested a trade from the Jets during a contract dispute in 2016 and Wiebe believes there's little evidence to suggest he would sign a multi-year extension with the team.

The Jets are without a first-round draft pick next month and Wiebe writes the team "would love" to get a first-rounder and a top-pairing defenceman back in a trade. He admits, however, that the Jets would unlikely fetch that for Trouba alone and wonders if the team will instead try to package Trouba as part of a bigger deal. He notes the Jets could accept a lesser return by including a contract to help shed salary in their cap crunch, or include another valuable asset in hopes of completing a blockbuster trade.

On a long-term deal, Wiebe speculates Trouba could carry a $7.5 million-$8.5 million cap hit, which he notes will rule out some contenders from pursuing the defenceman.

Trouba was awarded a one-year, $5.5 million contract in arbitration last summer and can become unrestricted free agent in 2020. He scored eight goals and posted 50 points in 82 games this season while averaging 22:52 of ice time, second most on the team. 

He is listed at No. 2 on the TSN Trade Bait board.
 


On the List?

After his team's strong showing in the playoffs, Colorado Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said he planned to aggressive in free agency this summer to help improve his roster.

According to Adrian Dater, two forwards are high on Sakic's list of potential additions on July 1.

Dater reports the Avalanche are expected to make a "big pitch" to Columbus Blue Jackets winger Artemi Panarin and are also targeting Winnipeg Jets centre Kevin Hayes.

"It's a pretty good class this year," Sakic said last week. "(We) already have targeted players in mind if they become available that we'll want to talk to about joining our club. We see positions of need, of what we're looking to do. There are a few guys we're going to want to talk to if they become available. We'll be more aggressive this year with that, but if it doesn't work out with the players we want to talk to we're not just going to go spend on anybody.

"We want the right players and the right fit."

Panarin is ranked No. 1 on the TSN Hockey Top 25 Free Agent Frenzy list, while Hayes is ranked No. 17. 

 

 

Looking to Add?

The Arizona Coyotes could be a team to watch in the European free agent market with general manager John Chayka and assistant general manager Steve Sullivan currently scouting the World Hockey Championship in Slovakia.

According to Craig Morgan of The Athletic, the Coyotes were pursuing Swedish forward Anton Wedin before he elected to sign with the Chicago Blackhawks. Chayka added, however, that there are still other targets on his list.

“There’s a couple players that we’re talking to, not of the higher-end variety, but some guys that we think could add some good depth,” Chayka said. “Some of these guys have options, so do they stay or come over? We’re having some good discussions.”

The Coyotes have $74.38 million committed towards the salary cap for next season, according to CapFriendly.