For many people, the summer months are delightful. Warmth replaces the cold as daylight lasts much longer. Children relish in their extended break from schoolwork, and many enjoy family vacations to resorts, parks, beaches, and so on. Wedding season gets underway too, and people are simply all-around happier.<\/p>\n
Then, there are hockey fans. Until training camps and preseason all begin in September, hockey fans sit on their hands, twiddle their thumbs, or watch grass grow.<\/p>\n
Luckily, the off-season features a handful of bright spots that bring excitement to the hockey community. For hardcore fans, a few days in the summer rank as some of the most exciting times of the entire hockey year. These days, though few, feature some of the biggest and most important moves that set up the upcoming season. Namely, the NHL Entry Draft<\/a> and the first day of free agency knock a true fans socks off. It is not only free agents signing new contracts in new cities but also the potential for blockbuster trades that everyone salivates to witness. And right now, we’re just three short days away from free agent frenzy on July 1st.<\/p>\n Fans collectively watch with anticipation as the seconds tick down in June. To be better prepared for that opening bell, check out some of the hottest rumours around the league. This is the most recent information on all of the below scenarios, which (as always) is subject to change at a moments notice.<\/p>\n After an interesting interview at the end of the season, one in which he explicitly stated he’d “lost the love of the game multiple times”<\/a> over the course of the year with the bottom-dwelling Buffalo Sabres<\/a>, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that the team is exploring trade options for the Lady Byng finalist.<\/p>\n However, it won’t be easy to acquire Ryan O’Reilly<\/a><\/strong>. It sounds like the asking price is high: a first round pick PLUS a second round pick PLUS a top end prospect, high. O’Reilly carries a $7.5 million cap hit through 2022-23<\/a>. He’s a well-respected two-way player, takes no penalties, wins faceoffs, and posts 50-65 points per year.<\/p>\n Rumors state the front-runners in this sweepstakes are the St. Louis Blues<\/a> and Montreal Canadiens<\/a>. Both franchises lack depth at center, especially ones who can log top-six minutes.<\/p>\n Per Pierre LeBrun, the asking price for Ryan O'Reilly right now is a 1st round pick, a 2nd round pick + a very good prospect. #Sabres<\/a> #Habs<\/a> #Blues<\/a><\/p>\n — Brennan Klak (@nhlupdate) June 27, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nPreparing for July 1st: The Rumor Mill<\/h1>\n
Ryan O’Reilly: Growing Potential for Trade<\/h2>\n
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