The Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues have players with one year remaining on their contracts, and speculation is rising as a result.
More speculation has surfaced on three NHL players whose names have appeared in the NHL's rumor mill before.
Let's take a closer look at Pittsburgh Penguins winger Reilly Smith, Nashville Predators No. 1 goaltender Juuse Saros and St. Louis Blues winger Pavel Buchnevich.
Penguins Winger Reilly Smith Could Be Shopped This Summer
Fans and pundits who follow the Pittsburgh Penguins are focused on when Sidney Crosby's contract talks will begin and the trade status of goaltender Tristan Jarry.
Meanwhile, our eagle-eyed Penguins site editor Nick Horwat cited The Athletic's Josh Yohe reporting team sources claimed Reilly Smith never wanted to come to Pittsburgh. The 33-year-old winger was acquired by the Penguins last June from the Vegas Golden Knights.
Horwat noted that Smith surfaced in the rumor mill before the March 8 trade deadline. While he wasn't moved, the possibility exists that he could be dealt during the off-season.
Yohe's colleague Rob Rossi subsequently reported Penguins GM Kyle Dubas shopped Smith before the deadline. However, he found no takers because the veteran winger wasn't on an expiring contract. Smith has a year left on his contract worth $5 million, prompting Rossi to suggest the trade market could be more favorable this summer.
Predators Goalie Juuse Saros' Future Could Depend On This Post-season
Nashville Predators netminder Juuse Saros frequently popped up in the rumor mill as a trade target for the New Jersey Devils before the March deadline.
Predators GM Barry Trotz said he wasn't shopping Saros and set a high asking price to deter clubs that came calling about the 29-year-old goaltender. Nevertheless, speculation over his future in Nashville has continued since the trade deadline.
The Hockey News Nashville's Rob Couch believes Saros' future could be determined by his performance in the Predators first-round series against the Vancouver Canucks. He has a year left on his contract before he becomes eligible for UFA status.
Couch pointed out that Saros hasn't played at an elite level as a playoff starter with the Predators. In two games so far, he has an .895 save percentage. If he falls short this spring, Trotz could give more serious consideration to teams making inquiries this summer.
Blues Hope To Re-Sign Pavel Buchnevich
Like Smith and Saros, St. Louis Blues winger Pavel Buchnevich is a year away from UFA eligibility. He'll be 30 next year, raising questions about whether Blues GM Doug Armstrong is comfortable signing him to a long-term extension.
Buchnevich's contract situation was among the reasons he surfaced in the rumor mill before the March trade deadline. However, The Hockey News St. Louis' Lou Korac reports Armstrong is keen to re-sign the 29-year-old winger, suggesting he could offer up a deal between six and eight years with an average annual value between $7 million and $8 million.