Roundup of Notable NHL Rumors During the Holiday Roster Freeze

Lyle Richardson shares the latest NHL speculation on the Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators and New Jersey Devils.

With the NHL's roster freeze in place through Dec. 27 and Christmas around the corner, here's a look at some notable rumors you may have missed while preparing for the holidays.

- The Toronto Star's Nick Kypreos wondered if the Ottawa Senators could become sellers at the March 8 trade deadline. If they do, he wouldn't be surprised if Jakob Chychrun popped up in the rumor mill with teams such as the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars in need of blueline help.

Chychrun resurfacing as a trade candidate would be unlikely if Pierre Dorion was still the Senators GM. With the club under new ownership and management, perhaps it's not so farfetched. The 25-year-old blueliner is eligible for UFA status in 2025 and might not fit into their long-range plans.

- The Nashville Predators are still shopping Tyson Barrie. GM Barry Trotz recently gave the 32-year-old blueliner's agent permission to speak with other clubs. However, Nashville Hockey Now's Michael Gallagher wondered if Trotz could be peddling more than one defenseman.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman pointed out that Dante Fabbro and Alexandre Carrier had been healthy scratches in several games this season. Gallagher cited a team source claiming they'd prefer to retain Carrier because he's better suited to head coach Andrew Brunette's system. Carrier is due to become a UFA next July while Fabbro will be an RFA with arbitration rights.

- Keep an eye on the New Jersey Devils in the New Year. TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports Dougie Hamilton is expected to be sidelined until the playoffs recovering from surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle. That could free up his $9-million cap hit to add another defenseman and shore up their goaltending.