As NHL free agency continues, speculation continues about Patrik Laine, Kaapo Kakko and the Nashville Predators. Kaapo Kakko [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA3NzA1ODIyNjM2MDI1NDk3/usatsi_19715746_168400847_lowres.jpg] Kaapo Kakko The second week of NHL free agency has arrived, and the rumors and speculation aren't stopping. Here's the latest NHL rumor roundup. BLUE JACKETS NO CLOSER TO MOVING PATRIK LAINE The Columbus Blue Jackets' effort to trade Patrik Laine has been unsuccessful thus far. Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reported [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5620090/2024/07/07/blue-jackets-tv-mears/] Sunday they still haven't received word when the 26-year-old winger will be cleared to leave the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. Laine and Blue Jackets management mutually agreed [https://thehockeynews.com/news/patrik-laines-reported-request-fuels-fresh-nhl-trade-speculation] last month to seek a trade as he reportedly seeks a fresh start with another club. He's signed through 2025-26 with an average annual value of $8.7 million and a 10-team no-trade list [https://puckpedia.com/player/patrik-laine]. Portzline believes efforts to move Laine could be hampered having gone this far into the off-season without success. Teams interested in acquiring him may have already addressed their needs via free agency. The Carolina Hurricanes were among those interested clubs. Portzline noted they made an offer for Laine at the draft, pointing out they have sufficient cap space (over $11 million) to take on Laine's full salary. However, the Hurricanes have RFA forwards Martin Necas, Seth Jarvis and Chris Drury to re-sign. Jarvis' new contract could cost around $5 million annually, leaving no room to take on Laine's full cap hit. COULD THE NEW YORK RANGERS TRADE KAAPO KAKKO? The Rangers signing Kaapo Kakko to a one-year, $2.4-million contract hasn't kept him out of the trade rumors. It was reported the Rangers were shopping [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-rumor-roundup-heading-into-the-2024-draft] the 23-year-old winger heading into the 2024 NHL draft. The Hockey News' Remy Mastey cited a report [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/latest-news/rangers-reportedly-dangling-kaapo-kakko-in-trade-discussions] last week speculating they could continue pursuing deals to move him this summer. Mastey also referenced The Athletic's Julian McKenzie suggesting [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/latest-news/flames-linked-to-kaapo-kakko-in-potential-trade] the Calgary Flames could be a club to watch as they pursue young talent in the trade market. Mollie Walker of the New York Post recently observed [https://nypost.com/2024/07/02/sports/rangers-appear-poised-to-run-it-back-in-nhl-free-agency-after-jacob-trouba-drama/] he's carrying a trade-friendly contract. Nevertheless, he remains with the Rangers. He might draw more interest now that the free-agent market has been mostly picked clean. PREDATORS COULD SHED SOME SALARY Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz made the biggest splashes in this summer's UFA pool, signing Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei. Those moves, however, left the Predators without cap space. The Tennessean's Alex Daugherty reported [https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nhl/predators/2024/07/02/barry-trotz-nashville-predators-roster-free-agents/74281688007/] Trotz indicated he's looking at moving out at least one player to become cap-compliant before his club's season-opener in October. Daugherty speculates forward Cody Glass or defenseman Dante Fabbro could become trade candidates. Each carries a $2.5-million cap hit and saw reduced playing time last season. Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [https://info.thehockeynews.com/mail/microsites/951/1/gTeQVf?_gl=1*ustlbj*_ga*NjkyMzUxMy4xNjYzNjIwMzQ3*_ga_PK63FB1PME*MTcxMzUwOTExNi40NDguMS4xNzEzNTA5MjA5LjU5LjAuMA..].
