Can't get enough NHL rumors? Lyle Richardson's serves as a one-stop guide to the latest rumblings around the league.

NHL trades in August are a rare occurrence, especially those involving a noteworthy player. The Hurricanes shipping three-time 30-goal scorer certainly caught most observers off guard.

The Skinner trade was the latest move by the Hurricanes' new management in their ongoing roster shakeup. During the 2018 NHL draft in June, general manager Don Waddell for Dougie Hamilton, Micheal Ferland and prospect Adam Fox. Waddell also signed former Islanders defenseman Calvin de Haan last month to a four-year contract.

TRADE GRADES:

With Brandon Davidson Jersey Skinner finally moved, the focus of Hurricanestrade speculation shifts toward defenseman Justin Faulk. Like his now-former teammate, Faulk's . Rumors linked him to the Blackhawks, Red Wings, Oilers and Maple Leafs.

Shortly before the Skinner trade, the Raleigh News Observer's Luke DeCock the acquisition of Hamilton led to the a sumption Faulk could become expendable. While DeCock didn't rule out the po sibility of the 26-year-old blueliner returning with the Hurricanes, he pointed out that a reduction in his defensive duties could make the rearguard a prime trade candidate.

Waddell sees the situation differently. Following the Skinner trade, , adding that was merely speculation following the Hamilton trade. Waddell praised Andrei Vasilevskiy Jersey his blueline corps, calling it one of the best in the league, but didn't rule out the po sibility of moving Faulk if another team steps up to the plate.

Waddell might not be shopping Faulk but he could change his mind if the Hurricanes'offense fails to improve in 2018-19. Carolina was23rd overall in goals for per game (2.74) last season and the return received from the Sabres (forward prospect Cliff Pu and three draft Jacket Jersey picks) won't replace Skinner's offense. Faulk could become Waddell's best trade chip to land a scorer.

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Do MarkStone, Senators have a future together?

The Senators last week with Mark Stone, re-signing the 26-year-old right winger to a one-year, $7.35 million contract. While GM Pierre Dorion is confident this could be a stepping stone toward a long-term extension with Stone, some pundits aren't so sure.

TSN's Ian Mendes believesthe one-year deal in Ottawa than it answers. The earliest the Senators can open contract extension talks is Jan. 1. With Stone and teammates Erik Karl son and Matt Duchene slated to become UFA next July, Mendes suggests the Senators could face a major rebuild if those players depart.

The Ottawa Sun's Ken Warren Mendes' concern. If the Senators cannot get Stone, Karl son or Duchene under contract this season, Warren speculates they could be shopped by next February's NHL trade deadline.

Given the Senators' well-documented state of disarray since last season, The Hockey News' Ryan Jan Rutta Jersey Kennedy feels . If Dorion ends up peddling them, he must get the best po sible return to help the club rebuild.

The fate of Stone and of Karl son and Duchene could be determined by the Senators' performance in 2018-19. A repeat of last season's disastrous meltdown could mean the departure of Karl son by the trade deadline if he hasn' Miles Wood Jersey t already been dealt by then. It could also kill any hope Dorion has of re-signing Stone and Duchene.

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Artemi Panarin pining for Chicago?

The reluctance of high-scoring winger Artemi Panarin to sign a contract extension with the Blue Jackets raised eyebrows around the league. It's also made him the subject of recent trade rumors.

Panarin is slated to become a UFA next July. If he hits the open market, The Athletic's Scott Powers citeda source claimingthe 26-year-old left wing to the Blackhawks, where he began his NHL career. Last summer, the Blackhawks dealt Panarin to the Blue Jackets for winger Brandon Saad.

While such a move would take what Powers considers serious cap managing by the Blackhawks, he feels it's po sible to pull it off. A suming an $82 million salary cap for 2019-20, Powers suggests they could re-sign Panarin for $9 million annually and still have enough to re-sign young center Nick Schmaltz to a $6 million-per-season raise.

If Panarin is keen to return to Chicago next summer, the Blackhawks could be interested in signing him. However, he could seek more than they can Scott Harrington Jersey comfortably afford.

Another 80-plus point campaign on his part could push his salary demands over $10 million annually. If they agree to pay that much it could leave them with insufficient space to addre s their already-thin defense corps.

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