In today’s NHL Rumor Roundup, we look at three defensemen who could still be moved during the offseason, and the latest on Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Michael DeRosa recently listed three NHL defensemen who could still be traded before training camp opens next month.

Alexander Nikishin of the Carolina Hurricanes topped the list. The 24-year-old defenseman is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract and is ineligible to sign an offer sheet. However, he’s also surfaced in trade rumors this summer.

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin (NHL Images).

DeRosa believes Nikishin is a young blueliner with strong upside who could be a solid addition to a playoff contender or a rebuilding club.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The trade buzz around Nikishin faded away throughout August, but it could resurface as training camp approaches in September. The St. Louis Blues reportedly had considerable interest.

Mason Lohrei of the Boston Bruins was a fixture in the rumor mill last season. He struggled last season and was scratched from three of their six playoff games. The Bruins have a surplus of defensemen, which could make the 25-year-old Lohrei a trade chip.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lohrei might not be going anywhere for now. He’s reportedly spent the offseason building up his strength and improving his overall game. He said he’s looking forward to the challenge of earning a full-time roster spot this season.

Rasmus Ristolainen of the Philadelphia Flyers rounds out DeRosa’s list. The 32-year-old veteran right-shot blueliner has been the subject of trade rumors for years, and he’s due to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers will likely hang onto Ristolainen for this season. However, they could peddle him by the March 1 trade deadline if they’re out of playoff contention by then.

THE ATHLETIC: Whether Jake DeBrusk can rebuild his trade value is among Thomas Drance’s five summer thoughts regarding the Vancouver Canucks forwards.

DeBrusk managed three five-on-five goals on 121 shots on goal, for a “wildly anemic 2.48 shooting percentage.”

Drance expects the 29-year-old winger’s production will improve at even strength this season, pointing out he’s been “a modestly above-average finisher throughout his career, and has a serious nose for cashing in greasy goals at the net front.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeBrusk was the frequent subject of trade speculation last season, especially after he indicated that he wasn’t keen on playing for a rebuilding team. He was linked at one point to the Ottawa Senators, but they opted for winger William Eklund and Andre Burakovsky.

DeBrusk still managed to score 23 goals and 42 points in 81 games with the imploding Canucks last season. An improvement in his even-strength production will bolster his stats and improve his chances of getting moved to a contender before the March 1 trade deadline, provided he’s willing to waive his no-movement clause.