In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: some potential late-season trade candidates and the latest on the Flames.

THE ATHLETIC: Harman Dayal recently listed five NHL stars who could become late-season trade candidates.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes topped the list. The 27-year-old superstar is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The Wild could be forced to consider moving him at the trade deadline if he remains unsigned by then.

Seattle Kraken winger Jared McCann and defenseman Vince Dunn could also become trade candidates by the March 1 deadline. Like Hughes, they’re UFA-eligible next July, and could be shopped if the Kraken are out of playoff contention by March 1.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (NHL Images)

Defenseman Erik Karlsson of the Pittsburgh Penguins and center Ryan O’Reilly of the Nashville Predators round out Dayal’s list. They’re aging stars who are also slated for UFA eligibility next July.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild will likely hang onto Hughes if they’re a playoff contender by March 1. Their chances of winning the Stanley Cup are better with him in the lineup. A deep playoff run might convince him to stay put.

McCann and Dunn will probably hit the trade block by March 1 if the Kraken are out of contention. Given the Kraken’s limited playoff appearances, however, they’ll hang onto those two if they’re still in the postseason race by the deadline.

Karlsson and O’Reilly could also be peddled if their respective clubs are out of contention by March 1.

DAILY FACEOFF: Mike Gould recently tiered the Calgary Flames’ trade assets ahead of their next fire sale.

Their two hottest commodities are defenseman Zach Whitecloud and center Morgan Frost. The 29-year-old Whitecloud’s stock is quite high, in part because he’s signed through 2027-28 with an affordable average annual value of $2.75 million. Frost, 27, is UFA-eligible next summer and has been a consistent 40-point producer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames could be reluctant to part with Whitecloud this season because of their inexperienced defense corps. Nevertheless, they could be open to moving him if a rival club gets desperate enough to overpay for him.

The lack of quality depth in available centers should make Frost a prime trade candidate by the deadline. Even if his production suffers with the low-scoring Flames, a contender will gamble that his stats will improve on a deeper club.

Gould believes forward Joel Farabee and goaltender Devin Cooley could draw more interest maybe next season, when both will be UFA-eligible. He felt that winger Yegor Sharangovich, Martin Pospisil, and Adam Klapka will have more value in a few years. Sharangovich and Pospisil are signed beyond 2027-28, while Klapka will likely remain with the Flames for a few more years as a depth forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: With Dustin Wolf entrenched as the Flames’ starting goalie, Cooley could be moved if the Flames get a strong enough offer. Like the market for centers, there aren’t many quality goalies available. Another solid effort by Cooley will boost his trade stock.