The NHL’s annual holiday roster freeze runs from December 20th to 27th. It remains to be seen whether there will be any last-minute changes, but that hasn’t stopped the chatter in the rumor mill.

Hockey News’ Adam Proteau mentioned Wednesday’s trade activity, which included the struggling New York Rangers shipping Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken. He wondered if the Buffalo Sabers and Vancouver Canucks could get in the game before the suspension.

The struggling Buffalo Sabers could be looking to make a move that will help them get their season back on track. Proteau addressed recent rumors linking the Vancouver Canucks to Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov.

Meanwhile, Chicago Blackhawks left wing Taylor Hall struggled earlier this season under coach Luke Richardson. He was a healthy scratch for the November 16 game against the Vancouver Canucks and briefly became the subject of trade speculation.

Hall’s performance has improved since Anders Sorensen replaced Richardson on Dec. 5, collecting four points in his last six games prior to Thursday’s game against the Kraken. That prompted the New York PostLarry Brooks suggests the 33-year-old could become a popular trade target if he continues to improve before the NHL trade deadline on March 7.

Another reason for Hall’s improvement could be that he is finally back in top form after missing most of last season due to knee surgery. It can take some time for an NHL player, especially if he is in his mid-thirties, to get back to top shape. He could draw interest from prospects looking for an experienced top-six playmaker.

Related: Rangers trade Kaapo Kakko: Two more NHL teams to trade before roster freeze

Looking at the Detroit Red Wings, Brooks noted that Cam Talbot has performed well so far in Motown. The 37-year-old goalkeeper has a record of 6-6-2 with a goals-against average of 2.69 and a save percentage of .916.

Talbot has an affordable two-year contract with an average annual value of $2.5 million. Brooks believes the Colorado Avalanche or New Jersey Devils could come calling if their current goaltending tandems don’t perform as hoped.

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The Nashville Predators’ poor performance has made Barry Despite the busiest GM on the trade market, completing four deals since November 25th. Most recently, Despite sent defenseman Alexandre Carrier to the Montreal Canadiens for blueliner Justin Barron on Wednesday.

That has led some observers to wonder whether a rival club might examine whether center Steven Stamkos regrets his decision to join the Predators this summer.

Stamkos, 34, signed a four-year deal with Nashville on July 1 worth $8 million per year and posted a 40-goal performance last season with the Tampa Bay Lightning. With eight goals in 32 games, he is well off that pace this season.

So far, things aren’t going as well as hoped for Stamkos and the Predators. However, RG.org’s Marco D’Amico quoted a league source as saying there was no sign that either team was considering the situation.

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