Rumor: Four NHL teams will make offer for highly controversial forward.

The National Hockey League's decision to allow Russian forward Danis Zaripov to play in their league despite his two-year ban from the International Ice Hockey Federation has been met with a great deal of controversy, but that does not appear to be deterring NHL teams. 

A new report from TSN insider Darren Dreger has revealed that Zaripov has received "two firm NHL offers" and furthermore that Zaripov's representatives expect two more NHL teams to make offers before he makes his final decision.

While Dreger did not touch on what four teams those may be, there have been rumors over the past few days linking Zaripov to a number of teams. Among the team names mentioned in rumors are the Chicago Blackhawks, the New York Rangers, the Montreal Canadiens, the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

No word yet on what teams may be the favorites to land Zaripov, although some have suggested the Lightning may be near the top of that list.

[pub]