Rumor: Shocking name hits the trade market!

With the holiday roster freeze barely a week away, trade talks are heating up as general managers across the National Hockey League are gearing up for an arduous second half of the season and eventual playoff run.

Yes - most of the action happens, and will happen on trade deadline day in February, but there is a strong possibility of a few trades transpiring before December 19th.

One name that we haven't heard on the rumor mill at all is Alexander Wennberg of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The former 14th overall pick and top six centerman has had a bit of a difficult year after suffering an upper-body injury early this season. He put up 59 points in 80 games last season, but with 11 in 23 this year, his point pace will bring him nowhere close to what he achieved in 2016-17.

Pierre-Luc Dubois has emerged as the team's top center and given the Blue Jackets the option to make Wennberg available for help at different positions. This is rather shocking since Columbus was deeply entrenched in trade talks for a top six center, and now they're willing to part with one of their own.

A top six center of Wennberg's ilk is a rare commodity and will be pursued by several NHL teams. This is definitely one story to keep an eye on.