NHL general managers did more listening than dealing at the draft. Big names like Marc Savard, Jason Spezza and Tomas Kaberle starred in trade rumors but stayed put – at least for now.

With the free-agent marketplace ready to open July 1, expect more movement in the days ahead. Some big-time talent will be up for grabs later this week.

But the market isn’t deep, so GMs will be more likely to use the trade route to upgrade their teams.

And the few attractive free agents are causing quite a stir:

 

• Philadelphia acquired the rights to defenseman Dan Hamhius from Nashville, failed to sign him, then shipped the rights to Pittsburgh. Hamhuis is regarded at the Penguins’ Plan B if potential UFA Sergei Gonchar cannot be retained. The Canucks could still make a big play for Hamhuis if he hits the market.
• The Flyers also got the right to talk with UFA goaltender Evgeni Nabokov, to see if he what sort of deal he will need to come East. Rather than re-sign Nabokov, the Sharks opted to invest in new long-term deals for Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski.
• If Nabokov wants too many years and/or dollars, Philly could turn to UFA Marty Turco of the Stars and Tim Thomas of the Bruins – who has a LOT of contract ($14 million over three years) left in Boston. The salary cap will say a lot about what Philly does during the offseason. ESPN.com reports that Turco rejected a three-year, $6 million offer from the Flyers and seems determined to test the market.
• Another possibility for Turco (who made $5.4 million last season) is San Jose, which will need a veteran to work with young Thomas Greiss.
• Ilya Kovalchuk, the top UFA coming free this week, seems like a good fit for LA. The Devils have made serious efforts to keep him, but the Kings need star power and Ilya has plenty of it.
• Veteran scorer Ray Whitney can expect bids from several Western Conference teams, including Columbus and Colorado. Count Nashville and Minnesota among the Blues’ rivals looking to add more offense as well.
• Old friend Chris Mason could end up in Tampa Bay, according to the relentless Eklund at HockeyBuzz.com. New Lightning GM Steve Yzerman saw a lot of Mason while serving in the Red Wings front office after his playing days.
• Given the lack of depth in free agency, puck-moving defenseman Anton Volchenkov will be wooed by multiple bidders. About half of the contenders with cap room are rumored to have interest.
• Bobby Ryan is a restricted free agent, but he could still get an outside offer sheet if he can’t reach a contract extension in Anaheim. His breakout season was impeccably timed.
• Former Blues winger Lee Stempniak boosted his stock en route to UFA status. If the Coyotes can’t keep him, he figures to cash in from one of many teams starved for scoring. (The Blues could do worse, BTW).
• The Stars elected not to bring back Mike Modano. The Blues are going young, but could Modo add some leadership here? Hmmm . . .

 

In addition to Tim Thomas, many potential trade targets are creating buzz:

 

• The Maple Leafs got at least five firm offers for Kaberle, but nothing moved Toronto GM Brian Burke to action before the draft. The Penguins could make a bigger push if Gonchar gets away and the Capitals could get involved.
• The Bruins are deep up the middle, which is why they dealt Vladmir Sobotka to the Blues without getting a signed player in return. That is also why they could move center Marc Savard to free up the dollars to make other moves.
• Not a lot of teams can take on Spezza’s contract, but Calgary needs a real No. 1 center. Not sure how the Flames could satisfy the Senators, however. Spezza is a true No. 1 center in the NHL and such talent is hard to come by.
• Florida could still move Stephen Weiss, despite all the other moves new GM Dale Tallon made. The Blues have been linked to the Weiss speculation, as have the Islanders.