NHL trade rumors: Thomas Vanek rejects contract offer; Ryan Callahan talking with Rangers

The Olympic roster freeze is on Friday afternoon. Here's a look at the trade landscape heading into this week.

Time is running out for teams looking to make trades prior to Friday afternoon's roster freeze, which will halt all activity until Feb. 23. With that in mind, many are anticipating that clubs will be looking to execute some deals before the league's best players head over to Sochi to participate in the 2014 Olympics.

The Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks started the week in that direction, as the two clubs agreed to a trade that sent defenseman Raphael Diaz to Vancouver for Dale Weise. This wasn't the lone development on Monday, as the situation surrounding Thomas Vanek begins to take shape and could benefit a contending club looking to boost its top-six.

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Vanek rejects contract extension, trade likely

The New York Islanders are reportedly looking to trade Vanek prior to the March 5 deadline after the forward rejected a substantial contract offer. Arthur Staple of Newsday reports that the Islanders tabled a deal similar to the seven-year, $50 million contract Vanek is currently playing under, which the forward rejected. Many have speculated that Vanek is looking to test unrestricted free agency, which ultimately seems to be the case.

Callahan, Rangers talking

While time appears to have run out for talks on Long Island, the New York Rangers still have hopes of reaching an extension with captain Ryan Callahan. Katie Strang spoke to Callahan's agent, Steve Bartlett, and learned that the two sides plan to speak sometime this week. Callahan's name emerged last week after the Rangers reportedly granted permission to another club to negotiate with Bartlett. The media heat around Callahan has subsided, which raises questions about how seriously the Rangers are shopping their captain. Regardless of outcome, manager Glen Sather reportedly wants to have this situation resolved by Friday afternoon's Olympic roster freeze.

No contract talk in Buffalo

Matt Moulson's agent , Wade Arnott, told the Buffalo News that the club hasn't approached them about a contract extension. Moulson recently sustained an injury and will be shutdown until after the Olympic break. It always seemed like Moulson was going to be traded before the deadline and the lack of extension discussions makes it seem all the more likely. Arnott says he thinks the two sides might talk numbers at some point.

Canadiens were interested in McGinn

Montreal emerged last week in a proposed deal that would have acquired P.A. Parenteau of the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Rene Bourque. The proposal was rejected and conflicting reports make it unclear by which side, but Louis Jeam of TVA stated on Sportnet's Hockey Central at Noon that Montreal was interested in acquiring Jamie McGinn because "he gets his nose dirty."

Montreal then added Weise about 20 minutes later.

David Legwand in play

Buzz has remained consistent that the Nashville Predators might look to move Legwand, who is in the final year of his contract and will be set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer. On the Forecheck looked at some possible destinations for Legwand and identified the Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche and Montreal Canadiens as potential teams of interest.

Maple Leafs willing to trade Nikolai Kulemin

Dave Nonis said the Maple Leafs better shape up or be prepared to ship out, but Kulemin might be gone regardless of that warning. Darren Dreger reported this weekend that Kulemin is available for teams willing to part with a player and a prospect. However, the pickings are slim as Nonis has not received any teams willing to meet that price.

Kulemin will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.