Kent Hughes may have found Ivan Demidov's ideal center

Morgan Frost's name is back in trade rumors, and the Canadiens have to be paying attention this weekend.

Insider David Pagnotta says the Flames are still fielding calls on the 27 year old center, along with defenseman Zach Whitecloud.

Frost put up 43 points, including 22 goals, over 82 games with Calgary last season.

He's a smart passer with soft hands, the kind of center who reads plays a beat ahead.

But he's never cashed in that vision into a real breakout, and that's the whole problem here.

His cap hit sits at $4,375,000, a number Montreal could absorb without blinking.

Montreal already beat Calgary twice this season, an overtime win on the road and a 4-1 result at home in January.

Detroit's front office shakeup threatens Larkin deal with Wild

If Montreal is chasing center help, so is Minnesota, and their target has a much bigger name attached.

The Wild have been circling Dylan Larkin for weeks, reportedly passing on a run at Vincent Trocheck to keep that path clear.

Larkin posted 67 points, including 34 goals, over 74 games this past season, still Detroit's engine down the middle.

According to Michael Russo and Joe Smith of The Athletic, Steve Yzerman's departure as Red Wings general manager throws real uncertainty into any groundwork already laid with Minnesota.

A new voice in Detroit's front office could reset Larkin's asking price entirely. Would you blame him for wanting to stay put while it all sorts out?

For now, Minnesota is stuck watching Detroit's front office situation before it can push further.

Nashville has its own itch to scratch, and it's on the blue line.

General manager Barry Trotz wants a partner for Roman Josi, someone who can eat real minutes beside him.

Josi logged 55 points, including 42 assists, over 68 games last season, still one of the league's heaviest workloads on the point.

Trotz isn't in a hurry, according to Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts, and he's shown before he prefers building from the back end out.

That patience is either smart asset management or a team waiting too long while the market moves elsewhere.

Three teams, three different needs, and none of it close to done. Frost still looks more like a third line fit than a real top six answer for Montreal, no matter how the framing spins it.

Detroit, Minnesota and Nashville all head into August with unresolved business, and the next domino could fall from any direction.