The talk will heat up in earnest this week.

“There has been a lot lately, but mainly it’s guys talking about concepts,” one league executive told Insider Trading on Friday. “Teams are looking to see if they can parlay draft picks into NHL players.”

With the season officially in the books, the 30 GMs have turned their attention to next weekend’s NHL entry draft in Buffalo, which gets under way with Round 1 on Friday night at the First Niagara Center. The final six rounds take place Saturday.

The chatter is only going to increase in the coming days as the teams at the top of the draft listen intently to what those who are trying to move up are willing to offer. One of the most aggressive on that front is Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving, who is currently sitting at No. 6 in the annual crapshoot.

Ideally, the Flames would like to get into the top three or four and the Columbus Blue Jackets, Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers are listening to all offers because it never hurts to see what other teams are offering. But that’s where this becomes muddy because nobody is sure what Calgary is willing to give up.

The Flames want a shot at one of those top-end forwards like winger Jesse Puljujarvi (Finland) or London winger Matthew Tkachuk. There’s not a chance either of those two players will be there by the time Calgary is scheduled to pick at No. 6 so it doesn’t hurt Treliving to at least make an attempt to move.

OFF THE GLASS

As we suggested in this space last week, Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen could be fairly busy next weekend. The Jackets need to move money with more than $70 million in salary committed next season, which is why they’re trying to get defenceman Fedor Tyutin and winger Scott Hartnell of the books. As we noted, the Jackets are listening on captain Nick Foligno, so they’ve got some names in play. There’s plenty of concern somebody may give an offer sheet to RFA defenceman Seth Jones, who was acquired in a deal with the Nashville Predators last season. Yes, the Jackets would match on Jones but they’d rather not have to go that route ... The decision by Pavel Datsyuk to play next season in Russia is no surprise but the Detroit Red Wings are going to have to clear off his $7.5-million cap hit if they want to take a serious run at Tampa Bay Lightning UFA winger Steven Stamkos. While the belief is Stamkos wants to stay with the Bolts, the talking period for UFAs will begin soon and he’ll get plenty of interest. Detroit is among those expected to talk. “The Wings are really going to have to sweeten the pot to move that cap space,” a league executive said Saturday. “Cap space is a valuable asset.” There has been talk about Detroit moving prospects, but they may have to also unload a roster player.

AROUND THE BOARDS

Nobody is quite sure what’s happening with the Florida Panthers organization after a successful season. There is talk the Panthers are trying to move winger Nick Bjugstad and they’re listening on defenceman Dmitry Kulikov. Florida has pretty much remade its whole front office ... It sure sounds like New York Rangers GM Jeff Gorton has been busy working the phones. Lots of talk he’s listening on centre Derek Stepan, who has a contract that runs through 2020-21 season. A big test for Gorton will be getting RFA winger Chris Kreider signed because he’s a valuable asset ... If anybody thought centre Eric Staal, who was dealt to the Rangers at the deadline last season, is headed back to the Carolina Hurricanes as a UFA on July 1, it sure sounds doubtful that will happen.

RUMOURS DU JOUR

The Boston Bruins are trying to add another blueliner and the word is they’re spoken to St. Louis about blueliner Kevin Shattenkirk. The belief is the Blues don’t want him in the West and the Bruins might be a good fit for a deal. The issue is they’re not the only ones looking for help on defence with Buffalo GM Tim Murray being aggressive in his pursuit of a blueliner along with Edmonton Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli. Ideally, the Blues would like to get Shattenkirk signed and not deal him so that situation is fluid ... Minnesota Wild GM Chuck Fletcher has a decision to make on winger Tomas Vanek. He has one year left at $6.5 million and didn’t produce a whole lot last season. Since the possibility exists that Vanek will play a limited role under new coach Bruce Boudreau, the Wild is believed to be at least toying with the possibility of buying out the final year of Vanek’s contract. Minny also has to make a decision on RFA defenceman Matt Dumba because teams are showing interest ... With the hiring of coach Randy Carlyle in Anaheim, GM Bob Murray is still expected to make a few changes to the roster. There’s no question teams are calling about goaltender Frederik Andersen, who is a UFA but the Ducks have decisions to make on defence as well. Teams were showing interest in RFA blueliner Sami Vatanen before he signed a four-year extension with the Ducks on Saturday.

Have a nice Sunday and Happy Father’s Day to all those celebrating.