An update on an item I wrote Tuesday concerning the Ottawa Senators' Chris Neil:

It appears more and more likely that the rugged veteran winger may be traded from the only NHL team he’s ever played for.

Not for sure, but certainly very possible.

While Neil’s initial reaction to a trade when meeting with Senators general manager Bryan Murray was that he’d rather stay put and stay loyal, as time has gone on, I think Neil is beginning to wrap his mind around the idea of moving.

Chris Neil has another year on his contract next seasonm which carries a $1.9-million cap hit yet only a $1.5-million salary. AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

His agent, Todd Reynolds of Uptown Sports Management, told ESPN.com on Wednesday that "several clubs" have reached out to him to express interest and to find out if Neil would ever consider leaving Ottawa.

Neil has a limited no-trade clause, which features a list of 15 teams he won't accept a trade to, hence the 14 other teams in the league are in play. The list was submitted in October.

The Senators are believed to be receiving lots of interest in Neil, who has another year remaining on his contract, which carries a $1.9 million cap hit yet only a $1.5 million salary.

Also, Neil’s role has diminished a bit since Dave Cameron became the coach in Ottawa, so that might be a factor if he's beginning to be more open-minded about a move.

A Western Conference source told ESPN.com on Wednesday that the Nashville Predators are among the clubs interested in Neil, which makes sense given Neil's connection to Predators center Mike Fisher, a former teammate in Ottawa and a good friend. And the fact that the Predators probably feel they need to toughen up a little to match up with the big boys in the West.

Neil’s the kind of guy who can certainly make a difference in a tough, grind-it-out playoff series.

Another team apparently with interest, according to a different Western Conference source, is the Chicago Blackhawks, but because they have hardly any cap space, it’s a deal they can’t make unless they move another player on their roster, and I’m not sure that’s going to happen. Do the Hawks like Neil? Yes. Can they make it happen? Seems like a reach at this point.

Again, several clubs are interested, so who knows where he ends up.

I’m not saying for sure he’s moving, because clearly there is some emotion at play here. Neil loves Ottawa, but it certainly sounds very possible at this point.

Other bits from around the league: