It's quiet time around the league, now that Carolina claimed the Cup and July 1 is still two weeks away. Our esteemed GM needs to upgrade the roster to get the Jackets over the hump. So, what's being speculated on different blogs/websites?

Elvis Merzlikins must be traded (The Hockey Writers): Yeah? And just who is going to trade for him? While I believe Elvis is a millstone on the Jackets' collective neck, the entire league knows what a waste of goalie pads Elvis is. Unfortunately, unless Waddell and company bite the bullet and buy out the last year of his contract, Elvis is going to be a $5.4MM backup.

A scoring winger (several sites/blogs): Teams were able to focus on Kirill Marchenko and Zach Werenski at the end of the season and effectively shut them down which contributed heavily to the Jackets' season ending slump. Unlike a number of people, I don't think the Jackets need a high end scoring threat, just someone who will force defenses to pay attention and give Werenski and Marchenko room to breathe. Rumor has it that Jake DeBrusk is on the market. Could he be what the Jackets need?

Offer sheet candidates (Daily Faceoff): The idea that offer sheets are off limits has taken a bit of damage recently. However, the targets aren't high end players, but mid-range and younger players on teams facing a salary cap crunch. One such player who could fit the Jackets' long range plans is Mavrik Borque of the Dallas Stars. He's just the kind of guy the Jackets crave. A scoring winger with a fairly high ceiling who could mesh nicely on a line with Adam Fantilli and Marchenko. Don't forget that Waddell has been successful with an offer sheet move.

So, there's what has been on my mind lately. Thoughts? Rumors and/or possibilities you've found interesting. Let's try to fill the time between know and the first day of UFA signings.