The Toronto Maple Leafs are hoping to bolster their blue line when free agency begins July 1.

The team is looking to add a top-four defenseman, TSN's Darren Dreger reported during Thursday's "Insider Trading," adding that the team has "shown interest" in pending unrestricted free agent Kris Russell.

The 29-year-old started last season with the Calgary Flames, and was traded to the Dallas Stars at the trade deadline. It appears unlikely Russell will re-sign in Texas, and Dreger notes a long list of teams are interested in his services.

Russell recorded four goals and 15 assists in 62 games last season. In Toronto, he would join a defense corps that features Morgan Reilly, Jake Gardiner, Matt Hunwick, and Nikita Zaitsev. Meanwhile, Martin Marincin and Frank Corrado will become restricted free agents on July 1.

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When the dust settles, Milan Lucic should probably send Steven Stamkos a thank-you card.

With Stamkos sticking with the Tampa Bay Lightning instead of hitting the free-agent market Friday at noon ET, Lucic is the big-ticket unrestricted free-agent forward. And the power forward is about to become unimaginably wealthy.

Lucic has narrowed his choices to two teams, according to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun. It seems a decision will be made Friday, when the market opens.

LeBrun reported earlier Thursday that demand for Lucic's services is "sky high," adding there's "no shortage of interest" and identifying the Montreal Canadiens as one of the teams looking at the 28-year-old.

Their rival suitors reportedly include the Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, and Dallas Stars, among others.

LeBrun did send a somewhat cautionary tweet after noting Montreal's apparent interest in the former Boston Bruin:

Lucic is a four-time 20-goal scorer and reached 50 points or better four times in his career. He wrapped up a three-year, $18-million contract.

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A thin free-agency crop on defense may benefit Patrick Wiercioch.

The defender, who will turn 26 in September, finds himself a free agent after not being tendered a qualifying offer by the Ottawa Senators earlier this week. And his agent's phone is reportedly ringing.

A second-round pick of the Senators in 2008, Wiercioch spent parts of five seasons with Ottawa. He had five assists in 52 games last season, and has 12 goals and 50 assists in 211 career regular-season games.

Wiercioch has been a positive possession player throughout his career, with a 52.98 Corsi For rating, according to Corsica Hockey. His 48.3 mark last season was by far the lowest he's posted.

A left-handed shooter, Wiercioch just wrapped up a three-year, $6-million contract.

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The Carolina Hurricanes bought out the final year of defenseman James Wisniewski's contract, the team announced Thursday.

The 32-year-old was owed $3 million for the 2016-17 season, but he will now be paid $2 million over the next two seasons, according to CapFriendly. The buyout will save the Hurricanes $2 million in cap space next season.

After being acquired in a trade last offseason, Wisniewski played just one game for the Hurricanes - tearing his ACL during the first period of the team's season opener in October.

The right-handed blue-liner is just two years removed from setting a career-high 51 points during the 2013-14 season as a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

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