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Report: Half of the league is interested in Stastny

Minnesota Wild v Colorado Avalanche - Game Seven

DENVER, CO - APRIL 30: Paul Stastny #26 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates his goal against the Minnesota Wild in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Pepsi Center on April 30, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. The Wild defeated the Avalanche in overtime 5-4 to win the series. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

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This offseason features a more open interview window between pending free agents and potential new teams, which introduces a fun new narrative: news about the number of franchises inquiring about players.

Paul Stastny takes the cake, at least so far. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that the potentially soon-to-be-ex Colorado Avalanche forward is drawing interest from a whopping 15 teams.

LeBrun mentions that the 28-year-old won’t take less than the $6.6 million cap hit that’s about to expire. It’s unclear how many of those 15 suitors are willing to ante up that much dough, but one could assume that at least a few teams would be willing to meet those demands (if not blow them away).

Stastny isn’t the only player who’s drawing a lot of interest, though. The Hockey News’ Ken Campbell reports that Dave Bolland has been contacted by at least eight teams already.

The numbers get dizzying when you consider all the sought-after players in free agency and trade rumors. As many as eight teams are barking up UFA Dan Boyle’s tree. Ryan Kesler is the one who’s limiting his potential destinations, even if the Vancouver Canucks are getting a lot of calls. The Jason Spezza market seems sizzling in its own right ... and those are just the targets who are drawing the most open attention.

It’s not technically official that Stastny and Bolland will find new teams, yet the writing seems to be on the wall.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins