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NHL Rumors Update
NHL Rumors Update for 02/21/2020
The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.
02/21/2020 edition:
By Jim Parsons on Feb 20, 2020 07:27 pm
Just days to the February 24 deadline means the final trade discussions among NHL teams are starting to happen. And, as NHL Trade Deadlines go, there’s lots to talk about. There’s been a ton of action already and things look to be heating up.
A number of issues stand in the way of some moves, injuries have opened up options and tight races in many of the NHL’s divisions create uncertainty.
The below list is a combination of players who have often come up in trade talks over the past week:
12) Ilya Kovalchuk
The Montreal Canadiens are currently asking themselves, ‘What should we do with Ilya Kovalchuk?’ A player who was picked up for next to no cost is now worth potentially a lot more than the Montreal Canadiens spent to acquire him. When you consider some of the returns in trade so far, Kovalchuk could be worth quite a bit.
The latest speculation is that Montreal would like to get a second-round pick for Kovalchuk but surveyed NHL executives don’t know if the Canadiens can get anything more than a fourth for him. If so, would Marc Bergevin be better served to hold onto him?
There hasn’t been any indication about how willing Kovalchuk is to stay in Montreal and with the organization unlikely to make the playoffs, if there’s a hint of doubt he’ll stay, wouldn’t they be better served trying to buy low and sell high?
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11) Alec Martinez Joe Thornton
The Los Angeles Kings have now moved Tyler Toffoli, Kyle Clifford, and defenseman Alec Martinez, what else is next? Perhaps Trevor Lewis moves but the Kings may no longer be a team to closely watch.
Instead, we’ll move to another California-based team in San Jose. They too are sellers and there’s some debate about how likely Joe Thornton is to be moved. He has a full no-trade clause so he’ll have to approve any deal, but he may choose to move to a contender.
If he becomes available, there will certainly be teams interested. He’s got plenty of experience and while slower, he’s still one of the best play-makers in the NHL.
10) Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Pageau remains in the rumor mill and he’s been on this list from day one. A deal may not be close because he’s still in the Sens lineup each night. Reports are still that the Ottawa Senators would like him to consider re-signing with the team but there are plenty of organizations kicking tires and he could fetch a first-round pick in return.
Where Pageau fits on whichever team is kicking tires could be key to where he ends up. For example, the Oilers are rumored to be interested but it’s hard to imagine them giving up a first-round pick for him. Other teams could use him but it wouldn’t be in a top-six role. Is a first-rounder then far too much to part with?
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9) Brenden Dillon Vincent Trocheck
The San Jose Sharks moved defenseman Brenden Dillon and as a result, we take him off the list, making room for someone who’s next getting a ton of attention.
The returns for teams at this deadline suggests the Panthers could do well if they chose to move Trocheck. He’s not a rental and has a reasonable contract so teams looking for a player with term could come calling.
8) Taylor Hall
Back in the rumor mill again, Taylor Hall’s availability might not be known until just days before the NHL Trade Deadline, although, it’s been said they Coyotes are going to risk it and try to re-sign him. Arizona invested heavily in Hall but there on the verge of not being in the playoff race despite his productive play since joining the team.
The debate that will rage on in Arizona is whether or not the team can afford to give up on the playoff push and try to recoup more than they gave up to get Hall or if they dare abandon a change at the postseason and what it will mean if the team sends away it’s arguably most productive forward.
If Hall does become available, he’ll easily be the most high-profile rental on the market.
7) Mike Hoffman
Recently included in the trade rumor mill, the argument against moving forward Mike Hoffman is that Florida is in a playoff spot and why would the team want to move him if he’s productive? The answer is defense.
Reports are that Dale Tallon is looking to improve his blue line for the playoffs and that he feels his team is strong at the forward position. If so, that means he may see Hoffman as expendable, especially since he’s coming up to the end of his current contract and would make for a valuable rental.
Some will point to his past issues off the ice but on a short-term contract, it’s safe to assume a team that might acquire him isn’t terribly worried about it.
6) Tomas Tatar
Tomas Tatar popped up recently in the rumor mill when Friedman reported the Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins potentially kicked tires on him. The Montreal Canadiens may ultimately decide not to move him but for now, as sellers, they’ll at least see what he’s worth on the trade market.
Tatar has done a good job of reinventing himself in Montreal and he’s looking to have a second strong season. It’s not surprising some teams might be interested.
5) Andreas Athanasiou
The Detroit Red Wings are almost certainly going to move Andreas Athansiou. MLive’s Ansar Khan suggests that Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman could be reaching a point where he’s frustrated with Athansiou’s inability to get things figured out and as the Red Wings drop in the standings, more and more names will become available.
Expect other names from the Red Wings to eventually appear on this list, including someone like Mike Green.
Related: Every NHL Team’s Top Prospect
4) Tyler Toffoli Kyle Palmieri
The Vancouver Canucks paid handsomely for Tyler Toffoli when it was learned Brock Boeser would be out for some time. As a rental, there wasn’t much doubt he’s be moved, only questions about what the return would be.
That has led to questions about what other useful forwards could go for. While not a rental, forward Kyle Palmieri is getting a lot of attention now and the Devils are contemplating moving him if the return is there. Certainly, teams looking for experienced and consistent forwards would carry strong value. Would the Devils move one of their most useful players if the return were there? They already moved Blake Coleman, so it’s not far fetched.
3) Matt Dumba
Matt Dumba was added to the rumor mill that last and there was some buzz the Toronto Maple Leafs might have interest when word spread that Toronto might be willing to move Kasperi Kapanen for a player with term.
Speculation is that Minnesota is unhappy about recent performance and that Bill Guerin is ready to finally make some moves as their GM. Guerin has started making moves. How big a shake-up the team is considering is unknown and what the return for Dumba would be could affect the likelihood he’s traded.
2) Kasperi Kapanen
The Toronto Maple Leafs are being hit hard with injuries and taking on ugly losses. They badly need a healthy Morgan Reilly back.
That Kapanen was recently in the news after being late for a practice and being a healthy scratch only adds to the speculation the team might be less-than pleased with his attitude. The Maple Leafs are searching for answers. It’s hard to know if they’ll find any before the deadline.
1) Chris Kreider
The interest in Chris Kreider is at an all-time high and he remains the biggest trade piece headed into February 24. Right now, the St. Louis Blues, Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche are considered to be the teams with the most interest.
There were some concerns about his health after he took a nasty bump to the head but he’s back and lighting it up again. There’s still buzz the Rangers want to re-sign him.
The post THW’s Top-12 NHL Trade Rumors Tracker – Updated appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on Feb 20, 2020 01:25 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news on the asking price from the New York Rangers for Chris Kreider, reasons why the Winnipeg Jets haven’t terminated Dustin Byfuglien’s contract yet, and speculation there’s a team keenly interested in Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jeff Petry. Finally, are the Golden Knights looking to do more after adding Alec Martinez?
Rangers Want to Hit Home Run With Kreider
As per Brian Burke during Sportsnet’s broadcast of the Edmonton Oilers versus Boston Bruins game, he’s hearing the ask by the New York Rangers for Chris Kreider is incredibly high. The team wants as many as four pieces in order to move him.
Burke notes the Rangers have been watching the trade market closely and they now want a first-round pick, a prospect, another pick and a conditional pick if Kreider were to sign with his new team. He then said, the first time to meet that ask will get the player.
Hurricanes Eyeing Jeff Petry
According to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun, the Carolina Hurricanes have their hooks out for a right-shot, top-four defenceman. They’re apparently eyeing Montreal Canadiens defenceman Jeff Petry.
LeBrun admits that the odds are greater Montreal chooses not to move Petry, who’s signed through next season at a $5.5 million cap hit. That said, it sounds like Carolina might be putting together an attractive offer Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin should listen to.
LeBrun writes:
What kind of package could Carolina throw at the Habs? I’m thinking something like a first-round pick and prospect blueliner Jake Bean, 21, a first-round pick, 13th overall, in 2016. That’s something I think Carolina would do to entice the Canadiens.
Golden Knights Looking at Gustafsson
Jesse Granger of The Athletic reports that after adding defenseman Alec Martinez, the Golden Knights have also shown interest in Chicago Blackhawks pending unrestricted free agent Erik Gustafsson.
Granger notes:
Gustafsson is an unrestricted free agent this summer and is unlikely to re-sign with the Blackhawks due to cap restraints and the emergence of youngster Adam Boqvist. Gustafsson is fresh off a 2018-19 season when he was the NHL’s sixth-highest scoring defenseman, with 17 goals and 43 assists. That would’ve made him the Golden Knights’ highest scorer, one point ahead of Jonathan Marchessault.
Jets Working Exhaustively on Byfuglien Deal
As if the Dustin Byfuglien story couldn’t get any stranger. Frank Seravalli of TSN reports, that the reason the Winnipeg Jets have waited to pull the trigger on a mutual contract termination with Dustin Byfuglien is because multiple sources say the Jets are attempting to exhaust all trade options first.
Seravalli writes that a number of suitors have been in regular contact with Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff over the last weeks, “but talks have only intensified in recent days leading up to the NHL’s Feb. 24 trade deadline.”
Because there’s still a very slim change he returns for the playoffs, there is no guarantee that Byfuglien will be dealt, but what makes this interesting is that he wouldn’t count against the teams cap this season. If he returned, it would be in the post-season where there is no cap. The team acquiring him only needs room next season but would have all summer to figure that out.
The post NHL Rumors: Rangers, Hurricanes, Jets, Golden Knights, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on Feb 19, 2020 12:52 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news that the Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche are front-runners to land Chris Kreider, but who else might be in on the conversations? Will the New Jersey Devils deal Kyle Palmieri? Plus, there is a bit more information being revealed about Jake Muzzin’s deal in Toronto.
The Latest on Chris Kreider
The New York Rangers are still negotiating with pending UFA Chris Kreider, but at the same time, they’re drumming up interest from other teams. Boston, Colorado, New York Islanders and St. Louis plus more are likely interested.
TSN’s Darren Dreger reports the Islanders are definitely among the suitors, but he’s not sure how the Rangers would make a deal with the Islanders unless the offer was much better than anyone else’s.
Friedman noted that “Washington GM Brian MacLellan made a stealth move to see if he could get in on Kreider, but the Dillon trade probably takes him out of it.”
As it stands now, most people believe the Colorado Avalanche and Boston Bruins are the teams leading the charge to acquire Kreider.
Related: Redoing the 2005 NHL Draft
More on Maple Leafs Muzzin Deal
Further to the news that a Jake Muzzin extensionl is all but done in Toronto and worth $5.5 million per season over four years, the deal, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger, will be “heavily front-loaded”.
So too, if completed will be announced later due to the “tagging” concerns. The official announcement on a deal might not come until later next month.
Devils to Trade Palmieri for Right Offer?
As per Elliotte Friedman’s 31 Thoughts article, the New Jersey Devils might be willing to move Kyle Palmieri after moving Andy Greene, Taylor Hall and Blake Coleman this season.
He writes:
“If the Coleman trade showed the rest of the NHL anything, it’s that the Devils may not really want to part with Kyle Palmieri — but, if you make the right offer, they will do so. You also have to think that trade didn’t hurt Tom Fitzgerald’s long-term position in Jersey.”
Who has the most interest in Palmieri is unclear but one thing of note is that after making the trades they have, the team has the most cap space in the NHL and they sit just $7.69 million above the cap floor. If New Jersey moves Palmieri and Sami Vatanen, they’ll need to take on salary.
What Deals Will Colorado Avalanche Make Now?
After being dealt such a huge blow with injuries — Philipp Grubauer, Nazem Kadri, Mikko Rantanen — Colorado is trying to make “hockey deals” to bolster their forward group and their blue line. That said, the Avalanche won’t add big-money in trade that lasts beyond this season.
The Avs still have big-term deals with extensions looming for Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, so for anyone suggesting Carey Price to the Avs, don’t hold your breath.
Friedman did note that he believes the Avs checked out Corey Crawford from Chicago but that Robin Lehner still hasn’t decided what he’s doing, thus, the Blackhawks moving Crawford seems unlikely.
Florida’s Trocheck Generating Interest
If a team is looking for a top-six centre, they might want to call Florida. It appears Vincent Trocheck might be available. Here is a relatively young, but experienced player with two more years at under $5 million on his deal and that’s attractive for some teams.
He’s a player worth keeping an eye on over the next few days.
The post NHL Rumors: Kreider Update, Maple Leafs, Avs, Devils, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
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