A list of six NHL players who could be dealt this winter and more in your NHL rumor mill.
Six Players Who Could Move This Winter.
Could long-time Sharks forward Patrick Marleau be traded this winter?
USA TODAY: Kevin Allen lists New York Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic, Carolina Hurricanes captain Eric Staal, San Jose Sharks forward Patrick Marleau, Columbus Blue Jackets center Ryan Johansen, Chicago Blackhawks blueliner Trevor Daley and Calgary Flames d-man Dennis Wideman as six players who could be dealt this winter.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Of those on this list, Hamonic and Staal are the most likely to be dealt before the Feb. 29 trade deadline. Still, it’s no certainty either guy could move.
Hamonic’s had a trade request in for family reasons since the summer seeking a move to as close to his Manitoba home as possible. The Isles are trying to accommodate his request but the fact he hasn’t been dealt yet speaks to the difficulty of moving him. Hamonic isn’t pressuring Isles management, meaning this could take until the summer to address.
Staal could be dealt later this season if the Hurricanes are unwilling or unable to re-sign him, but he holds a full no-movement clause, limiting where he could be dealt. The ‘Canes asking price could also become an issue.
As for the rest, Daley could be dealt but his improved play of late suggests the Blackhawks might not feel the same urgency to deal him as they did earlier this month. Unless Marleau broadens his trade list beyond Anaheim, Los Angeles or the NY Rangers, he’s not going anywhere.
If the Blue Jackets decide to move Johansen, it’ll take a significant offer (a young scoring center or top-two defenseman, a top prospect and a first-round pick) to get him. That type of deal for a first-line center usually doesn’t take place during the season. Wideman is carrying too much salary ($5.25 million per season) and a full no-movement clause. He doesn’t get dealt until the offseason, and even that’s no certainty.
Updates on the Oilers and Jets.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples believes a swap of Nikita Nikitin to the Chicago Blackhawks with Trevor Daley coming to Edmonton is a very bad idea for the Oilers. “Do the Oilers really think a d-man who is playing behind Trevor van Riemsdyk and Viktor Svedberg is going to help?”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ouch. Accurate, but ouch. Daley has been improving of late, but he’s still in the No.5 spot with the Blackhawks. The only good thing about this swap is it would free up some cap space (Nikitin’s earning $4.5 million, Daley $3.3 million) this season, but Daley’s also signed through 2016-17 while Nikitin’s a UFA at season’s end. I agree with Staples, this deal doesn’t make sense for the Oilers.
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS: Tim Campbell wonders if the unresolved contract statuses of Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd and Jacob Trouba plus the Travis Hamonic trade rumors might be adversely affecting the Jets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Inconsistent goaltending and poor defensive hockey are hurting the Jets, but the trade and free-agent speculation probably isn’t helping.
The Jets are in an extremely difficult position with 2 of their top players becoming UFA and a very high value player (Hamonic) publicly stating he wants to move here. Add to this the uncertainty of a poor start. If Cheveldayoff doesn’t make key moves and loses players the fanbase will riot.
Harmonic will play in several places out west – he is not insisting to move to Winnipeg.
He did specify Western Canada, I seriously doubt that he’s willing to play in Arizona or LA or Anaheim or San Jose possibly Colorado could be in play but to suggest that he’s willing to play out west isn’t all that true maybe certain parts of Western Canada but not the US.
If he is considering Minnesota – well, I hate to tell you but that’s in the U.S. and Western Canada doesn’t mean he will only play in Winnipeg. Let’s all see how this plays out – Snow isn’t gonna give him away and Harmonic knows he still has to play his game.
All places that Harmonic picked have regular flights to and from Winnipeg, so basically any destination out west with reg flights to and fro Winnipeg are in. Which leaves western Canada and maybe Minny
That may be true. But it is fairly uncommon for players to pick Winnipeg as their first choice destination let alone how hard it has been at times to retain top talent in that market. Here is a solid defense man saying that he wants to be as close to Winnipeg as he can be.
IMO, Winnipeg has to get this guy and give him a letter on his jersey.
Given a choice between Dailey and Nikitin is like getting a choice between chopsticks or a fork to eat tomato soup…not sure that it really makes a difference either way
Hahaha love this
I agree that Daley is a horrible fit for Edmonton, which is why I give that trade an 80% of actually happening. It’s not like Fayne, Sekera were brilliant signings or good fits either…. But that didn’t stop them from making those moves.
Why would the Hawks trade for a more expensive D man who can’t crack the top 6 on the worst team in the NHL (yet again)? Niktin for Daley may be a bad deal for Edmonton but it would be a ridiculous deal for the Hawks.
“Do the Oilers really think a d-man who is playing behind Trevor van Riemsdyk and Viktor Svedberg is going to help?”
Well Mr. Staples, EVERYTHING they’ve done for the past 5 or 6 years was obviously made to “help” – the fact that so few of their moves have actually helped is a reflection of the ineptness of their management. Maybe this new crew will help – but remember, MacTavish and Lowe are still lurking about.
Indeed, the problems really track all the way back to the inept owner. He’s simply a fan and likes the Oilers alumni too much to make tough decisions.
I can’t figure out how those two guys still have their jobs!?! Really
I’ll say that Eric Staal has had some of the most exciting playoff performances I’ve ever seen. It’s been tough watching him the last couple of years, the grit and determination are gone. His brother seems to be suffering from the same affliction. However, a change of scenery just may be what he needs to kickstart him. He still has a chance to be a homerun of a deadline pickup and I think Montreal, Nashville, Rangers or St. Louis would take a chance on him, just to name a few. I think he would be great on the wing too if need be. In any event I’m not sure about his NTC, but if he becomes available the Canes will receive a lot of phone calls. They could keep some salary too and make it happen and get a good return.
The Habs should be all over this to make it a dream team. You could add emilin, Gilbert, Markov, tinord too if the teams want d in the trade
Nash: pleks,DE LAROSE, Hudon, dd
Mtl:josi
Clb: Johansson
Mtl: Eller, sherback,1st, dsp
Johansson, galchenyuk and maccaron is a Stanley Cup winner down the middle. Ideal line up not given up Beaulieu in the Clb trade. Sign Bodker from arz
Patches Johansson galger
Bodker galy gehtto/mac
Mac
Josi subban
Beau/tin petty
Well I still like Daley even if he is struggling on Chicago. Let me ask you all this. What else will Edmonton get for Nikitin? Which player do you think would be easier to move later on the guy with the cap hit of 4.5 or the guy with the hit of 3.3?
It seems a good move to me. Low risk moving a guy who isn’t helping you now and freeing up cap space. Edmonton needs a bit more size and Daley has that although he could be a bit more physical.
It’s horrible deal for Chicago, It isn’t that bad a deal for Edmonton.
However perhaps I am wrong and Nikitin can bring back to Edmonton much more than a Trevor Daley.
Nikitin is a UFA at season’s end so if that deal was made the Hawks would only be on the hook for that time. He’s big and still young (29) – 6′ 4″ 217 lbs but clearly has severe limits if he can’t make the Oilers’ Top 7 (I assume they have a 7th D hanging around). Daley is a lot smaller at 5′ 11″ 195 lbs and is 32 years of age with his $3.3 mil cap hit running to the end of next season. What I find hilarious is that, whenever Cowen’s name pops up the comments that follow point to his “huge” contract as a potential barrier to any deal. He costs $3.1 mil to the end of next season, is 24 y/o, a monster at 6′ 5″ 238 lbs and currently is a +9 on the Sens D.
I think There is a market for Cowen. I wonder i
Like many if Hoffman might be added to a deal being an RFA.
One thing I will say about that David Staples comment is that while Daley has not met expectations, he was one of Dallas’s most promising dmen at one point in time. Yes, his last couple seasons he has struggled but maybe a change of scenery is needed and the high pressure city that is Chicago may not have been the right fit for him.
Furthermore, if anyone is getting a the bad end of this deal its Chicago. If Nikita Nikitin isn’t good enough to swim in the shallow pool that is Edmonton’s blueline, what makes him think he’ll be any better in Chicago? At least Daley is one of the Blackhawks six dmen. Who cares if he is playing behind van Riemsdyk or Svedberg? I think he also forgets that when you create blueline pairs, you want the dmen to compliment each other and create balance. Maybe Daley is the No. 5 not because of his lack of skill but because he brings balance to the third pairing.
If you’re going to sucker punch a player in the balls Staples, at least have the stats to back it up.
Rangers are great but flawed and will need to do something to get to next point a SC. Nash for Marleau plus. Stephan, pick, prospect for Johansen. I know Ranger fans love their team as is but Hank not getting younger and window is closing this group has come close but not quite good enough. Marleau older but less injury prone and without looking would have to say he performs better in playoffs then Nash. Factors maybe Torts loves Stephan and for NASH NMC maybe he wants to play with BFF Thornton and escape scrutiny of his playoff failures. Another unproductive failure and team falls short again he will be vilified.
Peter should be all over Nashville as both teams have what the other team needs. Pred,s are strong on back end but do need some talent up front and the way the Oilers are playing they will be picking again in the top 3. Oil will never beable to afford all these forwards might as well trade one or two for some D help.