In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, we have the latest on Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov, plus updates on the Canadiens and Flyers.

THE LATEST KUCHEROV SPECULATION

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jim Parsons wondered if the Edmonton Oilers might make a pitch for Nikita Kucherov. The 33-year-old Tampa Bay Lightning winger surprised the hockey world by requesting a trade after contract extension talks fell apart.

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov (NHL Images)

Parsons noted the Oilers tried to acquire Kucherov in 2019 by offering up Leon Draisaitl, but the deal fell apart when they asked for Anthony Cirelli to be included. This came after the Lightning were swept by the Columbus Blue Jackets and before Draisaitl emerged as a superstar in his own right.

Ultimately, Parson believes too many obstacles stand in the way, including Kucherov’s $20 million AAV asking price for his next contract, the Lightning’s current unwillingness to trade him, and the Oilers’ limited trade capital.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers have a better chance of acquiring center Matt Rempe from the New York Rangers. According to Sportsnet’s Frank Seravalli, Oilers GM Stan Bowman is seeking more toughness for his lineup, and head coach Mike Babcock is believed to be an admirer of the big Rangers enforcer. 

ESPN: Kevin Weekes reported sources told him that the Lightning’s first contract offer to Kucherov this year was $13 million AAV. They raised it to $15 million AAV following the Leo Carlsson offer sheet ($18 million AAV) and Cale Makar’s contract extension ($20.4 million AAV)

HOW WILL THE CANADIENS ADDRESS THEIR DEPTH AT CENTER?

TVA SPORTS: Nicolas Cloutier recently suggested how the Montreal Canadiens could acquire Dylan Larkin if the Detroit Red Wings center added them to his trade list.

Cloutier noted the Canadiens had $1.7 million in salary-cap space (now $1.820 million). To make room for Larkin’s $8.7 million average annual value, he proposed an offer of forwards Alex Newhook ($2.9 million), Kirby Dach ($3.6 million), defenseman Adam Engstrom ($896,667), and prospect winger Alexander Zharovsky.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Assuming the Red Wings approve that offer, those combined salaries ($7,396,667) might be enough to take on the remainder of Larkin’s AAV and salary for this season.

Still, Canadiens management could prefer shedding more salary for more cap flexibility. Meanwhile, the Wings could want a better return than Cloutier’s proposal. They’ll likely want top prospect Michael Hage as part of the return, which could be a deal-breaker for the Canadiens.

Anyway, it’s irrelevant if Larkin only wants to be traded to American clubs.

Jean-Charles Lajoie recently examined seven centers who could address the Canadiens’ need for depth at that position.

They include Larkin, Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ryan O’Reilly of the Nashville Predators, Mark Scheifele of the Winnipeg Jets, Bo Horvat of the New York Islanders, and Quinton Byfield of the Los Angeles Kings. Lajoie also suggested waiting for Hage to join the team after his college season ends.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lajoie prefaced his list by saying some were realistic and others were “dreams”. I’ll let you decide which players fall into those categories. I will say that Byfield would be the player I would pursue if he were available, but the Kings aren’t parting with him given their own lack of depth.

WHICH CENTERS COULD THE FLYERS PURSUE?

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco recently looked at possible trade targets for the Philadelphia Flyers to bolster their depth at center.

Sources told him the Flyers were interested in Dylan Cozens and Ridly Greig of the Ottawa Senators. However, they no longer see Cozens fitting within their top six, and they’re unsure about Greig’s upside.

Di Marco indicated that the Flyers could have varying degrees of interest in Chicago Blackhawks forwards Frank Nazar and Oliver Moore. They like Nazar’s upside, but the Blackhawks don’t seem to be in the market to move him. They’re skeptical about whether Moore can be a long-term, top-six center.