NHL Rumor Mill – March 20, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – March 20, 2024

Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins expects big changes for the club this summer, plus a look at possible offseason moves by the Bruins in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

MERZLIKINS FACING UNCERTAIN FUTURE IN COLUMBUS

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline recently reported Elvis Merzlikins expects big changes for his club when a new general manager takes over during the offseason. The 30-year-old Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender raised eyebrows in January when he told the media he requested a trade, only to have his agent follow up by claiming his client had misspoken.

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (NHL Images).

Portzline noted the difficulty the next Jackets GM will face attempting to move Merzlikins. He has three years left on his contract with an average annual value of $5.4 million and a 10-team no-trade clause.

A contract buyout would mean the Jackets would carry $1.75 million in dead cap space each season through 2029-30. Trying to trade him could mean retaining up to half of his AAV. They could try to move him to a team with plentiful cap space by bundling him with a draft pick or prospect.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Retaining half of Merzlikin’s AAV in a trade seems the best option. Even that might not be enough to tempt a club given his inconsistent play in recent years. It wouldn’t be surprising if he’s still with the Jackets at the start of next season.

SPECULATION ON THE BRUINS’ OFFSEASON PLANS

THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa recently looked ahead at what might be in store for the Boston Bruins during the offseason. With a projected $21.5 million in cap space this summer, they’re expected to be buyers.

Shinzawa believes the Bruins could kick the tires on Elias Lindholm if the Vancouver Canucks center hits the open market on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lindholm was regularly linked to the Bruins in the rumor mill before his trade to the Canucks on Jan. 31. There was also talk in the days leading up to the trade deadline of a three-way deal involving the Pittsburgh Penguins that would’ve sent Lindholm to Boston, winger Jake DeBrusk to the Penguins and winger Jake Guentzel to Vancouver. That deal, of course, never materialized but it raised questions over Lindholm’s future with the Canucks.

The Bruins could turn to free agency to replace pending UFA defensemen Kevin Shattenkirk, Matt Grzelcyk and Derek Forbort.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of former Calgary Flames, the Bruins were rumored to be interested in Noah Hanifin before the 27-year-old defenseman was shipped to the Vegas Golden Knights on March 6. They could look into signing Hanifin if he and the Golden Knights part ways on July 1.

Shinzawa expects the Bruins will attempt to trade goaltender Linus Ullmark. He turns 31 on July 31 and carries a $5 million cap hit and a modified no-trade clause for next season. They’d love to get a first-round pick for Ullmark but that could be too high a return. Shinzawa speculates they could get a second or third-round pick, plus moving him would clear his cap hit from their books.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The potential availability of Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom and Nashville Predators netminder Juuse Saros could affect Ullmark’s value in this summer’s trade market. If they’re not on the trade block it would make it possible for the Bruins to set a higher price for Ullmark that includes a first-rounder.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 17, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 17, 2024

A five-point game for the Rangers’ Artemi Panarin, the Bruins regain first place in the overall standings and milestone performances for the Canucks’ Quinn Hughes, the Capitals T.J. Oshie and the Oilers’ Corey Perry in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Detroit Red Wings snapped their seven-game losing skid by defeating the Buffalo Sabres 4-1. Patrick Kane snapped a 1-1 tie while James Reimer made 25 saves for the 34-27-6 Red Wings, who hold sole possession of the final Eastern Conference wildcard berth with 74 points. Tage Thompson scored his 20th goal of the season for the 32-31-5 Sabres as they sit five points back of the Wings.

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk’s hat trick powered his club to a 4-3 overtime victory over the New York Islanders. Tkachuk’s game-winner was also his 30th goal of the season for the 28-33-4 Senators and the third straight season he’s reached that plateau. Bo Horvat sent the game into overtime for the Islanders (29-22-15) as they sit one one behind the Wings.

The Washington Capitals remain in the Eastern Conference playoff chase by nipping the Vancouver Canucks 2-1. Alex Ovechkin broke a 1-1 tie with his 841st career goal for the Capitals (32-25-9) as they move ahead of the Islanders and one point back of the Wings with 73 points. Brock Boeser tallied his 36th goal of the season for the Western Conference-leading Canucks (42-18-8) as they slipped into fourth in the overall standings with 92 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Quinn Hughes collected an assist to set a new single-season points record for Canucks defensemen with 77, breaking his old record of 76 set last season. Meanwhile, Capitals winger T.J. Oshie played in his 1,000th career NHL game.

New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin (NHL Images).

New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin scored two goals and collected three assists in a 7-4 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Chris Kreider and K’Andre Miller each had a goal and two assists for the Metropolitan Division-leading Rangers (44-19-4) as they moved ahead of the Canucks into third in the overall standings with 92 points. Bryan Rust and Lars Eller each had a goal and an assist for the 29-28-9 Penguins.

The Boston Bruins held off the Philadelphia Flyers 6-5 to take over sole possession of first place in the overall standings with 95 points. Charlie Coyle scored twice and Jake DeBrusk had a goal and an assist for the 40-14-15 Bruins. Joel Farabee tallied two goals and Owen Tippett collected three assists for the Flyers (34-26-8) as they cling to third place in the Metropolitan Division with 76 points).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers now hold a three-point lead over the ninth-place Capitals.

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos scored two goals and picked up two assists as his club beat the Florida Panthers 5-3. Andrei Vasilevskiy kicked out 47 shots and Nikita Kucherov netted his 40th goal of the season for the Lightning (35-25-6) as they hold the first Eastern wildcard berth with 78 points. Sam Reinhart tallied twice to reach 48 goals on the season for the 45-19-4 Panthers, who dropped one point behind the league-leading Bruins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers forwards Sam Bennett and Evan Rodrigues returned to the lineup. Rodrigues missed two games with an ankle injury while Bennett was sidelined for one contest with an undisclosed injury.

Colorado Avalanche center Artturi Lehkonen scored with one second left in overtime in a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Sean Walker tallied two goals for the Central Division-leading Avalanche (43-20-5) as they hold fifth place in the overall standings with 91 points. Stuart Skinner stopped 40 shots for the 40-21-4 Oilers, who hold second place in the Pacific Division with 84 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers winger Corey Perry collected an assist for his 900th career point.

The Dallas Stars kept pace with the Avalanche by downing the Los Angeles Kings 4-1. Wyatt Johnston scored for the fourth straight game as Scott Wedgewood turned aside 27 shots for the 41-19-9 Stars as they sit second in the Central with 91 points. Kevin Fiala replied for the 34-22-11 Kings, who hold third place in the Pacific Division with 79 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars honored franchise Hall-of-Famer Mike Modano by unveiling a statue of him. He played all but one of his 21 NHL seasons with the Stars and is their franchise leader in goals, assists and points. They retired his No. 9 in 2014.

Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi scored two third-period goals in a 4-1 win over the Seattle Kraken, extending their points streak to 14 games. Filip Forsberg had a goal and an assist for the Predators (39-25-4) as they hold the first Western Conference wildcard berth with 82 points. Andre Burakovsky scored for the 28-26-12 Kraken.

The St. Louis Blues remain in the Western wildcard hunt after taming the Minnesota Wild 3-2 on a shootout goal by Jordan Kyrou, who also had a goal and an assist in regulation. Robert Thomas collected an assist for his 300th career point as the 35-29-3 Blues (73 points) sit four points behind the Vegas Golden Knights for the final wildcard spot. Kirill Kaprizov had a goal and an assist for the Wild (33-27-8) as they sit one point up on the Blues and three back of Vegas.

Carolina Hurricanes winger Jake Guentzel’s shootout goal completed a three-goal rally in a 5-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Sebastian Aho scored two unanswered third-period goals to tie the game, setting the stage for Guentzel’s winner as the Hurricanes (41-20-6) sit second in the Metro Division with 88 points. John Tavares had a goal and an assist for the 38-19-6 Leafs, who sit third in the Atlantic Division with 85 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hurricanes winger Teuvo Teravainen missed this game with an upper-body injury. Before this game, the Hurricanes announced they’d signed goaltender Spencer Martin to a one-year, $775K contract extension.

The Calgary Flames kept their fading playoff hopes alive with a 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Mikael Backlund tallied twice for the 33-29-5 Flames (71 points) as they sit six points out of the final Western wildcard spot. Cole Caufield scored his 20th goal of the season for the 25-31-11 Canadiens.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Canadiens announced that head coach Martin St. Louis was taking an indefinite leave of absence for family reasons. Meanwhile, Flames Hall-of-Famer Lanny McDonald received a standing ovation in his return to the Saddledome since suffering a cardiac event last month. The 71-year-old McDonald waved and gave a thumbs-up to the fans.

A three-goal first period powered the Arizona Coyotes to a 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Clayton Keller had a goal and an assist and Karel Vejmelka turned aside 37 shots for the 28-35-5 Coyotes. Nick DeSimone scored for the 32-31-4 Devils (68 points) as they sit six points out of the final Eastern wildcard spot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: During this game, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported relocation could be on the table for the Arizona Coyotes if they lose a land auction scheduled for June. The Coyotes intend to build a new arena on that parcel of land and are keen to win the auction. If they don’t, however, Friedman indicated that “the status quo cannot continue”. The club is said to be preparing for both scenarios.

The Columbus Blue Jackets doubled up the San Jose Sharks 4-2. Alex Nylander scored twice and picked up an assist for the 23-33-11 Blue Jackets. Fabian Zetterlund scored his 18th goal of the season for the 16-43-7 Sharks.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 16, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 16, 2024

Recaps of Friday’s games plus the latest on Brendan Gallagher, Jordan Eberle, Gabriel Vilardi and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Tyler Toffoli scored his first two goals with the Winnipeg Jets in a 6-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Josh Morrissey collected three assists and Laurent Brossoit turned in a 21-save shutout for the 42-19-5 Jets, who hold first place in the Central Division with 89 points. John Gibson stopped 32 shots for the 23-41-3 Ducks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Jets announced that forward Gabriel Vilardi will be sidelined indefinitely with an enlarged spleen. Meanwhile, Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas missed this game with an upper-body injury.

Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar (NHL Images).

The Los Angeles Kings blanked the Chicago Blackhawks 5-0. Anze Kopitar tallied twice and Cam Talbot kicked out 28 shots for the shutout. Chicago goaltender Arvid Soderblom gave up four goals on 10 shots before being replaced by Petr Mrazek. With a record of 34-21-11, the Kings hold third place in the Pacific Division with 79 points. The Blackhawks dropped to 18-44-5.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Following the game, the Blackhawks recalled winger Lukas Reichel and demoted forward Zach Sanford.

HEADLINES

MONTREAL GAZETTE: Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher recently admitted that his mother Della is battling a stage-4 brain cancer called Glioblastoma. He admitted that it has affected him on and off the ice. His sister Bree is running in the BMO Marathon in Vancouver on May 5 and is seeking donations for her fundraising campaign for Brain Cancer Awareness Month in May.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow this link if you’d like to contribute to Bree Gallagher’s campaign.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Seattle Kraken commemorated Jordan Eberle’s 1,000th career game in a pregame ceremony before Thursday’s game against the Washington Capitals.

TSN: Toronto Maple Leafs forward Calle Jarnkrok is listed as week-to-week with an injured hand.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The New York Islanders activated defenseman Robert Bortuzzo off long-term injury reserve.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Halifax Mooseheads forward and Blue Jackets prospect Jordan Dumais received a five-game suspension from the Mooseheads related to his recent arrest for DUI in Halifax. Dumais, 19, will miss the remainder of the QMJHL regular season and the opening game of the playoffs.










Notable NHL Trades – March 8, 2024

Notable NHL Trades – March 8, 2024

The San Jose Sharks traded center Tomas Hertl and two third-round picks (2025 and 2027) to the Vegas Golden Knights for Vegas’ 2025 first-rounder and prospect center David Edstrom.

New Jersey Devils trade winger Tyler Toffoli to the Winnipeg Jets (NHL Images).

TSN’s Darren Dreger reports the Winnipeg Jets have acquired winger Tyler Toffoli from the New Jersey Devils. TSN reports the return is a 2024 third-round pick and a 2025 second-rounder. 

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports the Washington Capitals traded center Evgeny Kuznetsov to the Carolina Hurricanes for a 2025 third-round pick. The Capitals also retain 50 percent of Kuznetsov’s $7.8 million annual cap hit through 2024-25. 

Montreal Canadiens traded goaltender Jake Allen to the New Jersey Devils in return for a conditional third-rounder in 2024. The Canadiens also retain half of Allen’s contract.

ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports the New Jersey Devils traded goaltender Vitek Vanecek to the San Jose Sharks for goalie Kaapo Kahkonen. 

Buffalo Sabres traded winger Kyle Okposo to the Florida Panthers in exchange for minor-league defenseman Calle Sjalin and a conditional 2024 seventh-round pick. 

Minnesota Wild traded forward Pat Maroon to the Boston Bruins for a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick and minor league winger Luke Toporowski.

New York Rangers acquire Jack Roslovic from the Columbus Blue Jackets for a conditional fourth-round pick. 

Arizona Coyotes traded defenseman Matt Dumba and a 2025 seven-rounder to the Tampa Bay Lightning for a 2027 fifth-round pick. 

Arizona Coyotes trade winger Jason Zucker to the Nashville Predators for a 2024 sixth-round pick.

Buffalo Sabres traded defenseman Erik Johnson to the Philadelphia Flyers for a 2024 fourth-rounder.

Boston Bruins trade defenseman Jakub Zboril to the Columbus Blue Jackets for defenseman Andrew Peeke. 










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 8, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 8, 2024

The Penguins trade Jake Guentzel to Carolina on the eve of the trade deadline, another scoring milestone for Connor McDavid, a hat trick for the Predators’ Filip Forsberg and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

PENGUINS TRADE GUENTZEL TO THE HURRICANES

NHL.COM: The Pittsburgh Penguins traded winger Jake Guentzel and defenseman Ty Smith to the Carolina Hurricanes for winger Michael Bunting, prospects Vasili Ponomarev, Cruz Lucius and Ville Koivunen, a conditional 2024 second-round pick that becomes a first-rounder if the Hurricanes win the 2024 Stanley Cup, and a conditional 2024 fifth-round pick if the Hurricanes win the Cup. The Penguins also retained $1.5 million of Guentzel’s $6 million cap hit.

Pittsburgh Penguins trade winger Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes. (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes are bucking their recent tradition of avoiding big-ticket rental players at the trade deadline. This is a clear indication that they’re going for it this season. A lack of scoring depth has been an ongoing issue for the Hurricanes. Adding a proven scorer and playoff performer like Guentzel should boost their pursuit of the Cup this season.

Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas reportedly wanted prospects and younger players over draft picks for Guentzel. Bunting played for Dubas when the two were with the Toronto Maple Leafs and is an energetic two-way winger. Ponomarev, Koivunen and Lucius were considered mid-range prospects in The Athletic’s recent ranking of the Hurricanes’ top-15 prospects.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Nashville Predators winger Filip Forsberg tallied a hat trick in a 4-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Gustav Nyquist collected three assists as the Predators pushed their points streak to 10 games (9-0-1) as they hold the first Western Conference wildcard berth with 75 points (36-25-3). Bowen Byram had a goal and an assist in his debut with the 29-30-5 Sabres.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres played without center Tage Thompson. He’s listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid collected an assist to extend his assists and points streak to 13 games in a 4-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. He also became the third player this season to reach 100 points. Daniil Tarasov kicked out 29 shots while Dmitri Voronkov scored what proved to be the winning goal for the 22-31-10 Blue Jackets. The Oilers (38-21-2) sit second in the Pacific Division with 78 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid became the sixth player in NHL history with at least seven seasons of 100-plus points.

New Jersey Devils forward Timo Meier netted a hat trick and collected an assist to lead his club over the St. Louis Blues 4-1. The Devils (31-28-4) are six points out of the final Eastern Conference wildcard spot with 66 points. Brandon Saad scored for the slumping Blues (32-28-3) as they won just three of their last 10 games and sit six points out of the final Western wildcard berth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Blues announced they signed forward Oskar Sundqvist to a two-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $1.5 million. Meanwhile, Sundqvist was also fined $2,000.00 by the NHL department of player safety for embellishment during a Feb. 28 game against the Oilers.

The Vancouver Canucks picked up their third straight win by defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-1. Thatcher Demko stopped 27 shots while Phillip Di Guiseppe scored the game-winner for the 41-17-7 Canucks as they sit in second place in the overall standings with 89 points. The Golden Knights (33-23-7) now hold the final Western Conference wildcard spot and are 2-8-1 in their last 10 games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights recently placed defenseman Alec Martinez on injured reserve with a lower-body injury.

Philadelphia Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway snapped a 1-1 tie in a 2-1 upset of the Florida Panthers. Samuel Ersson made 29 saves for the Flyers (33-23-8) as they hold third place in the Metropolitan Division with 74 points. The 43-17-4 Panthers remain on top of the overall standings with 90 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier in the day, the Panthers announced they signed defenseman Gustav Forsling to an eight-year contract extension with an average annual value of $5.75 million. Forsling is often overshadowed by fellow blueliners Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour but he’s become an invaluable (and underrated) part of their defense corps.

Speaking of the Panthers, forward Nick Cousins was fined $2,000.00 by the NHL department of player safety for embellishment during a Feb. 27 game against the Buffalo Sabres.

The Boston Bruins beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1. Jeremy Swayman turned aside 28 shots, David Pastrnak netted his 39th goal of the season while Brad Marchand and Jake DeBrusk each collected two assists for the 37-13-15 Bruins (89 points) as they sit third in the overall standings. Mitch Marner replied for the Leafs (36-19-8) as they hold third place in the Atlantic Division with 80 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies left this game in the first period with a suspected knee injury. There was no update on his condition following the game.

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen stopped 24 shots in a 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens. It was Andersen’s first game since being sidelined by a blood-clotting issue on Nov. 2. Brady Skjei tallied two goals for the Hurricanes (37-19-6), who sit second in the Metropolitan Division with 80 points. Sam Montembeault made 35 saves for the 24-29-10 Canadiens.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin netted his 840th career NHL goal in a 6-0 thumping of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Charlie Lindgren turned in a 39-save shutout for the 29-23-9 Capitals (67 points) as they sit five points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for the final Eastern Conference wildcard berth. The Penguins dropped to 28-25-8 and are eight points behind Tampa Bay.

Speaking of the Lightning, they dropped a 6-3 decision to the Calgary Flames. Yegor Sharangovich got a career-high four points (two goals, two assists) for the 31-26-5 Flames (67 points) as they sit six points behind the Golden Knights for the final Western wildcard spot. Nick Paul had two assists for the 33-25-6 Lightning (72 points) as they’re 1-4-1 in their last six home games.

The surging New York Islanders picked up their fifth straight win by crushing the San Jose Sharks 7-2. Bo Horvat had a goal and two assists for the 28-20-14 Islanders (70 points) as they’re just two points behind the Lightning. Mike Hoffman netted his 10th goal of the season for the 15-40-7 Sharks.

An overtime goal by Kevin Fiala gave the Los Angeles Kings a 4-3 win over the Ottawa Senators. Anze Kopitar collected two assists for the Kings (32-19-11) as they sit in third place in the Pacific Division with 75 points. Drake Batherson had a goal and an assist for the 25-32-4 Senators.

The Minnesota Wild scored four unanswered third-period goals to drop the Arizona Coyotes 5-2. Mats Zuccarello collected three assists while Kirill Kaprizov tallied his 30th goal for the 30-27-6 Wild. Clayton Keller scored his 23rd goal of the season for the 25-33-5 Coyotes.










NHL Rumor Mill (Part Two) – March 7, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill (Part Two) – March 7, 2024

With the trade deadline only a day away, check out the latest on the Panthers, Senators, Oilers, Rangers, Islanders, and more in Part Two of today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: George Richards reports Panthers general manager Bill Zito might not be done dealing after acquiring Vladimir Tarasenko yesterday from the Ottawa Senators. The Panthers have around $3 million in cap space available and could look to add a defenseman. Richards suggested options such as the Arizona Coyotes’ Matt Dumba or the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Andrew Peeke.

Ottawa Senators defenseman Jakob Chychrun (NHL Images).

 OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning are believed to have “kicked tires” on Jakob Chychrun. However, that doesn’t mean the Senators are hurrying to trade him. General manager Steve Staios said they’re not actively shopping Chychrun. They want to move winger Dominik Kubulik, defenseman Erik Brannstrom and center Mark Kastelic.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson reports the Oilers still have about $1.88 million remaining in cap space to add a depth defenseman if the other team retains half of his contract. He suggested Washington’s Joel Edmundson as one option.

THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple wondered what’s next for the New York Rangers after acquiring Alex Wennberg yesterday from the Seattle Kraken. He pointed out that general manager Chris Drury still seeks a winger to slot alongside Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad. Trade targets could include Anaheim’s Frank Vatrano, Pittsburgh’s Jake Guentzel and St. Louis’ Pavel Buchnevich.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The New York Post’s Larry Brooks doesn’t want to see the Rangers trade away a promising young player such as Kaapo Kakko, Will Cuylle, Gabe Perreault or Brennan Othmann. That’s what it might take, however, to land that elusive second-line right winger.

Staple also noted the New York Islanders have $3.5 million in salary-cap flexibility with Scott Mayfield on long-term injury reserve. He wondered if they might consider adding a forward such as Anaheim’s Frank Vatrano or San Jose’s Alexander Barabanov.

As for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Aaron Portzline believes it will be a quiet deadline. Pending unrestricted free-agent forward Jack Roslovic seems the most likely trade candidate. Defenseman Ivan Provorov isn’t off-limits but the Jackets aren’t shopping him. Any bold moves might have to wait until the offseason.

Michael Russo and Joe Smith report Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin is working the phones as the trade deadline approaches. Brandon Duhaime, Connor Dewar and sidelined forward Pat Maroon are garnering some attention in the trade market.

Turning to the Chicago Blackhawks, Scott Powers noted that forward Colin Blackwell could be the only player they’re likely to move on deadline day. They’re also open to the idea of being a third-party broker

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Geoff Baker looked at other pending UFAs the Kraken could move by the trade deadline after shipping Alex Wennberg to the Rangers on Wednesday. Winger Tomas Tatar and defenseman Justin Schultz might garner some interest in the trade market.