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.
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.
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.
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 reportMinnesota 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.
Recaps of Monday’s games feature the Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon moving into a tie for the league scoring lead, the Devils fire head coach Lindy Ruff, the three stars of the week are revealed, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals and collected two assists in a 5-0 romp over the Chicago Blackhawks. Justus Annunen collected his second straight shutout over the Blackhawks with a 37-save performance for the 38-20-5 Avalanche, who sit third in the Central Division with 81 points. Petr Mrazek stopped 32 shots for the 15-42-5 Blackhawks, who are winless in their last seven games (0-5-2).
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (NHL Images)
SPECTOR’S NOTE: MacKinnon extended his season-opening home points streak to 30 games and tied Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov for the scoring lead with 105 points.
The Florida Panthers picked up their fifth straight win by doubling up on the New York Rangers 4-2. Sam Reinhart tallied twice, Aleksander Barkov picked up two assists and Sergei Bobrovsky turned aside 26 shots for the Panthers (42-16-4) as they remain atop the overall standings with 88 points. Will Cuylle and Chris Kreider replied for the 40-18-4 Rangers, who lead the Metropolitan Division with 84 points but slipped to fourth in the overall standings.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Reinhart took over sole possession of second place in the goal-scoring race with 44 goals.
Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha scored two goals and David Pastrnak had three assists in a 4-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jeremy Swayman kicked out 32 shots for the Bruins (36-13-14) as they moved into second place in the overall standings with 86 points. John Tavares scored for the 35-18-8 Leafs, who hold third place in the Atlantic Division with 78 points.
The Columbus Blue Jackets upset the Vegas Golden Knights 6-3 as Alex Nylander tallied his first career NHL hat trick. Daniil Tarasov made 37 saves for the 21-30-10 Blue Jackets. Vegas center Jack Eichel was held scoreless in his first game since being sidelined on Jan. 11 with a knee injury. The Golden Knights (33-22-7) remain in third place in the Pacific Division with 73 points but have just two wins (2-7-1) in their last 10 games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As the Golden Knights activated Eichel off long-term injury reserve they placed captain Mark Stone (upper body) on LTIR. That leaves them with roughly $7.3 million in salary-cap flexibility to put toward adding to their roster by Friday’s trade deadline.
A shootout goal by Pavel Buchnevich lifted the St. Louis Blues over the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1. Jordan Binnington stopped 40 shots for the 32-26-3 Blues (67 points) as they kept their playoff hopes alive by moving within five points of the final Western Conference wild-card berth. Scott Laughton scored for the Flyers (32-23-8) to remain in third place in the Metropolitan Division with 72 points.
The Seattle Kraken snapped the Calgary Flames’ five-game win streak with a 4-2 victory. Philipp Grubauer made 35 saves while Jared McCann had a goal and an assist for the Kraken (27-23-11). Andrei Kuzmenko tallied both goals for the 30-26-5 Flames. Both teams have 65 points and sit seven points out of the final Western wild-card spot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flames forward Martin Pospisil faces supplemental discipline following his ejection from this game for hitting Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn from behind.
Before this game, the Kraken announced they scratched center Alex Wennberg from this game for trade-related reasons. The Rangers and Avalanche are among the clubs rumored to be interested in Wennberg, who could be on the move before Friday’s trade deadline.
HEADLINES
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: The Devils yesterday fired head coach Lindy Ruff. Associate coach Travis Green has taken over on an interim basis.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Devils management had to do something to shake things up. Their playoff hopes are fading and they’re struggling to land a reliable starting netminder in the trade market.
Ruff had difficulty finding solutions to the Devils’ problems this season but I don’t consider him solely to blame. They probably wouldn’t be in their current predicament if they had better goaltending and a healthier roster. It’ll be interesting to see if Green has better luck finding a solution than his predecessor.
NHL.COM: Defensemen dominate the league’s three stars for the week ending March 3. Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi was the first star, followed by the Florida Panthers’ Brandon Montour and the Winnipeg Jets’ Josh Morrissey.
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin will be sidelined for the next two weeks with a lower-body injury.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: How well the Wings adjust to Larkin’s absence could determine whether they clinch their first playoff berth since 2016. They hold the first Eastern Conference wild-card berth with 72 points.
THE TENNESSEAN: The Nashville Predators signed forward Tommy Novak to a three-year, $10.5-million contract extension. His annual average value is $3.5 million. The 26-year-old center was slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Novak drew some interest in the trade market amid speculation about whether the Predators would re-sign him. This isn’t a sign-and-trade scenario as the Preds want to keep Novak in the fold.
SPORTSNET: The Carolina Hurricanes signed former Anaheim Ducks winger Max Comtois to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775K at the NHL level. The 25-year-old has 28 points in 45 games this season with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is an affordable depth addition by the Hurricanes as they prepare to bolster their roster for the playoffs. It’s unlikely that this is the only move they’ll have in store before Friday’s trade deadline.
The Flames honor Miikka Kiprusoff and rally to beat the Penguins, the Jets overcome a three-goal deficit to down the Hurricanes, the Predators pick up their eighth straight win, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: The Calgary Flames retired Miikka Kiprusoff’s No. 34 in a pregame ceremony and scored three third-period goals to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3. Nazem Kadri, Blake Coleman and Yegor Sharangovich were the goal scorers for the Flames after the Penguins made it 3-1 early in the third. Sharangovich finished with two goals for the 30-25-5 Flames (65 points) as they picked up their fifth straight win and sit five points out of the final Western Conference wild-card berth. The Penguins sank to 27-23-8 (62 points) and are 10 points out of the final Eastern wild-card spot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kiprusoff earned the accolades and the undying love of Flames fans. He holds the franchise single-season records for wins (45), goals-against average (1.69), save percentage (.933) and shutouts (10), and is the franchise leader among goalies for games played (576), wins (305), GAA (2.46), SP (.913) and shutouts (41).
A five-goal third period lifted the Winnipeg Jets to a 5-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. Sean Monahan netted the game-winning goal, Nino Niederreiter tallied twice and Josh Morrissey collected three assists for the Jets (38-16-5) as they sit in second place in the Central Division with 81 points. Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov each had two points for the Hurricanes (36-19-6) as they remain in second place in the Metropolitan Division with 78 points.
Nashville Predators forward Cody Glass netted his first career NHL hat trick in a 5-1 upset of the Colorado Avalanche. The Predators (35-25-2) extended their win streak to eight games and moved ahead of the Los Angeles Kings into the first Western wild-card spot with 72 points. Nathan MacKinnon scored and remains second in the scoring race with 101 points while his Avalanche (37-20-5) are third in the Central Division with 79 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of the Predators, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports they’re making progress on a contract extension for forward Tommy Novak, who was a player of interest in the trade market as the March 8 deadline approaches. It’s also safe to assume that the Predators won’t be moving goaltender Juuse Saros as they attempt to lock down a playoff berth.
The league-leading Florida Panthers picked up their 10th win in their last 11 games by blanking the Detroit Red Wings 4-0. Sergei Bobrovsky made 21 saves for the shutout and Brandon Montour had a goal and two assists for the 41-16-4 Panthers as they sit atop the overall standings with 86 points. Patrick Kane’s points streak ended at 10 games as his Red Wings (33-22-6) hold the first Eastern wild-card berth with 72 points.
A shootout goal by Max Domi gave the Toronto Maple Leafs a 4-3 win over the New York Rangers. Ilya Samsonov stopped 32 shots while William Nylander scored to extend his points streak to 10 games as the Leafs (35-17-8) hold third place in the Atlantic Division with 78 points. Vincent Trocheck scored two goals and Alexis Lafreniere had a goal and two assists for the 40-17-4 Rangers, who sit second overall with 84 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ilya Lyubushkin’s first game back with the Leafs after being reacquired from the Anaheim Ducks lasted two periods before leaving the game after taking a big hit from Rangers forward Matt Rempe. There was no immediate word postgame regarding his condition. Before the game, the Leafs activated forward Calle Jarnkrok off injured reserve and sent forward Nick Robertson to their AHL affiliate.
The New York Islanders picked up their third straight victory by upsetting the Boston Bruins 5-1, handing the latter their fourth loss in their last five games. Kyle Palmieri led the way with a hat trick plus an assist for the 26-20-14 Islanders (66 points) as they sit six points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for the final Eastern wild-card spot. Marc McLaughlin scored for the 35-13-14 Bruins as they’re perched in third place in the overall standings with 84 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins also lost forward Pavel Zacha as he left this game in the first period with a lower-body injury. There was no immediate word following the game regarding his condition.
Speaking of the Lightning, they nipped the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 on a shootout goal by Victor Hedman. Nikita Kucherov collected an assist to lead the scoring race with 105 points as the Lightning improved to 33-25-6 (72 points). The Canadiens dropped to 23-28-10 (56 points) and are winless in six of their last seven games (1-5-1).
A shootout goal by Jamie Benn gave the Dallas Stars a 3-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. Jason Robertson scored the tying goal for the Stars (37-17-9), who hold first place in the Central Division with 83 points. Magnus Chrona kicked out 36 shots for the 15-38-6 Sharks.
The Edmonton Oilers beat the Seattle Kraken 2-1. Leon Draisaitl netted his 30th goal of the season and collected an assist and Connor McDavid had an assist to extend his points streak to 10 games. The Oilers (36-20-2) picked up their third straight win and vaulted over the Vegas Golden Knights into second place in the Pacific Division with 74 points. Eeli Tolvanen replied for the 26-23-11 Kraken (63 points), who are seven points out of the final Western wild-card berth.
Meanwhile, the Golden Knights were thumped by the Buffalo Sabres 7-2. Jeff Skinner and Owen Power each had a goal and two assists and Dylan Cozens tallied twice for the 29-28-4 Sabres (62 points). Brendan Brisson and William Karlsson scored for the 33-21-7 Golden Knights (73 points) as they’ve won just three of their last 10 games.
Philadelphia Flyers forward Tyson Foerster scored two goals in a 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators. Felix Sandstrom stopped 23 shots for the 32-23-7 Flyers, who sit third in the Metropolitan Division with 71 points. Vladimir Tarasenko and Thomas Chabot scored for the 25-31-3 Senators.
The St. Louis Blues kept their playoff hopes alive by taming the Minnesota Wild 3-1. Torey Krug had a goal and an assist, Jake Neighbours tallied his 20th goal of the season and Jordan Binnington turned aside 21 shots for the Blues (31-26-3) as they sit five points behind the Kings with 65 points. Jon Merrill replied for the 28-27-6 Wild (62 points) as they’ve dropped three straight and are eight points behind the Kings.
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Cole Sillinger scored in his third straight game in a 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Zach Werenski and Jack Roslovic each had two assists for the 20-30-10 Blue Jackets. Philipp Kurashev and Ryan Donato each had a goal and an assist for the 15-41-5 Blackhawks.
Check out the latest on the Senators, Blue Jackets, Ducks, Predators and Red Wings in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
POTENTIAL SENATORS TRADE CANDIDATES
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch believes the time is coming when Senators winger Vladimir Tarasenko will have to decide if he’ll waive his no-trade clause as the March 8 deadline approaches. The 32-year-old winger isn’t at the top of everybody’s wish list but some teams have reached out to the Senators to express interest.
Senators general manager Steve Staios hasn’t formally asked Tarasenko to waive his NTC yet but it’s expected that could happen in the coming days if they get a suitable offer. It’s believed the club’s asking price could be a second-round pick and a prospect. Garrioch thinks they might get more if they’re willing to retain part of his $5 million cap hit.
Ottawa Senators winger Vladimir Tarasenko (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers are reportedly looking for a third-line center and are believed to be interested in the Anaheim Ducks’ Adam Henrique. Tarasenko doesn’t fit that need.
THE ATHLETIC: Ian Mendes lists Tarasenko and fellow pending free-agent winger Dominik Kubalik among their players most likely to be traded by the deadline.
Mendes also wondered if the Senators might consider moving a core player or two to shake up their roster. Drake Batherson, Thomas Chabot, Jakob Chychrun and Josh Norris could fall under that category.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given those players’ contracts, finding the type of return that would entice Staios to move one of them probably isn’t possible leading up to the trade deadline. That type of trade is more likely to occur in the offseason when teams have more salary cap room and a greater willingness to add to their rosters.
He considers pending UFA forward Jack Roslovic as likely to be traded. Defensemen Ivan Provorov and Adam Boqvist have surfaced in the rumor mill but Portzline considers them less likely to move.
Goaltender Elvis Merzlkins recently asked for a trade but then withdrew the request. While they’re willing to retain part of his $5.4 million annual cap hit through 2026-27, moving him would still be difficult.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was a report earlier this month that the New Jersey Devils looked into Merzlikins’ availability. However, they seem more intent on landing a more reliable starter such as Calgary’s Jacob Markstrom.
Center Adam Henrique is their most attractive asset given the limited depth of quality centers in the trade market. Defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin could also draw interest. Stephens thinks the Ducks should also try to trade goaltender John Gibson if they can but acknowledges that Gibson’s expensive contract is a major obstacle.
Ducks GM Pat Verbeek hasn’t quashed the Trevor Zegras trade rumors but he’s not under pressure to move the young forward, who is signed through 2025-26. Winger Frank Vatrano has a year left on his contract but Stephens thinks he could be available for the right price.
NASHVILLE HOCKEY NOW: Michael Gallagher noted that promising Predators goaltender Yaroslav Askarov could make the trade deadline interesting for his club. He’s playing very well for their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee but moving him into the Predators lineup is difficult with Juuse Saros and Kevin Lankinen as their current tandem.
GM Barry Trotz recently said he’d like to get Askarov into some meaningful NHL games, “to be around Saros” and to play in a high-pressure environment.
Gallagher noted that the Predators are getting calls about Saros and Lankinen. Given the high asking price set for Saros, Lankinen might be more likely to move if they want to make room for Askarov.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Complicating things is the Predators battling for a wild-card berth in the Western Conference. Trotz could be reluctant to break up his current goaltending tandem right now. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out leading up to the trade deadline.
WILL THE RED WINGS BECOME BUYERS AT THE TRADE DEADLINE?
SPORTSNET: Jeff Marek suspects the Detroit Red Wings could pursue a “defenseman with bite” at the trade deadline. He also thinks they could be looking at adding a forward.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Defensemen with bite could include Anaheim’s Ilya Lyubushkin, Philadelphia’s feisty Sean Walker, or Calgary’s shutdown blueliner Chris Tanev.
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