The latest on the Senators and Kraken in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
UPDATE ON THE SENATORS
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch doubted the Senators’ recent five-game win streak will give general manager Steve Staios pause from making the necessary offseason changes for his club to take the next step toward playoff contention.
Garrioch believes the Senators’ top priorities are finding the right head coach and addressing their goaltending. Buying out the final four seasons of starter Joonas Korpisalo’s contract “seems far-fetched at best.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Agreed, and it’s also unlikely they’ll be able to trade Korpisalo’s contract. They’ll keep him and have him work on improving his game in the offseason.
It’s expected the Senators will attempt to trade backup Anton Forberg, who has a year left on his deal.
Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Forsberg’s struggles and his $2.75 million cap hit next season means Staios might have to package him with a sweetener like a draft pick or retain part of his cap hit to find a suitor.
A decision must be made regarding defenseman Jakob Chychrun, who becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of next season. The Senators also need better depth on their third and fourth forward line.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chychrun wants to stay partly because of his family ties to Ottawa. However, I can see Staios shopping him for a top-four right-shot defenseman.
THE ATHLETIC: Ian Mendes is interested in what Shane Pinto receives on his next contract. The 23-year-old center signed a one-year, $775K deal shortly before returning from his 41-game suspension for violating the NHL’s sports wagering rules.
Since Pinto’s return, he’s scored eight goals and 25 points in 34 games, putting him on a prorated pace of 20 goals and 68 points. He’ll be a restricted free agent without arbitration rights as he needed one more season to become arbitration-eligible. Mendes suspects a bridge deal could be the outcome.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A two-year deal worth around $5 million annually should get it done. What say you, Senators fans? Let me know in the comments section.
COULD THE KRAKEN MAKE A COACHING CHANGE?
THE SEATTLE TIMES: Geoff Baker believes some big offseason decisions are coming for the Kraken. After reaching the playoffs last season in just their second year of existence, they’ve been eliminated from contention this season.
Baker believes there will be an evaluation of head coach Dave Hakstol’s performance. If they intend to keep him beyond this month, they must retain him through next season and more or risk wasting time they don’t have. He believes the Kraken must convince their fans that they’re heading in a positive direction.
The Kraken could make one or two key additions this summer that won’t be cheap. Before making that commitment, they must ensure they have the right man behind the bench. They must also figure out why their offense bottomed out this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will be interesting to see how Kraken GM Ron Francis handles this situation.
Baker wondered if the scoring drought was due to Hakstol’s system or other factors. He pointed out that they let their high-scoring fourth-liners depart last summer via free agency to make room for incoming youth. They may have also put too much faith in Andre Burakovsky and Matty Beniers scoring at a 25-goal pace.
Check out the latest on the Senators and Red Wings in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
WHAT COULD THE OFFSEASON HOLD FOR THE SENATORS?
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch recently compared the Senators and the Buffalo Sabres, who are poised to miss the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season. He noted the Sabres have gone through three general managers and eight head coaches.
The Senators are also reaching a crossroads as they’ll miss the postseason for the seventh straight season. They must avoid the Sabres blueprint if they hope to build around their young core.
Changes must be made. The Senators can’t just bring back the same roster next season and hope everyone improves.
The core of Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson, Shane Pinto, Josh Norris, Thomas Chabot, Ridly Greig and Jake Sanderson will be expected to improve. However, Senators GM Steve Staios must put the right group around them and improve the goaltending. Staios would also like to acquire additional leadership to support team captain Tkachuk.
THE SCORE: Josh Wegman has some suggestions for how the Senators can get over the hump.
Ottawa Senators defenseman Jakob Chychrun (NHL Images).
First is hiring an experienced head coach such as Claude Julien, Craig Berube, Dean Evason, Gerard Gallant or John Stevens. Wegman also suggests making a major trade, entertaining offers for Chabot, Norris, Batherson, Jakob Chychrun and Claude Giroux, among others. Staios should prioritize acquiring a right-shot shutdown defenseman to balance the Senators’ blueline.
Wegman also thinks Staios should target strong defensive players via free agency. Options could include the Dallas Stars’ Chris Tanev, the Los Angeles Kings’ Matt Roy, the Edmonton Oilers’ Vincent Desharnais, the Carolina Hurricanes’ Jalen Chatfield, the Vancouver Canucks’ Nikita Zadorov or Ian Cole, or bringing back Dylan DeMelo from the Winnipeg Jets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staios has a lot of work to do here. Hiring a new head coach could be the easiest of his offseason tasks. He’ll have plenty of experienced NHL bench bosses to choose from if he goes that route.
It won’t be easy improving the goaltending. They’re stuck with Joonas Korpisalo, who has four years at $4 million annually left on his contract. They could try to replace backup Anton Forsberg, though his $2.75 million cap hit for next season could be difficult to move.
The Senators have a projected cap space of $11.8 million with 16 roster players under contract for 2024-25. A new contract for Pinto could eat up between $4 million and $5 million. Staios must find a way to free up some cap room to bring in that much-needed defensive help.
One or two notable players will have to be moved. Chychrun could be shipped out to make room for that right-shot shutdown rearguard. Norris’ injury history means his trade value is low right now. Giroux has a full no-movement clause but maybe he’d waive it for one last shot with a contender.
WHAT DO THE RED WINGS NEED NEXT SEASON?
THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman recently looked at the Red Wings as they struggle to remain in the playoff chase and how it could affect their future.
Bultman noted the Red Wings have plenty of players who can score but they’ve struggled when they need goals that don’t come on the rush or with lots of space in the offensive zone. Their forward corps also must improve defensively.
The Wings need above-average goaltending, something they haven’t consistently received this season. They must also upgrade their defense corps.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wings are sitting two points out of the final Eastern Conference wildcard berth.
They held the first wildcard a month ago and seemed poised to secure their first playoff berth since 2016. However, they stumbled through March with just three wins in 14 games. They’re still in the chase because the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils are also struggling as the regular season winds down.
Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman made no significant additions at the March trade deadline. If his club fails to clinch a playoff berth, he can’t just sit on his hands in the offseason and hope this same group will get better next season. He must address the issues raised by Bultman to avoid another disappointing outcome.
The Wings have a projected cap space of $27.9 million for 2024-25 with 14 active roster players under contract. Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond are completing their entry-level contracts and will seek substantial raises. Veterans Patrick Kane, David Perron, Shayne Gostisbehere, James Reimer and Daniel Sprong are among their pending unrestricted free agents.
Seider and Raymond will be re-signed but it’ll be interesting to see if they get long-term deals or bridge contracts. Most of those UFA could be cut loose as Yzerman seeks to improve his roster for next season.
COULD THE PENGUINS ATTEMPT TO TRADE KARLSSON BACK TO OTTAWA?
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Alan Saunders cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman suggesting a reunion between the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Erik Karlsson and the Ottawa Senators during the offseason.
During Monday’s “32 Thoughts” podcast, Friedman wondered whether it was possible to trade the 33-year-old defenseman back to where his NHL career began. He acknowledged it wouldn’t be easy but thinks the Senators might consider it, pointing out that former Sens captain Daniel Alfredsson is now one of their assistant coaches.
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: After the trade deadline, Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas suggested his roster could undergo significant changes this summer. Dubas wants to transition away from some of his veterans to make room for younger players.
The Senators could help the Penguins address that issue. They’re trying to bring in some veterans to help their young core players.
I’ve learned to never say never in this business. However, I don’t see Karlsson returning to the Senators. He could agree to waive his no-movement clause to return to Ottawa, but they’re unlikely to take on his hefty cap hit. The Penguins carry $10 million of his $11.5 million annual average value through 2026-27.
Besides, Senators management must decide the future of one of their key defensemen.
JAKOB CHYCHRUN REMAINS UNHAPPY ABOUT RECENT TRADE RUMORS
THE ATHLETIC: Ian Mendes reports Jakob Chychrun expects he’ll remain the subject of trade speculation during the offseason. The 25-year-old Ottawa Senators defenseman was a fixture in the rumor mill leading up to the recent trade deadline.
Chychrun acknowledged his contract is why he’s appeared in trade rumors. He has a year remaining on his current deal and is eligible next summer to become an unrestricted free agent. He said he was trying to focus on what he could control but it wasn’t easy. Senators general manager Steve Staios believes the trade conjecture distracted Chychrun.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chychrun repeatedly indicated he wants to stay with the Senators. Staios has said he wasn’t shopping the blueliner and wanted to his agent about a contract extension.
Nevertheless, Staios seemed to be listening to offers from other clubs. He could do so again this summer if his contract discussions don’t go smoothly with the Chychrun camp.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR NAZEM KADRI?
SPORTSNET: Following the trade deadline, Eric Francis reported questions over Nazem Kadri’s future with the Calgary Flames were starting to arise.
Kadri signed a seven-year contract with the Flames two years ago. The club has struggled on the ice since then, leading to coaching and management changes and the recent trades of Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin, and Chris Tanev.
With five years remaining on his contract, Kadri intends to meet with Flames general manager Craig Conroy at the end of this season to discuss his role with the club and its direction.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: After the trade deadline, Conroy hoped his veterans would want to be part of the roster retooling process. It’ll be up to him to sell players like Kadri on his plan.
The uncertainty over goaltender Jacob Markstrom’s future in the Stampede City will be a factor. If he’s traded, selling the other veterans on Conroy’s plan could be difficult. That will lead to guys like Kadri popping up more often in the rumor mill.
The 2024 trade deadline has passed but questions remain about the trade candidates who didn’t move. Check out the latest on Jacob Markstrom, Linus Ullmark, Pavel Buchnevich and Jakob Chychrun, plus an update on the Devils in the NHL Rumor Mill.
WHAT NEXT FOR MARKSTROM AND THE FLAMES?
CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson wonders what happens next for the Flames and Jacob Markstrom. After weeks of trade speculation, the 34-year-old goaltender remains with the Flames, but there are questions about his future in Calgary.
Gilbertson wondered if the two sides could patch up their relationship if they hadn’t already. Markstrom has two years left on his contract with an average annual value of $6 million. However, does he want to stick around through a retooling process?
Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flames general manager Craig Conroy yesterday claimed there weren’t any issues in his relationship with Markstrom. Nevertheless, the former Vezina Trophy finalist’s future in Calgary will remain the subject of speculation in the offseason, even if a deal with the Devils is no longer possible.
BIG OFFSEASON MOVES COULD BE COMING FOR THE DEVILS
THE ATHLETIC: Despite the Devils’ acquisitions of Allen and Kahkonen, Peter Baugh reports Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald is expecting to go “big-game hunting” for a goaltender in the offseason.
The acquisition of Kahkonen was more about removing Vanecek’s $3.4 million AAV through next season from the Devils’ books. With Allen signed through next season and the Canadiens retaining half of his $3.85 million cap hit, Fitzgerald had the cap flexibility to bring in a bigger-name starter.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fitzgerald elaborated on why he couldn’t land someone like Markstrom before the deadline, claiming that the asking prices were too high. That market might change during the offseason. Whether he’ll revisit efforts to land Markstrom remains to be seen.
Allen will return with the Devils next season as their backup. Kahkonen won’t be re-signed, but a solid performance in New Jersey should help him land with another NHL club this summer as a free agent.
Fitzgerald also said he remains interested in signing Tyler Toffoli when he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He traded the 31-year-old winger to the Winnipeg Jets after efforts to re-sign him before the trade deadline failed.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t doubt Fitzgerald’s sincerity. Toffoli played very well during his short tenure with the Devils. However, he’ll likely be among this summer’s top free agents and could prove too expensive to bring back to New Jersey.
DID ULLMARK REJECT A TRADE TO A WESTERN TEAM?
THE SCORE: Kayla Douglas cited reports from Boston that the Bruins didn’t aggressively shop goaltender Linus Ullmark leading up to the trade deadline. GM Don Sweeney said he was happy he stood pat with his goaltenders, adding he was pleased with the tandem of Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman.
Douglas noted that ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reported the Bruins had a trade in place to move Ullmark to an unnamed team, but Ullmark invoked his no-trade clause “based on geography”. Daily Faceoff’s Frank Servalli claimed the deal was with the Los Angeles Kings.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy cited a source indicating that the deal was not with the Kings. He cited another NHL source claiming 14 of the teams on Ullmark’s 16-team no-trade list are all in the Western Conference.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If that’s the case, moving Ullmark in the offseason could get complicated if that’s the Bruins’ intent following this season.
BLUES RETAIN PAVEL BUCHNEVICH
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Lou Korac reports St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong declined to say if there was any interest in Pavel Buchnevich leading up to the trade deadline. However, he said he was very pleased with the 28-year-old winger’s performance and hoped to sign him to a contract extension this summer. Buchnevich is signed through 2024-25 with an AAV of $5.8 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t know how many teams called about Buchnevich. The media rumor mill had him high on the list of top trade candidates leading up to the deadline. Armstrong probably got a lot of calls about him, but it’s believed his high asking price discouraged potential suitors.
SENATORS HANG ONTO JAKOB CHYCHRUN
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators GM Steve Staios insisted for the last two months that his club wasn’t trying to trade Jakob Chychrun. Nevertheless, the 25-year-old defenseman was the subject of rumors leading up to Friday’s trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chychrun has a year remaining on his contract. Staios has said he’d like to sign him to a contract extension this summer. Perhaps he’ll gauge Chychrun’s value in the trade market if the two sides fail to agree to a new deal.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: The Devils scratched winger Tyler Toffoli from last night’s game against the St. Louis Blues for trade-related reasons. No indication as to which teams are calling about him or potential destinations.
TSN: Pierre LeBrun said it’s not 100 percent that Toffoli gets traded as they still believe they can get back into the playoff race. However, the teams that were in on Jake Guentzel before he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes also kept tabs on the Devils winger.
New Jersey Devils winger Tyler Toffoli (NHL Images).
Johnston thinks the Canucks could try to add one more piece before the deadline. They were believed to have an interest in Arizona Coyotes winger Jason Zucker. Speaking of Zucker, Johnston tweeted the Coyotes held the veteran winger and defenseman Matt Dumba out of last night’s game against the Minnesota Wild for trade-related reasons.
Darren Dreger reports Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom remains in the rumor mill. He believes the New Jersey Devils want to make one more attempt to acquire the 32-year-old Markstrom, who has a full no-movement clause. A rumored trade that would’ve sent him to the Devils last month reportedly fell through over salary retention amid speculation that Flames ownership nixed the deal.
Johansen cleared waivers on Thursday and was reassigned to the Flyers AHL affiliate. However, general manager Daniel Briere said he informed the center to stand pat for a day or two as they attempt to see if another team could use him.
NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker reports the Rangers are eyeing a reunion with Anaheim Ducks winger Frank Vatrano, who is signed through next season with $3.65 million cap hit. They’ve also been linked to St. Louis Blues winger Pavel Buchnevich but the Blues would have to retain part of his $5.8 million cap hit.
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Kevin Allen reports rumors of the Red Wings acquiring Pittsburgh Penguins winger Bryan Rust are running hot. However, he believes it’s unlikely to happen as the Penguins haven’t asked Rust to waive his no-movement clause.
THE SEATTLE TIMES: Geoff Baker reports the Kraken’s improving odds of qualifying for the playoffs could complicate a possible trade of winger Jordan Eberle. Contract discussions were underway but reportedly stalled on Wednesday. Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli believes Eberle will be traded by today’s deadline.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Brian Hedger considers Jack Roslovic to be the Blue Jackets’ most likely trade candidate. The 27-year-old forward is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont reports The Toronto Maple Leafs were among the clubs that inquired about Canadiens defenseman David Savard. However, those teams have balked at the Canadiens’ high asking price.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman did a quick summary on Monday of where each club stands leading up to Friday’s trade deadline. Here are the more notable tidbits:
Friedman’s big question regarding Jake Guentzel is whether the Pittsburgh Penguins will grant permission for interested clubs to discuss a contract extension with the 29-year-old winger. They also prefer to receive prospects rather than draft picks as part of the return for Guentzel.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Pierre LeBrun included the Canucks and Oilers among six-plus suitors for Guentzel.
Turning to the Calgary Flames, Friedman believes defenseman Noah Hanifin remains locked in on joining the Tampa Bay Lightning. He thinks the Lightning are interested in Hanifin but if was that easy it would’ve been done by now.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning’s lack of a first-rounder in the 2024 and 2025 drafts is likely a complicating factor, especially if they’re trying to outbid other teams.
Friedman noted the Boston Bruins are believed to have contacted the Flames about Hanifin. Their limited cap space means they’d have to move a roster player. That’s why goaltender Linus Ullmark has been mentioned in the rumor mill. Ullmark’s 16-team no-trade gives him some control plus the tandem of Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman gives the Bruins their best chance to win the Cup this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reports the New Jersey Devils have looked into Ullmark’s availability if they can’t swing a deal with the Flames for Jacob Markstrom.
Speaking of Jacob Markstrom, his disappointment over how management handled a potential trade to New Jersey hasn’t affected his performance.
The Devils haven’t given up on acquiring Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom. They could revisit that attempt in the offseason if a deal isn’t reached by the trade deadline. Friedman isn’t convinced that the Devils could trade winger Tyler Toffoli.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Calgary Hockey Now’s Trevor Neufeld cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli claiming Flames ownership spiked the deal that would’ve sent Markstrom to the Devils. If so, we can forget about the 34-year-old goaltender going anywhere at the trade deadline. It would also cast doubt over any potential offseason deals unless Markstrom asks to be moved.
St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong has set a very high asking price for winger Pavel Buchnevich. There’s been what Friedman calls “non-stop noise” over winger Jordan Kyrou.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of Kyrou, The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford recently suggested the odds are 50-50 that the Blues trade him before his no-trade clause begins in July 2025. If that move takes place my bet is it’s more likely an offseason trade.
Speaking of the Senators, The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reports there is growing interest in defenseman Jakob Chychrun from clubs seeking more than a playoff rental. However, the Senators remain in listening mode and haven’t set an asking price for him yet.
Friedman believes the Florida Panthers could pursue a winger such as Guentzel or Tarasenko. He said he’s heard mixed responses that they might have an interest in Hanifin.
With the Vegas Golden Knights placing Mark Stone on LTIR, they will be buyers. Friedman thinks they could pursue one or two wingers, including one of those near the top of the market like Buchnevich and Guentzel.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights always try to make a big splash near the NHL trade deadline. With over $7.3 million in cap flexibility, they will try and land a big fish by the deadline.
Jake Guentzel, Vladimir Tarasenko or Tyler Toffoli (if available) would be perfect fits for the Carolina Hurricanes. They have the prospect depth to make competitive bids. Meanwhile, Friedman believes the Martin Necas situation is coming to a head.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Necas has been floated recently as a trade candidate if the Hurricanes decide to pursue a big-ticket scorer.
It’s believed the Colorado Avalanche remains in the market for a second-line center. They’re looking at short-term options like Adam Henrique and medium-term ones like Arizona’s Nick Bjugstad and Alex Kerfoot.
Defensemen remain a priority for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Friedman believes they’ve been linked to most of the notable trade candidates. He also thinks they’ve looked at adding another forward.
The Edmonton Oilers have been looking at adding a defenseman. They have also been linked to Adam Henrique and his teammate Sam Carrick in a rumored “double deal.”
There was some social media speculation suggesting the New York Islanders might move Brock Nelson. Friedman dismissed it, pointing out among other things that the Isles aren’t giving up on the playoff race.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: No one knows what secretive Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello has in store for his team. Nevertheless, I agree with Friedman’s dismissal of the Nelson trade rumors.
The asking price for Philadelphia Flyers center Scott Laughton is high, creating doubt that they want to move him. Contract talks continue with defensemen Sean Walker and Nick Seeler.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: With the Flyers still in the thick of the playoff race, I don’t see them moving those guys unless someone is willing to overpay for them.
Teams are assessing whether Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins could benefit from a change of scenery. Meanwhile, Ivan Provorov could become available as the Jackets deal with a blueline backlog.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Merzlikin’s $5.4 million AAV through 2026-27 and inconsistent play will likely keep him in Columbus for the rest of this season. As for Provorov, he has a year left on his contract. The Jackets can wait until the summer to shop him if they don’t get any suitable offers now.
Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams has rebuffed requests from other clubs to discuss winger Alex Tuch. He’s prepared to move pending UFAs such as Erik Johnson. Friedman wondered if team captain Kyle Okposo would be a fit with the New York Rangers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers need a top-six right wing but they’re probably eyeing other options. Meanwhile, The Buffalo News’ Lance Lysowski reports Adams is open to trading notable young players but only if it’s a move that helps the Sabres now. In other words, he’s not interested in a return of draft picks and prospects.
Seattle Kraken defenseman Adam Larsson is coveted in the trade market but Friedman would be shocked if he got traded. There’s been contract extension talk with winger Jordan Eberle. Forward Brandon Tanev could be a trade deadline wild card.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman published this column hours before the Kraken scratched center Alex Wennberg from their game last night against the New York Rangers for trade-related reasons. The 29-year-old Wennberg seems the most likely to be moved out of Seattle.
Speaking of the Rangers, Friedman noted they’ve asked about Anaheim’s Frank Vatrano and Buffalo’s Alex Tuch. He thinks they could also look at Pittsburgh’s Reilly Smith or St. Louis’ Pavel Buchnevich.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Again, this was published before the report about Wennberg becoming a healthy scratch for trade-related reasons amid speculation the Rangers were pursuing him.
Speaking of Mantha, Friedman thinks he’d be a good fit with the Winnipeg Jets if Gabriel Vilardi should be sidelined longer than expected.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Winnipeg Sun’s Paul Friesen anticipates the Jets will make another move before the deadline. He believes GM Kevin Cheveldayoff would like to add a puck-moving defenseman.
There’s nothing on the front burner for the Montreal Canadiens. Defenseman David Savard wants to stay and they can sit back and say, “Make us consider it.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun said there are some teams interested in acquiring goalie Jake Allen after this season when he’ll have just one year left on his contract with a $3.85 million cap hit. Teams could have the same approach toward Savard. Either way, the Canadiens seem fine with both players remaining on their roster beyond the trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Chris Johnston believes the Maple Leafs could be interested in Bogosian if he and the Wild fail to agree to an extension by March 8.
The San Jose Sharks have been open for business for a while but it’s been quiet. They’re trying to move as many of their pending UFAs as possible. Friedman noted there’s been talk about players with term left on their contracts like Mario Ferraro and Mikael Granlund but they’re more costly to acquire.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was recently reported the Sharks aren’t shopping Ferraro but could be willing to listen to offers. At this point, I’ll be surprised if he or Granlund are moved.
The Nashville Predators surge up the standings since mid-February has turned them into buyers rather than sellers.
Friedman sees the Detroit Red Wings doing something to secure a playoff berth. He wondered if they’d pursue Jake Guentzel but GM Steve Yzerman isn’t much for signing 30-year-old player to term.
The Los Angeles Kings aren’t expected to do anything major. Forward Arthur Kaliyev has been in and out of the lineup and isn’t guaranteed to move.
After acquiring Chris Tanev from Calgary last week, the Dallas Stars could make one more depth move before the deadline.
The Vancouver Canucks must soon decide if they’ll sign free agent Phil Kessel if they hope to have him for the playoffs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The deadline for signing free agents to be eligible for the postseason is the same as the trade deadline.
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