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.
Nathan MacKinnon builds his lead in the scoring race, Logan Couture laments the end of his season, the Kraken re-sign Jordan Eberle, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: An overtime goal by Valeri Nichushkin lifted the Colorado Avalanche to a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Wild. Nathan MacKinnon collected two assists to match his career single-season high of 111 points as he opened a five-point lead in the scoring race. The Avalanche improved to 40-20-5 and sit third in the Central Division with 85 points. Brock Faber replied for the 30-27-7 Wild.
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (NHL Images)
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was Nichushkin’s first game since entering the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program two months ago. Speaking of MacKinnon, his season-opening home points streak has reached 32 games.
The Winnipeg Jets blanked the Seattle Kraken 3-0 to remain ahead of Colorado in second place in the Central. Laurent Brossoit made 17 saves for the shutout while Mark Scheifele, Adam Lowry and Nikolaj Ehlers scored for the 40-17-5 Jets (85 points) as they hold three games in hand over the Avs. Joey Daccord stopped 29 shots for the 28-24-11 Kraken.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kraken winger Jordan Eberle was the subject of considerable trade speculation leading to Friday’s trade deadline. However, he signed a two-year contract extension before this game worth an average annual value of $4.75 million.
Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz had a goal and two assists in a 6-2 drubbing of the Anaheim Ducks. Chris Tanev scored his first goal since being acquired by Dallas while Jamie Benn and Joe Pavelski each had a goal and an assist for the Stars (39-17-9), who remain two points ahead of the Jets and Avalanche in first place in the Central. Ryan Strome had a goal and an assist for the 23-37-3 Ducks.
The Arizona Coyotes upset the Detroit Red Wings 4-0 as Connor Ingram made 28 saves to tie the league lead in shutouts with six. Nick Bjugstad had a goal and an assist for the 26-33-5 Coyotes. With a record of 33-24-6, the Wings (72 points) cling to the first Eastern Conference wildcard berth but have lost four straight games.
HEADLINES
SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sharks captain Logan Couture announced yesterday that his season is over. He’s still hampered by Osteitis pubis, a groin condition that limited him to just six games this season. Couture, 34, said he’s trying to live a normal life away from hockey. He’s hoping to be ready for next season but indicated his condition cannot be treated with surgery.
Noting his longtime teammate Tomas Hertl was shipped to the Vegas Golden Knights at yesterday’s trade deadline, Couture was realistic about getting moved to another club. “Who’s gonna trade for a guy who’s 35, making $8 million, and plays six games in a season,” he said. “You’re not gonna find any takers out there.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Couture’s condition could bring his playing career to an end. He’s hopeful of returning to action in 2024-25 but noted that it wasn’t guaranteed.
SPORTSNET: The Vancouver Canucks decided not to sign free-agent winger Phil Kessel. He worked out for the past month with their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford. Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said they decided the 36-year-old Kessel wasn’t a fit for their roster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That probably spells the end of Kessel’s 17-season NHL career. He won three Stanley Cups, has 992 points in 1,286 career regular-season games, and holds the league’s Ironman record of 1,062 consecutive regular-season games.
SPORTSNET: Edmonton Oilers winger Evander Kane was fined $2,500.00 by the NHL department of player safety for unsportsmanlike conduct during Thursday’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
NEW YORK POST: Rangers captain Jacob Trouba will be sidelined for two to three weeks with a lower-body injury.
DAILY FACEOFF: The Nashville Predators re-signed defenseman Dante Fabbro and forward Mark Jankowski to contract extensions. Fabbro gets a one-year deal worth $2.5 million while Jankowski inked a one-year, $1.6 million deal.
DAILY FACEOFF: Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe and Boston Bruins center Charlie Coyle were each fined $5,000.00 by the league for their actions during the March 7 game between the two clubs. McCabe was fined for his cross-check of Bruins captain Brad Marchand while Coyle’s was for cross-checking the Leafs’ Tyler Bertuzzi.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS’ Stephen Whyno reported the Florida Panthers claimed Tobias Bjornfot off waivers from the Vegas Golden Knights, the Anaheim Ducks claimed William Lagesson from the Maple Leafs, and the Ottawa Senators claimed Boris Katchouk from the Chicago Blackhawks.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins placed defenseman Derek Forbort on long-term injury reserve with an undisclosed injury. Bruins GM Don Sweeney said Forbort’s season is “more than likely” over.
OTTAWA SUN: Senators forward Parker Kelly received a two-game suspension for an illegal hit to the head of Los Angeles Kings defenseman Andreas Englund on Thursday.
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.
The latest on Elias Pettersson’s contract situation, updates on the Golden Knights, Oilers, and Islanders, a look at the market for defensemen following the Chris Tanev trade, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
CANUCKS AND PETTERSSON RESUME CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS FOLLOWING TRADE TALKS WITH THE HURRICANES
Earlier this season, Pettersson had said he preferred to wait until the end of this season to open negotiations. The 25-year-old center is slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. Nevertheless, his agent and Canucks management maintained lines of communication during this season.
Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported on Wednesday that significant progress toward an extension had been made. If it’s completed, Friedman believes it will provide the Canucks with a clearer picture of their future salary-cap space heading toward the March 8 traded deadline.
TSN: Darren Dreger reported the two sides are looking at contract options from three to eight years. He suspects the average annual value will be slightly above the $11.5 million that William Nylander will receive from the Toronto Maple Leafs starting next season.
Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Toronto Star’s Nick Kypreos reported hearing the Canucks offered up an eight-year, $96 million contract to the Pettersson camp. The AAV on that is $12 million.
It’s interesting that the Canucks and Hurricanes were in trade talks about Pettersson. That would’ve been a blockbuster that would have shaken up the trade market heading toward the March 8 deadline.
In a recent interview with Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell, Dreger’s colleague Pierre LeBrun reported he was interested in acquiring a forward with term remaining on his contract. This would’ve been a different scenario but one that would have given the Hurricanes control over Pettersson’s contract rights.
The Hurricanes have a projected $31.6 million in cap space for 2024-25 with 10 active roster players under contract. They could afford to re-sign Pettersson but I daresay they also would’ve had to give up a valuable roster player as part of the package, perhaps a forward such as Seth Jarvis or maybe right-shot defenseman Brett Pesce in a sign-and-trade deal.
Vegas captain Mark Stone is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season with an upper-body injury. Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon is expected to utilize his $9.5 million cap hit to seek a suitable replacement.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights haven’t placed Stone on long-term injury reserve yet but could do so in anticipation of a trade. It’ll be the second straight season that their captain has been sidelined down the stretch, enabling them to use the LTIR cap savings to bolster their roster.
I can hear the howls of outrage from critics of the LTIR system or fans baselessly accusing the Golden Knights of cheating. Yeah, like every team in the league wants their best player sidelined for the remainder of the season so they can garner cap relief.
Folks who don’t like the LTIR system don’t seem to mind it when it benefits their club. You scarcely hear a peep from them then.
Dreger also reports the Edmonton Oilers are targeting a top-six forward. He believes they’re looking at players such as the New Jersey Devils’ Tyler Toffoli, the St. Louis Blues’ Pavel Buchnevich, or the Seattle Kraken’s Jordan Eberle.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier in the week, Dreger reported that Toffoli was garnering interest in the trade market but the Devils prefer to re-sign the pending unrestricted free agent.
The Oilers were also linked to Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel and Anaheim Ducks center Adam Henrique. Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal speculated that Oilers GM Ken Holland could pursue a winger and is also looking at defensemen following a rumored attempt at acquiring Chris Tanev before he was traded to Dallas.
Meanwhile, Chris Johnston believes the return the Flames received for Tanev (prospect defenseman Artem Grushnikov, second-round pick, conditional third-rounder) could set the market for other blueliners like the Philadelphia Flyers’ Sean Walker or the Arizona Coyotes’ Matt Dumba heading toward the March 8 trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Comparable blueliners won’t fetch a first-round pick in this season’s trade market.
Pierre LeBrun reports nothing new on the trade front for Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin. The Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning really like the 27-year-old Hanifin but they lack first-round picks in this year’s draft. He also carries a modified no-trade clause plus his agent could also seek a contract extension for his client.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: LeBrun speculated those factors could force Flames GM Craig Conroy to remain patient. He could take this up to the deadline before pulling the trigger on a Hanifin deal.
In his column for The Athletic: LeBrun wrote that the Montreal Canadiens aren’t committed to trading rearguard David Savard but that doesn’t mean they won’t do so. However, they’ve set a certain bar that interested clubs must reach with their trade offers.
Savard, 33, is signed through next season with a cap hit of $3.5 million. The Canadiens could wait until the offseason to move him or next year’s deadline. LeBrun thinks it could take a first-round pick, a young player with a value equivalent to a first-rounder, or multiple picks with a combined value equivalent to a first to get him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A very high bar indeed. It appears that they set that price to discourage clubs from pursuing him.
ISLANDERS INTERESTED IN TARASENKO?
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Stefen Rosner wondered if the New York Islanders would be interested in Vladimir Tarasenko. The 32-year-old Ottawa Senators winger is slated to become a UFA on July 1. Rosner noted the Islanders were among a handful of teams interested in Tarasenko when he requested a trade from the St. Louis Blues in 2021.
The Islanders have limited salary-cap space. Rosner speculates it would mean sending a hefty contract the other way.
Check out the latest on Jacob Markstrom and Phil Kessel plus updates on the Oilers and Lightning in today’s NHL Rumor Mill
MARKSTROM SAYS FLAMES ARE IN CONTROL OF HIS FUTURE
SPORTSNET: Eric Francis reports Jacob Markstrom said it’s up to the Calgary Flames to decide whether he’ll finish the remaining two years of his contract in the Stampede City.
The 34-year-old goaltender has a full no-movement clause but has been the recent subject of trade speculation after his friend Elias Lindholm was shipped to the Vancouver Canucks last week. He said he’s not going to ask to be traded nor has management approached him about waiving his NMC.
Markstrom said it’s up to Flames management what they want to do. Francis noted that the club’s youth movement and Markstrom’s return to form have many wondering if general manager Craig Conroy will attempt to move him. The Flames must also make room for promising netminder Dustin Wolf.
Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom (NHL Images).
Conroy isn’t shopping Markstrom but Francis believes Conroy now knows there’s a possibility the goalie might accept a trade if a rival GM pitched a significant offer. Meanwhile, Markstrom claims he’s focused on the games and doesn’t pay attention to trade rumors.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Markstrom’s comments have New Jersey Hockey Now’s James Nichols pondering the possibility of the Devils acquiring the former Vezina Trophy winner before the March 8 trade deadline. Assuming Markstrom would accept a trade to the Devils, Nichols acknowledged the Flames’ asking price would be expensive.
Trading Markstrom isn’t out of the question. However, this could be a move that takes place in the offseason, especially with the salary cap projected to jump by $4.2 million for next season.
OILERS SEEKING A TOP-SIX FORWARD
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Edmonton Oilers’ priority before the trade deadline is acquiring a top-six forward.
LeBrun mentioned Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel as a “real splashy name” but it’s unknown if he’s even available. The Oilers could consider a reunion with winger Jordan Eberle if the Seattle Kraken fall out of the playoff race.
Ottawa Senators winger Vladimir Tarasenko has a full no-trade clause but he could waive it to go to Edmonton. Detroit Red Wings forwards Daniel Sprong and David Perron are possibilities if their club falls out of postseason contention.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Penguins’ asking price for Guentzel would likely be too expensive for the Oilers. Guentzel, Eberle, Tarasenko and Perron each make over $4.7 million annually so they could find it a challenge to squeeze one of those players within their limited salary-cap payroll.
Sprong would be the most affordable option in terms of salary ($2 million) and return. Speaking of Tarasenko, he reportedly changed agents again to get a contract extension as a condition for waiving his no-trade clause.
Darren Dreger said the Oilers are also considering their defense options. They’re having conversations about some of the better available blueliners in the trade market such as Philadelphia’s Sean Walker and perhaps Calgary’s Chris Tanev. However, they’d have to shed a defenseman like Brett Kulak or Cody Ceci to make a deal like that happen.
LIGHTNING COULD SEEK REPLACEMENT FOR SERGACHEV
TSN: Chris Johnston believes the Tampa Bay Lightning could attempt to find a replacement for sidelined defenseman Mikhail Sergachev. If he ends up on long-term injury reserve for the remainder of the regular season, they could use the salary cap savings to add a defenseman.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sergachev underwent surgery yesterday to repair a fractured tibia and fibula in his left leg. Having undergone a similar procedure myself years ago, I doubt very much that we’ll see him back in action before the playoffs begin. Lightning GM Julien BriseBois has likely already started searching for Sergachev’s replacement.
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