Check out the latest on Evgeni Malkin, Jason Robertson, Artemi Panarin, Jordan Kyrou, Blake Coleman, Jonathan Marchessault, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Joonas Korpisalo, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TEAMS INTERESTED IN EVGENI MALKIN

SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos recently reported that some teams would love to acquire Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin, but he carries a full no-movement clause. Any attempt to move him requires his consent.

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (NHL Images).

According to Kypreos, Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin would be among the suitors, wondering if Russian winger Kirill Kaprizov might convince Malkin to join the Wild for a playoff run.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos acknowledged that Pittsburgh is in wildcard contention and under new ownership. Penguins GM Kyle Dubas said earlier this season that he’d meet with Malkin during the Olympic break to discuss the remainder of this season. If the Penguins remain in the playoff hunt, Malkin will likely stay put.

COULD THE MAPLE LEAFS PURSUE STARS WINGER JASON ROBERTSON?

The Toronto Maple Leafs have limited assets to attempt a major trade. They used Easton Cowen as a trade chip last season in a failed attempt to acquire Brayden Schenn from the St. Louis Blues. However, Cowen’s performance this season makes it tough to part with him unless it’s for a significant return.

One idea involves the Maple Leafs making a pitch to the Dallas Stars for winger Jason Robertson. He could seek $12 million annually on his next contract, which is too expensive for the Stars. The Leafs could afford it, but the acquisition cost would be steep, involving Cowen, blueline prospect Ben Danford, and more. That could be more of an offseason move than a deadline one.

Kypreos touched on the possibility of moving Cowen and Danford in a package deal for a top-six forward or puck-moving defenseman in his latest Toronto Star column. He also suggested that Leafs forwards Bobby McMann, Nick Robertson, Nicolas Roy, Max Domi, Steven Lorentz, Scott Laughton, and defensemen Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Troy Stecher could be valuable trade commodities to stock up on futures while retooling the roster for the next two seasons.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson is tied with Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor as this season’s highest-scoring American player (52 points). The 26-year-old winger is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1.

Robertson could price himself out of Dallas, but the Stars won’t move him this season. They’re all-in for the Stanley Cup, and they need Robertson’s offense.

The Leafs could be hard-pressed to win a bidding war for Robertson this summer, but they have an advantage with his younger brother, Nick, on their roster.

UPDATE ON THE PREDATORS, RANGERS, FLAMES, BLUES, SABRES, AND JETS

The Nashville Predators are still expected to be sellers despite their recent surge in the standings. Winger Steven Stamkos’ $8 million annual cap hit makes him difficult to move. Winger Jonathan Marchessault could be a more likely trade candidate, but he has a full no-movement clause. He also didn’t rule out the possibility of goaltender Juuse Saros being part of a “bombshell deal”.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Anything’s possible, but the Predators have clawed their way back into wildcard contention. They’re unlikely to sell if they’re still in contention by March 6. Stamkos, Marchessault, and Saros all have full no-movement clauses, and it’s unlikely that they’ll waive them.

Kypreos felt the New York Rangers could become sellers if sidelined goaltender Igor Shesterkin is out for a lengthy period. He mentioned pending UFA winger Artemi Panarin as the most likely trade candidate. He also suggested keeping an eye on center Vincent Trocheck.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mollie Walker of the New York Post listed Panarin and Trocheck as trade candidates if the Rangers are sellers by March 6. She also included struggling young winger Brennan Othmann, defenseman Carson Soucy, and winger Alexis Lafreniere.

Blake Coleman is currently the player most in demand on the Calgary Flames. Teams are wary of center Nazem Kadri’s age and the remaining term of his contract. Kypreos still thinks the Vegas Golden Knights are still circling on defenseman Rasmus Andersson and could attempt to acquire him before the Olympic break.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andersson remains the most likely to be traded because of his UFA eligibility on July 1 and his status as the top defenseman in this summer’s free agent market. Mike Gould of Daily Faceoff recently listed the Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes, Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, and the Golden Knights as potential destinations.

The Flames aren’t facing the same pressure to trade Coleman because he has another year left on his contract, though they could ship him out if they get a good offer.

St. Louis Blues winger Jordan Kyrou has a full no-trade clause. However, Kypreos believes there’s a sense he may be softening on waiving it to go to a contender.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kyrou was the frequent subject of trade chatter until last July, when his NTC kicked in and silenced that talk. The Montreal Canadiens were reportedly interested at that time, but their current limited cap space makes it difficult for them to take on his $8.125 million AAV through 2030-31.

The Buffalo Sabres are aggressively shopping as buyers. They have some good young prospects and depth in their system to use as trade bait. Kypreos also believes they can afford to meet the salary demands of UFA-eligible winger Alex Tuch of around $10 million.

Kypreos doesn’t expect the struggling Winnipeg Jets to make a significant roster shake-up if they become sellers by the March 6 trade deadline. He anticipated they would make minor moves, such as peddling pending UFA defenseman Luke Schenn.

LATEST ON THE BRUINS

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports the Boston Bruins have been gauging the trade market for Joonas Korpisalo. However, the 31-year-old backup goaltender’s contract is a sticking point. He’s got two more years left on his deal with an AAV of $4 million and a 10-team no-trade clause.

Murphy indicated that league sources believe the Bruins would have to attach a draft pick or prospect to unload Korpisalo in a deal.

THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa recently examined potential trade candidates for the Boston Bruins should they become sellers by March 6.

Korpisalo fell into the “Limited Market” category. Winger Viktor Arvidsson, defenseman Mason Lohrei, center Casey Mittelstadt, and defenseman Andrew Peeke were among those in the “Let’s Make A Deal” category.

Shinzawa thinks the biggest decision is whether to move Pavel Zacha. He’s a versatile forward who can play in all situations and carries an affordable $4.75 million AAV through 2026-27.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins could be buyers or sellers by the deadline, depending on where they are in the standings. Their performance over the rest of this month could determine which direction they go.

UPDATE ON JESPERI KOTKANIEMI

THE ATHLETIC: Cory Lavalette examined what’s gone wrong for Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

The 25-year-old Carolina Hurricanes center has been the subject of recent trade speculation. Lavalette believes he failed to establish an identity to his game. His lack of consistency resulted in head coach Rod Brind’Amour losing confidence in him.

Kotkaniemi still believes he can become a top-six forward. Another club could take him on as a reclamation project. His contract isn’t that bad, with four years remaining at an AAV of $4.82 million. There is also a market for centers right now.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Friday that there are teams interested in Kotkaniemi. The Hurricanes could seek a roster player in return, but they could settle for a return of draft picks, or a pick and a prospect, that they could use as trade bait to add a player by the trade deadline.