The third trade of February went down Wednesday as the Washington Capitals acquired blueliner Tom Gilbert from the Los Angeles Kings for future considerations.
Here are the latest trade rumblings from around the league:
Iginla a rental option for Kings
It’s only a matter of time before Jarome Iginla is traded and, according to ESPN, the Kings have shown interest in the veteran winger.
Iginla, who has a history with Kings coach Darryl Sutter, acknowledged earlier this month his desire to be on a playoff team this year.
“I would like to, at the deadline, go somewhere,” Iginla said. “I would like to be in the playoffs. I would hope that there is some opportunity to go and play in the playoffs. Those are the best games, the most fun for sure, and you have a chance to win. So no, I haven’t given up on that chance to win.”
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Hanzal isn’t sure what Coyotes will do with him
You know it’s getting serious when the players start addressing trade rumours. Martin Hanzal, one of the top candidates to be moved by the deadline, spoke to the Arizona Republic about where he stands, adding he hasn’t received a contract offer from the team yet.
“When I get an offer, I’ll see,” Hanzal said. “I haven’t got an offer yet from the Coyotes. We haven’t talked. Obviously, we’re getting closer and closer [to the trade deadline]. So it’s going to be interesting, and I don’t know if they want to move me or not. I have no expectations. I’ll focus on the hockey games and see what happens.”
Berglund not on the market?
Patrik Berglund has spent his entire career with the St. Louis Blues, the team that drafted him 25th overall in 2006. The talented Swede is on pace to set a career high in goals. He’s also set to become a UFA following the season.
Berglund and Blues management have reportedly begun discussing a contract extension but if an agreement can’t be reached and/or the Blues fall out of playoff contention, Berglund, 28, could fetch a decent return for Doug Armstrong. Berglund’s current salary cap hit is $3.7 million.
Devils likely to be sellers
New Jersey doesn’t look like a playoff contender, sitting five points out of a wild card spot with the fourth worst goal differential in the NHL. So expect Devils GM Ray Shero to sell off some assets ahead of March 1. In particular, pending UFAs P.A. Parenteau and Kyle Quincey are prime candidates to fill the role of rental player for playoff-bound teams.
“I went through it last year,” Parenteau said. “I was having a really good year and I didn’t get traded. Who knows? The market changes every year. I’m aware of my age (33), and when I sign a one-year deal like that, if the team is going to be out of playoff contention, there’s a chance I get moved.”
Gionta wants to stay in Buffalo
Teams in the market for rental players like Iginla and Parenteau could also look to Buffalo Sabres captain Brian Gionta. The 38-year-old pending UFA has a limited no-trade clause but admits he would prefer not to be moved at the deadline.
“It’s not really been a formal conversation but the team understands our intentions,” Gionta said. “Absolutely, I want to stay. I’ve been here three years. I’d love to see this through and keep pushing in the right direction.”
