Trade talks, milestone goals, best in the west and The Eberle Show. Here are six things we learned around the league Monday night.
The countdown to trade deadline 2015 is officially on
OK, so maybe you’ve been counting down the days for a while now—especially if your name is Don Maloney. But now that the NHL trade deadline is exactly one month away, trade rumours are really starting to circulate. On Saturday, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the Arizona Coyotes would need ‘big offers’ to consider dealing power forward Martin Hanzal, and it looks like the Vancouver Canucks could be biting. While most of the Coyotes are on the chopping block (basically, everyone but captain Shane Doan), there are plenty of other teams and players in the mix right now, too. Notable players include Buffalo’s Tyler Myers, Toronto’s Mike Santorelli and even Dion Phaneuf. Get the full scoop via Sportsnet’s Luke Fox.
Franson wants to stay
Speaking of trade talks, Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Cody Franson is still in talks with Maple Leafs brass after turning down a multi-year deal worth $4.6 million annually.
According to Sportsnet’s Jeff Blair, this inability to lock up the 27-year-old is yet another blunder by GM Dave Nonis.
While speaking with reporters Monday, Franson–who will become an unrestricted free agent this summer–made it clear that he wants to stay in Toronto, but understands that it’s “a big numbers game.”
See what else he had to say:
(Looking for more Leafs? Read Sportsnet insider Chris Johnston’s take on the squad’s bleak streak.)
Nash nets no. 30
Rick Nash is officially back to his goal-scoring ways. The 30-year-old Ranger winger scored his 30th goal of the season as New York doubled up the Florida Panthers, and it was a real dandy. See for yourself:
It’s the first time Nash has scored 30 for the Rangers, and he hit No. 30 with his fourth shorthanded goal of the season.
To top off the night, Nash also scored an empty-netter to tie Alex Ovechkin for the league lead with 31 goals.
Eberle puts on a show
A Jordan Eberle highlight truly is a beautiful thing. But two Eberle moments? Now he’s just spoiling us.
Eberle dangled and deked his way to his first goal of the night versus the San Jose Sharks:
Then, after getting a rebound in the second period, he exercised pure patience as he fired a wrist shot past Antti Niemi:
Double. Wow.
Best of the west
The race is officially on. And, for the first time in a while, Canada has three horses, er, hockey teams in the race. The Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames are all toeing the line of the playoffs in the western conference and, at this point, it’s still anyone’s game.
Watch:
Monday’s Flames-Jets matchup couldn’t have come at a better time for the debate. Fans were treated to a solid matchup, with those pesky Flames ultimately defeating the Jets 5-2.
Buck 65 makes hockey harmony
What would wonderfully weird goalie Ilya Bryzgalov’s universal musing sound like when put to music? We’ll soon find out, thanks to Canadian musician Buck 65. He’ll be releasing his third NHL-focused album just in time for Scotiabank’s Hockey Day in Canada. Get behind-the-scenes stories, plus lyrics to his new track, here.