We’re mere days away from the NHL’s trade deadline, and things are really picking up.
So far on Wednesday, deals are happening faster than a rumour-roundup-writer can type. Already, the Senators have sent forward Vladimir Tarasenko to the all-in Florida Panthers, and not long after that we had another Canadian club involved in a trade when the Edmonton Oilers acquired Ducks Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick from Anaheim.
So, what else could be in the works? Here’s a roundup of some of the rumours flying on Wednesday.
What might Canucks’ reported interest in Guentzel mean for Lindholm?
Before being traded to Vancouver on Jan. 31, pending UFA Elias Lindholm was among the most coveted rental forwards on the trade deadline market. And according to reports, he might still be.
As Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman discussed on Sportsnet Central Tuesday night, the Canucks aren’t done shopping. Both Friedman and The Athletic’s Chris Johnston are reporting the Canucks have shown serious interest in acquiring Penguins winger (and fellow pending UFA) Jake Guentzel, and that flipping Lindholm elsewhere — say, Boston — could be an interesting way to get a deal done, cap-wise.
“They’re trying to find a way to make it work,” Friedman said of Vancouver’s interest in Guentzel, noting the Canucks are “trying to be creative” in their deadline talks. “I don’t know how I would characterize the horse race in terms of [which team] leads and who doesn’t. But I do think they’re in on it, I think they’ve discussed it with Pittsburgh.
“For example, if they do do something with Pittsburgh, Boston and themselves, where all three teams are involved — Lindholm goes one way, Guentzel goes another way and other [players] are involved to get to Pittsburgh — I do think that’s a possibility and potentially has been discussed.”
Vancouver landed Lindholm from the Flames on Jan. 31 in exchange for a 2024 first-round pick, forward Andrei Kuzmenko, prospects Hunter Brzustewicz and Joni Jurmo, and a conditional 2024 fourth-rounder. The move was expected to boost Vancouver’s already-potent offence, but the deal has yet to yield dividends for the Canucks as Lindholm’s struggled to hit his stride with the west-coast club. Lindholm, 29, has four goals and six points in 15 games with the Canucks, who have won just seven games since Lindholm joined the lineup.
Vegas showing interest in Hanifin, Guentzel…
The Vegas Golden Knights are no strangers to big swings at the deadline, and they could be gearing up for another this year, even after acquiring winger Anthony Mantha from Washington. According to Friedman, the Golden Knights — whose deal for Mantha included only taking on half the forward’s cap hit, giving them more room to play around with their LTIR pool — have been reported to be looking for two wingers, not just one. They’ve been among the teams connected to Guentzel, though Friedman indicated it’s unclear whether they’re a frontrunner in those talks.
But what about on defence?
“I do think Vegas looked at Noah Hanifin,” Friedman said. “The fact that I think they — at the very least — kicked tires on Hanifin, they are in a position where they have been looking at doing something else and while I don’t know if I would say that they’re the favourite for Guentzel, I wouldn’t want to rule them out on anything.”
Later Wednesday, Friedman reported the Golden Knights are still talking about Hanifin.
What about the Lightning?
When it comes to Hanifin, Friedman has previously reported that the Tampa Bay Lightning are the defender’s top choice in terms of where he’d like to land long-term with a possible extension.
“I still think that Tampa Bay is the most likely destination,” Friedman explained during Tuesday’s Sportsnet Central segment. “There’s sure a lot of smoke around it, about the possibility of an extension, and I do think that teams have discussed significantly what the return could be — and I think it involves, if it happens, a prospect, some picks, and maybe a roster player from Tampa to make it all work. I do think that one is pretty far along, so until I hear otherwise, Tampa’s my favourite [destination for Hanifin].”
Amid all this Hanifin trade talk is another question: Is there a scenario where the defender stays in Calgary?
Friedman said he believes the answer is no, saying it’s “unlikely” Hanifin is still a Flame by week’s end.
To make matters all the more intriguing, Hanifin just happens to be in the Sunshine State this week as the Flames visit the Lightning Thursday night.
Leafs looking to add another defender
When the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired defenceman Ilya Lyubushkin from the Anaheim Ducks, they checked a much-needed box on their trade deadline wish list. But that doesn’t mean they’re done adding to their blue line.
Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli said Wednesday morning he believes the Maple Leafs will add another piece on defence. His pick? Matt Dumba.
“I think Matt Dumba is going to be very inexpensive, relative to the field,” Seravalli said on The JD Bunkis Podcast, noting that Arizona’s initial asking price was too high.
On forward, Seravalli pointed to Flyers forward Scott Laughton as a player Toronto has “paid attention to.”
“What does that market end up being? I’m pretty convinced that he won’t end up being moved, but if gives you an indication — or at least a window — into what the Leafs are thinking,” he said. “In theory, really trying to upgrade that 3C position.”
