The holiday roster freeze is in effect through Dec. 27 but that hasn’t stopped the media conjecture. Find out how the Blue Jackets, Blackhawks and Senators could affect the trade market plus some recent Rangers speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
BLUE JACKETS, BLACKHAWKS AND SENATORS COULD AFFECT THE TRADE MARKET
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau recently suggested the Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators are beyond the point of no return when it comes to saving their seasons. He believes their struggles will beef up the trade market in the New Year, especially by the March 8 trade deadline.
In Columbus, the Blue Jackets have two pending unrestricted free agents in goaltender Spencer Martin and forward Jack Roslovic who could end up getting shopped by the trade deadline. Proteau also suggested Patrik Laine could also become a trade candidate.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ll be surprised if Martin and Roslovic aren’t peddled by the trade deadline but I don’t see a market for Laine because of his contract. The oft-injured underachieving winger is signed through 2025-26 with an $8.7 million annual average value and a 10-team no-trade clause.
The Jackets can afford to wait until the offseason when clubs have more salary cap space to test the market on Laine.
Proteau noted that the Blackhawks have four pending UFA forwards in Nick Foligno, Tyler Johnson, Anthony Beauvillier and Jason Dickinson who could draw interest from playoff contenders near the deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks remain very much in the middle of a roster rebuild. All four of those UFAs will likely be moved by March 8 for draft picks and prospects.
The Senators, meanwhile, have two pending UFA wingers in Vladimir Tarasenko and Dominik Kubalik who are bound to draw lots of attention in the trade market. Tarasenko would be among the top forwards available and could waive his no-movement clause to join a club that’ll give him a contract extension.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tarasenko remains a streaky scorer but when he’s hot he’d be a terrific short-term addition to a playoff contender. He also has Stanley Cup experience which should still make him an attractive trade option.
LATEST ON THE RANGERS
THE ATHLETIC: In a recent Rangers mailbag segment, Arthur Staple was asked about the possibility of former Blueshirts like Tarasenko, Patrick Kane or the Minnesota Wild’s Mats Zuccarello returning to New York.
Staple would be interested in what the “buy now” cost for Tarasenko would be. He thinks he’d be worth a second-round pick right now but the Senators could hold out for more.
If the Detroit Red Wings fall out of playoff contention, Staple doesn’t think the Rangers will try to bring Kane back.
Zuccarello, meanwhile, has a two-year contract extension that kicks in next season with a reasonable $4.125 million AAV. However, the current Rangers management doesn’t have any special ties to Zuccarello, who is an important piece for the Wild.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t rule out Rangers GM Chris Drury making a move or two near the trade deadline to address any nagging roster needs. However, I doubt we’ll see Tarasenko, Kane or Zuccarello rocking the Rangers colors again.