The Flames are listening to trade offers on several players, the latest on Patrick Kane’s search for a new team, and an update on Predators goalie Juuse Saros in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
FLAMES “OPEN FOR BUSINESS”
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports Calgary Flames general manager Craig Conroy and his staff are listening to offers on more than just defenseman Nikita Zadorov following his trade request on Friday. They’re also willing to entertain trade proposals regarding their other pending unrestricted free agents such as center Elias Lindholm, and defensemen Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev.
LeBrun noted that Hanifin was reportedly close to signing a contract extension but opted to wait “and now that ship has sailed.” He said the Flames aren’t in any hurry to move those UFAs as they’ve got until the March 8 trade deadline.
Darren Dreger said the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils are the “primary teams” interested in one of those Calgary defensemen. He also believes that center Nazem Kadri isn’t keen to stick around if the Flames regress, adding that there could be others who feel the same.
THE ATHLETIC: LeBrun believes Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving has an interest in Zadorov but “there’s no question” he also inquired about Tanev.
CALGARY SUN: Daniel Austin took note of Dreger’s remark about Kadri, who signed a long-term deal last year with the Flames.
He pointed out that there are other Flames veterans like Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, Blake Coleman, and Jacob Markstrom on long-term contracts who expected the club would try to compete for the Stanley Cup.
Austin also wondered whether players like Rasmus Andersson would want to re-sign if they saw their teammates getting traded away.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Things are a mess in Calgary right now. Zadorov’s trade request could set off an avalanche of change this season if the Flames fail to improve before the New Year.
Pending UFAs such as Zadorov, Lindholm, Hanifin and Tanev will draw plenty of interest from playoff contenders seeking rental players. Trading those with hefty contracts such as Kadri, Huberdeau, Weegar and Markstrom, however, could prove more difficult. Those moves might have to wait until the offseason when teams have more cap space and a willingness to spend.
THE LATEST ON PATRICK KANE
ESPN.COM: Greg Wyshynski reports free agent right wing Patrick Kane has started meeting with teams this week to determine his next NHL destination. His agent Pat Brisson said there is no timetable for his client to sign.
It’s expected Kane will meet with up to eight teams this week. He’s been linked to the Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers, who have checked in with him since free agency. The New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings were also said to be on his radar.
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports well-placed sources claim the Rangers are not getting into the Kane sweepstakes this time. They acquired the future Hall-of-Fame winger before last season’s trade deadline but the two sides parted ways on July 1 when his contract expired.
Brooks listed the Sabres, Panthers, Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning among the possible suitors for Kane.
TORONTO SUN: cited NHL analyst John Shannon reporting he’d heard that Kane met with the Maple Leafs on Tuesday. He also claimed the Lightning, Stars and Carolina Hurricanes were among the interested parties.
TSN: Darren Dreger said Kane and Brisson hope to cut that list of potential destinations down by this weekend and hope to have a final decision in place by early next week.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Your guess is as good as mine where Kane ends up. At least we’re finally into the end game of this saga after months of speculation.
Some clubs, like the Sabres and Red Wings, have the cap space to sign him to a decent contract. The others, however, could give him a better chance to win the Stanley Cup this season provided he’s willing to accept an affordable one-year deal.
SAROS NOT GOING ANYWHERE
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun noted that Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros would be a “dream addition” for some teams, “including wishful thinkers in Edmonton.” However, he reports the Preds have “no intention to move him.”
Predators GM Barry Trotz told LeBrun that he met with Saros’ agent and indicated his intent to re-sign the 28-year-old goaltender. Trotz acknowledged the recent trade rumors swirling about Saros but he doesn’t plan on moving him.
LeBrun suggested that could change if the Predators can’t get Saros signed next summer to an extension. However, they seem confident that he’ll want to stay.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trotz said that his club is in “a little bit of a retool type of situation here” and sees Saros as their backbone once it’s completed.
As LeBrun noted, things can change if a rival club makes an offer for Saros too good to pass up. However, I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for that to happen this season.