With the trade deadline only a day away, check out the latest on the Panthers, Senators, Oilers, Rangers, Islanders, and more in Part Two of today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: George Richards reports Panthers general manager Bill Zito might not be done dealing after acquiring Vladimir Tarasenko yesterday from the Ottawa Senators. The Panthers have around $3 million in cap space available and could look to add a defenseman. Richards suggested options such as the Arizona Coyotes’ Matt Dumba or the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Andrew Peeke.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning are believed to have “kicked tires” on Jakob Chychrun. However, that doesn’t mean the Senators are hurrying to trade him. General manager Steve Staios said they’re not actively shopping Chychrun. They want to move winger Dominik Kubulik, defenseman Erik Brannstrom and center Mark Kastelic.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson reports the Oilers still have about $1.88 million remaining in cap space to add a depth defenseman if the other team retains half of his contract. He suggested Washington’s Joel Edmundson as one option.
THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple wondered what’s next for the New York Rangers after acquiring Alex Wennberg yesterday from the Seattle Kraken. He pointed out that general manager Chris Drury still seeks a winger to slot alongside Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad. Trade targets could include Anaheim’s Frank Vatrano, Pittsburgh’s Jake Guentzel and St. Louis’ Pavel Buchnevich.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The New York Post’s Larry Brooks doesn’t want to see the Rangers trade away a promising young player such as Kaapo Kakko, Will Cuylle, Gabe Perreault or Brennan Othmann. That’s what it might take, however, to land that elusive second-line right winger.
Staple also noted the New York Islanders have $3.5 million in salary-cap flexibility with Scott Mayfield on long-term injury reserve. He wondered if they might consider adding a forward such as Anaheim’s Frank Vatrano or San Jose’s Alexander Barabanov.
As for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Aaron Portzline believes it will be a quiet deadline. Pending unrestricted free-agent forward Jack Roslovic seems the most likely trade candidate. Defenseman Ivan Provorov isn’t off-limits but the Jackets aren’t shopping him. Any bold moves might have to wait until the offseason.
Michael Russo and Joe Smith report Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin is working the phones as the trade deadline approaches. Brandon Duhaime, Connor Dewar and sidelined forward Pat Maroon are garnering some attention in the trade market.
Turning to the Chicago Blackhawks, Scott Powers noted that forward Colin Blackwell could be the only player they’re likely to move on deadline day. They’re also open to the idea of being a third-party broker
THE SEATTLE TIMES: Geoff Baker looked at other pending UFAs the Kraken could move by the trade deadline after shipping Alex Wennberg to the Rangers on Wednesday. Winger Tomas Tatar and defenseman Justin Schultz might garner some interest in the trade market.