BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Mattias Ekholm (NSH), Timo Meier (SJ), Zach Hyman (TOR), Jakub Voracek (PHI), and more!
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This is not the kind of news Edmonton Oilers fans will like.
NHL Rumors and Speculation
- Elliotte Friedman (Sportsnet): The Nashville Predators are looking for a Jake Muzzin-like return for defenceman Mattias Ekholm. The hope is that they can get two prospects and a first-round pick in a trade for him.
- The Winnipeg Jets and Boston Bruins are in on Ekholm as well. The Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Montreal Canadiens have been in on the defender as well according to some sources and not at all by others.
- Friedman isn’t convinced that the Anaheim Ducks will trade winger Rickard Rakell. The price is too high and one team, the Maple Leafs, are unlikely to have the assets to acquire him.
- Buffalo Sabres center Eric Staal is unlikely to be traded to a Canadian team due to quarantine rules according to Friedman.
- The insider heard rumblings about Timo Meier being available but was told “don’t go down that road”.
- Darren Dreger (TSN): Said he wouldn’t be surprised if the Canadiens didn’t use some of their 14 draft picks in the 2021 NHL draft to improve the team.
- He believes that Maple Leafs forward Zach Hyman would make $5M AAV on the open market recently saying, “I can’t envision the Leafs without Hyman, but if that guy believes this is the opportunity to chase that big contract, he’ll get it. He’ll get big money on the open marke, and when I say big money, I’m thinking in the $5M to $6M range. Above $5M.”
- Dejan Kovacevic (DK Pittsburgh Sports): The Pittsburgh Penguins “have” to move out a left-handed defenseman if they look to make a move due to the cap.
- There’s an effort being made by the Penguins to make it work with what they have, but they’re not happy with the fourth line.
- The Athletic: Nick Cousins (NSH) will “almost certainly” be traded out of Nashville by April 12th.
- Chris Johnston (Sportsnet): Some Canadian teams want the North Division to exist beyond this season. They believe it’d be good money with the fans.
- Allan Mitchell (TSN1260): Recently suggested the Edmonton Oilers consider trading goalie Mikko Koskinen and defenseman Caleb Jones to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Elvis Merzlikins.
- Matthew DeFranks (Dallas News): The Dallas Stars could likely become sellers and their most obvious trade candidates include: Andrew Cogliano, Jamie Oleksiak, and Blake Comeau.
- The Fourth Period: The Philadelphia Flyers could look to be aggressive by the trade deadline in hopes of making the playoffs.
MOCK TRADES
Here are a few trade proposals courtesy of NHL.Puckcentral on Instagram.
To Toronto: Mikael Granlund
To Nashville: Martin Marincin, Alex Kerfoot.
To Boston: Jake DeBrusk, 2021 2nd round pick
To Nashville: Mattias Ekholm
To Toronto: Rickard Rakell (50% salary retained)
To Anaheim: 2021 1st round pick, Pierre Engvall, Mikhail Abramov
To Winnipeg: Mattiasa Ekholm, 2021 4th round pick
To Nashville: Sami Niku, 2021 1st round pick
To Philadelphia: Filip Forsberg, Mattias Ekholm, Eeli Tolvanen
To Nashville: Jakub Voracek, Nolan Patrick, Morgan Frost
To Edmonton: Jake DeBrusk, 2021 3rd round pick
To Boston: Tyson Barrie
To New York: Jack Eichel
To Buffalo: Adam Fox, Kaapo Kakko, Vitaly Kravtsov, 2022 1st+2nd round picks, 2023 2nd round pick
To Buffalo: JT Miller
To Vancouver: Sam Reinhart
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