The hot stove is on fire as trade deadline rumors heat up. With less than a month to go, the big names on the board are the subject of increased speculation. Today brings new information on two of the biggest names expected to move this season.
Martin Hanzal
ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun reported on TSN’s Insider Trading that the Arizona Coyotes received serious calls from ten teams inquiring about Martin Hanzal. PHR highlighted Hanzal’s appeal earlier this week, and LeBrun’s report only corroborate’s Hanzal’s popularity. Lebrun’s ESPN colleague Craig Custance (insider access) reported earlier today that the Coyotes fielded interest from up to twelve teams, which means almost half the league is chasing the pending unrestricted free agent.
The interest is entirely warranted. Hanzal has a low $3.1MM cap hit, and while his point totals won’t get him top-line duty, he provides excellent depth and insurance for teams looking to make a deep run. With the salary cap making it harder and harder to construct a deep team, adding someone like Hanzal at the deadline is a short-term workaround.
Matt Duchene
It wasn’t too long ago that Matt Duchene was anointed the future leader of the Colorado Avalanche. And yet in 2017 Duchene finds himself embroiled in rampant trade rumors. TSN’s Bob McKenzie stated that the Avalanche established a high asking price somewhere in the range of three or four high-end pieces. The Avalanche are looking for an established player, a top prospect, and a 1st round draft pick—but would settle for two almost-established players for the first piece.
There is no doubt that the ask is high, implying that Duchene may not be moved until the offseason. It will be hard for GM Joe Sakic to significantly decrease his original ask lest he lose bargaining power in subsequent trades. Moreover, while the Avs could use a reboot, they may be better off keeping Duchene if his return doesn’t significantly help the team in the long run.
Something tells me Salic will screw this all up and deal him or Landeskog for spare parts that won’t amount to much. Keep your stats and build around them!
Duchene only has 2 years left, it’s not like he’s a long-term piece they can build around. Besides, their stars have proven they aren’t a good enough core. Without moving some of them, they will never build up their supporting cast enough to create a decent team. It’s not like they have a ton of cap space or a strong minor league system to wait on, they need to make moves, they have nothing else going for them.
His current core isn’t doing anything, he needs to make a big move to shake things up.
Sadly I have the same feeling.
Hanzal to the Canadians for Mikhail Sergachev or Juulsen+. Yotes could use quality D.
That just won’t happen. Not only are Sergachev and Juulsen more valuable than a bottom 6 rent-a-player, Marc Bergevin has never dealt more than a 2nd and a fringe prospect for a playoff rental.
I think that desert heat has gotten to you.
Sergachev for Hanzal?? Thank heavens you’re not running the Habs.