While some expect recently-fired coach Claude Julien to resurface as the head coach elsewhere, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun suggests in his latest Insider Trading column that he can afford to be ‘choosy’ about where he wants to go next which could delay a decision until sometime in the playoffs. That would then allow him to see if any teams that get in but are ousted quickly make a change which might be a more desirable spot than going to a non-playoff team (or even the expansion Golden Knights). He notes that Tampa Bay and Dallas could be a pair of teams that will ponder a change if things don’t improve by the end of the season.
As usual, Garrioch also has some notes on trade talk around the league. The full column is worth a read but here are some of the highlights:
- The Hurricanes are making a big push for Colorado center Matt Duchene. There could be a decent fit between the teams as Carolina has several strong young defensemen which is something the Avalanche are looking for in a potential return. Garrioch adds that blueliner Noah Hanifin is someone that Colorado is asking for as part of a package for the 26 year old forward.
- Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett will have a large say in the process when it comes to trading pending UFA center Martin Hanzal. The asking price remains very high from GM John Chayka and while plenty of teams remain interested, no one is willing to meet it just yet. This certainly feels like a situation that’s going to come close to the wire as teams will hope to out-wait the Coyotes in the hopes that they will accept a lower offer at the deadline rather than risk losing him for nothing in free agency. The two sides have held extension talks earlier in the season but they weren’t able to get a new deal done.
- If the Canucks ultimately decide to sell, winger Jannik Hansen is someone that several teams have interest in. His flexibility to play in different roles as well as a manageable $2.5MM cap hit should be attractive to some teams, especially those who may be tighter to the cap on March 1st. As part of his modified no-trade clause, Hansen has to submit a list of eight teams he would accept a trade to which could potentially complicate things. We took a closer look at his situation last week which includes a breakdown of some teams that Hansen would fit with if Vancouver decides to move him.
Hanzal’s two goals against the Stanley Cup winner Penguins may escalate his value in a trade. The Yotes will need another center to replace him, as they currently have Dvorak, White, and hopefully Strome next season. If they can pry McCarron away from Montreal that may work. It’s true many teams are interested in the big Hanzal, but may not want to give up a young player or draft choices to get him. His downfall has always been his inability to stay healthy, and his inability to stay out of the penalty box at key times in a game. In a little over two weeks, or sooner we’ll all know where he is going.
Please take Noah hanifin off of our hands. He is not ready to play at this level and he is afraid to hit or be hit. Should have stayed in college and matured or send him to Charlotte for Ulfie S. to toughen him up.
I think all 29 other NHL teams would line up to take Hanifin off your hands.
Although there is almost no chance at this I’d like to see Hanzal in a Caps Uniform. He has repeated success against Crosby and the Penguins. Last night wasn’t some fluke night.
I’m tired of losing to Pittsburgh, and the Caps are great enough that if they just build a team to beat Pittsburgh then they should still be able to beat anyone else in the NHL.
There is probably a better than 90% chance the Caps will play the Pens in second round again. I’m hoping Columbus or NYR can take down Pitt in round one, but that is very unlikely, especially since both teams seemed to have peaked already this season.
I’m tired of losing to the Pens. We need to get past them. Build for them.