The Carolina Hurricanes struck arguably the biggest trade of the regular season so far when they acquired Nino Niederreiter from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Victor Rask earlier today. However, GM Don Waddell is likely far from done. Not long after the deal was announced this afternoon, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun stated that the Hurricanes are still looking to add to their roster. LeBrun speculates that the team will add another top-six forward and will try to tap into their surplus of defensemen and defensive prospects to do so. The Hurricanes have the NHL’s longest playoff drought at nine seasons and would very much like to get back to the postseason this year and are well within striking distance of that goal past the midpoint of the season. While the team has succeeded in many areas this season, they continue to have struggles with scoring and, as LeBrun points out, could desperately use another talented forward. Yet, at the same time, the Hurricanes are also reportedly open to moving one of their most successful scoring forwards this season, Micheal Ferland. Ferland is on pace for a career season in his first year in Carolina, but the two sides had been unable to come to terms on an extension. Following the addition of a very similar player in Niederreiter, Ferland’s time in Carolina could soon be coming to an end. Between listening to offers on one highly-sought after rental forward and actively in pursuit of another top name on the market, the Hurricanes promise to remain in the rumor mill through the trade deadline next month and should have some more fireworks in store.
- Another team desperate to make the playoffs this season are the Edmonton Oilers. While the Oilers are reportedly willing to move a number of assets for long-term forward help, the hype surrounding a possible Jesse Puljujarvi trade appears to be cooling off and GM Peter Chiarelli may opt for adding an affordable rental rather than making another high-risk trade. In his latest “31 Thoughts” column, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman names the Oilers as a suitor for the New York Rangers’ Mats Zuccarello. The veteran winger has been hot lately and could certainly help with Edmonton’s scoring woes down the stretch. As Friedman points out, and the Oilers surely know as well, Zuccarello also should not be too expensive to acquire. The Rangers received a second-round pick and middling prospect from the New Jersey Devils at the trade deadline last season for Michael Grabner, who was in the midst of a season not dissimilar from Zuccarello’s this year and was also an impending free agent. Chiarelli and company would likely be happy to give up a package such as that to add much-needed help up front.
- William Nylander is finally under contract and playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but it’s been a slow start for the young forward in his return to action and an equally disappointing result for his team since his return. Making too much of that could be a mistake, but facing an impending salary cap crunch and mounting Stanley Cup expectations, GM Kyle Dubas and the Leafs brass have little room for error. Count former Toronto GM Brian Burke among those who would jettison Nylander as soon as possible if they were in Dubas’ shoes. Burke said on Sportsnet today that the front-loaded nature of Nylander’s contract should allow the team to move him and he expects that trade to occur this off-season. Burke acknowledges that Nylander is a talented player, but doesn’t agree with his nearly $7MM yearly cap hit and feels he is too similar to other players on the Leafs’ roster and considers him to be a costly “surplus player”. Whether Dubas and company agree with that assessment remains to be seen, but a Nylander trade this summer is certainly not out of the question.
Tristan Jarry for Ferland.
Rangers suck
I dislike chytil
can’t believe I’m saying this but I agree with Brian Burke
if you think the rangers wont demand at least a 1st rounder for Zuc your out of your mind.
No way. Not a rental for Jarry
youre*
Ferland will cost a second round pick, most likely. Will Jarry fetch a first round pick? No. Jarry for Ferland just cuts out the middle man.
Pens made Jarry’s bed when they extended DeSmith.
Ferland would be a nice upgrade over Simon.
How in hell does Edm trust Chiarelli with anymore trades?? How does he even have a job?
If Jarry is dealt I can see it as a package with Brassard for a player who is controllable beyond this year. If you add someone like Oleskiak you could find a nice return.
Should have traded Nylander in November when they had the chance. Money and cap hit aren’t the issue. Even if he had signed for league minimum, you’re reintroducing a player into that locker room who bailed on his teammates and regardless of what coaches and players say to the media, it appears to me that it has caused friction in the room. 20-8 without him and 8-7-2 since he’s signed. He needs to be dealt asap.
Of course you do, so do I! Willie has been basically practicing with junior hockey during that hold out. He might be back to form come playoff time but they need to either trade him for some top 3 D by the deadline or better yet, get Karrelson from Sjs and sign him long term!
Sjose ain’t trading karlson to the east,,,,,that will cost them another first rounder,,,and besides that, I’m not signing anyone to the term and $ he wants,,,,those days are over
Brian Burke is an idiot, and he was a complete disaster as a GM in Toronto.
Whatever he says, do the opposite.
Karrelson(?) karlson (?) Karlsson (this one’s correct) EK65 had a God-awful start to the season trying to get used to his new surroundings and early didn’t look like a high percentage candidate to resign there. Now, it would seem impossible for him NOT to stay put. Agree with Rex_Chestington about Willy Ny in November. Unfortunately, Kyle D., we don’t agree with caving to him & Papa Mike. If you think Gardiner’s getting crushed by fan booing, wait ’till it ramps up for Willy Ny. Unfortunately, he plays like he’s got a really BAD case of A.D.D. and the boos probably won’t register with him. And, of course, Ferland to Pitt for Simon & Jarry would be a big win for the Pens, and a ? for Carolina (what new?)