The Athletic has updated their Trade Deadline Big Board, adding several Anaheim Ducks players including Rickard Rakell, who is reportedly generating plenty of interest from around the league. The 27-year-old winger would be a good fit for many teams, but Pierre LeBrun pointed out how well he would seem to work as a candidate for the Toronto Maple Leafs (participants in our weekly chats may have heard that idea before).
LeBrun included a potential price tag in his speculative deal, indicating that first-round pick Rodion Amirov wouldn’t be enough to net Rakell on his own. Maple Leafs fans might balk immediately at that given how hyped Amirov has been since the fall entry draft, but Rakell isn’t going to come cheap, wherever he ends up. The winger will have a chance to improve his value further when the Ducks take on the San Jose Sharks later tonight.
- The NHL has announced a few schedule changes, including moving a postponed game between the Vegas Golden Knights and Sharks from February 25 to April 23. Another Vegas game originally penciled in for that date against the Ducks will now be held the following evening, April 24. Schedule changes have come fast and furious this season as the league desperately tries to squeeze in 56 games for all 31 teams.
- The BCHL has approved a shortened 2020-21 season and will start its schedule in the first week of April. The league, which is one of the top options for Canadian prospects that wish to pursue an NCAA opportunity, will operate in a “pod” model where three to four teams will play each other in five different locations across British Columbia. There have been countless players from the BCHL reach the NHL, but the current alumni group includes names like Josh Manson, Duncan Keith, Jamie Benn, Tyler Bozak, and Alexander Kerfoot. Getting back on the ice will only help the next wave of prospects develop their game and expose them to new hockey opportunities.
Rakell to NYI?
Would make sense with the Lee injured
Rakell IS the type of player the Leafs need.
If they can pick up some players with hard edges, they might actually do something this year.
Rakell in, who goes out in TOR? If Simmers gets re-activated, they will need to play musical chairs to make room for him. Right now, it appears they will need $-in, $-out, like many other teams in the league.
Alex Kerfoot and Rodion Amirov for Rickard Rakell?
PS- Saying hi to all of the Pens fans who are much smarter than Rutherford and preferred to have Amirov 4 years from now instead of that “third liner”, Kasperi Kapanen.
@forwhomjoshbelltolled – Funny, that! I was thinking the Kerfuffle add, too. The Leafs made such a big deal out of Amirov, though, that is the part that seems less likely to me right now. They don’t have enough guys w/o NMCs/NTCs to make personnel moves easy for them.