The NHL trade deadline is almost right here, which suggests time is of the essence for would-be contenders to load up for a run on the Stanley Cup.
The 2018 rumor mill already options an amazing many compelling storylines. And whereas pipe goals of a John Tavares or Erik Karlsson blockbuster may qualify as just a little too daring for the NHL’s style, there’s sufficient rumors and hypothesis to maintain issues fascinating proper right down to the ultimate cutoff.
This yr’s trade bait listing options your typical crop of leases. Buffalo’s Evander Kane, Detroit’s Mike Inexperienced and the Rangers’ Rick Nash — all pending unrestricted free brokers — determine to swap their basement dwellings for a style of the playoffs. After which there is a bounty of massive names with time period toiling on groups fixing for a reset — Ottawa’s Mike Hoffman, Montreal’s Alex Galchenyuk, Edmonton’s Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, to call a number of.
In fact, it might all the time flip into an anticlimactic snoozefest just like the 2017 model. Let’s not assume that means, although.
This is every little thing it’s essential know as the NHL trade deadline approaches.
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When is the NHL trade deadline?
The NHL trade deadline is Monday, Feb. 26. Groups have till three p.m. ET to report trades to the league workplace, although news of a few of the final-minute transactions might leak out shortly after the deadline.
Who’re the top targets on the NHL trade deadline?
Forwards
Rick Nash, Rangers
Evander Kane, Sabres
Mike Hoffman, Senators
Max Pacioretty, Canadiens
Patrick Maroon, Oilers
Derick Brassard, Senators
Alex Galchenyuk, Canadiens
John Tavares, Islanders
TRADE TRACKER: Rumors, reported offers earlier than the 2018 deadline
Defensemen
Ryan McDonagh, Rangers
Jack Johnson, Blue Jackets
Mike Inexperienced, Pink Wings
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Coyotes
Erik Karlsson, Senators
Latest NHL trade rumors and news
Feb. 20
Bruins trade for Rangers defenseman (no, not that one)
These hoping for Ryan McDonagh in Beantown skilled a fleeting second of pleasure with Tuesday’s announcement of a trade between the Bruins and Rangers. As an alternative, a special Rangers defenseman, Nick Holden, is on his option to Boston in trade for AHL blueliner Rob O’Gara and a 2018 third-spherical draft decide.
Canucks re-signal Erik Gudbranson
The trade market misplaced a veteran defenseman Tuesday when the Canucks re-signed Erik Gudbranson to a 3-yr, $12 million extension. Gudbranson, one way or the other nonetheless solely 26, is one thing of a polarizing determine in Vancouver. A would-be unrestricted free agent this summer time, he had garnered a justifiable share of curiosity as a rental, however opted as an alternative to see the Canucks’ rebuild via, at the least for the subsequent three years.
Feb. 19
Flyers discover fill-in goalie for playoff push
Petr Mrazek is headed from Detroit to Philadelphia to man the Flyers’ internet instead of injured Brian Elliott and Michal Neuvirth. The Purple Wings obtain a pair of conditional draft picks in return: A 2018 fourth-rounder and a 2019 third-rounder. Detroit additionally agreed to retain half of Mrazek’s wage.
TSN’s Bob Mckenzie has the small print on the circumstances of the second decide:
DET assured a minimum of a 4th spherical for Mrazek. If PHI makes playoffs and Mrazek wins 5 video games for PHI in reg season, 4th turns into a third. If PHI advances to CF, and Mrazek wins six playoff video games, the third turns into a 2nd. If PHI re-indicators him subsequent season, DET will get PHI third in 19.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 20, 2018
So the minimal DET will get for Mrazek is a fourth-spherical decide, that would grow to be a 3rd- or a second-spherical decide, depending on how Mrazek/Flyers carry out. The extra decide, a 3rd-rounder, is conditional solely on Mrazek re-signing in PHI.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 20, 2018
Feb. thirteen
Kings get Dion Phaneuf from Senators
Dion Phaneuf is headed to the Kings as a part of a 4-participant trade that formally ushered within the NHL trade season. The veteran defenseman was whisked away mid-recreation Tuesday whereas the Senators have been enjoying the Penguins, stoking trade chatter. An hour later, it was introduced Phaneuf is dealt to Los Angeles together with ahead Nate Thompson with forwards Marian Gaborik and Nick Shore headed to Ottawa.
Feb. three
Predators, Lightning plan for Stanley Cup push
A bunch of NHL groups are nonetheless posturing, and the subsequent three weeks will decide whether or not many turn out to be a purchaser, vendor or stands pat. The league-main Lightning and defending Western Convention champion Predators have already got a reasonably good concept about their plans as Stanley Cup entrance runners.
By way of TSN’s Bob McKenzie:
…I might say the urge for food to do every part attainable to set themselves up for a run is as excessive or larger in TB and NSH than anyplace else within the league. Each franchises are extraordinarily properly positioned to sacrifice picks/prospects to get speedy assist…
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February three, 2018
TB has all of its personal draft picks for the subsequent three years; NSH nonetheless owns its first-spherical picks for the subsequent three years and whereas they’ve dealt some 2nd and third spherical picks the Preds are nonetheless comparatively properly positioned in that regard…
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February three, 2018
TB, particularly, have a variety of prospects within the pipeline that may be included in a trade. TB main want is for a veteran defenceman; NSH main goal can be a top six scoring winger…
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February three, 2018
…I feel TB and NSH are holding open minds on all prospects, which is to recommend they gained’t restrict themselves to both “leases” or guys with time period. No matter is sensible in every particular case, no matter might make them higher…
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February three, 2018
…Each groups seem to wanting on the traditional (trade bait) suspects. Allowing for “taking a look at” isn’t the identical as “buying and selling for,” TB, for instance, can be doing due diligence on a bunch of D, together with a man like NYR Ryan McDonagh amongst others…
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February three, 2018
…NSH, in the meantime, can be taking a look at all scoring winger prospects and that listing might embrace guys like Gustav Nyquist or Tomas Tatar in DET, although nobody is suggesting DET is for positive shifting these guys…
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February three, 2018
…as a lot as leases could seem the best way to go for monetary/cap causes, TB and NSH would each really feel they’re positioned properly for the subsequent variety of years to contend, so if the fitting deal for a time period participant might be struck, it might be a greater choice…
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February three, 2018
That is so much to digest and, as McKenzie notes, is little greater than meals for thought at this stage.
Feb. 2
Henrik Lundqvist dedicated to Rangers rebuild
Particulars: A New York Publish report detailed the Rangers’ willingness to trade off veterans such as Rick Nash, Michael Grabner, Ryan McDonagh and Mats Zuccarello, all of whom carry contracts which expire this offseason or subsequent. In different phrases, the Blueshirts might blow issues up. And whereas that would appear to put 35-yr-previous Henrik Lundqvist’s future with the franchise in query, the longtime Rangers netminder says he needs to stay round and “battle via the ups and downs, the great and the dangerous.”
MORE: Top 15 NHL veterans with no Stanley Cup
Islanders GM: ‘I am not buying and selling John Tavares’
John Tavares, a pending unrestricted free agent, stays with no contract extension. And as the Islanders slip up within the Metropolitan Division playoff race, hypothesis grows about whether or not GM Garth Snow ought to trade the face of the franchise moderately than lose him for nothing July 1. It seems like that hypothesis is unfounded.
“I’m not buying and selling John Tavares,’’ the Islanders common supervisor informed The Athletic.
