NHL Rumors Central Division: Will Patrick Kane leave? Are the Blues sellers?
Anthony Scultore
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Today’s NHL Rumors looks at each team in the Central Division and their outlook a month away from the NHL Trade Deadline set for March 3.
NHL Rumors: Will big Central stars be moved?
Arizona Coyotes: Honest question, will Jakob Chychrun ever be traded? This saga has gone on for a long time and it doesn’t sound like an end is near. Arizona is asking for way too much and no one is biting. The Ottawa Senators were believed to be close, but ultimately balked at the ask. Currently, it’s believed the Los Angeles Kings are in the hunt.
Chicago Blackhawks: The Central is the division of sellers and none will be bigger than the Hawks. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are believed to be on the move with both players having teams reach out to their agents about interest. At the end of the day, they’ll ultimately decide if they’ll want to go as they each have a full no-move clause. Also keep an eye on Max Domi to be traded soon.
“We talked about it in the summer with Pat (Brisson, his agent),” Kane said. “We’ll just probably be taking it up to the deadline and making a decision. I mean, he’s told me a few that have reached out to him. So yeah, we’ll probably talk about that possibly too, if that’s an option of getting traded and obviously figure out a team that could be the best fit. But we’re not really at that point either.”
NHL.com
Colorado Avalanche: The Avs will absolutely be buyers at the deadline but the question is just who are they targeting? GM Joe Sakic is believed to be looking to add a center with both Toews and the Blues’ Ryan O’Reilly as potential candidates. Cap and asset issues may make it difficult, so Montreal Canadiens Sean Monahan seems a better fit.
“I think the Colorado Avalanche is a team to monitor when it comes to Sean Monahan,” Pierre LeBrun stated on TSN’s Insider Trading. “They don’t have a lot of future assets… That’s why I think a guy like Monahan makes sense and that’s why it’s a name I know the Avs have talked about.”
Dallas Stars: The Stars would like to add more scoring to their lineup at the deadline. They’ve been recently linked to Patrick Kane, but if he decides to waive I don’t think he’ll go to a division rival. Other interesting names for Dallas are Detroit’s Tyler Bertuzzi, and Philly’s James van Riesmdyk.
Minnesota Wild: GM Bill Guerin would like to add a little more offense, preferably a center to his lineup. He may also be looking for a cheap replacement on defense if he opts to move Matt Dumba before letting him walk as a UFA. The Avs may be competing with Dallas for Monahan’s services.
“I’m just making the absolute most of it and enjoying every day as a Minnesota Wild player,” Dumba told The Athletic “I’m trying to make the most of coming to the rink every day with these guys because you never know when things could change. I’m trying to stay in the moment, and that’s how I deal with it.”
Nashville Predators: To rebuild or not rebuild, that is the annual question when it comes to the Predators. This is the one team I can’t put my finger on. Since they’e not likely to make the playoffs, they may move some vets to refresh the prospect cupboard.
Winnipeg Jets: The Jets are a good hockey team that should get better with health. That being said, expect them to add some depth pieces like the aforementioned Domi to their lineup.
St. Louis Blues: While everyone wonders what the Blues will do regarding pending UFA and captain, Ryan O’Reilly, many believe Vladimir Tarasenko is a sure deadline trade. St. Louis is teetering for a playoff spot and have several UFA’s they can move to retool their lineup for next season.
“Vladi doesn’t know the future of Vladi,” Tarasenko said. “There is only one guy who knows more than me, and his name is Doug Armstrong. I think that’s the guy who you should talk about my future with the Blues (with).”
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