NHL Rumors: Third party for Claude Giroux trade, Maple Leafs goalie hunt, and Blues after defense
Anthony Scultore
|
The NHL Rumors mill is still very noisy even if there’s been no actual movement with the NHL trade deadline now 10 days away.
Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux remains the top trade bait candidate out there. It’s all but set in stone that he will be traded after he plays his 1000th game with the Flyers on March 17.
While it may take up until the deadline day on March 21 to consummate a deal, it is coming.
NHL Rumors: Claude Giroux trade may need third party
On the latest edition of TSN’s Insider Trading, Pierre LeBrun provided the following update:
It might need a third team. It’s not the preferred route. If you’re the team acquiring Claude Giroux, you don’t really want to pay an asset to a middle team – it could be as high as a second or a third-round pick on top of what you have to give the Flyers. The Flyers would also rather just have a straight deal with another team and not involve a third team. I’m told the Flyers have at least one team perhaps where they can do that with a team that could bring a contract back and make it a two-team deal, but, again, no guarantee that this trade goes through.
TSN
Right now, there are three teams reportedly in on Giroux. Florida, Colorado, and St. Louis. All have an equal chance of adding him at the deadline. However, they may require the services of a third party to eat some of his cap hit.
The two teams that have already openly stated they would be willing to lend cap support are the Arizona Coyotes and Seattle Kraken. Depending how much cap is required to be eaten will determine what the cost is going to be.
As a scale, eating 50% of whatever remains after the Flyers retain may cost the acquiring team a second or third round pick.
NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs goalie hunt?
The Leafs goaltending situation heading into the trade deadline is not looking good. Jack Campbell has struggled and is now out for 2 weeks due to an issue with his ribs. Petr Mrazek has not faired any better with no injury to speak of.
This has the Maple Leafs exploring the goalie market, and according to Pierre LeBrun they’ve even called Chicago about Marc-Andre Fleury. He also made it clear that this was exploratory and not considered serious.
It still raises the question of what Toronto may do in goal. There are several goalies out there rumored to be available, and if Fleury is too cost prohibitive what about Braden Holtby in Dallas? The former Stanley Cup champion would be an incredible addition for a team with Championship aspirations.
St. Louis Blues targeting Ben Chiarot
The St. Louis Blues are in the market for a defenseman, preferably a left handed one for the trade deadline.
One player they were looking at was Seattle Kraken defenseman Mark Giordano. According to Jim Rutherford of The Athletic, they are no longer in discussions for the veteran. The defenseman they are after is Montreal’s Ben Chiarot.
The Blues have been scouting Chiarot throughout the season, and just last week, Troy Brouwer, a former Blues forward and current part-time scout for the club, was in attendance for two Montreal games in Edmonton and Calgar
The Athletic (sub required)
Will the Blues give up the 1st rd pick and top prospect it will take to land him is the only question?
