NHL Rumors: Hurricanes aggressive on trade market, teams calling Canucks, and Habs considering female GM
Anthony Scultore
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The Carolina Hurricanes believe this is their year to win the Stanley Cup. In the offseason, they were bold by successfully signing Canadiens RFA, Jesperi Kotkaniemi to an offer-sheet.
It also came to be known that GM Don Waddell was in talks with the Buffalo Sabres to try and acquire Jack Eichel before he landed with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Per multiple reports, the Hurricanes will be one of the more aggressive teams leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline on March 21, 2022.
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NHL Rumors: Canes likely to be aggressive buyers
Aside from going for Eichel, the Canes are attached to eventual trade deadline rental defenseman, John Klingberg of the Dallas Stars.
“A few teams have expressed interest and contacted the Dallas Stars,” Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek said in late November. “The one team we know that has called are the Carolina Hurricanes… a team that’s always looking for a quality hockey player.”
Klingberg, 29, has 9 points in 20 games this year, and is headed towards UFA status in the summer. According to reports, the two sides have been talking but so far they appear to be far apart on terms.
The Hurricanes are also probably looking at other top rentals to help them up front. Claude Giroux of the Philadelphia Flyers immediately jumps out to me, with Tomas Hertl as another possibility should the Sharks opt to make him available.
Canucks new president getting a lot of calls already
Vancouver Canucks new President Jim Rutherford had yet to step foot in his new office before getting hammered by other GMs about trades.
“I’ve already got calls even before I got to Vancouver,” Rutherford said with a laugh. “You know, ‘I like this player or that player – don’t forget me – give me a call if you decide to move somebody’, but if something pretty good comes along that improves out team now and in the long run, we’ll take a look at it.”
The 72 year-old is one of the most highly regarded executives in the industry and has plenty of connections around the league. What he wanted to make clear in his intro press conference is that he’s still evaluating the team.
“I’m not in a hurry to make a trade,” Rutherford explained.
Looks like J.T. Miller is going to stick around awhile longer in Vancouver.
Habs will interview at least 3 women for GM
The Athletic confirmed that the Montreal Canadiens GM search has at least three women to be interviewed for the position.
We are told that an extensive list has already been drawn up and it will take a long time to interview all the candidates the Canadiens are eyeing. This will not be a quick process. Among that long list, we are also told there are at least three women being looked at for the position.
The Athletic (subscription required)
In an article in The Province they mentioned:
- Gina Kingsbury: Hockey Canada’s director of women’s national teams.
- Emilie Castonguay: First female NHLPA Certified Agent in Canada
- Danielle Goyette: Director of Player Development for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the AHL affiliate Marlies
Of the three, new VP of Hockey Operations Jeff Gorton has had a prior working relationship with Castonguay. She is the agent for 2020 first overall selection Alexis Lafreniére, whom Gorton drafted.
