NHL Rumors: John Klingberg, Ryan O’Reilly, Andrei Kuzmenko, and Gustav Nyquist
Anthony Scultore
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The latest NHL Rumors takes a look at John Klingberg, Ryan O’Reilly, Andrei Kuzmenko, and Gustav Nyquist.
NHL Rumors: John Klingberg
The Anaheim Ducks will be selling several assets come the NHL Trade Deadline on March 3. One of these players is defenseman John Klingberg, who purposely signed a one-year deal banking on himself in the hopes of first attracting a contender at the deadline and then a team for a multi-year deal in free agency. It hasn’t really panned out so far.
Klingberg, 30, has registered just 15 points in 40 games this season with a -26 rating.
According to multiple reports, the Ducks are asking for a first-round pick. That may have to come down unless Klingberg can pick up the pace.
There will be several contenders that would love to add Klingberg for depth. When playing for the Dallas Stars last season, he notched 47 points in 74 games.
NHL Rumors: Andrei Kuzmenko
The Vancouver Canucks may be looking to lock up Andrei Kuzmenko to a contract extension in the near future.
According to Kevin Weekes, it would be a bridge deal for two-years with an AAV in the neighborhood of $5M to $6M.
Kuzmenko, 26, has recored 43 points in 46 this season. The Canucks signed him to a one-year, entry level contract out of the KHL this past July.
NHL Rumors: Ryan O’Reilly
The St. Louis Blues are teetering this season for a playoff berth as they’re 6 points out starting action today. This has many insiders anticipating the Blues will be sellers and that includes moving their captain Ryan O’Reilly, who is on the market per Darren Dreger.
We know he’s hurt, he’s going to a be out for a while and it’s still early because the Blues, like all clubs who are looking at the playoff picture, don’t know if they are willing to go all in yet. But the ask for Ryan O’Reilly is going to be similar what normally would be for a player of similar stature – you’re talking about draft picks, you’re talking about a prospect, the draft pick could be determined by the quality of the prospect so, it is again still early, but Ryan O’Reilly is officially in play.
Darren Dreger, TSN
O’Reilly, 31, has 16 points in 37 games and is out with a broken foot but expected back by the trade deadline.
The pending UFA has not made any progress on a contract extension with the Blues. Both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Colorado Avalanche are linked to the center.
NHL Rumors: Gustav Nyquist
Another forward drawing interest is Columbus Blue Jackets forward Gustav Nyquist, who will be a UFA this summer.
Nyquist, 33, has picked up 22 points in 47 games this season on a very bad team. Once wingers like Patrick Kane, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Timo Meier go off the board, contenders will turn to a player like him.
According to Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff, it looks like he would be a fit for teams like the Winnipeg Jets, New Jersey Devils, Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers.
