NHL Rumors: Mark Giordano will be traded, plus latest on Filip Forsberg, Devils, and Maple Leafs
Anthony Scultore
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Mark Giordano is going to be heading to a new address by the March 21st NHL Trade Deadline. After months of speculation, the veteran defenseman is expected to be exiting the expansion Seattle Kraken to go make a run at a Stanley Cup.
In addition, today’s NHL Rumors will check in on what the top insiders are saying about Nashville Predators pending UFA forward Filip Forsberg. Plus the New Jersey Devils are in the market for a goalie and the Toronto Maple Leafs may now have prioritized a defenseman for the trade deadline.
NHL Rumors: Mark Giordano trade
There have been rumors that the Kraken, who are in last place in the Pacific Division, might entertain offers for Giordano before the league’s March 21 trade deadline. GM Ron Francis said that he would eventually sit down with his captain and make a decision.
According to Pierre LeBrun that conversation has taken place and Francis will work to find him a contender.
We told you a couple weeks ago that there was going to be a conversation between Giordano, the Seattle Kraken’s captain, and general manager Ron Francis. That chat has occurred. And what the two have decided is that Seattle will explore the trade market for their veteran captain, see what’s out there, and most likely move him. And in general I’m told they hope to be aggressive with all their cap space in terms of making other moves.
TSN
Giordano has 23 points in 48 games for the Kraken. He is exactly what contending teams will be looking for at the deadline
“You definitely realize time is ticking when you get to my age,” Giordano told The Athletic recently. “You only have so many more cracks at winning the Cup. That’s my goal from here on out in my career. It’s not about anything else but that.”
Giordano said he wants to play at least one more season and my favorite landing spot is his old team the Calgary Flames.
Filip Forsberg trade rumors
Yesterday, I said that rumors regarding the Nashville Predators “actively shopping” pending UFA forward Filip Forsberg seemed like a stretch. I added that it sounded like due diligence and last night, both Darren Dreger and Friedman echoed the sentiments.
Dreger: The talks with Filip Forsberg and his agent, J.P. Barry, remain in the preliminary stage which is fuelling speculation with the trade deadline now less than one month away… For Filip Forsberg, who is 27 years of age, to stay with the Predators long term, his cap hit and his expected salary is going to have to be north of $8 million.
Friedman: Forsberg knows that, if he wants to stay in Tennessee, he’s going to have to come in lower than Roman Josi’s $9.059M. I wouldn’t be surprised if Forsberg initially asked higher — you don’t negotiate against yourself — but that’s where everyone’s got to get to: the sweet spot between those two numbers. (Plus structure and no-trade protection.) There’s time. I believe there is a will for both sides to get there. If we get to the deadline and the Predators don’t believe they can sign him, that’s when a trade becomes possible.
Forsberg is in the final year of a six-year contract agreed to in 2016-17. That deal was for $6M AAV against the cap and his next one is expected to be much higher. This season, he’s scored 44 points through 39 games.
New Jersey Devils hunting for a goalie
On TSN’s latest Insider Trading hit, the mentioned that the New Jersey Devils could be in the market for a goalie.
“So the Devils now are calling around the league with a pretty aggressive nature trying to find a goaltender for the rest of the season,” LeBrun said after the Devils lost two goalies to injury. “Which of course might be of interest to the Edmonton Oilers, who are looking at goalie options.”
Here’s a potentially not so crazy thought, but maybe there is a trade to work with their Hudson River rival New York Rangers. Lindy Ruff was an assistant coach with the Blueshirts and knows goaltender Alexandar Georgiev well.
Georgiev was recently listed 8th on TSN’s Trade Bait List. He’s been the subject of trade talks for awhile.
Maple Leafs called about John Klingberg
The Toronto Maple Leafs have lost defenseman Jake Muzzin to a concussion and that seems to have shifted their priorities in using their LTIR cap relief on a defenseman.
While I do think JT Miller is perfect for them — and they have talked to Vancouver — I don’t think the Maple Leafs feel that is their number one priority. They aren’t finished trying to tinker with their blue line, and, at the very least, must be considering goaltending options. They had conversations with Dallas about John Klingberg, and may revisit after adding some edge they desired in Ilya Lyubushkin. By my math, they could have $7M in cap room, although a pre-playoff return for Muzzin complicates that.
Elliotte Friedman
Klingberg, 29, has 26 points in 44 games and is looking for a new deal in the $8M AAV range. Dallas is unlikely to give him that making him a prime rental candidate. He currently makes $4.25M against the cap.
