NHL Rumors: Metro Division buyers and sellers
Anthony Scultore
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The NHL Trade Deadline is on March 3 and the picture of who will likely be buyers or sellers is starting to take shape. We attempt to clarify this over the next several installments of NHL Rumors.
We’ve already reviewed the Atlantic and Central Divisions, today we check out the Metro.
NHL Rumors: Metro Division’s Buyers
Carolina Hurricanes: 27-9-8, 62 points (1st place)
Trade Targets: Ryan O’Reilly, Jonathan Toews
Trade Chips: 2023 first-round pick, prospects
Buzz: The Canes are one of the most complete teams in the league, but have yet to replace center Vincent Trocheck. A deadline move for a center like Jonathan Toews or Ryan O’Reilly would be exactly what they need.
New Jersey Devils: 29-12-3, 61 points (2nd place)
Trade Targets: Vladimir Tarasenko, James van Riemsdyk, Bo Horvat
Trade Chips: 2023 first-round pick, Damon Severson, Tomas Tatar, Erik Haula
Buzz: The Devils are the surprise team of the season as far as I am concerned. They are also a hard team to peg as to what their deadline plans might be. If they hold a playoff spot, I could see them trying to make a play for more scoring on the rental market. They also be serious players for Bo Horvat to strengthen their future at center. What makes them even more intriguing is the UFAs they could sell off for more future pieces.
New York Rangers: 25-13-7, 57 points (3rd place)
Trade Targets: Patrick Kane, Vladimir Tarasenko, Ivan Barbashev, Dmitry Kulikov
Trade Chips: Two 2023 first-round picks, Vitali Kravtsov, Zac Jones, prospects
Buzz: If there’s a high-profile player available, someone will most assuredly connect them to the Rangers. Frank Seravalli did just that regarding Sharks forward Timo Meier, but much like Bo Horvat I don’t see them fitting the Rangers cap plans. New York is going to be all in for Patrick Kane and have Vladimir Tarasenko as a back up. If the Rangers have some additional cap space at the deadline, depth moves like forward Ivan Barbashev and/or defenseman Dmitry Kulikov makes sense.
Washington Capitals: 24-17-6, 54 points (4th place)
Trade Targets: Bo Horvat, Ivan Barbashev, Max Domi, Vladislav Gavrikov
Trade Chips: 2023 first-round picks, prospects
Buzz: The Capitals will have plenty of cap space for next season, but have a lot of holes they need to fill. Nicklas Backstrom has had a long history of hip issues and missed a chunk of this season. Can he finish the two years remaining on his contract? That’s why I think the Capitals could be eventual players for Bo Horvat. Otherwise, they could look to add a few other rental forwards to improve depth. I wouldn’t rule out adding a defenseman.
NHL Rumors: Metro Division’s Undecided
Pittsburgh Penguins: 22-15-6, 50 points (5th place)
Trade Targets: Young cost controlled assets
Trade Chips: Jason Zucker, Teddy Blueger, Brian Dumoulin, Jake Guentzel
Buzz: I’m struggling to understand what the plan is for the Pens even more than the Devils. Pittsburgh gave big contracts to aging vets Kris Letang, Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust, and Rickard Rakell. They have several players who are UFAs, and if they are out of the playoffs could look to improve their cap situation by trading Jake Guentzel and his one more season at $6 million. Or they can stun everyone and trade for Patrick Kane, because they’re the Penguins.
New York Islanders: 23-18-4, 50 points (6th place)
Trade Targets: Bo Horvat, Timo Meier, Vladimir Tarasenko
Trade Chips: 2023 first-round pick, Oliver Wahlstrom, Sebastian Aho, Aatu Raty
Buzz: The Islanders desperately need more offense to support Mat Barzal and Anders Lee. This team has trouble getting free agents like Johnny Gaudreau and Nazem Kadri to sign with them, so how about going the trade route? Bo Horvat and Timo Meier would be ideal for this club, but only if Lou Lamoriello can work out an extension before sending over the assets. If the Isles are in a playoff spot come March, a rental like Vladimir Tarasenko makes sense.
NHL Rumors: Metro Division’s Sellers
Philadelphia Flyers: 19-19-7, 45 points (7th place)
Trade Targets: Draft picks and prospects
Trade Chips: Kevin Hayes, James van Riemsdyk, Ivan Provorov
Buzz: The Flyers likely won’t get enough lottery balls to win the Connor Bedard sweepstakes, but this team needs some serious changes. If they are committed to John Tortorella, then they need to get players that fit his system and style.
Columbus Blue Jackets: 13-29-2, 28 points (8th place)
Trade Targets: Draft picks and prospects
Trade Chips: Jack Roslovic, Vladislav Gavrikov, Gustav Nyquist, Joonas Korpisalo
Buzz: It’s all about the lottery this season for the Blue Jackets as they are real players to get Connor Bedard. That being said, they have plenty of assets to sell off at the deadline for more picks and prospects.
