NHL Rumors: Patrik Laine for Pierre-Luc Dubois trade, Marc Staal likely to be move at deadline, and more
Anthony Scultore
|
Just when you thought it was safe to not talk about Patrik Laine in the NHL Rumors mill, he surges like a shark from the depths. All that’s missing in the JAWS theme music.
NHL Rumors: Patrik Laine for Pierre-Luc Dubois
Pierre Lebrun brings up two huge trade candidates for this upcoming season and spitballs the idea that a swap for Laine and Dubois isn’t crazy.
Sources confirm the likes of Philadelphia, Carolina and Columbus spoke to Winnipeg about Laine back in the fall, but nothing came of it. At least not yet. And it’s ironic of course that Kekalainen had shown interest in Laine when now it’s him, too, that has a young star putting him in a tough spot… Laine for Dubois? I mean, it’s not the craziest notion ever.
The Athletic
Not a crazy notion, in essence the Jackets and Jets would just be trading the #2 and #3 picks of the 2016 Draft. Patrik Laine is still at the top of our trade bait board, and Pierre-Luc Dubois is about to get added. More coming on this soon.
NHL Rumors: Marc Staal likely to be traded at the NHL Trade Deadline
Red Wings GM, Steve Yzerman addressed the media after the trade and explained the move. “As part of our rebuilding process, we’re trying to add draft picks, prospects, young players, future assets, really, to help us down the line. That’s kind of where we are,” he explained.
“In this trade, obviously we’re acquiring [Marc Staal] and we get a second-round pick in the [2021] draft,” Yzerman continued. “We’re trying to be competitive. We’re trying to improve at the same time. So in this deal, not only [do] we get a defenseman that will go right into our lineup, that plugs a huge hole for us, we add future assets as well.”
The second round pick was the sweetener the Rangers needed to add for the Wings to take on the full contract. With Marc Staal being in the last year of his deal, it would make sense for Detroit to gain another pick by moving him to a contender at the deadline.
Bruins injury news
Brad Marchand says he expects to be ready for the start of the season and David Pastrnak may not miss the amount of time initially expected.