NHL Rumors: Rangers stocking up for trade deadline, and Canes shopping Ethan Bear
Anthony Scultore
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Today’s edition of NHL Rumors starts off with another look at the New York Rangers trade of Nils Lundkvist and its potential ramification.
We then head over to Carolina where the Hurricanes are shopping a young defenseman for cap space.
NHL Rumors: New York Rangers stocking up
The New York Rangers shipped out defenseman Nils Lundkvist to the Dallas Stars in exchange for a conditional first round and fourth round pick.
“I understand that you have to fight your way up, but I couldn’t really see a way forward for me,” Lundkvist said. “So a trade felt like the best solution.”
That first round pick is top-ten protected in 2023. If the Stars fail to make the playoffs this season and select 10 or lower, the Rangers automatically get Dallas’ first round pick in 2024.
Lundkvist, 22, registered four points in 25 games last season and is a former first round pick, 28th overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He will bolster the Stars right side defense and give them a potential future power play quarterback.
New York is considered a Stanley Cup contender, and are now armed with two potential first round picks for the next draft in June. General manager Chris Drury can now sweeten the pot for any potential high-profile rental come the NHL Trade Deadline on March 3.
General manager Chris Drury has acquired a critical asset he can move for immediate help at the deadline… That is the crux of the matter for the Blueshirts, who will have two first-rounders with which to play as the rental market — in this space known as The Patrick Kane Derby — takes shape.
Larry Brooks, NY Post
Whether it is Patrick Kane or someone else, the Rangers have plenty of assets to acquire key pieces for another long playoff run.
Hurricanes shopping Ethan Bear
The Carolina Hurricanes re-signed defenseman Ethan Bear to a one-year, $2.2 million contract this past July after acquiring in July 2021 for forward Warren Foegele.
Now it appears that they may be looking to move him for some cap space.
Multiple league sources have told TFP the Hurricanes are gauging the market on defenceman Ethan Bear, who is making $2.2 million this season and can become a restricted free agent next summer.
Various reports have linked the Ottawa Senators, Vancouver Canucks and Chicago Blackhawks to the 25-year-old.
The Fourth Period
Bear, 25, posted 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 58 games in his first season with Carolina in 2021-22. He has 47 points (13 goals, 34 assists) in 190 career games with the Edmonton Oilers (2017-21) and Hurricanes.
According to CapFriendly, the Canes are entering the season $2.6 million over the cap, so it’s unlikely Bear is the only move they’ll be looking to make.
