NHL Rumors: Senators want hockey trades, Rangers’ Georgiev moving on, and Blues eye vet defenseman
Anthony Scultore
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The Ottawa Sellers, err– I mean Senators are once again fielding offers for players with an eye on the future.
“We’re definitely hoping this is our last deadline as a seller,’’ GM Pierre Dorion told Pierre LeBrun this week. Whether that’s the case or not will depend on the maturation of players like Tim Stutzle and maybe some NHL-level goaltending.
NHL Rumors: Senators looking at hockey deals
The Senators currently sit sixth in the Atlantic Division with a record of 18-25-4 for 40 points. There are signs of improvement and Dorion may be right about not needing to sell at the trade deadline next season.
However, they are definitely in that position this year and have several UFAs they can move.
Here’s a list of their pending UFA players:
- Chris Tierney, F, 27 ($3.5M)
- Zach Sanford, F, 27 ($2M)
- Nick Paul, F, 26 ($1.35M)
- Tyler Ennis, F, 32 ($900K)
- Scott Sabourin, F, 29, ($750K)
- Josh Brown, D, 28, ($1.2M)
- Anton Forsberg, G, 29, ($900K)
What are they looking for by way of a return? Pierre Dorion’s team certainly doesn’t need anymore draft picks at this point.
“In a perfect world, you’d like to use the trade deadline to set up your team for next year,’’ said Dorion. “But the focus on what’s happening at the deadline is that [playoff] teams are trying to build their roster to have the best playoff run possible.
“Obviously, we would like to make hockey deals. Maybe a hockey deal is made between two teams that aren’t gunning for it this year.”
via TSN
Dorion also added that he’s be willing to move his first round pick if the right deal came along.
Rangers ready to move Alexandar Georgiev?
Alexandar Georgiev rebounded nicely after a slow start to this season. After being temporarily thrusted into the #1 role when Igor Shesterkin injured his groin on December 3rd. He’s proven to be a more than capable backup with starting goalie potential.
The 25 year-old’s numbers have improved drastically over the last few months to 7-7-2 record with a 2.98 GAA and an .898 SV%. His status as a pending RFA and the Rangers future cap situation will have them looking for a cheaper option going forward. Georgiev makes $2.5M and his qualifying offer must be at least that much.
Larry Brooks of the NY Post believes that the Rangers may trade him at the deadline. That means they will need to bring in a capable backup. For that he suggests Detroit’s Thomas Greiss or Vancouver’s Jaro Halak.
The Vegas Golden Knights have recently expressed interest in acquiring Georgiev as well.
Blues eye veteran defenseman
Recently, GM Doug Armstrong spoke with Pierre LeBrun, who came away with the impression that he’ll be seeking a left handed defender.
In a recent article in The Athletic, several suggestions were made on just who the Blues may target at the trade deadline.
Here’s the target list:
- Jakob Chychrun (ARI)
- Ben Chiarot (MTL)
- Hampus Lindholm (ANA)
- Mark Giordano (SEA)
- Zdeno Chara (NYI)
Aside from Chychrun, the rest are all pending UFAs.
