NHL Rumors: Sutter snaps at Flames trade talk, Rangers trade deadline approach, and more
Anthony Scultore
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The Calgary Flames are back on track with their fourth consecutive victory. There’s no denying that they are a hard team to play against with solid goaltending.
On the heels of Flames GM Brad Treliving saying that he would like to bolster the team’s secondary scoring, head coach Darryl Sutter was asked about his thoughts.
NHL Rumors: Sutter snaps at Flames trade talk
“Then you talk to him about it,” Sutter said while slapping the table. “I coach the players. I have zero input on your gossip or your stories. You want to talk about players or our team, you talk to management. The coach plays the players he’s got and uses them accordingly.”
The 63 year-old was obviously in no mood to discuss speculation about roster needs. However, the Flames have been looking for another forward for some time and have been attached to Montreal’s Tyler Toffoli.
“If there is an area that he is looking at right now it’s secondary scoring, perhaps a dip into that trade market,” Pierre LeBrun reported on TSN’s Insider Trading. “I think he’s got natural trade partners in teams like the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators in terms of looking at the forward market.”
New York Rangers trade deadline approach
Over the last two months, the Blueshirts have been mentioned on TSN’s Insider Trading, Sportsnet’s 32 Thoughts, and The Daily Faceoff numerous times.
“Chris Drury, the general manager for the New York Rangers, is looking for a middle-six forward, which isn’t a term we use often in hockey,” Darren Dreger said before Thanksgiving. “That can be a third-line player or someone who can punch into the top six.”
After 47 games, the New York Rangers are one of the top teams in the League. Their record of 30-13-4 for 64 points is ranked 5th overall. They’ve done this with needing a top six right wing and upgrade on third pair left defense.
The Rangers deadline approach should be to go for it this season. However, do so without gutting all your best trade chips in one fell swoop. Drury and head coach Gerard Gallant need to see how this team does in the playoffs.
It would be wise to go for rentals like Vegas’ Reilly Smith and Seattle’s Mark Gioradano to fill holes for a playoff run. The cost would be much smaller than going for players with term, especially with the team needing to extend forwards Ryan Strome and Kaapo Kakko.
Oilers fire Dave Tippet
The Edmonton Oilers have fired head coach Dave Tippet. At this time they team has promoted AHL coach Jay Woodcroft.
Will the Oilers make a more permanent change this season? Are we looking at the return of Mike Babcock? This will be an interesting storyline to follow.
