NHL Rumors: Trade Deadline outlook, P.K. Subban sleeper trade candidate, and Rangers had offer on table for Jack Eichel
Anthony Scultore
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We are just a little over three weeks away from the NHL Trade Deadline on April 12 and the outlook for what’s coming is confusing and bleak. First off, we begin with the fact two sellers are now looking at potentially becoming buyers. Both the Blue Jackets and Canucks are in or close to a playoff spot and joined a crowded market.
NHL Rumors: Trade Deadline outlook
Before we all get too excited about a plethora of trades, the 14 day quarantine in Canada is going to essentially confine the seven teams north of the border to deal among themselves. And with essentially six teams in the running for four spots as of today, that leaves the Senators as the only sellers.
As many analysts have commented, the time off Pierre Luc-Dubois had to deal with caused a very slow start for the 22 year-old. How many veterans like Eric Staal who is 36 are going to do well with that lay off? It’s really unlikely that Canadian teams will be looking at U.S. teams for help here. Of course, you never now.
On last night’s Sportsnet’s Saturday Headlines, both Elliotte Friedman laid out the bleak case. They did note that the Maple Leafs who have been rumored in the hunt for a forward could very well add a defenseman instead. The Oilers and Flames may both be quite at the deadline.
NHL Rumors: PK Subban a sleeper trade candidate
There was a lot of talk early in the season that the NJ Devils may expose PK Subban to the Seattle Kraken in the expansion draft. Now there’s some thought that the dynamic defender, who doesn’t have a no-trade clause could get moved at the deadline.
Today, Larry Brooks of the NY Post is looking at Subban as a legit trade bait candidate.
The Spirit of 76 has one year with a $9 million cap hit remaining on his deal. If the Devils retain half, contenders with needs on the right side of the blue line could do much worse than acquiring Subban.
Larry Brooks, NY Post
In an article by Scott Burnside of The Athletic earlier this month, he spoke with a source familiar with the Devils organization that believes Subban could very well be moved. One potential team to try and add his talents are the Bruins.
NHL Rumors: Rangers had an offer on the table for Jack Eichel this past offseason
The New York Rangers and Jack Eichel have been linked in the NHL Rumor Mill for quite awhile. That was only reinforced when one of hockey’s top insiders, Bob McKenzie confirmed they called about him this past offseason.
Eric Duhatschek of The Athletic noted in a January mailbag article that, “the Rangers made a hard push on Jack Eichel last summer, but ultimately, couldn’t get anything done.”
This isn’t surprising since it’s no secret that the Rangers want to add another star center to the roster. They have Mika Zibanejad but would love an upgrade over Ryan Strome. This prompted me to write about the possibility of a Jack Eichel trade to the Rangers all the way back in April of 2020.
Now in a recent episode of the Lead Off, Elliotte Friedman states that the New York Rangers actually had an offer on the table. “The team with the best combination of the want and ability to do it is the Rangers, but is Buffalo going to be comfortable sending him there,” Friedman explained. “Last year they talked – there was an offer on the table I don’t think it included the #1 pick and I’m sure Buffalo asked. There was an offer on the table I understand was pretty reasonable.”
So there it is, Eichel has been rumored now for awhile and the Rangers continue to be the most interested and strongly connected team to land him.