NHL Rumors: Vladimir Tarasenko in Seattle, Red Wings and Lightning on the verge of a trade, and more
Anthony Scultore
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One theme that will carry throughout the year will be what teams will do about the expansion draft in the summer. Recently, we discussed the talked about possibilities of Patrik Laine being traded to the Seattle Kraken and we continue with another big name today.
NHL Rumors: Tarasenko the Kraken?
St. Louis Today’s Jim Thomas was asked if he thinks the Blues would expose Vladimir Tarasenko or David Perron to the Kraken in expansion. Here was his response:
As long as you believe the window of opportunity is open as a legit contender, I don’t think you can throw your veterans overboard. Perron is playing better than he ever has in terms of production. And you’d hate to make the wrong decision on Vladi and see him end up a 30-goal scorer again — as a Kraken. Remember, at worst you’re losing only one player. So if you lose a Sammy Blais, you get to keep an Oskar Sundqvist, Zach Sanford, Ivan Barbashev and all the defensemen.
St. Louis Today
Still the question makes sense but is flawed. Tarasenko has a full no trade clause and must be protected. The question is would the Blues try to trade him to protect other players? And would Ron Francis take such a huge gamble on a forward prone to injury with a cap hit of $7.5 million.
Currently, Tarasenko is healing from surgery but is expected to play this season. Again, this won’t matter unless he’s is willing to waive his clause.
Rumblings growing between Detroit and Tampa Bay
The Steve Yzerman and Tampa Bay Lightning connection may be coming into play soon. Detroit’s GM may be a trade partner in Tampa’s desire to move money.
Tampa locked up one of their two big RFA’s when they signed Mikhail Sergachev to a three year deal ($4.8M AAV). That put the Lightning over the cap with RFA Anthony Cirelli still left unsigned.
After the signing, GM Julien BriseBois said he is confident he will get it done with Cirelli. “There’s significant will on our end to make that happen,” he told The Athletic. “I know I have to move players to make that happen, and I’m confident I’ll be able to move the players to create cap space.”
Enter the Detroit Red Wings and their ample cap space. Could Yzerman pull a deal similar to the one he made with the Rangers for Marc Staal? In order to get Detroit to take the full cap hit, NY had to add a 2nd round pick in 2021. It’s extremely likely that Yzerman may get something similar to take on Tyler Johnson or Alex Killorn in a deal.
In recent days, there’s been increased noise that these two have discussed a deal for either Tyler Johnson or Alex Killorn.
Tampa may try and trade Ryan McDonagh
A new name hitting the trade rumor mill is Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh. The 31 year-old defender makes $6.75 million against the cap with 6 years left on his deal.
There will be interest in McDonagh but the Lightning will have to first get him to waive his no trade clause and eat some salary to make it work.