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Hawks and Kings on the hunt for forward help |
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NHL Rumor Buzz is Hockeybuzz’s version of an aggregator blog, similar to Spectorshockey.net or MyNHLTradeRumors. It is the home for the latest NHL trade rumors from other mainstream sources and websites other than Hockeybuzz. It will include our thoughts on the rumor in question and will be updated each day as new rumors surface.
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David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune lists the Hawks options for adding a top six winger to play with Jonathan Toews.
Tantalizing trade options such as wingers James van Riemsdyk of the Leafs and Gabriel Landeskog of the Avalanche have been rumored, and either player would be expensive enough to require some slick financial maneuvering by (Chicago GM Stan)Bowman — not to mention the willingness to potentially part with a veteran defenseman.
Another intriguing name to watch could be a familiar one: Patrick Sharp, the left winger whose contract expires at the end of the season. If Dallas continues to slide out of playoff contention, perhaps the Stars would align for a Hawks reunion, albeit brief.
THE BUZZ – Weighing the likelihood of the options, the Leafs and Avalanche are both looking for a top-four defenseman. Chicago is not going to trade for a top-six forward at the cost of Niklas Hjalmarsson and youngsters like Trevor van Riemsdyk, Michal Kempny and Gustav Forsling are not viable top-four options.
The Hawks do not want to take on a lengthy deal such as Landeskog’s ($5.58 Million until 2020-21) unless they could jettison a Artem Anisimov or Marcus Kruger in the process. Van Riemsdyk has another year left at $4.25 Million, but the only way the Leafs could get what they are looking for is to get a third team involved.
Sharp (or Detroit’s Thomas Vanek not mentioned in this column) makes more sense, not only because the 35-year-old was part of the three Cup winners during his 10 years in Chicago, but because he is an expiring contract and Dallas appears destined to fall out of the playoff race with mediocre goaltending and defensive deficiencies.
The Fourth Period is reporting that the LA Kings are also looking for help up front.
The Kings have been continuously linked to the Colorado Avalanche, having inquired about both forwards Matt Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog, though Los Angeles would have to part with one of Alec Martinez or Jake Muzzin in package deal for either player.
The belief, according to one league source, is that if the Kings were to move Martinez or Muzzin, they would look to acquire a replacement through another trade.
Arizona Coyotes forwards Shane Doan and Martin Hanzal have also been connected to the Kings, who want to add a top-six winger prior to the March 1 trade deadline.
Lombardi could also be keeping his eye on winger Thomas Vanek, of the Detroit Red Wings, who has collected 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points in 31 games with Detroit so far this season.
THE BUZZ – The Kings scoring troubles might be alleviated by the addition of Duchene or Landeskog, but both Muzzin, 27, and Martinez, 29, are under control at a very reasonable $4 Million for multiple years and there is not much in the LA pipeline to replace them.
The Coyotes options (especially Doan) would not cost a lot, but the 40-year-old may not provide enough scoring to make his acquisition worthwhile.
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