|
TB, DET, STL and DAL rumors |
|
|
 |
NHL Rumor Buzz
Rumors from around the NHL • RSS
• Archive
|
|
|
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.
Enjoy!
Follow @eklund and @hockeybuzz on Twitter for the latest NHL news and rumors.
Click here to view the 2016 Trade Rumor Chart.
Helene Elliott reports that Tampa Bay Lightning GM Steve Yzerman and Asst GM Pat Verbeek were in the press box for the Kings-Ducks game in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
THE BUZZ – We will start to track peculiar sightings of scouts in the press box from now until March 1, because they might be a precursor to potential trades.
As for this one, NHL teams normally gather their scouting department in late January in preparation for the deadline and they usually assemble in warm weather areas such as Arizona, Florida or California, so it is possible that the Lightning hierarchy were close by and simply took in a game, but you never really know.
ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun, six weeks out from the March 1 deadline, lists three players (Kevin Shattenkirk, Thomas Vanek and Patrick Sharp) as the most tempting targets on the trade market.
I believe that what has changed since is that the Blues, internally, might not feel they’re among the top four or five elite teams in the league like they were a year ago, as their inconsistent season has shown. Now, I’m not saying they’re definitely going to trade Shattenkirk, because if St. Louis catches fire over the next month it might feel he’s better used as a playoff asset. But I think it’s accurate to say that Blues general manager Doug Armstrong would be ready to listen to offers for Shattenkirk -- and, depending on the quality of offers, perhaps pull the trigger so he gains value back in return for the pending UFA.
(Vanek) was a great pickup for the Wings last summer, at one year, $2.6 million. The money, as always, is what will decide this situation. If Vanek is willing to re-sign for reasonable numbers and term, the Wings might do it. But if he’s looking for the kind of money he used to make, like the $6.5 million a year he earned with the Minnesota Wild? Well, that’s not happening in Hockeytown.
Sharp has a limited no-trade clause (with 10 teams on his list), so he will have some say in what happens. A proven winner, he’d be a nice addition to a Cup contender looking for second-line offense and power-play help. It’s a moot point, however, if the Stars get on a roll. If that happens, I think Nill would keep his group intact and give it a chance to go for it again.
THE BUZZ – All three player’s availability is contingent on where their teams stand in the playoff race near the end of February.
The Blues poor goaltending and team scoring other than Vladimir Tarasenko makes them more of a long shot to make a Cup run and there is almost no chance that St. Louis will re-sign Shattenkirk with Colton Parayko needing a new contract.
In spite of their recent uptick, the Wings string of 25 straight playoff appearances looks to be over with and GM Ken Holland could parlay Vanek’s economical contract into two or three young assets or draft picks. As for re-signing the 32-year-old winger, trading and re-signing in the summer is not an unheard of option.
The Stars cannot stop anyone from scoring, but still could sneak into the playoffs on the strength of their offense. Sharp is 35, has missed 20 games this season and has only four goals, which means his presence is likely not the difference between making or missing the post-season.
Join the Discussion:
»