Quick Rumor Update for your Sunday.
I am hearing the Keith Yandle Sweeps is "all but officially" under way. The three top teams with interest are Edmonton, the Rangers, and Montreal...with more teams expecting to get in on Keith.
The rub here appears to be Phoenix would like to hold out and make a deal closer to the deadline, but with so many teams needing so many defensemen the price tag may never be higher than it is right now. And Phoenix could really strike now.
"Teams are afraid of waiting this year to the deadline. Waiting even until the end of the month could spell 'out of the playoffs' for a half dozen teams."
On the Islanders...
Meanwhile, I keep hearing the NY Islanders are pushing hard for Yakupov. One source said, "There is a deal there for Edmonton...not saying there won't be more at some point, but the Isles are in the ballpark."
On the Leafs and Avalanche...
Jake Gardiner is again part of this rumor....and these teams have had several discussions over the past year ...Ryan O'Reilly remains the Leafs main target...and for the first time in over a year it looks like it could be possible.