- Luke Fox of Sportsnet: Fox looks at 6 teams that could trade for Rick Nash. Boston Bruins: They still believe they are a contender and could take a run at their 2nd cup in 3 years. Tyler Seguin, Milan Lucic, and Dougie Hamilton would likely be targeted by the Blue Jackets. Detroit Red Wings: The Wings lost out on Suter, Parise, Salo, Carle and Schultz and have the cap room to add Nash. They have prospects Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar that might interest the Blue Jackets. They may not be interested as they have a bigger hole on the blueline. Alexander Semin is still available and may be a short term fix. Why would the Blue Jackets trade within their division? New York Rangers: The Rangers have lots of young talent and the Blue Jackets are reportedly interested in Ryan McDonagh and Chris Kreider. They don’t score a lot of goals and will be without Marian Gaborik for a bit as he recovers from shoulder surgery. They may not do a deal because they may not find it worth giving up so many young assets. Philadelphia Flyers: The Flyers have the assets (Sean Couturier and/or Brayden Schenn) to make a deal that could improve their chances on getting a cup now. May not happen as they likely won’t want to trade Schenn since they traded for his brother. They may not want to give up Couturier since the moved a young forward in James van Riemsdyk to the Leafs. Pittsburgh Penguins: The trade of Jordan Staal means they have more ice available for an impact forward. Sidney Crosby could use a scoring winger. The Pens could be worried what the Rangers and Flyers would be like if they had Nash. Deal breaker could be Paul Martin. The Pens may have to move his salary in a deal, but the Blue Jackets seem to be looking for forwards over defenseman. It’s doubtful that Martin and prospects would be enough. San Jose Sharks: They are deep in forwards, and the Blue Jackets like Logan Couture. The Sharks don’t want to include Couture. Would the Sharks be willing to a accept a deal included Ryane Clowe instead of Couture?
- Gord Stellick via twitter: With Ryan Suter and Zach Parise going to the Wild and not a “top contender,” it has taken some heat off the better teams to not overpay for Rick Nash and Bobby Ryan.
- Jonathan Willis of the Edmonton Journal: Willis wonders if the Flames would trade Jay Bouwmeester to the Oilers? Flames GM Jay Feaster:
“When all the dust settles after the first week of free agency, if there are teams still looking on their blueline, we’re going to get a lot of phone calls. I do believe that’s one of the things that will happen is that the trade market will open up.”
Pierre McGuire said that Bouwmeester would be a fit for the Oilers, and they may try to trade for him. Starting points for a deal could be Ales Hemsky, Ryan Whitney and Nick Schultz. The Flames are looking to shed salary, so Schultz would get the nod over Hemsky, and they would need some prospects. Sam Gagner is one possible player, but it’s hard to image the Oilers trade him within their division. Willis doesn’t think it will happen. Both sides would be worried that a deal could blow up in their faces.