On the Colorado Avalanche and Philadelphia Flyers …
Adrian Dater: Haven’t heard anything credible with regards to trade talks between the Avalanche and Flyers.
On the Carolina Hurricanes …
Adrian Dater: Dater’s understanding that the Hurricanes have had internal talks about whether to trade a top young defenseman (player or prospects) for Matt Duchene.
On the St. Louis Blues and Kevin Shattenkirk …
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Darren Dreger on TSN Insider Trading on how the St. Louis Blues could increase the trade value of defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk between now and March 1st.
“Trade and extend,” explained Dreger Thursday night on Insider Trading. “Obviously that’s a way that Kevin Shattenkirk can control the process. He doesn’t have a no-trade clause, so he doesn’t have a lot of options unless the Blues can find that right fit. And it sounds like Shattenkirk is willing to consider several options. The Toronto Maple Leafs, the New York Rangers, the Boston Bruins, Detroit, San Jose, Anaheim, going back to Colorado is a possibility as well. If you’re Doug Armstrong and the Blues, and you can find the right fit, then the asking price for Shattenkirk goes up.”
Dreger was on TSN 1050 this morning and was asked about whether there was anything to the trade chatter. The Blues let Troy Brouwer and David Backes walk last year without any return. The Blues can’t keep letting his happen. Some think the best way for GM Doug Armstrong to maximize a return Shattenkirk is by trading him and then Shattenkirk signing an extension.
“So where might he want to go to do that. Again, he’s giving up free agency to do that if he gets traded between now and March 1. And I know that Toronto is on the list. I’m not saying that Toronto is location No. 1 on his list, but it’s among the Eastern Conference cities that that he would enjoy playing in. The New York Rangers, obviously, are another one. Boston, even though that team is in turmoil, seems to be among them. The Detroit Red Wings are going through a transition phase here in short order and are on that list. A return to Colorado. San Jose. Anaheim. There’s probably eight or 10 teams that would be on the list if he was asked to sit down and put pen to paper.”