Are the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues talking?
Jimmy Murphy of CLNS Media: Two sources have said that the Boston Bruins and St. Louis Blues have held “deep” trade talks.
Talks have been centered around forward 27-year old Brayden Schenn and not 27-year old Vladimir Tarasenko.
Acquiring Schenn wouldn’t cost the Bruins as much to acquire as Tarasenko would. He also has a lower salary cap hit and less term on his deal – a year left at a $5.1 million cap hit.
The Bruins may have to give up prospects or young roster players – maybe along the lines of Danton Heinen or Matt Grzelcyk or Peter Cehlarik. Not the in same class as would they have have to move for Tarasenko.
Schenn can play on the wing as well as down the middle.
Trade options for the Buffalo Sabres if they can’t get Skinner signed long-term
Ryan Stimson of The Athletic: Looking at some trade options for the Buffalo Sabres if that are not able to sign pending unrestricted free agent forward Jeff Skinner.
It’s not known if Skinner’s no-movement was honored by the Sabres after Skinner was acquired from the Hurricanes.
Nashville Predators – Have lots of salary cap space and could use a top-six forward. They’ve dealt with injuries up front all season. The Sabres could look at 22-year old pending RFA Kevin Fiala.
Columbus Blue Jackets – They have lots of cap space but have their own decisions with Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky. The Blue Jackets could go for it if they keep Panarin and Bobrovsky past the deadline. The Sabres could look at Oliver Bjorkstrand. The Blue Jackets don’t have a 2nd round pick this and may not want to give up a first.
Toronto Maple Leafs – Have the deadline cap space to add another offensive weapon to keep up with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Young defensemen the Sabres could look at include Travis Dermott, Timothy Liljegren, and Rasmus Sandin.