On players on the trade market …
Darren Dreger of TSN: The Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens could be sellers sooner than later.
Montreal Canadiens – Max Pacioretty and Alex Galchenyuk may be the more talked about trade options, but a number of teams are interested in Andrew Shaw.
Ottawa Senators – Teams are targetting Mike Hoffman, Zack Smith, and Jean-Gabriel Pageau. GM Pierre Dorion could look to offload salary at some point.
Edmonton Oilers – GM Peter Chiarelli could be dangling pending UFAs Patrick Maroon, Mark Letestu, and Mike Cammalleri.
Detroit Red Wings – Teams will be interested in pending UFA, right-handed defenseman Mike Green. It’s well known that Petr Mrazek is available. Tomas Tatar might interest teams. Tatar has three years left on his deal at a $5.3 million cap hit. The asking price is thought to be a prospect and draft picks.
On the Vancouver Canucks …
Mike Halford of The Athletic: Wondering that with the soft market for defensemen leading up to next months NHL trade deadline, the Canucks could capitalize on trading Chris Tanev.
TSNs top 20 trade bait list only contained six defensemen – Mike Green, Erik Gudbranson, Ian Cole, Cody Franson, Dion Phaneuf and Tyson Barrie.
UFA defensemen not on TSNs list – Josh Gorges, Mark Fayne, Luke Schenn, Johnny Oduya, Kevin Connauton, Mark Barberio and Brandon Manning.
The 28-year olds cap hit is under $4.5 million through 2020. The return could be significant for the Canucks.
TSNs Mike Johnson on Tanev’s trade value.
“He would get great value. There would be large demand for Chris Tanev and his services around the NHL, that’s for sure,” Johnson said. “He’s a first-rounder . From a good team that’s going to pick 28th or 29th, at the bottom of the first round? I think so.
“Or maybe not the best prospect, but the third or fourth best prospect in an organization.”
Elliotte Friedman has reported teams calling the Canucks about Tanev have said there is no guarantee that the Canucks will trade him, with Friedman adding he doesn’t think he’ll get moved unless they get a great offer.
One issue for the Canucks is the timing isn’t great as he is good now, but they aren’t a competitive team.