On the Chicago Blackhawks …
Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun Times: The Blackhawks blueline is deeper than it was last season, but they are thinner up front.
The Blackhawks need to trade for a top-six winger before the trade deadline. Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa need a left winger, one they’ve been looking for since the start of last season.
Vinnie Hinostroza could then move back into the bottom-six, and Marcus Kruger will eventually return, strengthening their depth.
Source saying they’ve been looking at the trade market, but are hesitant to make a major move. The draft this year is in Chicago, so they want picks, and not to trade them. Very doubtful they would move their first round pick.
They have been trying to bank some salary cap space. Maybe they could move a roster player and convince a team to retain some salary. Maybe they would then be able to trade for someone like James van Riemsdyk, Gabriel Landeskog, Matt Duchene or Martin Hanzal.
On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: James van Riemsdyk is second in scoring on the Maple Leafs, and is entering his prime. So why would the Maple Leafs want to trade the left winger?
Cox thinks the Maple Leafs should keep as they build towards a contender and maybe sign him to a contract extension.
Many think the Maple Leafs should trade JVR to fill other holes on their roster. If they did trade JVR, they would need to find another scoring winger.
Reasons to trade van Riemsdyk have been based around four basic points.
– At 27, he is significantly older than the core group of this team and won’t be around when the club is actually ready to win.
– With a cap hit of $4.25 million this year and next year before he hits unrestricted free agency, he owns a very affordable contract and is therefore enticing to other teams.
– To keep him beyond this deal would require a major commitment of dollars under the cap that the Leafs might be unwilling to pay or that would put them in a bind when the time comes to lock up young stars like Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
-This team needs help on defence and trading van Riemsdyk is the best way to acquire that help.
If trading JVR now, they’d be selling him at high value. He’s the seventh highest scoring left winger with 15 goals and 20 assists.
On his next contract, could see his $4.5 million cap hit jump to between $6 to $7 million. The Leafs will lose $11.3 in dead money this year, and $5.25 million next year when Joffrey Lupul‘s deal is over.
Many think the Maple Leafs need to improve their blueline. It would cost more than van Riemsdyk to land someone like Jacob Trouba or Tyson Barrie. The Leafs don’t have any left wingers that could immediately replace van Riemsdyk
“So it really makes the most sense to keep van Riemsdyk, even if it’s just to let him play out his contract. If he leaves, you don’t lose him for nothing. You gain the cap space after enjoying the benefits of his current contract, and it buys you time for those young left-wing prospects to develop.”
