Freidman’s AMA …
- Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: Friedman did a Reddit AMA.
Can see the Canucks moving Radim Vrbata for sure, and maybe Dan Hamhuis if he wants to go. Teams may be willing to pay more for Jannik Hansen since he has some term left.Canadiens will be sellers. Someone could be interested in Alex Galchenyuk, but the Canadiens wouldn’t do it unless they get a similar player back, and one that has term.The Flames and Kris Russell are still talking, but it’s likely that he gets dealt.
No rentals for the Senators according to Bryan Murray. Player(s) would have to have term or are controllable.
The Blues are close to the salary cap. Would be curious to see Nazem Kadri in a Blues jersey.
See the Kings adding a forward and a defenseman. GM Dean Lombardi likes to make impact deals, and he could make the biggest trade.
On the New York Rangers …
- Andrew Gross of The Record: Keith Yandle will likely get $6 million on the open market. The Rangers may lose him for nothing.
“It’s probably like the eighth year in a row it’s been kind of talked about,” Yandle said of the trade speculation. “There’s a couple of weeks here where you might look at the newspapers a little bit more. But it’s one of those things where you’ve just got to worry about the game and have fun with it.
“Ever since I’ve gotten here, I’ve been all in,” Yandle added. “I’ve been 100 percent. I love being here. I love being a part of this team, this organization. It’s an amazing organization to be part of and it’s something I don’t want to be changed.”
The Rangers needs heading into the deadline are a scoring winger and a fourth-line/penalty killer.
It’s possible that the Rangers move pending RFA Chris Kreider.
The Rangers should explore the idea of trading Rick Nash this offseason. Moving his $7.8 million would make it much easier to keep Yandle and to sign some of their young forwards that will need new deals.