Friedman’s 30 Thoughts Rumor Roundup …
- Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: Guessing the Canadiens already know they will be sellers, but the buyers may be waiting until closer to the deadline to see what else could become available.
- The Ducks could kick tires on someone like Dale Weise, but there is no rush for the Ducks.
- Guessing that contract talks between the Lightning and Steven Stamkos are off as well while they make a playoff push.
- The Oilers have taken Jordan Eberle off the trade market as he’s developed some good chemistry with Connor McDavid.
- The were rumors of Justin Schultz and the Lightning. Rumored that the Oilers may have been scouting Anthony DeAngelo. The salary wouldn’t match, so there would have to be other pieces involved.
- The Oilers were thought to be interested in Brandon Pirri before he suffered an ankle injury.
- One coach: “If Toronto acquires a right-hand shot defenceman who can make a good pass on the power play, go nuts.” Friedman wonders what he is referring to.
- Wild GM Chuck Fletcher was trying hard to make a trade before he fired head coach Mike Yeo. Teams were asking for Jonas Brodin, Charlie Coyle and Nino Niederreiter. The Wild are falling out of the playoff race, so it may keep them out of the rental market.
- Alex Burrows loves it in Vancouver. GM Jim Benning asked Alex Burrows and his agent on Saturday if the reports that he was willing to waive his no-trade clause, and he said no. Friedman admits his error was using “willing” instead of “consider.”
- The Canucks have offered to retain salary in a Chris Higgins and/or Brandon Prust trade.
- Friedman isn’t sure if the Jets six-year, $36 million for Andrew Ladd is still on the table.
- A source on that the Jets won’t keep three right handed defensemen: “Don’t assume anything. Winnipeg’s been using Trouba on the left side.”
- Flames will probably make one last attempt to re-sign Kris Russell.
- Sounding like Mikkel Boedker’s starting asking price is around $6 million.
- Hard to say where Loui Eriksson and the Boston Bruins sit. Doesn’t sound like there have been a lot of talks.
- Conspiracy theories are that the Maple Leafs are pumping up Nazem Kadri in order to increase his trade value. Sense is the Leafs won’t rush to decisions on Kadri and James van Riemsdyk.