On the New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Los Angeles Kings, and Calgary Flames …
TSN Insider Trading: Bob McKenzie: The Rangers appear to be looking for three pieces in a package for Rick Nash:
“So a first-round pick, a top prospect and another lesser player, or prospect or pick in combination with those. Now, the reality is, a lot of general managers think these rental prices are way too high right now. I would think that whether it’s the Sabres with Kane or the Rangers with Nash that at the end of the day, the bottom-line price for them is going to be the same as what Minnesota gave up for Martin Hanzal last year that effectively was a first-round pick and a second-round pick or you can equate it as a first-round pick and a prospect. That seems to be the price.”
Pierre LeBrun: Nash’s $7.8 million salary cap is a big stumbling block when trying to move him. If they haven’t already, the Rangers will tell teams that they’ll retain salary to help maximize the return.
Bob McKenzie: The Rangers could also look to move pending UFA Michael Grabner and Nick Holden.
“The price for Grabner is expected to be more along the lines of a first-round pick and that’s it. There are some general managers I’ve talked to that think he’s a more cost-efficient return than Rick Nash might be.”
There are no untouchables and GM Jeff Gorton will listen to offers on Ryan McDonagh, Mats Zuccarello, and J.T. Miller.
Darren Dreger: The Senators will be sellers at the deadline, but it won’t be a firesale.
“That is that the Ottawa Senators are willing to trade good players, but they’re only trading players that they’re going to get a good return on. So the usual suspects like Mike Hoffman, Zack Smith, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, but they may keep Hoffman simply because of the chemistry that he obviously has with Matt Duchene. So there’s no fire sale but there’s a clear direction that the Senators have to be best prepared for the draft in Dallas.”
Pierre LeBrun: The LA Kings have shown interest in Dion Phaneuf, but not at $7 million a year for the next three years. Unless the Senators are will to retain salary, he may not move.
Pierre LeBrun: The Flames could use a scoring winger, but they don’t have a first or second-round pick this year. They could consider moving goaltender Jon Gillies as they also have Tyler Parson and David Rittich in the system. They could listen to Rittich offers as well.