Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Trade talk is picking up and will only increase leading up to Friday’s draft
“There has been a lot lately, but mainly it’s guys talking about concepts,” one league executive told Insider Trading on Friday. “Teams are looking to see if they can parlay draft picks into NHL players.”
The Calgary Flames sit at No. 6, but would like to move up into the top three or four. The Blue Jackets, Oilers and Canucks are listening to offers. The Flames would like to add Jesse Puljajarvi or Matthew Tkachuk. It’s not known what the Flames would be willing to give up to move up the two or three slots.
The Blue Jackets need to move some salary and have been trying to trade Fedor Tyutin and Scott Hartnell. They are listening to offers on Nick Foligno. There is concern that someone could offer sheet Seth Jones, which the Blue Jackets would match.
The Red Wings will have to move Pavel Datsyuk‘s cap hit if they want to go after Steven Stamkos. The Wings may also have to move a roster player to move Datsyuk’s contract.
There are rumors that the Panthers could be looking to trade Nick Bjugstad and they are listening to Dmitry Kulikov offers.
The Rangers could be listening to calls on Derek Stepan. They need to re-sign RFA Chris Kreider.
Doesn’t sound like Eric Staal will be heading back to Carolina.
Talk is the Bruins have talked to the Blues about Kevin Shattenkirk. The Sabres and Oilers are also looking to add a defenseman.
The Wild are considering buying out Tomas Vanek. The Wild have to decide on RFA defenseman Matt Dumba. Teams are showing interest in Dumba.
Teams will be calling the Ducks on Frederik Andersen and some were interested in Sami Vatanen before they re-signed him yesterday.