Trade talk increasing as the deadline approaches … Garrioch rumor roundup …
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Trade talk has increased in the past 48 hours as three more teams have accepted their position in the standings – Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars and Detroit Red Wings.
The Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks and Winnipeg Jets have assets they might be willing to move for futures.
“It’ll be the same — somewhere between 20 to 25 trades,” a league executive said last Thursday. “Everyone knows who’s out there. Some teams have games to play before Wednesday and most teams will wait until the wire.
“But if they have a deal that makes sense, they’ll do the deal.”
Despite being in the playoff race, it sounds like the Blues will be moving defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk. The Blues would like to get at least to pieces in a deal, a first round pick and a prospect. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals have spoken with the Blues about Shattenkirk. It’s believed Shattenkirk will sign with the Rangers this offseason.
The Buffalo Sabres are looking to move both Dmitry Kulikov and Cody Franson.
Five or six teams are interested in Arizona Coyotes Martin Hanzal – Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks and Ottawa Senators. The asking price is a first round pick, a prospect and maybe another piece.
One executive was surprised that the Coyotes moved Michael Stone early and for only a 3rd round pick and retaining 50 percent of his salary.
“If you look at teams that deal defencemen who play 20 minutes a game, they usually get a second and prospect,” a league executive said. “The second-round pick is usually the bar because teams say they’re not going to do it and then they do it.”
The San Jose Sharks were interested in Stone.
Speculation that the Johnny Oduya could be traded back to the Chicago Blackhawks or maybe to the Montreal Canadiens.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are one of the teams interested in Brian Boyle.
Some executives don’t think the Tampa Bay Lightning will move Ben Bishop as they don’t think anyone will want to pay the asking price for him.
Jarome Iginla would like to move on to a contender, but there aren’t many teams interested. There was Edmonton Oilers speculation, but that seems doubtful.
The Coyotes won’t move Shane Doan unless he asks to be traded, and many think he will. The Sharks could be interested.
