On the Winnipeg Jets and New York Rangers …
Emily Sadler of Sportsnet: Nick Kypreos said the Winnipeg Jets are likely looking to add to their blue line before the trade deadline, but that might not be it. They could go after a top-six forward, someone to play on the left side with Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler.
“Maybe, just maybe, a guy like Rick Nash would be of interest,” Kypreos said. “I don’t know whether or not that would fit in with where he is in his list of teams that he’d want to go to. But that’s the type of guy I think that Winnipeg would be looking at.”
Nash has a 12-team trade list. If traded, Nash could also consider re-signing with the Rangers in the offseason.
“I think when it comes to Nash, I think that’s coming any day now, where the Rangers go to him officially and say, ‘Rick, we want your list,’” said Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. “One of the story lines that is developing is there are some teams out there who believe that Rick Nash and Grabner could get traded and then go back to New York next season. They both really like it there.”
On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Luke Fox of Sportsnet: Nick Kypreos said that Maple Leafs forward Josh Leivo made a request to GM Lou Lamoriello to either play him or trade him before the deadline.
Elliotte Friedman added that forward Nikita Soshnikov, who is on a conditioning stint, could be showcased for a trade.
Coach Mike Babcock was asked about the Leivo report after the game.
“I couldn’t tell ya. Neither guy has asked me for that, but you can talk to Lou about that if you want,” Babcock said.
“In fairness to Nikita, he hasn’t been healthy one time this year. We couldn’t even play him if we wanted to.
“As far as Leivs goes, he hasn’t got a lot of opportunity to play, but I’d talk to Lou if I was you about that. I know nothing.”
The Leafs signed Leivo to a one-year, $925,000 deal back in November.
The Leafs are believed to be looking for a depth center and a right-handed defenseman.