- Kevin Allen of the USA Today: Allen looks at some future signings and trades that make sense but likely won’t happen.
1. Hurricanes signing Marc Staal in the summer – the Rangers would like sign Staal for $5.5 million. The Hurricanes could give him more. Why it won’t happen – The Rangers were in Stanley Cup final just five months ago. The Hurricanes are a “lower-rung” team at the moment.
2. Penguins trade for Nail Yakupov – Yakupov could play with Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins have quality young defensemen and the Oilers could use some more quality young defensemen. Why it won’t happen – Yakupov is a risk and the Penguins would likely want a safer bet.
3. Coyotes drafting Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel – Coyotes could use a franchise player. Why it won’t happen – they aren’t bad enough to get reasonable odds at winning the lottery.
4. Red Wings trading for Tyler Myers – the Wings have been looking for a right-handed defenseman. Myers has regressed and could use a change of scenery. Why it won’t happen – the Wings won’t give up Anthony Mantha, Dylan Larkin or any of their other top prospects. The Wings could turn to a rental like Mike Green.
- Randy Miller of NJ.com: Miller looks at three trades that could help the Flyers season.
1. Matt Read to the Devils for Adam Larsson – The Devils could use some scoring help. Read only has two goals this season, but is coming off of 24 and 22 goal seasons. Larsson may benefit from a change of scenery. Deal would also give the Flyers some much needed salary cap relief, $3.625 million for Read and $900,000 for Larsson.
2. Brayden and Luke Schenn and Robert Hagg to the Oilers for David Perron and Justin Schultz – The Flyers wanted Schultz back in 2012. Perron would be a good fit on the Flyers top line and Schultz would help out their power play. The Flyers would have to do a deal like the Read-for-Larsson to make the money fit.
3. Braydon Coburn to the Kings – the Kings need to fill Slava Voynov’s spot on the blueline. Coburn has a $4.5 million cap hit through 2015-16. The Kings have only $4.1 million in cap space, but by sending Jamie McBain to the AHL (two-way contract), it could work. The Flyers would gain the cap space and possibly a 2015 2nd round pick. Coburn has a limited no-trade clause.