On the Minnesota Wild …
- Michael Russo of the Star Tribune: The Wild’s scouting meetings ended before Saturday’s game against the Predators. No trades appear imminent for the Wild.
“You can’t overreact and force trades,” Fletcher said by phone as he drove to Des Moines to watch the Iowa Wild. “You do that, and that’s when you can turn a small slump into a bigger problem. If something’s there that makes you better, it doesn’t matter if you’re playing well or struggling, you’re going to make a move. When you start to force trades, that’s dangerous and when you make poor decisions.
“Time will tell. We’re not going to make a trade for the sake of making a trade. But if we can make a trade that helps our team, we’ll trade anybody, whether they’re young or old.”
Matt Dumba, Jonas Brodin and Marco Scandella may be hearing their names in the rumor mill. The Wild offered up Brodin for Ryan Johansen. Dumba’s name has been tied to Jonathan Drouin. Wild GM Chuck Fletcher has said that they could use their depth on the blueline to acquire an offensive forward, particularly a centerman.
On the New York Islanders …
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Brooks thinks that the window is open in the East, and Islanders GM Garth Snow “should get off his assets and make the type of dramatic go-for-it deadline deal that never has been part of his DNA.”Snow needs to acquire a legit winger for John Tavares. They need to add some depth to their blueline as well.The Islanders have the cap space and young assets to make a move.
“What would it take to add Eric Staal to Tavares’ left side? What would it take for the Islanders to pry Dustin Byfuglien or Andrew Ladd out of Winnipeg, if not both? And is it not worth investigating whether Steven Stamkos would be available to play right wing for a few months with Tavares?”
They can look at none rentals. What about Jonathan Drouin or even Taylor Hall?
On the Columbus Blue Jackets …
- Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch: The Blue Jackets have already moved Ryan Johansen, and could look to trade veterans Fedor Tyutin, Scott Hartnell, Gregory Campbell and others before the trade deadline.
- One player who is virtually impossible to trade is winger David Clarkson. Clarkson will likely take up $5.25 million in cap space until his contract runs out after the 2019-20 season. He has a no-movement clause and a limited no-trade clause. His contract is basically buyout proof due to the bonus structure.