The 4 Nations Face-off was a smashing success, a long overdue showcase that undeniably helps the game. Now in the past, the focus turns back towards NHL regular season action. With time quickly slipping away before the March 7 trade deadline, teams will have to be decisive in better positioning themselves on their vectors. Though much of the trade market has begun to reveal itself, there are still some new curveballs ahead.
Let’s take a look at some of the recent developments in this week’s edition of the rumour roundup.
Seth Jones puts his name on the market
Seth Jones has told the Chicago Blackhawks that he would be open to waiving his no trade clause to move to a contender. At 30-years-old it seems Jones is looking to play in some meaningful games before the end of the five years remaining on his contract. Although he is widely regarded as overpaid, the right shot is still a quality NHL defenceman. One might argue that his results might drastically improve on a better team as well.
Of course, his $9.5M cap hit is not the easiest for good teams to acquire. The Blackhawks will likely need to retain some salary to make a move work within the confines of this season. A trade in the offseason is entirely possible, where the rising cap should see teams with even more flexibility than usual.
The return from the Blackhawks end is still up for interpretation, and the amount of retained salary will play a factor. Perhaps some cap cost can be shuffled around if the Hawks are willing to take on a contract or two in return. Jones is still leading the team in icetime. This might make a trade for Connor Murphy less likely, another veteran right shot. The Hawks are rebuilding but getting rid of their top two options on the right side is fairly aggressive, especially with Connor Bedard being joined by more and more young players in the NHL lineup.
Of course, the Edmonton Oilers will be heavily implicated in these rumours. As a contending team that could stand to upgrade their right defence, the Oilers are among a handful of teams that seem a possible match. Oilers GM Stan Bowman remains linked to any rumours surrounding his former players as well. They are hardly the only team that will be suggested as a potential landing spot, as the Toronto Maple Leafs and Dallas Stars are usually listed amongst the suitors.
Could Mikko Rantanen be on the move again?
Already part of one shocking trade this season, it appears that Mikko Rantanen could be on the move once again. Given the amount of salary retained on his expiring deal, Rantanen could be had at a $2.3M cap hit should the Carolina Hurricanes decide to retain salary. At such an affordable salary, most any team could find a way to add Rantanen into the fold.
With just six games and two points as a member of the Hurricanes, this is an unconventional idea. The Canes have never been shy to skirt convention, but having already traded away Martin Necas and a first-round pick for Rantanen, it does seem quite fickle. The Hurricanes invested a lot to load up for this season, taking a huge risk that Rantanen might walk in free agency this summer. At the time the Hurricanes were applauded for the move, but it seems that they are less convinced. It is difficult to decipher why this appears to be an option, either the belief that the Hurricanes cannot re-sign Rantanen or that his fit on the team has been underwhelming.
The Oilers are among the teams that will be rumoured as destinations, as will just about any contender. Imagining what Rantanen will be looking for in free agency, or imagining a long term fit with the Oilers, is another question altogether, but at least for this season he is an intriguing rental option.
Vladimir Tarasenko not meshing well with the Red Wings
Although things have turned around for the Detroit Red Wings since hiring Todd McLellan as their head coach, there appears to be some trouble. Vladimir Tarasenko does not seem to be a fit with the team, to the point that he now finds himself in trade rumours. The Wings are still pushing for a playoff spot, and might be able to catch up given their recent successes.
Tarasenko has another year left on his deal after this one. With a $4.5M cap hit and a no trade clause, finding a spot for him might be fairly difficult. Tarasenko is coming off of a Stanley Cup victory with the Florida Panthers, proving that even in an age related decline that he can still be a part of a championship team.
The Wings find themselves caught in between buying and selling, like many other teams around the league. The next two weeks will be crucial to such teams in charting their course forward. For the Wings the good news is that several young players are taking huge steps this season, and their answers should come internally for the most part. Marco Kasper and Simon Edvinsson have become key contributors this season, while Elmer Soderblom looks to be on his way up the lineup as well.
The patient draft and development system that the Wings have applied under GM Steve Yzerman is finally starting to come to fruition. Unfortunately patience is starting to wear thin. Without a draft lottery win the Wings have undergone a huge rebuild without a generational talent to build around, yet some of their bold draft decisions are coming into their own.
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