The NHL commerce deadline is on March 3, and with simply 9 days to go, talks are intensifying across the league. Here is what I am listening to about some dynamics occurring behind the scenes…
We should always get readability on Kane’s determination this week. None of this has been simple for the veteran winger. Kane all the time envisioned himself retiring as a Blackhawk. It is solely been over the past a number of months — and possibly even the final a number of weeks — the place he was compelled to simply accept that imaginative and prescient will not be practical anymore. Based mostly on conversations I’ve had with sources across the league, the behind the scenes talks with the Rangers have been extra superior than have been reported. There was a path for Kane going to New York, his most well-liked vacation spot ought to he go away Chicago, after which immediately it felt prefer it was taken away — which is why you noticed him react so vulnerably to the Vladimir Tarasenko commerce.
Kane has been upset concerning the reporting about his hip damage, however that is an actual concern that groups have expressed. Kane is among the league’s largest avid gamers. He is extremely aggressive and is diligent about the way in which he takes care of his physique. Forward of his age 30 season, he switched to a body weight movement-based training method; many gamers across the league, together with Auston Matthews, observe. There’s loads Kane does to get able to get by way of the season. However he is confirmed, particularly along with his house ice hat trick in opposition to the Maple Leafs on Sunday, that he nonetheless may be efficient regardless of no matter ails him and regardless of which linemates he is enjoying with.
So now Kane is recalibrating once more. I imagine he is requested to discover if going to the Rangers remains to be an choice. It isn’t inconceivable, however would require severe maneuvering. Kane additionally should think about what else is offered. I do know the Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars are serious about him. I imagine the Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers are as nicely. There may very well be a thriller workforce lurking. One of many causes Kane loves enjoying in Chicago is that there is consolation and construction in place for him and his household. So Kane should determine if he can recreate the consolation and construction in a kind of spots whereas giving himself a professional likelihood to win. If he can tick these packing containers, we’ll see him transfer on and enter that subsequent chapter. If not, the Blackhawks have been ready for Kane to return to them and say he does not wish to transfer in any respect.
Extra on the Blackhawks
There was curiosity in Chicago captain Jonathan Toews. I do know the Colorado Avalanche had been conserving tabs on him this season. The Seattle Kraken have been monitoring his play as nicely. However as soon as Toews took time away this month to seek for solutions on why he nonetheless did not really feel wholesome — signs of lengthy COVID and Continual Immune Response Syndrome, he mentioned — a transfer turned much less seemingly. GM Kyle Davidson confirmed to me that Toews will not be traded at the deadline.
This creates attention-grabbing flexibility for Chicago’s rebuild plans. Groups are solely allowed to retain wage on three gamers, and the Blackhawks have been anticipating to retain a few of Toews’ $10.5 million cap hit in a commerce. They’re going to seemingly retain a few of Kane’s $10.5 million in a possible commerce. However how might they use the opposite two spots now that Toews will not be traded? Davidson has made it clear to his friends that he is open to enterprise. Name about any participant on his roster, and provides an trustworthy supply, and he is keen to pay attention. There’s numerous league-wide curiosity in Jake McCabe, particularly if his $4 million cap hit by way of 2024-25 is reduce in half. I imagine the ask from Chicago is a first-round choose, plus extra for McCabe. There’s additionally been numerous buzz about Sam Lafferty, who has lastly discovered his velocity in an everyday NHL position, has a horny $1.15 million cap hit and is underneath contract for subsequent season, too. I imagine the Blackhawks are searching for a second-round choose for Lafferty.
However even with Chicago attempting to rebuild — gathering as many prospects and draft picks as doable — Davidson will not be buying and selling away gamers simply to do it. He is taken numerous calls, but when the asking costs do not materialize, he is snug holding on to each veterans — who’ve helped with the tradition of the workforce — and shall be enticing to groups subsequent 12 months, as nicely.
What do the Bruins want?
The Boston Bruins have been probably the most full and constant workforce within the NHL this 12 months. However they know a Presidents’ Trophy does not assure playoff success, they usually’re nonetheless trying so as to add. They’re plotting one thing doubtlessly huge. Different groups have advised me that the Bruins have known as asking in the event that they’d take Craig Smith ($3.1 million cap hit) which might assist them clear area.
Whereas Boston has monitored the entire huge names, together with Timo Meier, their largest want is on left protection. Ideally they’ll discover any person with measurement, and that may play with Charlie McAvoy — which might bump Matt Grzelcyk down within the rotation. They have been monitoring the Jakob Chychrun state of affairs for some time now. I’ve heard from a number of sources that the Bruins have had superior talks on Columbus’ Vladislav Gavrikov, however maybe are ready to do one other transaction earlier than they’ll consummate that commerce. And if Gavrikov does not work out, I imagine they’ve contingency plans.
Count on the Lightning to do one thing
For the final three years, Tampa Bay Lightning GM Julien BriseBois has publicly mentioned the identical factor round this time: He has no cap area to make any strikes. And for the final two years, he is figured it out, making a splash for Blake Coleman in 2021 after which Brandon Hagel in 2022. This 12 months he is singing the identical tune, and once I met with him in Tampa final week, he insisted to me: “Actually, this 12 months I haven’t got the cap area or the property to do a Coleman or Hagel-type deal.”
The Lightning are with no first- and second-round choose on this 12 months’s draft, and haven’t got their first-round choose for 2024 both. But I’ve a tough time believing BriseBois. He is among the craftiest managers within the league. He is going to determine a solution to do one thing to assist his workforce. BriseBois advised me protection will not be an space of want. They really feel they’ve 10 NHL-ready blue liners throughout their NHL roster and with the AHL Syracuse Crunch. I’ve heard from different groups that the Lightning are open to transferring Cal Foote, who has solely performed 25 video games this 12 months — partly because of the emergence of Nick Perbix.
Realistically, the Lightning are a backside six ahead who can match to their id and tradition (like Nick Paul, one other pickup for them final season). I additionally suppose they’d like so as to add a component of velocity, which is why Sam Lafferty out of Chicago and his price certainty for subsequent season is sensible. However once more, on the subject of BriseBois, it is best to anticipate the sudden.
Any shock groups forward of the deadline?
I requested an assistant common supervisor to inform me the shock workforce that may very well be the principle character of commerce deadline day. “The Seattle Kraken,” the assistant common supervisor advised me. “I believe they have been sniffing round on numerous potentialities so as to add to their roster. They nonetheless have the massive image in thoughts to construct the suitable means, however I believe they see a chance this 12 months and will go for it.”
There have been some rumors that Carson Soucy may very well be obtainable. He was scratched on Monday in opposition to the Sharks after taking a puck to the foot. Soucy, 28, is an unrestricted free agent this summer time and there have been no extension talks but. However it might be an enormous shock if Soucy was moved; taking a veteran defenseman off a playoff certain workforce is daring.
Newest on Canes and Wild
The Carolina Hurricanes and Minnesota Wild are each searching for scoring assist, however each groups are trying creatively. The Wild have been hesitant to surrender excessive picks or prospects for leases as they nonetheless navigate their buyout-forced cap crunch — and I additionally do not suppose they’re satisfied that is their 12 months to go all-in.
In the meantime, the Hurricanes are inclined to do enterprise in a different way than the remainder of the league. Whereas they’ve probably the most cap area and adaptability among the many prime contenders as a result of Max Pacioretty’s LTIR designation, they’ve costs that do not all the time align with what the market says, they usually keep on with them. Whereas they’re monitoring Kane and Meier, I would not be shocked if their acquisition is an off-the-radar participant with time period. The Canes sometimes do not do leases or short-term choices. Additionally they are inclined to do enterprise within the eleventh hour. So whereas numerous groups bought forward of the deadline, Carolina must be energetic on March 3.