The NHL is entering its busiest part of the off-season. The NHL Draft has come and gone and the free agent frenzy is right around the corner. It keeps the rumour mill churning. The expansion draft has added a new layer to the normal NHL off-season craziness, with the Vegas Golden Knights wheeling and dealing.
Coming out of the NHL draft, the league is entering its ‘tampering phase’ where teams can begin negotiating with potential free agents, so there is a lot of buzz. The following are some of the rumours and transactions circulating throughout the league, including Dion Phaneuf, Alex Galchenyuk and more.
NHL Rumours: Dion Phaneuf, Alex Galchenyuk and more
Dion Phaneuf
TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports that the Ottawa Senators came close to trading Dion Phaneuf before the NHL expansion draft roster freeze on June 19th. McKenzie also reported the Senators continued to receive interest in Phaneuf at the NHL draft this past weekend.
Phaneuf has a no-trade clause in his contract, but has submitted a list of approved teams he would accept a trade to. The teams that inquired about Phaneuf’s availability are not on his approved list. Senators general manager Pierre Dorion spoke with Phaneuf’s representation about updating his list, but nothing has changed.
More on Phaneuf
The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch is also reporting about Dion Phaneuf’s availability. Ottawa has defiantly been taking calls on the defenceman, but would have no issue keep him. Garrioch thinks that the Senators are willing to wait and see how the defenceman market shapes up in free agency on July 1st. Garrioch thinks that teams that miss out on the top tier of UFA defencemen will be more keen to make a trade. It appears that the Los Angeles Kings have ‘more than a passing interest’ in Dion Phaneuf.
Ultimately the decision is Phaneuf’s, as he would have to waive his no trade clause. The Senators have no issue if Phaneuf decides he wants to ultimately stay in Ottawa.
Alex Galchenyuk
Bob McKenzie reported “a juicy rumour” about Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Galchenyuk. McKenzie says the rumour would send Galchenyuk to the Philadelphia Flyers for Claude Giroux, but stressed it was just a rumour. Galchenyuk’s name continues to be out there in trade rumours.
Dan Rosen of NHL.com says Galchenyuk is also linked to the Anaheim Ducks, Minnesota Wild and New Jersey Devils. Habs general manager Marc Bergevin wants a top pairing defender in exchange for the forward.
Matt Duchene
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun is reporting that Colorado Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic is not lowering his asking price for Matt Duchene. Duchene’s agent, Pat Brisson, insists there has not been a trade request from the player.
The Nashville Predators continue to be interested, however general manager David Poile is not willing to move one of his top four defensemen. LeBrun thinks that the Predators will need to get creative, to get the deal done.
Translation: Going to need to be real creative to find a way to appease Colorado in a Duchene deal. It’s not there at this point. https://t.co/1vFGbclQQ5
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 24, 2017
The New York Islanders are also interested in acquiring Duchene. Newsday’s Arthur Staple cited two league sources that Duchene’s agent, Pat Brisson, is growing frustrated with Sakic’s “foot-dragging” over making a deal.
New York Islanders
Arthur Staple is reporting that the New York Islanders offered a trade to the Colorado Avalanche for forward Matt Duchene. The Islanders offered defenceman Travis Hamonic and a 2018 first round pick for Duchene. Hamonic was eventually traded to the Calgary Flames.
Staple also says that the Toronto Maple Leafs had made an offer to acquire Hamonic. Their offer was forward James van Riemsdyk and a 2018 first round pick.
Sean Leahy of Puck Daddy is reporting Islanders GM Garth Snow is absolutely considering using the draft picks he acquired in the Hamonic trade to acquire another high-end forward.
New York Rangers
NHL.com writer Dan Rosen reports the New York Rangers are looking for a right-handed defenceman to play with Ryan McDonagh. Free agents Kevin Shattenkirk and Brendan Smith are high on the Rangers list or targets.
Larry Brooks of the New York Post thinks the Rangers would have to offer up one of their young forwards to acquire a top pair defneceman in a trade. Brooks think J.T. Miller or Chris Kreider would need to be part of a deal to make it happen.
