It’s almost the trade deadline and we have a fresh batch of NHL trade rumors this Thursday. We look at the Philadelphia Flyers in the market for a replacement for Brian Elliott. Buffalo Sabres forward Evander Kane garnered interest from eight to 10 teams and the Detroit Red Wings have a taker for Danny DeKeyser.
Latest NHL Trade Rumours
Philadelphia Flyers in Goalie Market
Rumour: Dave Isaac of The Courier-Post of South New Jersey speculated that Philadelphia could be in the market for a low-cost goalie. This is because of Brian Elliott going down to injury. Names like Toronto’s Calvin Pickard and Buffalo’s Chad Johnson were tossed around for possible stopgap measures.
Analysis: The Flyers rebuild is ahead of schedule and they’re in a position to make the postseason. However, the injury to Elliott has tossed a monkey wrench into those plans.
Both Pickard and Johnson are held in high regard by general manager Ron Hextall, as he picked both when he was general manager of Team Canada for the IIHF World Championships. Pickard’s cost is only $1 million and played well for the Colorado Avalanche last season. The Toronto Maple Leafs have plenty of depth with Frederik Andersen, Curtis McElhinney and Garret Sparks.
The Johnson rumors stem from the fact the Flyers and Sabres have been scouting each other according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. Philadelphia likely doesn’t want to pay a huge price for Robin Lehner. Buffalo has Linus Ullmark down in Rochester and would step into the backup role if Johnson got dealt.
Evander Kane
Rumour: Speaking of the Sabres, Craig Custance of The Athletic is reporting that eight to 10 teams are showing interest in forward Evander Kane. The interest is not surprising due to the higher amount of sellers.
Analysis: Kane’s asking price is still the same despite more teams jumping into the mix. Buffalo still wants a first round pick, a prospect, and a lesser prospect or roster player. He’s a rental but has shown that he can score goals and make plays.
There are always concerns about Kane’s character. However, a team wanting a Cup might be willing to roll the dice on him. A strong showing by Kane with a new team may get him the long-term deal he seeks.
Danny DeKeyser
Rumour: Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen reported that teams have called about defenseman Danny DeKeyser as well as the oft-rumored Mike Green.
Analysis: General manager Ken Holland would love nothing more than to get DeKeyser’s $5 million cap-hot off of the books. It would be a chance for Holland to erase another one of the bad deals that he’s given out the last few seasons.
DeKeyser does have a no-trade close, but it doesn’t kick in until 2021. Detroit will likely have to retain some of his salary, but it would be worth it to add more picks to the Red Wings arsenal going into the draft in Dallas.
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