We’re past the NHL trade deadline, but we still have plenty of NHL rumours to go around. College free agents are signing with teams and teams are already thinking about the off-season. Clubs will have to make big decisions about their future soon.
Today’s NHL rumours focus on the Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers and Minnesota Wild.
All rumours are taken from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Vancouver Canucks
Rumour: Irfaan Gaffar of Sportsnet reports that there’s no news on contract talks between the club and veteran defenceman Alexander Edler. The Swedish blueliner carries a $5 million cap hit and his contract is up at the end of the season.
Benning – Nothing new on the Edler front. Still in talks with his camp to find a resolution. #Canucks
— Irfaan Gaffar (@irfgaffar) March 11, 2019
Analysis: Edler will be 33 years old in April, but he is a fixture in Vancouver. General manager Jim Benning will have to weigh the pros and cons of keeping or getting his salary off the books.
Rumour: The second Canucks’ rumour involves University of Michigan product Will Lockwood. He is undecided on whether the third-round pick will sign his pro deal or will return to school. His season ended last weekend when his school was knocked out by Minnesota in the first round of the Big Ten tournament.
Benning also said Will Lockwood, a 2016 third-round pick, has not not decided whether to leave Michigan and turn pro. The winger had 31 points (16-15) in 36 games and had shoulder surgery following 2018 WJHC. #Canucks
— Ben Kuzma 🇺🇦 (@benkuzma) March 11, 2019
Analysis: Lockwood finished a solid season with 16 goals and 15 assists for 31 points in 36 games. He’s solid on both ends of the ice and would be an infusion of young talent for Vancouver. He’s also got a chance to reunite with college teammate Quinn Hughes up north.
He could be an interesting addition for the Canucks if he does decide to go pro. While he likely will not start in Vancouver, he may be able to show what he has in Utica.
New York Rangers
Rumour: Larry Brooks of the New York Post said the Blueshirts need to decide on the future of Chris Kreider. The American forward is due for a contract extension at the end of the season. He had a strong start to the season, but only has two points in his last seven games.
Analysis: The Rangers have fully embraced the rebuild but haven’t rolled over in games under head coach David Quinn. New York plays teams hard and Kreider is still one of the remnants of the team that made the 2013 Stanley Cup final.
Kreider’s speed would be an asset for a team looking to cement its contender status. General manager Jeff Gorton needs to figure out his plans for the speedy winger.
Minnesota Wild
Rumour: Jason Zucker’s days in the State of Hockey may be numbered. TSN’s Darren Dreger reported that Zucker was close to going to the Calgary Flames in return for Michael Frolik. The Athletic’s Michael Russo said the deal fell through because Frolik vetoed the deal.
Analysis: Zucker was re-signed in the last off-season by new general manager Paul Fenton, but the Newport Beach, Calif. has struggled to replicate last year’s 33-goal total. However, Minnesota has gotten itself back into the playoff race.
Fenton also has a small window to deal the forward has a limited no-trade clause that starts on July 1.
CALGARY, AB – OCTOBER 6: Alexander Edler #23 of the Vancouver Canucks in action against the Calgary Flames during an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on October 6, 2018 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
