The days left until the trade deadline are dwindling. The NHL Rumours, however, are still plentiful! Last Word On Hockey will bring you all the latest rumours until the very last minute ticks off the trade deadline clock. There are tons of hot topics to cover, so let’s get to it. Tuesday’s edition of NHL Rumours features the New York Rangers, Nashville Predators, and Winnipeg Jets.
All NHL Rumours are taken from the original source and subject to change.
NHL Rumours
New York Rangers
Rumour: Larry Brooks of the New York Post reported that the Colombus Blue Jackets could be interested in Chris Kreider.
Analysis: You can’t go anywhere without hearing a Kreider rumour. And boy, do those rumours go from one end of the spectrum to the other. No one seems to be really sure that they know what’s going on. One minute you’ll hear that there’s a chance the Rangers and Kreider work it out, the next we’re all talking about his inevitable departure from the team.
The consensus seems to be that Kreider wants a long-term deal, and the Rangers are looking for more mid-length. Naturally, the team would want to keep the seasoned winger around, but if Kreider doesn’t take the deal he’ll hit free agency and won’t be there long.
It looks like there’s a chance Kreider could wind up in Columbus after Blue Jackets scout Rick Nash was spotted scoping the scene. The move would be perfect on Columbus’ side. Kreider is already familiar with head coach John Tortorella. The Jackets are a solid team right now. Adding Kreider to the lineup could give them the leg up they need for a playoff push.
Kreider is perhaps the top name floating around the NHL Rumour mill. The likelihood that he’s still rocking the Blueshirts next year is slim. If the Rangers don’t want to pay him for the next however many years, then they should focus on bringing in the biggest return possible. Find a team you can milk for something more than a first-round pick and a prospect.
Nashville Predators
Rumour: Elliotte Friedman mentioned in 31 Thoughts that the Predators have a tough choice regarding Mikael Granlund.
Analysis: Granlund will be a free agent come this summer. His production in Nashville has been as flat as a pancake. It’s hard to see him sticking around the Preds too long. It just doesn’t seem like the right environment for him.
Now, Nashville might be tempted to question that viewpoint. They shouldn’t. Sure, Granlund has seven points in the last 10 games. Don’t take this as a sign that he should re-sign. Instead, try and present it as the player raising their potential trade interest.
Granlund has the potential to bring in a good return. Keep him in the seller column. Nashville isn’t heading into February 24th to throw a fire sale. Package Granlund up with a sweetener to soften his $5.8 million cap hit.
Since they’re not looking to burn the team to the ground, the Predators should hang on to their draft picks. They shouldn’t give away too much and stall their rebuild. The trade market isn’t anywhere near saturated and the demand for serviceable forwards like Granlund will be large.
Winnipeg Jets
Rumour: Sportsnet.ca recently ranked the Jets players likely to be traded. Jack Roslovic rounded out the list as most likely to be moved.
Analysis: The Jets have bounced back despite all of the drama surrounding the team this year. While they don’t look like a floundering team so much these days, their blueline is shredded. Their forward core is also aging and plagued with injuries. The team is lacking depth all around.
If Winnipeg wants to make a move ahead of the deadline, Roslovic does make sense as the odd man out. He is the most removable player that also has some value. Roslovic hasn’t meshed with the organization, and he hasn’t been quiet about it. He’s made it clear he wants a bigger role with the team but has yet to find it.
Part of his problem is his streakiness. He lacks the consistency to be trusted with more minutes. If he wants to crack the top-six then he needs to mature his game. Roslovic could thrive with another team, given the right circumstances. The Jets can move Roslovic out and look for some help on the defensive end without rocking their top-tier players.
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