Welcome to the Tuesday edition of NHL Rumours! The Christmas holiday freeze is just around the corner, but there have been so many changes already. Even though teams cannot trade through the holiday, once the freeze is lifted, the action will once again turn from on the ice to off the ice. There are teams at the top looking to add pieces to contend. While other teams are at the bottom looking towards the future. In today’s edition of NHL Rumours, we look at the Vancouver Canucks, New York Rangers, and Detroit Red Wings
NHL Rumours
Vancouver Canucks
Rumour: New Vancouver Canucks President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford during his press conference today says he is in no hurry to make any trades.”
Analysis: Before the Canucks decided to change their general manager and head coach, there was a lot of chatter about them making moves come the trade deadline. And that can still happen, however, the new President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford stated on Monday, he was is not in any rush to make any trades any time soon. Rutherford wants to evaluate what he has before making any deals. And that is a smart strategy considering he just took over the team. Although, Rutherford admits teams have been calling him about players on the team already.
Rutherford in an aggressive general manager, especially when he was with Pittsburgh. He was out ahead of the trade deadline and looked to improve his team so they can make a run. The Canucks are 4-0 under head coach Bruce Boudreau. There is still a lot of season left as the Canucks inch closer to a playoff spot. However, if things suddenly turn the other way there is no doubt, Rutherford could get a nice haul for a player like J.T. Miller. Miller continues to be rumoured in trade talks. But he is such a crucial piece to the offence, it would be a difficult decision to trade him especially if the Canucks are close to a wild card spot.
New York Rangers
Rumour: Steve Greely of the Daily Faceoff looks at what the next contract for New York Rangers forward Ryan Strome would be.
Analysis: Rangers forward Ryan Strome is having an unbelievable season. In fact, he has had some remarkable seasons ever since he was paired with Artemi Panarin. Strome and Panarin work well together. However, Strome is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. He is currently making $4.5 million a season and will be looking for a raise. Since arriving from Edmonton for Ryan Spooner, Strome has put up 155 points including 53 goals in 206 games as a member of the Rangers. Strome is a player the Rangers definitely want to keep.
However, we have seen general manager Chris Drury ship out Pavel Buchnevich before he was due a salary increase. But Strome feels different. While the Rangers have Kaapo Kakko and Alexis Lafreniere waiting in the wings, Strome fits this Rangers club, especially at the centre position. With Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin already signed to new deals, the Rangers can fit Strome’s new deal under the salary cap. Though Strome is the number one centre, he will be paid like a number two centre. And with dead cap money coming off the books and the salary cap going up, the Rangers can get a new deal done with Strome.
Detroit Red Wings
Rumour: According to TSN’s Trade Bait Board they ranked Red Wings defenceman, Nick Leddy, as the number six target.
Analysis: It is no surprise that Nick Leddy’s name is appearing on the trade bait board. Ever since he was traded from the New York Islanders to the Red Wings he has made an impact on the team. However, with the emergence of Moritz Seider, the Red Wings see Leddy as expendable and who does not need a depth defenceman come playoff time? Leddy is on an expiring contract and he is a great puck-moving defenceman. This season with the Red Wings he is playing on the second pair and has recorded eight points all assists in 28 games.
Though Leddy had his issues in the playoffs with the Islanders last season, in the right situation and right pairing he could be successful. Why not a reunion with the Islanders considering the Red Wings could probably eat half of his salary cap? He is just what the Islanders need considering they have not found a suitable replacement for him. If not the Islanders need to find someone else. We know things get crazy around the trade deadline, especially with defencemen.
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