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NHL Rumours: Arizona Coyotes, Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers

NHL Rumours

It’s for another edition of NHL rumours. The trade deadline may be two months away, but there’s plenty of talk heading towards the March 21 deadline. There are some players on the block that contenders want to get their hands on. Today’s NHL rumours focus on the Arizona Coyotes, Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers.

All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.

NHL Rumours

Arizona Coyotes

Rumour: Jeff Marek of Sportsnet talked about the trade chatter surrounding Coyotes defenceman Jakob Chychrun.

Analysis: There are some teams interested in acquiring the defender from the Coyotes. Arizona’s asking price is two former first-round players and a first-round pick in an upcoming draft. There are a total of 10 teams that have made calls about the 23-year-old blueliner. Marek added one of the teams has made an offer to the Coyotes that fits the criteria.

Marek added that Vitali Kravtsov was offered as part of a deal to the Coyotes. Kravtsov is a former first-round pick but is over in the KHL after balking about being assigned to AHL Hartford. He may not be enough to move the needle, but the Rangers do have other first-rounders they could part with in order to land Chychrun.

Marek also added the Florida Panthers could be in play to land the coveted defenceman. One wonders if Anton Lundell and/or Spencer Knight would be part of a trade package. Knight will likely get more sustained game time and Arizona is in desperate need of an upgrade in net.

Chychrun is signed through the 2024-25 season and makes $4.6 million per season.

Montreal Canadiens

Rumour: The Daily Faceoff crew took a look at what Habs’ players could be on the move at the trade deadline.

Analysis: Ben Chiarot came up as an obvious answer and someone we’ve speculated on over the last few weeks. However, Artturi Lehkonen came up in the conversation. The 26-year-old winger becomes an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent at the end of the year. He has a $2.3 million cap hit.

Lehkonen drew comparisons to Blake Coleman in conversations during the Daily Faceoff podcast. It was also stated that three teams have inquired about the Finnish forward’s service. One hasn’t heard much from new general manager Kent Hughes on what he might do at the trade deadline.

The young forward may not have the best scoring touch, but he could provide useful to a team needing a depth forward. He’s been thrust into the top line due to injuries but has been a useful penalty killer. Teams should at least kick the tires on seeing if they can land Lehkonen.

Edmonton Oilers

Rumour: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman talked about the Oilers’ goaltending situation on the recent 32 Thoughts podcast.

Analysis: Edmonton is on a big-time slide down the standings and goaltending seems to be a gigantic red flag at the moment. It seems the prime years of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are being wasted due to some major issues surrounding the team.

Mike Smith has been hurt and Mikko Koskinen has struggled. Stuart Skinner is only 23 years old and has shown some flashes at times. However, there needs to be more consistency in the net.

General manager Ken Holland needs to find a solution, but may not be willing to part with draft picks or prospects. Friedman stated the Oilers are unwilling to give up a first, second or third-round picks or a prospect. Holland wants to try to solve the problem as inexpensively as possible.

A name that some are wondering about is  Karel Vejmelka, who has been a surprise for the Coyotes. However, Arizona probably wants to try and extend him, so that likely takes him out of play.

Holland may have to eventually pay the price and land a goalie. The Oilers have given up picks before and are hesitant to do so, but they may be out of options.

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