It’s time for another round of NHL rumours as we’re in the middle of the All-Star Break. Big trades have already been made with Elias Lindholm heading over to the Vancouver Canucks. However, the fun is just getting started. Some big names could be on the move this deadline. The phones of general managers will be ringing off the hook in the next month plus. Some teams also haven’t decided whether they will buy or they will sell at the upcoming trade deadline. Today’s NHL rumours focus on the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Ottawa Senators
Rumour: Ottawa Senators forward Vladimir Tarasenko appears fifth on TSN’s trade bait board.
Analysis: The Senators took a chance on the Russian forward as they looked to take the next step this season. Unfortunately, this season hasn’t gone according to plan for Ottawa. Therefore, Tarasenko looks to be a rental for the second straight campaign.
The veteran forward has a $5 million cap hit and is used to being a hired gun like he was for the New York Rangers. It did seem he was overshadowed after the Blueshirts picked up Patrick Kane from the Chicago Blackhawks. The 32-year-old has scored 13 goals and gotten 20 assists in 45 games this season in the Canadian capital.
Tarasenko has been a 30-goal scorer for most of his long career with the St. Louis Blues. In fact, between 2014-15 and 2018-19, he averaged over 37 and was never below 33. Talk about consistency. Now, he may not put up numbers like he did in the past. Despite that, he would provide a boost to a lineup looking for some scoring punch.
The Senators are looking for “professionals,” so it is a catch-22 in Tarasenko’s case, but trading him could net the a nice return. It seems like the deadline is off and running, but new General Manager Steve Staios has some time to make a trade. Ottawa could salvage something out of this season, but Staios needs to get some good returns in deals.
Philadelphia Flyers
Rumour: TSN’s Darren Dreger said the Philadelphia Flyers are taking calls on forward Scott Laughton.
The Center market is relatively thin. Hence, the @NHLFlyers are taking calls on Scott Laughton. They’re not eager to trade him but Danny Briere is gauging the interest.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 1, 2024
Analysis: Philadelphia is having a good season, but it is taking calls on the forward. This is due to the centre market at the deadline being relatively thin. General Manager Daniel Briere has been a busy man and dealing with a lot of things. The Flyers seem to be ahead of schedule, but it doesn’t hurt to listen to offers.
Philadelphia may have to address other needs due to other issues. The lack of centres could give Briere the hammer when it comes to deals with other general managers. Briere can sift through deals and find the right one if it comes along. Conversely, he could keep Laughton if the right trade partner isn’t found.
The 29-year-old forward has some good value at $3 million until the end of the 2025-26 season. He wouldn’t be just a rental with that sort of term and price left on his contract. Laughton could be a very solid depth option up the middle for a Stanley Cup contender. He could also provide some leadership because he is currently an assistant captain with the Flyers. Leadership like that can be hard to find at the trade deadline.
Other Flyers like Sean Walker, Nick Seeler and Morgan Frost have been tossed around in previous editions of NHL rumours. Philadelphia is having a surprising season, but the next month will tell the story for the club. A good February could make Briere think long and hard before selling off assets at the March 8 trade deadline. Head Coach John Tortorella has this young team playing very well in what was supposed to be a rebuilding season.
Main photo by: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
