It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’re rapidly approaching the March 8 trade deadline. Teams have some tough decisions to make about their respective directions. Some good names could be in play, but we won’t know until the trades go down. Contenders are lining up to land players, but selling teams won’t just roll over and hand over players without getting all they can. Today’s NHL rumours focus on the Buffalo Sabres and the Los Angeles Kings.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Buffalo Sabres
Rumour: Harman Dayal of The Athletic gave an update on if the Sabres have to part with young forward Casey Mittelstadt.
5 under-the-radar trade deadline questions — Casey Mittelstadt's future, stealth buyers and more:https://t.co/HzghoRb1LG
— Harman Dayal (@harmandayal2) February 28, 2024
Analysis: The young centre has come alive this season with 13 goals and 31 assists. Mittelstadt is on track for a career season in Western New York. However, does General Manager Kevyn Adams have the money to keep the blossoming pivot?
Buffalo has already dished out some lengthy and expensive extensions to Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. The Sabres also have centres locked into monster deals like Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens. Dayal pointed out that the Sabres brass has to be mindful of how many long-term deals have been handed out.
There’s also the concern of John-Jason Peterka and Jack Quinn each having their entry-level deals coming up at the end of next season. Both players have been trending upward and will likely need a pay raise.
One thing Mittelstadt has going for him is he is an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent. His statistics are trending upward and that’s good for Mittelstadt if he goes to a hearing. Adams may have a hard time finding the money for the young forward from Eden Prairie, Minn.
The Sabres also have needs to fill on the defensive end and may not have the cap space to pay for Mittelstadt. Buffalo might be able to spin the young forward for a nice haul of picks, prospects and/or players. Adams may take those returns and be able to find some stay-at-home defenders to compliment Dahlin and Power.
Los Angeles Kings
Rumour: TSN”s Darren Dreger on Insider Trading said the Kings might have to dip into the trade market after a rash of injuries to their forward group. The breaking point may be the Adrian Kempe MRI results.
INSIDER TRADING…
– Trade unlikely amid Chychrun speculation
– Stars front-runners for Tanev?
– Devils/Toffoli
– Drysdale injury won’t affect Walker/Seeler decisions
– Kempe MRI to determine Kings’ activityMORE: https://t.co/2U09twlsLa pic.twitter.com/SS8J158RNP
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) February 27, 2024
Analysis: Both Viktor Arvidsson and Carl Grundstrom are out for the foreseeable future due to injury. The Kings have been able to survive without the two since interim coach Jim Hiller took charge. However, the injury to Kempe may have put the Kings in a tough spot. The forward fell awkwardly on his arm on Monday night against the Edmonton Oilers.
Kempe’s MRI results may hold the key to what General Manger Rob Blake may do at the trade deadline. Los Angeles may have some salary cap space with if Kempe does go on long-term injured reserve. This could give Blake a chance to bolster the lineup. However, the Kings will be strapped for cap space if Kempe’s injury is not a long-term one.
The Fourth Period’s Dennis Bernstein said the Kings are already actively making calls into available wingers. This could be a clue into how long the Kings leading point-getter might be out. Fellow Fourth Period scribe David Pagnotta said that Blake was making phone calls and doing the leg work into getting another wing player.
Kempe does a lot for the Kings and losing him would be a big blow to their Stanley Cup Playoff chances. The only silver-lining of a long-term injury would be Los Angeles getting an opportunity to fill a hole in its lineup.
Main photo by: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports
