Welcome to another Tuesday edition of NHL Rumours! Things are certainly picking up as the trade deadline approaches. There is a lot of chatter about which players will or will not be traded. And with contending teams in all four divisions losing key players to injuries, those teams could be in the market to add a player or two. We here at Last Word on Hockey have got you covered with all the news and analysis with the deadline approaching. In today’s edition of NHL Rumours, we look at the New Jersey Devils, Nashville Predators, and New York Islanders.
NHL Rumours
New Jersey Devils
Rumour: According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet on his 31 Thoughts podcast, the New Jersey Devils and forward Kyle Palmieri have begun discussing the future and the possibility of signing an extension or moving on via trade.
Analysis: As previously mentioned in numerous rumours articles, Kyle Palmieri is an interesting case for the Devils. He is the type of player that will be brought up constantly in trade rumours, but when push comes to shove he will end up staying right where he is. For the Devils to move on from Palmieri they are going to have to see someone develop in their system that has the scoring touch the team desperately needs. Not to say Palmieri is lighting the world on fire this season, but he has consistently put up 25 goals over the past couple of seasons. On the other end of things, the Devils are going to be sellers and he is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Which means he will bring value back.
But as general manager Tom Fitzgerald has always stated, the deal has to be right to move for him. He is not going to give Palmieri up for just anything. Now, this could be just a one-off season and chalk it up to COVID. But the thing is do the Devils see Palmieri as part of their future? If they do, then a contract extension at a reasonable term makes sense. The big factor for Palmieri is he is playing at home. He is from the area and loves playing for the Devils. So the fit is there. However, if you are going to sign him for five to six years, then it might be best to trade him. But if it is a three or four-year deal, then it makes sense to keep him around.
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Nashville Predators
Rumour: Also on 31 Thoughts Podcast, Elliotte Friedman stated the Nashville Predators are looking for a Muzzin-like package for Mattias Ekholm. He believes the Winnipeg Jets and Boston Bruins are in the mix.
Friedman on 31 Thoughts says the #Preds are looking for a Muzzin-like package for Ekhlom, 2 prospects & a 1st RD pick and EF believes some will pay that.
Says WPG & BOS are in.
Has heard at times MTL is in but has also been told they are not, doesn’t know what to make of that.
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) March 15, 2021
Analysis: We know as the trade deadline approaches the Predators will be sellers and the name that continues to come up is Mattias Ekholm. Ekholm is a solid defenceman for the Predators and will be a great addition to any team trying to contend to win the Stanley Cup. If the asking price is two prospects and a first-round pick, that is a steep price to pay. But you know someone will pay for it. Especially for a guy like Ekholm. He can slot into a contending team’s top four easily. But with defence, the name of the game come playoff time, teams like the Jets and Bruins would be great fits.
First the Jets, obviously if they were to acquire Ekholm it automatically makes their defence better. While they are near the top of the North Division, their defence is still a weak point. However, if the Jets were to make this move they would need to do it soon that way Ekholm can go through the 14-day quarantine just like Pierre-Luc Dubois did earlier in the season. That might be the only thing holding them back from making the deal. On the Boston side of things, you knew it was going to be a challenge this season with the loss of Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara. Ekholm would be a definite upgrade over some of the pieces already there. But with other needs more pressing, do the Bruins pull the trigger on another deal instead?
New York Islanders
Rumour: With Anders Lee lost for the rest of the regular season, Arthur Staples of The Athletic looks at the potential players the New York Islanders could target at the trade deadline.
Analysis: Even though the Islanders sit in first place in the East Division, they need to upgrade their scoring. Especially with Lee out of the lineup. They are getting by right now. However, come the playoffs it could catch up with them. Several names that Staple threw out were guys like Palmieri, Nick Foligno, Mikael Granlund, and Erik Haula. All would be ideal fits for the Islanders. Granted the guy that makes the most sense is Palmieri, but it is unclear if general manager Lou Lamoriello wants to give up the pieces for him.
A player like Foligno is interesting. While he may not have the scoring touch he once did. Having those character guys around during playoff time is always a plus. Just look at the Tampa Bay Lightning last season. However, Foglino has a 10-team no-trade clause, so he would have to agree to come to the Islanders. Another player the Islanders will be willing to look at is Erik Haula. Haula did score 29-goals four seasons ago, so the potential is there. However, he is on his fourth team in three years, so something isn’t clicking. This would be one of those cheap deals after the Islanders pull something else off.
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That does it for this edition of NHL Rumours. Stay tuned for another edition real soon.
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