It’s time for another edition of NHL Rumours to start the work week. Teams are trying to shore up their lineups to make a Stanley Cup run. Other teams are trying to flip players for future assets like picks and prospects. Today’s NHL rumours focus on Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames and Detroit Red Wings.
All NHL rumours are taken from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rumour: Chris Johnston reports the Maple Leafs are in the market to add some defensive help at the trade deadline.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1373446312784461826
Analysis: This is the Leafs best shot at finally making a deep run in the playoffs. Most of the talk has been about Toronto picking up a forward. However, Johnston said the Leafs have been sniffing around on defence.
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The team does have limited resources with its salary cap situation, but there are a couple names the Leafs have been looking into. There likely needs to be some money moved out in order to make a deal work. However, this is Toronto’s best shot in a while. The Leafs have fallen back to earth as of late and have to contend with the Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets after their recent slide.
Elliotte Friedman added the Leafs are also likely to stand pat in goal with Frederik Andersen and Jack Campbell. The 14-day quarantine will likely scare off any Canadian team from waiting for a goalie to finish a two-week stay in a hotel.
Calgary Flames
Rumour: Johnston also added that the Flames might be a good fit for San Jose Sharks winger Marcus Sorensen.
Analysis: Sorensen is the perfect type for a rental with him becoming an unrestricted free agent. His cap hit of $1.5 million is also easy to swallow.
Calgary made its big move bringing back Darryl Sutter to the bench, but the Swede could be a good depth piece Sorensen scored a career-high 17 goals for the Sharks in 2018-19 and could help the middle/bottom six.
The Flames did get a bump after the hiring of Sutter, but they’ll need to get hot if they want to be one of the four North Division squads to make the post-season. Calgary is four points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the last playoff spot in the North, but the Habs have a game in hand.
Detroit Red Wings
Rumour: The Athletic’s Max Bultman looked at past deadline deals to see what the Wings will get if they move some players.
The best comparables for the Red Wings’ top 2021 trade deadline candidates https://t.co/GIhRQuSZI1
— Max Bultman (@m_bultman) March 19, 2021
Analysis: Everyone from Bobby Ryan to Sam Gagner was mentioned in the article. Those players seem likely to get moved by general manager Steve Yzerman. Ryan draws comparisons to Thomas Vanek‘s trade in 2017 for a third-round pick and Dylan McIlrath. Gagner was compared to Lee Stempniak‘s deal with Calgary that fetched a third-round pick in 2014.
Luke Glendening‘s name came up as a part of a deadline deal that the Red Wings may move towards. His defensive skills and faceoff play could get a bigger return than his comparable of Michal Handzus in 2013. Handzus went to the Chicago Blackhawks from San Jose for a fourth-round selection, but Detroit might be able to get a better haul. He played a big hand in Chicago’s success and his value shot up.
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Glendening’s age and his skill set make him appealing to a team needing a third-line centre and he could get the Wings a decent asset. Other names like Anthony Mantha and Jonathan Bernier were mentioned, but Yzerman should be hesitant in dealing those players.
