It’s time to start the week with another edition of NHL rumours. We’re closing in on the March 21 and some teams are trying to get assets to make a run. However, other teams are trying to offload expiring contracts to get something out of them. Defencemen and leadership are both coveted at the trade deadline and this edition of NHL rumours focuses on them. Today’s NHL rumours will have the latest on the Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers and Anaheim Ducks.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Calgary Flames
Rumour: The Fourth Period reports that the Flames are in the market for defensive help.
Flames want to add defenceman https://t.co/BbR55UuNum
— The Fourth Period (@TFP) February 16, 2022
Analysis: Calgary almost got Ben Chiarot thrown in the deal that sent Tyler Toffoli to Alberta according to David Pagnotta. However, things didn’t work out and the Flames are looking for more defence still. Toffoli has already come through well in his first few games and Calgary may want to test the trade market again.
The main issue that General Manager Brad Treliving has to worry about is cap space. He’ll have to be creative if he wants to bolster the blueline. Treliving sees the rental market as the best route to getting what the team needs.
Besides Chiarot, the Flames have looked into former captain Mark Giordano and Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Calvin de Haan. Both are unrestricted free agents at the end of the season. This may be the Flames’ last great chance to contend before some big questions have to be answered about contracts.
Philadelphia Flyers
Rumour: The Athletic’s Charlie O’Connor looked at comparable deals on what the Flyers could back for Claude Giroux.
As talk of Claude Giroux's potential deadline availability dominates the discourse, Flyers fans' imaginations are running wild re: a return package. But what might he actually bring back?
Reviewing the big rental F trades of the past 5 years to find out:https://t.co/G72kYC6obF
— Charlie O'Connor (@charlieo_conn) February 19, 2022
Analysis: O’Connor took a deep dive into what the captain could bring in returns if he does get dealt. He pointed out that it will likely be less than what Flyers’ fans want. Most of the deals in the article said a first-rounder or a high-end prospect would be part of the deal.
However, it would still be a good return if Giroux gets traded. Two deals that are on the more optimistic end are when the Ottawa Senators traded Matt Duchene to the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Winnipeg Jets sent Paul Statsny to the Vegas Golden Knights. Ottawa got back a first-rounder and two prospects while Winnipeg got a first-rounder, mid-level prospect and a fourth-round choice.
The Flyers need to fix plenty of holes in their lineup and selling at the deadline will help with that. However, General Manager Chuck Fletcher hopes that he’s not hamstrung by Giroux’s no-trade clause.
Anaheim Ducks
Rumour: The Athletic’s Eric Stephens discussed what the future holds for Hampus Lindholm.
Hampus Lindholm has given the #NHLDucks nine quality seasons as a big piece of their defense corps. Will there be a 10th? More? Discussed with him the present and the future.https://t.co/sPSniDJX4q
— Eric Stephens (@icemancometh) February 20, 2022
Analysis: Lindholm has been one of the Ducks’ best defenders, but he’s a UFA at the end of the year. New General Manager Pat Verbeek has some decisions to make, but he does have some money to play with. Anaheim could have $41 million in cap space in the coming off-season.
However, that comes with some strings attached with Troy Terry likely getting a well-deserved raise. There’s also the second contracts of Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale coming at the end of the 2022-23 season. The cap does go up in the coming years, but won’t really swell until the escrow is paid off.
Lindholm is trying to nail down a contract that gives him both money and term, but also wants to win. There’s been some discussions and Lindholm met with Verbeek in recent days. The Swede said he trusts agent Claude Lemieux to get his next deal done.
Anaheim has shown improvement this season, but there have been some struggles as of late. Lindholm would fetch a decent contract if he did hit the open market. However, the Ducks team may be ready to take the next step in the coming seasons.
