The big day of the NHL trade deadline has almost arrived and that means more last-minute NHL rumours. Teams are making their finally push to acquire or off-load assets. The landscape is going to change some more before all is said and done on Friday afternoon. Who is going to take a risk and who is going to punt for towards the future? Today’s NHL rumours focus on the Vancouver Canucks and the New York Islanders.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Vancouver Canucks
Rumour: In the Athletic’s live stream of the latest NHL rumours, the Canucks may flip Elias Lindholm to another team. This is according to insider Chris Johnston.
New, for @TheAthletic: A refreshed Big Board after a wild Wednesday of NHL trade activity.
We're less than 29 hours until the deadline … ⏳https://t.co/LRRpav3pbzhttps://t.co/LRRpav3pbz
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 7, 2024
Analysis: Many though Lindholm was going to be a major piece of the Canucks’ push for their first Stanley Cup. However, Vancouver may have some buyer’s remorse and the Swede appears back on the trade bait board. Lindholm has been playing as a third-line pivot in the most recent games
The veteran forward has found it hard to accentuate his offensive strengths due to not getting a chance to be in the top six. Lindholm was acquired from the Calgary Flames on Jan. 31 and many thought he would give the Canucks some more offensive pop. However, that hasn’t been the case.
The 29-year-old is in the final year of a contract that sees him making $4.85 million. Lindholm was hoping he could parlay a strong end of the season into a big-time payday. However, that’s not worked out as of yet.
Johnston cited league sources saying the Canucks have been in trade discussions with the Boston Bruins regarding Lindholm. The forward doesn’t have any protection and that cap-hit is a manageable one for a rental. Boston needs a number two centre and adding Lindholm could give the club some much-needed depth down the middle.
Vancouver has been rumoured in previous editions of our NHL rumours to be interested in the Pittsburgh Penguins Jake Guentzel. Could Lindholm being sent out East be enough of an enticement to make a trade happen before things are done on Friday?
New York Islanders
Rumour: The Athletic’s Arthur Staple said the Islanders might now be players at the deadline after putting together a winning run. Staple talked to Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello about the team’s new-found cap space.
Scott Mayfield is on LTIR, so the #Isles have some cap space to work with. Will Lou Lamoriello add before Friday to a team chasing a playoff spot?https://t.co/5ZDDQY81Av
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) March 5, 2024
Analysis: Many thought the Isles were in a heap of trouble, but Lamoriello pulled the trigger on firing Lane Lambert. Head coach Patrick Roy has taken over and made the team better after some initial rough patches. Roy could be the big deadline acquisition that steers the Islanders into the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Tuesday morning saw the news that Scott Mayfield has been put on long-term injured reserve. Losing a player like Mayfield does hurt the Islanders lineup. However, it does give Lamoriello an opportunity to be a player on Friday’s deadline. Placing Mayfield on LTIR gives the club an extra $3.5 million to play with around March 8.
Lamoriello won’t give up his first-round pick and many Eastern Conference general managers are likely of the same mindset. Staple does mention that the San Jose Sharks might have some players that could interest the Islanders. Pending unrestricted free agent Alexander Barabanov and pending restricted free agent Luke Kunin each have manageable cap hits and could be reasonable acquisitions.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman added that the Islanders have been sniffing around other teams to add more scoring help. Frank Vatrano might draw interest and a reunion with Anthony Beauvillier might be possible. The Mayfield injury has given Lamoriello some money to play with if he feels a deal is right.
Main photo by: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
