Welcome back to another edition of NHL rumours from the crew at Last Word on Hockey. We are less than a month away from the NHL Trade Deadline. With that, comes tons of NHL rumours as teams are gearing up to make their push towards the playoffs. Today, we will focus on NHL rumours from the Winnipeg Jets, Boston Bruins and Columbus Blue Jackets.
All NHL rumours come from their original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Winnipeg Jets
Rumour: On TSN’s Insider Trading, Darren Dreger states that the Winnipeg Jets are in the market for a top for defenceman.
Analysis: While the fact that the Jets are in the market for a top for defenceman is not surprising, the fact that they have not acquired one yet is. The Jets lost essentially four of their top five defensemen in the off-season. Tyler Myers and Ben Chiarot walked in free agency. The Jets traded Jacob Trouba to the New York Rangers in exchange for a package that included Neal Pionk and of course the Dustin Byfuglien situation.
With so many top defenders lost in such a short time, you would think the Jets would have struggled this season. However, they currently sit just three points out of the final Wild Card position in the Western Conference. Hence why they’re now deciding to try to bolster their lineup to make the push for the playoffs.
Potential targets?
So who could they potentially target? Well given the position of need, the best target would be a specifically a right-shot defender. As it stands, the Jets currently have four left-handed shooters in their lineup manning the points. Luca Sbisa is currently playing his off-side which is not preferred by most teams.
Looking at what is potentially available in the market, the two best options for the Jets would be Sami Vatanen or Jeff Petry.
Sami Vatanen is an excellent offensive talent with the ability to quarterback a team’s powerplay. He is an excellent skater and puck mover and would automatically slot into the clubs top pair if he was acquired by the Jets. Vatanen currently has scored five goals and 22 points this season for the New Jersey Devils. He would most likely come a little cheaper than Petry, as he is an unrestricted free agent at seasons end.
Jeff Petry, on the other hand, would be a bit of a tougher bargain. Petry brings the same aspects that Vatanen and would also slot into the top pairing for the Jets. However, Petry has a larger cap hit as well as another year left on his contract after this year. He is also a very important part of the Montreal Canadiens defence group. The cost of Petry would be much greater than Vatanen.
The Devils would also be able to retain salary on Vatanen for the remainder of the year, whereas the Canadiens are not in that position, given that they want to compete for this year and next and would not want to be left with salary on Petry. Vatanen might be the better target for the Jets.
Boston Bruins
Rumour: Also on TSN’s Insider Trading, Pierre LeBrun states that San Jose Sharks defenceman Brenden Dillon has suitors lining up for his services. Among those suitors is the Boston Bruins.
Analysis: Brenden Dillon fits perfectly into the style the Bruins like to play. Dillon is a big, rugged defenceman standing at 6’4” and weighing 225 lbs. He plays a mean, physical game which almost seems like a requirement if you’re going to join the Bruins. The Bruins have been known as the “Big Bad Bruins” for years now and adding a player like Dillon would certainly add to that.
While he is not the most gifted offensively, he makes up for it in his defensive abilities. He is your classic stay at home defenceman who is relied upon to kill penalties. However, don’t have your head down when you’re coming down the wing on Dillon’s side or we will make you pay for it.
LeBrun mentions the cost to acquire Dillon is most likely a second-round pick and a prospect. Not to much to give up especially given the type of game he gives you especially come playoff time. Teams love to have some toughness heading into the playoffs and players are going to run the opposition down. That’s exactly what the Bruins would be getting in Dillon. He would fit right in with the Bruin lineup.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Rumour: According to the Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, the feeling around the league is that the Columbus Blue Jackets are more likely the trade Josh Anderson than to extend the 25-year-old forward.
The Athletic: Josh Anderson’s uncertain future, and why the Blue Jackets’ power forward – for so long a part of the #CBJ identity – is surfacing in trade rumors https://t.co/4EzEynJWnN pic.twitter.com/tJY1aZmPra
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) January 27, 2020
Analysis: This is a shocking turn of events, considering the Blue Jackets traded a first and second-round pick to the Vegas Golden Knights for them to take on the David Clarkson contract, as well as to protect Josh Anderson from getting taken in the expansion draft. The Golden Knights ended up selecting William Karlsson from the Blue Jackets instead. Fast forward three years, “Wild Bill” is a key contributor to the Golden Knights offence, and Anderson is on the trade block.
Anderson is currently enduring the worst statistical season of his career. However, he has been injured for most of the season. Anderson has only scored one goal and four points in 26 games this season. It’s a far cry from the 27 goals and 47 points he put up last season in his career year.
No Issues to Find a Suitor for Anderson
Despite the lack of production, Anderson will certainly still be a hot commodity if he is made available. Anderson brings a gritty aspect to his game which is something teams salivate over. He’s the type of player who can get under the skin of the opposition. He’s not afraid to engage physically and uses this physical style of play to win puck battles along the boards and in the corners. Add this to his goal scoring abilities and he’s the type of character player every team is looking for. If Anderson is made available at the deadline or at the draft in June, the Blue Jackets will certainly have no trouble moving the pending restricted free agent.
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