On the Toronto Maple Leafs, Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins, Dallas Stars, Winnipeg Jets, Tampa Bay Lightning, Arizona Coyotes and Anaheim Ducks …
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking at Ak-Bars Kazan forward Vladimir Tkachev, who could be a depth player in the NHL.
Predators P.K. Subban could return tonight. There was a rumor out there that he had a herniated disc.
With many teams with little cap room, still in the playoff hunt and with the expansion draft coming, the trade market is paralyzed.
Last year teams were being told that Maple Leafs winger James van Riemsdyk was not available. Teams are being told this year: “If you’re serious, ante up.” JVR has a year left on his deal and is eligible for an extension on July 1st. The Maple Leafs could use some help on the blueline. His value would be less next year as he’ll be a free agent.
It’s been quiet out of Pittsburgh. GM Jim Rutherford is likely going to try and add a piece, and he prefers to do it before the deadline. Could expect them to look to add a defenseman.
The Penguins will need to decide if they’re better off trying to trade Marc-Andre Fleury now, or wait until after the season. He can be traded to 17 teams without his permission (18 with Vegas), but they would likely work with him to go somewhere he’s okay with.
Dallas would be the perfect fit for Fleury, but it’s hard to figure out what would head back to Pittsburgh. Another idea would be with the Jets, with Jacob Trouba heading to Pittsburgh.
Some GMs are thinking Steve Yzerman is getting a little restless in Tampa.
Pending Arizona Coyotes UFA winger Shane Doan.
“I’ve always thought that if I was going to go anywhere else,” he said last week, “it would have been when I had the choice a few years ago.”
“I’ve learned that you never know what is going to happen, but when we decided to stay, the plan was to stay for good. That is still the plan.”
The only way the Anaheim Ducks are going to trade defenseman Cam Fowler is if they think they can’t re-sign him. He’ll be a free agent after next season.
