On the Chicago Blackhawks …
Scott Powers of The Athletic: The Blackhawks have been inconsistent scoring up front this season and their biggest need may be a top-nine center. They could give Tanner Kero another look. GM Stan Bowman has to be thinking about using the Marion Hossa’s LTIR space to acquire a center before the trade deadline. A center who is good on the draw and can provide some offense should be of interest.
On the Pittsburgh Penguins, Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings, Arizona Coyotes, Edmonton Oilers, and the Ottawa Senators …
Elliotte Freidman of Sportsnet: If the Pittsburgh Penguins are looking to free up some salary cap space, and with GM Jim Rutherford not afraid to make a big move, could consider trading defenseman Kris Letang. Letang has four left on his deal at a $7.25 million cap hit. The Pens were able to win the Cup last season without him for their playoff run. He does have a long history of injuries, so that could complicate a deal.
The Montreal Canadiens might be on Letang’s list of teams he’d accept a trade too. If they were able to make a deal, the Canadiens would have $27 million tied up for the next three seasons in Letang, Karl Alzner, Jeff Petry and Shea Weber.
Would the Detroit Red Wings be interested in Letang?
The Arizona Coyotes could be looking to move 22-year old Anthony Duclair.
There doesn’t seem to be a fit between the Edmonton Oilers and Ottawa Senators involving forward Mike Hoffman. Would the Carolina Hurricanes or St. Louis Blues be interested in Hoffman?
There has been some talk that several players are considering not going to the All-Star game because they are upset about not going to the Olympics. A player can be suspended if they skip the All-Star game.
