NHL Rumors: Sabres, Oilers, Rangers, Senators, Leafs, Canucks and Trade Bait Board
Bob McKenzie thinks there is more than a 50 percent chance the Senators trade Mike Hoffman
On the Buffalo Sabres …

Bob McKenzie: The Sabres are looking for a high draft pick – a first or second pick – and a good prospect for Evander Kane. The rental market hasn’t been defined yet. Also, “If teams aren’t SURE they’ll make playoffs, will they pay for rentals to try to make playoffs?”

On the Edmonton Oilers …

Mark Spector: Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli emailed all teams yesterday to let them know that Anton Slepyshev is available for trade.

On the New York Rangers …

Bob McKenzie: The Rangers are in a playoff spot, but they might ‘sell’ within reason. It won’t be a fire sale. The owner and market likely won’t approve.

On the Ottawa Senators …

Bob McKenzie: Think the Senators will more than likely trade forward Mike Hoffman. It’s not a 100 percent that they will move him, but well over 50 percent.

On the Toronto Maple Leafs …

Bob McKenzie: The Maple Leafs pending UFAs will be their “own rentals” at the trade deadline. They are worth more to the Leafs now than the futures they would get for them.

On the Vancouver Canucks …

Iain MacIntyre: Don’t think the Canucks will trade defenseman Chris Tanev, but will likely move defenseman Erik Gudbranson and forward Thomas Vanek.

Trade Bait Board …

Frank Seravalli of TSN: TSN’s top 20 trade bait board.

  1. Evander Kane – Buffalos Sabres – $5.25 million cap hit.
    2. Mike Green – Detroit Red Wings – $6 million cap hit.
    3. Patrick Maroon – Edmonton Oilers – $1.5 million cap hit.
    4. Mike Hoffman – Ottawa Senators – $5.19 million cap hit.
    5. Max Pacioretty – Montreal Canadiens – $4.5 million cap hit.
    6. Thomas Vanek – Vancouver Canucks – $2 million cap hit.
    7. Alex Galchenyuk – Montreal Canadiens – $4.9 million cap hit.
    8. Erik Gudbranson – Vancouver Canucks – $3.5 million cap hit.
    9. Zack Smith – Ottawa Senators – $3.25 million cap hit.
    10. James Neal – Vegas Golden Knights – $5 million cap hit.
    11. David Perron – Vegas Golden Knights – $3.75 million cap hit.
    12. Ian Cole – Pittsburgh Penguins – $2.1 million cap hit.
    13. Andrew Shaw – Montreal Canadiens – $3.9 million cap hit.
    14. Mark Letestu – Edmonton Oilers – $1.8 million cap hit.
    15. Rick Nash – New York Rangers – $7.8 million cap hit.
    16. Cody Franson – Chicago Blackhawks – $1 million cap hit.
    17. Robin Lehner – Buffalo Sabres – $4 million cap hit.
    18. Dion Phaneuf – Ottawa Senators – $7 million cap hit.
    19. Petr Mrazek – Detroit Red Wings – $4 million cap hit.
    20. Tyson Barrie – Colorado Avalanche – $5.5 million cap hit.