NHL All-Star weekend started off with a bang as the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks completed a blockbuster trade. It sounds like there could be plenty more to come, as soon as this weekend, as trade talks around the league have intensified in a major way.
Here’s the very latest from around the league in this week’s rumour recap:
Elias Lindholm Dealt to Canucks
Vancouver is going all in this season as general manager Patrik Allvin acquired centre Elias Lindholm from the Flames in exchange for a 2024 first-round pick, a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick, winger Andrei Kuzmenko and defense prospects Hunter Brzustewicz and Joni Jurmo.
Lindholm was the top trade target of this season’s available players and the Canucks jumped ahead of the market. In 49 games this season, the Swedish two-way pivot has recorded 32 points. He’s known to be an impact player in all situations and will surely compliment the forward group in Vancouver.
Kuzmenko on the other hand, waived his no-trade clause to move to Calgary after being linked to trade rumours throughout the season. The 27-year-old Russian burst onto the NHL scene last season, however has seen his production dip drastically this year, collecting eight goals and 13 assists in 43 games. Kuzmenko recorded 39 goals and 74 points in his rookie season in 2022-23. He’s under contract for next season at $5.5 million, meanwhile Lindholm is a pending free agent at season’s end and so far no talks of an extension are expected.
Chris Tanev Linked to Canucks
While all the noise was breaking regarding the Lindholm deal, some reports started to surface regarding Flames defenseman Chris Tanev’s potential of being moved to Vancouver in a separate deal.
Tanev not in this deal but I don’t the Canucks will stop trying to acquire him.
Immense respect for Tanev in the whole organization.
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) February 1, 2024
I believe he was, but it was thought to better as a separate deal. Heard the same, Rick. https://t.co/WdPwekmgjb
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 1, 2024
Interesting to see Dreger mention it could be better suited in a different trade. The Canucks have a projected $1.8 million in deadline cap space left after acquiring Lindholm and Tanev is set to earn $4.5 million. The stay-at-home blueliner has 10-team no-trade protection on his contract, but is very likely open to a return to Vancouver, if Calgary does end up moving him ahead of the March 8 deadline.
Resident insider Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff recently mentioned he felt the Flames could likely land a conditional second-round pick for Tanev, which could potentially turn into a first rounder. With one goal in 46 games, not a bad return for a very one dimensional, defensive defenseman. If it’s not the Canucks, Seravalli potential suitors include the Maple Leafs, Stars, Panthers, Islanders, Penguins, and Lightning. There’s also been some talks from Elliotte Friedman regarding the Ottawa Senators being very interested in Tanev, potentially as an offseason signing once free agency opens.
Former #2 Overall Pick on the Trade Block
Shifting gears to the big apple, New York Rangers forward, and former second-overall pick Kaapo Kakko has become a prime trade candidate. There’s been some speculation about Kakko voicing some displeasure about his playing time and role on the team and while not requesting a trade, it seems to be the preferred outcome.
Kakko was taken second overall in 2019 and has yet to find his consistent production in the NHL. Through 28 games this season on Broadway, Kakko has scored five goals and added one assist. The Finnish forward scored 18 times and ended with a career-high 40 points last season.
Daily Faceoff’s Jonny Lazarus recently commented on Kakko’s situation in New York on a recent episode of Morning Cuppa Hockey and mentioned he feels the Rangers will look for a forward with term left on their contract in return, perhaps someone in their mid-20’s as GM Chris Drury looks to balance out his group:
Thanks to @PizzaSportsGuy for the question.
Kakko’s name is being floated around for a potential trade for #NYR and @ColbyCohen36 put it best.
You can’t look at Kaapo Kakko as a #2 overall pick anymore. @DailyFaceoff pic.twitter.com/BbQiHUQQzO
— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) January 31, 2024
The Rangers sit atop the Metropolitan Division with a 30-16-3 record, and are currently projected to have just over $5 million available in deadline cap space. The 22-year-old Kakko is owed $2.1 million this season and is a restricted free agent this upcoming summer.
Nick Robertson Lands on TSN Trade Board
As we reported earlier this week, Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson was #40 on TSN’s trade board leading up to the March 8 deadline. Robertson is no stranger to trade rumours and seems to be currently creating a role for himself on Toronto’s third line.
Robertson is just 22 years old and the former second-round pick has recorded seven goals and 14 points in 29 games of NHL action this season. He’s been in and out of the lineup throughout the entire season and is hopeful his recent surge in production will lead to a solidified role after the All-Star break. With Calle Jarnkrok sidelined for at least a month with a broken knuckle, this should give Robertson a chance to prove himself to the Leafs, or any other NHL organization for that matter.
Quick Hits From Around the NHL
- Sean Monahan remains the Montreal Canadiens biggest trade asset and TSN’s Pierre LeBrun feels the Canadiens could fetch as much as a first-round pick for the veteran forward. Monahan’s been linked to several teams including the Avalanche, Oilers, Bruins, Stars and Maple Leafs
- Phil Kessel remains a free agent but hasn’t given up hope to play in the NHL this season. He is open to signing a PTO and prove to any organization that he can still be a productive middle-six winger. Kessel recorded 14 goals and 22 assists in 82 games last season with the Vegas Golden Knights.
- Trade talks have seem to quiet out of Ottawa as the Senators remain a team to watch ahead of the trade deadline. Defenseman Jakob Chychrun is happy with the latest trade speculation that’s surfaced, however, it’s not something he’s not used to from his days in Arizona. Chychrun is signed through next season at a very reasonable $4.6 million and does not hold any trade protection.
- Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek recently spoke on Flames trade rumors and suggested a trade could surface between the Flames and San Jose Sharks centered around Tomas Hertl and Daniel Vladar. The Sharks are open for business and will be active ahead of the deadline. Hertl is signed through the 2029-30 season at $8.1 AAV and does have a full no-movement clause. Let’s wait and see if he’d be willing to waive it to leave sunny California.
