The 2024 NHL trade deadline is just over six weeks away and leading into the All-Star week in Toronto, trade talk around the league is buzzin’. So far, it seems like there’s been much more chatter than substance, as trade volumes are down across the league, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a flurry coming before March 8.
Here’s the very latest from around the national league:
Nashville Predators Likely Moving a Goalie
Pierre LeBrun of TSN recently mentioned the Nashville Predators are not shopping number one goalie Juuse Saros, but if the right package came along, general manager Barry Trotz would have no choice but to ponder the deal. Saros has another season left on his contract at just $5 million and doesn’t have any trade protection on his deal.
Nashville has one of the best goalie prospects in the world in Yaroslav Askarov, who is a former first-round pick and lighting up the AHL. He’s also appeared in two NHL games this season, posting a .943 Sv.%. In the minors, the Russian tender has posted a 15-6-1 record along with a 2.19 GAA and .921 Sv.%.
While it’s only a matter of time before Askarov is given a look as the Predators’ starter, there’s also a chance the team moves backup Kevin Lankinen instead of Saros. The goalie trade chatter around the league has picked up in a major way as there’s a number of playoff teams who need more depth in their crease. The New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes, LA Kings and Edmonton Oilers have all talked goalie trades at different parts of this season.
Six Potential Destinations for Jakob Chychrun
Matt Larkin of Daily Faceoff was the latest reporter to chime in on Ottawa Senators defenseman Jakob Chychrun and the significant trade rumors surrounding him. Chychrun is signed through next season at just $4.6 million and he doesn’t have any trade protection in his contract. Senators GM Steve Staios has been aggressive on the trade market seeing how much other teams value his players, so there’s certainly potential for a move to go down before the deadline as Staios looks to re-tool on the fly.
Larkin sees six teams as potential suitors which include the Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Larkin thinks there’s some potential if the Leafs get involved that their trade package would need to include at least their 2024 first-round pick and defensive prospect Topi Niemela.
As for what Chychrun has to say about the latest trade buzz, he caught up with Ian Mendes of The Athletic and mentioned:
I think it’s ridiculous, if I’m being honest. I went through it in Arizona and that was a different situation. But to see it now is a bit ridiculous. And I don’t think it’s based off anything.
Kings Young Forward Wants to Play
TSN’s Darren Dreger recently commented on LA Kings forward Arthur Kaliyev’s situation, as some healthy scratches are starting to waiver on his confidence and commitment to the team:
Or just change with the team they’re with. {Kaliyev’s} been a healthy scratch multiple times in LA, which also has clubs around the NHL paying attention. Could there be a fit? Could there be an opportunity to move? The Kings have stated that they’re not quite interested yet in moving Arthur Kaliyev. But something has to change, this young guy needs to play.
Kaliyev has appeared in 36 of the Kings 44 games, posting six goals and 14 points. Last season the former second-round pick collected 13 goals and 28 points in 56 games. If the Kings aren’t going to play him, the trade talks are going to intensify ahead of the early March based on how well he’s played in the past and the fact Kaliyev is just 22 years old with untapped potential.
LA recently lost to the Buffalo Sabres and Drew Doughty went off on the team, calling out some players for thinking about their numbers instead of playing the team’s structure. Perhaps there’s some significant changes coming for the Kings as GM Rob Blake looks for another goalie, has some big names underperforming and now his best d-man is calling out teammates:
Drew Doughty didn’t hold back in his post-game media availability. 😳
(🎥: YouTube/L.A. Kings) pic.twitter.com/TjpaQ0OdFp
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 25, 2024
Quick Hits
- Lots of rumors circulating about the Minnesota Wild and GM Bill Guerin not interested in moving the team’s first-round pick in any trade ahead of the deadline. Probably a good idea considering the Wild are 21-21-5 on the year, four points out of a playoff spot at the moment. Expect to see Marc-Andre Fleury and Pat Maroon to be involved in trade talks.
- Kyle Dubas and the Penguins are rumored to be shifting their focus to next season and there’s potential that before the start of the 2024-25 season, all three of Jake Guentzel, Erik Karlsson and Reilly Smith could be traded. Guentzel and Smith continue to have their names linked to pre-deadline deals, meanwhile the Karlsson experiment could be coming to an end this upcoming offseason.
- Some bubble teams to keep an eye on ahead of the trade deadline include the Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks, Seattle Kraken, Penguins, Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres. Once any of these teams start to fall back in the playoff race, the trade talks are going to pick up significantly as they’ll quickly become sellers.
