In today’s NHL rumors rundown, the Ottawa Senators are getting a ton of interest in forward Vladimir Tarasenko, with the Florida Panthers emerging as the frontrunners. What does this mean for the Edmonton Oilers, who are starting to find out their top targets aren’t available to them? Did Linus Ullmark hear he was about to be traded partway through the Bruins game against the Toronto Maple Leafs? The Seattle Kraken are on the verge of trading Alexander Wennberg. Finally, Noah Hanifin to the Tampa Bay Lightning looks to be getting close.
Tarasenko Deal Coming Soon: Florida the Frontrunner?
Senators winger Vladimir Tarasenko is widely expected to be on the move in the next few days with Ottawa well out of playoff contention. The 32-year-old has had a solid season with Ottawa, his first with them after signing a one-year, $5 million deal in free agency. Tarasenko has 17 goals and 24 assists in 57 games so far, good for fifth on the team in scoring.
Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch reports:
A league source told this newspaper that the Florida Panthers would be high on his list of possible destinations. They are among the teams that have kicked tires along with the Carolina Hurricanes, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers.
source – ‘GARRIOCH: Senators winger Vladimir Tarasenko can pick and choose his new home’ – Bruce Garrioch – Ottawa Sun – 03/04/2024
According to Garrioch, the return Sens GM Steve Staios is looking for a two-piece return in exchange for Tarasenko. One is a second-round pick and the other is a prospect.
Oilers Starting to Lose Out on Top Targets
While trades haven’t happened yet and there’s still a chance that one of the top deadline targets chooses Edmonton, a theme is starting to emerge this week. The Oilers find themselves second or third among trade options for selling teams. There was talk that Chris Tanev was interested in going to Edmonton in a deal, but the Flames didn’t want to send him there without a premium. Jake Guentzel is high on the Oilers’ list, but his price is high and Vegas is making a push. So too, the price for Pavel Buchnevich out of St. Louis is incredible and Holland is reportedly backing off.
Related: 3 Maple Leafs Trade Targets From the Metro Division
So what will Holland do? Reports are the priority is defense, with Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer suggesting, “Don’t be surprised…
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