In today’s NHL rumors rundown, are the Seattle Kraken ready to start selling pending UFAs if they start to fall down the standings? Meanwhile, is Ivan Provorov attracting interest around the NHL? Who is calling and are the Blue Jackets ready to move him? The Edmonton Oilers are having interesting phone conversations, and the Carolina Hurricanes talked to 28 different teams about a Martin Necas trade.
Kraken Have Several Assets They Could Sell
As the Seattle Kraken navigate the NHL’s wild card race, their status as potential buyers or sellers at the trade deadline remains uncertain. Should the team fall out of playoff contention, several of their pending unrestricted free agents are expected to attract significant interest from around the league.
The Fourth Period reports key forwards Brandon Tanev and Yanni Gourde have already garnered attention, while Daniel Sprong, William Borgen, and Josh Mahura also present intriguing options for teams that need forward depth. Tanev holds a 10-team no-trade list, while Gourde, a proven playoff performer, has a 23-team trade list. That adds a layer of complexity to potential deals. According to Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, teams have already called about Gourde’s availability. The club is “not in a rush to move him.”
The Kraken don’t have a ton of cap space to retain salary, but all three of their retention slots are open. If retaining makes their trade candidates more appealing to contending teams, it is something they could consider.
Oilers Among Teams Inquiring About Provorov
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports the Columbus Blue Jackets are fielding inquiries about defenseman Ivan Provorov but appear hesitant to move him for now, hoping to remain competitive this season. However, NHL insider Pierre LeBrun predicts it’s only a matter of time before the Blue Jackets part ways with the defenseman, given their slim playoff hopes.
Related: Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Minten, Nylander, Woll & Grebenkin
LeBrun anticipates Columbus will demand a first-round pick in exchange for the veteran defenseman. This aligns with returns for similar players like Noah Hanifin and Sean Walker, who fetched first-round picks in pre-deadline trades last season.
Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers continue to explore blue-line upgrades, with reports linking them to Provorov as well as other defensemen, including David Savard and…
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