The NHL's March 3 Trade Deadline is approaching, and teams are making decisions on whether to buy or sell, and on which players can make the biggest difference and hold the greatest value. Check out today's trade rumours and speculation from around the NHL beat.
Chychrun on Oilers radar
TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports Edmonton Oilers and Arizona Coyotes were progressing on Jakob Chychrun trade negotiations Monday before things cooled in the late afternoon.
Dreger notes Oilers general manager Ken Holland is also talking with the Columbus Blue Jackets about Vladislav Gavrikov and the Nashville Predators on Mattias Ekholm
TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun believes Gavrikov is "Plan C" for the Oilers, though likely the easiest to complete. He is a pending unrestricted free agent, while Chychrun (two years at a $4.6 million cap hit) and Ekholm (three years at $6.25M) both have term remaining on their contracts beyond this season.
LeBrun adds he's heard the Predators' ask for Ekholm started with two first-round picks as of last week.
Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch reports the Los Angeles Kings, Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins are also among the teams looking into Chychrun as the deadline nears.
The change of heart comes as the Red Wings have lost two straight games to fall back out of the playoff picture, while watching their Atlantic rivals in the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning all make moves to boost their rosters.
Bertuzzi, 28, has four goals and 14 points in 28 games this season, the last of a two-year, $9.5 million contract carrying a cap hit of $4.75 million. He had a career year in 2021-22, scoring 30 goals and adding 32 assists in 61 games.
The Red Wings, who have missed the playoffs in each of the past six seasons, enter play Tuesday sitting three points back of Pittsburgh Penguins for the final wild-card spot and five points back of the New York Islanders for the top wild-card spot, with four games in hand.
After falling to the Senators on Monday, the Red Wings will have an opportunity to snap their losing skid at two games in Ottawa Tuesday night.