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.
Could Gavrikov be available at a discount?
Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports the Columbus Blue Jackets are moving into contingency plans after seeing a deal to send Vladislav Gavrikov to the Boston Bruins fall through.
The Bruins, who were looking to shed salary to add Gavrikov, acquired defenceman Dmitry Orlov and forward Garnet Hathaway from the Washington Capitals on Thursday, shedding Craig Smith's salary from their books while trading three draft picks.
Now, TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun wonders if the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs or Los Angeles Kings will look to move in on Gavrikov, perhaps at a discounted price.
Andy Strickland of Bally Sports Midwest reported earlier this week the Coyotes' ask for Chychrun, who's signed for two more seasons at a $4.6 million cap hit, remains at two first-round picks or a first-round pick and a top prospect
Kane spoke openly of his disappointment in the Tarasenko trade this month, stating the Rangers were "a team I was definitely looking at."
A three-time Stanley Cup champion, the 34-year-old winger has has 16 goals and 45 points in 54 games.
Plan B for teams chasing Meier?
While there continues to be no shortage of interest in pending restricted free agent Timo Meier, a backup option appears to have emerged for those who miss out on the San Jose Sharks winger.
TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston reports Philadelphia Flyers pending UFA James van Riemsdyk is drawing plenty of attention ahead the deadline and will likely be dealt by 3pm ET next Friday.
"There certainly seems to be some crossover with James van Riemsdyk, the veteran Philadelphia Flyers winger, from some of the teams that are in on Meier," Johnston said on Insider Trading. "Obviously these teams are lining up some, perhaps, secondary type options should the domino fall not in a direction they would like.
"I’m looking at Winnipeg, Vegas, Carolina, you know some teams that are not in on Meier, like Minnesota and Colorado I believe are keeping tabs on JVR. Look there was some question at some point, with a $7 million cap hit whether James van Riemsdyk would be moved at this deadline. I think with the level of interest and the fact that the Flyers are willing to retain some salary, it is an inevitability that he will be traded in the next week or so."
van Riemsdyk, 33, has nine goals and 23 points in 39 games this season.
Johnston broke down the potential return for the Sharks in a Meier trade last week, with San Jose looking for three pieces back, including a first-round pick.
The 26-year-old has 31 goals and 52 points in 57 games this season.
Will Monahan be moved?
The wait continues to see if Sean Monahan will be healthy ahead of the deadline, with an update expected in the coming days.
TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reports there could be interest in Monahan from contenders, but his health will be the deciding factor.
"The Montreal Canadiens and teams around the National Hockey League are expecting that Monahan’s status will be updated early next week," Dreger said on Insider Trading. "What does that prognosis look like? If it’s positive and there is a good chance that he’s able to come back either just before the deadline or shortly thereafter, then it makes sense, it’s possible that an NHL team looking for a veteran, depth centre would step up and at least inquire about Sean Monahan. Based on his play when healthy this season in Montreal, he could turn out to be a steal, but he has to be healthy."
Monahan resumed skating last week from an injury sustained on Dec. 5, but has yet to return to the team's lineup. The pending unrestricted free agent has six goals and 17 points in 25 games this season.