It’s time to start the work week with another bunch of NHL rumours. We’re just one week away from the trade deadline and teams are going to have to make some decisions on what they need to do. Deals may have been slow to come, but the talk should pick up a lot more in the next few days. Today’s NHL rumours focus on the Chicago Blackhawks, Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Chicago Blackhawks
Rumour: TSN and The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reports the Blackhawks asking price for goalie Marc-Andre Fleury is a first-round pick and a mid-round pick.
What I think an asking price would look like from Chicago in a Fleury trade: 1st RD pick (or 1st RD level prospect) and maybe a mid-round pick. The second pick likely depends on whether the Hawks need to take back a contract and how bad that contract is.
But key is: 1st RD pick.— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 14, 2022
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Analysis: There are some teams that are in need of filling a massive need in net. (Looking at you, Toronto Maple Leafs.) However, the Blackhawks and General Manager Kyle Davidson are going to get the most they can. Fleury was supposed to be the backbone of a Chicago team that made big splashes in the off-season. However, that has landed with a giant thud.
The second pick the Blackhawks will get depends on whether they need to take back a contract and how bad it is. Chicago is willing to make a deal, but they’ll have to help a contender out in some fashion.
Fleury had indicated that he doesn’t want uproot his family, but there’s the temptation for another Stanley Cup. He’s been a solid goalie in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and a contender could use him. A Fleury trade could come down to the wire for any number of reasons. Toronto could be a logical choice due the Jack Campbell injury and Petr Mrazek struggles.
Ottawa Senators
Rumour: TSN’s Darren Dreger reports talks are going on between the Senators and Nick Paul. However, he’ll test the market if a deal isn’t reached.
Steady dialogue between the Ottawa Senators and Nick Paul’s camp, however, time is quickly running out. If Paul doesn’t get the number he needs from the Sens, he will test the market as a free agent.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 14, 2022
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Analysis: Paul has a career-high 11 goals and has been a key part of the Sens this season. He’s been solid in multiple facets of his game for Ottawa and helped Canada win gold at last years’ IIHF World Championships.
However, the Senators having trouble signing fan favourite players has been a recurring issue. It’s been like that since the days that Ottawa was one of the contenders in the Eastern Conference. Losing Paul would be a big blow if General Manager Pierre Dorion can’t re-sign him.
Paul makes $1.35 million and becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Dorion should try to get a deal done because Paul would be a big help to this young Sens team.
Vancouver Canucks
Rumour: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said the Canucks were interested in Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman John Marino. This was reported during the 32 Thoughts segment on Saturday’s Hockey Night in Canada broadcast.
HNIC 32 Thoughts: New women’s league/Chychrun/Fleury/Marino/Giroux/Hertl/Klingberg/2023-24 Heritage Classic & Walter Gretzky to be honoured at tomorrow’s ceremonial puck drop — https://t.co/0gxiCDvIRw
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 13, 2022
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Analysis: Friedman did add that the Penguins do seem unlikely to give up on the Massachusetts native. Marino does figure into Pittsburgh’s plans on the blueline, so it wants to keep him.
The 24-year-old has one goal this season, but he’s more of a shutdown defender. Vancouver has been seeking a young shutdown defenceman and Marino would fill the bill. However, Pittsburgh wants something comparable in return according to Friedman.
Marino is locked in at $4.4 million per season until the end of the 2026-27 season. That seems to be a relatively decent cap number and he’s locked in for at least a few season. There is a modified no-trade clause that kicks in for the 2024-25 season.
Vancouver has made a stunning turnaround under new head coach Bruce Boudreau. The Canucks were thought to be a seller, but are in the Stanley Cup Playoff mix. Adding a defenceman would be a big boost, but Vancouver may have to look elsewhere.
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