The trade deadline is Friday. Check out the latest on the Bruins, Devils, Maple Leafs, Flyers, Senators, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
BRUINS EYEING JUSTIN FAULK AND ROBERT THOMAS
RG.ORG: James Murphy reports the Boston Bruins continue to monitor the St. Louis Blues as that club attempts to move out several veterans before the trade deadline.
St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk (NHL Images)
One source said Bruins general manager Don Sweeney remained interested in right-shot defenseman Justin Faulk. He was also believed to have been looking at Colton Parayko, who will be heading to the Buffalo Sabres if he waives his no-trade clause.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sweeney tipped his hand regarding his intentions when he attempted to acquire Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames before he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in January. Adding a right-shot defenseman (such as Faulk) remains his priority.
Sweeney was also believed to have gauged the Blues’ asking price for Robert Thomas. Murphy’s source believes the asking price would be young forward Fraser Minten, top prospect James Hagens, and the Bruins’ 2026 first-round pick.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s unlikely Sweeney will meet that asking price for Thomas.
COULD THE DEVILS MOVE NEMEC FOR A FORWARD?
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols weighed in on yesterday’s report from TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, indicating the Devils are willing to entertain offers for Simon Nemec. They’re reportedly happy to keep him, but could be open to moving him for a return that significantly improves their forward lines.
A source told James that he considers the 22-year-old Nemec to be a solid No. 2 defenseman. He believes that the blueliner would have to be part of a package to fetch the return the Devils seek.
James wondered if the Philadelphia Flyers would be interested in Nemec as a potential replacement for Rasmus Ristolainen, suggesting winger Owen Tippett as a return. He also proposed dangling Nemec in a package deal for Jordan Kyrou of the St. Louis Blues.
RG.ORG: James Murphy reported the Boston Bruins had spoken with the Devils about Nemec and fellow blueliner Johnathan Kovacevic.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins might not be able to spare a player who would significantly improve the Devils’ forward lines.
THE LATEST MAPLE LEAFS CONJECTURE
NHL NETWORK: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman believes the Colorado Avalanche could be looking at center Scott Laughton. The Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings have been linked to defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, while “a whole bunch of teams” could be eyeing winger Bobby McMann.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those three were held out of Wednesday’s game against the New Jersey Devils for “roster management reasons.” They’re also unlikely to play in Thursday’s contest with the New York Rangers.
UPDATE ON THE FLYERS
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James looks at how yesterday’s trades involving defensemen Tyler Myers to Dallas, MacKenzie Weegar to Utah, Nick Blankenburg to Colorado, and Colton Parayko potentially to Buffalo could affect the trade market for Flyers blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen.
Justin Faulk of the St. Louis Blues and Zach Whitecloud of the Calgary Flames are the most notable defensemen besides Ristolainen in the trade market. Clubs that are seeking defensemen include the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, and possibly the Tampa Bay Lightning.
James believes the proposed return to the Blues for Parayko (a first-round pick and prospect defenseman Radim Mrtka) bodes well for the Flyers’ hopes of getting at least a first-rounder for Ristolainen.
NHL NETWORK: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman wondered if the Lightning might be interested in Flyers winger Bobby Brink. He’s a right-hand shot and doesn’t carry an expensive contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 24-year-old Brink carries a cap hit of $3 million this season. He’s in the final year of a two-year deal and is slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer.
SENATORS STILL SHOPPING FOR A RIGHT-SHOT DEFENSEMAN
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators remain in the market for a right-shot defenseman. They were among the clubs interested in MacKenzie Weegar before the Calgary Flames shipped him to the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday.
Options include Rasmus Ristolainen of the Philadelphia Flyers, Braden Schneider of the New York Rangers, and Brandon Carlo of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Dougie Hamilton and Simon Nemec of the New Jersey Devils are also believed to be available.
Teams have inquired about Senators forward Ridly Greig, but the Senators aren’t interested in moving him. Trade chips could include Fabian Zetterlund, Stephen Halliday, and Nick Jensen.
The Senators have also received some calls about UFA-eligible players such as Claude Giroux, David Perron, and Lars Eller. Perron isn’t expected to move because he’s recovering from sports hernia surgery.
COULD THE DUCKS GO SHOPPING FOR A BLUELINER?
THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens believes the Anaheim Ducks could attempt to shore up their defense corps as they attempt to secure their first postseason berth in eight years.
Stephens indicated the Ducks are open to adding an older defenseman, and they won’t mind if he’s a rental player. However, they’d prefer one in his twenties with term remaining on his contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks are my dark horse in this trade deadline. They have the cap space and tradable assets to address this need on their blueline.
NO GARLAND FOR THE ISLANDERS?
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Stefen Rosner reports trade talks between the New York Islanders and Vancouver Canucks regarding Canucks winger Conor Garland have stalled. The Isles are apparently balking at Vancouver’s asking price.
COULD ERIK HAULA BE THE NEXT PREDATOR ON THE TRADE BLOCK?
ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reported Nashville Predators forward Erik Haula is drawing interest from teams that may miss out on Predators center Ryan O’Reilly and New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck.