Around the NHL: Ducks’ Strome is prime trade candidate, Penguins could flip Skinner ahead of deadline
There’s plenty on deck, here’s the very latest from around the NHL.
Anaheim Ducks could move struggling Ryan Strome
The Anaheim Ducks are one of the NHL’s surprises this year, as they’ve exceeded expectations posting a 19-12-1 record through 32 games. The Ducks sit second in the Pacific Division and have been doing so with a number of players struggling to produce this season, including centre Ryan Strome.
“Ryan Strome, I think that one’s obvious; the team got hot when he was still hurt and everybody kinda lined up their spots; it was harder to find his way back into it.”
The 32-year-old Strome is signed through next season at $5 million AAV. He doesn’t have any trade protection on his contract and can be moved at will. The veteran forward has spent the past three seasons in Anaheim, and is coming off a 41-point campaign. As far as potential destinations go, the Montreal Canadiens and New Jersey Devils are two teams who are in the market for help down the middle.
Stuart Skinner not likely in Penguins’ long-term plans
With the Penguins having a young talented duo in Arturs Silovs and Sergei Murashov, Skinner could become an asset for Dubas to dangle ahead of the trade deadline, regardless if the Penguins are in a playoff spot or not. Dubas has been trying to re-tool on the fly and make his roster younger, and with a thin goalie market, Skinner has the experience several contenders will be looking to add.
Skinner’s a pending free agent and carries just a $2.6 million cap hit. He doesn’t have any trade protection, and doesn’t have much say in what Dubas winds up doing. As far as destinations go, injuries could change everything, but it feels like the Vegas Golden Knights will be circling, even with Carter Hart in the mix. The Tampa Bay Lightning love to surprise with bold trades and could see Skinner as the perfect backup. A wildcard team could be the Utah Mammoth, who are trying to make some noise this season and could use some more Stanley Cup playoff experience.
One thing’s for sure, don’t expect to see a contract extension announced in Pittsburgh anytime soon.
Quick hits from around the NHL:
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- Quinn Hughes made it clear a few weeks ago that he was not going to re-sign in Vancouver, and the Canucks management team went to work. They received six offers for the former Norris Trophy winner, including from the Wild, Red Wings, Hurricanes, Sabres, Rangers, and Devils, according to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun.
- Hughes made his Wild debut on Sunday night and was sensational. Minnesota beat the Boston Bruins 6-2. Hughes played 26:55, scored a goal, and had three shots on net.
- Wild GM Bill Guerin feels Hughes will enjoy his time in Minnesota and is of course interested in re-signing him. Hughes’ agent informed all teams interested in acquiring him that an extension is not guaranteed, regardless of where he ended up.
- Vancouver’s new trio of Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, and Liam Ohgren all made their Canucks debut in New Jersey on Sunday, defeating the Devils 2-1. Buium scored the winner and finished the night with a goal, and an assist, playing close to 20 minutes. Rossi and Ohgren were both held pointless.
- The Los Angeles Kings are rumoured to be listening to trade offers on centre Phillip Danault, and the Canadiens could be in the market for a reunion with the two-way, struggling centre. Danault is under contract through next season at $5.5 million, and has produced just five points in 30 games, all assists.
- An interesting save the date, as Team Canada’s Olympic men’s hockey will be announced on New Year’s Eve.