Around the NHL: Kings trade talks heat up post Fiala injury, Canadiens could include Laine in offers
Welcome back for another Olympic-break edition of around the NHL. The best-on-best tournament has been nothing short of sensational, as the top players on the planet have done a fantastic job of providing some of the most entertaining hockey in years.
While NHL action may be paused on the ice, the conversations between management teams across the league continues. The roster freeze concludes February 23, and while we’re not expecting to see a flurry of deals immediately after, give it a few days, and expect to see multiple trades completed, as general managers look to upgrade their rosters ahead of the March 6 trade deadline.
Here’s the very latest from around the NHL:
Los Angeles Kings lose Kevin Fiala, trade talks ramp up
One of the more heartbreaking stories of the Olympic games so far is seeing Switzerland’s Kevin Fiala get tangled up with Canada’s Tom Wilson, resulting in Fiala breaking his leg and requiring season-ending surgery. Fiala had surgery to repair multiple fractures in his lower left leg, the Kings haven’t placed any timetables on Fiala’s recovery and stated they’ll re-evaluate him once the NHL season concludes.
What does this mean for the Kings? After acquiring and extending Artemi Panarin, it’s obvious GM Ken Holland is going for it this season, so losing one of the best offensive weapons up front in Fiala certainly puts a wrinkle in their plans. The Kings entered the Olympic break with a 23-19-14 record, sitting just three points out of the second wild-card position in the Western Conference. Because of the fact Panarin was only open to being dealt to the Kings, Holland was able to use this leverage and hold on to a wealth of his trade assets.
The Nashville Predators could emerge as prime trade partners for the Kings, as the Preds are expected to listen to trade offers on Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Ryan O’Reilly. All three would be great fits for the Kings top-six, and since Holland has plenty of cap space to work with ahead of the deadline, financially, they are realistic as trade targets.
Both Stamkos and Marchessault have formal no-movement clauses and would have to approve the deal, meanwhile, O’Reilly doesn’t have trade protection on his contract formally, but there’s been a verbal agreement made between management and O’Reilly that the team will keep him informed on any potential trades to ensure he approves the move.
Montreal Canadiens could include Patrik Laine in trade offers
The Montreal Canadiens are expected to make a significant trade ahead of this season’s deadline, and it’s becoming more likely GM Kent Hughes will include Patrik Laine in the transaction, to not only give Laine a fresh start, but also to balance out any transaction financially.
The Canadiens have been linked to Kadri this season, so there’s potential for Laine to get a fresh start in Calgary, a team that is desperate for more offence. Laine is a pending unrestricted free agent, so there’s certainly some risk involved if a team is giving up assets for someone who could potentially walk in a few months.
The St. Louis Blues are going to be active ahead of the deadline, the Canadiens could have interest in one of Jordan Kyrou or Robert Thomas, and Laine’s cap hit certainly helps balance out the deal. Both Blues forwards have no-trade clauses, however, joining the up-and-coming Canadiens is going to appeal to almost everyone around the league with trade protection.
Marchessault out of Nashville makes a lot of sense as he’s battled tested in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, brings a ton of energy to the lineup, and being from the area certainly doesn’t hurt. Jake DeBrusk out of Vancouver is an interesting trade candidate for the Canadiens as he’s versatile to play either wing, has plenty of term on his contract and brings an element of size that the Habs could use more of.
Quick hits from around the NHL
- Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin could make another huge splash on the trade market, and has been linked heavily to New York Rangers’ Vincent Trocheck, and Blues’ Jordan Binnington and Brayden Schenn. Word is Guerin has made goaltender Jesper Wallstedt available in trade talks.
- Toronto Maple Leafs‘ Brad Treliving is expected to wait until right up to deadline day before he pulls the trigger on any moves.
- Winnipeg Jets are listening to trade offers on Luke Schenn, Logan Stanley, and Cole Perfetti, and could approach Jonathan Toews about his desire to join a playoff team.
- Pittsburgh Penguins’ Kyle Dubas is rumored to be looking to add a defenceman with term on his contract ahead of the deadline.
- Edmonton Oilers continue to discuss next steps on an Andrew Mangiapane trade, and while they’ve been linked to Kings forward Warren Foegele, The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta doesn’t feel there’s much substance there.
- In the USA/Germany preliminary game Sunday, Matthew Tkachuk was caught on a hot mic chirping Leon Draisaitl – ‘Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.” This of course stems from the Florida Panthers/Edmonton Oilers playoff battles.
- Macklin Celebrini has put on a show at the Olympics for Team Canada, and don’t be surprised to see San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier be very aggressive ahead of the trade deadline looking for top-four defencemen with term on their contracts.