Check out the latest on the Devils, Oilers, and Sabres in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
DEVILS COULD SHAKE UP THEIR ROSTER BEFORE THE MARCH 6 TRADE DEADLINE
RG.ORG: James Murphy reports a source claiming the New Jersey Devils are looking for a “hockey trade” to shake up their roster and “send a message” to their dressing room following the Olympic roster freeze.
According to Murphy, multiple teams have inquired about Devils forward Dawson Mercer. They’re not actively shopping him, but he does have value, especially with term remaining on his contract.
Dougie Hamilton could be available again. It was reported that the Devils were shopping the veteran defenseman, with the Toronto Maple Leafs believed to be among the suitors.
New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton (NHL Images).
The Devils apparently pulled Hamilton from the trade market after defenseman Luke Hughes was placed on long-term injury reserve on Jan. 21. However, it’s believed they could be willing to move him again. Murphy observed that the Devils have a projected $7.6 million in trade deadline cap space.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Murphy also noted the Devils acquired center Nick Bjugstad from the St. Louis Blues before the Olympic trade freeze. While most observers (including yours truly) saw this as the first of what could be multiple moves by the Blues, it also signaled that the Devils could have other moves in store to try and save their season.
The Devils are second-last in the Eastern Conference, nine points out of the final wildcard berth. They’ll have to go on a tear down the stretch to have any chance of climbing back into the postseason chase.
Hamilton and Mercer have frequently surfaced in trade rumors since last summer. General manager Tom Fitzgerald has to be feeling the heat as his club flounders in the standings. If he makes changes, he’ll be seeking players who can help his team immediately and beyond this season.
OILERS BELIEVED TO BE SEEKING A DEFENSEMAN
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples reported Oilers insider Bob Stauffer said the club no longer seeks a top-nine forward, but instead is shopping for a defenseman.
Staples noted that forward Kasperi Kapanen and Josh Samanski stepped up for the Oilers leading up to the Olympic break. He believes they’ve proven capable of playing top-nine minutes in the playoffs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: No word from Stauffer or Staples as to which defenseman the Oilers could be eyeing in the trade market. They’re unlikely to pursue expensive blueliners such as the Devils’ Dougie Hamilton or the Blues’ Justin Faulk. More affordable options could include Luke Schenn or Logan Stanley of the Winnipeg Jets, or Connor Murphy of the Chicago Blackhawks.
POTENTIAL SABRES TRADE TARGETS
THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn recently listed several possible trade candidates for the Buffalo Sabres to shore up their blueline.
Options included Connor Murphy of the Blackhawks, Logan Stanley of the Jets, Justin Faulk of the Blues, Zack Whitecloud of the Calgary Flames, Mario Ferraro of the San Jose Sharks, and Braden Schneider of the New York Rangers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres have over $8.9 million in projected trade deadline cap space. They also have the prospects and young players to draw on for trade bait.
Faulk and Whitecloud are signed beyond this season if the Sabres seek more than a rental player. Faulk has a 15-team no-trade list, and Buffalo might be on that list.
The Flames acquired Whitecloud in the Rasmus Andersson trade, sparking speculation that they could flip him to a contender by March 6. However, he seemed pleased to be joining Calgary and could be a player worth retaining for their rebuilding process.
Ferraro’s name has occasionally surfaced in the rumor mill. However, the Sharks are trying to clinch their first playoff spot since 2019. It’s believed he’s willing to sign an extension, but no indication that it will happen before the trade deadline. He could bolt via free agency in July, but they could decide to hang onto him as an “own rental” and deal with the contract later.
The Rangers’ shift into sell mode last month has generated trade speculation about many of their players, especially after they traded Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings before the Olympic roster freeze. Schneider has surfaced as a trade candidate, but the Rangers might not be keen to send him upstate.