Kyle Ross-Imagn images
The last day of November saw what has become a rarity in today’s world of NHL salary caps: two early-season trades involving roster players.
It was the Colorado Avalanche and Nashville Predators kicking off Saturday, with Avalanche forward Justus Annunen and a 2025 sixth-round pick from the Nashville Predators for goaltender Scott Wedgewood.
Related: Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche Swap Backup Goaltenders
Later in the day, the Columbus Blue Jackets traded defenseman David Jiricek and a 2025 fifth-rounder to the Minnesota Wild for blueliner Daemon Hunt and four draft picks, including the Wild’s 2025 first-rounder (top-five protected).
Related: David Jiricek becomes newest mainstay for Minnesota Wild Blueline
With the NHL’s annual holiday roster frozen from December 20 to 27, other teams can make moves over the next two weeks.
Most of the attention is on the New York Rangers, following reports last week indicating that management was willing to entertain offers for several veterans, including captain Jacob Trouba and power forward Chris Kreider.
On November 26, Arthur Staple of The Athletic reported that General Manager Chris Drury met with these veterans, describing these discussions as “honest and productive.” Two days later, TSN’s Darren Dreger said there was interest in Rangers winger Kaapo Kakko, who is in a match. A $2.4 million contract, according to Dreger, believes the Blueshirts won’t move the 23-year-old right winger unless someone meets their asking price.
On Friday, Staple quoted a league source as claiming that Drury had recently contacted the Vancouver Canucks about bringing JT Miller back to Vancouver. Staple views this as a gamble at best, citing Miller’s expensive long-term contract and the Rangers’ limited cap space. On Saturday, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said the Rangers are trying to dial down the tension and don’t want to rush into a move they might later regret.
The fact is that Trouba and Kreider have expensive salaries that are difficult to shift at a point in the season when most teams are short on cap space. Kakko, meanwhile, has played well in a third-line role. The Rangers are in no rush to move him as they will still own his rights as an RFA next summer.
Related: Three potential trade destinations for Rangers’ Chris Kreider
Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Kevin Kurz looked at five NHL centers the Philadelphia Flyers could target on the trade market this season. They are Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks, Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild, Dylan Cozens of the Buffalo Sabres, Shane Pinto of the Ottawa Senators and Brock Nelson of the New York Islanders.
Nelson, 33, is the oldest of this bunch and will be UFA eligible next summer, which doesn’t make him a good long-term fit for the rebuilding Flyers.
Zegras and Rossi previously appeared in the rumor mill. It would likely take a player-for-player trade to land either of them. Cozens and Pinto have struggled offensively this season, but given their potential, their respective clubs are unlikely to be keen to give them up.
