The post Latest NHL Trade Buzz: Robert Thomas, Maple Leafs, Oilers appeared first on NHL Trade Talk.
We’re just five days away from the March 6 NHL trade deadline, and while the stove has been relatively quiet since the Olympic roster freeze was lifted, we’re in for a busy week. The center market is buzzing, and Robert Thomas could be the first domino to fall. The Toronto Maple Leafs are a mess, which has management considering a deeper sell-off. And the Edmonton Oilers want to add — with interest in a few of those potentially available Maple Leafs.
We’ll dive into all of that and more in the latest edition of NHL Trade Buzz.
There’s been a lot of buzz around Robert Thomas in recent weeks, and while it would take an absolute haul to pry him out of St. Louis, Elliotte Friedman is starting to believe it could actually happen.
On Saturday Night Headlines, Friedman revealed there is, in fact, a decent chance Thomas gets traded — and that the Utah Mammoth are one of the teams in the mix. The Bruins, Canadiens, Islanders, Kings, Kraken, Maple Leafs, and Red Wings have also all been connected to the star center, and there are surely others poking around.
Robert Thomas Oliver Ekman Larsson trade rumors
If and when Thomas is dealt, it could open the floodgates for the center market, with Vincent Trocheck, Ryan O’Reilly, and Nazem Kadri next up as potential trade candidates for teams in need of help down the middle.
Saturday night’s loss to Ottawa marked a new low for the Maple Leafs, and GM Brad Treliving and company are finally starting to open up about what they’re willing to do.
Friedman revealed that Toronto is beginning to discuss players with term remaining on their contracts, aside from the obvious pending UFAs like Bobby McMann, whose situation could still go either way — extension or trade. He shut down any talk of an Auston Matthews or William Nylander deal, though, with how things have unraveled, some are beginning to wonder if those conversations could surface in the offseason.
When asked about Morgan Rielly, Friedman left the door open slightly, but pointed out he’s heard nothing legitimate and noted that his full no-movement clause presents a significant obstacle.
Edmonton’s defensive struggles have continued after the break. As a result, they’re still targeting a defenseman who can play the right side and/or a third-line center, preferably one who is responsible.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson remains on the Oilers’ radar, and one idea that has started to float around is a package that would also include Nicolas Roy or Scott Laughton — allowing GM Stan Bowman to kill two birds with one stone.
Despite the struggles of Tristan Jarry and, at times, Connor Ingram, Friedman said Bowman is done making moves in goal, so don’t expect a surprise Jordan Binnington or Sergei Bobrovsky acquisition. It will be on the goalies they have to figure it out and stabilize things down the stretch.
Next: Analyst Calls for Nuclear Option: Trade Matthews and Nylander
The post Latest NHL Trade Buzz: Robert Thomas, Maple Leafs, Oilers appeared first on NHL Trade Talk.
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We’re just five days away from the March 6 NHL trade deadline, and while the stove has been relatively quiet since the Olympic roster freeze was lifted, we’re in for a busy week. The center market is buzzing, and Robert Thomas could be the first domino to fall. The Toronto Maple Leafs are a mess, which has management considering a deeper sell-off. And the Edmonton Oilers want to add — with interest in a few of those potentially available Maple Leafs.
We’ll dive into all of that and more in the latest edition of NHL Trade Buzz.
Robert Thomas Trade a Real Possibility
There’s been a lot of buzz around Robert Thomas in recent weeks, and while it would take an absolute haul to pry him out of St. Louis, Elliotte Friedman is starting to believe it could actually happen.
On Saturday Night Headlines, Friedman revealed there is, in fact, a decent chance Thomas gets traded — and that the Utah Mammoth are one of the teams in the mix. The Bruins, Canadiens, Islanders, Kings, Kraken, Maple Leafs, and Red Wings have also all been connected to the star center, and there are surely others poking around.
Robert Thomas Oliver Ekman Larsson trade rumors
If and when Thomas is dealt, it could open the floodgates for the center market, with Vincent Trocheck, Ryan O’Reilly, and Nazem Kadri next up as potential trade candidates for teams in need of help down the middle.
Maple Leafs Deeper Sell-Off?
Saturday night’s loss to Ottawa marked a new low for the Maple Leafs, and GM Brad Treliving and company are finally starting to open up about what they’re willing to do.
Friedman revealed that Toronto is beginning to discuss players with term remaining on their contracts, aside from the obvious pending UFAs like Bobby McMann, whose situation could still go either way — extension or trade. He shut down any talk of an Auston Matthews or William Nylander deal, though, with how things have unraveled, some are beginning to wonder if those conversations could surface in the offseason.
When asked about Morgan Rielly, Friedman left the door open slightly, but pointed out he’s heard nothing legitimate and noted that his full no-movement clause presents a significant obstacle.
Latest on the Oilers
Edmonton’s defensive struggles have continued after the break. As a result, they’re still targeting a defenseman who can play the right side and/or a third-line center, preferably one who is responsible.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson remains on the Oilers’ radar, and one idea that has started to float around is a package that would also include Nicolas Roy or Scott Laughton — allowing GM Stan Bowman to kill two birds with one stone.
Despite the struggles of Tristan Jarry and, at times, Connor Ingram, Friedman said Bowman is done making moves in goal, so don’t expect a surprise Jordan Binnington or Sergei Bobrovsky acquisition. It will be on the goalies they have to figure it out and stabilize things down the stretch.
Next: Analyst Calls for Nuclear Option: Trade Matthews and Nylander
The post Latest NHL Trade Buzz: Robert Thomas, Maple Leafs, Oilers appeared first on NHL Trade Talk.
Continue reading...