Actual Kyper’s Commerce Board 3.0: How deep will Toronto’s modifications go? – Imperial Wire

TORONTO — The commerce board took a dramatic flip final week when the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 18-wheeler actually began skidding. It isn’t but going “proper off a cliff,” as former GM Brian Burke as soon as described the workforce again in 2012, but it surely’s definitely nearer to catastrophe than anybody anticipated.

If we have a look at the standings going into this week, the Leafs are on the surface wanting in, no completely different than Florida or Ottawa, two groups that are not chucking up the sponge but. If Florida and Ottawa assume they’re nonetheless in it, Toronto will too.

Now, if the Leafs end with a pair extra losses this week, there can be some powerful conversations to have via the Olympic break. However after they come again, Toronto could have extra massive video games towards Florida and Ottawa as nicely. In the event that they lose all, or most, of these factors, that is after we’ll begin seeing some larger names on my commerce board.

With that in thoughts, I am including Bobby McMann to this commerce board, as he turns into the primary important Leafs skater we hear is already on the market as GM Brad Treliving gauges the market earlier than the commerce freeze begins Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET / midday PT. Barring a right away sizzling streak out of the Olympics, we’ll absolutely hear extra names after the Olympic commerce freeze is lifted on Feb. 23.

A type of gamers may find yourself being Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who will signify Sweden on the Olympics. Toronto is just not in place to commerce him but as a result of he is been its finest defenceman, however that calculation may change earlier than the March 6 commerce deadline.

Past the Leafs, Robert Thomas is the most recent massive identify I am including to my commerce board. I am undecided how sensible it’s that he’ll be sporting a brand new jersey by March 6 as a result of the asking worth could be very excessive — increased than what Mikko Rantanen fetched in a commerce final yr. Nonetheless, GM Doug Armstrong is critical about exploring all avenues for the Blues.

I am not placing any Philadelphia Flyers on the board fairly but, however I am listening to they’re keen to swing massive, if not now, then definitely this summer time. When that involves move, the most important items they may transfer out in a blockbuster are Owen Tippett and Travis Konecny.

So far as the Nashville Predators go, the Barry Trotz information places the group in a larger state of flux however, for now, all the same old suspects stay on my checklist.

This week’s commerce board additionally consists of additions Patrik Laine in Montreal, Jesper Wallstedt in Minnesota, and a few Seattle Kraken in Shane Wright and Matty Beniers.

For our final check-in on commerce potential earlier than the Olympics, right here is my newest checklist.

Dougie Hamilton, D, New Jersey Devils: 7 G | 14 A | 21 PTS | 50 GP

The Devils are second-last within the East, however simply seven factors out of third within the Metropolitan Division, and there’s strain on GM Tom Fitzgerald to attempt to grasp in there. I feel they’re so much just like the Maple Leafs in that they are not but able to wave the white flag.

Luke Hughes has been out since Jan. 19 and for the reason that workforce remains to be attempting to remain within the race, I am undecided how keen Fitzgerald is to maneuver Hamilton with out Hughes there. The latter is out via the Olympic break, after which we’ll have extra data which may affect what the Devils resolve to do.

Artemi Panarin, LW, New York Rangers: 19 G | 38 A | 57 PTS | 52 GP

If Panarin is traded — and with a no-move clause, he’s in full management — he’d favor to have an extension with the brand new workforce. There was a hyperlink to Los Angeles right here, amongst others, however the concern is that he desires an extension to be value one thing within the neighborhood of $50 million, relying on the time period. The asking worth to get him from New York is steep and the signing worth is steep, however Panarin can nonetheless carry it and might help take a workforce to the following degree. He’s being scratched from New York’s beginning lineup till a transfer is made or the deadline passes.

Washington is throughout him. There is a sense he might be a superb substitute for Alexander Ovechkin if Ovechkin does the truth is resolve to close down his good profession after this season. Washington appears to be one of many few groups keen to spend the $40 million to $50 million he’s in search of, however will Panarin need to go there?

The place he may need to go is Florida, although it is arduous to think about how the Panthers would make that work. However, since he has a no-movement clause, he might manipulate the scenario very similar to Brad Marchand did final yr from Boston. Do not put something previous Panthers GM Invoice Zito.

Jesper Wallstedt, G, Minnesota Wild: 14-5-4 | 2.62 GAA | .914 SV%

Making a case for himself to be included within the Calder Trophy dialog, Wallstedt is having such a superb season as Minnesota’s No. 2 goalie and remains to be thought-about a prime prospect at 23 years previous, now with NHL expertise. However with Filip Gustavsson additionally performing nicely because the workforce’s No. 1 goalie, buying and selling Wallstedt is perhaps GM Invoice Guerin’s finest solution to discover top-six scoring with out considerably hurting his roster.

Having to play via such a tricky division within the playoffs, the Wild have to maximise each place, and with Gustavsson below contract via 2031, Wallstedt has change into a luxurious. 

Anthony Stolarz, G, Toronto Maple Leafs: 6-7-1 | 3.67 GAA | .876 SV%

The Leafs really feel they’ve a luxurious in web like Minnesota does and will get an asset for Stolarz, however he hasn’t performed nicely sufficient for that but. A robust displaying earlier than the commerce deadline may push his worth up sufficient and the Leafs will search the market. Toronto is attempting to handle its goaltending belongings, and having Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby taking part in so nicely within the NHL (and Artur Akhtyamov within the minors), you must assume they’d really feel most snug shifting Stolarz proper now. However the return will nonetheless should be value it and the workforce has to really feel it is getting an improve to the roster.

Bobby McMann, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs: 17 G | 13 A | 30 PTS | 54 GP 

On tempo for a career-best season, McMann is garnering essentially the most curiosity amongst Maple Leafs gamers. If the Leafs are going to aim a retool on the fly to allow them to attempt to make the playoffs once more subsequent yr, they is probably not snug preserving McMann, who might be in search of about $5 million AAV. Within the meantime, they may perhaps get a pair items for him, a second-round choose plus.

In some ways, he might be probably the most sought-after wingers on the deadline as a result of he is the best to slot in with a $1.35-million cap hit, one thing each contender might handle, from Colorado to Florida, Anaheim, Ottawa … you identify it.

Brayden Schenn, C, St. Louis Blues: 12 G | 12 A | 24 PTS | 55 GP

Armstrong is taking calls on for the valued centre for the second deadline season in a row. Schenn nonetheless has a pair extra seasons left on his deal and has some say in the place he goes (15-team no-trade checklist), and the rumours proceed that he and brother Luke are hoping to come back collectively in a brand new vacation spot. For groups a centre, Schenn is a barely cheaper choice than Nazem Kadri and has one much less season left on his contract.

Robert Thomas, C, St. Louis Blues: 11 G | 22 A | 33 PTS | 42 GP

There is no such thing as a query that the Blues’ main scorer is being shopped, however this is also about Armstrong sending a message that any participant might be accessible from this roster. The value is astronomical, within the neighborhood of one thing equal to 3 top-15 first-round picks. He is in search of cache in prospects and picks. I don’t know what workforce would do this, given he’s not precisely a 100-point participant (Thomas has 33 factors in 42 video games this season). For my part, he is extra within the mould of a second-line centre on a Stanley Cup-contending workforce. At present sidelined as a result of a “minor leg process” and out till after the Olympics, I admire the noise that’s round Thomas.

Jordan Kyrou, RW, St. Louis Blues: 12 G | 15 A | 27 PTS | 45 GP

If the Blues do make a giant change up entrance, Kyrou is extra prone to get dealt than Thomas. Final week, Armstrong informed KSDK Information that the Blues are “embarrassed” to be the place they’re close to the underside of the standings and that “it’s been a very poor yr.” He’s despatched these sorts of messages to his workforce earlier than and sometimes it has led to a turnaround, together with final yr, when the Blues wound up within the playoffs. However this yr they’re in a giant gap (11 factors out) and it’s Armstrong’s final deadline within the GM chair.

Jordan Binnington, G, St. Louis Blues: 8-16-6 | 3.60 GAA | .866 SV%

Binnington stays on the checklist as a result of if the suitable deal comes alongside, St. Louis will contemplate nearly something. Nonetheless, Binnington has not come via with a stretch of robust play at any level this season, so he’s now not seen as an apparent improve across the league. A robust displaying within the Olympics may revive a marketplace for him and remind groups that Binnington does step up in massive moments. Nonetheless, so far as NHL efficiency and the goalie market goes, Binnington is now taking a again seat to Wallstedt.

Steven Stamkos, RW, Nashville Predators: 25 G | 14 A | 39 PTS | 54 GP

It is believed there haven’t been any discussions a few potential transfer between Stamkos’ camp and the Predators. If Stamkos would contemplate waiving his no-move clause for something, at this level it might solely be to a contending workforce that is additionally a superb place for his household. It is extremely unlikely that performs out between now and March 6, given each he and the workforce are taking part in nicely once more and in playoff competition. It is extra probably a brand new head of hockey operations should make this determination, at any time when that individual arrives. For now, although, I am preserving him on the checklist as a result of this workforce is in flux. This will likely find yourself getting revisited in the summertime.

Jonathan Marchessault, RW, Nashville Predators: 9 G | 5 A | 14 PTS | 35 GP

Regardless of a significantly better run of play just lately and crawling again to inside 4 factors of a playoff spot, the Predators will look over their choices. Marchessault falls into an analogous camp as Stamkos in that he additionally has a no-movement clause, although he is not taking part in as nicely. Will the Predators discover the suitable bundle and can Marchessault comply with a transfer? Or will this case anticipate Trotz’s substitute to come back in and make a name? It is arduous to say, however the Predators do need to get youthful.

Ryan O’Reilly, C, Nashville Predators: 18 G | 33 A | 51 PTS | 54 GP

O’Reilly is unquestionably garnering essentially the most consideration of anybody in Nashville as a result of centres are at such a premium and he is having a powerful yr, main the Predators in scoring. It is arduous to think about O’Reilly’s worth will ever be increased than it’s now, and he would not have any commerce safety. Trotz has to ask if now could be the time to maximise a premium asset.

Elias Pettersson, C, Vancouver Canucks: 13 G | 21 A | 34 PTS | 47 GP

As I discussed on my final commerce board, the Canucks are rebuilding and the whole lot is on the desk. How deep these modifications will go earlier than March 6 stays to be seen, however all choices can be thought-about. Together with Pettersson, their main scorer this season.

A Pettersson commerce can be complicated for a couple of causes. One, is that he has a sky-high cap hit and nonetheless has six years remaining on his contract. Two, is that his manufacturing has not improved a lot this season and so it is not apparent if he’d be as important an improve to a different workforce. And, three, is that the asking worth must be excessive sufficient to assist push the Canucks ahead and, probably, want to incorporate a centre as Vancouver is skinny on the place. A troublesome commerce to make in-season, however Pettersson could be very a lot on the market and the curiosity from Carolina is just not going away.

Jake DeBrusk, RW, Vancouver Canucks: 13 G | 15 A | 28 PTS | 54 GP

DeBrusk stays on my commerce board as he struggles to provide in his second yr with Vancouver. He is only one yr faraway from scoring 28 targets, and the $5.5 million he makes towards the cap is not an excessive amount of for a participant who ought to present complementary scoring and has 86 profession video games below his belt.

Vincent Trocheck, C, New York Rangers: 12 G | 24 A | 36 PTS | 42 GP

Like O’Reilly, Trocheck is at an age (32) the place is commerce worth could by no means be increased. I feel Minnesota GM Invoice Guerin can be watching Trocheck carefully over the Olympics with Group USA to see if he is a match with the Wild. Trocheck is an actual asset that the Rangers know they cannot maintain on to.

Blake Coleman, LW, Calgary Flames: 13 G | 8 A | 21 PTS | 44 GP

Out via the Olympics with an upper-body harm, Coleman nonetheless has loads of potential suitors and is the participant Calgary is getting referred to as most about. He is a two-time Stanley Cup winner and is below contract for one more season, so ought to return extra to the Flames than a standard rental bundle.

Nazem Kadri, C, Calgary Flames: 9 G | 26 A | 35 PTS | 54 GP

Since Kadri has so many seasons remaining on his contract, there hasn’t been nice urgency to maneuver him but and even some discuss of preserving him. Nonetheless, he has knowledgeable Calgary that he’d like to maneuver, and the Flames know his want is to attempt to win a Stanley Cup this yr.

The market nonetheless must be proper for the Flames to commerce him, and a few groups are cautious about making this commerce due to his age and the very fact he nonetheless has one other three years left on his contract.

Shane Wright, C, Seattle Kraken: 9 G | 11 A | 20 PTS | 54 GP

Picked fourth general in 2022, Wright has been unable to construct on and get away from a 44-point effort final season. He has 9 targets and 20 factors in 53 video games, however he’s nonetheless simply 22 years previous and has a strong pedigree. There are groups searching for youth that can discover him intriguing. Seattle is in a heated playoff push however want so as to add scoring, so we are going to see if they will use Wright to get that fast roster improve. 

Matty Beniers, C, Seattle Kraken: 14 G | 23 A | 37 PTS | 54 GP

The second-overall choose of the 2021 draft, Beniers has been a strong participant for the Kraken — a first-line centre who’s tied for the workforce scoring lead, at 37 factors.

Whereas commerce conversations with the Kraken may begin with Wright, they may flip to Beniers as nicely if Seattle can get its much-needed scoring improve that method. However a workforce would want to pay for his upside, which has not but totally surfaced. It will be powerful to maneuver him and Beniers isn’t the most definitely participant to be traded off this roster. He is on this checklist as a result of if the return is a franchise-changing blockbuster for the Kraken, they’re going to contemplate it. I am undecided if GM Jason Botterill is prepared for that, however groups will strive.

Patrik Laine, LW, Montreal Canadiens: 0 G | 1 A | 1 PTS | 5 GP

Laine hasn’t performed since October, when he was shut all the way down to have surgical procedure to restore a core muscle. That return timeline was initially three-to-four months and he handed the three-month mark final week. Laine has practised with the Canadiens, however a return to the lineup is not imminent, although he is able to play once more.

Montreal is trying to transfer out his cash and is perhaps keen to spend an asset to do this. The Canadiens are ready to retain a superb chunk (even as much as 50 per cent) of his deal, contemplating they have not used any retention slots and since Laine’s contract expires on the finish of the season anyway. I’m wondering if this type of transfer might assist Montreal open area to do one thing larger, and there’s curiosity in Laine as a result of he’ll be approaching an expiring contract. He could be a freebie with upside, whether or not for a playoff workforce hoping to discover a cheap-to-acquire scorer, or for a non-playoff workforce like Calgary to get a free have a look at him earlier than contemplating him long-term.

Edmonton’s Andrew Mangiapane can be on my checklist and it makes me surprise if a Montreal-Edmonton match is perhaps discovered right here.

Ryan Strome, C, Anaheim Geese: 3 G | 5 A | 8 PTS | 32 GP

I feel Anaheim is a workforce to keep watch over simply earlier than the Olympics. Although they’ve loads of cap area, the Geese would like to shed some cash and a Ryan Strome commerce might accomplish that. As for the market of groups that want a centre, Strome represents the most affordable price of acquisition in comparison with Schenn, Kadri or O’Reilly.

Braden Schneider, D, New York Rangers: 2 G | 9 A | 11 PTS | 56 GP

Nearly any choice is on the desk in New York exterior of Igor Shesterkin. Schneider, a 24-year-old pending RFA who’s been getting top-pair minutes, is one participant the Rangers are taking calls on. Schneider is younger sufficient and below contract management lengthy sufficient to enchantment to a large ranger of groups, plus he’s a valued proper shot. 

Evander Kane, LW, Vancouver Canucks: 9 G | 16 A | 25 PTS | 54 GP

If the Canucks can commerce Kane, they may, but it surely’s been a sluggish market to develop. Kane’s agent, Dan Milstein, has been given permission by the workforce to attempt to discover a commerce companion. Little question, Vancouver could be keen to make use of considered one of its two remaining salary-retention slots on Kane to make him a extra interesting asset. The Los Angeles Kings are one workforce with some degree of curiosity. 

Andrew Mangiapane, LW, Edmonton Oilers: 6 G | 6 A | 12 PTS | 47 GP

Although it simply hasn’t labored out in Edmonton and he isn’t the participant he was with Calgary, the Oilers proceed to work the marketplace for Mangiapane and will have the ability to discover a companion by March 6, although the return is not prone to be something main. The most important hurdle is perhaps Mangiapane’s no-trade clause, although it does seem to be he’d be keen to waive it to attempt to discover a higher match elsewhere.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C, Carolina Hurricanes: 2 G | 7 A | 9 PTS | 34 GP

The Hurricanes are in on a number of gamers as they search to improve the roster and at last recover from the playoff hump with this group. Although Kotkaniemi has not delivered on the promise he had when he first arrived in Carolina by way of provide sheet, he is nonetheless simply 25 years previous and a centre, so there could also be a workforce on the market keen to take an opportunity that he’ll rebound.