With it almost being half way through the 2017-2018 season, teams are either realizing that they have a real playoff-contending team or they have a team that doesn’t stand a chance. Both of these realizations end in players being on the move to add to a team’s recent success or help a struggling team. Many name have already been thrown out, especially in the Ottawa Senators organization. It was said that they asked nine players for a No-Trade List, which can only mean that they are trying to move those players. The front-runner from the Senators appears to Mike Hoffman as the St. Louis Blues appear to have serious interest in him and are fairly close to cutting a deal, although no details have been leaked or confirmed. Other members on this list include Bobby Ryan, Alex Burrows, Nate Thompson, Johnny Oduya, Dion Phaneuf, Zack Smith, Derick Brassard, and even super-star captain Erik Karlsson. With a current record 12-17-8 and sitting 29th in the league, it’s no doubt that the Senators would want to shake things up, or potentially trade their star players for something in return before they lose them in free-agency.
Other teams have already been busy on the trade block, such as the Penguins. A few weeks ago, they made two trades with both the Arizona Coyotes and the Dallas Stars. The Coyotes acquired Josh Archibald and goalie Sean Maguire in exchange for goalie Michael Leighton and a 4th round pick. Dallas acquired a conditional 4th round pick (that was acquired from Arizona) for defenseman Jamie Oleksiak. Another Penguin that has teams interested is defenseman Kris Letang. According to Sportnet’s Nick Kypreos, the Pittsburgh Penguins are considering this trade, so it is not yet confirmed. Elliotte Friedman also mentioned that the Penguins would ask for a center and a winger in return for Letang. The only turn-off is Letang’s huge salary cap hit of $7.25 million per year. Negotiations would have to be about the salary cap hit, where Pittsburgh would have to retain some of Letang’s salary per season through the 2021-2022 season. The Penguins are also actively shopping defenseman Ian Cole. Cole only has a $2.1 million dollar salary cap hit.
Other notable mentions that are rather minor are the Canadiens trying to trade goalie Zach Fucale, who has yet to play an NHL game. Dealing him alone would be impossible or slim to none, so he would have to be involved in a package deal.
The Arizona Coyotes are looking to trade Anthony Duclair. With Duclair being on and off the healthy scratch list left and right and being sent down to the AHL, it’s clear that Duclair needs a change and the Coyotes are going to have to come to terms that a change of scenery needs to be done on a larger scale than just the AHL.
The Winnipeg Jets have announced that Shawn Matthias is on the trade block. Matthias has only played 2 games with Winnipeg and has only 2 points.
The Calgary Flames have recently traded away backup goalie Eddie Lack to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Dalton Prout. Lack hasn’t had the best season so far as he holds just a 1-2-0 record with a .813 save percentage and has a 5.29 goals against average. Both Lack and Prout have reported to their team’s AHL affiliates.
Other major trades that have occurred are between the Ducks and the Devils as the Devils acquired Sami Vatenen and the Ducks received Adam Henrique.
The last major shopping news is with the Montreal Canadiens as they are currently shopping their captain Max Pacioretty, who has been in a scoring slump.
