Check out the latest on the Canucks, Stars and Canadiens plus the latest on Ryan O’Reilly, Rasmus Andersson and John Klingberg in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST ON THE CANUCKS
TSN: Chris Johnston reports there’s a sense that the situation between Vancouver Canucks centers Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller is holding up the trade market.
As the Canucks work through their options, sources tell Johnston there’s a sense league-wide that Miller is the most likely to be moved. The 31-year-old center has a no-movement clause and none of this has been his idea. Nevertheless, there’s a belief that he’s more likely to move on if it’s the right situation.
It could take some time for this to occur, meaning there might not be much action in the trade market until it does.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks could eventually decide they’re keeping both players. That will also end the delay in activity in the trade market. It’s simply a matter of how long this plays out.
UPDATE ON THE PREDATORS
Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly (NHL Images).
102.5 THE GAME’s Nick Keiser reports Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz expects teams to call him to express an interest in Ryan O’Reilly. Trotz indicated he’ll speak with the 33-year-old center before making a deal. “If we do anything we have to do it with respect,” he said.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: O’Reilly has two years remaining on his contract and lacks no-trade protection. However, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday that the Predators intend to treat him like he has a no-movement clause.
THE TENNESSEAN: Alex Daugherty believes the struggling Nashville Predators have no hope of reaching the playoffs this season. He thinks Trotz should be a seller at the trade deadline, suggesting Gustav Nyquist, Colton Sissons and Jeremy Lauzon as trade candidates.
Nyquist is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He could fetch a third or fourth-round pick. Sissons has an affordable $2.8 million average annual value through next season and could bring in a prospect and a second-round pick.
Lauzon is currently sidelined but would be a solid addition to a playoff contender’s defense corps once he’s healthy. He’s signed through 2025-26 with an affordable AAV of $2 million and might bring in a first-round pick.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nyquist is the most likely of this trio to be shopped by the March 7 trade deadline because of his UFA status. Sissons and Lauzon could also move if Trotz can get the type of returns suggested by Daugherty.
FLAMES AREN’T PEDDLING RASMUS ANDERSSON
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Calgary Flames aren’t shopping Rasmus Andersson. They’re confused as to why teams are calling about the 28-year-old defenseman. He been telling them that Andersson isn’t available.
The Flames are in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race. Andersson isn’t on an expiring contract and they hope to sign him to an extension starting this summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I noted yesterday that Andersson recently told the Calgary media that he loves living and playing in the Stampede City and doesn’t want to be traded. It seems he’s going to get his wish.
MORE ANTICIPATION THAT THE STARS WILL BE MAJOR DEADLINE BUYERS
TSN: LeBrun believes the Dallas Stars will attempt to add a top-six forward and a top-four defenseman by the March 7 trade deadline. They’re trying to be patient because certain needs could develop that they haven’t identified yet based on injuries.
Tyler Seguin remains sidelined but they haven’t put him on long-term injury reserve yet. They’re trying to accrue cap space and then put his $9.85 million on LTIR, which gives them more cap flexibility to make additions.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Recent reports out of Dallas suggest Seguin could be sidelined for five to six months. It’s only a matter of time until they put him on LTIR and use the savings to stock up in the trade market.
TEAMS ARE INTERESTED IN KLINGBERG
TSN: Darren Dreger reported NHL defenseman John Klingberg is attempting to resume his NHL career. He’s been sidelined for 14 months following hip resurfacing in 2023 but has ramped up his training lately and feels good.
Dreger claims there are five to seven teams that Klingberg must decide on. He lists the Toronto Maple Leafs as the front-runners, with the Edmonton Oilers and Ottawa Senators among the suitors.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Klingberg must sign by the March 7 trade deadline to be eligible to play in the postseason.
CANADIENS NOT SEEKING RENTAL PLAYERS
TVA SPORTS: Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes isn’t going to sacrifice his club’s future for immediate help to make the playoffs this season. He’s not interested in acquiring pending UFA players.
Hughes isn’t ruling out making trades but suggests he’d prefer to acquire players with term remaining on their contracts, pointing to his recent acquisition of defenseman Alexandre Carrier as an example.
