NHL NOTEBOOK: TEAMS CALLING FLAMES ABOUT NAZEM KADRI
The first round of the 2024 National Hockey League draft is quickly approaching.
With that being said, the rumours are swirling, as teams are looking to move up, star players could be traded, and the Winnipeg Jets are doing things.
Let’s take a look at all that in the latest Rumour Roundup!
Teams reaching out about Flames’ Kadri
The Calgary Flames’ phones are ringing and teams are asking about Nazem Kadri. He joined the Flames two years ago on a seven-year, $7-million AAV deal, and has played in all 164 games over the last two years, scoring 58 goals and 97 points over that time.
While teams are calling, TSN’s Darren Dreger reported that the Flames may not want to trade him. He as a full no-movement clause, so he would have control on where he could go, if the Flames did trade him.
Flyers want to move up in the draft
Pierre LeBrun of TSN reported that the Philadelphia Flyers made a trade proposal to the Columbus Blue Jackets for the fourth-overall pick. He noted that it included their own first-round pick, a roster player, and potentially the Flyers 2025 first-rounder. Of course, it was declined, but LeBrun stated “doesn’t mean they can’t try again”.
It makes sense that Flyers general manager Daniel Brière wants to move up in the draft, as Matvei Michkov is close to joining the team. It’s believed that the Flyers are eyeing Cayden Lindstrom, a big centre who can score.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens heading into draft day.
Mitch Marner could finish his contract in Toronto
In a recent Sportsnet article, Elliotte Friedman reported that the most likely outcome regarding Leafs winger Mitch Marner is that he plays out the remainder of his contract.
The 2024-25 season will be the final season on his deal, with a cap hit of $10.903 million and includes a no-move clause, giving Marner all the leverage in this scenario. It’s also possible that the Leafs are looking to re-sign Marner, as they’ve internally considered extending him, according to Friedman.
Last season, Marner scored 26 goals and 85 points in 69 games. His career-high in goals came in 2021-22 when he scored 35, while his career-high in points came in 2022-23 when he scored 99 points. Marner didn’t perform to expectations in the postseason, scoring a single goal and three assists in Toronto’s seven-game series loss to the Bruins.
Jacob Trouba will give a 15-team no trade list
Further on in the article, Friedman speculated that Jacob Trouba could be moved, as his no-move clause comes to an end, giving way to a 15-team no-trade list.
While they may not have had talks yet, Friedman points to the team waiving Barclay Goodrow (despite having the San Jose Sharks on his no-trade clause) as a heartless move that makes the team better. Could Chris Drury make another tough move, trading the Rangers’ captain?
Trouba battled injuries last season, but scored three goals and 22 points in 69 games. Playing through an ankle injury in the postseason, he scored a goal and seven points for a career-high in the latter category. His career-year was in 2021-22, where he scored 11 goals and 39 points in 81 games.
Aaron Ekblad being shopped
Speaking of tough moves, the Florida Panthers just recently won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. However, a key part of their defence is being shopped around, according to The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta.
Aaron Ekblad is entering the final year of his eight-year deal with an annual cap hit of $7.5 million. However, his no-move protection will come to an end, giving way to a 12-team no-trade list.
It’s unclear what the Panthers are looking for, but Ekblad would prefer to stay in the Miami area (I mean they just won the Cup) and would even take a hometown discount.
Last season, Ekblad scored a career-low four goals and 18 points in 51 games, along with a goal and six points in the postseason. His career-best season was in 2021-22, when he scored 15 goals and 57 points en route to the Panthers winning the Presidents’ Trophy.
Other news:
Jake Guentzel is a hot commodity once again, with the Carolina Hurricanes pushing to re-sign him, and several teams including the Vancouver Canucks, wanting to sign him if he hits the open market.
Elias Lindholm will hit the open market, but that doesn’t mean that Vancouver doesn’t have interest in re-signing him – after all, they gave up a sizable haul for the two-way centre. If they don’t, look to the Boston Bruins as he’s a good fit there.
The Winnipeg Jets are going to be busy this summer, as prospect Rutger McGroarty looks like he could be traded soon for a pick or a prospect. On top of that, long-time Jet Nikolaj Ehlers could be on the move as well.
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2024-06-28T21:31:32Z dg43tfdfdgfd