Buy or Sell the Latest NHL Trade and Free Agency Rumors
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) It’s been over a month since the 2022-23 NHL season kicked off on October 7. The Vancouver Canucks were involved in three of six trades prior to early November, acquiring defensemen Ethan Bear and Riley Stillman and center Jack Studnicka.
Given their 2-5-2 record, the Canucks are understandably busy in October. They are not the only club stumbled from the door that can turn to the trade market for a quick fix. In Toronto, the Maple Leafs’ 4-4-2 record through October has some observers Think a deal may be needed to turn their fortunes around. Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks’ 3-8-0 record sparked media chatter that management could take the offer. Whenever a team underperforms in the first few weeks of the season, Rumors will spread, which is not uncommon. Whether we should invest a lot of money in them, however, is another matter. That’s the question we’re trying to address when considering which recent noteworthy speculations are worth buying or selling. Do you agree or disagree with our views on these rumors? Let us know in the comments section below. 
Are the Montreal Canadiens a striker?
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Due to a surplus of forwards, the Montreal Canadiens are in the market for one. On Nov. 3, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported that they had reached out to the Washington Capitals and several other clubs in an attempt to establish a market for one of them. LeBrun said the talks with the Capitals did not go beyond the discussion stage. He named Evgenii Dadonov, Jonathan Drouin and Mike Hoffman as trade candidates. All three have struggled with the rebuilding Canadians this season, with a combined four between them.
Most likely to be moved is probably Dadonov. The 33-year-old winger was the most recent health bruise before ending with an injury substitute after defender Joel Edmundson made his season debut on Nov. 3. He scored 20 goals for the Vegas Golden Knights last season, and he went scoreless in eight games against Vegas. Canadiens.
Both Dadonov and Druin are eligible to become unrestricted next summer , and have at least $5 million in free agency. Hoffman is under contract in 2023-24 at an average annual value of $4.5 million. Verdict: Purchase
The Canadians can also abstain from one of the strikers, relegating them if they go unclaimed. Dadonov, Druin, or Hoffman might return to their scoring form on a better team, but their respective cap hit percentages are hard to change right now. However, Canadians can broker a deal by keeping a portion of their paycheck.
Are the Toronto Maple Leafs going after defensive players?
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Having won just four of their first 10 games, the Toronto Maple Leafs looked like a serious Stanley Cup contender. Lost to the humble Arizona Coyotes, Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks have Toronto Suns Columnist Steve Simmons speculates that the leaves may change if they don’t get rid of their fear sooner .
James Mirtle of The Athletic suggested on November 1 that they trade for a moving right Throw the defender. Blue lineman Jake Muzzin, who is on long-term injury reserves, freed the bulk of his $5.6 million cap, and he feels they could use most of that to get some help.
Mirtle also suggested that the Leafs could get more by buying underperforming players like Alexander Kerfoot or Justin Holl salary space. His suggested trade targets include Jakob Chychrun or Shayne Gostisbehere of the Arizona Coyotes, John Klingberg of the Anaheim Ducks, Vladislav Gavrikov of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Damon Severson of the New Jersey Devils.
Leafs may be in the market looking to move the blue line on the right. On Oct. 29, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the Carolina Hurricanes were interested in Ethan Bear before they sent him to the Vancouver Canucks. However, Toronto didn’t want to give up the draft pick to get him.
Can the Detroit Red Wings pass the ball to re-sign Dylan Larkin?
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Dylan Larkin spent his entire 8-season NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings, experiencing Several seasons of their long, sometimes painful rebuilding process. With the 26-year-old center beckoning in the final season of his contract and free agency next July, there are some doubts about his future.
In the Oct. 28 Mailbag segment, a reader asks Max Bultman of The Athletic what makes Wings It took so long to get their captain to sign a contract. He speculated that a new eight-year contract extension of Matthew Balzare with the New York Islanders, worth an average of $9.2 million a year, could affect Larkin’s negotiations.
Larkin’s current salary cap is $6.1 million a year, and if he hits the open market next summer, he could pass a Received more than $9 million on a 7-year contract. However, Bultman wondered if he could accept an eight-year deal of $8.2 million to $8.3 million, since the total dollars would be slightly more.
Nick Kypreos of the Toronto Stars However, considering Larkin would Possibility to price out the Wings market yourself. On Oct. 27, he speculated that general manager Steve Yzerman might opt ​​to use the funds needed to re-sign Lakin to acquire Bohowat from the Vancouver Canucks. Verdict: SELL Bultman expects Larkin to be signed by the Wings this summer. While that hasn’t happened yet, there’s still plenty of time for the two sides to come to an agreement on a new deal. With the Wings finally showing signs of improvement, Larkin may prefer to stay and lead them through the next phase of development.
Are the San Jose Sharks about to shuffle?
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The San Jose Sharks have the most points since 73 in 82 games Poor performance (77 points) Mike Grier took over as general manager in 2002-03. With his club stumbled out of the gate with just three wins so far, he may have plans to change that. On October 27th, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports on hearing from the team , they claimed that Grier was open to an offer from “nearly everyone on their list.” One notable exception is Thomas Hertle, who signed an eight-year deal last season. Le Brun believes Greer can find it with Erik Karlsson It is challenging for veterans to make major changes because they carry a no-action clause. Karlsson and veterans like Logan Couture and Marc-Edouard Vlasic have several seasons left on their contracts, averaging $7 million or more per year.
The next day, The Athletic’s Corey Masisak reported that Sharks players dismissed the rumors. He noted that the LeBron report does not single out any particular player as a trade candidate. He also quoted Sharks coach David Quinn as saying that general managers may be talking to each other trying to gauge where their clubs are at this time of the season.
Verdict: Buy Greer has proven he is willing to make a bold move by trading Brent Burns despite his $8 million cap and three-team no-trade clause. Still heading to the Carolina Hurricanes in July. Mobilizing other veterans with huge contracts isn’t easy. However, that doesn’t mean he won’t consider all options if he can find a deal to improve his club in the long term.
Jakob Chychrun to New York Islanders?
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He speculates that the New York Islanders might be interested in moving the blue line of the puck, but wonders if they’re dropping the draft now rights are meaningful. Having traded his first-round pick in the last three drafts, Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello may Would prefer to keep his first-round pick what the 2023 draft might be. He currently owns that draft and all the draft picks for the next two years.
Hickron usually skates as a left back. The Islanders have Adam Pelech and Alexander Romanov as their top-four left blue line, but neither has Hickron’s offensive skills. He will be a valuable addition to their scoring title.
Verdict: SELL On Oct. 22, Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek claimed that the Coyotes set a high asking price for Chychrun that included “two first-round picks, as well.” Ramorello might be reluctant to give up so much for a guard with an injury history. Stats (as of November 7, 2022) via NHL.com, more via Hockey-Reference. Salary and draft information via Cap Friendly.
