Can't get enough NHL rumors? Lyle Richardson's Rumor Roundup column serves as a one-stop guide to the latest rumblings around the league.
Artemi Panarin's recent decision to avoid contract extension talks this season with the Blue Jackets continues to cast doubt over his future in Columbus. Meanwhile, the inconsistent play and apparent unhappiness of long-time starting goalie Sergei Bobrovsky suggests he's playing his final games with the Jackets.
Both are slated to become unrestricted free agents on July 1. The Jackets could attempt to shop both before the Feb. 25 trade deadline to avoid the risk of losing them to free agency. Moving out their leading scorer and experienced starting goalie, however, could threaten their playoff hopes.
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The Athletic's Aaron Portzline believes Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen will want a return for either player that enables his club to stay in postseason contention. He also suggests they could get better returns if interested clubs believe they can re-sign the player to a long-term deal, perhaps by including a conditional draft pick.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman suggested the Panthers could attempt to sign both players via free agency. But with the Panthers shedding salary during Friday's multi-player swap with the Penguins, there's also growing speculation they might attempt to acquire one or the other by the deadline.
Friedman's colleague Mike Johnston noted there's been talk about the Panthers packaging recently-acquired center Derick Brassard in a larger deal for the two Blue Jackets stars. However, it seems that's merely conjecture at this point.
The New York Post's Larry Brooks claims the Panthers are interested in landing Bobrovsky as a prelude to inking him to an eight-year contract extension. He also proposed Brassard could be part of the package going to Columbus. Portzline, however, cites a Jackets source saying the Panthers haven't spoken to Kekalainen and dismissed Brooks' report as “just speculation.”
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Can the Blackhawks move Keith, Seabrook?
Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook were the blueline stalwarts that helped the Blackhawks win three Stanley Cups between 2010 and 2015. But with the club's glory days in the past and the roster in need of a rebuild, there's talk one of them could be shopped before the trade deadline.
Last week, TSN's Pierre LeBrun said the Blackhawks are expected to approach Keith to see what he wants to do. However, the 35-year-old defenseman told Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times said he hasn't been asked about waiving his no-movement clause, though he didn't definitively say he wasn't open to being traded.
On Saturday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Seabrook was asked about waiving his no-movement clause. He apparently rejected that request but they'll continue shopping around to see if any club has interest in the 33-year-rearguard. Like Keith, however, Seabrook denied being approached about waiving his clause.
If the Blackhawks fail to convince Keith or Seabrook to accept a trade, they could opt for smaller moves instead. The Athletic's Scott Powers reported forwards Chris Kunitz and Marcus Kruger could be available. He also believes they could attempt to move center Artem Anisimov this summer when his modified no-trade clause expires.
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Michael Ferland to be moved soon?
With the NHL trade deadline less than three weeks away, the Hurricanes are still expected to move Micheal Ferland if the two sides fail to reach agreement soon on a new contract. The 26-year-old left wing is slated to become a UFA on July 1.
Last Tuesday, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported the Hurricanes seek a first-round pick and perhaps a prospect for Ferland. He also suggested the winger could be dealt within the next two weeks as they could wish to avoid the risk that he might get injured before deadline day.
Since then, however, LeBrun reports the market for Ferland has slowed. In his column for The Athletic, he said teams are waiting to see what happens with Columbus' Artemi Panarin and Senators forwards Matt Duchene and Mark Stone. He still believes Ferland will be moved by deadline day.
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Jets expected to be buyers
Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff made the biggest splash at last year's trade deadline by acquiring center Paul Stastny from the Blues. With his clubs positioned as possible Stanley Cup contenders this season, Cheveldayoff could once again make a significant acquisition.
Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press last week reported Cheveldayoff was working the phones in search of a depth forward. McIntyre also hoped the Jets GM pursues a scoring center who can help slumping winger Patrik Laine regain his scoring touch.
The Winnipeg Sun's Ken Wiebe believes acquiring a center is a priority but doesn't rule out Cheveldayoff adding a winger such as Ottawa's Mark Stone if he becomes available. While the Jets GM doesn't want to mortgage the club's future, Wiebe believes their first-round pick in this year's draft could be in play.