Rumour Roundup: Patrick Kane has New York and Toronto as his preferred destinations
1 year ago
We’re a little over two weeks away from the trade deadline, so rumours have obviously been flying left and right. Let’s dive in…
Edmonton out of the running for Jakob Chychrun:
It appears that the Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, and the Toronto Maple Leafs have given up the chase for Arizona’s defenceman. The 24-year-old has seven goals and 28 points in 36 games, one of the best rates in his career. Chychrun also has a goal share of 58.33%, the best on a pretty awful Arizona Coyotes team.
Last week, it was reported that Chychrun was being traded to the Los Angeles Kings, but it eventually fell apart due to monetary reasons. The Coyotes will continue to sit him until a deal is reached.
Patrick Kane would only accept a trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs or the New York Rangers:
On a TSN 1050 show, former NHL player Carlo Colaiavoco noted that he’s heard that Partick Kane would only accept a deal to Toronto or the New York Rangers. It seems unlikely that the latter would be interested in another unrestricted free agent right wing, as they had recently traded for Vladimir Tarasenko.
That leaves just the Maple Leafs, if we are to believe this rumour. Would Toronto even have the cap space or assets to make a trade work? They could probably get it done, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Kane was interested in more than just the two Original Six teams.
It’s also worth noting that the Oilers have apparently checked in on the 34-year-old, but a hip injury could see him stay put.
Kailer Yamamoto returns, and Jesse Puljujärvi isn’t on waivers:
Coach Jay Woodcroft stated that Kailer Yamamoto will be returning to the lineup on Friday evening. However, Puljujärvi has not been placed on waivers despite essentially having an equal cap hit as Yamamoto.
PuckPedia’s Twitter account notes that the Oilers have a few options, either by making a trade or sending down two of Dylan Holloway, Philip Broberg or Vincent Desharnais. However, it seems increasingly likely that Puljujärvi will not be an Oiler by the March 3rd deadline.
Other Notes:
- Vladislav Gavrikov: Per this The Athletic article, Gavrikov will continue to be a healthy scratch until he is moved. The Columbus Blue Jackets wanted a first-round pick for him, but that looks increasingly unlikely, meaning they’d be okay with a prospect in return. Should the Oilers make the deal? Probably not, go get Erik Karlsson!
- Shayne Gotisbehere: He may not be as good as he once was, but Gotisbehere is certainly an option for the left-shot, puck-moving defenceman, noted in the Spectors Hockey roundup. The 29-year-old is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and has scored nine goals and 29 points in 48 games this season. In the 2021-22 season, he had 14 goals and 51 points in all 82 games. He’s not Erik Karlsson, but he’d slot in nicely in the second pair.
- Tyler Bertuzzi: This rumour is a little bit old, but Jeff Marek noted that the Oilers have had some interest in the Detroit Red Wings’ Tyler Bertuzzi. The 27-year-old left winger has just two goals and eight points in 22 games this season. However, he’s been rather unlucky with injuries as he has broken both his hands this season. In the 2021-22 season, he scored 30 goals and 62 points in 68 games, so there’s a track record there. He is a pending unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
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