In today’s NHL rumor rundown, TSN’s Frank Seravalli named 10 players most likely to be traded this offseason and there are some interesting names on the list. Teams like the Edmonton Oilers, Arizona Coyotes and Dallas Stars have some surprising names included, but the Vancouver Canucks saw two players make the top-ten list.
In Montreal, there are reports that the Canadiens looked at a different goaltender before going after Jake Allen. And, in Toronto, the Maple Leafs keep talking with goaltender Frederik Andersen and keeping him apprised of the trade talks.
Oilers Looking to Trade Andreas Athanasiou
Seravalli notes that Oilers general manager Ken Holland might be realizing the mistake he made at this past season’s trade deadline and trying to cut bait with forward Andreas Athanasiou. If so, it could turn out to be a painful mistake for the Oilers, but a necessary evil to improving the team in a tight salary cap season.
Seravalli reports the GM is actively trying to trade Athanasiou before he is due a $3 million qualifying offer by Oct. 7 at 5 p.m. ET. Considering this $3 million represents the low end of what the forward might make and that he’s probably not willing to take less, Holland is going to try and recoup any part of the two second-round picks he gave up to acquire Athanasiou from the Detroit Red Wings.
Needless to say, the one goal and one assist Athanasiou scored in 15 games for the Oilers, proved to be an educated gamble that didn’t pay off. What kind of market there will be for the player remains to be seen. Opposing GMs might just wait for his qualifying date to pass by and try to get him on a cheaper contract as an unrestricted free agent.
Related: 7 Cool Things About Alexander Ovechkin
Canucks Have Both Stecher and Sutter on the List
The Canucks have two players on Seravalli’s list. The first player is defenseman Troy Stecher, who like Athanasiou is due a lucrative qualifying offer ($2.325 million) as a restricted free agent. GM Jim Benning may have been advised not to spend unnecessary money based on an internal budget and with young defensemen in the pipeline, Stecher might be a luxury the team can’t afford.
The second player is forward Brandon Sutter. Sutter is making $4.375 million for one more season and the team might have determined that his money is better spent to try and re-sign Tyler Toffoli.
Canadiens Inquired About Devan Dubnyk
According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the Montreal Canadiens called the Minnesota Wild about Devan Dubnyk before deciding to go another direction and acquire Jake Allen from the St. Louis Blues.
It’s an interesting bit of news considering a trade with the Wild might have allowed the Canadiens to save some money since the Wild might have retained some of Dubnyk’s $4.33 million salary. Does that mean GM Marc Bergevin believed Allen was so much better a goaltender that he was willing to spend a great deal more to land him in a trade?
It may never be determined what the Wild were willing to retain in terms of salary unless the netminder is eventually dealt. One thing is clear, Friedman notes that GM Bill Guerin does not intend to buy out Dubnyk’s contract.
Maple Leafs Continue to Talk to Andersen
Friedman also reports that the Toronto Maple Leafs have kept the lines of communication open with goaltender Frederik Andersen and advised him that they are not shopping him, but that teams are calling regarding their interest in his services. This has happened at least twice now.
Friedman says GM Kyle Dubas is not prepared to move Andersen unless the deal makes the Leafs a better team.
5 Teams Interested in Darcy Kuemper
Finally, Friedman notes that the Arizona Coyotes have received calls from at least five different NHL clubs in respect to Darcy Kuemper’s availability. Those teams are the Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Edmonton Oilers, and San Jose Sharks.
All five of those teams are in the market to improve their goaltending so it makes sense they’d be calling. Still, Kuemper is quickly becoming one of the most popular goaltenders on the market.
As for other players that could be moved out of Arizona, Servalli added forward Phil Kessel to the list, ranking him at No. 1.
Catch up on all the latest NHL Rumors