In today’s NHL rumors rundown, the Toronto Maple Leafs could be interested in Sam Lafferty of the Chicago Blackhawks. Meanwhile, the New Jersey Devils could be a team with interest in Timo Meier. The Dallas Stars are expected to add ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline and several teams have checked in with the Columbus Blue Jackets about defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov.
Why haven’t the Vancouver Canucks given teams permission to speak with Bo Horvat about a contract extension and is there anything that will stop Pierre Luc Dubois from eventually ending up with the Montreal Canadiens?
Do the Maple Leafs Like Sam Lafferty?
Jonas Siegel and Scott Powers of The Athletic write that there will be interest in Sam Lafferty of the Chicago Blackhawks. Among the teams that might like him are the Toronto Maple Leafs.
They write he’s a strong two-way forward and:
“Couple Lafferty’s reliable bottom-six game with an affordable contract ($1.15 million cap hit through the 2023-24 season), and he’s expected to draw some interest at the trade deadline. The Blackhawks are open to listening on nearly everyone.”
source – ‘Blackhawks’ Sam Lafferty could make sense for the Maple Leafs at the trade deadline’ – Scott Powers and Jonas Siegel – 01/23/2023
Devils Interested in Meier and Horvat
Friedman noted during his latest episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast that there is talk the New Jersey Devils want to take a big swing this season and could be targeting one of Bo Horvat or Timo Meier. He notes, “I think Meier is more likely New Jersey’s target than Horvat but I think they’ve kind’ve been around it”
Friedman mentions how they already have Swiss-born players Nico Hischier and Jonas Siegenthaler on the team and that Meier would be a good fit.
Stars Could Add a Smaller Piece
Friedman and Jeff Marek took some time during The Jeff Marek Show to discuss the Dallas Stars and how they’re a legit Stanley Cup contender this season. Friedman expects them to add before the deadline, however, he’s not confident it will be a big piece. Marek believes the Stars might dangle Radek Faksa out there as a trade piece to acquire something else they need.
Faksa has a $3.25 million cap hit and is signed for two additional seasons after this one.
Several Teams Interested in Gavrikov
Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff has added a couple of teams to an already existing list of clubs showing interest in Vladislav Gavrikov of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Friedman earlier reported that both the Edmonton Oilers and Maple Leafs might be around this, but Seravalli adds that the 27-year-old pending UFA defenseman is getting lots of attention.
A left-side shutdown guy that can play anywhere from the third pair on a deep team to the top pair on a weaker one, Seravalli says the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are also kicking tires on this player.
Dubois Still Likely Headed to Canadiens
Nick Kypreos was on “Tim and Friends” and noted that he believes nothing will stop Pierre-Luc Dubois from making his way to the Montreal Canadiens. He’s hearing that even a Stanley Cup in Winnipeg won’t change Dubois’ mind and that a long-term future with the Jets is all but impossible.
Dubois is a pending restricted free agent on July 1 with arbitration rights and has been linked numerous times to the Canadiens. Kypreos suggests that the only reason Dubois isn’t being talked about more often and ahead of the deadline is because of how well the Jets are playing. “He is not staying in Winnipeg long term,” said Kypreos. “There is nothing that can change his mind from what I’m hearing”.
