In today’s rumor rundown, the Vancouver Canucks are wondering what’s best for the team and their relationship with Alex Edler. Meanwhile, the Jets might have their eyes on a few different options before the trade deadline. We take a look at which teams are interested in defenseman Dougie Hamilton and finally, is Jimmy Howard staying in Detroit?
Vancouver Weighing Edler Options
Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province says the Canucks are trying to re-sign defenseman Alex Edler versus asking him to waive his no-trade clause and trying to get a draft pick or prospect for him at the deadline (which they could certainly do based on his play this season). That said, one option Kuzma believes the Canucks have toyed with is trading Edler then trying to re-sign at the start of free agency.
Alex Edler. Photo: Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers
Kuzma quotes Jim Benning as saying, “We’re going to look at all of our options. He (Edler) has been a part of the organization for a long time and I know he wants to continue on.” Part of what the Canucks will explore is what happens if they move him? Benning isn’t sure the team has someone ready to step in.
When asked, Edler says he wants to stay in Vancouver. “It’s such a competitive league and I think it’s pretty exciting with the change here. We had a great team and it’s been a rebuild and we’re on our way up.” He added, “I like it here and I’ve been treated well and like the city.”
Related: NHL Rumors: Canadiens, Maple Leafs, Blues, More
Who is on the Jets Radar?
Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press writes that the Winnipeg Jets might have their eyes on a few different players leading up to the trade deadline on Feb 25. At the top of his list is Matt Duchene who should be a target for the Jets but only if the price is right.
Kevin Cheveldayoff (Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports)
As for other centers, McIntyre suggests Eric Staal out of Minnesota and Kevin Hayes from the Rangers. On defense, he thinks the Jets should focus on Jake Muzzin who carries a reasonable salary but one more year on his deal.
The issue for the Jets is that they have to be careful in acquiring players with term on their deals because they have a group of free agents in the next season or two that will require their attention and big raises. They are not in a situation where they can haphazardly sign players without considering their salary cap.
Related: NHL Trade Deadline: Our Top 10 Must-Watch List
Teams Interested in Dougie Hamilton
Elliotte Friedman said during an interview on Toronto’s Sportsnet 590 that Dougie Hamilton’s potential availability from the Carolina Hurricanes has multiple teams interested.
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dougie Hamilton (James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports)
He believes the St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins and potentially Toronto Maple Leafs are three teams that are taking a look. Hamilton has two years beyond 2018-19 remaining on his current six-year, $34.5 million contract, which carries a $5.75 million cap hit so it seems like Toronto doesn’t work from a cap perspective.
Related: NHL Rumors: Sabres, Rangers, Edler, Maroon, More
Jimmy Howard to Stay in Detroit?
Friedman also said that he believes Jimmy Howard may actually stay in Detroit despite being a trade rumor candidate for most of the season. He said:
“I think one of the more interesting ones is Jimmy Howard. Detroit is talking about they want a first-round pick for him, but I think he wants to stay. I’m not going to be surprised if at some point Detroit comes to him and says, ‘Okay, we’ll put a two-year offer on the table. What do you think?…I think his preference is to stay, although I’m sure if Detroit gets a first-rounder, they’re going to think about it.”
Friedman believes the best shot at seeing Howard stay in Detroit is if the team tables something like a two-year deal pretty quickly here. If they wait, the closer things get to the deadline, the more likely he is to be traded.
