RFAs stalling the markets … FA options for the Islanders and defensive trade candidates
Arthur Staple of The Athletic: Sources are saying that there is a seems to be a stalemate around the league with regards to free agents and potential trades. This is partially due to the group of unsigned RFAs that includes the likes of Mitch Marner, Brayden Point, Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine.
The Toronto Maple Leafs with Marner and the Tampa Bay Lightning with Point seem to be a financial position that they can match an offer sheet, so is there any point of a team trying to sign them?
The New York Islanders are not deep down the middle. If they look at the unrestricted free agent market, Derick Brassard and Brian Boyle could be options.
Trading a defenseman for a draft pick or two seems like a possibility. They had been hoping for a top-six forward earlier this offseason. Thomas Hickey was a healthy scratch during the second half of last season. Other options could be Scott Mayfield, Noah Dobson or Nick Leddy.
Six players could be on the move this offseason
Jared Clinton of The Hockey News: Looking at six players who could be traded this offseason.
Nikita Gusev – Vegas Golden Knights – Gusev’s camp seems to be asking for too much for the Golden Knights to be able to fit in right now. Potential fits according to Steven Ellis could be the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils and Columbus Blue Jackets.
Jason Zucker – Minnesota Wild – The Wild have had two failed trades involving Zucker – Flames and Penguins. Wild GM Paul Fenton has said he won’t trade him for sake of trading him. The Flames could circle back.
Travis Hamonic/Michael Stone – Calgary Flames – Moving Stone may be ideal but the return for Hamonic would be much better. The Flames could use the extra cap savings to help re-sign their RFAs.
Chris Kreider – New York Rangers – Kreider has a year left on his deal and the Rangers won’t be giving him away. Would take a roster player or a top prospect and a draft pick or two.
Loui Eriksson – Vancouver Canucks – He has three years left at a $6 million cap hit and made it through the first buyout window. Roberto Luongo‘s cap recapture penalty for the Canucks created a bit of salary pinch to getting Brock Boeser re-signed. The Canucks would likely have to sweeten the pot to get a team to take his contract.