NHL Trade rumors: Big names could be on the move
With three weeks left until the trade deadline, NHL teams have to decide if they’ll go after a big name for a playoff push.
The NHL is no different than any other sport when it gets close to trade deadline day. There may still be three weeks until the actual deadline, but that hasn’t stopped some big names from popping up in the rumor mill.
Perhaps the biggest one so far is New York Rangers forward Rick Nash. Per TSN’s Bob McKenzie, New York has asked for a list of teams to which he would accept a trade:
NYR have requested Rick Nash’s No-Trade list and Nash gave it to the club yesterday. The list is 18 teams Nash cannot be traded to (unless he were to waive his NTC). Conversely, NYR now have the green light to trade Nash to the 12 teams not on the list.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 5, 2018
Nash is still a reasonably big name, but his production doesn’t exactly match the salary he’s being paid. New York is reportedly willing to eat up to 50 percent of his hefty $7.9 million contact. Still, that leaves any team that trades for Nash having to come up with nearly $4 million. Nash has been linked to Nashville, Columbus, Dallas, St. Louis, San Jose and Pittsburgh. Some of those teams would need to complete some financial gymnastics if they wanted to bring in the veteran forward.
Speaking of Pittsburgh, the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion could also be interested in Arizona Coyotes center Max Domi. Per a report from the New York Post‘s Larry Brooks, Arizona has made the youngster available via trade:
Again. Slapshots. HHOF should "waive" in JJ68 immediately; McDonagh, Tampa, Minny, Nash, Grabner; Tavares, Karlsson; Domi; Coliseum news, plus. https://t.co/GWnNLMrb9k via @nypostsports
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) February 4, 2018
This one seems a little odd because the Coyotes are still rebuilding. Even though Domi hasn’t lived up to expectations at this point in the season, Arizona seems to be giving up rather quick. He’s just under 23 years old and sometimes consistency can be difficult for young guys in the NHL. The Pittsburgh connection springs naturally since the Pens could use a bottom-six center and Max’s father, Tie Domi, is good friends with Pittsburgh owner Mario Lemieux.
Another young forward who could use a change of scenery is Toronto winger Josh Leivo. He’s asking to be traded away from the Maple Leafs:
#Leafs winger Josh Leivo has played 25 games over the last two seasons. He's tired of watching. pic.twitter.com/Sn586cRRWI
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 5, 2018
With a limited track record of only 53 games, it’s tough to tell what exactly a team would get with Leivo. At 6’2″ and 210 pounds, there are bound to be some teams interested. He does have 21 career points in his 53 games and is a big body. He also wouldn’t cost very much to acquire.
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The final pair of names are no stranger to the rumor mill. Detroit Red Wings forwards Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar are reportedly on the block, as they have been rumored to be for the past two seasons:
...NSH, meanwhile, would be looking at all scoring winger possibilities and that list may include guys like Gustav Nyquist or Tomas Tatar in DET, though no one is suggesting DET is for sure moving those guys...
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 3, 2018
Nashville gave the Penguins all they wanted last season in the Stanley Cup Finals and are looking to get over the hump to bring home a championship. Tatar or Nyquist would be a big upgrade on the wing and could bring that goal scoring punch Nashville wants.
As we continue to sort through NHL trade deadline rumors, one thing is for sure: the league will look significantly different in three weeks.