The latest on the Senators, Ducks, Blackhawks, Hurricanes and Leafs in today's NHL Rumour Report update.
- Are the Blackhawks talking trade with the Kings? Based on the abnormally high frequency with which the Blackhawks have scouted them in recent weeks, some have speculated that a trade could be coming down the pipeline. The two former dynasties seem eager for a shakeup and appear poised to hog the spotlight in the run-up to the trade deadline.
- If the Senators fall right out of the playoff mix, a lot of names will be brought up in trade speculation: Bobby Ryan, Zack Smith, Craig Anderson, Matt Duchene and Mark Stone among them. But another name seems to be piquing team's interest in recent weeks: Ryan Dzingel. The pending UFA is reportedly starting to generate a bit of trade buzz, and his productivity is likely to keep that ball rolling between now and trade deadline.
- The Anaheim Ducks are reportedly continuing their search for a left shot defenseman. The Canadiens and Hurricanes are two teams rumoured to be potential trade partners on that front.
- And that certainly makes sense from the Hurricanes standpoint - we know they're pursuing elite scoring help and haven't stopped after striking out on William Nylander. Rumours suggest this is a move they would like to make sooner rather than later.
- Another team that hasn't stopped looking for a trade: the Toronto Maple Leafs, who are rumoured to be pursuing an impact defenseman, even with the trade discussions with teams that were after Nylander have been put to one side. Names such as Alex Pietrangelo, Justin Faulk, Jake Muzzin, Alec Martinez and Colton Parayko have surfaced as possibilities.