Urgency is setting in for NHL GMs as the trade freeze draws near.
- The Jeff Carter saga is starting to get a little weird. Rumours now suggest Carter would consider retirement over accepting a trade to a different team. His preference is to remain a King, but management seems open to the idea of moving on from the veteran pivot if the price is right. Carter has leverage and appears to be using it - and may be using it to determine where he is traded. If he retires early with another team, Los Angeles will be punished heavily by the 'cap recapture' penalty that prevents teams from abusing 'back diving' contracts from the pre-2013 Collective Bargaining Agreement era. If Carter accepts a trade, it's going to be on his terms. The Bruins and Coyotes have surfaced as potential suitors.
- Teams are beginning to line up for a chance to acquire St. Louis Blues star winger Vladimir Tarasenko. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Carolina Hurricanes seem more eager to acquire the player than any other team. Few teams have been as committed to upgrading their forward depth than the Hurricanes, and that includes pursuing names such as William Nylander and Kasperi Kapanen in past weeks. The Hurricanes will be far from the only team interested in Tank, but we can only speculate as to which teams those are right now.
- If you've kept an eye on the rumour mill, you'll be familiar with the names Brett Pesce and Jacob Slavin. During the William Nylander saga, their names were constantly linked to the Leafs in trade talks. That appears not to have died down much since then, with some suggesting one or the other will be move at some point. If the Hurricanes are truly intent on acquiring a big name talent up front, then it seems inevitable that one of these guys is dealt. I'll be surprised if the 'Canes moved Slavin, who has arguably become their number one guy. Pesce seems more likely, but who knows. A new owner and GM leaves us all guessing.
- Lots of buzz around Duncan Keith, but it sounds like a trade might be more of an offseason move if it happens at all. The writing seems to be on the wall for the Blackhawks, and change is in the offing.
- Plenty more on the Trade Rumour Board.
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