Teams around the league have begun to sort themselves into buyers and sellers with early season results leaving several GMs eager to shake things up.
- The Sabres continue take calls on their core players as the vultures circle around a franchise desperate to advance beyond years of mediocrity. Among the names teams have asked on are Bowen Byram and Dylan Cozens, but as of this moment teams have been rebuffed. Byram could be an interesting target that gets moved eventually if the Sabres are unable to convince the pending RFA to commit long term. But so far, the Sabres brass has shown no intention of jettisoning their young blueliner just acquired from the Avalanche this past season.
- Trade deadline targets continue to emerge as teams slowly sort themselves into the buyer and seller categories. Among the teams that are on track to sell off assets are the Penguins, Blue Jackets, Flyers and Ducks.
- It looks like another long year is in store for the Penguins, who will look to move their pending UFA assets in Marcus Pettersson and Lars Eller, and could try to sell off some of their longer term commitments like Tristan Jarry and Ryan Graves, both of whom might prove difficult to move. UPDATE: The Penguins have traded Lars Eller to the Capitals. More to come, I'm sure.
- In Philadelphia, the names Scott Laughton and Rasmus Ristolainen are familiar ones when it comes to trade chatter. It might finally be time for Laughton and the Flyers to part ways after several seasons of trade speculation. Nick Deslauriers could be good depth for a team looking to make a run, while Ristolainen may prove a harder sell with two years left on his deal after this one.
- The Ducks should be busy as well. John Gibson could be moved, with teams such as the Avalanche already rumoured to have shown some level of interest in the veteran netminder. Pending UFA forwards Frank Vatrano and Robby Fabbri could provide some scoring punch to a team as well.
- And Cam Fowler, believed to be interested in a change of scenery, has been available dating back to the draft this summer. Fowler has another year on his deal after this season, and should generate plenty of interest for teams in need of a puck mover. The Blues and Canadiens have shown interest in the past, but I think it's more likely a team with Cup aspirations will end up landing Fowler.
- The Blue Jackets continue to take calls on Ivan Provorov, who figures to be one of the top defensemen available for an in-season trade. I'd expect them to be busy these next few months.
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