The Maple Leafs will need the Devils to save money on Dougie Hamilton, and trading Ondrej Palat isn’t easy.
Pierre LeBrun of the Athletic: New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton has two years left on his $9 million contract. There is hope that a trade can be reached before the Olympic trading halt on February 4.
The Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs could be a match. The Leafs were looking for a right-handed defenseman with Chris Tanev out. The Leafs will need the Devils to keep the salary.
The Devils are also looking to trade Ondrej Palat, who is worth $6 million per season. Palat has a merchant list of 10 groups, so it is not an easy thing to do.
NHL Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs Want D
Do they become ‘rentals’ or do they move despite their teams still in the race for the playoffs?
Matt Larkin of the Daily Faceoff: There are plenty of teams still in the playoffs for pending UFAs that they would need to grab, and use as ‘rentals’ and not lose anything. Some pending UFAs may be removed.
Charlie Coyle – C – Columbus Blue Jackets – Has a cap hit of $5.25 million but is having a great season and has plenty of playoff experience.
Mario Ferraro – D – San Jose Sharks – He is a middle to bottom guy. They are rebuilding, but he is the leader of the group, and they continue to hunt.
Radko Gudas – D – Anaheim Ducks – He’s 36 years old, and the Ducks are on a roll. If the freefall continues, they may consider it.
Boone Jenner – C – Columbus Blue Jackets – He could be a second line center, and should be able to bring a good return considering all he brings.
Scott Laughton – C – Toronto Maple Leafs – Looks like the player he used to be after the Leafs paid him big at the deadline last year. If the Leafs fall, teams could come calling, along with winger Bobby McMann.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau – C – New York Islanders – The Islanders played better than many expected and may not be able to move him, as they initially thought. Pageau, and Anders Lee, look like rental properties.
Artemi Panarin – LW - New York Rangers – Could get the Rangers first, a top prospect, and possibly a young player. We still have time for the Rangers to get back into the race. They have players.
Nick Schmaltz – RW – Utah Mammoth – The sides are not close to expansion. Mammoths are there, so trading is not an easy decision.
Alex Tuch – RW – Buffalo Sabers – Big decision. The Sabers are in a playoff spot, and have missed 14 consecutive seasons. You’re looking at a big contract, but it can be big too.
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Jacob Trouba – D – Anaheim Ducks – Could get a bigger return than teammate Gudas. He has a 12-team no-trade list, but it sounds like he enjoyed it in Anaheim and may consider re-signing.
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