NHL trade rumors: J.T. Miller could be moved, Oilers still seeking defensemen

There’s just some days left earlier than the March 3 NHL trade deadline, and regardless of some massive offers happening over the weekend, there are still some notable names ready for a convincing bid from a contender.

This is a roundup of the most recent information across the league.

Canucks pondering of shifting J.T. Miller?

On Monday, The Athletic’s Shayna Goldman reported that Vancouver Canucks ahead J.T. Miller’s identify started floating round in trade talks over the weekend.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have emerged as a possible trade companion for the Canucks, Matt Vensel of the Publish Gazette reported on Tuesday.

Goldman additionally reported on Tuesday that league sources imagine the Canucks have a “sizeable deal within the works”, and that the potential trade hinges solely on cap administration points to navigate.

A trade to maneuver Miller out of Vancouver would be stunning contemplating he signed a contemporary seven-year, $56-million contract ($8 million AAV) in September 2022 — a deal that will not even kick in till subsequent season. Whereas the 29-year-old is still producing at a gentle clip with 54 factors in 59 video games (he tallied a career-high 99 factors final season), Miller has made headlines for the fallacious causes in 2022-23.

A possible Miller deal could be difficult to drag off for Canucks basic supervisor Patrik Alvin, as any trade would seemingly have to incorporate wage retention. And, as identified by Cap Pleasant, Vancouver must maintain on to a proportion of Miller’s cap hit on each his present deal ($5.25 million AAV) and the profitable contract he is set to money in on in the summertime.

Vancouver introduced Monday that Miller is out week-to-week with a lower-body damage. Miller’s agent instructed The Fourth Interval’s David Pagnotta that the trade ought to solely preserve him out for per week, and that his absence will not be trade-related.

Oilers still attempting to find a defenseman

The Edmonton Oilers are in want of some assistance on the defensive facet of the puck, and basic supervisor Ken Holland has reportedly made it a precedence to provide Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl the assist they want behind them.

TSN’s Darren Dreger reported on Tuesday that the Oilers and Coyotes have been “progressing” on a deal for Arizona defenseman Jakob Chychrun on Monday, however talks cooled down later within the day.

Dreger additionally reported on Monday that the Oilers and Nashville Predators are engaged in trade talks over veteran blueliner Mattias Ekholm.

The 32-year-old presently has 18 factors in 57 video games this season, and is just within the first yr of a four-year, $25 million contract ($6.25 million AAV).

Edmonton can be preserving shut tabs on Montreal Canadiens defenseman Joel Edmundson, Dreger reported.

The 29-year-old has been restricted by damage this season, showing in solely 39 video games and registering six factors. Edmundson is on the books for this season and subsequent at a $3.5 million AAV, and has a modified no-trade clause.

Chychrun talks heating up once more

David Pagnotta of The Fourth Interval studies that trade talks round Chychrun are selecting up with solely days left till the deadline.

The Kings, which have been reportedly near buying the 24-year-old final week, are still one of many frontrunners to land the versatile blueliner, together with the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes.

Curiosity rising round Van Riemsdyk, Hayes

It is protected to say the Philadelphia Flyers aren’t having the season they envisaged after they employed John Tortorella to steer the ship in the best route. At present sitting close to the underside of the NHL standings with a 23-28-10 document, basic supervisor Chuck Fletcher admitted on Tuesday that his staff will be a vendor forward of Friday’s deadline.

Kevin Hayes, a first-time All-Star and second in staff scoring with 48 factors in 60 video games, can be had on the proper value, in accordance with Fletcher.

Based on NHL insider Kevin Weekes, quite a lot of consumers are additionally closing in on Philadelphia Flyers ahead James Van Riemsdyk.

The 33-year-old has 9 targets and 23 factors in 40 video games this season, and is within the last yr of a five-year, $35 million contract ($7 million AAV).