Welcome to another edition of NHL Rumours. The NHL season is right around its midpoint and that means teams are looking to shake things up to prepare for the playoffs or offseason. The Seattle Kraken are one team that could be making significant moves as they head into their first normal offseason. The Philadelphia Flyers have not had the season they hoped they would and could be moving a big-name forward. One team that is in a good position is the Washington Capitals and they are rumoured to be in the market for a goaltender. So without further ado, let’s get into another round of NHL Rumours.
NHL Rumours
Seattle Kraken
Rumour: According to ESPN’s Linda Cohn, the Seattle Kraken are listening to offers on any player on the roster as the trade deadline approaches.
Talked to @SeattleKraken GM Ron Francis yes terday about his approach to trading deadline. He told me he’s listening to offers about EVERYBODY as he continues to assess who should be with the team long term and what is best for team moving forward. #seakraken
— Linda Cohn (@lindacohn) January 26, 2022
Analysis: We hadn’t even seen one game of Seattle Kraken hockey before this team had high expectations. After all, with the way the Vegas Golden Knights burst onto the scene, it wasn’t a stretch that Seattle could do the same with the same expansion draft rules. They haven’t exactly lived up to the hype. Currently sitting in 29th place in the league, this team is a clear seller at the deadline and Ron Francis is well aware of that fact.
Seattle has some decent talent on the roster. Their record may not reflect that well, but even some of the worst teams usually have decent assets to give up. Francis indicated that he is still evaluating who will be on the team for the long haul and will listen to offers on any player. Calle Jarnkrok and Mark Giordano could be rentals on the block simply because of their expiring contracts. But it’s clear that this team will move anyone if the price is right.
Philadelphia Flyers
Rumour: Sirius XM’s Dennis Bernstein suggested that the Flyers could be looking to trade Claude Giroux at the deadline on an episode of Market Rumblings with Dave Pagnotta.
In this week’s Market Rumblings, @DennisTFP and I touch on Claude Giroux’s future in #BringItToBroad, what moves could be coming for the #Canucks, and which type of player the #Flames are trying to trade for. pic.twitter.com/58um8xyvAQ
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) January 27, 2022
Analysis: As the 22nd overall pick of the 2006 NHL Draft, Claude Giroux is a career Flyer. Now it appears that his tenure with Philly could be coming to a close. His contract is expiring and at 34 years old, he isn’t going to get any better than he already is. While he will be remembered as a Flyer after he retires, it makes sense for him to move on. If he wants to win a Stanley Cup, Philadelphia is not the place to do it this season.
The trickiest part of this is Giroux’s no-move clause in his contract. So if they want to move him, it has to be the right team. We saw Taylor Hall leverage his value to be sent to Boston last year. So unless they decide to not trade him, Giroux could be on his way out at the deadline. Bernstein suggested that the Bruins and Ducks are a pair of teams that could show interest so keep an eye on them as the end of February approaches.
Washington Capitals
Rumour: Via The Jeff Marek Show, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman suggests that the Washington Capitals are interested in acquiring a goalie at the deadline, namely Marc-Andre Fleury.
Analysis: This wouldn’t be the first time the Capitals have tried to bring in a goalie from a rival franchise. It wasn’t too long ago we were talking about longtime Ranger Henrik Lundqvist joining the team. Now it appears that they want to bolster the position with Marc-Andre Fleury. While he currently plays for the Blackhawks, many fans remember him best as a Penguin. The veteran has had an incredible career and could be headed for his fourth team.
With that said, Fleury has been vocal in the past about the teams he plays for. It was well known that he wanted to remain with Vegas before they shipped him out. That same sentiment could be said about the Capitals. Of course, some of Fleury’s best years were in a heated rivalry with Washington. Even if the team brings him on board, he could wind up out the door just as quickly.
That does it for this edition of NHL Rumours. Be sure to check back tomorrow for more!
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