It’s Thanksgiving! Which means it’s time for the turkey, but it’s also time for more than a few NHL teams to take stock of their situation with just about 25% of the season in the books.
The NHL trade machine has been known to kick into overdrive this time of the year, and sure enough, there are more than a few trade rumors to keep track of. Lucky for you, we’re listing every notable rumor you need to keep an eye on this weekend.
Canucks Trade Watch: What’s Up With Quinn Hughes?
Canucks boss Jim Rutherford reportedly sent out a memo to the other 31 teams, saying he’d be open to listening to offers on some of his veteran players. Now granted, some of them, like Thatcher Demko, have No Movement Clauses, which makes it difficult, but names like Conor Garland are still up for discussion (Garland’s NMC kicks in next year).
However, it appears that despite intense speculation, Quinn Hughes is going nowhere. Hughes put his cards on the table earlier this year, saying that he needs to see what Vancouver is building before committing long-term. And while the Canucks already have contingency plans in place (more on those plans in here), for the moment, Hughes is a no-go.
ALSO READ: Michael Bublé Tears Down Vancouver Fanbase, Makes Feelings Clear on Potentially Losing Quinn Hughes
Oilers Trade Watch: Edmonton Finally Pondering Goaltending Moves
The one thing fans across the league took for granted was that the Oilers would make a goaltending move sometime this season. Some insiders reported that they’d wait until next summer, but with the Oilers sinking to historic lows each week, it appears GM Stan Bowman has had enough.
So here’s where the Oilers are looking. First, they are reportedly considering a move to bring Jordan Binnington in from the St. Louis Blues. That deal will see Stuart Skinner head the other way, but the contract values don’t add up, so the Oilers will have to send a bit more salary the other way.
Another factor at play here is that Binnington’s stats rank among the league’s worst this season. The Oilers will look to buy low on the Blues goalie despite a stellar 4 Nations showing, though that was just four games.
Elsewhere, the Oilers have been linked to long-time target Tristan Jarry, with the Pittsburgh Penguins flush with goalies. Per multiple reports, the Penguins are open to moving one of their four goalies, and Jarry made a triumphant return to action from injury last night, making 29 saves in a 4-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres.
ALSO READ: Connor McDavid’s Agent Makes His Opinion Clear on Oilers Superstar Not Getting a Raise
Canadiens Trade Watch: Montreal Looking For Help
Fortunately for Montreal, they’re among the teams that have a lot to look forward to this season. Lane Hutson looks like he’s taking a step, rookie Ivan Demidov is simply electric, and despite mounting injuries, the Canadiens are among the NHL’s most exciting teams to watch.
With that said, they’re still hurting from the laundry list of injuries. The Canadiens have reportedly checked in on Nashville Predators duo Steven Stamkos and Ryan O’Reilly. The price for O’Reilly, though, has been set pretty high, which could scare the Canadiens away, though they have the prospects to deal for a player of his caliber.
Florida Panthers Trade Watch: Move For Serial Stanley Cup Champ a No-Go
With no Aleksander Barkov and no Matthew Tkachuk, the Panthers have struggled mightily so far. And that’s understandable. Replacing players of Barkov’s and Tkachuk’s caliber was always going to be a tall order. Sergei Bobrovsky has not been at his best either, while Sam Bennett appears to be burdened with too many roles in the wake of these injuries.
All summer, the Panthers were linked with a move for Penguins Stanley Cup champ Evgeni Malkin, who’s in the final year of his deal. The Panthers were rumored to be considering a Brad Marchand-like swoop for Malkin, but it appears that will have to remain a pipe dream.
“There’s a 99 percent chance Evgeni Malkin is on the team at the end of the season… It’s wildly unlikely he’d go anywhere,” Penguins inside Josh Yohe reported.
Malkin himself said he’d discuss his future with GM Kyle Dubas “maybe in February, maybe after the season.”