It’s an unusual year around the NHL, with players returning to the Winter Olympics for the first time since 2014. As a result, the schedule is more compact than ever and another trading halt is looming on February 4. Not only does this make every matchup more important from here on out, but it could also lead to trading activity much earlier than the typical deadline bonanza.
The Edmonton Oilers continue to work the market in hopes of finding a new home for Andrew Mangiapane. The Toronto Maple Leafs are rising despite major injuries throughout their lineup, which could force them to buy. And the New York Rangers’ season is slowly slipping away, raising questions about Artemi Panarin’s future.
We explain it all in this latest edition of NHL Trade Buzz.
Andrew Mangiapane Trade Candidates
It’s a matter of if not when Mangiapane — who has had a healthy clean sheet in three of the last four games — will be traded from Edmonton. Several landing spots have been mentioned in recent weeks, including Anaheim, Detroit, Winnipegand even Toronto.
Names like Ryan Strome and Matias Maccelli have been linked to the Oilers in return as they look for a player who can fit into their lineup immediately, though Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman thinks Strome might not be the right fit. General Manager Stan Bowman wants to forgo Mangiapane’s entire $3.6 million salary, which likely means a similar-sized contract coming back to Edmonton.
Maple Leafs trade targets
After a slow, injury-riddled start, many had written off the Maple Leafs – including much of Leafs Nation – but the team has shown tremendous resilience, keeping their season alive and now playing their best hockey yet.
This success has forced GM Brad Treliving to explore the market as a buyer. Toronto has been plagued by injuries at the back, especially Chris Tanev seek help from the defenseof Rasmus Andersson, Justin Faulk, Connor Murphy and Dougie Hamilton all as right-wing options that might be available. Not to mention that Luke Schenn has resurfaced in the trade rumors, so perhaps a third stint as a Maple Leaf is in the offing.
The attacker has found a place up front in the absence of William Nylander. Could this mean he is replaceable? No one is ready yet, although some analysts are at least willing to start the conversation, however unlikely a move it may be.
The latest news about Artemi Panarin
The new year hasn’t started well for the Rangers, who have seen superstars Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox both go down with injuries that have sent them to IR and LTIR respectively. Those losses are devastating at any time, but especially so for a New York team that is on the outside of the playoffs and still has a lot of work to do to get back into it.
As a result, trade chatter surrounding Panarin has increased again, and if the Rangers choose to move the impending UFA, it will could come before the Olympics. The star winger just shot up fifth on TSN insider Chris Johnston’s latest trade boardso the coming weeks will be crucial in determining his future with the team.
Next: The tables have turned on Mitch Marner’s move from Toronto to Vegas
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