The Los Angeles Kings are being linked to a few different names as the rumor mill keeps spinning, and one of the bigger ones involves Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin.
Zach Dooley reported that Elliotte Friedman said the Kings are among the teams interested in Nikishin. Auston Stanovich then pointed to the challenge in making that kind of move happen, saying, “Nikishin would be such a great get for LA. I just don’t see how they get that deal done, especially since it seems like CAR is dangling Nikishin to try and hunt a big fish like Hellebuyck.”
Elsewhere around the league, David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period said Nico Hischier is expected to land an extension in the neighborhood of five years and $60 million.
There’s also movement, or at least discussion, involving some of the NHL’s biggest names. Quinn Hughes and the Minnesota Wild are still exploring options, with Wild owner Craig Leipold suggesting the deal could be either three years or five years.
Two sources told that the Colorado Avalanche and Cale Makar have not opened extension talks yet, though the expectation is that a deal will eventually get done and make him one of the highest paid players. Neither side is viewed as concerned.
In Vegas, signs are pointing toward a Rasmus Andersson extension in the $7.5 million to $9 million range. The Golden Knights are working with $4.265 million in projected cap space with Alex Pietrangelo’s $8.8 million LTIR, and they could create more room by moving Adin Hill’s $6.25 million.
Other names are surfacing in trade chatter, too. The Buffalo Sabres are offering forward Jack Quinn, while one Western Conference team tried to trade for Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov. The Maple Leafs are speaking with multiple teams about Morgan Rielly, and the Stars and Jason Robertson are still in talks as they try to find middle ground, according to Pierre LeBrun.
The Canadiens remain in the market for an impact forward. The Kings and Tampa Bay Lightning are also being considered as possible landing spots for Patrik Laine. The Utah Mammoth are among the teams interested in Kirill Marchenko, while the Canucks continue to have trade conversations involving Jake DeBrusk and Elias Pettersson.
Pittsburgh is another club to watch. The Penguins have cap space and are looking for a major addition, and they’ve been involved on Robertson. The Flyers, meanwhile, have received multiple draft-pick offers for Rasmus Ristolainen.
In Other News...
Another Flames Depth Gamble Just Quietly Slipped Away
Johnny Beechers latest stop came together quickly once free agency opened, and it was a reminder of how fluid depth forward spots can be around the NHL. A former first-round pick, Beecher has bounced between the NHL and AHL and spent most of last season split between Boston and Calgary after the Bruins waived him and the Flames claimed him in November.
The fit in Calgary never fully settled, with injuries and a suspension trimming his time with the club, but the Flames still got a look at a big-bodied center they hoped could add some organization down the middle. Instead, Beecher moved on to Florida on a one-year, two-way deal, another small but notable turnover item for a Calgary roster that keeps trying to find inexpensive bottom-six answers without sacrificing flexibility. [Read more 🡒]
Flames Land Jacob Middleton In Costly Blue Line Shakeup
Calgary is making a significant blue-line move, landing Jacob Middleton from Minnesota as it looks to add size and stability on defense. Middleton has spent the last five seasons with the Wild and arrives with a reputation as a physical, dependable two-way defender, the kind of player who can change the look of a back end that has been searching for more toughness and structure.
The cost is steep, which tells you how much the Flames valued the fit. Middleton is entering the second year of a four-year deal with a $4.35 million cap hit, and Calgary is parting with notable assets to get the deal done, including a second-round pick. For a club trying to reshape its defense, the question now is whether the upgrade on the ice will justify the price paid to make it happen. [Read more 🡒]
Flames Just Made A Veteran Trade That Says Plenty About The Plan
The Flames took another step toward reshaping the roster by moving out two veterans with championship experience in a deal with Minnesota, a move that suggests Calgary is still threading the needle between todays lineup and tomorrows flexibility. The trade also came with contract maneuvering, as the Flames agreed to retain half of one players cap hit, a reminder that these kinds of transactions are as much about managing the books as they are about altering the depth chart.
In return, Calgary brought back defenseman Jake Middleton and a package of picks that helps stock the future pipeline, giving the club more options as it continues to recalibrate. For a team still sorting out its next phase, the deal fits the broader picture: add assets, keep some salary space in check, and keep the door open for more movement if the right opportunity comes along. [Read more 🡒]