As American Thanksgiving approaches, three teams keep coming up in the same conversation: the Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks, and Philadelphia Flyers. On NHL Tonight, Elliotte Friedman said all three are drawing attention for different reasons, with Chicago sounding like the club most likely to actively explore changes.
Cory Schneider put the question to Friedman directly, asking whether any teams were starting to “teeter” on roster or bench changes, or whether everyone was still in wait-and-see mode. Friedman’s answer pointed first to Chicago.
“I think Chicago’s looking around legitimately. I do.
Philly, I think that any team that does what they did in the off-season with the offer sheet for (Leo) Carlsson, I absolutely think that they’re around things and they’re always looking to do things. I do think they poked around on (Simon) Edvinsson, but I don’t know if they have the center that Detroit wants.
I’m just not sure they have what Detroit would want to do something like that.”
He added that the Flyers’ situation is different from Chicago’s, but still active. Friedman said Philadelphia has been around the market, though he questioned whether they have the type of center Detroit would want in a possible Edvinsson deal.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, was described as a separate case altogether. Friedman said the Penguins’ situation has to be viewed through the lens of their veteran core and the way Kyle Dubas handles those players.
“Pittsburgh, to me, is a bit of a different situation. I think, for one thing, they have legacy players there, and (Kyle) Dubas is not going to act on these guys without their sort of understanding and permission about what they want to do.
(Evgeni) Malkin’s got to submit his list in a couple of months, but the one thing is, I do think for guys like (Rickard) Rakell and (Bryan) Rust. Dubas has a line, and he says if you hit this line, I’ll make the deal with you.
And so I think he just waits to see if anybody hits the line.”
Friedman also said Chicago’s interest is tied to a very specific need.
“But I, I do think the Blackhawks are looking around. I, I think they really want to find some scoring help and some help for Bedard, if they can.”
The source material also notes that some people believe Malkin could be traded, though he remains a player to watch. It says he wants to finish his career in Pittsburgh, and that this could be his last year. Kris Letang is mentioned in the same light, while Erik Karlsson is another name to monitor, along with Rakell and Rust.
For Philadelphia, the issue is fit as much as availability. The Flyers are said to need a center themselves, which would make it hard for them to part with one in a deal for Edvinsson, even if he would fit their roster.
And for Chicago, the pressure is building. The Blackhawks need help in front of Connor Bedard, and the return of Bowen Byram to the lineup is another situation to watch. The note at the end is clear: GM Kyle Davidson is under pressure to make changes, and it feels like that is coming.
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Cutter Gauthier was the difference, giving Anaheim the kind of performance that can change the mood around a young team in a hurry. His impact was obvious from the start, and the Ducks made the most of it by turning the game into a showcase for their power play, a reminder that this group is starting to stack together the kind of wins that can build real belief. [Read more 🡒]