Latest NHL Trade Buzz: Flames, Maple Leafs, Updated Trade Boards

The NHL roster freeze goes into effect Friday night at 12 a.m. EST, so could that spur some last-minute activity over the next 24+ hours? Craig Conroy and the Calgary Flames continue to receive calls on several of their veterans. Brad Treliving and the Toronto Maple Leafs are among the teams looking to add. Finally, TSN insider Chris Johnston has added some new names to his trade board.

We’ll get into all of that and more in the latest edition of NHL trade buzz.

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Flames Veterans Drawing Interest

With Quinn Hughes now off the market and a member of the Minnesota Wild, TSN insider Pierre LeBrun reports that interest in Rasmus Andersson has picked up, with the Flames defenseman now viewed as one of — if not the — top blue-liner available. Vegas and Dallas have said to be two of the suitors, while the Stars have also kicked tires on bringing veteran winger Blake Coleman back home.

Nazem Kadri remains the most sought-after of all in Calgary, as just about every contender would love to acquire his services. The latest team to emerge in his sweepstakes: Minnesota. Their salary cap constraints are an issue, but if the Flames were willing to retain salary and bring Kadri’s number closer to $5 million annually, another Bill Guerin blockbuster could be in play.

Maple Leafs Acting As Buyers

Speaking of Andersson, Brad Treliving, and the Maple Leafs, they are one of the teams re-entering the mix. LeBrun says the Flames defenseman would consider extending in Toronto if a trade were to occur.

And that’s not the only right-shot blue liner they’ve been linked to, as Frank Seravalli believes they’ve also done their due diligence on Dougie Hamilton, should they find a way to make the money work.

The Maple Leafs would also like to add one — possibly two — top-six forwards, ideally a playmaker to complement Auston Matthews. That will be easier said than done, given the limited options available and Toronto’s lack of picks and prospects.

On the flip side, Matias Maccelli hasn’t played in nearly three weeks and would almost certainly be included in any deal that brings a significant salary back to Toronto. David Pagnotta also reports that Max Domi has been dangled in an effort to shed his $3.75 million cap hit.

Chris Johnston’s Updated Trade Board

Many familiar names remain atop Johnston’s latest trade board, though there are some interesting additions and risers scattered throughout.

The aforementioned Andersson and Coleman, as well as Alex Tuch, Steven Stamkos, and Justin Faulk, are still in the top-10. At the same time, Kiefer Sherwood, Ondrej Palat, Jordan Binnington, Phillip Danault, and Mason Marchment have joined them. The latter two have been linked to reunions, Danault with the Montreal Canadiens, and Marchment with the rival Maple Leafs.

Three Pittsburgh Penguins also appear on the list: newly acquired Brett Kulak, Bryan Rust, and Erik Karlsson. Should Pittsburgh continue to slide in the standings, it’s fair to wonder just how high those names might rise as GM Kyle Dubas has shown his willingness to sell with the Tristan Jarry deal. Rickard Rakell is another player to keep an eye on as the trade deadline approaches, while Stuart Skinner, like Kulak, could also a candidate to be flipped.

Next: Auston Matthews “Asking Out” Is Suddenly Being Presumed in Toronto