In today’s NHL rumors, there are updates Jeff Skinner’s contract in Buffalo, if the New York Islanders are looking to upgrade their scoring with a veteran out of LA, what’s happening with the exodus of players potentially leaving the Rangers and is there a surprising team interested in Andre Burakovksy?
Sabres Keeping Skinner Regardless?
Pay Jeff Skinner before deadline day countdown: 17 days #PayJeffSkinner pic.twitter.com/QIaekmY1jr
— Primetime Bills- Brendan Feeley (@FeeleyBrendan) February 8, 2019
Elliotte Friedman was on Calgary’s Sportsnet 960 and spoke was asked whether or not the Buffalo Sabres would keep Jeff Skinner past the deadline even if he didn’t sign an extension. Friedman’s response might surprise some.
Friedman believes the Sabres mentality would be to tell themselves they have control of the negotiations because they can offer the extra year on an extension. They are less worried about Skinner darting for free agency than some believe they should be.
Islanders Interested In Ilya Kovalchuk?
Report: Kings' Ilya Kovalchuk 'definitely available' ahead of trade deadline. https://t.co/39A5ldTtFc pic.twitter.com/m5jAUn7a3G
— theScore (@theScore) February 8, 2019
Darren Dreger was on Montreal’s TSN 690 and said, “I had somebody just kind of whisper in my ear yesterday – and let’s not call it a source or anything firm, just wild speculation is what it is – wondering whether Lamoriello might have interest in Ilya Kovalchuk with the Los Angeles Kings.”
Does that mean the Islanders would be willing to take on the remaining years of Kovalchuk’s $18.75 million contract? That’s a big ask.
Rangers Might Have the Most Value to Offer at Deadline
Darren Dreger was a guest on Toronto’s TSN 1050 and discussed the options for the New York Rangers at the trade deadline. He ran through a list of names including Adam McQuaid, Kevin Hayes, Mats Zuccarello and others.
When asked if the Toronto Maple Leafs might have any interest in Adam McQuaid, Dreger responded, “I can’t say they wouldn’t. He’s a character guy. I know the Rangers like him a lot.”
What else did Dreger say about the Rangers heading into the Feb. 25 deadline?
Avs in on Burakovsky
Pierre LeBrun believes the Colorado Avalanche have kicked tires on Andre Burakovsky in Washington. LeBrun described Burakovksy as a young player who has the type of contract as an RFA that GM Joe Sakic might be looking for.
