In today’s NHL rumors via The Hockey Writers, we look at Mark Stone, Ryan Dzingel, Ilya Kovalchuk and Wayne Simmonds, Charlie McAvoy, and Josh Ho-Sang.
Stone and Dzingel Officially on the Market
As per Elliotte Friedman, Mark Stone and Ryan Dzingel are now officially on the trade market and will no longer play for the Senators, including against the Blue Jackets and now former teammate Matt Duchene.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1098937998517755904
The Senators are full on moving towards a rebuild and it appears all three of their big pieces are on the way out of the organization. Will the Senators load up on picks and prospects? They’ve already potentially grabbed two first-rounders in the Duchene trade.
Ilya Kovalchuk Still Willing to Waive
Dennis Bernstein of the Fourth Period and NHL Network tweeted that sources close to Ilya Kovalchuk say he is still willing to waive his no-movement clause if the Kings will ship him off to a better situation. Bernstein did add that the Kings have not gone to Kovalchuck and asked him to waive yet.
It will be interesting to see if there is a market for Kovachuk once teams strike out on some of the bigger fish. The Islanders were rumored to be in on Duchene and missed out on Friday morning.
Still Interested in Simmonds?
According to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun. there is some delay on a potential Wayne Simmonds deal because the Flyers are playing so well. What does that mean for the many teams rumored to be interested in acquiring him and a couple teams likely willing to overpay?
Interest has intensified on Wayne Simmonds last few days. But Flyers for now focused on trying to stay in the race. Couple of big games including tonight which will sway final decision before Monday.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 21, 2019
Penguins Still Looking for Right Deal on Defense
Jonathan Bombulie of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review is reporting Pittsburgh Penguins GM Jim Rutherford still might be looking for a rental defenseman. “If a name comes along that makes sense to us, then I’ll take a look at it. If this is what we’re going with down the stretch on our defense, I’m OK with it.”
Rutherford doesn’t want to move his first-rounder but would he for a non-rental? “Now, if it’s for another good young player, like guys we’ve acquired, then I guess that’s a different story. But my preference is to keep that pick.”
Something Going on With Charlie McAvoy?
Matt Dahloff of the 98.5TheSportsHub.com reported that last season, Charlie McAvoy turned down a contract extension offer from the Boston Bruins. This is potentially problematic for the Bruins who would like to get him locked up on a long-term deal.
Pierre LeBrun suggests a three or four-year deal might work to capitalize more on the third contract which would allow for more UFA dollars but is there more going on here than meets the eye?
The Outlook for Taylor Hall and the Devils
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman wonders if the team to watch in terms of a potential offer sheet is the New Jersey Devils? He doesn’t feel Hall will want to stay in New Jersey if the team can’t prove they have any decent players beyond himself to make a run after this season, which is already a write-off.
Will Hall be headed out on the first train to another destination or do the Devils have a plan and is Hall in on it?
Josh Ho-Sang Ready to Hit the Road
Josh Ho-Sang 'all for it' if Islanders want to deal him before the trade deadline https://t.co/yudfsIlq6P
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) February 21, 2019
New York Islanders prospect Josh Ho-Sang seems to be settled with the idea that he could be leaving the Islanders organization in a trade before Monday. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, I don’t know what they want to do with me,” Ho-Sang said. He added that he’s not opposed to (being traded) if it helps the Islanders get better and he gets an opportunity to play in the NHL.
