Should the Colorado Avalanche look to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a middle?
Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now: The Colorado Avalanche could look so as to add depth with a middle-six winger, but a third-line center may very well be an even bigger priority for them.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are falling out of the playoff hunt, and will have two potential options for the Avs – Scott Laughton and Nicolas Roy.
Laughton is a pending UFA that comes with a $1.5 million cap hit. He hasn’t put up the offensive numbers in a fourth-line role for the reason that Leafs gave up a primary and a prospect for him on the deadline last 12 months. He’s a frontrunner on and off the ice.
Roy kills penalties, has more offensive upside and is 53.6% within the faceoff circle. He has a 12 months left on his contract at $3 million. He could also be a greater fit, but would cost more.
NHL Rumors: Patience Stands out as the Key for the Maple Leafs with Bobby McMann
Some possible buy-low, reclamation project options for the Vancouver Canucks
Thomas Drance and Harman Dayal of The Athletic: A take a look at some “buy low,” reclamation projects the Vancouver Canucks should consider as they appear towards rebuilding their roster.
Alexis Lafreniere – LW – Latest York Rangers. The 24-year-old has seven seasons left at $7.5 million and is on pace for under 50 points (again) while playing second-line minutes.
Ville Heinola – LD – Winnipeg Jets – Never been in a position to crack the lineup since being drafted twentieth overall in 2019. Might be a Group VI UFA this offseason.
Isak Rosen – RW – Buffalo Sabres – The Sabres have similar wingers on their roster and so they’ll be trying to buy on the deadline. Would the Sabres be considering a veteran center like Teddy Blueger? The Sabres will probably want to move Jordan Greenway‘s contract.
Marco Kasper – C – Detroit Red Wings – Going through a sophomore slump after they tried him at center. Back on the wing with Dylan Larkin and Mason Raymond now.
Cole Perfetti – RW – Winnipeg Jets – May not break 40 points, within the last 12 months of his bridge deal. He may not see a long-term fit.
Fedor Svechkov – C – Nashville Predators – Only nine points in 49 games after 17 points in 57 games last season. Bottom-six center who’ll drop a spot on the depth chart if Brady Martin is prepared.
Ethan Del Mastro and Kevin Korchinski – LD – Chicago Blackhawks – They’ve a surplus of young defensemen. Korchinski would cost more to accumulate, as his ceiling could also be higher.
Alex Turcotte – C/LW – Los Angeles Kings – Drafted fifth overall, and it’s not looking like he’ll live as much as that status. If given more opportunity on the third line, he might produce somewhat more. He has 25 points in 68 games last season while only averaging 11:44 an evening.
NHL Rumors: Vancouver Canucks, Buyers and Sellers
Matthew Poitras – C – Boston Bruins – Dropped down the depth chart this season and will fall even further next 12 months. The Bruins could also be searching for futures, which is what the Canucks are searching for, so a deal is probably not there.
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