NHL Rumor Mill Heating Up… Flyers Hunting Centers… Blues Facing Big Decisions… Freeze About to Lift

We’re sitting in that familiar calm-before-the-storm window right now in the NHL rumor world…

And GMs are clearly positioning for what could be a very active stretch once the Olympic freeze lifts on Feb. 22.

As I noted yesterday its almost impossible to keep up with all of the contingency plans being looked at right now…Here’s what I’m hearing and piecing together today…

Flyers are Buyers and Sellers, But Back in the Center Market… Again…

Philadelphia continues to quietly check in on centers around the league, and two names that keep popping up in conversations are Robert Thomas and Shane Wright. In Thomas, the Blues know exactly what they have, and there’s no indication they’re eager to move him unless someone overwhelms them.  The Kings might be furthest along, but Philly is definitely in on this… Wright is a different situation. Still developing but the upside is obvious. Teams are always calling on players like this.

The Flyers aren’t desperate, but they are clearly exploring every possible long-term center solution. They are not looking for rentals.  They are absolutely looking for centers…they are loaded with prospects at the wing..

They will be listening on Konecny, Tippett, Couturier, and Ristolainen. 

Blues Could Be the Team That Sets the Deadline

Around the league, more and more talk is circling about St. Louis potentially heading toward a MAJOR  reset.  If they commit to selling, they could completely reshape the trade market.

This feels like one of those situations where once the first move in St Louis happen… the domino effect follows..

Oilers Looking for Depth Scoring

Edmonton continues to scan the market for help. The focus isn’t necessarily on a blockbuster right now, but more on speed, forecheck, and secondary scoring.  These are the kinds of moves contenders make quietly that end up mattering in May.

They will move Mangiapane…Toronto and Treliving, who had Mangiapane in some very good seasons in Calgary…and NJ are interested as well as the Islanders…

Bruins Still Watching the Defense Market

Boston continues to look around for defensive help. Nothing imminent, but they’re clearly doing their homework.  Faulk and Ferraro are probably tops

 They’re one of those teams that tends to wait… then strike quickly when the right fit appears.