by Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
The last day of November saw what has become rare in today’s NHL salary cap world: two early-season trades involving roster players.
It was the Colorado Avalanche and Nashville Predators who kicked things off Saturday, with Avalanche goaltender Justus Annunen and a 2025 sixth-round pick from the Nashville Predators for goaltender Scott Wedgewood .
Related: Nashville Predators and Colorado Avalanche Backup Goaltenders
Later that day, the Columbus Blue Jackets traded defenseman David Jiricek and a 2025 fifth-rounder to the Minnesota Wild for defenseman Daemon Hunt and four draft picks, including the Wild’s 2025 first-rounder (the first five protected).
Related: David Jiricek Becomes Minnesota Wild Blueline’s New Mainstay
With the NHL’s annual roster freeze for the December 20-27 holiday season, other teams could make moves over the next two weeks.
The primary focus is on the New York Rangers following reports last week that management was willing to entertain offers for several veterans, including captain Jacob Trouba and forward Chris Kreider.
On November 26, Arthur Staple of The Athletic reported that general manager Chris Drury had met with these veterans and those discussions were described as “honest and productive.” Two days later, Darren Dreger of TSN reported that there was interest in Rangers winger Kaapo Kakko, who is under contract. Dreger believes the Blueshirts will not move the 23-year-old right winger unless until someone reaches the asking price.
On Friday, Staple cited a league source as saying Drury recently contacted the Vancouver Canucks about JT Miller returning to Vancouver. Staple considers it a long shot at best, citing Miller’s expensive long-term contract and the Rangers’ limited cap space. On Saturday, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said the Rangers were trying to take the pressure off, not wanting to rush into a decision they might regret later.
The fact is that Trouba and Kreider have high salaries that are difficult to move at a time in the season when most teams have little cap room. Kakko, meanwhile, played well in the third line. Rangers are in no rush to move him away despite still holding his rights as an RFA next summer.
Related: Three potential trade destinations for Rangers’ Chris Kreider
Meanwhile, Kevin Kurz of The Athletic took a look at five NHL centers the Philadelphia Flyers could target on the trade market this season. They are Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks, Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild, Dylan Cozens of the Buffalo Sabres, Shane Pinto of the Ottawa Senators and Brock Nelson of the New York Islanders.
Nelson, 33, is the oldest of this group and UFA eligible next summer, which doesn’t make him a good long-term candidate for the rebuilding Flyers.
Zegras and Rossi have already surfaced in the rumor mill. It would probably take a player-for-player trade to get one. Cozens and Pinto are struggling offensively this season, but it’s unlikely their respective clubs would be willing to give up on them given their potential.
