Lack of high-end options in NHL trade market could lead to interesting names becoming available
The trade market dried up pretty quickly. Most of the high-end unrestricted free agent options have either re-signed with their current clubs or, in the case of Artemi Panarin, have been traded and signed. And then there’s Alex Tuch, who looks like he’ll be an own-rental for the Buffalo Sabres as they creep closer to their first playoff spot in 15 years.
So if the market is dry, how will contending teams look to improve? David Pagnotta joined Daily Faceoff Live to talk about the sellers market for this year’s deadline, and how some teams will need to get creative to add big pieces.
Tyler Yaremchuk: Are there some bigger names that may be just percolating a little bit under the surface, that with the market being what it is, some teams might up their offers on guys?
David Pagnotta: Yeah, it allows teams to be a little bit more forcefully creative, because they have no choice. So they’re going to have to go out there and start poking around on certain guys a little bit more. Maybe names that we haven’t even discussed yet.
And this happens all the time. A GM is going to call and say, “hey, is that guy available? No. Alright, maybe we can try again in a week and try to convince you.” And then word comes out, but they’re not really shopping.
Robert Thomas fits in that mold where St. Louis is going to listen, and if you’re willing to overpay, then we’ll have that conversation. If not, don’t waste our time. That’s where things stand on that front.
Kyrou, I’ve said this a bunch already, that I’d be surprised if he’s going to be a Blue next season. Whether a move happens now or ahead or in the summer, obviously we got to wait on that one. But I think the message has been relayed to both sides that a change of scenery is probably best and I believe Kyrou is waiting on that.
Now he’s got a full no-trade [clause]. I do not know if he submitted a list or if he’s been asked for a list of teams. I don’t know that yet. What I do know is that he’s open to that change of scenery, and there are teams that wouldn’t mind prying him and getting him. So whether that’s Seattle or Montreal that tried in the summer before his no-trade kicked in, maybe they circle back, or another team that’s looking, Toronto or whomever, we’ll have to keep tabs on that, certainly.
The Blues are going to be busy, because they’ve got a ton of guys that teams have interest in: Schenn, Faulk and so on. But Kyrou is a big fish that I would not be shocked is moved by the deadline, but at the same time, because of that contract and everything, it could happen in the summer. Either way, I’d be pretty surprised if he’s on St. Louis next year.
You can watch the full episode here…