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NHL Rumor Buzz
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NHL Rumor Buzz is Hockeybuzz’s version of an aggregator blog, similar to Spectorshockey.net or MyNHLTradeRumors. It is the home for the latest NHL trade rumors from other mainstream sources and websites other than Hockeybuzz. It will include our thoughts on the rumor in question and will be updated each day as new rumors surface.
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Speculation continues to build that the Montreal Canadiens will make a move to bolster their center position before March 1.
Gazette columnist Jack Todd believes that the Habs are currently weak up the middle with Alex Galchenyuk, an aging Tomas Plekanec and David Desharnais.
A difference maker like Colorado’s Matt Duchene reportedly would cost a high-end young blueliner(Todd believes that Nathan Beaulieu would fit), a first round pick and a top prospect, but thinks that Arizona’s Martin Hanzal would make more sense and cost less.
THE BUZZ – Hanzal would cost less for sure, but the big Czech center has never scored 20 goals in his NHL career and would probably fit best as a #3 behind Galchenyuk and Plekanec. The Canadiens have a window of one-to-two years, with Max Pacioretty and Carey Price signed and with Shea Weber and Alex Radulov in their prime.
GM Marc Bergevin needs to add another top scoring forward to compete with Pittsburgh, Washington and New York in the East and the Habs should mortgage a bit of their future to get Duchene.
If Beaulieu is the blueliner in the deal, it is unlikely that Montreal will be willing to include another D prospect (Noah Juulsen or Mikhail Sergachev) in the deal, but forwards Michael McCarron or Nikita Scherbak could be a fit.
ESPN’s Craig Custance believes that a couple of the West’s best teams; the Minnesota Wild and San Jose Sharks, should be aggressive at the trade deadline, citing the Sharks late season adds of Roman Polak, Nick Spaling and James Reimer from Toronto as smart insurance moves by GM Doug Wilson that provided depth that paid off in a long playoff run and the club’s first Stanley Cup Final appearance.
THE BUZZ – Making moves that Custance is advocating will take a bit of cap management magic on the part of Wilson and Wild GM Chuck Fletcher, who have less than $500,000 in available cap space for March 1.
The Sharks are reportedly interested in acquiring veteran Shane Doan from Arizona and could be looking to add a defenseman for the stretch run, which means that the Coyotes would have to retain a significant portion of Doan’s nearly $4 Million salary.
Minnesota is set in goal and on the blueline, which means that adding a forward who could fit in their top nine would be their target. Reasonably priced rentals like P.A. Parenteau or Patrick Eaves might make some sense.
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