Latest on the NHL Goalie Trade Market After the Holiday Roster Freeze
Kaapo Kahkonen Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Several clubs with Stanley Cup aspirations, such as the Carolina Hurricanes, Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils and Toronto Maple Leafs, risk having those hopes dashed by shaky goaltending. The same goes for playoff wannabes like the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators.
Some of these clubs are reportedly seeking help in the trade market. However, they are having a difficult time addressing their needs.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said he believes the Leafs dipped their toes into the market as Ilya Samsonov has struggled while Joseph Woll remains sidelined. He noted that teams carrying a surplus of goalies hope to work it to their advantage in the trade market, especially where salary retention might be involved.
Adam Proteau recently observed the Columbus Blue Jackets could peddle pending UFA Spencer Martin. He also doesn’t see the San Jose Sharks hanging onto Kaapo Kahkonen beyond the March 8 trade deadline.
The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun indicated last week that some teams with an interest in Montreal Canadiens netminder Jake Allen are willing to circle back in January to resume trade discussions.
LeBrun said he believes the Hurricanes, Devils and Oilers have had talks with the Habs about Allen since the start of the season. He’s uncertain if the Hurricanes have decided yet to pursue a goalie as they wait for sidelined Frederik Andersen to return from a blood-clotting issue.
Meanwhile, Larry Brooks of the New York Post doesn’t believe any of the goalies currently in the trade market can help the Devils. He suggests they focus on shoring up their defense corps by targeting such blueliners as the Calgary Flames’ Noah Hanifin or Chris Tanev or the Hurricanes’ Brady Skjei or Brett Pesce.
THN.com/free The Hockey News