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The last day of November saw what’s become a rarity in today’s NHL salary-cap world: two early-season trades involving roster players.
It was the Colorado Avalanche and Nashville Predators kicking things off on Saturday, with the Avalanche shipping goaltender Justus Annunen and a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Nashville Predators for goalie Scott Wedgewood.
Related: Nashville Predators And Colorado Avalanche Swap Backup Goaltenders
Later in the day, the Columbus Blue Jackets traded defenseman David Jiricek and a 2025 fifth-rounder to the Minnesota Wild for blueliner Daemon Hunt and four draft picks, including the Wild’s 2025 first-rounder (top-five protected).
Related: David Jiricek Becomes Newest Pillar for Minnesota Wild Blueline
With the NHL’s annual holiday roster freeze from Dec. 20 to 27, other teams could make moves over the next two weeks.
Most of the focus is on the New York Rangers following reports last week indicating management was willing to entertain offers for several veterans, including captain Jacob Trouba and power forward Chris Kreider.
On Nov. 26, The Athletic’s Arthur Staple reported GM Chris Drury met with those veterans, with those discussions described as “honest and productive.” Two days later, TSN’s Darren Dreger said there was interest in Rangers winger Kaapo Kakko, who’s on a one-year, $2.4-million contract. Dreger believes the Blueshirts won’t move the 23-year-old right winger unless someone meets their asking price.
On Friday, Staple cited a league source claiming Drury recently contacted the Vancouver Canucks about bringing J.T. Miller back to Vancouver. Staple considers that to be a long shot at best, citing Miller’s expensive long-term contract and the Rangers’ limited cap space. By Saturday, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said the Rangers are trying to dial down the heat, not wanting to rush into making a move they might later regret.
The fact is Trouba and Kreider carry expensive salaries that are difficult to move at a point in the season when most teams have little cap room. Kakko, meanwhile, has played well in a third-line role. The Rangers aren’t in a rush to move him out when they’ll still own his rights as an RFA next summer.
Related: Three Potential Trade Destinations For Rangers’ Chris Kreider
Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Kevin Kurz looked at five NHL centers the Philadelphia Flyers could target in 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 bunch and UFA-eligible next summer, which doesn’t make him a good long-term fit for the rebuilding Flyers.
Zegras and Rossi previously surfaced in the rumor mill. It would likely take a player-for-player swap to land one of them. Cozens and Pinto are struggling offensively this season, but it’s unlikely their respective clubs are keen to give up on them given their potential.