It's a big week in the NHL, with the draft this weekend quickly followed by the opening of free agency next week. This means the trade market is open for business, and Nick Kypreos outlines who's available and what he's hearing around the league.
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Could the Vegas Golden Knights or Dallas Stars get involved?
With the bar set so high in Vegas, I don’t expect George McPhee and Kelly McCrimmon to sit idle for long.
There is plenty of speculation that they are getting ready to take a big run at Marner. This is where we’ll keep an eye on how expendable William Karlsson is to the Golden Knights. Jack Eichel is firmly in place down the middle for Vegas and commands big dollars already – plus he needs an extension before next summer – so teams see an opportunity to try and get Karlsson and are calling about the player. While Karlsson has been an integral player for Vegas since their expansion season, the lack of centre depth on the free agent market means he could bring back key assets to the Golden Knights while freeing up some much-needed cap space to do other business.
If not Karlsson, some attention should be paid to Tomas Hertl, another centre who Vegas could move in the right deal.
Perhaps trading Karlsson and placing Alex Pietrangelo’s $8.8 million AAV on LTIR will be enough to land Marner in a projected $13-14 million range. There is real concern Pietrangelo’s injury is threatening enough to not only jeopardize his Olympic spot, but perhaps his entire season.
As far as Dallas is concerned, outside of a potential one-year deal for Jamie Benn, all eyes will now be focused on how they will get some fresh new talent to help support Mikko Rantanen.
Could they take a serious run at Marner?
That may depend on the decision ownership and GM Jim Nill face on whether to re-sign Jason Robertson or cut him loose now with a trade. Robertson has one year remaining on his four-year $31 million deal signed in 2022.
The early word is the two-time 40-goal scorer may command as much as $12 million in AAV on a long-term deal, which may be too high for Dallas’ liking.
Trading Robertson could lead Dallas right into the mix for Marner.
I’m hearing as much as half the league will try and take a run at Marner in free agency, but the serious bidders will be established well before July 1. However, while the focus around Marner has to do with his free agent status,
we can’t rule out the potential for a sign and trade here. For example, going back to Vegas and Karlsson, obtaining a No. 2 centre is as high a priority for Toronto as a top winger replacement for Marner this summer.