31 Thoughts: Sabres juggling multiple scenarios ahead of trade deadline - Sportsnet.ca
6.
Thought it was very interesting that Ottawa started Anton Forsberg in back-to-back games (6-3 over Montreal on Saturday, 4–3 loss to Winnipeg on Monday). He stopped 77 of 84. Maybe I’m too busy reading conspiracy theories, but a showcase is not impossible to believe. He’s a veteran, not expensive, and has shown great professionalism living out of a suitcase through multiple waiver claims.
If the Maple Leafs decide they need a goalie?
7.
Other goalie names to watch include San Jose’s Devan Dubnyk, Arizona’s Antti Raanta and possibly some of Carolina’s depth now that Petr Mrazek is back. There was a wild rumour the Hurricanes thought about Anaheim’s John Gibson, but that was shot down from multiple places. They’re comfortable with Mrazek.
8.
If Toronto decides to go for a depth defender, I could see Dallas’s Jamie Oleksiak being a consideration.
9. Palmieri was with New Jersey at its Tuesday-morning skate. He and the Devils simply are not close on an extension, so we are where we are. I’m imagining a poker game with Adams, Tom Fitzgerald, Lou Lamoriello and several other GMs trying to bluff each other over the same players and similar trade scenarios.
10. I still don’t know what to make of the Bruins. Tuukka Rask is on their road trip, and they know his health better than anyone else. There’s a loyalty to their veterans, and a realization there aren’t many more years for this core. I hear them linked to Palmieri and Hall, but I’ve also heard they don’t think a rental is a good idea for the cost. Now, if they can extend someone or get someone with term, it makes more sense to me. We’ll see.
11. Underrated transaction of the week: Florida sending Vinnie Hinostroza to Chicago for Brad Morrison. It gives Hinostroza a chance to play, but it also clears cap room for the Panthers.
The two teams I’m most curious about heading into the deadline are Toronto and Florida. I believe the Maple Leafs will add; it’s just a matter of what. The Panthers, meanwhile, enter Tuesday tied atop the standings with Colorado.
I believe players decide a team’s course of action, and the players in Florida have shown they deserve to be rewarded. It’s borderline impossible to replace Aaron Ekblad, but I do think they’re considering options big and small.
After I said on Monday’s podcast that they’re going to take a big swing, a couple of sources pushed back, saying the Panthers are taking pains not to rush into anything. They’ve got some interesting decisions: Carry both Chris Driedger and Spencer Knight? Add a scorer like Hall or Palmieri? Go for D?
What I’ve heard is that they want this season’s magic to be a multiple-year thing, and won’t do anything to stupidly jeopardize that.
