Latest trade rumors from Bob Garrioch:
- TrueHockey.com’s Andy Strickland talked with “sources close to the player” who continue to tell him that Nash isn’t leaving Columbus, which indicates that Nash isn’t looking to waive his no-movement clause to start over in another city. However, the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch is still hearing some buzz about Nash on the rumor mill. Apparently the New York Rangers are interested in Nash, and he’s hearing that the Jackets would want Brandon Dubinsky, Chris Kreider and a No. 1 pick in return. It still doesn’t seem like enough and it still sounds unlikely but perhaps that’s why Jackets General Manager Scott Howson was at the Rangers game last night.
- The Chicago Blackhawks have been looking for a second-line center pretty much all season, and it looks like they may be zeroing in on Buffalo Sabres’ center Derek Roy. Bruce Garrioch hears that Blackhawks General Manager Stan Bowman is eyeing Roy, whose contract lasts until 2013. Roy’s $4 million cap hit may limit the moves they can make this summer, but the Hawks will likely make a big splash at this deadline to add their key pieces. They may chase a defenseman, as well, and there’s been talk they could upgrade their goaltending, though it seems unlikely.
- The Ottawa Senators are likely willing to trade Sergei Gonchar, but Garrioch writes that no teams have called on him yet. There are likely several reasons for this. First off, Gonchar has a no-movement clause so he would have to OK the deal. Secondly, he carries a $5.5 million cap hit until next year, which is a horrible value for a player who has not performed up to expectations. That said, a contender could make a move for Gonchar if all the other blueline options are gone leading up to the trade deadline.
- The Edmonton Oilers were open to trading Andy Sutton, but it looks like they may be taking another direction with the player. Garrioch writes that Sutton’s agent, Pat Morris, is now in talks to try to get a one-year extension done for his client. So it looks like Sutton might no longer be a rental option on the trade market.