Now that the NHL is on Olympic break and the roster freezes have set in, it seems like a great time to start looking hard at the NHL rumours that are bound to come up as we come out of the break and move closer to the March 5th.

I’ve put together 7 rumours that could be completely ridiculous… but they could also not be so ridiculous depending on how desperate or charming certain General Managers can be on the phone in the next month.

Ready? Ok!

Toronto Maple Leafs get: Nail Yakupov – Edmonton Oilers get: Nazem Kadri
Calm down Leaf fans. I know you love Nazem, and I don’t blame you. But there have been frustrations and who knows what’s coming in the next contract talks – and the truth is that Coach, Randolph Robert Carlyle isn’t a huge fan of the young man. And in Edmonton, Yakupov’s troubles have been well documented. That team is stacked with young talent that needs to put it together. Maybe both of these players just need to be transplanted for their own good, and the good of their current teams.

Buffalo Sabres get: 3 draft picks, Michal Neuvirth & Brandon Segal – Washington Capitals get: Ryan Miller
Fact: Miller is 99% out the door in Buffalo. Fact: New GM Tim Murray doesn’t want to lose him for nothing. Fact: Washington could improve their team with a veteran goaltender with Ryan Miller’s skill set and ability. This deal would see Buffalo retool and Washington prepare for a playoff push. Win/win?

New York Islanders get: 2 draft picks, Mika Zibanejad, Shane Prince and a Beavertail – Ottawa Senators get: Thomas Vanek
Almost every hockey expert in the world says that Vanek wants to land in Minnesota to start next season. But the Islanders want to move him now. So why not Ottawa? They could use some more goals. And Jason Spezza would love another sniper to try and gel with.

Buffalo Sabres get: 2 draft picks & Curtis McKenzie – Dallas Stars get: Matt Moulson
Much like Vanek, Moulson needs to be moved. It was probably the plan all along when Buffalo brought him in. Dallas needs a push to get into the playoffs… they don’t want to stay in the current tie for 8th. Moulson is a good player and this deal would see Buffalo add a 23 year old winger and 2 more draft picks.

Calgary Flames get: 1 draft pick & Colton Sissons – Nashville Predators get: Mike Cammalleri
The Flames are a mess, this we know. And Cammalleri needs to be somewhere else, sooner rather than later. Nashville doesn’t score much and maybe the plucky forward would fit in well in the Country Music Capitol. The Flames can’t expect to get much back in this deal – I think a pick and an AHL player might be as good as it gets.

Winnipeg Jets get: 2 draft picks, Douglas Murray, Christian Thomas – Montreal Canadiens get: Evander Kane
Rumour has it that Kane is available. Rumour also has it that Montreal is looking for a top six forward that can put the puck in the net. It seems like a perfect match to me. Maybe Douglas Murray isn’t the guy they want to take, but Thomas could turn into something and draft picks are always available on trade deadline day.

Side note: As a Habs fan I would welcome Evander Kane with open arms.

Montreal Canadiens get: a bag of pucks & a 3rd-5th round draft pick – Any team in the NHL gets: Rene Bourque
Honestly, someone make an offer. Please.

We all know that more rumours are coming. Hell, SportsNet has been running the trade tracker for what seems like 2 months… and there’s nothing happening yet.

The best thing that we can do is keep our eyes and ears open and hope that our favourite teams make the best moves possible for now and the future.

The countdown is on!

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Joshua Murray

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