The NHL trade rumors are really beginning to heat up now, just 19 days before the Feb. 26 trade deadline. The line between buyers and sellers is becoming more defined, and with that, teams are determining which pieces they’d like to ship away and what they’d like to give up in order to acquire said pieces.
NHL Trade Deadline Rumors Roundup: Kings, Sharks Looking For Offensive Help
Here’s a look at some of the news and rumors floating around the NHL on this Tuesday afternoon:
- Remember last week when we discussed the potential of a Ryan Smyth trade to the New York Rangers from the Edmonton Oilers? According to the Edmonton Journal's Jim Matheson, Smyth might not waive his no-trade claude to go to the Rangers, "mainly because of family reasons." He's spent the vast majority of his career in Edmonton and is getting up there in age now, so it makes sense that roots are important to Smyth.
- The San Jose Sharks are looking for a scoring forward who can play on the top two lines, according to the San Jose Mercury News. With Martin Havlat out of the lineup due to injury, the Sharks have a clear need for such a player, and the report claims that the team could be interested in Columbus forward R.J. Umberger.
- The Kings can't score goals, and it's not a secret that they're looking for scoring. This quote from general manager Dean Lombardi, via the Los Angeles Times, is just perfect: "I'm amazed at how many other general managers say, 'We can't score. I say, 'YOU can't score?' It's hard to find an upgrade right now." The Times floats the idea of a Jeff Carter-Mike Richards reunion in L.A., but notes that a guy like Tuomo Ruutu might be a better option.
- Rick Nash has always been a team player with the Columbus Blue Jackets, and he's committed to that organization like no other player has. But according to Sportsnet's John Shannon, Nash is unhappy with things in Columbus and could want a trade, but that he still won't flat out ask general manager Scott Howson for a deal.
You can get team-by-team coverage of the 2012 NHL trade deadline from around our network of hockey blogs. For more on the news, rumors and speculation surrounding the trade deadline, subscribe to our StoryStream.
See More:
