We have already seen a couple of blockbuster trades as we approach the 3 p.m. ET deadline, but one move that has yet to be made is the New York Islanders with upcoming free agent Thomas Vanek.
NHL trade rumors: Where will Thomas Vanek go?
Thomas Vanek is still available, and nobody seems to be interested.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
And it seems that there is a bigger rush to name the teams that are not interested in him than the teams that are interested.
- When it comes to the Pittsburgh Penguins, several national media members have named them as being interested in adding Vanek, but Josh Yohe and Rob Rossi of the Tribune-Review have both mentioned that the Penguins are not interested in him at this time.
- The Los Angeles Kings were never in play according to Pierre LeBrun and ended up trading for Marian Gaborik from the Columbus Blue Jackets.
- The Ottawa Senators never seemed to be a real threat to land him and already traded for Ales Hemsky from the Edmonton Oilers.
- One team that's seemingly snuck in under the radar as a potential option: The Montreal Canadiens, according to Chris Botta.
The Islanders are in a tough spot with Vanek. With him headed to free agency and showing little interest in re-signing with the team it’s pretty much a guarantee that they have to trade him for before 3 p.m.
But with so many other wingers available or already traded they may quickly be running out of options. New York and Tampa Bay already completed their blockbuster Martin St. Louis for Ryan Callahan swap. The Senators have Hemsky. Buffalo is still dangling Matt Moulson in trade talks, and the Flames have Mike Cammalleri.
The Penguins and Kings, two teams that seem to be in the market for a top-line winger, either are not interested or went in another direction.
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