Category Archives: Hockey News

Report: Blackhawks seek 1st-rounder plus another piece for Hartman

The Chicago Blackhawks are seeking a big haul for forward Ryan Hartman.

The team is reportedly asking for a first-round pick plus something else, a source told The Athletic's Scott Powers.

Hartman is in his second full season with the Blackhawks in which he's scored eight goals and 25 points in 57 games, including a five-point game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first game of the season.

He's six points back of his career high of 31 set last season over 76 games.

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Staal becomes 5th 30-goal scorer in Wild history

Eric Staal notched his 30th goal of the season Sunday against the San Jose Sharks, becoming the fifth player in Minnesota Wild history to reach the mark, per The Athletic's Michael Russo.

For Staal, it is the sixth 30-goal season of his career, but his first in seven years.

Staal has built off a bounce-back year in 2016-17 with an even better showing this season. The 33-year-old is now on pace to finish with 40 goals and 38 assists, cementing the three-year, $10.5-million contract he signed prior to last season as one of the most team-friendly deals in the league.

More importantly, the Wild came out victorious on Sunday, padding their lead for the third spot in the Central Division standings.

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Report: Golden Knights making ‘serious pitch’ for Karlsson

One Karlsson in Vegas may not be enough.

According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, the Golden Knights are making a serious pitch for Senators blue-liner Erik Karlsson.

With Ottawa mired at the bottom of the standings, the Senators captain is a top target to be moved ahead of Monday's trade deadline. Karlsson, 27, carries a $6.5-million cap hit that extends through the 2018-19 campaign.

As Garrioch alludes, the Golden Knights could be a preferred destination for Karlsson given the club's available cap space, meaning it could accommodate costly forward Bobby Ryan to facilitate a deal for Karlsson.

Related - Report: Sens could discount Karlsson if team is willing to take Bobby Ryan

Ryan is signed through the next four seasons at a $7.25-million cap hit. As for the Golden Knights, the team has about $33 million available this summer, so adding both Karlsson and Ryan shouldn't be too tricky for general manager George McPhee.

In the preseason, few expected the expansion Golden Knights to be buyers this spring, but as the deadline nears, Vegas sits one point behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for first place.

Meanwhile, Karlsson, who is having a "down" year by his standards, has tallied 42 points through 56 games this season. The two-time Norris Trophy winner was a top player in last year's playoffs, registering 18 points in 19 games as he led the Senators to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final.

For the Senators, the sell-off has already begun with the team having dealt forward Derick Brassard to the Pittsburgh Penguins and defenseman Dion Phaneuf to the Los Angeles Kings in the lead up to the deadline.

Garrioch also indicates it could take as many as five or six assets to complete a deal and that the Lightning, San Jose Sharks, and Nashville Predators are also believed to be interested in Karlsson.

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Oilers’ Maroon a healthy scratch with trade deadline looming

The Edmonton Oilers are playing it safe ahead of Monday's NHL trade deadline.

Forward Patrick Maroon, who's been rumored to be on the move, will be a healthy scratch Sunday against the Anaheim Ducks, the team announced.

The impending unrestricted free agent has 14 goals and 30 points in 57 games for the Oilers this season. Last year he scored a career-high 27 goals while playing predominantly alongside Connor McDavid.

Given his knack for scoring and playing with grit, Maroon is one of the top rental wingers available on the trade market.

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bruins were atop Nash’s trade list

In the end, Rick Nash got what he wanted.

Traded to the Boston Bruins on Sunday after spending the past six seasons with the New York Rangers, the deal came to fruition less than three weeks after the club first approached Nash for his trade list.

Carrying a modified no-trade clause, Nash had some say in his destination and could dictate a move to 12 teams of his choosing.

As it turns out, that list did not need to be longer than one team.

"When (the Rangers) first asked me, I was obviously going to go wherever. I wasn't going to hold them hostage," Nash told reporters Sunday. "I wanted to go to a place that wanted me and a place that had a great chance to win. I think Boston fits both of those perfectly."

It was a quick turnaround for Nash, who made his debut with the Bruins on the same day of the deal, as he appeared in Sunday's contest against the Buffalo Sabres.

Against the Sabres, Nash skated for more than 17 minutes but finished with a minus-one rating and five shots on goal.

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Report: Canucks’ Vanek scratched ahead of trade deadline

Another trade deadline, another possible Thomas Vanek deal.

The Vancouver Canucks veteran forward will not be in the lineup for Sunday's contest against the Arizona Coyotes, in what is likely a precautionary move ahead of Monday's trade deadline.

Through 61 games this season, Vanek has tallied 17 goals and 24 assists, and sits second in team scoring behind only rookie winger Brock Boeser. That sort of production makes him a prime target for the rebuilding Canucks to flip for younger assets.

Related: Vanek would re-sign with Canucks if Sedins also stay

Moving at the deadline has become somewhat of a regular occurrence for Vanek, who was traded from the Red Wings to Panthers a year ago, and from the Islanders to the Canadiens in 2014.

Suiting up for a new team would mark the eighth sweater worn by Vanek, who made his NHL debut in 2005.

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Rangers raise Ratelle’s No. 19 to rafters

Jean Ratelle is now among the greats.

Prior to Sunday's contest versus the Detroit Red Wings, the New York Rangers honored the former forward by retiring his legendary No. 19.

Ratelle skated with the Rangers from 1960 to 1976. He posted a career-best 109 points in 1971-72, and was recognized with the Lester B. Pearson Award as the NHL's most outstanding player.

His 817 points with the Rangers ranks third in franchise history, trailing only Brian Leetch and Rod Gilbert.

Ratelle is the ninth Ranger to have his number retired, and the first since the team honored both Harry Howell and Andy Bathgate on Feb. 22, 2009.

Gilbert, on hand for Sunday's ceremony, and whose No. 7 was retired by the club in 1979, announced the team will retire Vic Hadfield's No. 11 next season. Hadfield ranks ninth all time in franchise scoring.

With the Rangers, Ratelle, Gilbert, and Hadfield formed the GAG (Goal-A-Game) line.

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.