The latest round of NHL news has featured the trade chatter beginning to pick up. The biggest newsmaker over the last week or so has been Quinn Hughes. The Vancouver Canucks have been at the forefront of chatter, given the team’s potential lost season.
A trade involving Quinn Hughes, if it ever happens, doesn’t seem imminent. But as insider Nick Kypreos described, the deal could happen quickly. During an appearance on Sportsnet on December 9, Kypreos had this to say about a potential move:
“As we know, Jim Rutherford has a history of acting quickly and decisively, so while a Hughes deal doesn’t seem at all close today, that outlook could change at any given moment.”
The rationale behind this bit of NHL news is that Hughes would be most valuable before the trade deadline. Any team looking to acquire him would likely need him for the playoffs. Otherwise, trading Hughes during the summer may not yield as much value as it would now.
While Kypreos’ comments should often come with a grain of salt, he does have a point. If the Canucks are willing to trade Quinn Hughes, the trade could flood NHL news virtually instantly.
Price for Sherwood Revealed
Staying with Kypreos, another of his comments hit the NHL news wire. Kypreos discussed the going rate for another Canucks player: Kiefer Sherwood. The club has been open about its interest in potentially moving impending UFAs.
One such player is Sherwood. The 30-year-old has had a good season thus far. So, he’s been on several contenders’ radars. But logic says he won’t come cheap. If Kypreos is right, the price for Sherwood could be high.
Kypreos made some NHL news by stating the following on Sportsnet today:
“They’ve set their price, and they’re waiting for teams to pay it, and it’s a first-round pick plus or equivalent plus.”
That situation means the Canucks would be looking for a first-round pick and a top-six forward. One would have to think the Canucks would like a younger player with at least top-six potential. That’s a hard deal to come by. After all, what teams would give up a top-six forward for another?
Perhaps a defenseman might make a little more sense. Until the trade hits the NHL news wire, fans won’t really know what the price tag really is.
Predators Making Waves in NHL News
The Nashville Predators are another team making waves in NHL news. The club is purportedly looking to move two veterans. Specifically, that’s Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault. Both were big free-agent acquisitions in 2024, but haven’t quite really fit in.
With the Preds’ season circling the drain for a second season in a row, it looks like the team could jettison both players. However, the caveat lies in their contracts, as insider Chris Johnston noted. Both stars have onerous deals, and the Preds don’t want to retain any salary.
Under those circumstances, it’s unlikely any of these trades will hit the NHL news wire any time soon. The needle could move if and when the Predators are willing to retain at least a portion of Stamkos and Marchessault’s cap hits.
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