Around the NHL: Oilers gauging Kane trade market, Rangers moving Smith, Flyers’ Laughton trolls trade rumours

“We were joking around. I think you kinda got to keep it light at this time of year,” he said  Saturday. “Joking around that it was my last time (with the Flyers) on the road. (Teammate Erik Johnson) was kind of poking fun at me, so we re-created a little picture.

“I think when you’re in (trade) rumors for five years straight, it’s nice to get some people back with a little bit of trolling.”

Laughton has been linked to the Maple Leafs for a few weeks now as an option for their third-line centre. There’s been lots of chatter about the Flyers wanting Fraser Minten included in the trade, meanwhile, Laughton has one season left on his contract, carrying a $3 million AAV.

Trade Market Quick Hits

• Florida Panthers acquired defenceman Seth Jones from the Chicago Blackhawks for goaltender Spencer Knight and a conditional first-round pick. The Blackhawks retained $2.5 million AAV of Jones’ remaining five years, and with the Panthers moving Matthew Tkachuk to LTIR, they have over $8 million in cap space still to work with.
• Minnesota Wild acquired forward Gustav Nyquist from the Nashville Predators for a second-round pick. Meanwhile, the Predators don’t appear to be done selling and could move the likes of Luke Schenn, Michael McCarron and Ryan O’Reilly.
• Expect the Columbus Blue Jackets to add before Friday’s deadline, as GM Don Waddell admitted he owes it to the players to give them a chance to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
• Vancouver Canucks could be moving Brock Boeser ahead of the deadline, as Boeser recently stated he’s frustrated with the lack of contract extension talks with management. The Los Angeles Kings are a potential destination as they are looking for top-six help on the wing.
• TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports teams are calling the Montreal Canadiens about centre Jake Evans, but GM Kent Hughes is ok keeping Evans unless a team is willing to ante up to their asking price, which likely includes a first-round pick.
• Pending unrestricted free agent San Jose Sharks forward Nico Sturm thinks it’s very likely he gets traded before the deadline: “I anticipate that something’s going to happen in those two weeks that we’re on the road, realistically. But it’s not really something that I’m worried about.”
• Buffalo Sabres’ forward Alex Tuch is generating some buzz as a likely trade candidate, as Saturday’s Sabres/Canadiens game had 12 scouts in attendance, including the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have been linked to acquiring Tuch before Friday’s deadline.
• The Sabres also have J.J. Peterka as a prime trade candidate. Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli added Peterka to his trade targets board, as teams have been calling Buffalo a lot lately.