NHL Rumors: Avalanche now have room for Nazem Kadri

The Toronto Maple Leafs are weighing the cost-effectiveness of extensions for Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton

TSN: Darren Dreger said that the Toronto Maple Leafs have some decisions to make with pending UFA forwards Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton. They have a plan and are going to stick with it, and it’s more about the cost-effectiveness of a contract extension as opposed to chasing the playoffs.

“What will get noteworthy and interesting, given that we do have some time, is what if Toronto closes the gap and they’ve got to make the call on these pending unrestricted free agents. They can’t let them walk for free, so it could be interesting the next several days.”

The Colorado Avalanche have some more cap room now to go after a bigger-name forward

TSN: The Colorado Avalanche gained some cap room by shipping Samuel Girard to the Pittsburgh Penguins and acquiring Brett Kulak. They could use some of that space for a forward, maybe a centerman if they can, according to Chris Johnston.

NHL Trade: Penguins Trade Brett Kulak to Colorado for Samuel Girard

“So, we can attach them to all the big names out there on the Trade Bait list. Nazem Kadri, who obviously had a time throughout, with the Avalanche, but also others, as the Avalanche are all in on trying to win a Stanley Cup this season.”

St. Louis Blues Robert Thomas is not thinking about his no-trade clause

Lou Korac of The Hockey News: With the St. Louis Blues at the bottom of the standings, and teams are calling the Blues to see who is available. Teams are asking about Robert Thomas, who has a full no-trade clause and five years left at an $8.125 million cap hit. When asked about his no-trade clause.

“I don’t really want to talk too much about it now. We’ll talk about it later,” Thomas said. “I have one. That’s kind of where we’re at.”