NHL Rumors Roundup: Offers on table for Chychrun, Caps in on Evander Kane, Rangers, Oilers, and Blackhawks

Also during the HNIC broadcast, Elliotte Friedman dropped an update on Evander Kane. It appears the Washington Capitals have entered the conversation to sign the unrestricted free agent.

“Another team that has discussed and considered [Evander Kane] are the Washington Capitals,” Friedman said. “There’s nothing done, no contract. But the Capitals are another team with the Oilers that have looked into this.”

Odds still remain that Oilers are where he is most likely to sign as Darren Dreger recently noted.

The Edmonton Oilers supposedly have a deal in place to sign unrestricted free agent Evander Kane. Even if that is the case, the NHL’s probe into Kane’s COVID protocol violation is causing pause.

Kane received a 21-game NHL suspension in October for submitting a fake vaccination card. He appeared in five games with the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda this season and tallied two goals and six assists before being placed in the protocol on Dec. 22.

Kane, 30, led the Sharks in goals (22) and assists (27) while appearing in all 56 games last season.

Rangers also in on Jake DeBrusk

The Rangers, who are expected to be very active at the Trade Deadline have spoken to the Bruins about Jake DeBrusk, per Jeff Marek.

The 25 year-old has 13 points in 33 games this season. According to several reports the Bruins are looking for a top 4 defenseman in return. A fairly steep price for the struggling winger.

While the interest in a rugged forward like DeBrusk makes sense with what Chris Drury is building in NY, he is another left-handed shot that plays the LW. The Rangers are already struggling to find ice time for #1 overall pick Alexis Lafrenière with Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin cemented as the top two wingers on the left side.

Can DeBrusk play RW? He will also be an RFA next summer and currently makes $3.6M against the cap. The Rangers will have salary cap concerns starting next season, so this still seems like a tough fit.

Oilers looking for a goalie

Edmonton has been hunting the market for a goalie for several weeks and have not been able to make a deal they’re comfortable with. Even if they acquire one, GM Ken Holland would need to unload Mikko Koskinen’s $4.5 million in order to make cap room. He’s a UFA at season’s end and if Edmonton is willing to add a second round draft pick a team with cap space will take him.

“They are looking at all options across the NHL,” Pierre LeBrun said. “I just don’t think there’s a knight in shining armor out there.”

“We’re told that they’ve kicked tires on Joonas Korpisalo in Columbus, who is a pending UFA,” LeBrun continued. “They’ve also discussed Anton Khudobin. I think the Oilers lose interest there because he has one year left at $3.3 million.”

Braden Holtby could be the Oilers main target per LeBrun, but considering the Stars placed Khudobin on waivers it’s unlikely they want to move him.

Blackhawks fire sale

Marc-Andre Fleury is a pending UFA this summer, and will be a valuable trade chip for Chicago to bring in younger assets for the future. Even though he isn’t thinking about a trade, he is most likely one player likely to be moved.

Elliotte Friedman was on a NHL Network recently and broke down the Blackhawks.

“I heard there was a report that basically said it was anyone but (Patrick) Kane, (Jonathan) Toews, and (Seth) Jones,” Friedman began. “To be honest, I do believe teams asked about Kane and if they’re willing to do that. I don’t think they are.”

“You know (Dylan) Strome’s been on the market, but I think it would take an awful lot for someone like (Alex) DeBrincat,” he continued. “If he does get traded, the only thing you’re going to do is look at the package and say, ‘holy smokes– ok, I understand why it happened.’ Other than that I don’t think he gets traded.”

Friedman finished by saying both the Blackhawks and Canadiens probably have small list of untouchables. Taking everything into account, you can see that the Chicago, Montreal, and Arizona will be three teams moving plenty of assets for futures at the deadline.