TLN Rumour Recap: Zegras named in trade talks, Flames remaining patient & Senators talking blockbuster

The NHL’s trade market is starting to heat up. GMs across the league have ramped up trade talks as the middle of January approaches with less than two months until the March 8 trade deadline. Several of hockey’s best insiders have released their trade targets to watch out for these next several weeks and there’s plenty to talk about, so let’s jump right in:

Trevor Zegras’ Name is ‘Out’ There

After the Anaheim Ducks pulled off a shockingly bold trade earlier this week acquiring top prospect Cutter Gauthier from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for young defenceman Jamie Drysdale and a second-round pick, it turns out the bold moves may continue. Trevor Zegras has reportedly been discussed in multiple trade conversations as Ducks GM Pat Verbeek is starting to shake up the young core of his team.

Resident insider Frank Seravalli recently mentioned his sources say Verbeek has mentioned Zegras’ name in conversation with teams this season, though it remains unclear how far (if at all) those talks advanced. Zegras turns 23 in March, and after a contract took longer to get sorted than expected to start the season, he’s managed just seven points in 20 games. To complicate the matter more, the former first-rounder was injured on Tuesday night in Nashville and is expected to be out for a while.

While the timing of everything may make it difficult to finalize a Zegras trade before early March, look for Verbeek to make multiple trades ahead of the deadline including shipping out veterans Adam Henrique and Ilya Lyubushkin. For what it’s worth, both players have been linked to the Maple Leafs at different points this season. Anaheim is expected to retain salary, as this will allow Verbeek to get a ‘sweeter’ return to help fast-track the rebuild.

Flames Players Topping Every Trade Board

Flames GM Craig Conroy has noticed that all of his pending free agents are topping insider’s trade boards around the league. He doesn’t seem too concerned and understands the Canadian market, but he also mentioned there are families involved and it can be a nerve-wracking time for many.

Elias Lindholm remains the top trade target available as contract extension talks have been put on hold and a trade is coming ahead of March 8. Conroy points out that Calgary is creeping closer to the playoff picture which means he’s going to be patient before pulling the trigger on a slew of deals. Expect the Flames executive to hold onto his rentals until as close to the deadline as possible as he’s hoping the team can still turn it around and get themselves back into the mix in the Western Conference.

The Daily Faceoff’s trade board had Lindholm ranked first, Chris Tanev ranked third, and Noah Hanifin ranked fifth. All three UFA at season’s end and all three being closely watched by contending teams. One thing Conroy has in his favor is the fact Lindholm is only making $4.8 million against the cap and doesn’t hold any trade protection. Rare for a player of his caliber. He’s been linked to the Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche throughout the year, and it doesn’t hurt to keep an eye on the Winnipeg Jets, who could find room for him at second-line centre.

As for Tanev, the Maple Leafs remain a team to watch as the fit is certainly there. Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin recently released seven teams to watch for in the Tanev sweepstakes, which included the Maple Leafs along with the Boston Bruins, Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, and Vancouver Canucks. Hanifin, on the other hand, is the most likely to stay in Calgary.

Ottawa Senators Becoming Team to Watch

With a new management structure in Ottawa and a team on the ice disappointing many, expect to see the Senators be aggressive on the trade market and try to re-tool on the fly. TSN’s Darren Dreger reported that GM Steve Staios has held conversations about just about anyone not considered to be in their young core: