Taylor Hall trade rumors repercussions
Following the news yesterday that Taylor Hall could be placed on the trading block by the Oilers, the buzz it generated around the league was near frenzy. Today on TSN NHL Insiders, Pierre Lebrun gave a bit more details to the rumor. He stated that if the Oilers would trade Taylor Hall, it would likely happen in the off-season next summer when they re-organize their roster for next season. For a trade to happen in the season leading into the deadline, it would be an offer the Oilers can’t refuse. Lebrun who made the calls on this Wednesday to various teams said that many teams would be interested.
Out of the lot, two teams were very interested: the Boston bruins and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Both teams are looking for a top 6 forward to add depth on their top 2 lines. Because of the magnitude of that trade, it would definitely mean an off-season trade to be worked out would be best. Darren Dreger also added to Lebrun’s comments that not only Hall is on the radar but also Nail Yakupov and Justin Schultz. Now these two players would prove easier to move during the season.
Antoine Vermette to Boston?
One player generating quite a bit of interest is Phoenix Coyote’s Antoine Vermette. The Boston bruins are following his every moves with the Coyotes. As mentioned above Boston is looking for a top six forward and landing Taylor Hall may be a long shot. So the Bruins are rumored to be looking more short term and Vermette seems to be the target in Phoenix. This year Antoine Vermette, who can play center and wings has 21 points in 31 games played with a minus -8 rating.
He will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season and it is rumored like the Hall rumors that the Bruins and the Penguins are front runners. The Bruins are looking for a top six ever since Jarome Iginla signed with the Colorado Avalanche and the Pittsburgh Penguins since they lost Pascal Dupuis to injury and who’s playing alongside Sidney Crosby. Darren Dreger said that a trade could be worked out before the Holidays trade freeze commencing on Friday for Vermette but likely leading into the new year prior to the trade deadline.
Bob Mckenzie also added that although Vermette will be highly coveted, general manager Don Maloney will be looking at all his assets prior to the new ownership’s direction once in place. He
Chicago is looking for more depth at center
According to TSN NHL Insider Bob McKenzie from TSN NHL Insiders, he mentioned the Chicago Blackhawks are looking to add some depth at center behind Jonathan Toews, Brad Richards and Andrew Shaw that can play on the third line or maybe the fourth line. Last week, the Hawks made a depth move by trading Jeremy Morin to the Columbus Blue Jackets for defenseman Tim Erixon. This time the Blackhawks are looking at a quality forward and are ready to sacrifice one or two prospects. This will not include blue chip prospect Teuvo Teravainen but instead a player like Klas Dahlbeck (drafted in the third round 79th overall of the NHL Entry Draft in 2011), Philip Danault (drafted in the first round 26th overall of the NHL Entry Draft in 2011), and Adam Clendening (drafted in the second round 36th overall of the NHL Entry Draft in 2011).
