Check out the latest on the Blue Jackets, Senators, Maple Leafs and Canucks in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
COULD THE BLUE JACKETS MOVE DAVID JIRICEK SOON?
RG.ORG: Jim Biringer reports a source close to the Columbus Blue Jackets believes David Jiricek will be traded soon. They demoted the 20-year-old defenseman to their AHL affiliate in Cleveland last week.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman David Jiricek (NHL Images).
Biringer indicated that Jiricek is the player popping up the most often in Blue Jackets’ trade discussions. He was sent to Cleveland midway through last season and publicly expressed his displeasure over that decision.
The reason behind Jiricek’s current demotion was to allow him to work on his defensive game and garner more playing time. Biringer points out that it’s also a great opportunity for interested teams to scout the 6’3” right-shot defenseman. His source claims the Edmonton Oilers and Nashville Predators are interested in Jiricek, especially the Oilers as they’re looking for a replacement for the departed Philip Broberg.
Biringer noted the Oilers don’t have much in draft capital to offer the Blue Jackets after trading away their 2025 first-rounder to the Philadelphia Flyers. The Predators, on the other hand, have three first-rounders in 2025 plus a plethora of prospects and young forwards to draw on for trade bait.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes teams are making legitimate offers for Jiricek. The Blue Jackets have to decide what they want to do here. He also doesn’t see a match with the Oilers because the Jackets seek a young player of similar potential in return.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: When Jiricek was sent down last week, I assumed that Waddell and head coach Dean Evason genuinely wanted him to improve and be part of the Jackets’ defense corps.
That might still be the case if they don’t get suitable offers from other clubs. Nevertheless, the rumblings that Jiricek might be traded are growing.
Waddell isn’t going to give away Jiricek for peanuts. It could take a first-rounder or a top prospect to tempt him.
WILL THE SENATORS SHAKE THINGS UP WITH A TRADE?
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the slumping Senators will have to do something to shake things up or risk another lost season. He claims league executives say general manager Steve Staios is making calls to see if he can find any upgrades to his roster.
Garrioch rules out team captain Brady Tkachuk or defenseman Thomas Chabot becoming trade candidates, especially the latter as the Senators would have to retain part of his $8 million average annual value.
One source suggested Josh Norris as a trade candidate. The oft-injured center is off to a good start this season and carries a $7.95 million AAV through 2026-27. An internal option could be using Ridly Greig as a third-line center with Norris as his winger.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Goaltending and the blueline remain problem areas for the Senators. The addition of Linus Ullmark was supposed to improve things between the pipes but he’s been having difficulties lately.
Another lost season will bring significant changes to the Senators roster. They can’t keep going as they have. Those changes could start by the March 7 trade deadline. I consider Tkachuk, Chabot, Tim Stutzle, and Jake Sanderson to be their only untouchables.
CENTER OPTIONS FOR THE MAPLE LEAFS
THE ATHLETIC: James Mirtle recently examined potential trade options for the Toronto Maple Leafs to boost their depth at center.
Two-way options could include Yanni Gourde of the Seattle Kraken, Trent Frederic of the Boston Bruins, and Radek Faksa of the St. Louis Blues. Higher-end targets could be Brock Nelson of the New York Islanders and Mikael Granlund of the San Jose Sharks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gourde, Frederic and Nelson won’t be going anywhere if their respective clubs remain in the playoff chase. The rest are on struggling teams that will likely be sellers by the trade deadline.
Mirtle also mused about bringing back a former Leaf like Ryan O’Reilly or Nazem Kadri. Their contracts, however, make such a move unlikely. They also seem to be happy with their current clubs.
LATEST ON THE CANUCKS
THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston recently suggested the Vancouver Canucks must improve their blueline, particularly their second defense pairing. He believes they need to add another defenseman who can move the puck.
Marcus Pettersson of the Pittsburgh Penguins is the main name being mentioned in the trade market and he could help the Canucks. Johnston thinks other players who could be a better fit could become available but it could take a while before that happens.