NHL Trade Rumors Roundup 2/18/20

Updated:

I warned you all yesterday that the trade activity would likely continue this week and another big piece was moved off the board when the Canucks acquired Tyler Toffoli. Sadly, the injury bug hitting contenders continued with Mikko Rantanen breaking his collarbone for the Avalanche and likely forcing their hand. To make matters worse they even lost a goalie. Hello New York Rangers?

Avalanche Need Help

Mikko Rantanen went into the boards hard last night and will be sidelined “for weeks” per the Avalanche with an upper body injury. Goalie, Philipp Grubauer is also out with no timetable to return after a collision to his head. Matt Calvert and Nazem Kadri are also down with injuries. Will Joe Sakic stand idly by? Doubtful as many insiders already anticipate them being aggressive and this week before the deadline.

https://twitter.com/HeresYourReplay/status/1229605439245033472?s=20

So now the question is, will the Avs acquiesce to the Rangers high demands for Chris Kreider and Alexandar Georgiev? Or will they go bargain shopping and look to players like Wayne Simmonds from NJ? Going to be a busy time for my buddy Adrian Dater of Colorado Hockey Now.

Boston Looking Past Kreider?

The Bruins were in on NJ’s Blake Coleman. Linked to Tyler Toffoli. And now are rumored to be looking at Kyle Palmieri and Josh Anderson. Sounds to me that the Bruins either can’t afford the price tag for Chris Kreider or don’t think they can land him versus either the Avs or Blues.

Toffoli to Vancouver

Give the Vancouver Canucks credit. Many didn’t consider them players to land Tyler Toffoli, instead looking at cheaper options like Wayne Simmonds to fill their power forward needs. No knock on Simmonds who will help any team in a playoff push, but Toffoli is younger and more productive at this time.

The Kings also did very well in this deal and didn’t have to retain any salary to do so. Toffoli was widely considered the #2 trade target behind Kreider which means this only cements the return on the Rangers power forward landing a #1 pick, a top prospect, and a conditional pick if he were to re-sign with the team that gets him.

By Anthony Scultore

Anthony Scultore has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL since 2014. His work also appears at... More about Anthony Scultore

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