NHL Rumor Roundup: The Latest On Tarasenko And Laine; Update On The Oilers

The Florida Panthers aren't pursuing Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (or anyone else) as a short-term replacement for sidelined captain Aleksander Barkov.

It was also rumored that the Panthers could seek an affordable short-term replacement for Brad Marchand, who suffered a leg injury on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings. However, the 38-year-old winger is reportedly sidelined for only a few weeks.

Nevertheless, the injuries to both players raised speculation that the Panthers could turn to the free-agent market for some short-term depth to their scoring lines.

Before the update on Marchand's status, Florida Hockey Now's George Richards reported that Barkov was on long-term injury reserve, giving the Panthers about $4 million of temporary salary-cap cushion. Had Marchand landed on LTIR, Richards indicated it would've given them another $4 million.

Richards noted that former Panthers winger Vladimir Tarasenko remains available. The two sides reportedly had a mutual interest, but Richardson indicated that the Panthers had no cap space at the time.

TSN's Pierre LeBrun also reported on the conjecture linking Tarasenko to the Panthers, suggesting that the fact that the winger trains in South Florida was a likely reason behind the rumors. However, he thinks it’s unlikely that the Panthers will circle back.

Speaking of available veteran wingers, LeBrun recently reported that multiple teams expressed interest in Patrik Laine. So far, however, none have made an offer to the 28-year-old winger.

LeBrun claimed the Calgary Flames had kicked the idea around internally, but wanted to evaluate their young players first.

Considering the Flames were outscored 16-3 in their first three games, adding an affordable veteran scorer on a one-year deal could be worthwhile.

Turning to the Edmonton Oilers, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported last Saturday that they were considering a "lateral move" by trading a defenseman for a forward.

That move took place on Wednesday when the Oilers shipped blueliner Spencer Stastney to the Pittsburgh Penguins for forward Filip Hallander.

That move could put to rest recent speculation linking the Oilers to Boston Bruins center Matthew Poitras and Montreal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach.

On Monday, David Staples of the Edmonton Journal cited TSN's Darren Dreger's recent appearance on The Dustin Nielson Show, during which Dreger dropped hints that the Oilers were looking at a young forward on an Eastern Conference team.

Staples speculated that Dreger may have been referring to Poitras, who has struggled to crack the Bruins lineup and might benefit from a change of scenery. Nielson thought he was referring to Dach.

While the Oilers have their man in Hallander, Poitras and Dach could interest other clubs seeking forward depth this season.

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