As the NHL gets closer to the pre-season, speculation remains about a trade candidate on the Winnipeg Jets and focuses for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Edmonton Oilers.
Winnipeg Jets right winger Nikolaj Ehlers was the subject of off-season NHL trade speculation with one year left on his contract.
However, that chatter decreased after GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and coach Scott Arniel praised his performance, prompting some observers to suggest a contract extension was possible.
On Sept. 9, The Athletic's Murat Ates noted the trade rumors that swirled around Ehlers, particularly in the lead-up to the NHL draft on June 28 and 29. He isn't sure what caused the change of tack by the Jets, speculating the Rutger McGroarty trade last month might've derailed things.
Ates suggested Ehlers could be a trade candidate by the NHL's March trade deadline or earn a contract extension if he plays well enough. However, Cheveldayoff isn't rushing into things, telling Ates' colleague Thomas Drance he'd adopt a wait-and-see approach. He said they could address the issue at the end of the season but didn't rule out something happening before then.
Moving on to the Columbus Blue Jackets, on Saturday, Brian Hedger of The Columbus Dispatch reported Jackets GM Don Waddell indicated he was down to 10 healthy forwards with Justin Danforth seeing a doctor this week for a hand and wrist issue that required off-season surgery.
Waddell said he would consider pursuing UFA forwards to fill the void. The Athletic's Aaron Portzline reported he wanted to sign players to contracts rather than professional tryout offers (PTOs).
The Jackets GM wasted little time, signing James van Riemsdyk to a one-year, $900,000 contract on Sunday. He could add one or two more via free agency or perhaps a trade. UFA options could include Kyle Okposo and Phil Kessel. He could also target forwards on PTO contracts with other clubs.
Turning to the Edmonton Oilers, Bob Stauffer of 630 CHED'S Oilers Now fully expects the Oilers to be in the market for a second-pairing, right-shot defenseman, preferably one with some term left on his contract.
The Hockey News' Edmonton Oilers site writer Finn Marceau said any trade for a defenseman must be a money-in, money-out situation. Marceau suggested the Calgary Flames' Rasmus Andersson and Nashville Predators' Dante Fabbro among potential trade candidates.
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