Do the Rangers Need Patrick Kane to Win a Cup? Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTkzMTYzMTEyNDk1NDU3OTUx/usatsi_18149739.jpg] The 2022-23 NHL season is just over a week old, but several clubs already need some help on the blueline. Whether they can find a suitable defenseman this early in the season could prove a difficult task. TSN's Darren Dreger reported [https://www.tsn.ca/insider-trading-growing-list-of-canadian-teams-interested-in-adding-a-defenceman-1.1864553] that Canadian teams like the Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks are in the market for a defenseman. He believes the Canadiens and Leafs need a right-shot blueliner. Earlier this week, The Athletic's Aaron Portzline suggested [https://theathletic.com/3695144/2022/10/16/blue-jackets-record-winless-start/] the Columbus Blue Jackets' blueline seemed out of whack to start this season. He felt they'll have to trade for a right-shot rearguard to shake things up. Dreger noted Jakub Chychrun has been available for some time, but teams prefer waiting for him to return from a wrist injury before making trade offers to the Arizona Coyotes. He also indicated that Pittsburgh Penguins blueliner Pierre-Olivier Joseph is believed to be available. Boston Hockey Now's Jimmy Murphy [https://bostonhockeynow.com/2022/10/15/nhl-trade-crowded-left-side-of-blue-line-could-lead-to-trade-for-bruins/] recently speculated that the Boston Bruins' Mike Reilly could be a trade candidate. The problem, however, is those three are all left-handed shots. Limited salary cap space could also make it difficult for most of these clubs to address their blueline needs at this stage in the season. Cap Friendly shows [https://www.capfriendly.com/] the Canadiens, Leafs, Oilers, and Canucks are using players on long-term injury reserve to exceed the $82.5-million cap. The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, have just over $2 million in cap room. Only the Senators, with $4.3 million in cap space, can currently afford to make a significant blueline addition.
