Hockey fans, brace yourselves for some potential early season trade talk! While NHL teams typically prefer to hold off on making major moves in the beginning of the season, recent injuries have put some clubs in a tough spot, possibly forcing their hands sooner rather than later. TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun is here to break down the latest injury news in Utah, as well as dive into the Montreal Canadiens’ rebuilding process and their potential openness to shaking up their roster.
The situation in Utah is certainly a challenging one, particularly on the blue line. LeBrun reports that the Hockey Club is dealing with long-term injuries to key players such as Sean Durzi and John Marino. The loss of these players is a major blow to Utah’s competitive ambitions for this season. In the past, an injury-plagued team like the old Arizona squad might have simply embraced the tank and focused on securing a high draft pick. However, with the new ownership and a desire to be more competitive, Utah is facing added pressure to weather the storm and remain in the playoff hunt.
Despite the injuries, the initial plan from Utah’s front office, led by general manager Bill Armstrong, is to look internally for solutions. They have already made call-ups to fill the gaps and are hoping to survive this challenging stretch. However, if the losses start to pile up, LeBrun suggests that the team may have to shift their focus towards exploring trade options. Rumors are swirling that Armstrong has been inquiring around the league, potentially eyeing players like Ivan Provorov of the Columbus Blue Jackets, a pending unrestricted free agent. Provorov could be a hot commodity closer to the trade deadline, but it remains to be seen if the Blue Jackets are willing to part ways with him just yet.
Speaking of the Blue Jackets, LeBrun speculates that they may hold off on making any major moves early in the season, preferring to see how their roster performs before shaking things up. However, if their season starts heading in a different direction, Provorov could become a trade target for several teams, including Utah. The allure of a rental player like Provorov, as opposed to a player with term, may be more appealing to Utah given the impending returns of Durzi and Marino.
As the season progresses and teams assess their needs and potential trade targets, the trade chatter is only expected to intensify. Stay tuned for more updates on the evolving trade landscape in the NHL!