Kaplan’s trade deadline buzz: Latest on Noah Hanifin, Jake Guentzel and the goalie market
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Emily Kaplan, ESPN
The NHL trade deadline is a week away, and while calls around the league are heating up, expectations are being tempered. I spoke to one general manager this week who cautioned that things seem “a little slow.” He called it a thin market, with few impact players available as rentals.
“But it could mean we get more surprises of players being moved that you don’t expect,” the GM said. “And that could be exciting.”
Here’s what I’m hearing could transpire over the next seven days.
THE CALGARY FLAMES have held the keys to the NHL trade deadline. The domino effect is always real at this time of year. Calgary kicked off the trading season when it moved Elias Lindholm to Vancouver on Jan. 31. Two days later, the Jets traded for Sean Monahan, one of the next-best centers available. As you can see, one team sets the market, then others — who missed out on that player — move quickly to their next option.
The Flames likely got things started again after trading Chris Tanev to the Dallas Stars on Wednesday. Several teams need a right-shot defenseman and Tanev, 34, was atop most of their lists. Tanev has 41 games of playoff experience, and ranks second in the league in blocked shots. So who are the best available options now?
The next day, the Toronto Maple Leafs traded for Ilya Lyubushkin from Anaheim.
Sean Walker is likely the next man up. Philadelphia Flyers GM Danny Briere told me he’d like to re-sign both Walker and his defense partner, Nick Seeler, but he didn’t know if it would be possible. With little traction for new contracts, it appears they’re poised to be moved — especially Walker. Other right defensemen who are definitely available: Matt Dumba and Tyson Barrie. Other right defensemen who are possibly available: Alexandre Carrier and Erik Johnson.
YES, THE FLYERS are in playoff position and it seems counterintuitive to be sellers. But general managers typically get one chance to rebuild their team from the foundation up, and it’s right away when they start. The Flyers would like to make the playoffs, but would rather build the team sustainably to contend for several years — and management clearly thinks they’re at least another season, but more likely two or three, away from that.
Briere was adamant with me that he is not shopping Scott Laughton, but rather fielding calls on the center (who has two additional years remaining at a $3 million cap hit) because of how attractive he is to other teams, and it’s bad business not to consider recouping value.
So far, it doesn’t seem any team has been willing to step up to the steep asking price.
NOAH HANIFIN PASSED on a contract extension with Calgary in hopes of exploring the open market. The Massachusetts-born defenseman would like the chance to play in the United States. That devalues his market, as some teams might not want to trade for Hanifin without the wink behind the scenes that he’d sign an extension with them. It’s almost inevitable Hanifin will be traded, but also trending toward Calgary not getting its ideal return. Keep an eye on both Florida-based teams, and potentially Boston and New Jersey here.
ON THE GOALIE front, the Wild let teams know that Marc-Andre Fleury is committed to stay in Minnesota. Fleury had control of the situation with a full no-movement clause, and he wants to see it through with the Wild. From what I understand, the Devils are the only team to make a significant offer to Calgary for Jacob Markstrom. Those talks fell through, but the expectation was New Jersey may re-engage.
The Devils also called Nashville about Juuse Saros, though those conversations didn’t appear to get as far. The Predators are comfortable holding on to Saros, tabling any potential trade talks for the summer.
The Boston Bruins have wanted to keep both goalies, but enough teams have called on Linus Ullmark that it’s worth mentioning as a possibility.
Montreal’s Jake Allen and San Jose’s Kaapo Kahkonen might be the only two goalies on the move.
WHAT I KEEP hearing about the Predators, after they won six straight to separate themselves in the wild-card race — they’re not sold on anything. Take for example, Tommy Novak. The 26-year-old center is a late bloomer just coming into his own offensively. At less than $1 million a season, Novak has become a hot name for several teams. Nashville would still listen on offers if someone were ready to wow them, but it seems likelier that they’ll try to get an extension done and make Novak part of their future.
THE PANTHERS AND HURRICANES are in similar situations. They don’t want to trade away first-round picks (though the Canes have way more draft capital). But they do have significant salary cap space available. So they’re telling teams: Call us, we’re open for business. Both teams seem to be circling around on impact players, wishfully hoping the prices will drop.
I KNOW MANY opposing fans (and teams) rolled their eyes when Mark Stone was placed on long-term injury reserve, giving the Vegas Golden Knights the perfect opportunity to spend his cap space and welcome him back in the playoffs — the exact same situation as 2023. But when Stone was ready for Game 1 of the opening round last year, a team lodged a complaint. I’m told the NHL investigated, and found nothing sketchy about the timeline.
Stone’s new injury (not related to last year’s back surgery) was described to me as so serious, the entire first round is in question for him — and maybe even beyond that. Even still, there are sure to be eye rolls again because the Golden Knights are aggressively looking for top-end wingers.
This could be the destination for Jake Guentzel, Pavel Buchnevich or Jordan Eberle. And don’t discount a Reilly Smith reunion.
THE EXPECTATION AROUND the league is that both Guentzel and Smith will be on the move from Pittsburgh. Though Guentzel loves Pittsburgh and has the utmost respect for Sidney Crosby, it’s probably time — especially considering the road ahead for the Penguins to be top contenders again. Guentzel is already skating and it sounds like he’ll be good to go on March 10 when he’s eligible to come off LTIR. I don’t think anyone has matched the Penguins high asking price for Guentzel (two first-round picks, or the equivalent) but it sounds like several teams are circling, including Edmonton, Colorado, Detroit, Carolina, Vegas and Florida.
THE COLORADO AVALANCHE move stealthily. They were a serious contender for Tanev. I’m told they’re looking to add and have been scouting nearly all of the top targets at forward, specifically at center. After looking at Lindholm and Monahan, they’ve also scouted Adam Henrique and Laughton. Not sure what the Avs are going to do, but it sure feels like something.
THE CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS have been one of the busiest teams over the past two seasons in terms of trades. But all is (mostly) quiet in Chicago entering the deadline. The Blackhawks re-signed of their most desirable trade chips in Nick Foligno, Jason Dickinson and Petr Mrazek. GM Kyle Davidson told me he’s receiving calls about his other pending UFAs, but those would be minor deals if anything.
The Blackhawks have one space remaining to retain salary as a third-party broker. But even that might not happen. Plenty of teams have stepped up in the third-party broker game (now that it’s in vogue, it’s much easier to get the sign-off from ownership). Also, the Blackhawks have 17 draft selections over the first three rounds in the next three years — how many more picks do they need?
THE NEW YORK RANGERS will probably be one of the more aggressive teams, looking for both a center and a right wing (filling the spots lost for the season by Filip Chytil and Blake Wheeler). I was told the Rangers are fine parting with their first-round pick, as long as the deal is worth it, though their top two prospects in Gabriel Perreault and Brennan Othmann are off-limits.
Flexibility is also important, as nobody knows whether Chytil will be ready for next season. When it comes to the Rangers, fans are always curious about reunions. I heard Pavel Buchnevich is likely not happening. But other players who left — Frank Vatrano, Vladimir Tarasenko — are options. Tarasenko, who has a no-trade clause, is trending to be on the move. More than one league source suggested the Islanders could be a fit there.
AS WE TALK about draft picks on the move, I asked one director of amateur scouting to give a quick rundown of what to expect talent-wise. He said the 2024 draft is considered good, and defensemen-heavy. The top is strong, but not as generational as the Connor Bedard, Leo Carlsson and Adam Fantilli trio we saw in 2023. As for the 2025 draft? Similar to 2024, but no Macklin Celebrini or Bedard, Carlsson or Fantilli. He said his gut is that after picks 5-6, for the next two years the player pool from picks 10 to 40 is very similar.
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Kristen Shilton, ESPN NHL reporter
Mikhail Sergachev‘s return sparked the host Tampa Bay Lightning, who avoided elimination, with a 6-3 victory over the Florida Panthers in Game 4 of their first-round series on Saturday.
One of the Lightning’s top defenseman had been out since fracturing the tibia and fibula in his left leg on Feb. 7. Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper had predicted the Lightning would need to “go far” in the playoffs to see Sergachev dress for another game. Sergachev surpassed all expectations by suiting up just 80 days following that break to be a last-minute addition to the Lightning’s starters.
“I felt like a hockey player again. It was unbelievable,” Sergachev said. I found out yesterday the [doctors] cleared me, and it was Coach [Cooper’s] decision [if I played]. I stayed at the rink a little longer waiting for the coach to say yes or no. And he said yes. I got very excited.”
Sergachev had hoped he’d be able to come by for Game 1 of the series but that didn’t pan out. Instead, he logged 17:03 in ice time and notched an assist on Brandon Hagel‘s second-period goal through his Saturday debut. Sergachev admitted to being “a little bit tired” in the end after so long on the sidelines. But Sergachev’s smile never wavered.
Even though he’s played nearly 500 NHL games since being drafted by Tampa ninth overall in 2016 and established himself as one of the league’s rising stars on defense, there were still a few butterflies present before Saturday’s game.
“Honestly, I couldn’t really sleep last night; it felt like my first NHL game again,” Sergachev said. “And then you go on the ice, and you get that [reception] from the fans in the warmup — it made me very emotional. I’m thankful to be here.”
The Lightning are grateful to be alive in their series, too. Tampa — still trailing Florida 3-1 — narrowly avoided being swept by its in-state rivals. The Lightning held a 3-0 lead after the first period but the Panthers roared back to cut the deficit to 4-3 after 40 minutes. However, Tampa scored the game’s final two goals to extend the series.
Tampa finally found its footing offensively. The Lightning exploded up front, led by two-goal performances from Steven Stamkos and Hagel and a three-point effort by Brayden Point. The Lightning power play also had its best showing of the postseason, going 2-for-5.
Stamkos credited Sergachev’s return for adding emotional energy to the group before the puck dropped.
“I got chills myself, with the reception he got,” Stamkos said. “The amount of work that goes into coming back from an injury like that, it’s impressive. The timeline is impressive, everything he’s done is extremely impressive. To go out there and jump into a series when we’re down and on the ropes, it was a huge boost for our team. I thought Sergy played outstanding tonight. Hopefully that continues because he’s a big part of our defense for sure.”
Sergachev in turn thanked Stamkos for providing much-needed inspiration from Stamkos’ recovery from a broken leg in 2013.
“Our trainer was showing me videos of Stammer skating like four weeks after [that injury],” Sergachev said. “That kind of pushed me and made me work because the first four weeks since the injury, it was tough mentally. But seeing those videos of him walking pretty much the next day and doing all that stuff kind of helped.”
It wasn’t easy for Sergachev to be back on the injured list. That February game marked Sergachev’s first night back from a previous lower-body injury that held him out of 17 contests. Sergachev was admittedly devasted to see his entire season halted at just 34 games, with two goals and 17 assists. And clearly he was missed, not only by the Lightning players but the fans who welcomed him back warmly.
“Did you hear the introduction? The roar just kept going on,” Cooper said. “All the guys on our bench got up. It was a stirring moment and I thought we carried that right into the first period.”
Cooper had no hesitation either inserting Sergachev immediately into an elimination game. Regardless of Sergachev potentially being rusty — or the high stakes at hand — Cooper knew his defenseman was a lock for the lineup.
“You can tell when a player is ready and when a player is not ready,” Cooper said. “Yesterday, we knew he was ready. I just wanted to check the box today when he showed up. I’ve seen it time and time again. It’s the look in the eye. He was a believer.”
Tampa Bay will continue to believe as well that its playoff run won’t end in Monday’s Game 5 — especially not with Sergachev now along for the ride.
“It was phenomenal,” defenseman Victor Hedman said of having Sergachev in the mix. “We’ve watched from close up how hard he’s worked to get to this day. Super impressed by the way he played. Big momentum boost for the guys. It’s huge.”
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Fierceness was named the 5-2 morning-line favorite for the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs and will look to make history in next Saturday’s milestone race as the first entrant to win from the No. 17 post position in 45 attempts.
The Todd Pletcher-trained colt enters the 1¼-mile opening leg of the Triple Crown races on May 4 off a dominating 13½-length win in last month’s Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park and has a third-place finish as a 3-year-old. Fierceness aims to give the Hall of Fame trainer his third Derby win and first since 2017 with Always Dreaming.
Coming just a year after Pletcher-trained Derby favorite Forte was scratched hours before the race with a bruised right foot, Fierceness owner Mike Repole said he is glad to have another top choice, even with history working against the post position.
“We’re in a great spot,” Repole said. “If you could draw it up, you want to be somewhere outside and you don’t want the speed inside. It’s blessed, couldn’t have asked for a better (post) for us other than we found out that (No.) 17 is 0 for 44. And I’m 0 for 9, so we’re 0 for 53 combined, but we’re OK.”
Also, Brad Cox-trained filly Tarifa is the 7-2 morning-line favorite for Friday’s Kentucky Oaks after drawing the No. 8 post.
Sierra Leone, whose 155 points led the Derby qualifying trail, drew the No. 2 post as the 3-1 second choice for the $5 million Grade I premier race for 3-year-olds. The son of Gun Runner and Heavenly Love by Malibu Moon has rallied from deep in the field to win both starts this year including a thrilling trip in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland three weeks ago, which followed a testy entry to the gate.
“He’s just a touch farther in than I wanted but he didn’t get the 1 hole, so I’m OK with that,” said trainer Chad Brown, whose other Derby entry, Domestic Product, drew the No. 15 post at 30-1 odds.
Catching Freedom is the 8-1 third Derby choice from the No. 14 post and will aim to give Cox his first outright Derby victory after Mandaloun was named the 2021 Derby winner following the disqualification of deceased colt Medina Spirit for a failed postrace drug test.
Tarifa will start Friday’s Oaks from the No. 8 post as the 7-2 favorite. She has won all three starts this season to lead the Oaks trail with 150 points and has won four of five lifetime starts while earning $456,000. The dark brown filly will attempt to give Louisville-born Cox his third Oaks win and first since 2020 with Shedaresthedevil.
“Very happy with how she’s coming into it,” Cox said of Tarifa. “I need her to settle. (Jockey) Flavien (Prat) knows her now, rode her in her last two, and he’s had opportunity to breeze her the last two weeks. Hopefully, she gets away well, gets a good, clean trip, and I think she’s gonna like the mile and an eighth.”
Just F Y I, trained by Hall of Famer and four-time Eclipse winner Bill Mott, is the 9-2 second choice in Friday’s $1.5 million Oaks and will start from the No. 13 post. Pletcher-trained filly Leslie’s Rose is the 4-1 third choice from the far No. 14 post, looking to follow up her win in the Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland on April 5.
The draw was held on opening night of Churchill Downs’ spring meet for the first time and a week ahead of the milestone race, two days earlier than in recent years.
Post time for the Derby is 6:57 p.m. ET. Friday’s Oaks is scheduled for a 5:51 p.m. post.
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