Spotlight on Thomas as deadline inches closer — The Fourth Period

STARS EYEING RISTOLAINEN

The Dallas Stars are among the teams after Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Rasmus Ristolainen.

Ristolainen has another year left on his contract and comes with a $5.1 million AAV and is considered a prime candidate to move between now and Friday’s deadline.

The Stars, Sabres, Red Wings, Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins have all checked in on Ristolainen’s availability lately, but Dallas might be at the front of the line right now.

Stars GM Jim Nill wants to end at both ends of the ice, and acquiring Ristolainen would check one box. Dallas continues to evaluate top-six forward options, and the likes of Kadri, Blake Coleman, Boone Jenner and Bobby McMann fit what Nill is searching for.

ISLANDERS ACTIVE ON MULTIPLE FRONTS

In addition to Kyrou and Thomas, the Islanders are also engaged in talks with the Vancouver Canucks about Conor Garland.

Garland’s new five-year, $30 million extension kicks in July 1, along with his no-trade clause. Multiple teams have inquired, including the Isles, but the Canucks are listening to offers.

Islanders GM Mathieu Darche doesn’t seem afraid to dish out some of his younger assets and draft picks for a long-term add, which explains their pursuit of guys like Thomas and Garland.

MONTREAL AIMING TO MOVE LAINE

The Montreal Canadiens continue to explore the trade market on Patrik Laine, who is eligible to become a UFA in July, and the Habs are willing to retain a chunk of his salary – perhaps the max of 50 percent.

Habs GM Kent Hughes is looking for a top-line winger to play with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, and a defenceman, and freeing up an extra $4.35 million gives the Habs much more flexibility.

The Los Angeles Kings had spoken with the Habs before and are circling back now. With Andrei Kuzmenko done for the regular-season, and Kevin Fiala out until next season, and Kings might end up adding two more pieces up front and Laine could be one of them.

There was some talk that Seattle is also in the mix here, but I don’t get the sense the Kraken are players for Laine.

TRACTION IN LEAF LAND

The Toronto Maple Leafs are in talks with teams about several players, including the likes of Bobby McMann, Nic Roy, Simon Benoit, Mattias Maccelli and Scott Laughton.

The Leafs also have all their salary retention slots available and picking up upwards of half of McMann and Laughton’s contracts, if they cannot agree on extensions, would help maximize a return. It may be a play for one of their players with term, as well.

It remains status quo between the Leafs and McMann and moving him at 50 percent of his $1.35 million cap hit could significantly impact a team like Edmonton or Tampa Bay, both of whom have limited cap space.

HERE AND THERE

• Nothing new on the Tyler Myers front, though the Detroit Red Wings have been exploring additional options.

• Alex Tuch and the Sabres remain apart on a contract, and an extension isn’t expected this week. It is also considered highly unlikely that he will be moved ahead of Friday’s deadline.

• The Canucks don’t want to retain on Elias Pettersson’s contract, and that isn’t a surprise. It might, however, result in some teams stepping back for the time being. As for DeBrusk, he hasn’t demanded a trade, but the Canucks know where he stands. They’re trying.

• Ryan Strome’s name is still out there, but it’s hard to gauge whether the Anaheim Ducks are active on him or more focused on adding, possibly to their blueline, ahead of the deadline.

• Nashville’s pending UFA forwards – Michael Bunting, Erik Haula and Michael McCarron – are on the lists of a few teams. Even with the Predators in the thick of a wildcard race, they’re three prime candidates to move this week.

• Seattle’s told their pending UFAs that unless they’re blown away by an offer, they aren’t moving them.

• Some teams have poked around on Alexis Lafreniere again, though I’m not sure how far along the New York Rangers are in those conversations given the focus on Vincent Trocheck this week.

• Utah GM Bill Armstong has been involved in all kinds of talk with his counterparts, doing his due diligence to fully understand the market. The interest in Thomas is real, though I’m told the Mammoth have a few irons in the fire. The preference is to add a star centre with term, and they’re willing to move some of their high draft picks and top prospects to get one.

• The Winnipeg Jets have set a high asking price for Logan Stanley, but teams seem to have balked, thus far. Could a second-round pick and another asset get the job done?

• San Jose continues to take calls on their UFA-eligible defencemen, while also searching for replacements, both young and older with term. I wonder about Morgan Rielly, though that’s more likely a conversation for the off-season.