NHL Rumors: Trocheck Cost, Matthews and Wild, Knies Suitors – The Hockey Writers – NHL Rumors
In today’s NHL rumors rundown, the New York Rangers could be setting up for a busy offseason, the Minnesota Wild are being loosely tied to Auston Matthews, the Toronto Maple Leafs fielded calls on Matthew Knies, and the Buffalo Sabres continue working through contract talks with Alex Tuch.
How busy might the offseason be as teams that didn’t get things taken care of at the trade deadline are pushing business to the summer?
Rangers Eyeing Offseason Trade Market Opportunities
According to Elliotte Friedman, a thin unrestricted free-agent class this summer could push teams toward the trade market instead. That could be one of the reasons the Rangers decided not to move Vincent Trocheck at the March 6 trade deadline.
Related: Canadiens Facing Key Decision Between Xhekaj and Struble This Summer
Several teams were hesitant to meet New York’s asking price, but with fewer quality options expected in free agency, those same clubs could circle back and be more willing to spend to get a player in high demand. The Rangers might be banking on waiting, avoiding a sell-low situation, and leveraging the market.
If demand increases as projected, Trocheck could become a more valuable trade chip in the coming months. New York’s patience might ultimately pay off.
Wild Will Be All Over Matthews, But Can They Do It?
Speculation linking the Wild to Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews has gained traction, but Michael Russo of The Athletic poured a bit of cold water on the idea. While general manager Bill Guerin is known to admire Matthews, a realistic path to acquiring him appears unlikely.
Russo explained that even if Matthews became available, Minnesota simply lacks the assets to compete with other teams. He said during an interview:
“I just don’t know if the Wild would have the assets to get that done, because I think any GM is going to look at the Quinn Hughes trade as sort of the template in a deal like that. And the Wild could not do another, you know, Liam Öhgren, Marco Rossi, and a first—they just don’t have those assets anymore.”
Minnesota has already moved significant young assets in recent years and doesn’t have the depth to construct another massive package. Still, Russo noted the Wild would at least check in on any superstar made available, as Guerin continues searching for a true No. 1 center.
“I think if Auston Matthews suddenly became available on the trade market, there’d be a lot of teams in it. But look, the Wild have been trying for 25 or 26 years to get a number-one center, and they haven’t been able to. We know what Bill Guerin thinks of Auston, so I think he’d be all over that.”
Maple Leafs Fielded Interest in Knies, Canadiens Explored Options
Friedman also reported that multiple teams—including the Anaheim Ducks, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, and Utah Mammoth—showed serious interest in Matthew Knies ahead of the trade deadline.
While the Canadiens were rumored to be the team most interested in that deal, it’s starting to sound like that might not have been the case, and other teams got closer than Montreal ever did. Still, the Leafs were never near a point where trading Knies was a real possibility.
Also intriguing is a report that Patrik Laine was discussed in talks between the Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, and Maple Leafs. Obviously, none of those scenarios materialized.
Sabres, Tuch Continue Contract Talks
In Buffalo, negotiations between the Sabres and Alex Tuch are ongoing, with neither side appearing close enough to finalize a deal just yet. Friedman writes, “Buffalo’s new regime’s budged a bit with Alex Tuch, but obviously not enough yet that we’ve got a deal.:
The situation is complicated. If Tuch delivers a strong showing down the stretch and into the playoffs, it could increase his leverage and push the Sabres toward a more lucrative commitment.
