TSN’s Hockey Insiders have the latest on the Sharks listening on their first round picks, interest in the Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck, the Leafs and Brandon Carlo, Jason Robertson, the Devils’ plans, and pending UFA Patrik Laine.
Gino Reda: With the insiders, Chris Johnston and Darren Dreger. Guys, trades are unfolding, others are percolating. Interesting development, specifically in San Jose. After the deal with the Sens, they now have the second and ninth picks overall in Friday’s draft. Any insights on their plan with those picks, CJ?
Chris Johnston: Well, what those picks represent is a lot of flexibility for Sharks GM Mike Grier. And what I can tell you, Gino, is that Grier is still listening on the number two pick. There has been a considerable amount of interest from teams looking to acquire that pick. And, you know, we haven’t really seen, if you look back in recent history, any team trade away something that high.
This is how the Sharks are looking at it. They need to feel that they’re getting the equivalent of a top-line forward or top-pairing defenceman still in the prime of their career as part of any return that they would have if they are to part with that pick. But at this point in time, Mike Grier is certainly listening. He’s got an open mind, and his phone is on ahead of Friday’s draft because he is still willing to move that pick.
Reda: Dregs, the Jets continue to listen on Connor Hellebuyck. Are they hearing anything interesting right now? What’s the latest on that front?
Darren Dreger: Well, as you would expect, there’s some interest. Probably not as much as Kevin Cheveldayoff would want at this point. I would say a number of teams have expressed a level of interest, including the Florida Panthers, with the uncertainty that they have in their crease as they continue to restock the cupboard there.
I can tell you, Gino, that the offers on this future Hall of Fame goaltender just flat out aren’t good enough yet. It’s early in the week. Perhaps there can be developments moving forward. But I wanna remind everyone, Connor Hellebuyck is under contract with the Winnipeg Jets until 2031. So for him to get moved, the offers have to improve.
Johnston: And there are a number of different things going on with the Toronto Maple Leafs at this point, John Chayka with various irons in the fire. What I can tell you when it comes to rebuilding his blue line is that at this point in time, it’s status quo with Morgan Rielly, a player with a no-move clause. Nothing appears imminent there. But another one of the Leafs’ defensemen, Brandon Carlo’s name has emerged in trade talks with other teams, and it makes a lot of sense.
Look, the Leafs got right shot Darren Raddysh in last week’s deal with Tampa Bay. They have the expectation that Chris Tanev will be back healthy for next season, and that does squeeze out some of the minutes someone like Carlo would get. The ask at this point in time for Carlo is multiple mid-range picks by the Leafs.
Dreger: All right, a star forward with somewhat of a future that should be in question, and that’s Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars here, guys. Now, the expectation is Stars’ management will make their best, perhaps their final offer to extend the pending restricted free agent.
Beyond that, of course, there’s a high collection of interest in Jason Robertson. Could we see a sign and trade? And then also on top of all of that, you’ve got the threat of an offer sheet, and that is a legit threat that the Dallas Stars have to consider. And then there’s a fourth option that they have to look at, and that’s the potential of arbitration, a one-year award, and then ultimately Robertson would walk in unrestricted free agency.
So Robertson watch is definitely fully on the radar.
Reda: Devils did well in terms of picks in their trade with the Flames, but CJ, is it safe to say the Devils really want bodies and not picks, so that move may not be over just yet?
Johnston: Yeah, I think that’s a fair assessment here. When they traded Simon Nemec to the Calgary Flames, the Devils were talking about various deals that could involve actual players before landing on the futures deal they made with two first-round picks in the future coming, plus a number 35 overall pick in Friday’s draft.
And while there isn’t necessarily a timeframe on this, I do think that gives the Devils a little more flexibility in other trades that they might make in terms of bringing back some players that can help in the shorter term, having that ammunition.
Not unlike what we saw with Ottawa. They got the package of picks for Brady Tkachuk. One of them went out the door for William Eklund. I think we could see something similar happen in New Jersey.
Reda: Patrick Laine missed most of the season because of injury, but he’s healthy and ready for a change, Dregs.
Dreger: Yeah, and look, when he is healthy, he can flat out score, and he’s got creative opportunity in front of him, Gino, based on what you just said. Because of injury, he missed over 100 days on injured reserve, and because of that, he can be applied to the 35-plus contract, a lower AAV, and performance bonuses, and that’s drawing some interest.
Reda: They are the insiders, Darren Dreger and Chris Johnston
