On Wednesday, we noted that TSN’s
Pierre LeBrun reported the Montreal Canadiens were considered among
the suitors for Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly.
They could
also be monitoring the trade market for a possible upgrade between
the pipes.
The Canadiens’ goaltending woes
throughout November had Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman suggesting they
could be monitoring Buffalo Sabres‘ starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
Appearing on The FAN Hockey Show last
Friday, Friedman noted the 26-year-old Luukkonen had surfaced in
the rumor mill following his slow start after recovering from an
early-season injury. Meanwhile, they’ve been getting solid
goaltending from backup Alex Lyon and call-up Colten Ellis.
The Sabres can’t risk sending Ellis
back to their AHL affiliate in Rochester because he’s unlikely to
clear waivers. Friedman isn’t sure how this situation will be
resolved, but he believes the Canadiens are among the teams “doing
their research” on Luukkonen.
Luukkonen is signed through 2028-29
with an annual cap hit of $4.75 million. He also has a five-team
no-trade list that kicks in next season.
It’s doubtful that the Sabres will
trade Luukkonen when they don’t know yet whether Ellis is fully
NHL-ready. For now, they’re likely to continue carrying three
goaltenders.
Earlier this week, we noted a report by Friedman claiming Andrei Svechnikov was unhappy
with his limited playing time earlier this season, so much so that he
was open to a trade if the Carolina Hurricanes were thinking of
moving him.
Friedman indicated that the situation
has since been sorted out, with Svechnikov returning to the
Hurricanes’ top line. Nevertheless, the 25-year-old right winger shrugged
off any talk of him wanting out of Carolina.
Svechnikov told reporters there was no validity to the report.
Meanwhile, coach Rod Brind’Amour said he was unaware of any
unhappiness from Svechnikov earlier in the season, adding that his
improved performance since October had resolved his ice-time
situation.
Turning to a player who could be on his way out, it’s been a week since Winnipeg Jets center Brad Lambert was
reportedly permitted to speak with other clubs.
Murat Ates of The Athletic indicated
that the Jets aren’t in any hurry to acquiesce to Lambert’s request.
He pointed out that they hold all the leverage with the 21-year-old
being waiver-exempt until next season.
Ates said GM Kevin
Cheveldayoff won’t trade Lambert unless it’s for a return that
benefits the club. He didn’t rule out the youngster getting bundled
with a draft pick at the March 6 trade deadline for an impact player.
Otherwise, Cheveldayoff is content to hang onto Lambert until he’s
NHL-ready.
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