The Rangers are looking for upgrades and have been dangling Kakko as trade bait. This move may not result in a rental player coming back to Manhattan, as this could evolve into a larger “hockey trade,” but the Rangers are exploring and Kakko’s name is out there.
### TEAMS REPORTEDLY LINKED:
Buffalo, Minnesota, Anaheim
## Elvis Merzlikins, G – Columbus Blue Jackets
Reports surfaced in December that Merzlikins and the Blue Jackets could be heading for a divorce. He has since confirmed the mutual desire to explore a move. He has a 10-team no-trade list and three more years left on his contract, and a change of scenery could see him reach the potential many a few years ago believed he could hit.
### TEAMS REPORTEDLY LINKED:
New Jersey, Buffalo
## Scott Laughton, C/LW – Philadelphia Flyers
Laughton is in the third year of a five-year, $15M contract and has attracted interest dating back to last summer. The Flyers rejected a late first-round draft pick for him before the 2023 NHL Draft, and the price tag is believed to be around the same now. Teams are calling and Philly is listening.
### TEAMS REPORTEDLY LINKED:
Toronto, Edmonton, Buffalo, Colorado
## John Gibson, G – Anaheim Ducks
Here we go, again. Gibson’s name is out there for another trade deadline, but that doesn’t mean he’ll get moved. He has some no-trade protection with a 10-team no-trade list, and three more years left on his contract.
### TEAMS REPORTEDLY LINKED:
New Jersey, Carolina, Buffalo
Scott Laughton has a season xgf% of 44. That would be worse than any forward on the Sabres. It’s even worse than Erik Johnson.
2 comments
## Kaapo Kakko, RW – New York Rangers
The Rangers are looking for upgrades and have been dangling Kakko as trade bait. This move may not result in a rental player coming back to Manhattan, as this could evolve into a larger “hockey trade,” but the Rangers are exploring and Kakko’s name is out there.
### TEAMS REPORTEDLY LINKED:
Buffalo, Minnesota, Anaheim
## Elvis Merzlikins, G – Columbus Blue Jackets
Reports surfaced in December that Merzlikins and the Blue Jackets could be heading for a divorce. He has since confirmed the mutual desire to explore a move. He has a 10-team no-trade list and three more years left on his contract, and a change of scenery could see him reach the potential many a few years ago believed he could hit.
### TEAMS REPORTEDLY LINKED:
New Jersey, Buffalo
## Scott Laughton, C/LW – Philadelphia Flyers
Laughton is in the third year of a five-year, $15M contract and has attracted interest dating back to last summer. The Flyers rejected a late first-round draft pick for him before the 2023 NHL Draft, and the price tag is believed to be around the same now. Teams are calling and Philly is listening.
### TEAMS REPORTEDLY LINKED:
Toronto, Edmonton, Buffalo, Colorado
## John Gibson, G – Anaheim Ducks
Here we go, again. Gibson’s name is out there for another trade deadline, but that doesn’t mean he’ll get moved. He has some no-trade protection with a 10-team no-trade list, and three more years left on his contract.
### TEAMS REPORTEDLY LINKED:
New Jersey, Carolina, Buffalo
Scott Laughton has a season xgf% of 44. That would be worse than any forward on the Sabres. It’s even worse than Erik Johnson.
Only Jost, Rousek, Rosen, and Biro are worse.
He has that xgf% on a way better team.
Sweet Jesus, a first? Please, god, no