By: Chris Nosek

It’s rumor season again! As the NHL trade deadline gets closer, the rumors heat up. So we’ll keep perspective on everything. We’ll review what’s out there, which rumors make sense, and which ones don’t. No clickbait headlines, just analysis.

Alex Tuch

Hearing Tuch’s name makes sense because he’s in the last year of his contract. Tuch is from the area and brought excitement the moment he went to Buffalo. Despite the losing he has always enjoyed his time there. You need players like that on your NHL roster, especially when losing the way the Sabres had been. Re-signing Tuch has always been the right move. Now that the team is winning, convincing Terry Pegula to fork over the cash just got a lot easier.

Buffalo is not only on a path for the playoffs, but is still in the running for the Atlantic Division title. Trading Tuch would significantly impact that playoff race. Unless a massive overpay is put on the table, the only option for Kekalainen was always to keep Tuch. After the trade deadline, re-signing him becomes the next priority.

Sergei Bobrovsky

Bob isn’t going anywhere. He’s not going to waive the trade protection he has to leave Florida. He, his wife, and his kids are settled there. He sought out Florida as a destination when he was an unrestricted free agent. At that time, Florida was still mediocre at best, and he went there anyway. Also, rest assured that Paul Theofanous, his agent, allowed for a 16-team no-trade clause for a reason. He and Bobrovsky would have left every team with a starting goaltender or proficient cap space off the list.

Could some teams use Bobrovsky? Sure, but the trades wouldn’t make sense. Montreal would need to part with Jacob Fowler. San Jose would have to part with either Yaroslav Askarov or Joshua Ravensbergen. Edmonton can’t get him under the cap. He’s not chasing a Stanley Cup, and he’s happy where he is. Re-signing with Florida provides him the best chance to win again. Florida will have plenty of cap space to work with in re-signing him. I’d be shocked if Bobrovsky doesn’t retire as a Panther.

Matthew Poitras

I love Poitras’ game and work ethic. His ability to make passes, read, and create offense is incredible. The only questions about his game have always been around his defense and physicality. He’s improved both of these during his time in Providence. However, his chances of making the NHL in Boston have gone down considerably.

A trade is likely to occur at some point. However, it could come after the season. I believe Sweeney is looking to make a major move – I’ll get into that more later. Poitras would very likely be a part of that. However, I don’t see him dealt for just a draft pick. If a larger deal falls through, Sweeney could opt to hang onto him for depth in their playoff run. Poitras has trade value; it’s just a matter of moving him strategically. Sweeney has excelled at this, so a deal will come; it’s just a matter of when.

Jordan Binnington

Simply put, there is nowhere for Binnington to go. I’m sure teams are exploring the option, and he may move in the offseason. I just don’t see it by Friday’s deadline. A select few teams even need a goaltender, and even fewer are able to afford Binnington’s $6 million cap hit.

Carolina is really the only team that would make sense and is a fit. However, they just gave Brandon Bussi the multi-year contract. I think Binnington is more likely to get moved in the offseason. He could be part of a larger deal because goaltenders don’t tend to fetch much on their own.

Robert Thomas

Acquiring Thomas will cost any team a significant amount. Two top assets, including a high-end center prospect, will be required to get to the table. The only team that makes sense to add Thomas with an in-season trade would be Utah. Bill Armstrong was the Director of Amateur Scouting in St. Louis when Thomas was drafted, and would be extremely familiar with his game. Finally out of Arizona, Armstrong is also aching to make a major addition. This season, such a move would push them into the playoffs. If it’s not Armstrong, this issue will likely be revisited in the offseason. During that time, there are more teams that could pursue the 26-year-old center.