NHL Rumor Roundup: Updates On The Rangers, Ducks’ Trouba And Panthers’ Bennett

The New York Rangers reportedly making Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk a trade target prompted Senators owner Michael Andlauer to imply the Blueshirts could be engaged in “soft tampering.”

However, that issue died down as NHL commissioner Gary Bettman indicated the league wasn’t pursuing any investigations into tampering.

That hasn’t stopped some pundits from pondering possible trade targets for the Rangers.

The Athletic’s Arthur Staple suggested several long-shot options, including Tkachuk, teammate Thomas Chabot, Vancouver Canucks center (and former Ranger) J.T. Miller, and Buffalo Sabres forwards Alex Tuch and Dylan Cozens. Boston Bruins center Trent Frederic and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov were also mentioned.

PuckPedia indicates the Rangers could accrue $21.9 million in cap space by the March 7 NHL trade deadline, giving GM Chris Drury plenty of room to add to his roster. However, the Rangers have just three wins in their last 11 games, the latest being a narrow 3-2 victory over the lowly Sabres.

The Rangers’ extra cap space won’t matter if their on-ice fortunes don’t soon improve. Drury could move from a buyer to a seller.

Speaking of the Rangers, former captain Jacob Trouba remains in the rumor mill less than a week after being traded to the Anaheim Ducks.

Some observers, including The Hockey News’ Adam Proteau, believe the 31-year-old defenseman shouldn’t get too comfortable in Anaheim, suggesting he could be flipped to a playoff contender by the trade deadline.

Nick Kypreos believes otherwise. He reported in his latest column for the Toronto Star that the Ducks see Trouba as a big part of their roster rebuild. He also claimed they’re looking into signing the big blueliner to a contract extension next July.

Related: Opinion: New Ducks Defenseman Trouba Shouldn’t Get Comfortable, As Another Trade May Still Be Coming

Kypreos also had several interesting names on his latest Sportsnet trade board. One of them was Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett, who is eligible to become a UFA next July.

According to Kypreos, there’s a risk Bennett could test free agency. Rather than lose him for nothing, Panthers GM Bill Zito could listen to trade offers.

Moving Bennett would be a bold move by Zito. The gritty, versatile two-way forward played a key role in the Panthers’ march to the Stanley Cup last season.

Kypreos believes the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars will be interested in Bennett if he becomes available. However, prying him away from the Panthers could take a significant return.

Related: NHL Power Rankings: Key Positions Each Team Must Address Right Now

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