Evan’s NHL Daily: Nichushkin Close; Vegas Adds; Trade Talk

With the NHL Trade Deadline only a few days away, it’s been surprisingly quiet in terms of deals made, but not quiet in terms of trade talk. A few players continue to sit out of the lineup for “trade related issues,” while the Golden Knights made one move to bolster their lineup. They probably aren’t done, either.

In Colorado, the Avalanche had a really short practice on Tuesday, and Valeri Nichushkin was on a regular line. Does that mean he’ll play on Wednesday against Detroit?

All that and more in this Wednesday edition of Evan’s Daily.

Colorado Hockey Now

Something tells me Zach Parise is going to score some big goals for this team down the stretch and in the playoffs.

It doesn’t kick in until next season, but Ivan Ivan earned himself an entry-level contract with the Avalanche.

If/when the Avalanche do acquire someone this week, CHN+ members will get a film room on the new addition. You can subscribe to CHN for $29.99 a year with the code “evan10”. In addition to CHN+ content, you’ll get everything ad-free, and + content from other NHN sites.

Practice Update

Valeri Nichushkin was in a burgundy jersey at practice on Tuesday, skating on a line with Jonathan Drouin and Ross Colton, but after practice, Jared Bednar wasn’t able to confirm if he’ll play on Wednesday night against the Detroit Red Wings. They’re trying to make sure he has his timing down, but he also has to be cleared by the NHL to return to action. That hasn’t happened yet.

While Nichushkin was there, both Joel Kiviranta and Logan O’Connor did not practice. Both are possible for Wednesday’s game, as Bednar called their absences “maintenance.” Josh Manson did return to practice and was in a regular jersey.

We’ll find out at morning skate who will be in and who will be out.

Vegas Adds

Eventually, the Golden Knights will feel the wrath of having dealt away all their prospects and draft picks. I thought it would have happened by now, but it hasn’t, so they’re going for it once again. On Tuesday, they acquired Anthony Mantha for a second and a fourth. They convinced the Washington Capitals to retain 50% of his contract, so the Golden Knights can make another big splash before the NHL Trade Deadline if they want to.

Knowing the way that organization is run, they almost certainly will.

After acquiring Mantha @ $2.85M, #VegasBorn have $4.4M Cap Space remaining in LTIR with 23 active players.https://t.co/RDRnLaiY9H

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) March 5, 2024

Vegas’ use of LTIR seemingly every season is what it is, but that’s a management group that has one goal in mind every year, and that’s to take home the Stanley Cup. They aren’t going to win it every NHL season, but they aren’t afraid to go for it. The NHL could use a few more teams like that. Might make it a little more fun. The management team in Vancouver appears to be buying into that philosophy this year…

Trade Talk

Remember when Vancouver acquired Elias Lindholm? Yeah, apparently that hasn’t gone so well. With just six points in 15 games, it perhaps has not been the best fit in the world, and they may try to move him so they can swing for the fences in another big deal.

With the #canucks believed to be among those pursuing Jake Guentzel, word is they've had discussions about potentially flipping Elias Lindholm to the #bruins as part of the machinations to make it happen.

Nothing concrete in place at this time. Still lots of moving parts.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 5, 2024

Lindholm has been mostly playing wing in Vancouver, but in Boston, he’d almost certainly be back at center. I guess if you’re planning on playing him at wing, might as well trade him and try to acquire Jake Guentzel, who is almost certainly an upgrade. If something is done, it could happen Wednesday, as the Penguins want to get it done by the end of the day.

This is the kind of chaos the NHL needs more of. If something like this was to go down, it would be a lot of fun.

Meanwhile, poor Alex Wennberg sat out again on Tuesday night, as no deal has been made by the Seattle Kraken yet. I guess he’s just supposed to sit around until something is done?

Arizona held Jason Zucker out of the lineup on Tuesday, as he appears likely to be dealt prior to the NHL Trade Deadline.

On TSN, it was noted that the Edmonton Oilers are turning their attention to Adam Henrique, hoping to acquire the 34 year old center. If that was to happen, where would it leave the Avalanche?

National Hockey Now

The San Jose Sharks are trying to get creative to move Mikael Granlund.

Sounds like the Philadelphia Flyers will trade one of Nick Seeler or Sean Walker, but not both.

Travis Green’s first move as head coach? Scratching a good, young defenseman in Simon Nemec.

Evgeny Kuznetsov for Matt Duchene? The Predators talked about it last summer…