Evan’s NHL Daily: Offer Sheet Bluff, Trade Board Differences

Offer sheets are rare in the NHL. Like, really rare. But when they do happen, they seem to involve the Carolina Hurricanes. Martin Necas is a very popular name on the trade market, but could another team just decide to avoid negotiating a trade with Carolina and go straight to Necas with an offer sheet? According to one NHL insider, that sounds like it could happen, although you have to wonder who is pushing that narrative.

Multiple trade boards from insiders came out on Thursday. One included Ross Colton, kind of out of nowhere, while the other didn’t. The big name out there is still Linus Ullmark, who is almost certainly going to be moved out of Boston. Can they get a return similar to what Calgary got for Markstrom?

Colorado Hockey Now

If you’re one of those people that likes marking their calendar ahead of time, the NHL did you a favor on Thursday. The preseason schedule for the Avalanche is out, so you can start planning your Fall.

Maybe he gets bought out, maybe he doesn’t. If he does, the Avalanche definitely need to get on the phone with his representation and see what they can do to bring in Jeff Skinner.

Yes, the Avalanche are dealing with some cap issues because of the situations surrounding Landeskog and Nichushkin. Does that mean that Ross Colton is on the trade block?

If you ask me, a Colton trade isn’t out of the realm of possibility. A $4 million third line center who doesn’t kill penalties and isn’t great defensively isn’t ideal, especially when Colorado’s top two centers are far from defensive stoppers. Replacing him would not be easy, though.

News And Rumors From Around The League

Lebrun: The last two offer sheets in the NHL involved the Carolina Hurricanes, so I guess they’re ripe for the picking. Still, an offer sheet seems unlikely every summer. Every team knows Martin Necas is available, but would any actually offer sheet him? This sounds like a report from Necas’ camp trying to get things moving.

Offer sheets are pretty rare but one thing I’ve heard a bit this week on the Martin Necas front is a few teams wondering if that’s a plausible avenue if the asking price in trade talks with Carolina remains too high. Probably a long shot play, but something to file away

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 20, 2024

Daily Faceoff: I can’t help but notice that Morgan Frost continues to sit on this trade board. Just spitballing here, but I bet Torts would love Ross Colton. Colton for Morgan Frost?

The Athletic: This trade board makes no mention of Colton, so not sure what to read into that. They’ve got Jakob Chyrchun in their top five, and it seems like a matter of time before Ottawa trades him.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Is another goaltender about to hit the NHL trade market? Alex Nedeljkovic re-signing in Pittsburgh is a mild surprise, and it’s a good deal. What does that mean for Tristan Jarry?

Boston Hockey Now: People keep trying to link the Avalanche to him, but I just don’t see it. Is Ottawa Boston’s last hope for trading Linus Ullmark?

Philly Hockey Now: He’s on the trade block, so where would Cam Atkinson fit?

Florida Hockey Now: You lose two games in a row, changes are made. It sounds like there will be another swap on the fourth line for the Florida Panthers.

Buffalo Sabres Now: When the GM and assistant coach sit down and talk, you usually get some news. Beyond Jeff Skinner, it sounds like the Sabres are ready to move their draft pick.