NHL Rumors: Florida Panthers, Chicago Blackhawks, Arizona Coyotes

Welcome to the Saturday edition of Full Press Hockey‘s NHL Rumors. The trade deadline is just about five weeks away, but that does not mean the rumors are going away. Therefore we will be upping our coverage from two days a week to four days a week. The February 19th edition of NHL Rumors will cover the Florida Panthers, Chicago Blackhawks, and the Arizona Coyotes.

Florida Panthers – Claude Giroux

Rumor: Per – Elliotte Friedman – sporstnet.ca. Friedman mentioned in his 32 thoughts article that the Florida Panthers could be the team to watch in the Claude Giroux sweepstakes.

While Giroux has made it known that he favours going to the Colorado Avalanche as his first choice, the Panthers wouldn’t be a bad fit. He also listed the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues as possibilities. Considering that the Panthers are the leading team in the Eastern Conference, Giroux could be tempted to heads to the sunny state of Florida as an option.

The Panthers have made it known that they are shopping forward Owen Tippett and if he gets dealt, that would leave an opening for Claude Giroux. The advantages of adding Giroux to the Florida roster would mean another leader in the locker room as well as a proven scorer on the front line.

The pitfall may be affording Giroux’s $8.275 million contract. Tippett only carries a $863,333 entry level deal, so clearing his contract won’t help. It means if the Panthers want Giroux bad enough, they will be forced to shed some cap space.

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Chicago Blackhawks – Trade Pieces

Rumor: Per Frank Seravalli – dailyfaceoff.com. Sources say under interim GM Kyle Davidson, the Hawks were listening to offers on Alex DeBrincat and Brandon Hagel, two players having excellent seasons.

Teams are anxious to grab Hagel due to his excellent production (14-G, 13-A) and reasonable contract of just $1.5 million through 2023-24. His attraction seems valid as the return is said to be a first-round pick AND a top prospect.

Things may be different with DeBrincat as he has a large $6.4 millon deal through 2022-23. His production is decent in that he has tallied 148 goals in 336 games including 41 during the 2018-19 campaign. Teams may not find his compensation especially appealing, but you’ve got to love his production.

At just 24, it’s unclear why the Chicago Blackhawks would even consider dealing him. Their impatience with their rebuild may have something to do with it. 

Arizona Coyotes – Christian Fischer

Rumor: Per – Elliotte Friedman – sportsnet.ca. On Friedman’s 32 Thoughts: “15. I’ve always liked Johan Larsson. He’s never played an NHL playoff game in Buffalo or Arizona, but think his approach would translate well. He won’t be back until after the deadline due to sports hernia surgery, but have heard his name out there. Arbitration-eligible Christian Fischer too.”

Fischer, 24 was the Arizona Coyotes 32nd overall pick in the 2015 NHL draft. He was signed to a two-year $2 million contract in October of 2020. Fischer will have arbitration rights since he will be a restricted free agent after this season. He hasn’t exactly tore up the NHL with just 41 goals, 41 assists in 305 NHL games. Fischer excels on the fourth line as a fore-checker and bruiser. He has 586 career hits, with just 0.27 points per game.

Every Coyotes fan knows that general manager Bill Armstrong is open to trading most every player (even Jakob Chychrun) except perhaps Clayton Keller. Keller has matured and is on pace for about 70 points. It’s unclear what Armstrong can get in return for Fischer, and he could possibly stay with the team. He is a right-hand shot and works hard, but isn’t close to an offensive threat. He can however provide help on the penalty kill and screen the opposing goalie on occasion. 

That does it for the Saturday edition of Full Press Hockey’s NHL Rumors. Be sure to catch the next one!