NHL Rumors: Vegas Golden Knights, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings

Welcome to the Sunday edition of Full Press Hockey’s NHL Rumors. The trade deadline is upon us and the rumors are picking up. The action off the ice is escalating as deals are going down. Therefore, we here at Full Press Hockey will continue to deliver NHL rumors articles four times a week, whenever possible. In fact, with all the trade activity, we will be publishing TWO articles for Sunday. The first edition of March 20th NHL rumors covers the latest with the Vegas Golden Knights, New York Rangers, and Detroit Red Wings.

Vegas Golden Knights – Semyon Varlamov

Rumor: Per – Stefen Rosner – nyihockeynow.com./Owen Krepps – vegashockeynow.com. According to both sources, general manager Kelly McCrimmon is “pushing hard” to acquire New York Islanders goalie Semyon Varlamov.

Since Vegas Golden Knights starter Robin Lehner is down again with an injury that may have him out for a while, it seems that Vegas needs to obtain a netminder if they want to get to the postseason. Backup Laurent Brossoit has not gotten it done. He has just a 10-9-3 record with a dismal .895 save percentage. He’s given up 2.90 goals per game.

Varlamov has a $5 million price tag through the 2022-23 season. Ilya Sorokin has solidified his hold on the starter in the net. He has collected a 21-12-7 record with an excellent .926 save percentage and a respectable 2.30 GAA. That could make Varlamov expendable. Vegas in its four-year history has not missed the playoffs due partly to the outstanding goaltending it has possessed. The Isles want a first-round pick for Varlamov, but Vegas lack that. If a 2023 or 2024 pick is offered, it may happen.

Around FPC

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New York Rangers – Multiple Options

Rumor: Per – Larry Brooks – nypost.com. Larry Brooks speculates Anaheim Ducks winger Rickard Rakell could be a good fit alongside Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad on the Rangers’ top line if the price is right.

Could Rangers GM Chris Drury give up a first rounder for Rakell? He may have given it some thought. Brooks also indicated that the Rangers could be interested in Mark Giordano. It would be ideal but unlikely that they could get both players without giving up some prime assets.

Arthur Staple – theathletic.com (subscription required) speculated on the interest in the Winnipeg Jets’ Andrew Copp, the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Max Domi and the Arizona Coyotes’ Phil Kessel, though the latter two are low on their list.

With a treasure chest of $31 million in deadline salary cap space, Drury has many options to swing a deal or two… or even three! Look for some more hot updates here at Full Press Hockey.

Detroit Red Wings – Tyler Bertuzzi

Rumor: Per – Bob Duff – detroithockeynow.com. Duff cited a report from dailyfaceoff.com’s Frank Seravalli stating that Bertuzzi is open to being moved. He has made no trade request but has no trade protection either.

Seravalli – “Yzerman has let teams know that he is ‘Open for Business.’ The sense is just about everyone from the Red Wings roster is available aside from Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond.

That would include Tyler Bertuzzi, whose name first surfaced in rumors last summer.” #LGRW

— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) March 15, 2022

Tyler Bertuzzi has a $4.75 million contract through next season with the Detroit Red Wings. He is having a terrific year with 24 goals, 24 assists in just 50 games. One team this week referred to Bertuzzi as “an incredibly annoying, slightly less skilled version of Brad Marchand.” That was a compliment. He could certainly add some toughness to a contending team seeing that the Red Wings won’t be playing in the postseason this year. He is also an adept shooter at 19 percent.

When the playoffs begin, a player like Bertuzzi could really help a team get over the top. Stay in tune with NHL rumors to see how this one plays out.