NHL Rumors: San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, Ottawa Senators

Welcome to another edition of Full Press Hockey’s NHL Rumors! The NHL 2022-23 regular season games have begun and players will be evaluated. Now, with free agency moves mostly done, rumors are still around.

Clubs are always working to improve their rosters for next season. Some teams are having difficulty creating enough cap space to make moves. Others are experiencing severe injuries to star players. Trade rumors/signings are still prevalent. With multiple NHL rumors swirling around, we will have TWO articles for your reading pleasure today! In this second Wednesday edition of NHL Rumors, we will take a look at the San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, and the Ottawa Senators.

San Jose Sharks – Erik Karlsson

Rumor: Per – Josh Wegman – thescore.com. Sharks GM Mike Grier is open to offers for Erik Karlsson.

“I’ll listen, but at the end of the day, too, a lot will depend on Erik, too,” Grier said Tuesday, per NHL.com’s Nick Cotsonika. “He’s got the trade protection and (has control over) what he wants to do. I know right now he’s happy. He’s happy in San Jose. His family’s happy there. And we’re thrilled with how he’s playing.”

Karlsson is free from injuries and is showing he’s still a top NHL D-man. He has collected 10 goals and 12 assists in 17 games which leads all NHL defensemen. He holds a contract worth $11.5 million through 2026-27 and he possesses a no-trade clause. If Grier wants to move Karlsson he may be required to retain some salary as he had to do with Brent Burns when he got traded to the Carolina Hurricanes.

If Karlsson is to be traded, one must admit his stock has risen to new heights this new season. Now, whether he gets traded or not, Erik Karlsson is playing terrific hockey.

Vancouver Canucks – Bo Horvat

Rumor: Per – Rob Couch – nhltraderumors.me. Horvat could be traded to a non-playoff team.

Pierre LeBrun says it wouldn’t be a surprise if some non-playoff teams tried to trade for Horvat and extend him. Based on his production last season, his numbers suggested he is a second-line centre. But he is having an amazing start to the 2022-23 season and is on pace to smash career highs. Horvat has 13 goals and four assists in 16 games this season. His $5.5 million contract will certainly need to be increased to the $7 million range and the Canucks may not be able to do that.

While playoff teams would certainly be interested in Horvat many are short on cap space. That is why he may go to a non-playoff team who needs a scorer like him. Teams like the Detroit Red Wings with $5.97 million cap space, or the Anaheim Ducks with $16.2 million may come calling. The Canucks are a mess and anything which may help them is being considered.

MIke Johnson of TSN, stated, “There is absolutely a perfect match out there, and a team that is going for the Cup this year, the Carolina Hurricanes. The second-line centre right now is Jesperi Kotkaniemi. He’s not getting it done offensively the way they want, replacing Vincent Trocheck. Bo Horvat would be perfect. Imagine you go Aho, Horvat, Jordan Staal as the defensive center of the three down the middle? That would be so tough to play against in the playoffs. I think would be a great fit.”

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Ottawa Senators – Active on the trade market

Rumor: Per Pierre LeBrun – theathlectic.com. The Ottawa Senators are ‘very active’ at GM meetings.

On TSN’s Insider Trading, LeBrun stated that Pierre Dorion, attending the GM meetings joked, “I have 29 friends here that were really trying to help me out.” Dorion thinks his team is playing better than their record shows, but he insists on being patient. His patience may waver at some point, and he will seriously pursue a solution. He also stated he has no issues with head coach D.J. Smith.

As has been mentioned previously, Jakob Chychrun is still on trade alerts. He is due to begin playing next Monday, and every interested team will be watching to see if he is recovered from his injuries. It’s no secret that the Sens have had interest in Chychrun, but have balked at the requested return to Arizona. GM Bill Armstrong of the Arizona Coyotes still has no intention of dropping his asking price of at least a pair of first-round picks. Dorion has already nixed a demanded return of rookie sensation Shane Pinto. Pinto has eight goals and one assist in 15 games.

A deal for Chychrun may still happen, especially if he comes back and knocks out the lights with his level of play. It could happen before the end of the calendar year if all things go well.

That concludes this second special edition of NHL rumors. We hope you enjoyed reading!