NHL Rumors: New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Columbus Blue Jackets

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.

In this Sunday’s edition of NHL Rumors, we will take a look at the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, and the Columbus Blue Jackets.

New York Rangers – Ryan Reaves

Rumor: Per – Rob Couch – nhltraderumors.me. Veteran’s tenure with Rangers may be coming to an end.

Reaves at 35 has been slowing down and he may not be with the club much longer. Enforcers like him are becoming extinct. He’s been a healthy scratch for five games and has yet to register a point. He carries a $1.75 million contract which expires after this season. Reaves when he does play is only averaging about 8:27 minutes of ice time. He only tabulated five goals and 13 points in 69 games last season.

One must admit that when he fights as much as he has in his career, it can take its toll on his body. He can expect to be a healthy scratch going forward with his lack of production. The 13-year veteran’s time in the NHL may be ending. His roster spot can easily be used for more talented players, and as a role player, he just won’t get into many games going forward. Time to hang ’em up Ryan?

Los Angeles Kings – Rejecting trade offers

Rumor: Per – Shane Seney – nhltraderumors.me. With a surplus of right-shooting defensemen, the Kings are staying pat for now.

Such names as Sean Walker, Sean Durzi and Matt Roy have been mentioned as possible trade speculation. Walker in particular appears to be the odd man out as when rookie Brandt Clarke returns to the lineup, look for trade chatter to increase. The Kings are 11-8-1 in the Pacific Division and possess $3.64 million in cap space.

It seems this season has been highlighted by teams falling short on the blueline. That makes the Kings able to offer one of their blueliners to teams in needs. It will however cost them. Roy has perked the interest of the Toronto Maple Leafs as well as the Detroit Red Wings. In 20 games this season he has three goals and five assists and has averaged almost 18 minutes a game.

Of the three players mentioned, it seems that Druzi has the best chance of staying in LA-LA land. He’s three years younger than Roy and if the Kings want him for the future, he needs to stay out of trade rumors.

As the trade deadline inches closer, teams may be reaching out to the Kings to solve their blueline issues.

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Columbus Blue Jackets –  Bo Horvat

Rumor: – Per Shane Seney – nhltraderumors.me. Are the Blue Jackets interested in acquiring Bo Horvat?

Elliotte Friedman has mentioned he thinks that Horvat would be a good match for the Blue Jackets. The team realistically needs a number-one center who can score. Putting him between Patrik Laine and Johnny Gaudreau is one way to increase offensive production for Columbus.

With the Vancouver Canucks struggling with a dismal 6-9-3 record, the addition of a player like Horvat has to be a huge plus. He doesn’t possess any trade protection, and teams are clamoring to see if they can consummate a deal for him. Adding Horvat to the present team in Columbus would not catapult them to the postseason, but it would be more of a building plan for the future.

If the Blue Jackets were able to swing a trade to add Horvat to their roster, they would definitely want to sign him to a long-term contract. He could also be pegged as a rental player for other teams as the deadline approaches. In either case, it appears that Horvat’s days in Vancouver are decreasing. Be sure to stay right here with Full Press Hockey for all the NHL rumors as they take place.

That concludes this edition of NHL rumors, be sure to watch for our next article and as always thanks for reading!