Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – February 22, 2015

Latest on Jordan Staal, Mike Green, Curtis Glencross, Zdeno Chara, Johnny Boychuk, Mats Zuccarallo and many more.

Latest from Sportsnet.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman acknowledged the rumor claiming the Pittsburgh Penguins would like to reacquire Jordan Staal, noting it will take a lot of serious salary movement to pull it off…The Boston Bruins haven’t asked Zdeno Chara to waive his no-trade clause and aren’t shopping him…There no expectation the Oilers will reach an agreement on a new contract with Jeff Petry…The Washington Capitals aren’t trade Mike Green for a rental player or prospects. It would take a major deal to convince the Capitals to move Green and that doesn’t appear likely…The Anaheim Ducks, LA Kings, Nashville Predators and Chicago Blackhawks are believed on Curtis Glencross’ list of acceptable trade destinations…Damien Cox reports the Lightning might be the only team willing to move a first-round pick as they have two.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If you missed the rumor about Staal back to the Penguins you can read all about it here in today’s earlier rumor update. And yes, it means a serious salary dump by the Penguins to pull it off…No surprise the Bruins aren’t shopping Chara…I’ve had the feeling in recent weeks the Capitals will retain Green even at the risk of losing him this summer to free agency…Have to wonder if it’s all Western Conference clubs on Glencross’ list. If so, the Flames might be unwilling to move him to a potential playoff rival…The Sabres also have two first-round picks in this year’s draft could move one of them. Of course, it won’t be their own.

Latest from Larry Brooks.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports the Rangers and representatives for pending UFA winger Mat Zuccarello aren’t close to a deal. It’s believed the Rangers offered up a four-year deal worth between $4 million to $4.25 million annually, while the Zuccarello camp seeks in excess of $5 million annually on a longer term. The Rangers have no plans to trade Zuccarello at the trade deadline…Chatter persists suggesting New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk might sign with his hometown Oilers this summer. The Islanders have the cap room to re-sign Boychuk but Brooks feels the negotiations could start at $6 million per season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zuccarello is simply too difficult for the Rangers to replace if they trade him this season. They want to re-sign him and he wants to stay, though I suspect he’ll have to accept considerably less than $5 million annually for the privilege…I think the Isles will happily pony up over $6 million per season to retain Boychuk, who’s a key reason behind their success this season. I doubt he’ll be joining the Oilers this summer.

Latest from Bruce Garrioch.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers and Boston Bruins have shown interest in Arizona Coyotes center Antoine Vermette. They could be joined by the Pittsburgh Penguins…The San Jose Sharks are still shopping forwards Andrew Desjardins, Tye McGinn, James Sheppard and Tyler Kennedy. Some observers are wondering why the Sharks haven’t re-signed pending UFA goalie Antti Niemi…There’s reportedly plenty of interest in Calgary Flames left wing Curtis Glencross…The Dallas Stars aren’t expected to do much at the trade deadline. There’s some interest in Stars winger Erik Cole…Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin is reportedly only interested in acquiring players with term on their contracts. He’s among several GMs interested in Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Roman Polak… The Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning, St. Louis Blues and Vancouver Canucks have interest in Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Andrej Sekera. The Hurricanes have tried to trade goalie Cam Ward but no one wants his $6.3 million cap hit. They could be willing to move winger Jeff Skinner in the offseason…The Edmonton Oilers tried and failed to re-sign defenseman Jeff Petry. The Anaheim Ducks, Penguins, Canadiens and Lightning are believed to have interest in him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nothing really new here. Lots of interest in Vermette, Sekera, Glencross and Petry. Not surprising the Hurricanes can’t find any takers for Ward. They might have better luck this summer when he only has a year left on his contract. Even then, the ‘Canes might have to pick up some of his remaining salary. Skinner’s injury history could dampen his trade value.