In today’s NHL rumors rundown, both the Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens have unhappy depth players who have reportedly asked to be traded. Meanwhile, newly acquired Winnipeg Jets forward Pierre-Luc Dubois is just waiting for the go-ahead to join the team. The St. Louis Blues are still trying to move Vince Dunn and a few teams have been noted as potential landing spots, and why did Josh Anderson leave Saturday’s game early for the Canadiens?
Bennett Wants to be Traded by Flames
As per a comments by Elliotte Friedman on Saturday’s Headlines report, Sam Bennett would like to be moved by the Flames. Friedman noted, “I did call his agent Darren Ferris who said, ‘yes, that’s true, he would like it to be considered.” That said, the Flames were apparently choosing to stay “radio silent” on the matter.
After Calgary defeated Montreal on Saturday night, Flames coach Geoff Ward commented: “He had a good hockey game tonight. We’ll just continue on, business as usual, and build off of what he put on the ice tonight.” Bennett played 15:40, had four shots on goal and four hits.
As per the report, the team is not in any hurry to trade Bennett. Friedman says, “They like their depth down the middle, they’re not racing to make a move, but according to the agent for Sam Bennett, he would like a change of scenery.” Given that the forward has been stuck on the third and fourth lines, it’s not terribly surprising he might want to go to a team that offers him a bigger opportunity. This is not the first time Bennett’s name has been mentioned in trade talks.
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Mete Wants to be Traded by Canadiens
Not long after the news regarding Bennett was made public, Ferris confirmed another one of his clients in Victor Mete wanted to be moved by the Canadiens. There was pre-existing speculation Mete might be available in a trade as reports noted the team might be willing to move him given they were so deep on the blue line and Mete was struggling to get into the lineup.
GM Marc Bergevin tells Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports that the Canadiens have not yet received an official trade request from Mete or his agent. Bergevin was also asked by Pierre LeBrun if he would comment on the reports and the GM said, “not true and not trading him.”
Dubois in Winnipeg and Waiting
Sportsnet is reporting that Dubois is in Winnipeg but remains in quarantine. According to Chris Johnston, Dubois has been granted a “working quarantine” by the Manitoba government which would allow him to start skating this week, but is still waiting on final approval from the Canadian government.
Johnston notes, “Obviously, if he can get on the ice this week, it would set him up to start about a week from now. If he doesn’t skate in that time, well, the timeline gets pushed back.” As is, standard quarantine is 14 days but the Jets and Dubois are hoping to have it reduced to seven.
Possible Destinations for Dunn
The Score’s Josh Wegman looked at possible trade destinations for Dunn and notes the Jets, Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and New York Rangers could all be landing spots for the defenseman. Multiple reports have the Blues shopping the the 24-year-old, but unlike Mete and Bennett, Dunn has not asked to be moved.
Interestingly, Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now says sources close to story had the Pittsburgh Penguins and Blues talking about a deal for Dunn before former GM Jim Rutherford stepped down. Kingerski goes so far as to say that his sources said the Penguins “were close on Dunn” but the return in any deal isn’t known.
Dunn will be an RFA after the season and currently makes $1.8 million. The Penguins could use a left-handed defenseman as the top four d-men on the depth chart are out with serious injury.
Canadiens’ Josh Anderson Sick
During the game against the Flames on Saturday, Canadiens forward Josh Anderson left. It wasn’t clear what forced him from the contest, but afterward, head coach Claude Julien said Anderson had been pulled due to flu-like symptoms. The power forward tested negative for COVID-19 but will be tested again today.
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