In today';s rumor rundown, the Nashville Predators may be a team to watch with
some open salary cap and desire to make big trades. Meanwhile, in Toronto,
while assessing their solutions internally, the Maple Leafs are looking to
possibly improve their defense via trade. Finally, the New York Rangers seem
certain to make some big names available as the season rolls along.Predators
Not Done Adding Pieces?

James O'Brien of NBC Sports writes that David Poile of the Nashville Predators
 has a history of making big trades and with over $7.5 million in salary cap
still available for this season, the Predators could still be players in trade,
 acquiring a bigger-name player who has some salary still attached to his
contract.Canadiens left wing Max Pacioretty (Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY
Sports)

If the Predators were to go after a name like Erik Karlsson, Artemi Panarin or
Max Pacioretty, O';Brien doesn';t believe Poile would be all that concerned
about moving out salary when constructing a deal. That makes things
interesting, especially when you consider the Predators have some intriguing
prospects they could dangle in a trade. Whether or not they would they be
willing to include Dante Fabbro or Eeli Tolvanen in a deal is another
question.Related: NHL Rumors: Aho, Versteeg, Nylander, MoreLeafs Looking to
Move Assets

The Leafs have checked out some of the names available in free agency, but so
far, have not found an option that fits their needs. James Mirtle of The
Athletic writes the Toronto Maple Leafs are looking for ways to improve their
defense via trade and if they intend to go that route, it sounds like the club
 is making winger Josh Leivo available.Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Josh
Leivo controls the puck as New Jersey Devils center Pavel Zacha. (Tom
Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports)

 

Mirtle also writes the team is looking at moving goaltender Calvin Pickard. He
explains:

Calvin Pickard could be the Marlies starter this season, although he is being
offered around the league in a trade. If he's moved, those duties could fall to
 McElhinney, who would need to clear waivers to be sent down.source - "State of
 the Franchise: Maple Leafs step undeniably into contenders row in Year 5 of
the Shanaplan" - The Athletic - James Mirtle - 08/20/2018

While Dubas shops, Mirtle concedes that the Leafs will more than likely go with
 internal solutions to fill their defensive needs. He knows the Leafs GM has
confidence in "several of his unheralded Marlies defencemen" and that he thinks
 they can be impactful at the NHL level. He believes names like Justin Holl
and Calle Rosen could push for jobs.Related: NHL Rumors: Kronwall, Gardiner,
Reinhart, MoreRangers Could Move Some Big Names

Adam Gretz of NBC Sports is speculating the New York Rangers could be active
in the trade market, using winger Mats Zuccarello, center Kevin Hayes and
forwards Ryan Spooner and Vladislav Namestnikov as trade bait.Mats Zuccarello
led the way for the Rangers in 2016-17. (Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports)

Gretz says that the Rangers are ever-mindful of their rebuild and the potential
 their organization could miss the playoffs. With players like Zuccarello and
Hayes on the verge of unrestricted free agency, they could easily be moved as
the season moves along. Hayes, in particular, is likely leaving since Rangers
GM, Jeff Gorton wasn';t willing to extend him for more than one season this
summer.Flames Still Working on Hanifin

Beat reporter for the Calgary Flames, Kristen Anderson tweeted that she spoke
to Flames GM Brad Treliving and he said he was confident a deal with Noah
Hanifin will be done before the start of training camp. She said Treliving';s
attitude was positive and he said, "It'll get done, but it's just not done
yet."

Hanifin was acquired in a trade that sent Dougie Hamilton to Carolina and
should be an important piece of the Flames slightly aging blue line moving
forward.Related: NHL Rumors: Laine, Krug, Leafs, Sharks, MoreZdeno Chara Not
Done Yet

While he';s getting older and some have pointed to his reduced point totals to
suggest his production is declining, head coach of the Boston Bruins, Bruce
Cassidy, suggests Chara has a lot of hockey left to play in the NHL and will be
 back after this upcoming season.Chara';s longevity has allowed him to climb
the games played list. (Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)

Cassidy told WEEI radio that directly:

[Chara]'s got a lot of hockey left in him. I know that for a fact. He trains
harder than anyone I know, his conditioning is through the roof. He's trying to
 stay current with the game and the way it is played, working on his puck
skills and getting back on pucks.

Cassidy suggested Chara wants to have his legacy last more than this coming
season and that he wouldn';t rule out Chara playing for four or five more years
 in the NHL.

The post NHL Rumors: Rangers, Leafs, Predators in Trade Market? appeared first
on The Hockey Writers.

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