NHL Trade Rumors: Chicago Blackhawks are Reportedly Showing Interest in Edmonton Oilers F Nail Yakupov, Teams are Calling Montreal about G Mike Condon Since it Appears Al Montoya Will Serve as Backup, and More!
Multiple reports surfaced Thursday afternoon placing the Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers squarely in the middle of the latest NHL trade rumors. Sources seem to point at the possibility of Nail Yakupov heading to the Windy City.
Speculation also suggests that multiple teams have been calling Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin regarding the availability of G Mike Condon, number three on the depth chart.
Hearing that the Blackhawks are making a deal for Yakupov per sources. Not sure who is going back to Edmonton or if money is being retained
— Chief (@BarstoolChief) October 6, 2016
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Bob McKenzie of TSN confirmed that Chicago had and could possibly still have an interest in Yakupov, but also added a deal is not currently imminent, contrary to what Barstool Sports reported.
Mark Spector of Sportsnet reported the two teams have been actively talking the past week and outlined the dynamics of a potential trade.
Edmonton Receives:
Two-to-three mid-tier prospects (a name floating around is Chicago’s former 2011 1st rounder Mark McNeill).
Chicago Receives:
Nail Yakupov (a portion of his $2.5 million dollar cap hit retained).
Yakupov, the first overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, has struggled ever since his 17-goal rookie season in Edmonton. He has had his work ethic and coachability questioned multiple times in the years since then and publicly requested a trade in March.
NHL Trade Rumors: Canadiens Receiving Calls
Another rumor making the rounds is the possibility Canadiens goaltender Mike Condon gets traded. Eric Engels of Sportsnet reports that there are a few Western Conference teams who have interest in adding the 26-year-old.
From what I've heard, there are a couple of Western teams kicking the tires on Condon. Trade is a possibility.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) October 5, 2016
With all the goaltenders potentially available for trade, one would think that trading Condon is a pipe dream. But Condon’s low cap hit and flashes of brilliance last year have earned him some suitors.
Taking over for an injured Carey Price, Condon went 21-25-3 in 51 games with a 2.71 GAA and a .903 SVP.
Now, Condon is fighting to stay in the NHL as he is being outplayed by Al Montoya for the spot to back up Carey Price.
Next: Rookies to Watch in the Pacific Division
Who are the few teams who could be interested in Condon? If I were to guess, the Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks. The Oilers may not be comfortable with Jonas Gustavsson as a backup and would prefer to add Condon, who can split time with Cam Talbot.
Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks have a solid starter in Martin Jones, but their backup is some guy named Mantas Armalis. Never heard of him? There’s a reason why. A potential trade would only cost a 2nd or 3rd round pick.