In today’s NHL rumors rundown, the New Jersey Devils are waiting on injury news about Jack Hughes but are being aggressive in trade discussions. It was also reported that the Edmonton Oilers also kicked tires on Jordan Greenway before acquiring Trent Frederic in trade. The Montreal Canadiens signed Jake Evans. How did that deal come together in the final moments ahead of the deadline? Finally, what is the latest on Brock Boeser and his future with the Vancouver Canucks?
Devils Ready to Take a Big Swing
Pierre LeBrun noted in a column for The Athletic on Tuesday evening that the New Jersey Devils are waiting for the results of medical tests on Jack Hughes, with the hope they’ll get clarity before Friday. They need to know if he’ll be out for the rest of the regular season and if they can use his $8 million cap hit at the deadline.
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LeBrun reports the Devils were already looking for centers and Jake Evans was on their radar. Obviously, after signing with the Montreal Canadiens, he’s off the market now. LeBrun wrote:
From Brock Nelson to Scott Laughton to every other center on the market, general manager Tom Fitzgerald will look around at what’s available. My sense is New Jersey will expand its positional search, too, not just to centers but to any forward who can add offense.
source – ‘NHL rumblings: Devils scouring the market, Oilers’ next priority, Kraken ready to deal and more’ – Pierre LeBrun – The Athletic – 03/04/2025
LeBrun also noted that the Devils have reportedly reached out to the Carolina Hurricanes and asked to be considered if the Hurricanes choose to shop Mikko Rantanen.
Oilers Add Frederic and Looking at Several Options
LeBrun also reported that the Oilers were interested in Jordan Greenway from the Buffalo Sabres for the same reasons they liked Trent Frederic, whom they ultimately traded for. They chose Frederic because of the cost and because he can play two positions. Frederic won’t be available for three more weeks, but he will be available for the playoffs.
LeBrun believes the Oilers will target a defenseman now. After the Oilers’ loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday, it was clear that they have defensive issues. If they’re going to spend whatever cap space they have left — or trade Evander Kane to address their blue line issues — that’s where the big move might come for the Oilers at the deadline.
Evans and Canadiens Find Common Ground on an Extension
LeBrun also provided some details about how the deal between the Canadiens and forward Jake Evans came together. He said the Canadiens showed patience and stuck to their guns on the $2.85 million average annual value they were willing to pay Evans in a new deal.
When asked on TSN Insider Trading what changed, he noted that GM Kent Hughes picked up the phone after the weekend, and this “ultimately came down to the player making the call on not wanting to leave Montreal.”
More on Brock Boeser’s Status with the Canucks
According to Farhan Lalhi of TSN, “My sense of the Brock Boeser situation is he is very unlikely to be extended by Canucks ahead of the trade deadline.” He adds, “And I wouldn’t expect him to get traded without a significant return. It’s certainly possible the team will continue to try to extend him after the deadline.”
Boeser is one the biggest names that could be moved before Friday, but the consensus feeling is that the Canucks won’t sacrifice their chances of making the playoffs just to move Boeser.
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