Insider trading: Canucks expect trading chatter to pick up in early 2023

1win hockey insiders discuss how the Canucks expect trade talks to intensify in early 2023, how the Senators are discussing an extension with defenseman Artem Zub, how Morgan Riley and Nikolai Ehlers are expected to return early in the New Year, and more.

With the freeze on trade, Misfits, can we now conclude that all Vancouver trade rumors will move into 2023

Darren DraegerA: Well, I don't know that the Vancouver Canucks are too concerned about the trade rumors, but they are hoping that interest in their players will pick up in January. And that's an expectation based on a conversation Patrick Alvin, general manager of the Vancouver Canucks, had before the holiday roster freeze. Now nothing significant, but just talking at least gave some hope. When you talk about major figures like Bo Horvath and Brock Becer, there's a minor player that might be overlooked here and that's seasoned defender Tyler Meyers. We all know what his contract looks like for this year plus another year for $6 million. It also has an amended no-trade clause. He wants to stay in Vancouver, but it is believed that there will be interest and thoughts from the outside that a more structured NHL team - a playoff team - could really help renew Tyler Myers. So, this isn't the first time we've been speculating on Meyers, but things should be heating up there.

The Ottawa senators would like Artem Zub not to go anywhere. There's a chance he'll get a Christmas present, CJ

Chris Johnston: Well, that would be if things were going really well, but I think what's remarkable in this case is what the parties are saying. When the season began, Artem Zub and the management of the Senators did not have any talk about an extension. That started to change here recently when negotiations started this month. Last week, a face-to-face meeting was held in Detroit with Sens management and his agent [Zub] Dan Milstein to exchange some thoughts. And I think there is some optimism here, but in any case, the deal will not be done until it is done. And, of course, it's a bit more complicated because this team is in the middle of the sales process.

Dregs, let us know about a few key players who will soon be returning to Canadian teams.

JD : We were just talking about signings and possible trade deals, well, I'm looking at Toronto and I'm looking at Winnipeg. And they're looking at veteran star players who are about to return, which is going to be like a big deal. If you start with the Toronto Maple Leafs, as the Leafs admit, Morgan Reilly was skating. He continues to recover from his knee injury. (He) didn't need a procedure to fix it, he just needed time to strengthen his leg. So he is expected to be away for at least another two weeks, maybe three. And Nikolay Ehlers of the Winnipeg Jets has also been skating easy lately - what a string of injuries the Winnipeg Jets have had to deal with. They continue to do well, they are definitely making headway and staying afloat in the Central Division.

Is there any chance that Phil Kessel's record-breaking Ironman streak will end anytime soon or in the new year

CJ : Well, eyebrows are certainly surprised when he only got a few shifts in Monday's loss against the Buffalo Sabers. And indeed, this is the trend that followed Kessel. It was one of the lowest, smallest minutes he had seen in a game in his entire career. And we don't usually put it on the chart, but usually players don't play more than 1,000 games in a row, and that's where Phil Kessel is. Where the Vegas Golden Knights are right now is that they don't have a lot of extra bodies, Jack Achel is currently out of action due to injury. But as he recovers and Kessel still doesn't get more time under Bruce Cassidy, it certainly becomes more likely.
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