NHL Trade Rumors: Ryan Miller to Kings, Dougie Hamilton on the move again?

This week in NHL trade rumors, some fascinating names have been thrown around, including Dougie Hamilton and Ryan Miller.

As the month of October is ending, NHL teams are already starting to plan for the trade deadline. Some teams might not even wait until the trade deadline to try to get what they want. There have been some curious names being whispered in trade rumors, especially with certain teams struggling and needing to add at a position.

The likelihood of Dougie Hamilton being traded is low. However, his name is still getting thrown around quite a bit. How likely is it he gets traded and who should be interested in him? Even the name of Ryan Miller has been heard recently as the Los Angeles Kings need a goalie. Should the Vancouver Canucks be willing to listen?

One of the more intriguing free agent forwards next summer is Martin Hanzal of the Arizona Coyotes. Extension talks haven’t gotten the two sides anywhere, so it’s likely he will be traded. Who would be the best fits for him? Might the Anaheim Ducks trade Cam Fowler to the Toronto Maple Leafs? Finally, the Chicago Blackhawks need to add to their forward depth and trading a promising young defenseman might be the only way for them to address it.

5. Cam Fowler to the Toronto Maple Leafs?

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler is no stranger to trade rumors. The reason for this isn’t production, he’s been quite solid for the Ducks. However, with next summer’s expansion draft, the Ducks might need to trade Fowler as opposed to lose him for nothing. Recently, he has been linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Fowler is left-handed, so he might need to play on his off-side since the Leafs already have Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner. But he might be able to be had for cheap and the Leafs will have two second round picks in the 2017 NHL Draft.

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4. Trevor van Riemsdyk on the trade block?

The Chicago Blackhawks are off to a less than optimal start to their 2016-17 NHL season. Their lack of forward depth is hurting them as their top forwards are having to play way too many minutes. Chicago might be forced to make a trade, and the cost could be promising young defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk.

Thanks to the success of Gustav Forsling, the 25 year old defenseman has only played in two games. A recent injury will keep him out for five to six weeks, but once he returns, he should be on the trade market.

Which teams should be interested in signing him? He would make a lot of sense for the Edmonton Oilers, who still need some more right-handed defensemen. They have a slight surplus of forwards, so perhaps they can work something out with the Blackhawks. Don’t be surprised if the New Jersey Devils pursue him as well. They desperately need defensive depth and van Riemsdyk grew up in New Jersey.

Trevor van Riemsdyk has 15 points in 102 games. As recently as last season, Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville liked him enough to play him over 20 minutes a game. Of course, how he bounces back from injury will determine how interested teams are in him. But van Riemsdyk is young enough that it might not matter.

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3. Ryan Miller to the Los Angeles Kings?

It’s not a secret the Los Angeles Kings are looking to trade for a goaltender with Jonathan Quick out long-term. A fascinating name which has come up is Vancouver Canucks goaltender Ryan Miller.

Another goalie to watch could be old friend Ryan Miller. [Miller’s] in the last year of his deal in Vancouver and Jacob Markstrom is more than adequate in net for the Canucks, as the Sabres found out on Thursday. He’s in the final year of his deal, valued at $6 million per season, and could probably count on a relatively low workload behind the LA defense.

However, reportedly the Canucks want to keep Miller as insurance for Jacob Markstrom. While Markstrom has been good so far, general manager Jim Benning realizes it’s important to have goaltending depth. Benning is convinced the Canucks will be competitive this season, so trading their second best goaltender isn’t too likely.

Perhaps if the Canucks start slumping or the Kings offer Vancouver a deal they can’t refuse, Miller could be traded to Los Angeles. He would likely enjoy it there, being close to his wife. One hurdle which they will have to overcome is Miller’s cap hit. The Kings are close to the cap, so the Canucks would have to retain part of his salary.

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2. Martin Hanzal’s trade value

The Arizona Coyotes are off to their worst start in franchise history, losing five of their first six games. Though they were expected to be playoff contenders this season, a slow start is jeopardizing their chances. If the Coyotes are still out of contention by February, they could look to trade center Martin Hanzal before the NHL trade deadline.

Hanzal will be a free agent after this season. Arizona hasn’t had any productive contract talks with Hanzal since the beginning of the season. If they shop Hanzal, the return could be solid. He’ll be one of the best forwards available at the trade deadline and should net them a nice prospect or draft pick.

Which teams make the most sense for Hanzal? Early on, the St. Louis Blues could use some more skilled forwards. They have yet to replace David Backes and his huge body. At 6’6″, Hanzal would help fill this role. He would make sense for the New York Islanders as well, though they would need to clear some cap space. The Islanders haven’t effectively replaced Frans Nielsen yet. Hanzal is a guy who could do that for them. It’ll be a seller’s market in February and the Coyotes have a valuable asset in Hanzal.

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1. Dougie Hamilton to be traded again?

Back in the summer of 2015, the Calgary Flames traded for Boston Bruins defenseman Dougie Hamilton. Many believed they got a good deal for him. Immediately after trading for him, the Flames signed him to a six-year deal worth $34.5 million. A little over a year later, Calgary is already getting calls gauging interest in Hamilton. While the Flames didn’t express interest in trading the young defenseman, is this something they might revisit in the future?

Calgary got off to a slow start, but they have rebounded nicely. As they say, winning cures everything. However, the opposite is also true – losing cures nothing. If the Flames go on another losing streak and find themselves out of contention, Hamilton might become a scape goat.

Since being traded to Calgary, he hasn’t gotten the playing time many believed he would get. After averaging 19:46 of ice time in 2015-16, Hamilton is averaging just 19:06 of ice time so far this season. If the Flames are interested in trading him, they will have multiple suitors.

The New York Rangers might be interested in him, as they are actively looking for a top four defenseman. Hamilton is right-handed, so naturally the Edmonton Oilers would likely express interest. It’s worth noting Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli is familiar with him. A number of other teams would be interested, but Hamilton makes the most sense for the Rangers and Oilers.