SHARKS ACTIVE WITH MEIER TRADE ON HORIZON

TORONTO, ON — The San Jose Sharks are extremely active with the trade deadline five days away and their activity goes well beyond the anticipation of trading away star winger Timo Meier.

According to multiple sources, Sharks GM Mike Grier is looking to add young, NHL calibre players and near-ready prospects before the trade deadline hits at 3pm ET on March 3.

Some of those pieces are expected to be included in a Meier trade, which is nearing the finish line.

The Sharks and New Jersey Devils are pushing hard towards an agreement, with names like Fabian Zetterlund and Alexander Holtz floating around, along with a first-round draft pick. I’ve learned the Devils have discussed what an extension for Meier would look like, which is part of their process of acquiring him. While an extension is not a prerequisite to a transaction, the Devils seem to be more comfortable with him locked in long-term.

Meier was originally looking for a long-term extension more than $9 million per season. The Devils started in the $7 millions and have since moved up somewhere into the $8 millions on an AAV. We’ll have to wait and see where it lands if they can agree on the contract.

I have not gotten the sense Meier has had serious talks with other clubs about an extension, and while various reports suggest the Vegas Golden Knights are a finalist for his services, two well-placed sources told me Sunday they don’t have “the ammo” to get a deal done. The St. Louis Blues pitched an offer that was reportedly rejected. It’s possible they try again.

It is unclear if another team is still in the hunt for Meier – the Carolina Hurricanes are out, while the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings are two other teams that have expressed interest.

The 26-year-old is anticipating and prepared for a trade, I’m told. It’s now just a matter of when and unless another team upstages the Devils, that potential first-round matchup between them and the Rangers looks spicy.

Beyond Meier, the Sharks have received interest in forward Alexander Barabanov from a few teams, but San Jose is very high on him and unless they’re blown away by an offer, he’s not expected to be moved. I believe Los Angeles has discussed him, at least internally, but there doesn’t seem to be a fit.

The Sharks are actively trying to trade winger Kevin Labanc, who has one-year left on his contract at a $4.725 million salary cap hit. They’ve been engaged in talks with some clubs and the talk inside the organization is a change of scenery is best for both parties. If a move isn’t made by the deadline, it will be something the Sharks revisit in the summer.

Goaltender James Reimer and centre Nick Bonino are also in play.

According to sources, the Sharks are indeed interested in Nashville Predators defenceman Dante Fabbro, as Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek has indicated a few times this week, but he isn’t the only player on the team’s radar.

San Jose and the Minnesota Wild have had discussions about forward Jordan Greenway, whom Minnesota is actively dangling. The 26-year-old has two more years left on his contract after this season and comes with a $3 million salary cap hit.

NY CITIZEN KANE

As I also mentioned Sunday afternoon on NHL Network, the New York Rangers are waiting to get their salary cap finances in order before finalizing a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks and a third-party facilitator to finalize the Patrick Kane acquisition.

Even after trading Vitali Kravtsov to the Vancouver Canucks and placing Jake Leschyshyn on waivers, the Rangers still need a third team to retain a portion of Kane’s salary, which combined with the Blackhawks will result in the Rangers taking on a $2.625 million cap hit for Kane.

It is still unclear which team has stepped in to help broker this transaction. The Canucks had discussed it but were more comfortable taking on Kravstov in a separate move. The Minnesota Wild and Montreal Canadiens were also involved in talks at one point, and teams like the Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators are willing parties if incentivized enough.

Either way, the parameters of a trade are there. It’s just a matter of when the cap allows it.

Kane, who left Saturday morning to go back to Chicago to prepare for a move to New York, has battled his decision for over a year. I’m sure finding closure and getting back on the ice, with his new team, will take a heavy load off his shoulders.

GAVRIKOV PRICE DROPPING

The Columbus Blue Jackets held firm on their asking price of a first-round draft pick and third-round draft pick for defenceman Vladislav Gavrikov. They thought the Boston Bruins were going to pay it. Now, with Boston out of the equation, they’re exploring alternative options and it seems like the price will have to come down.

So far, as of Sunday morning, there is nothing close on the Gavrikov trade front, according to a source with knowledge of trade discussions.

The Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings, Carolina Hurricanes and Winnipeg Jets all showed interest before and are expected to circle back, but I’d be surprised at this point if any team coughs up the originally price tag.

DEMKO DONE WITH CANUCKS?

There are conflicting reports out there that Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko would welcome a trade out of Vancouver. He has publicly denied it, but sources with direct ties to the team have told TFP those reports are accurate.

I still have a hard time seeing a trade happening before the deadline, as options are limited. The Kings would need to include Cal Petersen in a trade, and I’m not sure the Canucks are interested in that right now. The Pittsburgh Penguins have Tristan Jarry back, and while he’s on an expiring contract, they are looking to add in other areas. And the Buffalo Sabres don’t need to go all out just yet.

Demko has three more years left on his contract and comes with a $5 million salary cap hit. He does not own any no-trade protection.

I think this is something that gets straightened out in the summer, but we’re in the silly season, so I’m not fully prepared to fully discount a move over the next five days.

TIP-INS

• The New York Islanders are in the thick of the wildcard race in the East. They have two games left before the deadline (Sunday and Tuesday). They’ve received interest in defenceman Scott Mayfield – I believe Toronto and Tampa Bay have checked in on him – and goaltender Semyon Varlamov, but I don’t get the sense Lou Lamoriello is willing to sell off pieces.

• As we reported Saturday, the Boston Bruins and David Pastrnak’s agent J.P. Barry are grinding away at a contract extension. It doesn’t sound all that close, but neither Barry nor the Bruins voiced any concern to me about it.

• I wonder about Trevor Moore’s injury. If it’s a little more serious than originally thought, will the Kings be in the market for a mid-six winger? Well, if their interest in Barabanov is any indication...

• There are teams very interested in adding Gustav Nyquist from the Columbus Blue Jackets for a playoff run. He’s injured for the rest of the regular-season and if a team can add him to their LTIR mix, he’d be a nice middle-six add on a contending team.

• The Arizona Coyotes haven’t forgotten about Jakob Chychrun. Trade talks remain, the Kings are still in it, but other teams have emerged. The hope across the board is a move gets ironed out by Friday.

• Lots of eyes on Calgary. The Flames lost to Colorado on Saturday and have Boston on Tuesday and Toronto on Thursday. Talk of Darryl Sutter’s future is still out there, and if this team misses the playoffs, some more big changes could be on the horizon.

• Keep your eyes and ears open on John Gibson. Talk of his availability keeps getting louder.

• Ottawa’s Austin Watson wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty (he never is) fighting Montreal’s Michael Pezzetta last night. He also potted his fifth goal of the season. Teams looking to add grit to their fourth line have Watson on their radar.

• Toronto, as I’ve been saying for several weeks, is still looking to add to its blueline, and even after creating some cap space with demotions and placing Jordie Benn on waivers, a roster player could be moved out if the Maple Leafs add a body with a decent-size contract.

• Washington had already spoken with defencemen Nick Jensen and Trevor van Riemsdyk about extensions. Add Erik Gustafsson to the list, too. The Capitals have no interest in a rebuild, but they are going to augment their roster going into next season. If those three blueliners aren’t signed to new deals, they could be on the move, much like what happened with Dmitry Orlov.

• As we continue to wait for clarity on a pending Sam Lafferty trade, teams like the Oilers, Lightning, Penguins and Jets have been in the mix.

• I wonder if the Hurricanes take a stab at Kevin Hayes in Philly. They don’t like his contract very much, but if the Flyers eat $2M-$3M per year, that could change their mindset.