2 days Ago By Sportsnet Staff
On the eve of the trade deadline, a few of the biggest names on the board are expected to take to the ice. Carolina Hurricanes forward Mikko Rantanen took warmups and is expected to play against the Boston Bruins on Thursday night amidst speculation he'll be flipped for a second time this season ahead of Friday's deadline. Similarly, Philadelphia Flyers alternate captain Scott Laughton and defenceman Rasmus Ristolainen — two players expected to be on the move by the deadline — were also taking warmups against the Winnipeg Jets.
Sportsnet's hockey news breakers, analysts and reporters will have coast-to-coast coverage of all the moves made ahead of this season's NHL trade deadline. Full coverage on March 7 begins at 10 a.m.
ET/7 a.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
Rantanen, who was traded to Carolina from the Colorado Avalanche in January, is set to hit free agency on July 1 and has yet to sign an extension with the Hurricanes. Despite struggling offensively since the trade, registering just two goals and six points in 12 games with Carolina, he's on numerous teams' radar — though the Hurricanes are still considering all options, per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. Laughton, 30, has 11 goals and 27 points in 59 games for the Flyers this season, operating as a second-line centre for Philadelphia.
Laughton has been with the team throughout his entire 12-season career. Ristolainen, 30, was traded to the Flyers from the Buffalo Sabres in 2021. In 59 games, the defenceman has four goals and 19 points.
Meanwhile, Seattle Kraken forward Brandon Tanev was held out of Thursday's game for trade-related reasons. Watch Hockey Central's coverage of the March 7 deadline on Sportsnet, starting at 10 a.m.
ET / 7 a.m. PT.
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