The goalie trade market will move in a hurry, one presumes, once the first deal is done this week.
The domino effect, as they say.
"That’s usually the case," veteran general manager Bryan Murray of the Ottawa Senators told ESPN.com on Wednesday morning from Las Vegas.
Murray is part of that intriguing goalie sellers' market, listening on both Robin Lehner and Craig Anderson. The Vancouver Canucks continue to listen on Eddie Lack and Jacob Markstrom. The Los Angeles Kings could deal their restricted free agent Martin Jones.
And the New York Rangers will deal Cam Talbot. A source said that six teams are after Talbot.
"There are a couple of teams -- it seems to me three or four teams are at least looking, I’ve been talking to a couple of them quite seriously," Murray said. "But they’re waiting right now maybe to see what happens with other goaltenders, obviously the price other teams are asking versus another team. That’s all part of the scenario right now."
The Edmonton Oilers, Buffalo Sabres and San Jose Sharks are the most eager teams looking for a goalie. The Calgary Flames have also called around a bit; they haven’t re-signed pending unrestricted free-agent goalie Karri Ramo.
Murray, who has a crowded crease after re-signing Andrew Hammond, is more likely to move Lehner, who is 23 and has more upside than the veteran Anderson.
And while Murray was careful not to mention Lehner by name, it’s pretty clear that’s who he was hinting at when examining the goalies available on the trade market.
"I believe I’ve got the best guy by a fair margin," said Murray. "That’s my belief, but that doesn’t necessarily fit with everyone else I guess."
Lehner is under contract for two more seasons ($2.25 million cap hit) and retains restricted-free-agent status for another two seasons after that. So he’s controllable for longer than Talbot or Lack are.
When does the first goalie trade go down? Murray figured as always that teams will get the most series just before the first round of the draft Friday.
"Yeah, I’m not sure it will be on the floor, but it will be right around that time frame, I think," Murray said. "Unless somebody really feels that they want to be safe and get it done before that and be comfortable that they have their goaltender. That might happen today or tomorrow. But I suspect it will drag a little bit [to Friday]."
There are free-agent options out there too, such as Ramo, Michal Neuvirth and Antti Niemi. And obviously Devan Dubnyk will lead the pack if he can’t come to terms on a new deal with the Minnesota Wild.