NHL Rumor Mill – January 22, 2020
The latest lists of trade bait in today’s NHL rumor mill.
TSN: New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider, Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez, and Montreal Canadiens winger Ilya Kovalchuk are the top-three players atop Frank Seravalli’s latest NHL trade-bait list. Ottawa Senators center Jean-Gabriel Pageau and New York Rangers’ goaltender Alexandar Georgiev round out the top five.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: No surprises here. These five have figured prominently in the rumor mill in recent weeks. Kreider, Kovalchuk, and Pageau are slated to become unrestricted free agents on July 1. Georgiev is a restricted free agent who could be the odd-man-out among the Rangers’ three goalies. Martinez has a year remaining on his contract with an affordable $4-million annual average salary. He also lacks no-trade protection.
With the NHL’s trade deadline just over a month away, New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider remains a prime trade candidate (Photo via NHL Images)
Kings winger Tyler Toffoli, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, New Jersey Devils blueliner Sami Vatanen, Detroit Red Wings center Andreas Athanasiou, and the Carolina Hurricanes’ first-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft fill slots six through 10.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Another four who’ve surfaced in frequent media trade chatter this season. I’m surprised to see Gostisbehere this high on Seravalli’s ranking. He’s struggling this season and is signed through 2022-23 with a $4.5-million AAV. A player carrying that much term usually doesn’t get moved until the off-season.
Toffoli and Vatanen are UFAs this summer, while Athanasiou is an RFA with arbitration rights. The Canes could dangle their first-round pick for a top-four defenseman, especially with Dougie Hamilton sidelined with a broken leg.
San Jose Sharks defenseman Brenden Dillon, Pittsburgh Penguins winger Alex Galchenyuk, Ottawa Senators blueliner Ron Hainsey, Minnesota Wild winger Ryan Donato, and Chicago Blackhawks goalie Robin Lehner fill slots 11 to 15.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: All but Donato (signed through 2020-21) are UFAs in July. Lehner’s not going anywhere. He’s outplaying Corey Crawford and remains vital to the Blackhawks’ ongoing push to reach the playoffs. Granted, that could change if they fall out of contention by the trade deadline, but I believe they intend to re-sign him.
Nashville Predators winger Craig Smith and center Kyle Turris, Canadiens defenseman Marco Scandella, Columbus Blue Jackets winger Josh Anderson, and Canadiens blueliner Jeff Petry round out the list.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Smith and Scandella are UFAs. If the Preds fail to gain ground in the standing, GM David Poile could become a seller. Smith could hit the trade block, but there won’t be interest in Turris’ hefty contract unless Poile agrees to pick up part of the center’s $6-million AAV.
Anderson’s an RFA who’s struggled through injuries and inconsistency this season, but the Jackets could retain the big winger for the playoffs. It’ll take a considerable offer to tempt Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin to part with the underrated Petry.
SPORTSNET: Rory Boylen last week also published a list of 20 trade candidates we could hear about before the deadline. It included Wild winger Jason Zucker, Predators winger Mikael Granlund and center Nick Bonino, Buffalo Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian and center Evan Rodrigues, Senators goaltender Craig Anderson and Blackhawks netminder Corey Crawford, Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Casey DeSmith, Blackhawks winger Brandon Saad, Flames forward Mark Jankowski, and Edmonton Oilers winger Jesse Puljujarvi.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild could be sellers if they keep sliding out of playoff contention. There’s talk the Penguins could revisit interest in Zucker, who they attempted to land last May. However, his 10-team no-trade clause and $5.5 million AAV through 2022-23 could make him an off-season trade candidate.
Granlund is a UFA and could get shopped if the Predators become sellers. Ditto Bonino, though his $4.1 million cap hit through next season could scare off some clubs.
Bogosian is a UFA and Rodrigues an RFA. Both requested trades but there might not be much interest in either guy. The 38-year-old Anderson is reaching the end of his career, has a $4.75-million AAV and a 10-team no-trade list. Someone could express interest in him as a backup, but the Sens might have to absorb part of his salary-cap hit.
The Blackhawks could shop pending UFA Crawford, but I suspect they’ll keep their goalie tandem intact in their quest for a playoff spot. DeSmith could be available if the Penguins decide to pursue a winger for the postseason.
Saad’s $6-million AAV through 2020-21 won’t be easy to move. With the Blackhawks trying to reach the playoffs, I don’t think he’s available. The Flames could toss the slumping Jankowski into a larger deal to land a top-six forward. The Oilers could shop Puljujarvi’s rights, but I still think that the move takes place during the NHL Draft weekend in June.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Matt Larkin’s list includes Devils winger Kyle Palmieri, defenseman P.K. Subban and winger Wayne Simmonds, Canadiens winger Tomas Tatar, Blackhawks blueliner Erik Gustafsson, Anaheim Ducks winger Ondrej Kase, Sabres winger Marcus Johansson and Michael Frolik, Carolina Hurricanes rearguard Jake Gardiner, Sabres winger Conor Sheary, Flames winger Sam Bennett, Toronto Maple Leafs AHL winger Jeremy Bracco, and Colorado Avalanche prospect d-man Conor Timmons.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: With the Devils having traded away Taylor Hall and replaced their head coach and GM, it’s expected more roster changes are in store. Palmieri’s come up a lot in trade chatter. He’s signed through next season with a $4.65-million AAV and an eight-team no-trade list. Simmonds is a UFA and could be moved, though he’s indicated his preference to stay. Subban said he’s not seeking a trade, but the Devils could explore his value in the trade market. His declining performance and $9 million cap hit through 2021-22 makes him a tough sell.
Tatar is signed through next season and lacks no-trade protection. He’s the Habs leading scorer and his trade value could be high, though his $5.3 million AAV could be a stumbling block for a deadline deal. Gustafsson is a UFA and expected to be dealt, though that could change if the Hawks remain in playoff contention at the deadline. The Ducks need all the scoring they can get, so I don’t believe they’ll shop the oft-injured Kase.
The Sabres could be sellers if they don’t move up in the standings. Sheary and Frolik are UFAs while Johansson has a year remaining on his deal worth $4.5 million per season. He and Frolik have modified no-trade clauses.
Bennett would attract lots of interest if the Flames shop him, but they could keep him for the postseason when he does his best work. There were reports of some teams wondering what the Hurricanes might do with Gardiner. With Dougie Hamilton sidelined by a broken leg, Gardiner could be staying put.
Update on Gorgiev. Shesterkin was sent back to AHL. This was more because of the all star break as team wants him to keep getting work. Gorgiev can’t go down with out clearing waivers. Not sure if they plan on keeping him there but think Rangers showing they don’t need to move Gorgiev. I still don’t see Tangers trading Kreider. And if they do, it won’t be for a pick and prospect. At this point they’ll want a player that can be on roster next year. Won’t be surprised to see him extended in coming weeks. Has been reported that Gorton plans on getting together with his agent.
I think Kreider is moved-he gets a minimum of a 1st and who knows if they can resign him under the cap. Him playing in the ASG is a nice end.
Any thoughts on the Leafs making a move .
Toronto will be qualifying only for a wildcard placement in the end .
Florida will be finishing higher in standings than Toronto.
It would be a disaster to see Toronto miss the playoffs .
Sheldon Keefe has done everything and more.
The onus here , is on Kyle Dubais , but with no cap space , there is a huge issue .
Leafs are too top heavy , as in 3 contracts, over 33 million dollars , and no top flight Defense core .
Anderson has struggled, as of late , but I am sure will bounce back , but that being said, a strong backup net minded is required,
A Doug Gilmour blockbuster , is a trade that will never be forgotten .
I just don’t know if Dubai’s has the capability to pull off an overwhelming trade to balance their present lineup , which is a must , as their is mega talent in Toronto , as we all know .
The defensive core is a disaster .
I know there will be comments about Reilly and Muzzins injuries.
Reilly has not performed as a top 2 Defense man and Muzzin is average and slow footed.
To trade Reilly in the off season , as per a monster trade would be a good idea actually , to strengthen the Defense
Why wouldn’t they be able to fit him under cap? Isn’t it short sighted to trade him because it might be tight next year? How are you a better team by trading him for a 1st? If you don’t play to win, why sign Trouba and Panarin?
@slick
CK will be 29 this summer. you want to give him 7×7?
An extra 2 million buyout for Shatty comes next season against the cap.
Resign Kreider, Strome, TonyD, Lem, replace Fast, get a 4th line…
Not sure how it all works unless Henrik’s 8.5 is gone
Ken – Reilly should be part of the untouchables on the Leafs. His struggles this season aren’t because of his play, but the poor defensive play of the forward group. Yeah he may of had some bad turnovers this season, but all d-men have those from time to time. His are just highlighted because of the team he plays for and because who he is on that team. HUGE mistake if the Leafs trade Rielly IMO.
Ken, when you say “To trade Reilly in the off season , as per a monster trade would be a good idea actually , to strengthen the Defense …” I assume you mean by that that you strengthen the D by bringing in, through a trade, a better all-round D-man than is Rielly?
What team in their right mind would give up that commodity if everyone else sees the same weakness in Rielly’s game as you?
ds. As I said. Short sighted. Out of every player you mentioned, Kreider would be the one we have no replacement for. To trade him because Shatty cap hit is 6 mil, while ignoring fact year after it goes down at same time Lundqvist, Smith, and Staal comes off the books
Tatar’s actual cap hit is $4.8m.; Vegas retained 500K at the time of the trade. And his actual salary for next year is lower still. With the Habs needing to rebuild, they should look to trade Petry and Tatar if they can get a 1st or a good prospect.
To me, Howard, the only way that makes sense is if the Habs need more prospects. They have several rookies in the line up and several strong prospects in the pipleline now.
I struggle with the logic of trading players who can help them get to the playoffs next year. Playoff experience is valuable to young players.
There is a context for the Habs missing the playoffs last year, and surely missing the playoffs this year. Missing for a third time will not be acceptable to patrons of the Bell Center.
Ken, you say the onus is on Dubas. Ken, the onus is on the players. They are playing terrible hockey and they are responsible for the mess they have created. Time to suck it up and get the job done. Enough of the excuses.
That`s why the onus is now on Dumbas. He fired the coach to place the onus on the players and they`re still not shown the kind of improvement that`s needed so now the onus is squarely on Dumbas. He created this mess if he can`t fix it soon then it`s his turn to hit the road. He thought the LTIR was his way out and now it`s his albatross. He thinks he can buy is way to a cup like he did with the Marlies and the Growlers. He didn`t learn anything at all from Lou. Looks like it`s time for a change in upper management
@ Ken: One thing you may have overlooked in your assessment of Reilly is the fact that he”s been playing most of the year with an undisclosed body injury that clearly affects his mobility etc.
Now perhaps the break will do wonders for Reilly in that regard but I dare say that he is regarded as a top pairing dman on almost any NHL team and trading him for other assets is merely a lateral move of filling one hole but creating another..IMO anyways.
Bcleaf the team dubas has put together is not a contender that’s why it is on him. Let’s be honest they needed defensive dmen and he went out and got ceci,Barrie?? I mean all you can say is terrible acquisitions, he traded Kadri their only grit Reilly is very one dimensional injuries or not he is a low tier defender
Hi Howard
Posted (to Habs fans) the other day (see below)…. your thoughts?
“To Habs fans ….. is there any way Bergevin takes
1st + 4th + Simon + Laffy + G-Chuck
For Scands + Tater-Tots + Kovy
Sid- Tater-Tots – McC
Geno – Rusty – Kahun/Horny
Bjug – *Kovy – Kahun/Horny
Blueger/Turbo/ZAR
Tanger/Dumo
Shultz/Pettersson
Marino/Scands
Riikola
MM/TJ
*Kovy …. 2nd PP unit ; and in a pinch can slot in for emergencies; on Geno’s wing”
Unless someone bowls Jarmo with an offer, Anderson is not being traded. Until this season, because of injuries, his numbers have improved every year. Add in the fact that he’s the Jackets only power forward and he’s as close to untouchable as anyone this side of Gordie Howe.
Couldn’t agree more Paul. Anderson’s name on the list is laughable. If, and that’s a BIG if, he’s traded, the return better be substantial. Young roster with term needs to come back to the BJs.
PB
Concur
I’d love to have Anderson on Leafs or Pens ; Jarmo
Would be a fool to let him go
Lots of players to be potentially moved. We will see come Feb 24.
Subban not moving without 50% retention and even then.
To my knowledge Poile has never kept salary so trading Turis is out.
Flames will make a move not sure who.
Scandella could be flipped but Kovalchuk for a second is ludicrous. You could have had him for just salary a month ago. Jagr written all over him . Who signs and when does the music stop.
Hi SS
Would live Scands as a Pen; see my post above to Howard re Scands; Kovy ; Tater-Tots
Penguins could use Kovalchuk!! I can’t believe Im saying this but he has proven he has a lot left in the tank in Montreal with 4 goals 10 points 11 games.
second power play unit…
we need 2 forwards (one sniper one bottom six guy ) and one defense-man to compete for the Cup…
BNG
Yes yes yes …. and more yes
Thoughts on my proposed Habs trade netting Scands; Kovy ; Tater-Tots?
A lot of teams could use kovy I think he gets a second very easily
While the bidding at the deadline is usually higher I doubt many 1sts… if any move unless they have some protection. The draft class is super strong. The supposed rental class is relatively weak with the only game breaker already moved. Even halls first was conditional though barely. I wouldn’t be surprised if you see trades that resemble a 2nd round pick that turns to a first should the team make the conference finals.
Agree Chrisms, I think teams understand the value of 1st rd picks, especially this year.
My Bruins, due to age of best players, might be the exception as they look to go all in.
The Hall trade included more than just the 1st. Couple talented projects that are a bit of a long shot, but Bahl is a guy who’s stock has been rising. Not flashy but has big, physical shut down guy written all over him.
An interesting stat I read yesterday – The devils have a better record than the Coyotes since the Hall trade.
Maybe he gets traded twice in the same year!
A “conditional” 1st and a b prospect is what the prize of the trade market got. Deadline might drive up prices but if Hall set the market it’s hard to see too many 1sts going out this year.
How about a conditional first, an A- prospect. I think Bahl is a shoe in for the NHL, and a long career. The other 2 were high picks with talent, so a couple long shots.
I am also a guy who is not a Hall fan. I would actually rather have Kreider.
I would consider an a prospect a shoe in to be a star in the league. He isn’t that. Hence b prospect.
ya we seem to have a different rating system.
I grade on a curve 😉
Let me guess, your report card said “Chrisms would be doing better if he applied himself”
I think you’re trying to be funny but I don’t get it.
Yes or maybe I am projecting
Hi Chrisms
Fully agree that few 1sts likely moved
If Kreider is moved; to me, a 1st plus is the return
As many pointed out yesterday; if it’sBruins (most likely as at now); that’s a late 1st…. with acquisition of Kreider on Bruins ; that just may be 31st overall pick (one B4 Detroit’s 2nd pick)!!
Kreider would be a excellent add for the Bruins he’s just what they are looking for and with all that $$$ that could come off the books this coming offseason they could resign him to a new contract and probably resign Krug …..don’t forget Ross The Boss too Sweeney …..
DeBrusk & 2nd ?
Heinen & 2nd ….
I don’t see Heinen as a top 6 possession driver. That 2nd would have to increase if the offer is Heinen.
GHOST to Toronto for Kapannen.
Toronto doesn’t need more offense they need a defensive defenceman. Another Muzzin would be great.
Hamonic & Janko for Kappy straight up or Hamonic for Johnnson & a 2nd.
As a Flame fan I would then like to see Andersson moved up to play with Hanifin. & Kyllington has been good & either run with Stone (meh, makes a good #7 for emergency) or go get one of the many bottom pairing guys out there)
@Kevin you`re dreaming in technicolour wow. Even without the cap problems, those would get you a haha and a click
Hey Kev. Unusual to see reasonable trade proposals. Nice job.
@ Vinnie: Ya I agree man..Would like to snag Brenden Dillon as he fits that mold you describe but he’s a UFA and barring a sign and trade, he can go anywhere he wants come July 01. The cost is likely too much for the rewards of the rental
Philly fan…
Kevin you didnt need to declare yourself a flames fan with those lopsided trade proposals.
Actually, they’re very fair and reasonable swaps.
How many goals have Anderson and Kappy scored?
All flash and no finish.
Well, maybe a little Finnish.
Ghost for kapanen is a worse trade for the leafs than a stale bun for kapanen. Please get real. Ghost has negative to zero value at his cap hit and lack of ability to play the position he stands at for faceoffs.
and typical Toronto fans for overvaluing the players on their roster. The fact is, TO has an absolutely horrible defensive core, and teams rarely win when the are so top heavy in offensive talent than defensive talent. Dubas just let the boys dictate how much they wanted and he essentially wrote them a blank check….Should’ve kept Lou
Hi George 0
As per your feedback on my brief .
Everybody has their opinion on certain players , us as fans , and professional scouts and gm’s .
Kevjam, comment above yours, thinks Reilly is great.
Leafs need to find a trading partner that thinks the same , or sweeten the pot , to get a front line Defense man .
We traded a decent Defense man to Colorado , in the Kadri deal , BAD deal , Colorado got the better end on that deal .
Leafs are stacked up front , but in the backend , weak is an understatement .
Leafs need to find the ideal trading partner, a partner , in need of a change in a LARGE way …
Minnesota, Anaheim are 2 examples and have strength in the back end that might be available , are weak up front .
Kapanen or Johnsson, Reilly and Bracco , whatever , Leafs have immense talent But the team is not balanced , and Reilly is not an elite Defense man in books, but hopefully, some other GM thinks differently !!!
OK – but all I was saying was (and let’s be clear, I don’t see Rielly as having any glaring weaknesses that would make him a detriment to ANY team), IF Rielly had such drawbacks as to make him expendable, I would think opposing GMs and their scouting system would be well aware of that and would therefore be very unlikely to send back a top-notch all-round D-man in exchange.
As for Calle Rosén, he was undrafted and, so far, appears to be a decent AHL D-man who can be called up from time to time when injuries hit – but he’s proven nothing at the NHL level. Yet. To me what made that deal bad – in addition to giving up Kadri who I’ve always liked – was throwing in this years 3rd round pick. Barrie, Kerfoot and a 6th round pick coming back has all the earmarks of getting hosed.
And finally, please don’t lump Bracco in with the likes of Kapenen, Johnsson and Rielly. Bracco, at best, is a toss-in in any trade that might develop.
Even Reilly has talked about how he’s playing hurt this year. Why would you take a kid, yes he’s still a kid, who was being talked about as a Norris candidate last year, why would you wait until he’s having his only off year so far, playing hurt and then trade him at his lowest value? This team is super young, except for JT their core players are in their early 20’s. Time to tear it down, fire everybody, start trading for picks? Sky is always falling in Toronto I guess. The last 2 seasons with an incredibly young team they’ve taken Boston to 7 games, and the difference has been goaltending, especially last year. Maybe it isn’t time to panic and start selling low on good players, jsut an idea.
@Ken your opinion kinda went into toilet as soon as you said that they traded a decent defenceman to Colorado. You don`t like Reilly but you call Calle Rosen a decent defenceman come on man. He`s in the AHL right now and rightfully so.
tb, yep.
Do I think they need to move a good forward for D help? Yep too.
But they can do that and be just fine.
Fellas, don’t let the Leafs’ struggles take away from the fact that they won the summer of 2018!
So. I know this can’t happen but I don’t know specifically where it says it can’t. Hypothetical
Say the pens are interested in Palmieri for example. Say the devils were interested in the rights to either Jarry or Murray. Pens send a mid round pick and/or prospect to devils for Palmieri at deadline as well as future considerations. The future consideration ends up being murray or Jarry after the playoffs. How’s bout dem apples for some circumventing!!!
I thought future considerations could only be a draft pick? Other than that I wouldn’t accept that as the trading team. Say the future consideration, assuming it was allowed, ends up blowing out a knee, getting arrested, moving to Bulgaria or any other possible issue, what then? If Toronto said to Pitt give us Murray for future considerations and after the playoffs we’ll give you Sandin, promise, you be comfortable with that? Good idea though. My circumvention idea was always that a team should be allowed to put different salaries in a contract, to allow for hometown discounts. Say Krugg wants to stay in Boston and is willing to take a discount but worried about getting traded and not making market value, I think a team should be allowed to sign a player for $6M/year but if they are traded they go up to $8M/year. The player gets their discount and some security, will be harder to trade them and if ithey do get traded they get their money.
Hi Chrisms
Im fairly sure the league wouldn’t allow that as “future consideration”…, and IMHO that is an over-pay for Palmeri
I ranted huge (once again) on morning coffee side re JJ… 😡😡😡😡; he’s making me sick to my stomach
Pens securing a depth LD ; and sitting JJ; to me (even w/o an acquisition of a Guentz replacement) guarantees a first round series win and fair shot at ECF
JJ out; and say Scands in; plus a replacement for Guentz AND to me; Pens all but guaranteed a lengthy ECF series vs Bruins or Bolts
Just sitting JJ and not doing one single other move…. Pens win 1st round
I suggested above (to Howard and other Habs fans) a trade netting Scands; Tater-Tots; Kovy
It was mostly tongue in cheek but I don’t think it’s at all an overpay. Palmieri still
Has a year… not a rental. Goalies don’t bring back returns commiserate with their actual on ice value. I could see Palmieri actually being worth a first rounder.
Tbs. the risk thing makes sense. There would have to be a condition such as a 1st round pick insurance policy.
Fantasy is fun.
Yep
Knew he was still under contract for next year and yes goalies don’t get much in return; but to me; still over-pay. I like Palmeiri; but that’s just me wrt return
Under no circumstances should Jimbo move a goalie in year
If one of the two remaining go down; back-up is a player that has not seen the inside of an NHL dressing room
Only one would be deSmith and then a back-up must come with the deal; at that point there is no incentive for either team ; to trade…. no team is going to ;nor should they) cough up a 2nd plus their back-up for DeSmith; and if it’s a 3rd or later…. not worth it for Pens
Murray/Jarry tandem is great …. absolutely great in fact…. when JJ is on the bench
Im not sure how much more blind Sully and Jimbo can possibly be
😡☹️
Bob, I didn’t like the Kadri deal .
Kerfoot is ok , Barrie is weak defensively, Rosen – I thought he might have potential .
My main point here , is Leafs are UNBALANCED , and might miss the playoffs , on this account .
Justin Holl might turn into something , I just don’t think there is much depth in Defense, and their goalie prospects are not NHL ready, therefore a huge problem , there as well .
Leafs need a change , not a minor tweak , can they make it happen , up to Dubais , Shanahan gives him full authority to do whatever he wants in my opinion .
If Bruins trade Debrusk in a deal for Kreider they have lost their minds. Jake is coming along nice needs to compete a little bit more but has speed and scoring ability. You don’t trade young explosive hockey players for big slow older guys in my opinion.
Agree…..but the Bruins do trade young explosive guys from time to time
Kreider is faster than DeBrusk
but i can listen to your rationale on youth versus a guy a few years old. Boston is in a win now mode too.
Debrusk is 23 and has a couple less points than Kreider who is 28 Debrusk doesn’t lose many races to lose pucks I do not see any advantage to trading a pick and Jake for Kreider it’s stupid. Debrusk played really well in last years playoffs no need to move him. Also Jake is an RFA not a UFA
“big slow older guys in my opinion.”
I’m wondering…. have you ever seen Kreider play? That statement makes me think you haven’t seen him ever….
It’s great to recognize players on your team, but you may want to do a little research before bashing a potential return player…. today, yesterday and tomorrow…. Immediate future…. Kreider is the better / faster player.
To call this guy slow and old is beyond ridiculous.
Ken you`re right they do need a change, personally, I think the biggest problem in Toronto is Dumbass. But when you say they traded a decent defenceman in Rosen and you want to trade Reilly who has been playing hurt since training camp. It doesn`t make sense, that`s why I commented. Dumbas thought he could buy his way to a cup using the LTIR and it didn`t work. Now it`s coming back to bite him and his hands are totally tied because of the LTIR. He thought that he could overpay players because he had extra money to spend. Using the LTIR now means there`s no prorating of contracts, any contracts he acquires is for the full cap amount. So now he sits in his tiny little corner that he`s painted himself into and watch the trade deadline just like we do. Which might not be a bad thing because it just might give the kids on the farm a chance to show what they can do. If they don`t make the playoffs so be it. Time to start looking for his replacement to which Shanahan probably has. My opinion Dumbas has made a mess of things and needs to be replaced until that`s done the moves he makes the better
Sure, let’s take a team with a hurt star defenceman, 2 defensive prospedts that aren’t established in the NHL yet in Sandin and Lilldegrand (sp?), a hurt Muzzin who sounds like he will be resigned and some other young defense just signed that haven’t come into their own yet. Paired with a crazy talented offensive corp that is all still really young other than JT. better blow it up and start over. I keep hearing about how they have mismanaged the cap and they keep staying under the cap…almost like they know what they are doing more than people who post on websites. Maybe it helps to have a cap guy like Brendan Prudhomme who helped write the cap rules, but hey they probably don’t know what they are doing.
Add a reliable back up goalie, TB, and you’ve made a good point.
The current group, however, need to play smarter and, more importantly, harder for this season not to go to waste.
@tb you can`t say that Dumbas hasn`t made a mess of things. He continues to overpay players the latest Holl 2 mill per. He forced Babcock to play plyers that were no good you remember Sparks and it was his decision to manage players playing time not Babcock how did those work out. Whether you like Muzzin or not he overpaid for him. The Kadri deal was not what you`d call great. Nobody`s suggesting blow it up OK maybe Ken but clearly Dumbas didn`t learn much from Lou. Yes Pridham helped with the cap rules but not how to get around them and they are over the cap right now which is tying their hands. How many more mistakes are you going to give Dumbas before you pull the plug on him. One thing I admire about Dubas is that he readily admits he`s screwed up
First of all it’s hard to take your point seriously when you use a juvenile nickname for the general manager, maybe it’s time to grow up. My kid is in grade 4 and wouldn’t do that. maybe it was funny once… But I think you said it about 15 times so far just today. I know I wouldn’t say he’s made a mess of things, last year the comments were all the same, they will never get under the cup, they can’t ice a team. Looks like they did it. prudhomme isn’t helping, he worked for the league and was on the team that made the rules. they aren’t worried about the salary cap right now because they have a bunch of players they can put a long term, they haven’t done that yet and they can do it retroactively if they need the space so what is the problem? he traded away the better back up goal tender, that was for a younger goaltender in the organization who had just taken the Marlise to a championship. It’s pretty easy to look back and say it was a mistake, at the time it looks like the right decision. Show me the team that hasn’t made a mistake like that. if/when they get a better back up goal tender and if their defensive prospects work out and they are in great shape. This team is really young which is something you seem to ignore. you didn’t like the Kadri trade but he wasn’t a good fit on his third line because he’s too good for that, they traded him for a defenceman that had been elite up until this year, and a good young centre for the third line. Plus the guy they traded away with suspended in the playoffs in back to back seasons which hurt the team, it was time for him to go. it is easy after the fact to point out mistakes, these guys are making these decisions in real time, and they are still building a team, it isn’t a veteran team that hasn’t lived up to expectations, they are a super young team that is going through growing pains. a few weeks ago they were playing the best in the league, now they’ve hit another rough spot, they are a good team who’s going to get better as their players mature. And your theory is that Kyle Dubas was making decisions on how to deploy the lines during game seven of last year? Sure.
@tb First his name is Pridham OK it`s hard to take you seriously when you can`t get your facts right. Second, when the Marlies won the AHL champ their payroll was almost as high as Ottawa`s, plus they had better facilities than half the NHL teams do. Please don`t tell me that he didn`t overpay the players he signed. Barrie elite hahahahaha I guess that`s why one of the smarter GM`s in the league had to throw in Kerfoot and eat half of Barrie`s salary just so Toronto would take him. Elite now that`s funny. If the prospects turn out if the weather warms up if I had wings I would fly your argument is full of ifs. If I pick the right numbers Ill win the lottery. Last they are using the LTIR right now everybody that`s injured is on it. They have absolutely no cap space and what little LTIR space they have they really can`t use because they don`t know when Reilly is coming back. How do you get the impression Muzzin will resign they don`t know how much he wants yet but don`t forget in 2 years they have Reilly and Andersen to resign. You really don`t seem to understand how it works. They are in cap-hell as they say with few options. At least Dubas admits that he has a problem
Bob, you do realize just because somebody is out injured it doesn’t mean their salary is reclaimed under the LTR rules? For example they have not reclaimed Morgan Riley‘s salary. i’m done arguing about this because you don’t have a basic understanding of how things work.
One thing he learned from Lou was that giving Patrick Marleau a third year was a mistake. Of course Lou moved on and left Dubas to deal with that.
If you think Dubas is a problem, that comes back to Brendan Shanahan. Should he go as well?
BCLeafFan, true that and it cost the Leafs a first to dump the salary.
You also can’t forget about Lou signing Kovalchuk to a 17 year, $102M contract in 2010 . Which the league nullified, so then he signed him to a 15 year $100M deal(would still be 5 years left on that if he hadn’t bolted). NJ still ended up with a $3M fine and lost a 1st rd PK. Which then got negotiated down and they got the 30th pick in the first RD.
Lou screws up too, just like the rest of us.
@BCLeafFan I agree with you Shanahan should take a lot of the heat for what`s happening. But he has a brand new 6 year contract to which he made sure he got it just before Babcock got fired. Timing is everything and Like Dubas got to fire Babcock for a second chance Shanahan will get a second chance when he fires Dubas
Dubas didn’t hire Babcock so I guess he is still on his first chance, so might get another one after Keefe.
Pittsburgh fans
to NJ: JJ & AG
to Pitts: PK
less term on PK than JJ and they have the cap space today to pull this off.
Send BJugstad packing in the off-season to create more cap space?
IHC
JJ out …. 😍👌👍
I think PK would improve substantially with Pens
NJ would likely have to retain 30 % to make it palatable
Worst case ; PK stagnates and continues at current pace; pay him his SB; then trade him in July
My name is Pengy; and I approve this trade (with 30 % retained)
How can anyone take Kyle seriously he walks around wearing scuba goggles looks like a nerd talks like nerd probably is a nerd. Not saying he is a bad guy probably a nice guy but running arguably the most analyzed hockey franchise is not for the weak. Hire someone who can negotiate with the big boys and is not afraid of making the tough decisions. Hey but as a Bruin fan it doesn’t hurt my feelings watching this team take one step forward and two steps back kinda like the Habs.
Lol
One step forward … two steps back. Isn’t that the cha-cha-cha?
There is some interest Bobs comments, in my opinion , LTIR, the Muzzin trade , keeping Sparks .
I am not saying to blow up the lineup, it needs more than a tweak to take them over the top
I just don’t think Dubais has the skill set to get it done .
Another thought , why did Mark Hunter walk ?
Of course , perhaps he wanted the GM job .
I think honestly , there was a conflict of interest with Dubais
Hunter wanted Marner during that draft , Dubais was in favour of some else, maybe Hanifin .
The Liljegren pick was not Hunters first choice either .
You have to wonder , what this team might of looked like , with Hunter at the steering wheel .
We can second guess , but Dubais has openly confessed , he has made mistakes .
Has he learned from it , is another question .
As per comments above , trading Debrusk is a mistake , good for Toronto , Debrusk is money player , and is really annoying to play against in the playoffs , as proven last year .
He shut Marner down and Marchand could concentrate on contributing !!
Imagine having an Yzerman or a Dubas
A little more NHL experience in the former…
I’m kinda excited to see how the season plays out.
Hopefully the Maple Leafs don’t get kicked out of the league for having a young nerd G.M.
Hahahaha
While I think Hunter might have been a great G.M.
I’m not sure how anyone can be so sure , he never has been at the NHL level.
So that is just speculation
Don’t worry Vinnie Leafs will remain in NHL they have been put on this earth to antagonize their fans and keep liquor sales flowing. One of my best friends is a Leaf fan and he believes they are cursed for trading Wendel Clark a true Leaf hero for Matt’s Sundin.
The curse was long before Wendell Clarke, but I was disappointed with that one as well.
Keon , Sittler, Macdonald
Wrong Clark, Vinnie.
The guy you named lives near Battle Harbor.
Nice old feller, all the same.
I shouldn’t have bought the “e”