Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – January 26, 2020
The latest on Shayne Gostisbehere, Chris Kreider, Tyler Toffoli, and more in the Sunday NHL rumor roundup.
COULD THE FLYERS SHOP GOSTISBEHERE FOR A FORWARD?
PHILLY.COM: Sam Carchidi suggests the Philadelphia Flyers might have to trade Shayne Gostisbehere and/ or a draft pick to land another offensive piece. Flyers coach Alain Vigneault seems to have found the right defensive pairings. Carchidi observes the Flyers have gone 5-2 since Gostisbehere was sidelined by arthroscopic knee surgery. He’s due to return to the lineup by Jan. 31, and Carchidi thinks his name will be tossed around before the Feb. 24 trade deadline.
Will the Philadelphia Flyers try to shop defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere for a scoring forward? (Photo via NHL Images)
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gostisbehere is struggling this season under Vigneault. He’s come up several times throughout this season in the rumor mill. “Ghost Bear was linked last November to the Montreal Canadiens, but that’s died out since they acquired Marco Scandella earlier this month. Gostisbehere lacks no-trade protection and has three years left on his contract with an annual average value of $4.5 million. Given his offensive skills, the 26-year-old rearguard could attract some interest leading up to deadline day, but interested clubs could ask for the Flyers to pick up part of his annual salary.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM GARRIOCH’S LATEST “INSIDER TRADING”.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the word is the New York Rangers are playing both sides of the fence with Chris Kreider and aren’t sure which way they’ll go with the pending free-agent winger. There haven’t been any contract talks between the two sides, but that could be because management hasn’t made a final decision. The Boston Bruins could pursue Kreider if he hits the trade block.
The Bruins, Calgary Flames, Arizona Coyotes, and St. Louis Blues could try to add scoring before the trade deadline. Garrioch suggests Los Angeles Kings winger Tyler Toffoli could be one option. Like Kreider, he’s due to become a UFA this summer.
San Jose’s Brenden Dillon could be an option for clubs seeking a blueliner. Sharks GM Doug Wilson is determined to make deals for draft picks.
New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald is looking to move pending UFAs Andy Greene, Sami Vatanen, and Wayne Simmonds. Winger Kyle Palmieri’s name is also out there in the rumor mill. He’s got an eight-team no-trade list.
League executives claim the Anaheim Ducks are engaging in a full rebuild and are open to just about any possibility at the trade deadline. That includes exchanging bad contracts for prospects and picks. GM Bob Murray won’t trade just anybody, but he’s open on several fronts.
The Florida Panthers are in the market for a defenseman and a backup goalie. Speculation suggests he has some interest in Ottawa Senators blueliner Dylan DeMelo.
At least 15 teams could be interested in Jean-Gabriel Pageau if the Ottawa Senators put the center on the trade block.
The New York Islanders and Winnipeg Jets are in the market for a defenseman.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Not much here that hasn’t already been reported elsewhere in recent weeks. If Ducks GM Bob Murray is open to trade suggestions, I don’t see him shopping long-time center Ryan Getzlaf unless he wants out. Getzlaf has a full no-movement clause. The modified no-trade clauses of forwards Adam Henrique and Jakob Silfverberg could complicate attempts to move them. I don’t see Murray shopping Rickard Rakell, but maybe he’ll listen to offers for oft-injured Ondrej Kase. Defenseman Josh Manson has also come up in recent trade chatter and could be their best trade chip, but he also has a modified NTC.
I anticipate Panthers GM Dale Tallon will be busy leading up to the trade deadline. He’ll try to bolster his club’s chances of nailing down an Eastern Conference playoff berth.
GOLDEN KNIGHTS STILL NEED A DEFENSEMAN
THE ATHLETIC: Jesse Granger recently suggested the Vegas Golden Knights require a puck-moving defenseman who can clear the zone and improve their transition game. Options could include a blueliner signed beyond this season like Montreal’s Jeff Petry, a pending restricted free agent like the Rangers’ Tony DeAngelo, or a rental option like Chicago’s Erik Gustafsson or New Jersey’s Sami Vatanen.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens aren’t under pressure to move Petry. Ditto the Rangers with DeAngelo. It could take a substantial offer to land either guy. Gustafsson or Vatanen would be more affordable options.
So ghost to Vegas for…?
Not much……..flyers should have moved him at the start of the season, they’re selling low if they move him now
Does anyone remember last summer when the rumors had Drouin for Ghost or a first and a big prospect for Ghost and EVERYONE said that teams needed to trade the farm for him? WOW the Flyers and their fans would probably love to have Drouin or a first for him now…As a fan of the Flyers, Drouin would look pretty special here now…
Drouin hasn’t looked special even in Montreal for the past 31 games with his wrist injury. Before that, he was OK with two high-water marks of 53 points – one in TB and the other in Montreal – as he tries to figure out if he;s a C or a winger.
Meanwhile, $5.5 mil for the next several years is a tad high for 53 points
George drouin was playing very well before the injury just under a point per game
Yeah, I realize that bigbadbruins … not knocking the guy per se – just that a lot of players pile up early season points in October-November hockey which is a much different game than at this time of year and is akin to hitting streaks in April-May baseball – before they start seeing a steady diet of curveballs.
I’d like to see what does in the heat of a playoff race and then in the playoffs themselves.
He did have a good playoff run in Tampa in 2015-16 after playing just 21 regular season games but then they didn’t blink when the opportunity arose to deal him for the Russian kid. Who would the Habs rather have now?
Sergachev is a bust in his own zone, he cost 2 of the bolts 4 losses and was benched in the playoffs last year and is a 3rd pairing dman
Well, yeah … but but … he hasn’t played his 400 NHL games yet!!
Seriously, though, the kid is just 21 and has been an annual + on their D for 3 seasons
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/lightning/2020/01/03/how-mikhail-sergachev-became-most-improved-lightning-player/
For Cody Eakin?
Why Vegas? Gostisbehere for Kapanen. It’s obvious.
Yikes he`s worse than Barrie in his own end and that`s really bad
Alex Tuch makes the most sense
Good thing Vegas resigned all their “stars” to massive long term contracts.
think alex such is playing 3rd line there if i am not mistaken due to the forward depth.
boston has some defenseman.
would vegas and boston make a trade? such is a RW
moore & heinen for tuch ?
I’ve maintained here that I think Rangers keep Kreider. Although I think it’s a long shot they make playoffs, I don’t see them doing what they’ve done in past with him. There’s still a month till deadline. I don’t doubt they’ll listen to offers on him, as well as others. I just don’t see them taking a step backwards and trading a top 6 forward for “futures”. I don’t think he’s looking to break bank and I think he genuinely wants to stay. And for those that think his age is a problem, he just finished a split second behind McDavid ( and ahead of Makinnon) in fastest skater contest at all star game. Do you really think he turns into Lucic in 5 years? And who’s replacing him?
I think the decision has been made due to the fact there is no ‘C’ on Kreider’s sweater…. He should have it already
ds. The opposite can be true as well. Waiting to see what happens.
How’s Adam Fox look to you Ranger fans, now that we’re halfway through the season?
I personally think he has the potential to be a top pairing rearguard once he puts in some time.
I was pumping his tires pretty hard even when he was a Flame prospect.
like what i see. durable thus far in fairly sheltered minutes. once he builds up some more strength…i’d like to see him against some top line guys.
big fan of his thus far. VERY VERY VERY patient and methodical with that puck. calming to the team to know you can clear your zone. calming to fans too lol.
Fox is the real deal. Very cerebral player who is smart with the puck and has a million little moves to make space for himself.
His upside is PP QB with perhaps 1st pairing capabilities, although his size may factor into him settling into a solid 2nd pairing guy with 1st PP duties.
Nothing wrong with that and a fabulous acquisition by Gorton
Gorton is building something special.
He has a great eye for talent.
Kreider has a better chance turning into Lucic in 3 years than turning into McDavid. Bruins stay away look what happened with Backes youth is the way to go develop from within.
tbh i do not see that comparison. Kreider can actually skate, actually drives to the net, can and does stay in front of the net and can tip pucks. Oh and he has a shot too when he chooses to use it. So I do not see the Lucic comparisons.
Certainly no McD but I think what you see now is what you get for the next several years. little to no wear and tear on him since he really isn’t a guy who throws his body around carelessly.
Good value for a win now team. Question is what would someone offer up that is fair market value.
Still think Kreider’s value goes up mainly due to teams in same division keeping him from each other
And that’s the issue too. Boston seems like a logical landing spot based on chances of extending him helping get best return. But, losing Kreider for futures makes chances you ever get out of Eastern conference very slim in next few years. Would Boston give up a player like DeBrusk as part of return?
Bruins do not want to lose a roster forward(of course)
I’d love to get Jack Studnicka+ a 2nd. The possible 30th pick….rather have their young center
And if the Bruins win the Cup this year it was worth every penny and prospect
@DS
who is Jack Studnicka?
@ihate
53 rd pick in 2017. We need more centers in the system. But he might be the Bruins best forward prospect…. a 1st+ Jack wont happen.
The Lias and Howden disappointments leave us thin donwn the middle
@ds Just ready Cassidy is a big fan of his.
perhaps send Lias to take Jack back along with 2nd and something for Kreider
IF that is why BOS wants to lean towards.
as far as Howden…needs strength. bulk up a bit to handle the rigors a bit more. he kind of gets tossed around.
No way yer getting Stud and a pick, for 35 games of Kreider.
You can have John Moore and be happy we’re even dealing, after the Nash fleecing.
@Shoreorrpark
I take Stud+ a 2nd and give you Lias. And add another 2nd if Kreider resigns
We still don’t want Lias.
Send Kreider and the sulky Swede.
We’ll send Moore, Blidh, Backes and this years 1st, and a conditional 2nd.
LOL @ “NASH FLEECING”
“No way yer getting Stud and a pick, for 35 games of Kreider.”
Equally no way is NY taking John Moore back for round 2, and NO way in hell are they taking Backes in return. What would the point of that be?
Not sign Kreider for 6-7 per to take on the Backes contract?
NYR4life.
You’ve been around long enough to know better.
Seriously?
Speculating on what team will go after whoever has to be looked at in light of cap reality and for those at the bottom of this list of 24 teams still realistically in the hunt for a playoff spot – especially those that have already relinquished high draft pick – any trades become a balancing act of money in – money out which, of course, severely reduces their chances of keeping up with the Joneses at the top of the list when dealing with sellers who aren’t interested in bringing salary back – all taken from CapFriendly, the first number shows Current Cap Space (factoring in existing injury savings – the bottom 9 teams include LTIRs) and the second shows Projected Cap Space
Columbus $18,041,368 $6,789,762
Colorado $18,038,814 $6,788,801
Islanders $15,665,287 $5,898,538
Winnipeg $13,852.379 $5,213,261
Montreal $10,821,321 $4,072.540
Rangers $ 9,368,961 $3,525,953
Lightning $ 7,607,695 $2,863,111
Nashville $ 7,459,102 $2,807,189
Minnesota $ 7,066,677 $2,659,502
Calgary $ 4,790,833 $1,958,584
Penguins $ 5,059,229 $1,904.011
Edmonton $ 3,343,400 $1,258,269
Carolina $ 3,177,510 $1,195,837
Vegas GK $ 1,930,741 $ 726,723
Capitals $ 1,758,492 $ 661,798
Boston $ 4,619,167 $ 566,824
Florida $ 2,373,333 $ 380,926
Philadelphia $ 2,819,034 $ 144,723
Vancouver $ 2,800,000 $ 30,474
St. Louis $ 5,870,000 $ 20,326
Dallas $ 4,750,000 $ 815
Toronto $ 7,597,850 $ 0
Arizona $ 2,875,042 $ 0
Buffalo $ 3,832,500 $ 0
Forgot Chicago in the above list – they factor in between Philadelphia and Vancouver as follows, with the first figure including LTIRs
Chicago $13,793,333 $ 150,709
At this point that leaves these 6 sellers, all of whom are – or soon will be once they wake up – in a re-building process and so are likely more interested in good prospects and/or draft picks coming back (Detroit’s first figure factors in LTIRs)
New Jersey $17,840,203 $6,714,055
Ottawa $15,513,946 $5,895,538
L.A. Kings $15,218,826 $5,727,515
Anaheim $ 8,921,445 $3,757,333
Detroit $12,946,253 $1,986,842
San Jose $ 4,662,106 $1,754,556
hey George
though NJ is selling certain assets, could they not also help these cap strap teams grab some assets back also?
PK was a miss but perhaps other ways to utilize the cap space while Hughes & Heischer grow
Curious if they hire the GM for the deadline or the owner is heavily involved.
Think Hextal would make a good AGM as he helped draft a good amount of Philly’s youth.
Not sure what you mean by that ihatecrosby. Maybe an example of what you mean.
In the meantime, I think by now it has to have sunk in on all those 6 teams above at least – and on most of those in the other list that have painted themselves into corners on the cap – that throwing money and term away on players above a certain age is a fool’s errand in search of cup glory. For the most part it has backfired as those players tend to fall into the natural tendency to coast.
An almost unprecedented number of firings (GMs and coaches) – with possibly more to come – suggests that some among upper management have finally seen the light.
I can’t see NJ – or anyone else in that list “helping” out any cap-strapped teams after seeing both their coach and then their GM given the heave-ho. Their upper management has clearly decided on a new philosophy going forward.
Good point as it did seem the owners have pushed the WIN NOW mode by canning Shero rather than the retool on the fly mode that was being done by Shero.
For all you Leaf fans out there, Kreider has a no trade clause to ALL Canadian teams…
The chauvinist!!! 🙂
Don’t need him. Need D!
NY has a Staal & Smith if interested lol
Don`t want him we have enough 4th liners
I’m surprised no one mentions Skjei’s name in trade conversations.
Why would his name come up? They recently signed him to a nice $5,350,000 deal that has 4 more years to run after this – he’s just 25 y/o and a hulk at 6’3″ 210 lbs and is having a pretty decent season.
Kreider & Lemieux to the Bruins what would go back to the Rangers
I became a nascar fan because of the Intimidator a Lakers fan because of Kobe and a Bruin fan because of Orr. Life is short folks RIP Mamba will miss you
Hearing there’s more to this tragedy hope it’s not true
Yes now they are saying his 13 year old daughter was with him so sad. Pray for their family.
I live in Los Angeles there is so much heaviness….Kobe was, is and always will be LA. He and magic Johnson.
It’s heart breaking…. the city is crushed
Nyr4life…..I told you a while back i didn’t think Kreider was a good fit for the Penguins…what i meant was financially and what it might take to get him.
Damn he was impressive in the all star festivities…he was the second or third fastest skater..i was blown away by that. Always knew he was super talented, skilled, premium power forward but he has more speed than i though…
.Maybe it was just the free one time around the rink but man he looked good….
My apologies brother he could fit Pittsburgh’s speed game and why are the Rangers not trying to resign him? he is what 28??