Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – April 7, 2024

by | Apr 7, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – April 7, 2024

A look at the Leafs’ potential plans for John Tavares and the latest on the Red Wings and Blackhawks in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

WHAT WILL THE LEAFS DO WITH JOHN TAVARES?

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Duhatschek examined what the offseason could hold for Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares. The 33-year-old center has a year remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $11 million and a full no-movement clause.

Duhatschek suggests the Leafs attempt to extend Tavares on the cheap. His production is no longer at the level expected of a player with his annual cap hit. He also doesn’t see Tavares waiving his no-movement clause because he wants to help his hometown team win the Stanley Cup.

A buyout this summer isn’t an option. It would be messy and expensive plus he’s still a contributing team player. Doing nothing and letting him walk next summer is an option if he won’t sign an extension.

Toronto Maple Leafs captains John Tavares (NHL Images).

Duhatschek noted that Tavares has made over $120 million in career earnings. He wondered if Tavares might sign a bargain contract to play out his career in Toronto. He pointed out that Jason Spezza, Joe Thornton and Mark Giordano did the same thing.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most of the attention in Leafs Nation this summer will be on Mitch Marner’s contract situation. Like Tavares, he’s a year away from UFA eligibility. However, he’s in his playing prime and could seek as much as much as Auston Matthews’ AAV ($13.25 million) to stay in Toronto.

Tavares’ production noticeably declined this season from the point-per-game pace he’s been on for most of his career. With 59 points in 74 games, however, he’s still a productive member of the Leafs. He knows he won’t get anything close to his current AAV on his next contract. How much of a pay cut he’s willing to accept will decide if his future with his hometown club extends beyond next season.

COULD THE RED WINGS SHOP FOR A GOALTENDER THIS SUMMER?

THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman looked at what the Detroit Red Wings might do with their goaltending during the offseason. They have Ville Husso and Alex Lyon under contract for next season.

Lyon has a .906 save percentage in 40 games. Husso has been sidelined most of this season and has a .892 SP in 19 games when healthy.

The Wings could return with that tandem again next season and attempt to upgrade the defense in front of them. Another option could be pursuing an upgrade between the pipes like Calgary’s Jacob Markstrom or Boston’s Linus Ullmark. They might have to move Husso’s $4.75 million cap hit to make it work.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Provided Markstrom or Ullmark agree to a trade to Detroit, they could be too expensive for Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman. This summer’s free-agent market is a thin one for goaltenders. Yzerman might find it easier to improve the defense corps to lessen the workload on Husso and Lyon.

LATEST ON THE BLACKHAWKS

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Vinnie Parise wondered if the Blackhawks might change their rebuilding plans if they win the draft lottery again this year.

This year’s top pick is Boston University center Macklin Celebrini. Bringing him in to join Connor Bedard could give the Blackhawks two bright young stars to build around.

Parise and colleague Nate Brown examined how that might affect the Blackhawks’ rebuild. They suggest speeding up the rebuild to surround Celebrini and Bedard with quality players.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sitting second-last in the overall standings, the Blackhawks have the second-best odds of winning this season’s draft lottery.

Blackhawks management could already have a plan to bring in some experienced talent to help Bedard this offseason. That could become a bigger priority if they win the lottery again and land Celebrini.

Winning the lottery could also allow them to use that first-overall pick as a trade chip. They already struck paydirt last year with a generational talent like Bedard. Trading this year’s first-overall could fetch them a return of young players who improve the Blackhawks’ roster depth and speed up the rebuild.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 6, 2024

by | Apr 6, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – April 6, 2024

The latest on the Senators and Kraken in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

UPDATE ON THE SENATORS

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch doubted the Senators’ recent five-game win streak will give general manager Steve Staios pause from making the necessary offseason changes for his club to take the next step toward playoff contention.

Garrioch believes the Senators’ top priorities are finding the right head coach and addressing their goaltending. Buying out the final four seasons of starter Joonas Korpisalo’s contract “seems far-fetched at best.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Agreed, and it’s also unlikely they’ll be able to trade Korpisalo’s contract. They’ll keep him and have him work on improving his game in the offseason.

It’s expected the Senators will attempt to trade backup Anton Forberg, who has a year left on his deal.

Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Forsberg’s struggles and his $2.75 million cap hit next season means Staios might have to package him with a sweetener like a draft pick or retain part of his cap hit to find a suitor.

A decision must be made regarding defenseman Jakob Chychrun, who becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of next season. The Senators also need better depth on their third and fourth forward line.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chychrun wants to stay partly because of his family ties to Ottawa. However, I can see Staios shopping him for a top-four right-shot defenseman.

THE ATHLETIC: Ian Mendes is interested in what Shane Pinto receives on his next contract. The 23-year-old center signed a one-year, $775K deal shortly before returning from his 41-game suspension for violating the NHL’s sports wagering rules.

Since Pinto’s return, he’s scored eight goals and 25 points in 34 games, putting him on a prorated pace of 20 goals and 68 points. He’ll be a restricted free agent without arbitration rights as he needed one more season to become arbitration-eligible. Mendes suspects a bridge deal could be the outcome.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A two-year deal worth around $5 million annually should get it done. What say you, Senators fans? Let me know in the comments section.

COULD THE KRAKEN MAKE A COACHING CHANGE?

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Geoff Baker believes some big offseason decisions are coming for the Kraken. After reaching the playoffs last season in just their second year of existence, they’ve been eliminated from contention this season.

Baker believes there will be an evaluation of head coach Dave Hakstol’s performance. If they intend to keep him beyond this month, they must retain him through next season and more or risk wasting time they don’t have. He believes the Kraken must convince their fans that they’re heading in a positive direction.

The Kraken could make one or two key additions this summer that won’t be cheap. Before making that commitment, they must ensure they have the right man behind the bench. They must also figure out why their offense bottomed out this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will be interesting to see how Kraken GM Ron Francis handles this situation.

Baker wondered if the scoring drought was due to Hakstol’s system or other factors. He pointed out that they let their high-scoring fourth-liners depart last summer via free agency to make room for incoming youth. They may have also put too much faith in Andre Burakovsky and Matty Beniers scoring at a 25-goal pace.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 5, 2024

by | Apr 5, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – April 5, 2024

Is Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry playing his way out of Pittsburgh? Should the Canadiens try to contact big-name free agents this summer? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SHOULD THE PENGUINS MOVE ON FROM TRISTAN JARRY?

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: A reader asked Paul Zeise what he felt the future held for Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry. “He does just enough each year to make you believe he’s finally going to be a solid NHL goaltender, only to revert back to form by season’s end.”

Zeise believes Jarry’s situation will be interesting to watch unfold. He thinks there’s a difference in the 28-year-old netminder’s value at the trade deadline and his value now because he hasn’t played well lately.

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (NHL Images).

Jarry’s contract will be an issue as he’s “locked up for a decent amount of money over the next several years.” If the Penguins trade him, they won’t get a good return. If they keep him, they’ll be on the hook for a goalie who hasn’t played up to his contract.

Alex Nedeljkovic has outplayed Jarry in recent weeks. However, he can become an unrestricted free agent this summer and may have played his way out of town.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Last summer was the time to move on from Jarry when he was UFA-eligible. Incoming Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas signed him to a five-year extension with an average annual value of $5.375 million.

Jarry made Dubas look good earlier this season, stealing his fair share of games for the inconsistent Penguins. In his first 40 games, he had a record of 17-18-4 with a .912 save percentage and six shutouts. There were a few stinkers in there but he still played well for the most part. In his last 10 games, however, he has a 2-6-1 record with a save percentage of .870.

I don’t see the Penguins finding any takers for Jarry when this summer’s trade market could feature such notable goalies as Boston’s Linus Ullmark, Calgary’s Jacob Markstrom and Nashville’s Juuse Saros.

SHOULD THE CANADIENS LOOK INTO SIGNING A BIG-NAME FREE AGENT?

TVA SPORTS: Tony Marinaro believes the Montreal Canadiens must look into the availability of this summer’s notable unrestricted free agents.

He thinks the Canadiens are interested in speaking with all the free agents to find out what they think of Montreal and to sell them on their rebuilding project.

Marinaro doesn’t think older UFA stars like the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Steven Stamkos and the Vegas Golden Knights’ Jonathan Marchessault would fit well with a Canadiens team transitioning towards young players. He also believes they would be too expensive, with Stamkos likely to command $10 million annually on a four or five-year contract and Marchessault getting between $35 million and $40 million on a five-year contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s believed that the Canadiens will search for a scoring forward this summer. However, they’re not pursuing older stars like Stamkos and Marchessault. I don’t see either player spending their final NHL seasons with a rebuilding team.

The best younger UFA options are Florida’s Sam Reinhart (28) and Carolina’s Jake Guentzel (29). Reinhart could re-sign with the Panthers while Guentzel could prefer signing with a contender. They’re also going to be too expensive for the Canadiens.

Canadiens GM Kent Hughes could look to free agency for one or two affordable depth additions. He’ll likely turn to the trade market for a scorer, preferably a forward in their mid-twenties who would fit in well with the Habs’ youth movement.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 4, 2024

by | Apr 4, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – April 4, 2024

The latest on Sam Reinhart and some suggested offseason trade targets for the Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

REINHART UNCONCERNS AS FREE AGENCY LOOMS

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports Sam Reinhart isn’t concerned about his lack of a contract extension with the Florida Panthers. 

The 28-year-old winger is completing a three-year deal with an average annual value of $6.5 million. He’s enjoyed a career season in his contract year with 52 goals and a team-leading 87 points. 

Reinhart said the lack of a new contract isn’t an issue. He claimed he has a positive relationship with the club and general manager Bill Zito. Reinhart insisted he’s “very comfortable” with the ongoing situation as he’s focused on the end of this season and the upcoming playoffs. 

“I’ve got all the confidence it’s going to work out,” said Reinhart. “I’m very comfortable with where it is.” 

Florida Panthers winger Sam Reinhart (NHL Images).

Zito told LeBrun that he believes the two sides will get a deal done and praised Reinhart’s performance this season. “Sometimes the contracts take time. That’s not necessarily a bad thing”, he said. “I believe we will find the right contract for Sam and the Panthers.” 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Reinhart will be the top player in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent class. He will draw plenty of interest if he hits the open market on July 1. 

Reinhart and Zito seem keen to get a contract extension done. The more he scores the more expensive he’ll be to re-sign. Still, he’s in a good situation with the Panthers, a club that has gained respectability by becoming one of the top 10 teams in the league. 

The Panthers have a projected cap space of over $20 million for 2024-25 with 13 active roster players under contract. They must also re-sign restricted free agent Anton Lundell while key defenseman Brandon Montour is UFA-eligible on July 1. 

It’ll be interesting to see how this situation shakes out. There was speculation earlier this season of Reinhart getting $8.5 million per season on his next contract. His 52-goal season raises his asking price. He’ll get over $10 million annually on the free-agent market. With Florida lacking a state tax, he might accept just under $9.5 million per season to stay with the Panthers. 

SUGGESTED TRADE TARGETS FOR THE CANADIENS

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marco D’Amico proposed three trade options for the Canadiens in their offseason pursuit of a young scoring forward. He noted they have “an overabundance of defensemen, some cap space and a haul of draft picks over the next two drafts” to draw on for trade bait. 

Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras tops D’Amico’s list, believing the 23-year-old winger could be traded this summer. Following a difficult third season with the Ducks, a change in scenery might be in order for Zegras. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: D’Amico observed that the Canadiens have been confirmed to be monitoring Zegras. He also noted that Ducks GM Pat Verbeek has refused to entertain a trade. Nevertheless, he believes that the winger could be in play this summer. 

Verbeek could listen to offers for Zegras this summer but he’ll be an expensive acquisition. The Ducks GM could insist on the Canadiens’ 2024 first-rounder and top prospect Lane Hutson being part of the deal. 

Zegras is signed for two more seasons. The Ducks aren’t facing any pressure to trade him. Verbeek can set a high asking price and wait to see if someone will meet it. He won’t have any problem with a healthy and motivated Zegras as part of his roster for next season. 

Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas could become available this summer. The Hurricanes have several key players eligible for UFA and RFA status this summer with Necas in the latter category. They’re unlikely to sign them all. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Necas could become a trade candidate if the Hurricanes attempt to retain pending UFAs like Jake Guentzel, Brady Skjei and Brett Pesce. He won’t be as expensive to acquire as Zegras but it could cost the Habs a first-rounder or one of their promising defense prospects as part of the return. 

Necas is also close to UFA eligibility. The Canadiens will want to ensure they can sign him to an extension before making this deal. 

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson is the least proven on D’Amico’s list but has plenty of potential. The Jackets already have a plethora of young talent coming in and another top-five pick likely this season. 

D’Amico noted that an argument could be made to pursue Patrik Laine given his poor 2023-24 season. However, his $8.7 million cap hit and the baggage that has followed him would make him an expensive risk. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Johnson had a 40-point rookie season in 2022-23 but struggled with consistency before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in February. He could rebound well playing for Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis. However, Johnson seems the least likely target for the Habs. GM Kent Hughes will likely prefer an established scorer in their mid-twenties.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 3, 2024

by | Apr 3, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – April 3, 2024

Should the Maple Leafs trade or re-sign Mitch Marner: Will Brock Faber get a big pay raise from the Wild? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WILL THE LEAFS TRADE OR RE-SIGN MARNER?

NHL.COM: A reader asked Dan Rosen if the Toronto Maple Leafs should part ways with Mitch Marner if they fail to reach the Eastern Conference Final this year.

The 26-year-old winger has a year left on his contract. Teammates Auston Matthews and William Nylander have already signed long-term extensions with the Leafs.

Rosen believes the Leafs must re-sign Marner because he’s too valuable. Along with his point production, he plays big minutes, handles tough matchups, and plays on the power play and the penalty kill. “He’s a Selke Trophy player,” wrote Rosen.

The Leafs won’t win a Marner trade unless they get back an elite No. 1 defenseman in his prime of the same age.

Rosen points out the salary cap will likely be north of $90 million when Marner’s new contract begins in 2025-26. By that point, John Tavares’ contract comes off their books. He believes the Leafs should sign Marner to a long-term contract extension before next season and project their cap out from there, assuming that Marner, Matthews and Nylander could account for $38 million of their payroll for ’25-’26.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of his current contract. Rosen is projecting that the annual average value of Marner’s next deal will be the same as Matthews’ $13.25 million. He might get a tad less than that but it will be a raise over his current $10.9 million.

I’ll be surprised if the Leafs don’t re-sign Marner this summer. They’ll want to avoid his contract status becoming an unnecessary distraction next season. As Rosen observed, he’s their “do-everything” forward. His overall contributions at times go unappreciated by some denizens of Leafs Nation.

The only question is how long that deal might be. He could take a page from Matthews’ book and ink a four-year deal that gives him another shot at free agency in his early 30s when he’ll still be in his playing prime.

What do you think, Leafs fans? Is Marner too valuable to trade away? Is he worth as much as Matthews? Let us know in the comments below.

BROCK FABER COULD GET A BIG RAISE FROM THE WILD

THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Shayna Goldman believe Brock Faber could get the richest contract extension in Minnesota Wild history.

The 21-year-old defenseman is in the second year of his three-year entry-level contract. His performance this season could earn him the Calder Memorial Trophy as this season’s top NHL rookie.

Some observers compare Faber to Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy, who has an eight-year deal worth an average annual value of $9.5 million. The Dallas Stars’ Miro Heiskanen is earning $8.45 million annually for eight years.

A contract for Faber exceeding $9 million annually might make some wild fans nervous but the NHL is trending toward bigger second contracts for rising young talent.

Russo and Goldman point to the Wild signing Matt Boldy to a seven-year, $49 million deal. They also noted that inking Faber to a bridge deal could mean a more expensive third contract.

When Faber’s next contract kicks in the salary cap could reach $92 million. By then, the Wild’s $14.7 million in dead cap space from buying out Zach Parise and Ryan Suter will drop to just $1.66 million annually to 2029.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Faber has done a remarkable job filling the role of No.1 defenseman for the Wild during his rookie season. He’s earned a significant raise, especially if he wins the Calder Trophy.

Faber will be a restricted free agent next summer and lacks arbitration rights. Wild general manager Bill Guerin doesn’t have to sign him this summer. He can see how the young blueliner performs during his sophomore campaign before getting down to serious discussions.

Guerin could be reluctant to invest in a big raise for Faber only to risk seeing him struggle to meet expectations. On the other hand, the cost of re-signing Faber will rise if the young blueliner exceeds this season’s performance.

I think Guerin will sign Faber this summer to an eight-year extension worth $9.5 million annually.

Too much? Not enough? Should Guerin sign Faber this summer or wait until next year? Let me know what you think in the comment section.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 2, 2024

by | Apr 2, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – April 2, 2024

The latest speculation on the Ducks’ Trevor Zegras plus a look at the Sharks’ rebuild in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ZEGRAS SPECULATION

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks doesn’t know what’s gone wrong in Anaheim for Trevor Zegras. He observed that the 23-year-old Ducks forward always seems frustrated or agitated, pointing out he destroyed the penalty box camera in Seattle last Thursday following a questionable call.

Brooks believes Zegras is “a young man who is clearly in need of a new beginning.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zegras is most likely frustrated by being limited to eight points in 24 games after missing most of this season to injuries. His contract negotiations with Ducks management kept him out of training camp and preseason play.

Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras (NHL Images).

Zegras exceeded 60 points in each of his last two seasons. However, there was some disappointment in his performance last season as the Ducks wanted to see improvement in his all-around game. That can be considered growing pains as part of his development rather than a flaw that cannot be corrected.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Nate Brown noted the TNT Hockey panel recently discussing whether Zegras has a future in Anaheim.

Anson Carter noted some question marks as the Ducks have “an embarrassment of riches down the middle”, pointing to Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier (who primarily plays left wing) and Mason McTavish. He wondered if they have room for Zegras as they attempt to bolster their defensive depth.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s John Buccigross remains bullish on the Ducks forward. He believes Zegra has a “Pavel Datsyuk ceiling.”

Brown wondered if the rebuilding Blackhawks should look into Zegras’ availability. Despite his struggles this season, the Ducks would still set a high asking price based on his potential. Brown suggests it might be best to wait a year to see what a deal would take if questions still linger about his future in Anaheim.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Following the trade deadline, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said he wasn’t shopping Zegras nor did any club call about him. Nevertheless, teams could still make inquiries during the offseason, especially if Verbeek starts shopping around for more immediate help for his roster.

NO BIG MOVES THIS SUMMER FOR THE SHARKS?

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli believes the San Jose Sharks seem to have a cohesive rebuilding plan after paring down some of the big contracts from their books. However, a lack of salary-retention spots for next season makes it unlikely that they’ll ship out more high-salaried players.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Each NHL team has three salary-retention slots enabling them to absorb part of a player’s salary cap hit to facilitate a trade. The Sharks used theirs to move Brent Burns to Carolina in 2022, Erik Karlsson to Pittsburgh last summer and Tomas Hertl to Vegas at last month’s trade deadline.

The Sharks must wait until the end of next season to regain a salary retention spot. That’s when Burns’ contract expires. They’ll have to wait for Karlsson to come off the books in 2027 for their next one.

They can’t retain salary if they attempt to move another high-salaried player such as Logan Couture of Marc-Edouard Vlasic. That’s assuming either player is willing to expand their no-trade clauses. They each have three-team trade lists.

If Couture or Vlasic accept a trade, the Sharks must take back a bad contract or include sweeteners like draft picks and prospects. Neither scenario will happen given management’s desire to shed salary and replenish their prospect pool.