The latest on Coyotes, Devils, Maple Leafs. Rangers, Stars and Rangers, plus updates on Cody Franson, Ryan O’Reilly, Annti Niemi and more.
Collection of speculation from the Ottawa Sun.
Could the Ducks or Canadiens pursue Tyler Myers?
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Arizona Coyotes are open for business but expect prices for their trade bait to be expensive. The Ottawa Senators had interest in Antoine Vermette but the asking price may have been top prospect Curtis Lazar or another high-end prospect. The Coyotes also want two pieces and a pick for defenseman Keith Yandle, though GM Don Maloney hasn’t indicated how big he wants those pieces to be…There’s speculation New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamoriello’s power and influence may be waning in the wake of Martin Brodeur’s retirement but that won’t stop him from shopping pending UFAs like Jaromir Jagr, Michael Ryder and Peter Harrold…Several teams (including the Dallas Stars) are rumored to have contacted the New York Islanders about defenseman Johnny Boychuk but he’s not going anywhere…NHL scouts are “starting to circle with interest in forwards Phil Kessel, Joffrey Lupul, Mike Santorelli, Leo Komarov along with defencemen Dion Phaneuf, Cody Franson and Korbinian Holzer.” Kessel and Phaneuf could be moved in the offseason. Forget about trading David Clarkson, as his contract is almost trade proof, as well as impossible to buy out…The asking price for Colorado Avalanche forward Ryan O’Reilly is rumored to be “two blue-chip prospects along with a top young player and a No. 1 pick.”… Garrioch believes the Anaheim Ducks have the assets to make a big push to acquire defenseman Tyler Myers from the Buffalo Sabres…There’s “whispers” the Montreal Canadiens could also have interest in Myers, as well as Washington’s Mike Green…There could be interest in recently-waived Florida Panthers defenseman Dylan Olsen if Panthers GM Dale Tallon is willing to take back an assets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It remains to be seen what the Coyotes get for guys like Vermette or Yandle, but there’s no question Maloney will try to stir up a bidding war near the trade deadline…It’s laughable to assume the Islanders might part with Boychuk, one of the key pieces of their defense corps…Yes, lots of interest in the Leafs, who will probably start shedding some salary near the March trade deadline. I agree if Kessel and Phaneuf are to be dealt it’ll happen in the offseason. The Leafs are stuck with Clarkson, whose ridiculous contract could be GM Dave Nonis’ legacy with the Leafs… The Avs aren’t getting that big return for O’Reilly. I can see them getting a top-two defenseman, like Arizona’s Keith Yandle, straight up for him…Sabres GM Tim Murray said he’s not shopping Myers and it’ll take a big offer for him to change his mind. Giving up one or two good young players, one or two top prospects plus a first round pick? I’ll be very surprised if the Ducks agree to that…Same goes for the Habs, and I don’t see the Capitals moving Green now. If they do, it won’t be to a conference rival like Montreal.
Coaching rumors and latest on Niemi and Winnik.
TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons speculates over former Leafs coach Randy Carlyle or former Penguins bench boss Dan Bylsma replacing Mike Yeo in Minnesota…Sounds like Maple Leafs penalty killer and pending UFA Daniel Winnik could be dealt…Simmons keeps hearing the San Jose Sharks could trade Antti Niemi by the trade deadline…If the Sharks fire head coach Todd McLellan the Maple Leafs, Oilers and perhaps the Red Wings (if they don’t re-sign Mike Babcock) could pursue him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: No guarantees Yeo gets fired by the Wild, especially as their goaltending has stabilized with recent addition Devan Dubnyk. I’ve always felt the Wild’s problem isn’t Yeo, but their inconsistent netminders…If the Sharks remain in playoff contention they could retain Niemi for one last playoff run…As Simmons notes, if the Sharks fire McLellan he won’t be unemployed for long.
Latest on Cody Franson.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Maple Leafs and defenseman Cody Franson were unable to come to terms on a multi-year deal worth $4.6 million annually. The Leafs must ensure they also have sufficient cap space to re-sign RFAs Jonathan Bernier and Nazem Kadri.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wouldn’t surprise me if Franson seeks between $5-$5.5 million annually. I’m expecting the Leafs will trade him at the deadline.
Latest salary-cap concerns and Rangers updates.
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks speculates the high ratio of players under NHL contract next season (530) could vote against employing the five-percent salary cap escalator for next season to ensure lower escrow payments, even if it mean stalling next season’s salary cap…If the salary cap stagnates for next season, the New York Rangers (over $52 million invested in 13 players) will have limited cap space. That could result in Mats Zuccarello hitting the UFA market, where he might have to sign with Buffalo or Edmonton to receive a big payday.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS: Pat Leonard reports Rangers coach Alain Vigneault didn’t dodge questions regarding possible moves by his team, particularly at center, saying if there’s an opportunity to improve themselves they’ll do it. The Rangers need depth at center and Arizona’s Antoine Vermette could be one option.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers have limited cap space but enough to acquire a skilled faceoff man with grit. I doubt they’ll pay the Coyotes asking price for Vermette.
No Big “D” Deal for Dallas?
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Tim Cowlishaw doesn’t expect the Dallas Stars to acquire a big-name defenseman before the trade deadline. He doesn’t consider them close enough for playoff contention to give up something worthwhile for such a blueliner.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Such a move might have to wait until the offseason. Still, GM Jim Nill isn’t reluctant to make in-season moves when needed. If the Stars remain in playoff contention he could be tempted to pull the trigger on at least an affordable rental player.
Value of Sabres trade bait.
THE BUFFALO NEWS: John Vogl examined the trade value of “forwards (Chris) Stewart, (Drew) Stafford, (Torrey) Mitchell and Patrick Kaleta; defensemen Andrej Meszaros, Tyson Strachan and Andre Benoit; and goaltenders Jhonas Enroth and Michal Neuvirth.” He expects these pending free agents will fetch draft picks, with Stewart and Stafford attracting at best second-rounders.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I concur with Vogl’s assessments. These guys don’t have great trade value now and I doubt it will improve between now and March 2. GM Tim Murray will have to take the best returns he can get, which won’t be first-round picks, top prospects or good young players.
Sabres – same thing I have been saying for weeks. Take what you can and move on. Stewart is playing better, about the only Sabre that can score lately. But he’s a 3rd line right winger, that’s it in a nutshell. Vogl is usually right on with his sabre evaluations. And Myers isn’t going anywhere, he’s not OEL but Murray will be asking for the same things in return that Arizona wants for OEL.
I agree…funny thing I just posted the same kinda idea about the Leafs, in Canadian Corner. In somecases I think its better to take what you can get a month or so before the deadline, in order to avoid being in a position like Snow last year with Vanek and MacDonald where you are stuck taking a substantially lower offer as the clock ticks down on deadline day just to get anything. In a lot of cases your best offer today is probably better than what you are getting in the final minutes or hours leading up to the deadline.
The market for guys like Stewart and Winniks Fransons of the world is bigger now with some teams that still think they have a chance to get in to a playoff position, compared to the deadline when alot of the time its just just teams gearing up for the playoffs. Right now these type of players can make more of a difference on more teams.
YES true, but it appears GM’s don’t have the brains god gave a mule anymore in this league.
True, but GMs are paid to field a winner, especially in times when so much of the average team’s profits are made in the post season. Desperation takes over and GMs make stupid deals, like Forsberg for Erat and mid level prospect. I thought that was a joke when I saw that printed.
Seems to me that as each season passes GM’s are willing to deal less and less picks and prospects for rentals. Years ago they gave away first rounder’s like candy at Halloween or at least it seemed that way. Never did like going after rentals. I think your better off giving up MORE and getting someone who has at least a FULL season + partial left on his contract.
ducks… totally agree when they are a ufa you cant expect to get much of a return in the salary cap era
I have I disagree with the Dallas article. I’m not sure which big name d they would have in mind but if they can get one before the deadline at a price they deem reasonable why not do it. They are only 4 points out with a game in hand. I can understand the premise not going for a big name ufa, but definitely someone with term.
I think the chances of the Stars getting in is pretty good, and am not sure they need a big money big term D man, Petry Franson or Sekara could easily help them as much as a Myers Yandle or Phaneuf could and am pretty sure none of the 3 are going to cost as much in a trade or a contract going forward.
My point was more to the article saying Dallas shouldn’t add now since they won’t make it. They could still and probably will make it. Especially is they added a defenceman. If they are worried about adding one and not making it that is where you go for a guy with term.
Imo if a deal is there deal there make it.
agreed
Sure if the Stars deem the price reasonable, the fact remains they are far out of a playoff spot and as such will not be willing to give up young talent and prospects when hey can do all that with more flexibility over the summer. Perhaps pick up a free agent and give up nothing but money.
I can’t see the Stats deeming any asking price for a quality D reasonable.
How are the stars far out of a playoff spot? There are 4 points out with two games in hand with 33 games to go? I guess we should give the cup to Anaheim right now?
agree aki… the way they are playing I see them in the playoffs this year
oh you are correct they are closer than I though, don’t go talking all silly now though.
I agree. I think a franson for oleckiak deal could work. May
Y e move some picks around in case franson walks.
I was surprised no team offered Zenon Konopka a two way contract during the off season-he is what the Rangers could use right now
I think he doesn’t really fits their style of play. He’d be just another guy like Malone playing in the AHL, or like Glass and Stempniak, caught up in the revolving door of the press box every other day.
but if he was over 50% winning draws….
At Konopka’s last stop he was good at winning face-offs. But the problem was they had to find a way to get him OFF the ice after winning the face-off before his lack of mobility cost them. And that happened far too frequently in Minnesota and then Buffalo.
Buffalo’s Stewart may have upped his trade value, with his two goals against the Canucks recently. He was playing like the true power forward he is touted to be, scoring goals in front of the net. If only he could do this all of the time. I’m sure it was noticed by various teams.
I think Tim Murray would like a second, but don’t think it’ll happen, He recently suggested he wouldn’t be adverse to trading the Sabres later first round draft choices previously acquired in trades. Sabres need ready NHL prospects, which they probably won’t get in their fire sale
how about jared tinordi for Zach kassian 2 former 1st rounders who don’t seem to fit their clubs visions
Stew in maddening – a beast one night, a ballerina the next night.
After watching the leafs last night, leaf fans are going to be disappointed in any return they get from Joffrey Lupul, Mike Santorelli, Daniel Winnik or Leo Komarov. The very best is maybe a 2nd for Lupul if they hold some salary back. The others are 3rd/4th liners on a average time-so they may bring a 4th round pick. The same for Reimer in the off season-mid round pick on draft day.
Komarov isnt going anywhere, I am pretty sure most reasonable Leaf fans understand Lupul is worth just about nothing as a salary dump, Santorelli and Winnik as 1 mill 1year UFAs are just bonus picks I personally think they would get more than 4ths (especially Winnik) but wouldnt be dissapointed in whatever they fetch…I doubt (hope not) Reimer goes anywhere this year, I am not sold on Berniers play over this past year (all year not just the bad goals the other night) and with out a tested backup and coming in to contract talks with Bernier, I just cant see why you would give him up for such a little return, his contract isnt an issue.
I would argue that Bernier should be on the move for either picks or prospects. He is going to want a raise, and really, he hasn’t done much to earn it. Granted the team in front of him isn’t much help lately, but many GM’s would probably consider him an upgrade and offer up a pretty decent return. If ythre next 3 years are going to be spent in the gutter, why do the leafs need a $4mil + goalie?
Very true. I really like bernier and firmly believe him to be a number 1 goalie but I’d be happier with picks for him and draft one. We will be 3-5 years away.
The leafs current run was predicted. The only game the scored 1 or more was in the battle of Ontario. It’s a nice tank job going on in Leaf land.
As far as I can tell the leafs are following their plan well.
Sorry more than 1
Don,t worry , help is on the way, Mark Hunter will replace Nonos and brother Dale will take over coaching duties. Shanny will get rid of the goofy contracts and players will start wanting to play in Toronto again.
Not as long as they – and consequently members of their families – remain within the biggest fish bowl in pro sports in terms of media attention. Why would someone want to play there where every gaff is analyzed to death on umpteen panel shows on TV and radio and 20 mics are shoved under their noses? Let’s see – where would I go as a UFA? Anaheim – where there’s maybe two media types after a game and virtually no such shows devoted to hockey and I can just go to the beach and kick back in sunny climes? Or Toronto? Isn’t that how Perry looked at it? It is a sad state of affairs, but the reality is, enticing TOP UFAs to TO – and I stress TOP – is almost impossible, which is why they wind up paying top dollar to middle-of-the-road guys like Clarkson.
Arizona and Buffalo’s windows for moving players like Stewart, Stafford and Vermette are closing with every game played. In a week or 2 the number of teams selling will double and the players available will be better than what is currently on the market.
50 games and 27 points for O’rielly and avalanche wants 2 prospects, a top played and 1st round pick? These GM’s are smoking crack. These stupid demands and the cap is why trade rumours will remain just that. Rumours. Thank you Bettman and NHLPA for destroying a once exciting game.
Avs aren’t sellers on ROR so are demanding a high ransom – smart move, because if someone pays it Avs make out like bandits, and if not they keep a guy they don’t want or need to get rid of right now.
I don’t believe AZ is seriously considering moving OEL, but if they are and do trade Vermette a potential ROR trade worth making would be:
To AZ: ROR, Stefan Elliott, 1st rounder
To COL: OEL, 3rd rounder.
If I were Avs, I’d even switch Elliott to Tyson Barrie if AZ upped the 3rd rounder to a 2nd.
AZ gets a young, but still veteran, center to replace Vermette and help “retool”, with lots of upside and who will slot in well with AZ’s talented young players and help AZ stay at cap floor, as well as a guy who can crack their line up as an offensive D-man next year (Elliott) or who can help replace Yandle if he’s moved (Barrie) and a pick in the 14-23 range in a deep draft.
COL gets the best player in the deal and the top d-man they’ve been craving for years, really begins to solidify their blue line while retaining offensive power they already have. The later pick ensures both that COL isn’t completely fleeced in the deal and still has a chance to find a diamond in the rough. COL loses some defensive depth that will need to be replaced in off-season, perhaps with a Dan Winnik?
jml…I like your trade idea I don’t think oel will get moved but Elliot is starting to live up to what he was supposed to be I think ror Elliot and a 2nd would get oel
Does COL have a 2nd this year? I think they traded it for Stuart or Berra. Thats why I included the 1st and a pick back to COL (Col could probably get a 2nd back in the deal even if Stefan Elliott is the dman going to AZ).
It would have to be tough for AZ to pass up on the package I suggested, and I’m not sure any other team — EDM apart — could offer something similar for OEL without either hurting their playoff chances this year or giving up more than they want.
not sure if they do have a 2nd? but Arizona would have a tough time getting more from any other team for oel!
Sorry but with ROR’s contract and his negotiation history I wouldn’t touch him with a ten foot pole if I was the Yotes. You’ll have him for a couple of years and then he’ll expect a raise. His production doesn’t come close to his contract now and he’s going to expect more when his current deal ends. The only thing keeping him from being compared to Leafs bad contracts is his age and location.
if the gm of colorado is not on something he should be
Agree DC that does seem like a high price. I like ROR’s game. A poor man’s Patrice Bergeron, but he’s paid like a rich man. Which lowers his value in a trade. But he plays a winning brand of hockey.
He is exactly the kind of player the Oilers need though. They are too loose with their game and seem that they are either not willing to play a structured game or too many of them are not capable.
A package (not there top prospects like Nurse or Klefbom but Pittsburgh’s first) that includes Eberle seems reasonable.
Eb’s can put it in the net but he is not great in his own end and below average on the cycle below the goal line on offence. That is where much of the game is played today.
Sunday fun.
Since I like to think out of the box (no phaneuf for Oreilly scenario) If I could, I would:
1. Trade franson and/or bozak for late 1st pick or equivalent
2. Trade Phaneuf + assets + salary + return on Bozak/Franson… to Phi for Schenn brothers
3. Mock draft list Kylington available for leafs taking at current position
4. Groom one of the 3-4 centres and best man wins top line duty for now
Not saying it would happen, but if plausible and no one else wants these bums then why not.
Reilly VanRiemsdyk Schenn kessel schenn
kylington nylander Kadri n/a percy
gardiner holland gauthier n/a n/a
———ashton n/a biggs———–
Bernier
n/a
Extra: Lupul/clarkson, komarov/winnik/polak/franson/bozak
This is on the basis of:
-I always liked Schenn as a leaf
-phaneuf is good but has “bad contract” and won’t fetch significant return
-what I REMEMBER about the Schenn brother’s potential vs actual skills/salary…
– Philly always wanting a star dman, prior trade rumors about the schenns, and leafs needs at centre/defence
I can’t even disagree with anything you said because it confuses me. I don’t understand what you are saying lol
Given the choice of letting Zuccarello or St. Louis walk, I’m letting St. Louis walk. Or asking him to take a considerable pay cut to stay.
Agreed NYR4life , unless he takes a considerable pay cut…C Ya We will need that money to resign Stephan
I agree Zuc over Marty but Marty will play for affordable salary next season IF he wants to return. This is Zuc’s best opportunity to set his future up-no one will blame him for taking the paycheck
Stepan is the only guy getting a considerable raise. The other RFA’s Miller, Fast, Hagelin are not going to see any significant raises. J.Moore can walk or get traded at the deadline. NY needs to fill the 6th/7th d roles, and 3rd line center. Allen will be fine at 6, McIlrath 7th (EEEEK)? Or an affordable ufa. Duclair, Haggerty, Lindberg can replace Stepniak /Glass. I don’t really see a problem getting Zuccs and St. Louis done before the summer. But if both can’t get done, it won’t break my heart too much. Let St. Louis walk away. Having 2 vertically challenged guys in the top 6 is problematic anyway.
It is hard to criticize Sather due to the Rangers run to the finals but he gave up WAY TOO MUCH to land MSL and that is going to haunt the Rangers for some time. Kudos to him for landing Hayes which somewhat replaces one of the 1st rounders but still – MSL only wanted to come to NY and Yzerman still snagged 2 1st rounders from Slats.
Dan Boyle was a BIG mistake. Did the Rangers not watch tapes of him in SJ last year?
@alforducks what have you heard the ducks doing? I heard they are talking to Buffalo still on possible Myers?
The Sabres are such a mess right now, they may actually have only 5 or 6 nhlers, Myers being one of them, He’s part of the solution, if indeed there is one
Sabres are a planned disaster = #McEichel. Anaheim is the one place Myers may land if he is traded at all. Ducks have the prospects, picks cap space and desire to make the deal. Holland insists he wants something significant but doesn’t want to give up anything to get it.
Aki Berg
Hard to say what Ducks are doing. Good news is they are winning.
Bad news is Unimpressively. GM has long wanted a right hand shooting D-man but so are a lot of other teams. What Ducks really need is a top pairing D man. They have none and need at least one but that would cost a LOT. Don’t see Cody Franzon coming here if he wants over 5 million, way too much money for long term. I do see Ducks being active in trade market but maybe not until June draft meetings, rentals are just too expensive. I could see the Ducks offering up as trade bait, Smith-Pelly, Etem, Beleskey (who is having a great year but must be resigned, Silfverberg and maybe their #1 pick in draft which figures to be #25 to #30.
Besides, trade deadline deals have been lots of hype then not much the past few years.
Teams calling the Islanders about Boychuck that makes no sense at all.
Maybe Boston wants to give back those picks for him. Sarcasm.
Stewart to Boston would help but he may be on the fourth line so the payment would be low third rounder and prospect like Caron.
Teams asking about boychuck make perfect sense. If the islanders traded him it would make no sense. Got to remember that many expect him to walk at the end of the season. I still don’t expect them to move him regardless but still I can see teams kicking the tires on that idea.
Concerning Arizona:
Similar to Lyle’s suggestion on here a day or two ago; Vermette and Bolduc to Montreal for Eller and Drewiske.
Michalek, Erat and Moss to Detroit for Weiss, Quincey and some combination of prospects and draft picks. Gives Detroit a right handed defenseman and rids them of Weiss’s toxic contract. Gives Arizona prospects and or draft picks for three guys who are UFAs at the end of the season.
Dollars are close and fit Detroit’s cap.
Possibly flip Quincey and the deadline to a team looking for help on defense for a prospect or draft pick.
Coyotes don’t need defenceman and I don’t think ROR fit he is a cry baby hold out
they will if Yandel is moved! and I would call ror agent a baby not ror he would be the yotes best forward
I feel bad for Lupal. If healthy he is a very good winger. A very good top six winger but he just can’t get over that injury hump. Maybe someone will take a flyer on him and hope he stays healthy. I’d love to get a second for him but I doubt it. May be better to hold onto him in the hopes he can stay healthy and move him next year. If this is a rebuild they have the opportunity to do that.
Franson consistently looks like one of the better leafs, even in this losing spell they are going through. Hate to see him go but if you can get a first for him jump on it.
Get picks for as many current leafs as possible and rebuild, this has gone too far. Last year a few of us discussed the leafs need to blow up the core of the team and we got lambasted from some. Here we are almost a year later and the team is even more embarrassing.
If we rebuild the leaf we can stomach clarksons contract and wait until next year and maybe, if we are smart, we can be in the position of calgary….willing to take of salary for a pick.
Taking on Lu pul’s $5,250,000 cap hit for the next 3 years isn’t “hope” – it’s more like whistling past the graveyard. No contending team has the cap space – nor would they clear any to take on Mr. IR and no pretending team would waste that much time and money on a “what if.” It just isn’t going to happen and somewhere down the line he’ll be waived. Ff he isn’t on the IR at the time.
Would the Leafs have any interest in either Enstrom or Bogosian?
Not sure why there are not more rumors of Torrey Mitchell to the NY Rangers? He’s pretty consistent with faceoffs, plays a game that would fit well in their system and he can move to the wing, as well.
I think Stewart to Boston for Malcolm Subban may not be a bad deal for either team. Subban isn’t going to unseat Rask anytime in the next few years are the Bruins #1 goaltender, so why not part with him in the deal? Maybe the Sabres could throw in a goalie prospect, as well.
Tyler Myers is going to be traded, IMO, and it will be for an impressive package. Murray is looking to make this entire team in his own image, not of his predecessor’s. I see a possibility that Buffalo moves Hodgson to the Coyotes in the offseason.
Nic Deslauriers to Chicago would be a decent move for the Hawks… speed, size and fearless hitter.