The latest on Eric Staal, Shane Doan, Adam McQuaid, Cody Hodgson, Jonathan Bernier, Nazem Kadri and more in your NHL Rumor Mill.
Highlights from Elliotte Friedman’s Latest “30 Thoughts”
Could Eric Staal and the Hurricanes part ways this summer?
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman wonders what it will mean for the Arizona Coyotes (particularly GM Don Maloney, coach Dave Tippett and captain Shane Doan) if the club drops to third in the upcoming NHL Draft lottery. There was varying opinion that Doan may have wanted to be moved at the trade deadline, but there’s some skepticism about it. If the Coyotes land Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel in the draft, they’ll want Doan with him…There’s talk the New Jersey Devils could shop defenseman Eric Gelinas this summer for a scoring forward…The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to reopen contract talks soon with RFAs Jonathan Bernier and Nazem Kadri…Columbus Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen could draw upon his depth at center to bolster his blueline via trade…Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill believes adding a strong stay-at-home defender will likely come via trade rather than free agency…The Carolina Hurricanes could seek a defenseman to play alongside top blueliner Justin Faulk. Hurricanes GM Ron Francis said he’s received no indication captain Eric Staal wants to move on to a playoff contender. Friedman speculates that will become a topic in the rumor mill closer to the NHL Draft in June.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Coyotes land either McDavid or Eichel it could jump start their rebuild. They’ll want Doan to be part of that. Ultimately, Doan controls his future. If he wants to stay, he’ll stay…Devils GM Lou Lamoriello has repeatedly said he wants to add two scoring forwards this summer. He’ll draw upon his blueline depth for trade bait…I believe the Leafs intend to re-sign Bernier and Kadri as they see them as part of their future. Besides, they’ll need a reasonably experienced group to rebuild around should they dump most of their current core players this summer…Artem Anisimov’s name popped up briefly last fall in the rumor mill. Perhaps the Jackets will use Anisimov as trade bait to bring in an experienced defenseman…The Stars could try moving one of their promising young blueliners to add a more experienced defender…Staal so far is saying he wants to remain with the Hurricanes. That’ll depend upon whether Francis sees him as part of their long-term future and the cost of re-signing his captain, who is slated for UFA status in 2016.
Latest on the Bruins.
CSNNE.COM: Joe Haggerty reports the Bruins face a tough decision regarding pending UFA defenseman Adam McQuaid, who hopes to re-sign with the club. The 28-year-old McQuaid had a solid performance this season, finishing third on the Bruins in hits and blocked shots. However, the Bruins have over $59 million committed to next season’s payroll and must re-sign RFAs Dougie Hamilton, Ryan Spooner, Brett Connolly and perhaps goalie Niklas Svedberg. That might not leave much space to re-sign McQuaid (current annual cap hit of $1.55 million) and have room to re-sign their RFAs and address their other roster issues.
NBC SPORTS: Mike Halford reports the agent for Bruins pending UFA center Carl Soderberg shot down a rumor claiming his client might play in Switzerland next season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Bruins can free up some cap space they could try re-signing McQuaid to a $2.5 million per season contract on a three-year deal. McQuaid’s injury history, however, could hurt his chances of re-signing with the Bruins. Consensus among Boston pundits suggests the Bruins aren’t likely to re-sign Soderberg, who could be a nice bargain signing for an NHL club seeking an affordable forward who can play center or wing.
Updates on the Sabres.
THE BUFFALO NEWS: John Vogl reports this season was a bad one for Sabres sharpshooters Matt Moulson and Cody Hodgson. Vogl believes Moulson will get an opportunity to redeem himself with next season, but speculates the one-dimensional Hodgson could be bought out in June. Vogl also reports pending UFA forward Patrick Kaleta hopes to re-sign with the Sabres. He also notes Mikhail Grigorenko’s entry-level contract is coming to an end. While Grigorenko could return to Russia to play in the KHL, he tells Vogl his intent is to stay in the NHL.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I suspect the Sabres could keep Hodgson, who has four years remaining on his contract, for another season to see if he’ll regain his scoring touch under a new head coach. Hodgson struggled under now-former bench boss Ted Nolan. Kaleta could be an affordable re-signing, provided GM Tim Murray wants to bring him back. I think Grigorenko gets an affordable two-year bridge contract with the Sabres.
I agree, Sabres will not dump Hodgson yet. No need to.
McDavid or Eichel, either one would not only jump start the Yotes, it may make them more attarctive to free agents and contract players for the future.
I know one thing, if the Cayotes pick outside of the top two in this year’s draft, they’re taking Mitch Marner. Arizona already owns the rights to his line mates (Max Domi and Christian Dvorak) in London. I can’t see them passing up that opportunity.
At this point in his career I can’t see Arizona getting a big return for Doan. He means more to the team than anything they’d get back in a trade.
Hmm if that happened I could almost see Hanifin dropping in to the Leafs lap…not sure it does but, would make things interesting. If Arizona dropped to 3 and were really targeting Marner maybe they would be open to swapping picks (with something else of course) because I just cant see what the Oilers would want with yet another small forward.
I could see it being a part of their plan. It fits right in the rebuild of the rebuild of the rebuild.
Shticky I could see Arizona trading down from the 2 spot, hard to believe they’d pass up on McDavid though. I know you’re high on Hanifin, but I’m hoping for Strome if we pick out of the top two. 3)Strome 4)Marner 5)Hanifin for the Leafs, in order of importance. All great picks, I can’t wait till Saturday.
I don’t think marner will go in the top 5 his jump from the ohl to nhl will be a big one
The lottery is going to change the face of the league. I heard mentioned on the TO radio circuit yesterday that if a team picking later like a Philly wins and gets McDavitt-that could mean Babcock will sign on as well with Philly
And people call leaf fans crazy … So what you are basically saying is Babcock is now linked to where McDavid ends up? Or does this only play out in Philly?
Dino-this is a rumor web site. I am simply repeating what Eddie Olcyk had mentioned. Babcock’s criteria could be Macdavitt plus 4 or 5 established high end players-which Philly has. Plus a team with deep pockets willing to spend.
I agree that Philly has deep pockets, but they are also pressed against the cap with some big holes to fill. Unless they can shed one or more of Prongers, Umbergers or Lecavaliers contracts, I can’t really see a way they make any splash in the UFA market.
I meant deep pockets to pay Babcock as much as is required.
I would be absolutely floored if Babcock went to the Flyers, that team should be going into some sort of rebuild pretty quick here not sure he wants to be a part of that anymore then he wants to be a part of the Oilers rebuild …
I wouldn’t compare the re-build to Toronto or Edmonton. They have a solid #1 tender and two superstars up front. Along with some decent young forwards. Defense has good prospects as well. THye need to clear 2 bad contracts of Vinny and Umberger and they will be fine going forward.
do you guys understand the draft it is not a 1 chance deal there still is percentages
I agree with Doan not having much trade value. He’ll be 39 at the start of next season and will have a cap hit of over $5 million which is a lot of cap space for 35 points. IMO he is a very average hockey player who has been overpaid for the majority of his career. In his 18 or 19 years he scored over 70 pts twice, his team made it into the playoffs 6 times and got past the first round once and he “played” in the all-star game twice. A while ago the NHL network had a discussion about who should be in the Hall of Fame. Doan was a unanimous yes while the Sedins were a no because they haven’t won anything. WTF???
I can’t see any team taking Marner if Strome is available.
What you get with Doan is Leadership, Grit, hardwork and an ability to put up offense. He is not over rated, but yes he is not an elite offensive threat but there is more to be desired in players than their ability to put up points.
Minus the grit (And that’s arguable) what don’t the Sedins provide from that list?
Nothing, I also see the Sedin’s are not on the trade block. I understand how I confused you though. I was addressing whether or not Doan has Trade value. I believe he does for the qualities I mentioned. Guess what I believe the Sedin’s have trade value to.
Sorry to confuse you i was not addressing whether or not The Sedin’s or Doan should be in the Hall of fame or who should be recognized more.
Pretty sure that the Oilers would have Hanifin at the top of their list if they don’t win the lotto.
Any stable, non dysfunctional organization would if they were in the Oilers position. This is why they will go with another forward.
I’m not so sure the Oilers would want Hanifin at #3. A good skater who isn’t physical and doesn’t put up a lot of points. Their defense is already too young and too soft with more D prospects close to being NHL ready (Nurse, Musil, Davidson). Hanifin compounds that problem unless they trade Shultz. If they don’t get Strome I could see them trading down in the draft and taking a more physical player like Zacha or Provorov.
I apologize for being unstable and dysfunctional.
Unlike Nurse, Klefbom etc. There isn’t one scout or scouting report that doesn’t think this guy will not be playing in the NHL next year. Most people believe he will not only be a #1, but an elite #1 in the NHL. You don’t pass on this guy if you are a smart GM. It’s not like they are looking to contend next year ….are they? Last press conference/(train wreck) I watched they were preaching “patience and time”. At some point you have to right the ship.
Craig Button has Hanifin rated 12th with Provorov, Werenski and Chabot all ranked ahead of him on D. Other than McDavid or Eichel, I doubt whoever the Oilers take will be playing in the NHL next year. Draisaitl and Nurse likely will wait another year as well. The Oilers are making better decisions now on player development and the fans will have to continue to be patient.
I’m not saying the Oilers won’t take Hanifin, I just don’t think it is a sure thing as the other players in the top 10 are comparable with great potential as well.
I don’t know if anyone in the world is going to take Craig Buttons rankings seriously at all. Nobody is ranking Hanafin under 3rd or 4th overall…..other than Button. But before I made my final decision, I want to hear what Mike Milbury has to say……I kid, I kid.
hanifin wont be the first dman taken he could be the guy that drops the most of all the guys that are supposed to go early
Why would he drop? I can’t see him sliding any further than 6th maybe 7th overall. If any d-man is rumored to drop it’s Provorov.
hanifin is being compared to jack and eric Johnson both decent dmen who were taking far to early in the draft. a lot of talk of propov and Chabot and werenski! hanifin didn’t show a lot at the juniors and his last half the season wasn’t outstanding
If the Oil happen to pick #3 they WILL take Hannifan. Both for position and upside.
Craig Button’s rankings are a joke. He had Drouin over McKinnon a few years ago. As someone who lives in Halifax and saw them both play on a regular basis I can honestly say it’s impossible to make that decision. Button is a joke and I’m not sure how he can be employed. There’s a reason why nobody in the NHL has hired him for over 10 years. The guy is useless.
Now that the Bruins have fired Chai – it will be interesting to see what happens. If they bring in someone outside the organization this team could be totally different heading into next season.
Also if someone from outside is in, Julien is a goner. They will make a huge play for Babcock I am sure if that does happen. Could we see Chai go to Toronto and trade Kessel for a 2nd time?
So are the Broones opening the door for Babcock to be both coach and GM?
Leafs should be all over Chiarelli
I do appreciate what Chiarelli has accomplished…but no thanks I just feel like it needs to be someone with a little more patience. Dont get me wrong I think he did a good job in Boston just dont see him being a fit.
Darryl k… if chia does go to leafs and trade kessel again leafs fans will be happy cause the way he took them in the previous kessel trade if he comes even close to that they will win the trade!
Ya cause those 2 picks that didnt help the Bruins win a cup one of which they traded away to get Eriksson really did help them nail down 9th this year. lol
ya cause every team would want a cancer in the room like kessel than seguin and Hamilton?? lmao only in toronto
Conspiracy theory here: McDavid is a generational player, as important as a Lemieux, Crosby, Lindros, etc. and could provide instant stabilization to an organization. Who needs that more than anyone? Arizona. Especially with expansion to Las Vegas in mind, the league would want a strong rivalry with fan interest. With this guy Arizona could be a new Pittsburgh in a hurry… Frozen Arizona envelopes in the lottery basket would stand out to Bill Daly.
I don’t see how the temperature of a team’s envelope would change the corresponding draft number on the front of it, but thanks for coming out lol
Maybe the temperature of Bills balls could help effect the draft lottery? Cold balls tend to go up while hot balls tend to drop. Damn Daily and his loaded (lottery) balls.
Hahahaha I just hope the lottery balls don’t stick to Bill Daly’s leg if the studio gets too humid.
Not sure what you expect to see on sat? The NHL lottery is done behind closed doors. All we will get is an announcement of how it went. So the NHL can really pick who ever they want to win it. Dean Lombardy came out and said “Arizona is going to win the lottery the same way the NY Knicks won the inaugural NBA draft lottery” which has been widely written that it was fixed. I’m sure dean is catching hell for his comments and it will be very interesting if Arizona does in fact win the lottery. Regardless no one outside of that room will know how the lottery was picked. They do not televise some ping pong drawing.
LMAO. San Jose and our 5% chance will win the McDangles sweepstakes so we can ruin his career just like Pat Falloon.
Glad Chiarelli was sacked. He did a great job using the nucleus he inherited and got them to the Cup, a very difficult task. Taking the final step is harder than assembling the core.
However, since the Cup win, he hasn’t gotten the job done. The Seguin and Boychuk trades were his biggest mistakes, along with overpaying an aging core, remaining too loyal to them, and giving them no-trade contracts.
Claude should be next, as he plays an archaic system that everyone has figured out by now.
I personally won’t mind if either or both go to TO or Ottawa.
Good call. I like Chiarelli and thought he had the midas touch there for a while where everything panned out for him. He really was a big contributor to the Bruins winning the cup. But then he made some notable mistakes managing his cap, signing older core for big money while shipping out Seguin and Boychuk who would have looked better as bruins core instead.
It seems like it is hit and miss regarding how GMs decisions pan out. It was like this with Shero too. He looked like a genius in the beginning with a streak of decisions panning out, but Shero was really exposed these last couple of years. Maybe it’s the law of averages.
On another note, still can’t understand how Tim Thomas could just walk away from the game when he was still very able and could have made 5-6M on a one year contract. *headshake*
McClellan is available now, leafs should take a serious look at him.
As if the Bruins, they should move contracts out to fix their defence. Although I like his game a lot, a guy like krejci would get a decent enough return. They need to do something. What we saw this year from the Bruins is where they will stay if they don’t add some defence
Hey there…hold your horses. Are you nostradamus? Since when did McClellan lose his job in San Jose? Leafs aren’t allowed to get in contact with a coach employed with another nhl team. If McClellan ever becomes eligable, many teams will give him a look, Leafs included.
Chiarelli already made his choice, longer term, regarding his defense with his signings and trades. From the small mess Bruins are in with their cap, it might be worse before it gets better for them. The new GM will have his work cut out for him if he wants to stay competitive while retooling his defense. Good luck with that.
McC is waiting to see what Plattner does with Wilson.
Bernier should be re-signed if for nothing more than to keep his super hot wife around the ACC stands. Although I think they should add a no more babies clause. I have this weird feeling that both the new GM and coach for the Bruins will be swing for the fences types that no one saw coming.