New Bruins GM Don Sweeney has some decisions to make, Robin Lehner could be odd man out in the Senators’ crease, and a suggested goalie target for the Oilers.Â
Sweeney faces tough decisions with Bruins.
Could a change in management spell the end of Milan Lucic’s tenure with the  Boston Bruins?
THE BOSTON GLOBE/BOSTON HERALD: Fluto Shinzawa and Stephen Harris listed what they consider as offseason priorities for new Bruins GM Don Sweeney. Both agree Sweeney must determine left wing Milan Lucic’s future with the Bruins. Lucic becomes eligible next summer for unrestricted free agency and could command over $7 million annually on the open market. One agent suggests he could get as much as $8.5 million. Sweeney could gauge Lucic’s trade value this summer. The new Bruins GM could also acquire a new backup goaltender and must decide if he’ll re-sign pending UFAs Carl Soderberg and Adam McQuaid, who’ve expressed their wish to remain with the Bruins.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins have limited cap space for next season and must re-sign RFA defenseman (and Zdeno Chara’s heir apparent) Dougie Hamilton. Given their cap situation I wouldn’t be surprised if Lucic hits the trade block next month to free up space to re-sign Hamilton and perhaps McQuaid and/or Soderberg.Â
Lehner likely trade candidate for Senators.
OTTAWA SUN: In the wake of the Senators re-signing Andrew Hammond to a new one-way contract, Bruce Garrioch believes Robin Lehner could be the odd man out in their crowded crease. He lists the Buffalo Sabres, Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks as potential trade suitors for Lehner, who’s made progress in his recovery from a concussion and is expected to be ready for training camp in September.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman also suggests starter Craig Anderson could be a trade candidate, suggesting whichever goalie can fetch a top-six forward could be the one who moves. However, if I’m a Senators fan I wouldn’t be comfortable with the notion of a Lehner-Hammond tandem next season. Neither has established themselves as a true starting goalie.Â
Should the Oilers target Mike Smith?
THE GLOBE AND MAIL: Eric Duhatschek noted the Edmonton Oilers recent hiring of coach Todd McLellan – along with their hirings of Bob Nicholson as CEO and Peter Chiarelli as GM, as well as winning the 2015 NHL Draft lottery – makes the club “off-season champs.” Duhatschek also notes the Oilers still need a true starting goaltending, suggesting Arizona Coyotes netminder Mike Smith as a trade target. He believes the Coyotes might be happy to shed the remainder of Smith’s contract (four years, $5.667 million per season for the more affordable Ben Scrivens.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s an interesting suggestion, given Smith’s solid performance for Canada’s gold medal-winning team at the recent World Championships. Coyotes GM Don Maloney claimed earlier this season the Coyotes were “married” to Smith’s contract, but marriages can sometimes end in divorce. If anyone is willing to take on most or all of Smith’s remaining contract, and if he’s willing to waive his no-trade clause, Maloney could jump on the chance to move him.Â
Morning all…time to gloat…for all you naysayers that said Babcock WILL NEVER sign in T.O, time to remove those socks and eat’em. Yes there was 50 million reasons why he signed, but I’d like to think that maybe misdirecting the media as to his intentions was deliberate. Make them look like fools for a change.
On another note, I think Mike Smith might have played himself into consideration for several teams after the WHC. Yes he had an all star team in front of him, but he has shown that he is the real deal on several occasions now and would probably shine in Edmonton. I’m just not sure that Arizona would send him to a division rival. The trade market for goalies this summer is also really slim. The only teams that really have any question in net are Edmonton, St. Louis, Dallas, Buffalo, the Leafs and (pushing controversy button now) Pittsburgh.
Can we add San Jose to that list, Carolina perhaps? They have some big priced tender to move but they could be on the market as well.
Leafs need to rebuild – so they hire a “win now” coach who will try and win with the current lineup. Can’t wait for the next GM to sit in his chair with Babcock’s shadow lurking over his shoulder. Tronna will be better next season with Babcock at the helm – how patient will the Leaf Nation be if he is not in first place on January 1, 2016?
Let’s make this clear – his choice was based on money + term; nobody else was stupid enough to agree to these terms, which is why he was off the radar until yesterday morning. Shanny was desperate for a big splash.
So Babcock gave you a call and “clarified” and Shanahan had to hire him out of desperation? Not suggesting money wasn’t a part of the decision but I think you’re making some pretty big assumptions and by the way…Buffalo is rumoured to have offered just as much.
we are all making assumptions, especially when it comes to the kind of contract Babs was going to get wherever he went. Let’s see how this plays out, Dion is already more enthused about being a Leaf – for what that’s worth.
I think you took one too many hits to the head
Guess this was posted before the press conference, but Buffalo offered more, and he said )several times) he was committed to alot of the “pain” that was coming and wanted to be part of the rebuild. The thing that brought him and the reason he chose Toronto was the challenge and his family. Sure money was part of it but there was going to be money (and lots of it) where every he went.
My hope is that The Leaf Nation is just as committed to the long rebuild. You don’t hire a guy like this and pay this much cash for a long wait.
if the leafs waited 2-3 years (to save money) then babcock would have been unavailable by then.
Supply and demand. He is the best. your rich. go for it. Thats how you win (cap or no cap)
Yeah, and of course you’ll try and have us believe you knew, with absolute certainty, that he would sign there. Hell, even Dreger – the day BEFORE he signed – had it rated as a 4% chance. We’ll see how much you’ll be “gloating” when he tries to turn that sow’s ear into a silk purse. A good coach he might be – a J.C. he is not.
George what are you even talking about? Pretty much every Toronto fan here had tempered expectations before he signed. And Babcock said he’s committed to the rebuild of this club. So yes, he will in fact try to make a silk purse out of a sows ear.
if people couldnt see babcock coming to toronto then you need new glasses.Not saying im right but geez common sense. I mean u guys ever walk down det/buf/stlouis at night…compare to toronto (family safety)
Det / to = original 6
he was born or grew up here
friends with shanahan
most money = toronto
top 2 city
risk = reward = toronto
I’d say once narrowed down; his family had a big say.
Assbackwards, his kids are all grown up now, I read somewhere that they’re all going to college elsewhere next year. Also, Buffalo offered more money. Seeing as though he grew up in Saskatoon the only ties he has to the city is that he grew up a Leaf fan. I’m as shocked as most people are that he picked Toronto, but clearly glad he did.
Pittsburgh is fine in net. MAF just completed arguably his finest season in the NHL, he should be maybe 4th or 5th in Vezna voting this year. They have Zatkoff signed already and for the number of games he’ll play he’s a fine backup. The Penguins also have 2 very promising, future starter calibre, goalies in Murray and Jarry. Fleury was the Penguins MVP this year in the regular season and the playoffs. There is no reason to believe he won’t pick up where he left off next year. Penguins are set in goal, now and for a long time to come.
Two moves I think have a good chance of happening this offseason are Lucic moving to Calgary, and Florida trading for Sharp. Both make a ton of sense imo. Calgary needs to get bigger up front and Tallon has ties to Chicago. Plus both teams have the cap space (and assets) to get it done.
I don’t see Lucic going to Calgary. Calgary is supposedly still following their rebuild plan, and what rebuilding teams do is keep their young affordable players and draft picks which is what it would take to get Lucic from Boston. Any other players that Boston would be interested in, i.e. Wideman, have to big of a cap hit for Boston to take on. But hey, I also said that TO had no chance at Babcock.
I don’t see Lucia to Calgary. If we are to listen to rumours and the directive out of New Jersey, I dare say Lucic for one of there young Defenseman and a pick is a far more likely to happen. This would give Sweeney some options on what to do with McQuaid as well…..
Also would not discount a Nashville – who could conceivably construct a similar deal because Poile simply knows how to find and draft very good blue liners.
Just don’t see Calgary ready to make that kind of move (even though there is a player fit) given there very promising future. Not that sure they would be willing to move a young asset this year….. next year maybe, but the Flames I’m need another year to let thing percolate to see what the real needs are going to be moving forward
I can see Nashville being interested in Lucic, but not NJ. He’s a power forward not the big goal scorer the Devils need.
Calgary has good assets. They can part with their first, maybe Bollig and a decent prospect. Not to say they can’t be outbid, but that’s a decent package that doesn’t break the bank or upset the team’s chemistry.
Rebuilding teams like the flames do not give up first round picks, unless they are getting a franchise player like Crosby.
I think we can take the “rebuilding” tag off of Calgary, they showed a lot of promise and went pretty deep in the playoffs this year. I agree they shouldn’t be shedding assets to win now, but let’s keep it in perspective, it’s a 15th overall pick. You’re not getting a more elite player with a mid rounder, and the Flames have a lot of good young players, which makes 1 mid first rounder expendable.
Well Calgary has not taken the “rebuilding” tag off, so until they do it will stick.
I’m not advocating this as I am not a fan of Lucic. He is a solid power forward but comes across as kinda an ass. You know the threats during the handshake, giving the finger to the crowd and stuff. But how about the possibility of Ottawa picking him up. Do you guys think their is a fit there.
depends on the asking price and what he’s looking $ for to resign. You also have that trading within the division arguement.
Certainly an upgrade from Neil. Agree – depends on what it takes to get him.
I can see Edmonton looking at Subban and Lucic or Bernier and Lupul for Drisiatal and Scrivens. Gives them a young goalie with potential and a veteran winger with size? Boston or TO might have to add a later pick or Oilers can offer Pitt’s 1st and a 2nd or 3rd? Interesting possibilities?
Had Lupul. Don’t want him back.
I’m looking at a hot tub with Kate Upton and Jessica Alba in it. I’m offering an average sized dong and a very hairy chest. I have better odds than your trade proposal Tuggboat.
Thats a nice hot tub.
why would he come to a nice soft pink clouds team
Now that Babcock is in Toronto (defying all logic); I am left to wonder how this changes the Leafs offeseason plan. OK, Dreger reports that it’s not, but it’s Toronto and it’s the Leafs…..
There is some food for thought: does a strong possession coach in Babcock improve Phaneuf’s performance enough to justify his contract? Can Kessel actually fit a possession system? (I’m, no.) Does Bozak? (Abilitybtonwinn 55% of your faceoffs in a year there is hope there) How much influence will Babcock have in personal decisions moving forward, as he had some influence in Detroit as well as in selecting 2 gild medal winning Olympic hockey teams.
It’s a coup, it’s a great hire, but if we think the Great Toronto Fire Sale this summer is still on, I think we might be kidding ourselves. Players are going to go (Kessel and Lupus I would be thinking), but not at the level that was being advertised prior to hiring Bobcock. I hope I am wrong…….
Actually I think that Phuffy might actually do good under Babcock, he was rumoured to go to Detroit at the dead line. Kessel I see as a goner.
Superman does good…Phaneuf might do “well” under Babcock.
All kidding aside I agree with you. Kessel likely still gone based on style of play etc. and what he can bring back in a return. Phaneuf may get another shot and Shanahan may not be willing to eat salary and or take on unwanted salary in the form of another player to move him. Will be an interesting off season.
Don’t tell me Lupul has come down with that dreaded disease on top of all his other ailments!
If Lucic can get between 7 -8.5 on the open market, then trade him. Imo he presently isn’t worth the 6m he’s getting. Maybe there is a deal to be made with the Oilers, give them some grit. Wonder what PC would be willing to give up for his former player. I hope the Bruins don’t end up like the Oilers tied up too much to their passed players Neely and Sweeney. Time will tell. Bold prediction half way thru the season Babcock will be referred to the most over-rated coach in the NHL. The talent in Toronto need to change or it will be status quo.
It should be Lehner out the door based solely on the fact we have two other solid goalie prospects in the system in O’Connor and the Swedish kid who’s name escapes me at the moment. Going with Anderson/Hammond seems the safest route to go.
Lehner can be packaged and doesn’t have to be moved alone in the hunt for a top 6 forward. I believe the only thing that might shift the Senators more towards Anderson moving is cap space or the fear of watching Lehner become Ben Bishop good.
I think that Edmonton should be looking at obtaining an established guy as they want a veteran in net to provide more confidence to their young team up front as opposed to someone trying to find their legs in the NHL.
I understand what you saying. However if the offers for Lehner are low and Murray is getting substantially higher offers for Anderson. Do you think they’d move Anderson? Is the goal to get a top 6 forward more important than keeping the preferred tender?
It’s hypothetical. Perhaps Lehner will get the better offers. No one needs to point that out.
I think it really depends on how much of a difference the offer is. Hammond was a stud for the back half the season, but we could take a major step backwards if Hammond and Lehner struggle and there is no veteran presence. It’s why I say is rather package additional assets with Lehner if we had to and keep Anderson for stability. The difference in value I think would have to be pretty big unless we are THAT high on Lehner.
One thing Lehner has shown – consistently – is that he does not have the mindset to be a back-up goalie. The more he plays the better he plays and he demonstrated that in spades in that run to the Calder Cup a few years back in Binghamton. I think they need to bite the bullet and find a new home for him and go with Anderson and Hammond for the next couple of years – at least. Their system is also well stocked with goalies still learning the pro rope in O’Connor and Chris Driedger (who had a pretty good junior career with the Calgary Hitmen) and Marcus Hogberg, 3rd round pick in 2013 and currently playing in Sweden.
I was thinking the same thing re: Smith to Edm and if that happens Ottawa could offer Lehner , Cowan , 18th overall to Az for 3rd pick overall.
sweeten the pot , add any Binghampton player or prospect aside from Nick Paul and Matt Puempel to the list.
Actually I would like to see next years Goalie tandem in Edmonton be Anderson and Talbot, but I don’t think that would happen. Smith I have questions about, only because the last couple of years, not including last year, Arizona had really strong defensive teams.
I’d be pretty surprised if Talbot is on the market. They will still have to sign someone because I don’t think Skapski will be nhl ready this year and probably next. So I think they’d have to pay someone the same or more to replace him. Unless it’s a too tempting to pass return, I see Talbot right back in NY next year.
No chance Arizona trades down from 3 to 18 for question marks like Lehner and Cowan. Not in a million years.
I wonder if Toronto will trade up to get 3rd. Hannifin be a nice addition to Babcock’s style. Arizona can then take strome or something.
We haven’t had a bonified big bodied centre since Sundin left. If Strome is available and Shanahan doesn’t take him, I’ll personally march over to the acc and take a dump on his desk.
Haha.
I get what your saying but one of Strome, Marner or Hanefin should be a good piece. Hard to say what Arizona will do. I’m guessing Strome is gone at 3 but you never know. Some scouts have Hanefin at 3.
my ari draft guess (hard choice):
hanifan to play with OEL
marner with domi dovak?
not picking strome
Either way leafs get strome
There are only two clear-cut “can’t miss” entries in this year’s draft – McDavid and Eichel. Everyone else is a “suspect” until they prove otherwise, including Strome (without McDavid) and Hannifin who, as a D, will find the transition to the NHL a lot tougher (not everyone is an Ekblad). Lehner, Cowen and I’d toss in Hoffman and Greening (Arizona needs to spend BIG TIME just to get to the cap floor – as does Buffalo)and Ottawa’s 1st (18th overall) for Arizona’s 1st and Stone. If Arizona turned that down then they can look forward to picking among the dregs next year as well.
Strome didnt jave a great playoff, kinda raised an eybrow or 2 I think, Id take a D and try and move up for Zacha.
that works for me , I am sure Mark Stone would be amped to have his brother on board. You could replace Greening with Michalek or Legwand as well.
If Greening is not dealt he’s either a buy-out or plays in Binghamton. His days as a Senator are over one way or another. I’m hoping Murray can convince Nashville to take Legwand for his final contract year – be a nice way to finish a long career to go back to the town where you served a captain for so long. I wouldn’t ask for much – maybe a 7th round pick next year.
This Smith to Edmonton idea is an old idea to me. I think it is one option to likely happen. At least it isn’t any more less likely to happen than say a Toronto goalie going to Edmonton or one of Ottawa’s.
Jeff, curious of what you think the Oilers are going to do? They had offensive talent and some good prospects and a franchise center on the way. But their goaltending and defense are average at best and Nurse is probably a couple years way from being an impact. What if anything will PC do? Maybe an offer sheet to Hamilton? sign Mcquaid for toughness? Trade or sign ufa’s and who?
I think the Oilers will try to do most via free agency. Then make “minor” trades using their bottom 6 and draft picks. Perhaps one of those minor trades be a bit bigger with a few 1rst rounders involved. Then once the season gets going they can evaluate how everyone fits with McDavid on the Roster. I see McDavid starting as a 2nd line Centre and may not be the #1 guy until the next season so their is room to evolve here and perhaps making major trades at this point is counter productive.
I went and googled the UFA lists. I am not sure I found an up to date list but form the list I found I would think they’d do this.
Go after guys like Neimi,and Ramo. It will cost them nothing but money. Perhaps they will make a trade for Smith or an Ottawa tender. . Fasth could simply be let go to free agency himself to free up room.
AS far as Defense go. The guy I would target and go heavey for is Beachemin. Unless I failed googleling it he is listed as an UFA. Anaheim has quite the solid group of D with Fowler, Vatanen, and Lindholm all 24 or under. Beauchemin would be the key guy Edmonton could go for and cost nothing but money. Unless I am mistaken and Beauchemin is not a UFA.
After Beauchemin there is alway a guy like Erhoff, Martin or Green they could try to get for veteran presence to help mentor Nurse and Klefbom. I would think Franson after stumbling with Nashville could be had for cheap price. Other D I think who could be available to the oilers are Zidlicky, Oduya, Jackman and Michalek. I don’t think it will take one of their top 6 to get these guys they are listed as UFA’s. Of coarse I haven’t kept completely up to date on the list of free agents my info could be out of date but I think they will try to sign guys through free agency or take guys off of cap strapped teams for picks and prospects.
beauchemin is a UFA and should be top dman sought after. Good call but he probably would prefer a SC contender at this stage of his career.
I agree FA’s, no trades, develop, play for next 1-3 years until a stud dman appears. perhaps focus on 2nd rate goalies (FA/trades) and hope one pans out.
Anyone remember the last free agent goalie that played in Arizona that the Flyers thought it would be a good idea to sign?…think his name was Bryzgalov and he played on some National teams too…how did that work out again?
you could say that about any free agent goalie the Fliers have signed. They are known as the goalie graveyard.
Whats the Oilers goalie luck been like? All I am getting at is Id be careful signing goalies that played in systems like Dave Tippet even tho they are considered “full time starters” Mike Smith was run out of Texas on a rail even tho he was a starter there. I think there are other quality goalies around I wouldnt get too hung up on a guy that had a few good years in that system just because of the words starting goalie.
Smith definitely flourished under Tippet’s system, but he wasn’t the starter in Dallas. Turco was the starter and Smith, Halpern, and Jokinen were packaged in a trade for Brad Richards in TB. Fans in Dallas weren’t thrilled with the Smith trade because he was winning behind Turco and looked to be the goalie of the future.
Sorry you are correct I was thinking of tampa where he was the starter for a couple years before being moved to Phoenix.
Holding another 1st round pick (16th overall) from Pittsburgh gives the Oilers some good options. The Rangers have to decide on Talbot and currently don’t have a 1st for this year or next. Might be a fit.
No chance am I giving up a 1st round pick for Cam Talbot. Guy went undrafted, had mediocre to average University numbers, and about average AHL numbers. Yes behind the Rangers in the 57 games of NHL experience he has had he looks like the real deal, until the playoffs where he has not been impressive when called upon.
This would be like teams selling the farm for Hammond, they need to establish themselves a bit more. We saw it with Bernier as the most recent example I can think of, heralded as a #1, but only 57 games in and looking solid, fetches a 2nd and a decent player.
Talbot has never started an NHL playoff game? He has 2 games he came in relief. I don’t think you can really get a good idea of how impressive or unimpressive he can be on 2 relief appearances. Like I said above, I doubt the Rangers have any great desire to move him unless the return is overpayment. Why bother? They still need to go sign a Neuvirth or Enroth who will probably be looking for the same or more than Talbot anyway. …..Stick with the devil you know imo.
I really haven’t been around…..But Congrats to Toronto fans. I know everyone is saying “Too much money” etc….but who gives a crap when it’s just money? I don’t know what immediate impact he has this coming year. But it’s a step in the right direction imo. It will be VERY interesting to see how the Kessel/ Phaneuf plays out. And if they may now change direction on the rebuild?
I definitely NEVER saw it coming or thought it would happen.
Thanks man, not sure that its a perfect fit but certainly seems to be going in a better direction for a change. Now if we can only poach Gorton. 🙂
OH HELL NO!!!!!! Someone gotta take over for cigar when he finally decides to retire. And knowing NY fans they’ll already be SCREAMING Messiers name! We’ll send ya Sather for a 7th rounder.
I often wonder what – exactly – Sather has on the owners.
Here is a comment I made TEN MONTHS ago to a bunch of non-believers. See the date below
Leafs24/7 on July 29, 2014 at 2:37 pm
Just an FYI on Leaf coaching.
I spoke to an assistant NHL coach on the weekend. He claims that Babcock will be coaching the Leafs next year and that it is the worst kept secret in the league. He said it’s basically a done deal so expect it to happen.
I’m just repeating exactly what he told me. It’s been mentioned on this site a few times and some people have dismissed the rumor.
LMAO…you are so desperate to impress you bookmark your posts?
I freely admit I didnt see it coming, and am still not sure its the best choice…but congrats… I guess? lol yay beergoggles! Bahahaha
Call tsn see if you can take over for Bob, you sir are an obvious “insider”…
Even old Eklund can get something right when you throw enough at the wall. Please, pull out that crystal ball, call up your insider and let me know where all the UFA’s are going as well SO I can not even think about it.
I do feel the need to show case two responses to my email:
Shticky on July 29, 2014 at 3:49 pm
See there are a couple other reasons I have a tough time beliving this.
1. A bigger worst kept secret is Shanny and Babcock dont see eye to eye, infact thry dont really like one another.
2. (This is a long shot but…) The Leafs are dtill in the eadtern confrence right? What happens if by some weird twist of fate Randy gets thrm in to the playoffs and they win a round or 2? Do you reslly think they fire Ranfy after making the playoffs 2 out of his first 3 full years? I dont….counting chickens before they are hatched.
NYR4LIFE on July 29, 2014 at 8:47 pm
This story would have been more believable if it started with “a little birdy told me………”
Notice the part where I said I doubt they make the playoffs but if they do? Ya I still think that applies if they did, I whole heartily doubt there is the cleansing that os going on now…nevermind Shanny the powers that be would have no part of it. But again bravo
LOL…..The story still has BS written all over it. Like there is an NHL assistant coach going around blabbing this to ANYONE that will listen without raising an eyebrow? I’m sure Detroit wouldn’t bring this up as an issue?
What are you looking for here? A cookie? Congrats on a blind stab in the dark statement that turns out to be true! But again, your original overall story has BS written all over it!!!
Can see Lucic going home to Vancouver.
He might want to go there as a free agent anyway and Benning may want him not sure.
Need big bodies out in the west.
Edmonton makes a lot of sense to deal with as they need veteran presence and Boston needs youth and scoring but I’m not sure Chia will deal with his old team.
I think Chia would, he is not dumb….if a GM can make a deal to make his team better especially with another team in a different conference he is gonna make a deal. Too much made of the angle maybe they wont deal with their old team. Its a business and everyone of em realize it.
lucic to nyr
leafs should have gotten brodeur as goalie coach or something….missed opportunity
with regards to (probably any of the) leaf players being traded or not, here is a snippet from press conference today from shanahan:
“If we are approaching the draft and we don’t have a general manager in place at that time, I will probably just put something out telling people to call me.”
seems to me that on draft day, the leafs will ask who might be interested in their players and if anyone is, then call him and the group will decide (as is). I don’t think the quote refers to a GM but trades.
this would suggest phaneuf/kessel and/or others are being shopped rather than putting a halt to any rebuild, as seems to be suggested since babcock was hired
We’ll see what people are willing to pay for Lehner and a smattering of other Sens garage sale items. I’ll officially apologize for the ridiculous overvaluing of Senators players.
I believe Lehner will go somewhere. And get a 2nd or a 3rd pick in return.