Is this Mike Green’s last season with the Capitals? Should the Canadiens pursue Phil Kessel? What will the Flames do this summer? Read on for the latest in your NHL rumor mill.
What next for the Capitals?
Has Mike Green played his final game with the Capitals?
ESPN.COM: Craig Custance speculates this season was likely the last for defenseman Mike Green with the Washington Capitals. Unless Green is willing to accept a pay cut, he could depart via free agency. Custance also believes the Washington Capitals must re-sign goalie Braden Holtby to a long-term contract extension, as well as determine the cost of re-signing RFA forward Marcus Johansson. Re-signing the former will be expensive and could impact Johansson’s contract talks. Freeing up cap space by trading Brooks Laich and the remaining two years (at $4.5 million annually) is an option, though that won’t be easy.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bolstering their second-line is a must. Though the Capitals have significantly improved their defensive game and possess some promising young forwards in Evgeny Kuznetsov and Andre Burakovsky, offensively they remain a one-line team built upon Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. As the New York Rangers demonstrated, if you shut down that line you shut down the Capitals offense. Adding another skilled top-six winger will certainly help. Green could be willing to accept a pay cut to remain in Washington. While I daresay he’ll consider his free-agent options, he loves playing for the Capitals. How much of a pay cut they want him to accept, however, could prove the determining factor.
Latest on the Canadiens.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: Jack Todd reports the Canadiens need to bolster their scoring if they’re to fully open their window of opportunity as a Stanley Cup contender. He believes they need another bona fide scoring winger on par with Max Pacioretty, plus they also need a true first-line center. One who might be available is Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin, but the cost would be prohibitive. Todd speculates Canadiens blueline prospect Jarred Tinordi could become trade bait to land a scorer, though he hopes that isn’t the case.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Matt Larkin suggests the Canadiens target Toronto Maple Leafs winger Phil Kessel, though he doubts that will happen.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: While I agree with much of Larkin’s assessment of Kessel as a good fit for the Habs, I just don’t see it happening. What I do see is Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin attempting to bolster his offense, perhaps by targeting cap-strapped teams trying to shed salary. Even so, the pickings could be slim.
The Blackhawks could offer up Patrick Sharp, but he’s in decline and would be a short-term fix. Bryan Bickell is younger and tougher but also offensively inconsistent. The Canucks might be willing to move Zack Kassian, but he’s a poor man’s version of Bickell. Forget about Malkin from Pittsburgh, as the Penguins have already stated they’re not moving him. They could offer up Chris Kunitz, but he’s also on the downside of his career.
The LA Kings desperately want to shed Mike Richards, but he’s no longer the two-way force he once was. The Flyers want to move Vincent Lecavalier, but the days when the Habs were hot to trot over landing him are over, as is Lecavalier’s effectiveness as a scorer. It’s obvious the Rangers will re-sign Derek Stepan this summer. Forget about signing Martin St. Louis. He wants to retire a Ranger. Besides, his best days are now behind him.
Burning offseason questions for the Flames.
CALGARY HERALD: Kristen Odland notes the Flames could use another blueline workhorse and depth on right wing. Give their cap space (over $25 million), she wonders if they’ll pursue Anaheim’s Matt Beleskey or Winnipeg’s Michael Frolik via free agency. She also wonders if they’ll keep goalie Jonas Hiller (who has a year left on his contract) or trade him. They could re-sign pending UFA netminder Karri Ramo or let him walk. She feels the Flames need to get bigger while remaining speedy and skilled, plus they must improve in the faceoff circle.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t expect the Flames to go hog wild in the UFA market but I could see them adding depth via free agency to bolster their blueline and right wing depth. Given how Beleskey burned them in the playoffs, they could be among his suitors if he tests the UFA market. Unless their plan is to bring in a better starting goalie via trade or free agency, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them stick with Hiller and have either Ramo or Joni Ortio as part of their tandem.
You know who the Habs could use…
Tyler “top line center” Bozak, high shooting percentage, scores on the PP,good on draws 49 point guy…
good call / fit
i bet there system would turn bozak from a – to a + player. He has all other skillsets besides that.
I know you don;t believe in that stat, but I think we can all agree long term bozak is soft and weak defensively just what montreal loves yet somehow turns them weak frogs into a dangerous team
I agree that the Habs need another scorer to go along side Pacioretty. Might I suggest Oshie for Emelin and a pick? Similar cap hits, Gives the Habs what they need and it would give the Blues a very good physical defenseman.
As for Kessel, no the Habs won’t look at that, but the Islanders would and should be interested. Say Kessel to NYI for either Reinhart or Pullock, Josh Bailey and a 1st in 2016.
Love what the Flames are doing, and although it would be tempting to dive into the UFA market headlong, I would much rather see them stay the course and see what a full season of Sam Bennett will do.
I’d ask more for Oshie but it’s not a bad fit.
I would want more for Oshie too. Cap gets in the way for the Blues. Wouldn’t be keen on moving the kids in the system, so maybe you make it a first?
Wouldn’t moving Emelin leave Montreal a little bare on the back end?
Yes. I don’t like it either. Emelin will be needed going forward. Let’s face it – Price has made this team look a lot more appealing than it is. There are many holes both on forward and defense. Trading away their young players to chase fools gold is no solution for it.
Soon Markov will slow down (perhaps he has already) which will mean managing his minutes = Canadiens will need additional young D, not less. A culprit in this is also coach Therrien, who doesn’t manage the minutes of his D but plays his top D-pairing like it’s no tomorrow. Therrien gets a lot from his team but there’s little room for growth in such a scenario. His success built upon reliance on a few horses can’t last forever.
Stanley Cup winners of the last 5-10 years have great goaltending, but they are also 3-4 line powerhouses that washes over you in waves. Canadiens is several players away from that. So they are top 8 in the league? Great. BUT, that also means that there’s perhaps 7 other teams that are ahead of you, that you probably have to leap frog. As Canadiens goaltending can’t be improved, many more pieces must be developed on defense and forward before Canadiens can be considered true contenders. It’s not fixable in a short windows with signings or trades.
That no1 C is probably not available. Maybe a no2 C could be had? Canadiens should perhaps look into getting B Seabrook. When Kanes, Toews new contracts kick in and Seabrook becomes pending UFA, I believe that Hawks can’t afford what he’ll be asking. Canadiens could use another horse on D. Especially as Markov is aging and has past injury problems.
Maybe the best move to develop players and get competitive as a team is to sign M Babcock. I believe he has expressed a lot of love for the Canadiens in the past, on a number occasions, wanting to coach for them one day. I wonder if that day has come? I respect what Therrien has accomplished, but I don’t believe Therrien can develop this team to where they’ll need to go to be able to beat all the perennial contenders. In a few years, Babcock could change a lot regarding the play of the young players.
Don’t hold your breath waiting for the Islanders to make a move for Kessel. He’s just the type of player that Garth Snow doesn’t want. I expect them to try to find a puck moving defenseman to replace Visnovsky and wait another season for Michael Dal Colle to appear on JT’s wing.
Kessell and Bozak to the Islanders for Strome, Lee, Dal Colle, and 2016 1st if they take a bad contract if not the 1st becomes a second. TO might have to throw in a 4th or a lower prospect like MacWillians or Biggs? Islanders get what they need TO gets what they need [younger players and prospects]
why would the islanders even think that trade|?? lmao typical dumb leaf fan trade jeeezus dacolle strome and lee and a 1st or 2nd?? for a 25 goal scorer and 3rd centerman?? lmao
No thanks to Kessel staying in our division. Unless that team severely overpays of course, which probably isn’t happening after a bad year.
I don’t think the bad year will significantly affect his value given what happened to the whole team and his consistent scoring in prior years. I think other GM’s if anything will look for better production from him given a true number one centre to feed him the puck and top pair defenseman regaining possession – neither of which the Leafs have ever provided him with.
@swinny Has a pretty good proposal there, hopefully the cap hits would work.
So what if he is? The Leafs suck now, and will for the next few years. By the time the Buds bexe relevant, Kessel is what 33? Meanwhile Reilly and Reinhat/Pullock are hitting the prime of their careers as a potential top pairing. Bailey is an excellent fit as a 2nd or 3rd line Centre for now, and would have market value down the line. The first is what it might be……
Thats not a horrible deal for either team…scary to think what Taveres and Kessel would be like together, not alot for the Islanders to give up with the players they have accumulated. Leafs dont quite get full value (cause they wont) and the cap works…nice deal swinny could almost see something close to that.
Leafs don’t need to get full value they just need to get rid of Kessel over the summer or before the next deadline, because he’s a depreciating asset and actually hurts the rebuild in terms of draft picks and his poor work ethic. So just move him along for the best offer available and let’s get on with it… Ditto the rest of the bums.
thank you dan39 the leafs will take what they can get for kessel lets be honest 8 million for a 25 goal scorer that barely steps in his own zone! not many teams would want that
Jello is still cranky over the Habs getting beat by a better team….
Montreal needs a center not a winger so Kessel is not the fit the Habs need. Montreal should go all in on Malkin if they can pry him out of Pittsburgh.
That said if they can not get Malkin other options could include Vermette, Staal, or take a gamble on Lecavalier.
Tyler “Top Line Center” Bozak…49 points good on the PP much cheaper just as good an option as Vermette.
vermette is twice the player bozak is vermette atleast knows what defense is
Maybe he could help kill penalties for 6 mill Habs could use that….not sure defense is the Habs problem tho.
I think that’s the leafs guy overpaid play is on the downside just when tere contracts kick in
Jaysus! From Malkin to Vermette, Staal and Lecavalier. Talk about taking a step off a steep cliff! The last three are all (or soon will be in Vermette’s case) vastly overpaid and way beyond their best-before dates. Not one would fill the bill for the Habs’ need for a #1 C. Right now, they are no different than a host of other clubs looking for a bona-fide # 1C (the Leafs have been at it ever since they got Kessel and the Sens keep hoping someone like Zibanejad can fill the bill – no luck so far). I sincerely doubt the Habs will pry Malkin loose from the Pens without creating massive young talent holes elsewhere, nor would the Leafs ever send Kessel there – the last thing they’d need is to see him start potting 35+ goals again in their division and earn the wrath of that half of the fan base who still think he should remain a Leaf.
if it is a center Montreal needs …..
Minnesota – Koivu , Haula
Montreal – Emelin , Desharnais ( could be Eller instead of Desharais )
losing Emelin would mean Beaulieu, Pateryn play more , Tinordi either makes the team next year or is on the move.
Speaking for all Penguins fans, I believe you have the frame of a deal if Price comes back the other way. That said, I think that it is all pie in the sky as the Habs won’t want to move Price and I don’t see us moving Malkin this summer at this point.
Don’t waste your time bud. This is typical Hans fans thinking they can unload medium to mediocre players bundled for a great to amazing players. Just look at the proposals. Koivu for emelin and a smurf, Malkin for some spare parts….
Sometimes I think they are worst then leafs fans. It’s Gomez + some bottom pairing for elite talent all over again.
No freaging clue.
Koivu is very good , but anyone who thinks he is great or amazing has no freaking clue. Granlund will be the number one center in Minnesota next year.
I thinmk he meant the earlier post not yours, but I was gonna comment that your deal is prob most realist (teams / needs / value / sleeper trade)
Montreal will be dealing for vet with playoff experence or why bother.
Koivu would prob start a bidding war if available so chances drop for mtl
Could the Oilers go after Ramo? Even for a back up. Might push him out of Calgary price range if they seriously made a bid.
Elliotte Friedman (You know the guy with no credibiility) Believes McLellan is the next coach of the Oilers and they are just waiting till the end of the world’s to announce it.
What you think Lyle?
Friedman is among the most reliable NHL insiders. Wouldn’t surprise me if his take on McLellan joining the Oilers comes to pass.
I wonder if there is a reason they didn’t seem to keen to sign Babcock its almost like they just looked right past him.
Any clue on why that is? What is the big deal about McLellan anyway?
I would think it is because Babcock showed little interest in the Oilers. Or the Oilers did not want to get in a bidding war for his services and wanted a coach in place with no drama attached from their end. After all if they went after Babcock and took the time to woo him and all that stuff McLellan may have signed with someone else and Babcock may end up back in Detroit when it is all said in done. So when there is a 1a and a 1b coach available I think it isn’t a bad move to grab the first one to say yes before someone else does.
The Oilers wanted somebody in place before Babcock was willing to make a dissection. Plus you are taking a gamble on Babcock not signing then you loose out on both.
McLellen would be a good pick for Edmonton.
I still believe Babcock ends up back in Detroit. I have to say Buffalo is already a winner here, simply because Babcock gave the Sabres an entire day in Buffalo to hear their sales pitch. Sabres won’t get Babcock, but the fact that he went there legitimized their organization to attract a good coach. It’s usually tough to attract thw attention of any good coach when you have been last in the league the past 2 seasons.
The only knock on McLellan is his playoff record. Yes, that’s a big knock, but his regular season record and ability to coach young talent is fantastic. The Oilers can worry about playoffs when they get there; they need a good coach that commands respect of his players to make them a solid regular-season team. McLellan is a beautiful fit for Edmonton, IMO.
My random thoughts on the Capitals; Capitals exited the playoffs valiantly. They really left it all out there. Holtby was fantastic. However, I don’t agree that Capitals in was a one line team in the playoffs. Capitals 2nd and 3rd lines were more of a threat than ESPN or Spector admit. With a little puck luck, they could have easily put more games away. The scoring were fairly evenly distributed through the Capitals lineup. One-line team analysis doesn’t hold water.
When taking into account Capitals regular season, stats will additionally point to weak RW and not enough secondary scoring. Easy to wish adding top 6 RW without subtracting, harder to execute. Capitals have top class goaltending and plays a tight-knit team game that is needed for playoff success. To get over the hump they must probably take the less sexy approach and grow within, i.e. young players must improve. You won’t fix/build a second line through free agency. There is no quick fix. Kuznetzov must play closer to his potential during the 82 game season and establish himself as the no2 C goto guy. Both LW’s Johansson/Burakowsky and whoever plays no2 RW will benefit from that.
Burakowsky looked very promising. A lot of the time, Rangers didn’t have an answer for his strength and size as they couldn’t strap him of the puck or lost puck battles around the boards. Interesting to see, I didn’t know he could impact his shifts that much. M Johansson is important to resign as he is a sort of glue guy for any line regardless where he plays on the depth chart. His speed and passing ability makes him very versatile. He’s rarely caught doing stupid things.
So, my thoughts are these: Goaltending and Defense are fine. Loose Green, don’t resign him. Look for D callups or sign affordable depth defensemen, i.e. retool no5-no6-no7 D. The forward corps need to grow within. That means promoting prospects and making sure Kuznetzov is in a position to succeed as no2 C next year. That probably means giving him a scoring no2 RW which must be signed or traded for.
I like grit-grinders as much as the next guy, but maybe Capitals must look into replacing/trading some of their present RW which consists of Ward, Chimera, Brouwer, Beagle (played as C in playoffs), Fehr. They’re competitive and warriors but brings a lot of the same to the table. There’s no top 6, bottom 6 dynamic there. Capitals could use more top 6 RW scoring and less bottom 6 RW grit.
Great assessment!
I agree with most of what you’re saying. Except the luck part. They got lucky twice in this series. Once off Yandles skate, and once when they caught the Rangers sleeping with 1 second remaining. Either one of those 2 wins, much like every game in this series could have went either way.
On a side / random thought….Imagine if they didn’t trade Forsberg?
Or if Erat could play ..
rofl
I think the new GM,Brian Maclellan has been “imagining” that ever since McPhee sent him to Nashville on March 3, 2013 for journeyman Martin Erat and career AHLer Michael Latta. It’s probably THE main reason he got canned in April 2014!
Personally I wonder if the Caps go after a guy like Justin Williams….
I was thinking that myself. Caps were just some timely (clutch) scoring away from advancing. I don’t see a lot of drop-off from the final 4 teams and Caps but that very thing. So little separation.
A guy with history like Williams could be alluring to them. Caps would have needed a depth guy to have that breakout performance like Gelinas, Gaborik, Williams (maybe also R Bourque). It might have put them over the hump. Can Williams catch lightning in a bottle once more? I don’t know if the financials make sense.
Not so sure, ufa Kings have so e cap issues… could take a bit of a discount to play for a contender, definitely a Trotz type player, 3rd/2nd line player, good leader type guy for some of the other young forwards and probably not going to take a long term deal…I think Williams would be a great fit if the Caps could pick him up on a 3 year or less deal.
Williams would not be a good fit for the capitals at all lets try to make some sense
A guy who claims he is a pro scout whos played in the swedish elite leagie OHL western Hockey league and the AHL would know I guess sorry jelly youre probably right…lol
I agree with you on the Montreal assessment Lyle, there’s not a ton of options out there via UFA, so trades are the best bet however what they get for what they pay for will be extremely high.
Kessel is definitely not going to Montreal, if he thought Toronto fans got on his case he ain’t seen nothin yet lol. I’ve speculated for a while but he needs a low profile team to thrive.
If Frolik hits the open market he’ll demand a sizable increase as he played a key role for Winnipeg down the stretch.
Caps got nothing out of Curtis Glencross, didn’t even play game 7. Virtually all the renatls from this year’s trade deadline were busts. Petry helped Montreal enough that thery should consider resigning him, Vermette is finally contributing in Chicago. Beyond that’s it’s tough to finad a trade deadline player that has really made an impact this season.
I don’t care if Ovechkin is one of the most dynamic players in the league! Or if he can score goals! He is so disrespectful and classless with his comments about guaranteeing a win!
He should be traded! What a bum!
Right?
Right?
Disagree on OV. Messier guarantees a win and he is crowned the greatest leader ever. OV does it and he is classless? Credit to him for having confidence in his teammates.
scott, I was just a honeytrap. You should spot it a mile away.
I meant “it was just a honeytrap”. Don’t fall for it.
Yes Denne, it was a little baiting.
Ovechkin’s shtick and Subban’s is not much different.
Both can be reckless on the ice (Ovechkin has done some down right dangerous plays). Both have said questionable things to the media. Both like the spotlight. Both are elite talents. Ovechkin obviously a more generational talent.
Both do a great interview.
Both are criticised for their (apparently) one dimensional play.
so, i ask, what is different?
so, yes, i am baiting a bit to make a point and maybe you get it and maybe you don’t.
Bickell’s career ppg 0.37, 29 years old at 4 million. Kassian’s career ppg 0.33, 24 years old at 1.75 million. If we’re talking upside Kassian may end up being the better, cheaper player. Or he may erode into irrelevance. Still, Bickell is only thought to be valuable because he knocked in a few garbage goals in the playoffs. He’s certainly not skating around d with the puck on a string. Good banger though.
I think after all the smoke has cleared,Babcock stays put and Jeff Blashill becomes a hot commodity. Kessel to the Habs? Ya..slim and none. Hate to see the Habs unload Jarred Tinordi either; but I guess it all depends who’s offering what in return.. Oilers hiring Mclellan is likely a done deal yet to be announced til after the World’s are done.
Would Burke have any interest in bringing Kessel out to Calgary?