Check out the latest on the Senators, Oilers, Capitals, Red Wings, Blues and more in your Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
Could the Blues shop a key defenseman? Will Paul Martin draw interest in the UFA market?
Could the Blues shop Alex PIetrangelo or Kevin Shattenkirk?
THE BOSTON GLOBE: Fluto Shinzawa believes the St. Louis Blues need more bite and energy on defense, plus find sufficient funds to re-sign budding superstar winger Vladimir Tarasenko. “The two Blues defensemen who’d draw the most interest on the trade market are Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk”, writes Shinzawa, who believes either blueliner will attract a good return.
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Paul Martin will draw interest in this summer’s UFA market, though his age (34) will be a drawback. A team desperate for a defenseman (Edmonton, New Jersey, Toronto) won’t want to sign him to more than a three-year deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t see the Blues trading Pietrangelo (who has five more seasons at $6.5 million annually on his contract) or Shattenkirk (who’s their top offensive blueliner) to shake up their defense or free up cap space. While they’ll fetch a good return, it won’t replace the huge hole left in the defense by moving either guy. I still anticipate T.J. Oshie (who lacks a no-trade clause) or Patrik Berglund (whose no-trade doesn’t kick in until July 1) are the more likely to move.
Senators goalie log jam could force a trade.
OTTAWA SUN/OTTAWA CITIZEN/TSN: Bruce Garrioch, Wayne Scanlan and Pierre LeBrun observed the Senators’ signing Boston University goaltender Matt O’Connor could result in either Craig Anderson or Robin Lehner hitting the trade block this summer. Consensus suggests it’ll be Lehner, who’s younger and has upside despite having suffered a season-ending concussion. Much will depend upon whether the Sens can re-sign pending UFA netminder Andrew Hammond.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: O’Connor is expected to join the Senators farm team next season, so he’s not an immediate threat to Anderson or Lehner. It’s Hammond’s status which will determine if the Sens need to make a trade. If he departs via free agency, Anderson and Lehner return next season as the Senators’ goaltending tandem. If he’s re-signed, Anderson or Lehner (probably the latter) will be moved this summer.
Malcolm Subban to Oilers? Mike Green to stay in Washington? Marek Zidlicky to Wings or Devils?
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson wonders if Oilers GM (and former Boston Bruins GM) Peter Chiarelli might make a pitch for Bruins goalie Malcolm Subban by offering up the first-round pick they received from the Pittsburgh Penguins, though he suggested that depends on if the Oilers sign Matt O’Connor (which they didn’t).
Mike Green could be the most pursued defenseman in this summer’s UFA market, but Matheson speculates if he’s willing to accept a pay cut from the Washington Capitals he could stay there.
The Detroit Red Wings want to re-sign defenseman Marek Zidlicky but only to a one-year deal. Matheson speculates he might get that from his former team, the New Jersey Devils.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t see Chiarelli making a player for Subban, though if he’s willing to offer up that first-round pick from the Penguins the Bruins new GM will undoubtedly listen. Besides, there’s no certainty Chiarelli has any interest in dealing with his former team…I agree with Matheson that the Capitals could re-sign Green if he’s willing to accept a pay cut. He might do so, as he loves playing for the Capitals and they seem interested in keeping him…The Devils have a new GM, plenty of good young defensemen and a need to bolster their scoring punch at forward. I doubt they bring back Zidlicky.
Colour me totally wrong. I said last week I didn’t see O’Connor going to the Sens as it didn’t make sense for him to sign somewhere where he might be #4 in the depth chart. Shows what I know! 🙂
Mind you, I’m happy to be wrong. It means there’s almost certainly a trade coming out of this! Lehner to Edmonton?
Though my initial comment was I’d take Anderson, if I was the Oilers; need stability! I’ll probably be wrong again, though… lol
I would love to see Anderson in Edmonton. He is exactly the type of mature player that the oilers need. Why O’Connor signed in Ottawa vs what Edmonton is about to become is beyond me.
He signed in Ottawa due to Ottawa’s proven ability to develop Goaltenders along with their proven fairness in there treatment.
OConnor is t looking to be thrust into the NHL like Edmonton has a history of doing with their young talent. Smart move. he needs to learn the professional game. Will get plenty of time to do that spin the AHL then can move up.
The decision was purely about professional development.
The log jam doesn’t exist in Ottawa yet, Reread specs notes, Hammond has yet to sign and may try out the free agent market. If he moves on then everything can remain as is. Until next season when and if OConnor can play himself into a backup roll at the NHL level,
I’m not being a wise guy when I say this but…..Who have they developed? Honestly I don’t know.
i agree the sens haven’t produced any goalies in the past that I can think of??
Ben Bishop, Brian Elliot mostly. Robin Lehner to lesser extent as he is yet to establish himself as no1.
Ray Emery
Brian Elliot
Chris Drieger
Ben Bishop
Andrew Hammond
Robyn Lehner
Being developed and developed. You guys have to remember the team isn’t that old. They are not going to have a thousand names of decades to pull names out
Emery is a backup Lehner hasn’t proved anything Hammond who knows Elliot didn’t even start the playoffs this year and really hasn’t done much St. Louis drafted bishop I think he was only in ott for maybe 2 years? And drieger??
@Jeff….STOP!!! Emery…career back up…. Elliot…Has A TON of question marks…..Bumped from being a starter in the PLAYOFFS!!!!! Drieger… ONE nhl start….STOP!!!!! Bishop…Filled with Questions…check his stats!!!!! Hammond? REALLY? He has 10 minutes of NHL experience? ????? Lehner? Does he not look like a fringe guy at best? STOP!!!! STOP!!!!! They have ZERO history of building good goal tenders if this is your list!!!
You guys are fools, so the guys listed are not Martin Brodeur calibre, the fact remains they are NHL goaltenders, developed by the organization over he last 13 years.
Here is a quote from OConnor himself, speaking towards development.
“As a goalie, you need time to develop your pro game and I would definitely picture myself in Binghamton,” O’Connor said. “I’m not one to come into an organization and demand games or expect promises because the bottom line is, it’s about stopping the puck.
“I think in my development path I can develop a lot in the (AHL) and that’s a big opportunity for me to develop my game and go when I’m ready. As a goalie, you want to go when your ready and you want the organization to have you play when your ready. I definitely would expect to start in Binghamton next year.”
So I will suggest you stop right there
The Oilers were about to “become” something when they got Hall. Then Nugent_Hopkins, Then Yakupov. All first picks. Now here we are 5 years later and they’re picking first yet again. McDavid is going to be a great NHLer – of that I’m convinced – but until they improve dramatically in goal, on defense and to a lesser degree on their 3rd and 4th lines, they will continue to struggle. And to do that, Chiarelli is going to have to part with one and probably two of those young forwards. There’s sure as hell not much on the UFA front that’s going to turn them into a contender and you have to wonder if the so-called “top” UFAs would even consider going there.
Still this talk of tip urging the oilers from a bottom feeder to a contender in one summer. I am not expecting that or asking for that, the playoffs should be the goal next season and with they got and some inexpensive additions this summer to the roster is all they need. Worry about contending later. Developing is what hey need to do.
Yes some will laugh that they had lo enough but well guess what they didn’t and this lottery win will speed it up.
I still like this idea, oiler trade McDavid to Colorado for Matt Duchene & Nathan MacKinnon, then the oilers trade Nail Yakupov and Pitts 1st this year & their 1st next year to coyotes for Oliver Ekman-Larsson, might have to add a few extra pieces to get them done but all are doable, as for a new goalie maybe Eddie lack
There isn’t even a remote possibility of Colorado trading Duchene and MacKinnon for McDavid. I also can’t see trading OEL for Yak and a 1st.
Did ever stop to think that two many pieces have to fall jsut the right way for this outlandish tarde to happen?
It does not work that way.
he must have been drunk
I was thrown back when I seen oconner signed with the sens and I agree I would much rather have anderson with edmonton then lehner im just not sold on him then again I wasnt sold on holtby neither
Why does this surprise anyone, It has been reported that OConnor had his choice narrowed down to 4 teams. Edmonton, Vancouver, Ottawa and NYR, why does it surprise anyone that he would eventually pick one of the four teams on his list. I vaguely remember a report where he narrowed it down to 3 and Ottawa was still on the list,
Boston won’t be trading Subban to the oilers for pitts 1st round pick. I would love to see a Chara, Rask, Kelly for Hall, Nurse and the pitts 1st round pick. Yes I willing to give up Rask and you have to give something to get something.
Hahahaha, Well I am not willing to give up Hall for your entire Roster, and you want Nurse to, hahahha yeah you’d love that.
Hall and Nurse would be the untouchables in Edmonton.
Am I the only one that sees the Getslaf, Perry potential of a Hall and MacDavid combination.
Hahahaha on you! Let’s see, the entire Boston roster…Mmm, you must think guys like Bergeron, Marchand, Krejci, Lucic, Hamilton, couldn’t add grit to the wimpy Oiler lineup. Actually, the big question with Taylor Hall is this: Is he ever going to play an entire 82 game schedule? The guy is injury prone, to say the least.
Joke is on you as they can’t fit the entire Boston lineup on their team and stay under the cap, stop being ridiculous,
Hall is injury prone he is a physical player
So, what’s his option? Stop playing physical?
now Jeff, tell me exactly what Hall has done for Edmonton, how many playoff rounds have the Oilers been too since Hall been there. Where do you think Edmonton is going with McDavid? With no goaltending and no defense, The Oilers are still multiple years away from the playoff if they keep the status quo. No Way Pete keeps that roster intact he build from goaltender out. Rask is one of the top 5 goaltender in the NHL, Chara and Kelly came from Ottawa to Boston by PC there is a history. So you don’t want a proven Vezina winner but PC does. Edmonton has changes coming and you should embraces them because staying the course isn’t working.
I have a hard time seeing Hall as a “physical player”…67 hits in 53 games? Zuccarello threw 120 in 71 games…..but I’d hardly say he is a physical player.
Caper
I agree with you have to give up something to get something point. Regardless of Halls history, Chara is breaking down and Kelly isnt much. Way too much for Edmonton to give up, in a few years it might be the second disasterous trade Rask has been involved with.
Caper it is not what hall has done it is what I can project him to do, I know most of you have no ability to ascertain potential and take a good guess on what players may achieve but I think hall is one of the top 3-5 LWs in he league. That is what he has done and I think he can be top one day.
Another point I will make is I thoug the oilers were goi to be much better last season. They proved me wrong and I felt it was because they had no second line centre. A gap in the roster, they signed Roy and suddenly they started playing markedly better. Still hovered around 500 but they were better.
Now next year they will have MacDavid as number 1 centre, RNH as Number 2. Hall on the top line, Yakupov on the 2nd and the ability to move Eberle up and down. They are going to be way better,
They also will have nurse as a top Pairing D. klefbom should improve after another year.
Yes they will need to get D and A Goaltender. They may trade one of their core. I don’t think they need to I think enough D are hitti e market and rumoured to be on the trading block that the oiler will have no issues trading draft picks, prospects and lesser roster players to fill the gaps.
NYR4life you are going to have to take the time to watch hall play. You can throw stats out all you want but watch him play.
Don’t bother telling me you did. We both know that’s a lie,
So, you’re projecting Nurse to jump from junior to a top pairing D in the NHL. In other words, you’re comparing him to Ekblad! No wondering you keep being disappointed with your expectations.
LMMFAO! George…. A rare moment we agree! STOP JEFF!!!! STOP!!!!! I don’t know what I’m talking about? PLEASE!!!!! Coming from the guy that thought a 4 game win streak, and “playing .500 hockey???? (who the hell knows where you even pulled that out of) = GREAT!!!!! Hall is a guy that gets more physical play against him than he does against opposing teams!!! STOP!!!!!! STOP!!!!!! I guess Zuccs is a GD beast in physical play compared to the 6 million dollar softy!!!!! STOP!!!!!!
How is Hall’s plus minus and does he backcheck.
He will never win till he and the team does.
Edmonton needs some two way players like Bergeron. They could learn a lot from Chara.
Boston can keep subban can’t see him ever being a starter
O’Conner to Ottawa makes alotta sense. Good young team, good coach and a workable path to the NHL. Anderson is older, short term, Lehner hasn’t developed into a number one yet; not sure about Ham-Bone yet. O’Connor will make it to the NHL in 2 seasons tops.
Yeah, I think it’s a good situation too. The fact that Lehner’s situation is so murky works in O’Connors favor. Murray must have given some kind of guarantees for playing time in AHL or likewise which dispelled any doubts O’Connor may have about Ottawa as an overcrowded goalie situation. It will be fine for him there.
Unrelated to anything in this feed but I’ve tried asking other places with no answers given.
Does anyone know if an nhl team can sign an affiliation agreement with a European team similar to that of the ahl. Where they could either send drafted chl players if they choose or have their European prospects on one team learning the organizations systems.
With the auston Mathews news it started making me think about this again.
Would YOU be willing to go to Vladivostok? Or Minsk?
Well mostly it would be Europeans anyway so that point doesn’t mean anything. As for top prospects from NA that would go there, they would be getting paid .. The idea behind it would be a loop hole where a team can send a guy like marner or Strome who can’t go to the ahl probably shouldn’t be in the nhl and definitely shouldn’t be in the ohl
I see your point regarding players who are TOO good for major Junior, but not quite good enough to jump to the NHL – but can’t be sent to the AHL because they have one year of junior eligibility left. What these guys need to do is take it to court – “see judge, I’m old enough to go in the army or start a new job anywhere else but they’re telling me I can’t play in the AHL at an entry-level salary and have to go back to junior for peanuts.” I’d love to see a liberal judge ruling on that.
I don’t know Ali berg but don’t honk so, the QMJHL has rules where you can only have so many Europeans on the team to insure local talent in North America get developed. Things like that make me doubt it, European teams will want top protect there prospects and their interest as best they can.
But like I say I don’t know, I just reason it out to, No,
I’m not 100% this will be correct or coherent, but will reply anyway. 🙂
The interaction between European leagues, KHL and NHL is regulated in agreement. It’s probably impossible for an NHL club to all of a sudden officially try to use a club from Europe as farm club as they honor each others leagues, contract situations as separate from each other. These are separate markets with separate contracts that are honored where they were signed. NHL rules for how to handle NHL property players, regulate the NHL, AHL, ECHL dynamic. Contract status in European leagues and in Russia are separate from NHL and any NHL status isn’t affected from this status and vice versa. You honor the local contract situation where you signed it. I believe NHL teams can officially only use farm teams within their own continent and within the regulated leagues.
However, maybe an NHL club could use a European club UNOFFICIALLY as players NHL status wouldn’t be affected. Say Oilers could use Jokerit in the Finnish league and send players there while it won’t count against their pro rated NHL signed contract. Seems like a loop hole to me. Maybe someone knows if there’s a rule for this in the agreement between NHL and European federations. Probably not. I know, in law, it’s sometimes frowned upon if not adhering to the spirit of rules or agreements. Circumvention might be viewed as against the “spirit of the rules” and therefore not valid. That kind of legal jockeying happens all the time.
Your points are very valid and probably correct to how things are currently worded in the cba or agreements between the leagues you have listed.
but it would be interesting if a team is or would ever start to do this. Dubas was recently quoted as wanting to use the echl as more of a development team then what it is currently set up as. With this tiptoe of thinking now in leafs management I would be curious to know if they’ve done some outside the box thinking like we are talking about in a league such as the swehl
Yeah. I’ve also heard that GMs would want to use AHL more for development, during the rookie contract years, without it automatically counting towards RFA status. Clubs mean it would benefit both club and player with a development that isn’t rushed by constricting rules. Since Clubs must sign their drafted players within a limited time frame, but are hesitant to activate the pro contract since the player might need years of development, it becomes a problem.
As it is, I believe it’s back to junior leagues to avoid NHL contract activation vs sink or swim in NHL/AHL. So few graduate from draft year to roster, that it would be beneficial for saner rules regarding rookie contracts between senior leagues. Many players are too big/good for Juniors to be sent back, but not nearly finished enough to warrant NHL status. This especially goes for D-men.
There will be lots of changes to developmental rules in the next CBA.
Stay or go Ric green is taking a pay cut, because you have to be solid two ways to command that dollar and he never has been able to live up to developing his defensiev game past mediocre…
Svedberg signed in KHL Subban will back up Rask. Boston needs to develop some more of their young kids and they will be fine.
Agree Obe Bruins are built for the playoffs if they made it who knows.
Need a healthy Chara and Krejci back.
With Paille and Campbell gone the lineup will look better with some young guys or a quality free agent pickup. I Would move Kelly and free up some space. Bring Koko up.
When i need a laugh, i go to the comment section of this site, and hear all these stupid trade ideas, or people that think they know what their taking about
You could always set up a series of seminars to impart your extensive knowledge of the game to us mere peons.