Latest on Eric Staal, Brandon Saad, Devan Dubnyk, Patrick Sharp, Leon Draisaitl and, yes, more Evgeni Malkin trade speculation.
The latest from TSN’s Insiders.
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports Eric Staal’s agent is expected to meet with Carolina Hurricanes GM Ron Francis to discuss the center’s future. Staal has a year left on his contract and is eligible next summer for UFA status. “Either the Hurricanes get him signed to an extension – and by the way, at a cheaper rate than they have him now – or it’s time to put him on the trade block. He has a full no-trade,” reports LeBrun.
Could Brandon Saad receive an offer sheet?
LeBrun also claims the Pittsburgh Penguins could have interest in Chicago Blackhawks winger (and Pittsburgh native) Brandon Saad and could send him an offer sheet this summer. Despite the Blackhawks’ cap issues, LeBrun doubts Saad is going anywhere. Bob McKenzie notes the Penguins seek a top-six winger and suggests third-line center Brandon Sutter, who’s a year away from UFA status, could be a trade chip.
McKenzie also weighed in on the Minnesota Wild’s current contract talks with goalie Devan Dubnyk, expecting it could be difficult getting a deal done. He points out they might not be able to free up cap space by buying out goalie Niklas Backstrom, who faces elbow surgery. If Dubnyk seeks more than the Wild are willing to pay, he could test the market, where a team like the San Jose Sharks might be interested.
Appearing on TSN 1050 (stick tap to Chris Nichols at Today’s Slapshot), McKenzie notes Blackhawks veteran winger Patrick Sharp hasn’t played well in this year’s playoffs, which could affect his trade value if the Blackhawks try to trade him to free up cap space this summer.
LeBrun (via his ESPN.com blog) cites a source saying Vancouver Canucks management will soon decide if they’ll put backup Eddie Lack or third-string goalie Jacob Markstrom on the trade block.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staal could be worth keeping an eye on in this summer’s rumor mill. If he’s unwilling to accept a pay cut on a short-term extension, the Hurricanes could try to trade him. His situation could be similar to that of Jason Spezza with the Ottawa Senators last summer.
Sure, the Penguins (or another club) could try to pry Saad away from Chicago with an offer sheet, but if he feels his future is in Chicago, the Blackhawks won’t have to worry about him signing it. And I believe he wants to stay with the ‘Hawks.
I still expect the Wild will re-sign Dubnyk but I also agree it won’t be easy, especially if they’re unable to buy out Backstrom this summer.
Sharp’s performance really declined this season, not just in the playoffs. While he’s only got two more years left on his contract, it’s a $5.9 million cap hit. The decline in his play could reduce the number of potential suitors.
Markstrom has played very well for the Canucks AHL farm team in the Calder Cup playoffs. That could either increase his chances of becoming the Canucks backup next season or improve his trade value.
Could the Sharks make Malkin a trade target?
CSN BAY AREA: Kevin Kurz notes recent trade speculation regarding Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin. He also recalls San Jose Sharks owner Hasso Plattner saying in May his club couldn’t buy the Stanley Cup, followed by casually mentioning Malkin as a player his club couldn’t just go out and acquire. Kurz feels if Malkin and the Penguins are ready for a change, the Sharks are a team that could afford his big contract. As for the return, he believes defenseman Brent Burns would have to be part of the deal, but it will take more than him to land Malkin. Kurz also notes the Sharks have been linked to Ottawa’s Robin Lehner and Craig Anderson, as well as Cam Talbot of the New York Rangers. He believes GM Doug Wilson is casting a wider net in hopes of finding a replacement for UFA goalie Antti Niemi.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Malkin’s agent already denied the recent speculation about his client’s rumored “unhappiness” in Pittsburgh. If Malkin did want a trade and if the Sharks were interested, I don’t see how he’d be a good fit with them. Cap space aside, they’ll have to give up a top-six winger as part of the return. And no, the Penguins won’t want a fading Patrick Marleau, who won’t leave San Jose anyway because of his full no-movement clause. You’re talking Joe Pavelski or Logan Couture at the very least as the centerpiece of the return, which will also include a first-round pick, a top prospect and one of the Sharks good young roster players.
Latest on the Senators.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators seek a strong young player and a high draft pick in return for either Craig Anderson or Robin Lehner. Of the pair, Lehner is said to garner the most interest, with the Edmonton Oilers, Buffalo Sabres and Calgary Flames linked to him. It’s believed the San Jose Sharks and St. Louis Blues have kicked the tires on Anderson. The Sens could also try adding forward Colin Greening or center David Legwand in the deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames have to decide what they’ll do with UFA Karri Ramo and promising Joni Ortio, especially with Jonas Hiller still under contract for next season, so I don’t see why they would pursue Lehner. Unless Brian Elliott wants out of St. Louis or the Blues are keen to move him, I don’t see why they would pursue Anderson. They’ll have limited cap space after re-sign winger Vladimir Tarasenko and goalie Jake Allen.
Draisaitl for Larsson?
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples dismissed a suggestion from Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek that the Oilers should trade young center Leon Drasaitl to the New Jersey Devils for defenseman Adam Larsson. Among the reasons Staples rejects the notion is he doesn’t consider Larsson to be better than any of the Oilers current young blueliners.
Penguins still in a win-now situation with or without Malkin. Makes any package much harder than say trading him for a first round pick +player(s).
Which team can offer a 2nd line center+winger for sid?
Edmonton. lol
Shiiiaat, if edm wants a d then Habs would give bealieu/tinordi/emilin/Markov for drasaitle. Even add a pick/fucale or other prospects not sherbak or McCarren.
It would be fun to see what Crosby can do with a pure goal scorer like Kessel. I think there are a few teams that can help the pens. Figuring out who and what, never mind the if, is the trick.
I’d love to see that also. No idea what would be returning to the Leafs but Kessel on Sid’s wing could be incredibly interesting.
Realistically speaking, Malkin being moved would provide a heck of a return. With the Sharks, Couture or Pavelski would be enticing playing with Sid as well.
In a pure fantasy format and assuming both are legitimately “upset” as people have mused, a Malkin for Stamkos straight up trade would be mind blowing in the sense that a Crosby/Stamkos duo could be killer.
Ahh the fun of the silly season.
I’m not sure how the Pens could get Kessel but him and Crosby would be a lethal combo. Kessel would score 50 goals.
And probably be on the ice for 51 against.
PIT can’t afford to take on Kesssel’s salary, unless they trade one of their big contracts first. Four of their top contracts amounts to $31 M per annum.
As a Devil’s fan, I wouldn’t give them Larsson for Draisaitl. We’re too high on him as fans. Near the end of the season, how showed flashes of potential (Hedman potential). He, Schneider, and Greene are our untouchables. Severson is also someone we don’t think we’re trading either. Larsson got something like 20 5v5 points in his last 45 games when playing with Greene… have a feeling next year is his breakout year.
The Devils, this summer, might make a play for 3rd or 4th overall picks, offering Gelinas or Merrill to move up so that they can try to get Marner. If those are ineffective, they might stay put and take Zacha (the likely situation at this point) or move down to CBJ’s or SJ’s position and grabbing one of their seconds while drafting Barzal.
I don’t see the Devils trying to get Draisaitl from the Oil, price is too high. Only guy we would part with as part of the deal would be Severson and maybe a second/third, and the Oil will want something more exciting than that.
Zacha is one helluva talent, even if his game is a bit raw. If Jersey stays at #6 and McDavid, Eichel, Strome, Hanifin and Marner are taken before they select, is Zacha your pick? Or do you prefer another prospect?
Yes, he’d be my pick at six. I quite like what I see from him.
mjr… I really like Larsson he is gonna turn into a very good dman its amazing how much longer it takes dmen to develop compared to forwards
As the say offense is intuition, Defense is education.
Devils won’t trade Larsson or Severson for Draisaitl, but maybe Steve Santini, would is returning for another year of college
Santini is a good prospect, don’t get me wrong, but I’m not sure Santini would wow the Oilers brass that much.
I think he’s the type of player only a few teams in the league really understand the value of. I know his value… he’ll be a really solid d-man.
If Murray can get Bruce Garrioch is stating, I am a happy man.
Who would you want from Edmonton for Lehner? Buffalo? Calgary?
The Oilers should offer their 2nd and 3rd round picks for Anderson. Anderson has a higher cap hit that Ottawa frees up and Oiler 2nd is just outside of the 1st round. Anderson when he is on his game can steal games.
The Oilers need to get 2 first pairing D so their second 1st round will be needed for that. I am excited to see the Oilers improve and now that the clowns no longer are running the show they will get move than BOLD promises with no action.
Realistically I am not sure. I don’t know other teams young forwards and prospects as well as I do the Sens who I cheer for. I will have to go digging and come back to you later today.
As far as why I am happy, I don’t see Lehner getting much more than a 3rd rounder and mid level prospect. So if Murray can turn that to a high draft pick, which I assume is greater than a 3rd rounder and a strong young player, it is better than I would value Lehner and obviously to me acceptable.
So Let me peek at the other teams youth and I will get back to you.
first of all i believe lehner wants out murray just doesn’t want another heatley thing personally if i were edmonton i would not deal with murray
Trading Lehner to Buffalo, a dvision rival would be risky. I still see Buffalo resigning Neuvirth and developing their kids. Depends on how much longer Tim Murray wants to lose – I think he’s sick of it.
Lots of nonsense here. Draisaitl is now and will be in the future much much better than Strome. Hanafin doesn’t fix anything right now. Marner….don’t even bother. Oilers have enough of him. Oilers will deal Draisaitl for a quality young Dmen or not at all. And Larsson straight across is not enough. Larsson is like Yakupov, struggled for the first few years and has only shown half a season of good hockey. Try again in a year or 2.
Not saying he will struggle but how do you know Draisaitil wont do the same as you say Larson or Ykupov have…and how are you so sure that he wil be better than a Steome or Hanafin?
How about Draisaitl to the leafs for their #1 or #4 overall. Oilers would have an opportunity for Hanifan or Provorov and Leafs could get their Big centre. Filling needs on both sides.
if strome does go 3rd draisatl for the leafs pick makes sense edm can take hanifan good for both teams
This is actually a pretty fair deal. Normally you would “pay” to develop a player one year, so Toronto could consider sending an extra draft pick Edmonton’s way… but this year might be an exception to the rule since the players at 4 (Marner, Hanifin) might have a slightly higher ceiling than Draisaitl… certainly Hanifin would be much more useful to the Oilers than he would to the current incarnation of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Oilers have only been trying to draft a big centerman for the better part of a decade. Why they would decide to trade the MVP of the Memorial cup is beyond me. They have Nurse and Klefbomb ready to make the transition to top four NHL defenceman. What they need is experience on the back end and a goalie. Trading a top prospect for a pick is never going to happen. If you cheer for the leafs at least try and be realistic.
Yes that’s what I am-A leaf fan. Also pretty cocky to say NEVER. Klefbom has been in the wait for awhile now and hasn’t made the next step. I don’t think he will ever be a top 4 D man. While the tow draftees have potential to be top 2.
Klefbom looked really good at the end of this year and will definitely be starting the season with the Oilers. He looks like he has developed nicely.
D men take a long time some of them to get it. Look at Stralman.
Or a Petry.
I agree jeff petry played very well for montreal everyone bashed that contract but look at franson looked good on the but all our other d just aren’t that good goes to nsh and is a healthy scratch in the playoff and its suspected franson is gonna get 5 in the summer so petrys contract is right on par
so your gonna play draisatl on the 3rd line behind mcdavid and rnh? its just a thought could be good for both team if hanifin turns out to be what is projected I think he could be more valuable in the long run
Personally I would play Draistle in the minors next year. Let RNH have the top spot, Macdavid the number two. With the plan being to eventually trade RNH and go with MacDAVID AND Draistle.
edm has time to figure out what they will do PC will help
So who are going to be your top two centers? Which odd man out do you trade? And what do you hope to pick up for him?
If you say “a top 2 defenseman”, get in the queue and get ready for a long wait… those are just as hard to get as a “big center”. Hanifin has a good chance of developing into a top two d-man who’s responsible, can play big minutes, kill penalties, and maybe even contribute a little bit offensively.
Michael Edward, I don’t think Scott was suggesting the Oilers trade THEIR # 1 pick – he was proposing Draisaitl to the leafs for their #1 (#4 overall).
I’d rather have Strome or Marner than Draisaitl. Not to say that isn’t a decent proposal. But any team trading for the 3 or 4 pick is going to have to overpay. I believe it was Don Maloney that was asked what it would take to get him to trade the first pick, and he said “first born.” It’s no different for the Leafs. A package like Draisaitl, the pens 1st and a decent prospect is the type of overpayment that gets a conversation started with either team, but I seriously doubt the Oilers would pay that, and they’d be better off using those assets to trade for players in their mid-late 20’s that can help them win now.
Lots of nonsense here. Draisaitl is now and will be in the future much much better than Strome. Hanafin doesn’t fix anything right now. Marner….don’t even bother. Oilers have enough of him. Oilers will deal Draisaitl for a quality young Dmen or not at all. And Larsson straight across is not enough. Larsson is like Yakupov, struggled for the first few years and has only shown half a season of good hockey. Try again in a year or 2.
wow lol
Sorry Spec,good fit or not, Pavelski for Malkin straight up is enough, anything more would be an overpayment. JMO.
Thunder your dreaming. Malkin trade would need alot more to it plus I would rather have Couture over Joe nobody. But it would be Couture plus first round plus top prospect PLUS another player probably barns.
Another day, another stupid Malkin “rumour” except it’s not a rumour it’s just some moron playing pretend, fantasy world. I love the Sharks, I love Brent Burns, but why would the Oenguins trade one of the top 5-6 players in the world when healthy for the one position they are set in? Brent Burns plus what a chicken sandwich? It will cost the Sharks Couture, Vlasic, Goldobin, and Melker Karlson plus picks to even keep old man Rutherford from slamming his rotary dial phone down in Wilsons ear. Malkin is not going anywhere, Crosby again is going nowhere, ditto Letang and Fleury(this year anyways)
Having 2 top 5 centers in the league is overkill when they can’t get any good wingers to play with them, that’s why.
If Pittsburgh could trade Malkin to, say, Colorado for Ryan O’Reilly and Matt Duchene (this won’t ever happen, I’m not being realistic, just making an example), their forward line-up would make a lot more sense wouldn’t it?
i agree if the Pens could trade Malkin for 2 or 3 valuable roster players it would work. your example of Duchene and O’Reilly might never happen (i would like it as a pens fan) but good example. and i’ve always seen SJ as a possibility if Malkin gets shopped. I still think its a very small chance he gets moved. Maybe at the end of next season if Pitt loses in the first round again. I see the best options as SJ, St Louis, Winnipeg or Nashville.
If i was Rutherford i would accept Couture, Burns, Goldobin and the 11th pick for Malkin, Kunitz and Harrington.
I cheer for the Oilers, Jets and Penguins. So as for the Oilers and Draistl i love him and think he’s gonna be a solid 2 way center that averages around 25-40-65 per season. I want the Oilers to keep him unless they get blown away with an offer from someone wanting him. The post about the Leafs moving the #4 pick for him makes a lot of sense for both teams. Oilers could then take Hanifin. I would prefer if they move Draistl for the #4 pick they then trade down to maybe #7 and take Provorov. I live in Brandon and have watched Provorov for the Wheat Kings and he is amazing. so calm and smooth. reminds me of wade redden except with much better skating and obviously prior to Redden’s personal problems. If they don’t trade Draistl i say move him to the wing for next season to play with RNH and Eberle. or…
Draistl to NJ for Adam Larsson (he could be the next Hedman) or
Draistl and Oilers 2nd round pick to Toronto for the #4 pick
Oilers take Marner with the #4 pick and trade him and Marincin to NJ for Larsson and NJ’s #6 and take Provorov.
i would be happy seeing Nurse, Provorov and Larsson on the Oilers D in a few years.
and if they can trade for any goalie i would pick John Gibson. fingers crossed they grab someone solid. Even a guy like Talbot, Elliot or Ramo.
i know its a long shot but the Jets need to see if they can pick up Eric Staal at a reasonable price, both in terms of assets and resigning him to an extension. If he would take $6M then maybe the Jets could afford to resign Buff for $7.25M per and Ladd for $6M per. Move out Enstrom and his cap hit with plans to replace him in 2016-17 with Josh Morrissey. Don’t resign Stafford. Keep Frolik instead. Better 2 way player. Replace Stafford with Burmiastrov at a lower cap hit. He;s had a few years to mature in KHL and should be ready for 2nd line minutes. If not he can play on the third line and Perreault can move up. Jets should be jacked about Connor Hellebuyck. He’s gonna be good. In 2016-17 they can call him up to play with Hutchinson and Pavelec can be moved.
should be an interesting offseason. Hope the jets can have these top 3 lines
Ladd/Little/Frolik
Burmistrov/Schiefele/Wheeler
Ehlers/Lowry/Perreault
and would the Ducks consider Eberle to play with Perry and Getzlaf?
Eberle and the Oilers 2nd round pick for John Gibson and Hampus Lindholm?
Intriguing possiblity Staal to Winnipeg.
The question is what to send the other way.
I’d send Buff, ( ufa same time as Staal ) a lower tier 1 prospect ( Kostalek ) and swap picks the 17th to CAR and the 35th to WIN.
It may be too little, may be too much but Staal would fit in nicely with the Jets. ( and everyone else too !! )
i dont think Buff would be traded for Staal unless it was a much larger deal. Jets need to keep him and resign for 4 years $29M. He will most likely want more if he plays well and is healthy this year. potential deal??
Byfuglien/Comrie/2nd round pick
EStaal/Hadyn Fleury/35th pick
I cant see CAR moving Fleury.
I totally agree, having Malkin on the second line might have worked when they had decent wingers but clearly the days of their wingers playing way over their talent level seems to be declining (Kennedy, Kunitz, Dupuis etc. this list goes on and on).
If they could bring in a legit scoring talent with Crosby (Hornqvist is not) then that first line would be all the much better, as it stands now having two world class centres doesn’t seem to be working out amazing for them anymore.
I said over last weekend that Sharp wasn’t going to bring much on the trade market this summer. Your post today kinda confirms those statements. His drop off the top line was more due to performance than anything else.
The only way NY moves Talbot is by getting a gross overpayment. Outside of that….there is NO way NYR’s move Talbot at this point. It would be a step backwards.
that also depends if the rangers made a move for a backup before moving Talbot.
He is UFA in one year. If he makes it to market… and was his season a flash in the pan or is he capable of a a #1 job.
Rather gambled on Stralman’s one good season and backfired.
That would be a little counter productive wouldn’t it? Are they going to get a backup cheaper than Talbot at 1.45? Guys like Neuvirth and Enroth will cost more $$$’s. Skapski just had surgery and is out until November or December. That pretty much killed the idea of moving him at all imo. At least until near the deadline, or if an offer came up too good to turn down.
But unless Henrik suffers a career ending injury there is no way the Rangers can afford to resign Talbot. It is his one chance at a big contract-he is not young.
His value may never be higher and if the plan is play him 15 games next season you have to try to see what is offered
how about this trade
to Colorado ……Gilbert Emelin ,Tinordi and Fucale
to Montreal ……O’Reilly
maybe if the Avalanche want to shake things up:
Nathan McKinnon/Matt Duchene/11th pick (Werenski: will be better than Pens two)
for
Evgeni Malkin/Brian Dumulion/Scott Harrington
Interesting. Your in the ballpark but you would have to take Harrington off the list and add another young player on Colorado’s side.
If the Penguins could get the said quality level package of support players from San Jose I think they should do it.
If you could get 2 of Pavelski/Couture + Burns + young pieces that is a pretty fantastic return, that will help you more than any one man can.