With little trade and free agent speculation from the mainstream media, here’s a look at the rumors that have kicked around the NHL blogosphere in recent weeks. Enjoy!
The Capitals, Wild and Flames are interested in James van Riemsdyk.
Are the Leafs shopping James van Riemsdyk?
SPECTOR’S NOTE: van Riemsdyk is a talented young left wing. If the Leafs shop him (which I consider unlikely, as they’ll evaluate his play next season before determing his future in Toronto), there will be considerable interest. However, don’t expect the Capitals, Wild and Flames to be among the bidders.
The Flames only have a little over $3 million in cap space for next season and have to re-sign Mark Giordano, Jiri Hudler, Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau next summer. Even if Giordano and Hudler depart next summer via free agency, Monahan and Gaudreau will be expensive re-signings. van Riemsdyk certainly can’t replace Giordano and on the wrong wing to replace Hudler. The Capitals and Wild lack the cap space to take on van Riemsdyk’s $4.25 million per season salary, plus the Wild are deep at left wing with Zach Parise, Thomas Vanek and Jason Zucker.
Patrick Marleau for Rick Nash.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Not happening. Both have no-trade clauses and no interest in moving. Marleau is aging and not an improvement over Nash, the Rangers’ leading scorer last season. Also, when the Columbus Blue Jackets were shopping Nash three years ago, he made it clear he was only interested in playing for Eastern teams.
The Montreal Canadiens could trade Lars Eller or David Desharnais to the Capitals for a defenseman.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: First, I don’t see the Capitals making any significant roster moves until they’ve sorted out Marcus Johansson’s contract situation. He’s slated for arbitration later this week. Once that’s done, the Capitals won’t have much cap space available. Even now, they’ve got only around $4.2 million remaining. Eller and Desharnais each earn $3.5 million annually, so the Caps would have to move comparable salary to make the dollars fit. They aren’t trading John Carlsson ($3.966 million) or Karl Alzner ($2.8 million). I don’t see Dmitri Orlov being an improvement for the Habs defense corps, nor do I see the Habs moving Eller or Desharnais for him. Such a move makes no sense for the Canadiens.
The Winnipeg Jets could be interested in Jeff Skinner.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t see why. The Jets are pretty much set on their top-two lines with Andrew Ladd, Bryan Little, Blake Wheeler, Drew Stafford, Mark Scheifele and Mathieu Perreault. They’re also bringing back Alex Burmistrov and there’s a good chance promising Nikolaj Ehlers makes his debut in 2015-16. Skinner’s not a fit with the Jets.
The Arizona Coyotes are pursuing Cody Franson.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: While the Coyotes have lots of cap space to sign Franson, they’re also under a self-imposed cap ceiling that is much lower than the league ceiling. The recent addition of Nicklas Grossmann and the return of Zbynek Michalek addressed their need for experience on their blueline. They also possess one of the league’s best puck-moving defensemen in Oliver Ekman-Larsson. They also have several promising young rearguards in their system and in their lineup. I don’t think Franson’s a fit with the Coyotes.
With a defence corps with names like Subban, Markov, Petry, Beaulieu heading the top 4, and others like Emelin, Pateryn, and Gilbert in the mix, it’s hard to see the Canadiens needing another defenceman. This list does not include Jarred Tinordi or the recently acquired Mark Barberio.
True, while many fans would like to trade Eller (a mistake in my view) or Desharnais (who, while not a championship quality first-line centre, would be terrific on an exploitation line as a winger), it would be more prudent to have the solutions come from within. Move Galchenyuk to centre, DD to the wing, and promote some of the kids to the big club. That would have more of an impact.
Agreed, although Beaulieu isn’t yet a top 4 Dman. His minutes & responsibilities will increase moving forward but in year 2 of his development he will still be 6th for TOI/GP at seasons end baring a significant injury or trade. All of the other Dman except for Pateryn will log more icetime. Gilbert is a UFA after next season which will move Beaulieu up to the #5 slot for the 2016-17 season but he will have to keep earning his opportunity as he develops. He will certainly be a top 4 Dman by his break through point of 400 games most likely even higher but still several years; 2 or 3, away from that role.
Actually, Beaulieu was playing some top 4 mins last year with Gonchar. With Petry in for the full season now though, not sure where he’s going to slot in.
That said, the last thing Montreal needs is another D.
I disagree with Franson not being a good fit in Arizona. Outside of OEL they’re paper thin on D, and Franson is a big right handed shot that could play along side him. Arizona could get a top pairing defenceman (on their team) without giving away anything. For the right price (5×5, maybe 5.5) I think it would be a smart move.
I think it comes down to whether Arizona is the right fit for Franson, considering it’s…well, Arizona.
Franson won’t sign to play for what will be the worst team in the West & bottom 5 & most likely bottom 3 in the entire league. Arizona is in a full rebuild losing bags of money, even more now with the renegotiated lease agreement.
Their top 6 are set with Ekman-Larson, Stone, Michalek, Grossman, Murphy, & Gormley. Leaving Dahlbeck & Samuellsson to serve as the # 7th & 8th Dman. All of the 8 have to clear waivers to be sent down & none would.
The Coyotes have significantly improved their roster from last season. A season that they had to work on from going mediocre to the 2nd worse. They will easily get back to being a bubble team next season with the addition of their NHL prospects to their solid veteran core.
Franson paired with Ekman-Larsson in even strength would not work. Franson’s defensive lapses would have a resounding effect on OEL’s offensive capabilites, who is a much better offensive player as well as defensive player. Murphy and Stone are a much overall blueliner than Franson.
WHS how has Arizona improved their roster? No way they’re a bubble team next year, not a chance.
Murphy is still on his ELC so waivers do not matter for him.
And at this point Franson will sign ANYWHERE he can get a long term deal !
Don’t think ELC has anything to do with waivers it’s games played.
Well after lots of research Gormley is indeed no longer eligible for the exemption.
Based on his ELC being signed he has passed the time limit.
Games played he did not qualify but di as he signed his ELC in his 18th year.
Found a site that explained it better then others to me.
Marleau is not leaving SJ.
Murphy is still waiver eligable.
If Van Riemsdyk is really available, the Flames would be all over it to try and get him. Salary cap would not be that big of an issue as there would have to be a significant player (with significant salary) going back the other way. With David Jones among others coming off the books next year the Flames could work it for a player like that.
As for the flames, Kris Russell is also a UFA next off season along with Hiller and Ramo are UFA next offseason. I think the flame have got them selves in a bit of a cap problem.
JVR could generate a decent return but I think he’s young enough to be still in his prime when the rebuild is complete.
Toronto will never be done rebuilding.. They have no clue what there doing!!!
#Help #laughingStock
If the Habs can trade desharnais I’d say do it.. Roll with galchenyuk, plekanec, eller, whoever down the middle
If semin could get his game back (not holding my breath) the Habs could be scary.
Any chance of the Blackhawks trading Seabrook to make room for Kruger and possibly Franson? Any newer rumors on Bickell or Versteeg being moved?
Chicago won’t trade Seabrook or Keith. Only way they go anywhere is if they leave. They’ll probably finish their careers there.
Would be great to see JVR in Orange and Black again. How about a straight up trade – JVR for Luke Schenn?
Since Mr. “Lou” likes defensive hockey, there is likely to be a trade from behind the blue line before training camp.(You heard it here, first.) He’ll be looking for a man who is not afraid to clear out in front of the net. It’s make Bernier look a lot better too. Leafs have been lacking that kind of defensive man for a long time. Luke the Lucky Schenn might just be the man they need. But don’t trade JV; he is good in front of the other team’s net. He is a tip-in master. Trade Bozak now that they have Nylander one season from NHL play.