Latest on Keith Yandle, Tyler Bozak, Alexander Semin and Michael Grabner.
Could Yandle hit the trade block?
Could Derek Stepan’s new contract force the New York Rangers to trade Keith Yandle?
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks speculates defenseman Keith Yandle could become a trade candidate if the New York Rangers need to clear cap space to re-sign center Derek Stepan. Brooks suggests Buffalo Sabres center Ryan O’Reilly’s new contract (worth $7.5 million annually) could be used as a comparable by Stepan if he files for salary arbitration today. Brooks claims there’s no indication the Rangers intend to trade right wing Rick Nash and no mention of Nash’s name in the rumor mill.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’ll find out for certain what Stepan’s intentions are by 5 pm ET today. If a Yandle trade becomes necessary, it will likely take place after Stepan gets his new deal, either in negotiations with the Rangers or via arbitration. The Rangers’ are carrying only $2.625 million of Yandle’s salary (the Arizona Coyotes carry the other half), which would make him an affordable, attractive option in the trade market even in mid-summer.
Suggested destinations for Bozak.
TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons believes “Arizona, New Jersey, Minnesota, Detroit and Boston (if it could afford him)” as teams which could use Toronto Maple Leafs center Tyler Bozak.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Coyotes could have used depth at center until they brought back Antoine Vermette, signed Brad Richardson and acquired Boyd Gordon. They’re done now. The Devils have Adam Henrique and Travis Zajac as their top-two centers, so there’s no fit there unless they trade one of them.
The Wild have limited cap space ($3.628 million available) and have Mikko Koivu, Mikael Granlund and Charlie Coyle as their top-three centers, so Bozak’s no fit there unless they make a trade. Detroit signed Brad Richards but he’s long in the tooth as a second-line center, but with Dylan Larkin waiting in the wings and Luke Glendening and Riley Sheahan in the lineup, the Wings seem content with their current crop of centers. Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci are the top two centers in Boston, so Bozak’s no fit there.
Updates on Semin and Grabner.
WASHINGTONCAPS.COM: Mike Vogel reported on July 2 it sounds like Alexander Semin wants to stay in the NHL, but there’s zero chance he returns to the Capitals.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If there was any chance of Semin returning to the Capitals, their signing of Justin Williams and acquisition via trade of T.J. Oshie since Vogel’s tweet eliminated it completely. As an aside, I believe the Capitals did a superb job addressing their lack of scoring punch on right wing.
CSNNE.COM: Joe Haggerty recently reported hearing the New York Islanders could be shopping winger Michael Grabner.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That report was on July 1. Have to wonder how the recent player movement via free agency and trades could affect those efforts by the Isles to move Grabner.
I still think NJ is the best fit for Bozak. Henrique plays the wing as much as center so no need for a trade there. Current wingers Zubrus/Ruutu are getting long in the tooth and the depth chart has Elias listed as a center as well. He is getting older so moving to the wing (a la Datsyuk) is probably better for him as well.
Bozak will only cost you a pick. (I’m guessing).
NJ might be more interested in JVR and the Leafs could use a young RHD.
Bozak will only cost you a pick?……..haha……Leafs fans have his value set at another team’s entire top line……overvalued as usual. I agree……a second round pick should do it
Yes draft pick = top line.
Wow. Where do they find these guys?
BOZAk isen’t what the Devils are focusing on.
I agree NJ is the best shot to take bozak, but it would probably take retaining another million to a million and a half to get that deal done. Honestly the best move I see is probably to florida. Might not need to retain any or much for a deal there.
Maybe instead of retaining salary the Leafs could include a pick or a prospect for another pick…I do agree hard to move Bozak straight up. Bozak and a Levio say for a second….the Marles are getting kind of full of wingers and some of the players there are from previous management. Not sure tho I think that Bozak might be there till the deadline for Babcock to assess.
While it’s no secret I have not liked Bozak for a few years since he started to think he could practice and play the same way as Kessel, all be it without 1/10th of the skill, I think they need to move him asap. When Babcock gets his hooks in him before long Bozak will be banished to the third and forth line rendering him un-tradable under his current contract. There is no way Babcock will allow Bozak to be the 2nd guy off the ice after every practice and to skate around the perimeter (like Kessel) while never going to the front of the net or in the corners. The tie to move him is now while other teams think he can actually play a second line center role at his current salary. Without Kessel’s skill level and JVR standing in front of the net doing the dirty work Bozaks points will plummet and he will end up on the third or forth line on a good team. Move him now before teams figure it out and want the Leafs to retain salary on him.
Bozak is a slightly overpaid 3rd line center. So do the Leafs take less than market value just for the same of moving him or keep him hoping he will fit into the 3rd hole? I don’t think Babcock moving him the 3rd spot will impact his trade value. If he was a tradeable commodity, he would have already been moved by now.
Prediction: Bozaks totals will drop to 8 goals, 30 points this year. At $4.2M he will be untradeable by this time next year without retaining salary IMO.
This I almpst kinda agree with…the point total anyway….
The one thing I will say (not that I really agree with it being a reason to keep Bozak) Babcock does seem to have a soft spot for centers who win faceoffs, if you look at Glendening and how Sheehan were used and their totals Babcock might actually not mind Bozak…tough to say up to the past couple years Bozak wasnt terrible defensively but that rally fell off a cliff 2 or 3 years ago.
They should get off that useless bernier that’s the biggest mistake they ever made
I think some people may overvalue Bozak, but most seem to undervalue him. He scored only 7 less points than JVR last season, and was almost a point a game player near the half way point of the season before the whole team, including JVR and Kessel, became invisible. I’m not suggesting Bozak is a bonafide #1 center, but his faceoff% and point production (when the team was firing on all cylinders) was actually very good. He may be the second one off the ice, but he and Kessel had other duties to attend to … the Call of Duty! lol but all kidding aside, I think he is worth a second, and maybe a bit more in the coming weeks when teams are more desperate for a centerman.
I missed yesterdays Franson/ Phaneuf conversation so I’ll quickly chime in.
My inside source (that Shiticky says doesn’t exist) is saying Babcock wants to keep Phaneuf. He will have his defensive assistant sit down with him and explain what they want out of him. If he can’t deliver then they will try and move him but not until they give it a fair shot.
Franson’s trade value is definitely hurt by the Nashville blunder. I’d say the Leafs go in at $4.5M X 4 years, it would be fair value considering they under paid him for the last three years. It will probably end up at $5M because nothing is fair with UFA signings. Sounds like Franson wants to come back to TO. and the Leafs need experienced D.
This has been your Hockey Buzz report….
I agree leafs27/7 franson shouldn’t make more than 5per season I think that is why he hasn’t been signed yet
Via On the Forecheck.
Franson was a victim of being a good defenseman in the wrong situation. All of his underlying numbers were phenomenal: When adjusting for score, he saw 56% of all total shot attempts go towards the opposing goaltender, more than any other Preds defenseman. He also was only on the ice for 23.85 shots per 60 minutes, the fewest of any blue liner since joining the team.
Remember all those times he made a mistake to cost the team a goal? Well, you probably remember way more of them than there actually are. He was only out for nine 5v5 goals against, also the fewest of any regular blue liner.
Thats from a Preds blogger (not a Leaf fan) Seems like Fransons struggles as a defender may be exaggerated by some here….
Franson was also playing against third and fourth lines so how important are those stats in Nashville?
Was Franson also playing with third and fourth liners?
See, it is a fun game!
Franson is a good defenseman.What his value is, is beyond me guessing anymore but the prices guys are getting paid, Franson is getting nothing less than 5, one would think.
I said 5 million also
No actually Franson was playing with Jones 2nd pairing at first when Ellis was injured on the second pairing which was 2 right handed D playing together (not ideal) once Ellis came back he took his spot back in the top 4 but the minutes Franson did get were still mostly with Jones on the second pair…the Preds picked up Franson for insurance and depth not to replace any one Ellis was hurt it was Jones playoff series…Franson was insurance that wasnt needed….his numbers were good on a good team aswell as a bad one….Im guessing the Preds blogger probably watched more Preds game than Leaf fans did.
Do you hate the Leafs that much? Aside from losing 50 years and raping us for over priced tickets did they do something to you personally? All I ever see from you when it comes to the Leafs is devaluation of our players and flat out rumour debunking. Nobody is getting traded why??? Clarkson never being traded not tradable where is Clarkson now? Same deal with Kessel where is he? No room for Bozak on any team in the NHL right??? Good grief man do you ever get tired of eating the same old feet over and over again???
I was wrong about Clarkson, yes, though in fairness so were many others. It was a creative move initiated by the Blue Jackets. As for Kessel, when did I say he was never getting traded? I said the only way the Leafs could move Kessel was to absorb part of his salary because his contract was so expensive, and I was proven right. I think there’s a market for Bozak, but it’s tough to find one right now considering the recent moves made via trades and free agency by other clubs. I was simply looking at the destinations suggested by Simmons and explained why most of them won’t work.
Some do like to assign words to others that never existed to underscore their “gloating.” I doubt anyone ever said Kessel could never be traded, but many of us did offer the opinion that there was no way they could do it without withholding cap and that they could forget about getting back two 1st picks and a top prospect as some were suggesting. I thought they have to eat $2 mil at least, and was surprised Pitt took him at $1,250,000. But then, that’s Rutherford for you.
George on June 28, 2015 at 9:35 pm
You seem pretty certain he will score 45-50 somewhere else. If some of the other 29 GMs were as confident as you he’d have been traded by now. He hasn’t. And won’t be.
K on June 26, 2015 at 7:35 am
Bahahahaha.. I called it!!
Kessel doesn’t move at all
TO finishes 8-12th next year
And the rest of the hockey world keeps on laughing!!
It’s funny to hear you guys defend Their managements decisions.. What happens when that offer you are waiting for never comes around
Give your heads a shake!!
….kinda sounds like they did
During the last federal election in the US, numerous accredited news papers & broadcast stations were reporting that Obama was going to lose & by a significant margin weeks before & right up to the elction. Not only did that not happen, he won buy a landslide. Now what was their motivation for trying to sway public opinion with that bunch of BS? To potentially convince the portion of people that want to vote for winners, to vote against Obama?
Just because Simmond’s is accredited is of no consequence to me. Your not accredited & I value your opinion, it’s not even a contest. I may not always agree with you but I respect your opinion. I have ZERO respect for Simmond’s or his opinion, accredited or not.
I don’t watch the main stream news or read the major dailies. I get my news from bloggers who I respect & who’s opinions I value. Like minded individuals who’s opinions make sense to me. 1 of the biggest advantages of the new information era.
The thing is camps have not even started yet…it’s a long way to the season opener so between camp, pre-season and the season beginning a lot can happen. Teams re-evaluate their rosters, injuries and players who were penciled in don’t produce and someone will need a center. It’s better to trade from strength then need and the return could be better then expected.
Carolina would be a possible fit, as Bozak could play second or third line centre, which would allow both Staals to play on the top line regularly.
Hey Joe, it’s ok to hate tthe Leafs but you don’t have to hate them to understand the difficulty they are under when trying to fix their mess.
I think the Canadiens should put their hands on Alex Semin if he’s welling to accept a modest contrat. Rumours involving Jeff Skinner make me think it could be a good thing to get both players in Montreal. This team needs helps on the right wing.
I agree bigpopa… semin could be a low risk high reward for the habs if they can get him for cheap
The Devils Don’t want Bozak. If the rumor said JVR I would believe that all the way, but I think Shero is taking the patient approach now in Newark. Bozak wouldn’t be a good long term solution, and seeing as how the Devils don’t need a short term solution, I have my doubt’s about them needing him.
FYI I do expect more Devils rumors yo trickle through now with Shero in as GM and Lou as president.
I’m a die hard devils fan and we’ve had a winning team for the past 25years,Iam tied of hearing negitive feed back of my team,with SHERO we will be back.
njdevils 40,as a devils fan like me,what direction do you think Shero is taking our team,no major moves yet,why.
I want to hear positive feed back from real hockey fans about where the Divils stand now with a new GM,and a new owner wlling to spend the money to put our great organization back on the map once again.
Bozak has a list of 12 teams he will accept a trade to. Dion has 10 and Lupul has 14 so there is some flexibility here and a summer to get any or all of these guys traded before October
Bozak can’t afford to be so choosy.
Actually he can George. Thanks to Nonis, there are 19 teams he can refuse a trade to and only 12 he will accept a trade to and its written in his contract that way.
Check it out for yourself
http://www.thefourthperiod.com/no_trade_list.html
17 teams..not 19..my bad..also the above link applied for the 2014-15 season only and may or may not apply moving forward.
I wasn’t doubting what you said joey – just meant that an overpaid 3rd-line C with a cap hit of $4.2 mil for 3 more years who was a -34 last season and a -81 for his career as a Leaf shouldn’t be picky as to where he’d go if the Leafs can find a taker. A job anywhere in the NHL is still a good place to be.
See no need for Bozak in Boston makes no sense.
Krejci,Bergeron,Spooner,Kelly,Koko in Providence and I believe Rinaldo and Talbot are centers.
Boston needs a defenseman to finish off the roster.
Bruins a re a top D-Man short maybe 2…….they need to add a goal scoring winger they will be short scoring goals
Once again, Mr. Simmons is full of crap. I swear, everytime I hear or read him I end up just shaking my head. NOBODY in the media (except maybe Glen Healy) comes off as more arrogant and more ” I KNOW EVERYTHING” than Simmons, and 90% of the time, what he is spewing forth is garbage/guesses/just plain incorrect. Siiiiiggghhh…
Yeah, but he’s well paid for “spewing” out the same kind of garbage/guesses and incorrect assumptions that we do here for zilch.
Still think the Sharks should go after Alexander Semin. He’s somebody they could use at RW especially since they could use another one.
I think we all accept Steve Simmonds is an idiot & sensationalist. Only 1 of the teams he lists has any the ability to accommodate Bozak at C, that being NJ, & Minnesota could potentially use him but have serious cap issues. I show Minny with 21 players signed; I include Reilly in that #, at 70.281 & that includes 3 goalies currently. Haula & Folin are RFA’s.
Arz C’. Vermette, Hanzal, Gordon & Chiphura. I have Richardson & Vitale also both C’s playing RW. Richardson played C in Vancouver but he played significantly more RW in LA. Rieder was also a C before making the NHL last season as a LW.
Boston C’s. Krejci, Bergeron, Spooner, Kelly. Talbot was a C in Pittsburgh & Colorado for extended periods, RW when not.
Detroit C’s. Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Richards, Sheahan, Glendening, Helm & Andersson. Detroit has so many C’s that Helm is playing RW & I assume Datsyuk & Zetterberg will go back to playing together next season to accommodate Richards or Sheahan as 2 & 3. Andersson has been playing at LW when able to crack the roster.
Minnesota C’s. Koivu, Granlund, Coyle, Carter, Haula. Minny could use Bozak potentially but no money available to accommodate anyone currently to even get to a 23 man roster. Something will have to give in Minny before the season starts. Coyle could move to RW a position he has played often. Haula will move back to LW to accommodate Carter as the #4 C. Minny will be filling out there 11th, 12th & 13th forward spots & 7th & 8th Dman slots with players making at or near the league min salary to get roster compliant baring a trade.
NJ C’s. Zajac, Elias, Henrique, Josefson, Gionta. NJ makes sense to some extent. They have the money, they need actual NHL quality players & both Henrique & Elias can & do play LW, Elias for most of his career. Frankly I think Bozak is a better offensive C than Zajac. George. Here is another example of a player; Zajac, who gets 1st line ice time & power play time & still can’t produce as his offensive talent is limited. Zajac is the most over paid player in the NHL at a cap hit of 5.75 for 6 more years, actually making 6.5 over the next 4 seasons before dropping back to 5.75 for the final 2. Outrageous & few ever complain about him being over paid.
If Simmonds actually took the time to qualify his opinions he might actually see that his hyperbole is bull sh– & I really wish Lyle would stop referencing his onions as a source as they have zero validity.
So, based upon the opinion of someone whose main claim to fame is that he heads several hockey pools and writes in chapters, Lyle should ignore an accredited hockey writer who is hated in LeafsNation for stating his opinions on a dysfunctional team (10 YEARS dysfunctional). I don’t think so.
I just support my opinions with facts George. If it takes Chapters to do so, so be it. If I were having this conversation with you live it would take 30 seconds to verbalize those chapters as you call them.
You rarely provide facts, just opinions which is all good & your right. It’s an open forum. You can choose to read them or not, it’s of no consequence to me.
I, like many of Lyle’s long time readers don’t read, listen to, or consider Simmonds opinions to be of any value. The only place I have the misfortune to hear his thoughts or opinions is here & ideally I wouldn’t have the misfortune here either as I put no credibility in anything that comes out of his mouth. If he comes on TV as I’m watching hockey, or other, I switch the channel or take the opportunity to get another beer.
I share my thoughts & opinions & you can agree or not. I’m not forcing you to read them that is your perogative.
And no one’s forcing you to read Simmons’ opinions. I cited him today because he’s an accredited sports reporter who is speculating on potential trade destinations for Tyler Bozak. The purpose of my rumors section is to cite trade rumors from accredited sports reporters like Simmons and then offer up my take on their speculation. If you don’t like Simmons’ opinion, simply skim past the parts that reference him.
Virtually impossible to do as I read your site religiously & certainly want to hear your opinion on rumors as I value your perspective. I just don’t put any value on anything he has to say & thankfully this is the only place I have to endure even a brief bit of Simmond’s BS.
Deal with it. Just because you don’t like what an accredited hockey reporter has to say doesn’t mean I shouldn’t cite him here when he engaged in trade or free agent speculation.
Rattling off endless streams of statistics to bolster arguments/opinions reminds me 3 of my favorite quotes about “statistics”: Herbert Asquith “The War Office kept three sets of figures – one to mislead the public; another to mislead the Cabinet; and the third to mislead itself.”
J.B.S. Haldane: “From the fact that there are 400,000 species of beetles on this planet, but only 8,000 species of mammals, he (Haldane) concluded that the Creator, if He exists, has a special preference for beetles.”
Benjamin Disraeli: “There are three kinds of lies; lies, damned lies; and statistics.
I have no claim to fame nor do I wish such. Hahahaha.
I do what I do, make a great money doing it & enjoy it. Fantasy hockey is my favorite hobby & has helped support my lifestyle which is a nice bonus.
Managing fantasy hockey leagues has allowed me to talk hockey with people who’s knowledge & deductive reasoning skills are top notch & forums such as this to discuss & debate current topics & events in the NHL. Hell I even find myself agreeing with you on occasion. Hahahah
Your Brian Burke. Very strong willed & cantankerous. It wouldn’t be any fun if we always agreed with 1 & other. There would be no discussion nor debate.
Be well, be happy, be good & enjoy. If you can’t be good, be bad, it’s way more fun.
Bozak is not worth a 2nd round pick.. You guys must be high!!!!!
lol well George, you rattliing off nothing but your opinion with out backing anything up with facs rreminds me of the ol’ adage “opinions are like ________, everyone has one.”
I totally agree! So what is your obsession with what I say? Disagree by all means. I do often.
Why I dont like Simmons
Today
” Already coach Mike Babcock has rolled his eyes about the size of those he will be asked to coach in the future ‘
Guess Babcock had no say eh ??
” On the greatest day of his hockey career, Phil Housley shouldn’t be in the same Hall of Fame as Sergei Makarov, let alone the same sentence … ”
Makarov was a star in Russia and on the international stage for years. Both are HHOF ers.
” One day I hope to get this image out of my mind: Martin St. Louis, pouting gold medal winner in Sochi ”
Should we not be celebrating a great career not jumping on this guy ??
” Amazing how many fans were offended by my column on the Kessel trade and how many hockey people — coaches, GMs, scouts, media — thought it was dead on . ”
Yes Steve the billions and billions of your supporters.
It was reported somewhere – maybe referenced in here – that at the draft he wanted a big D at # 4 – Hanifin or Provorov – and instead got a F who is 165 lbs soaking wet. So, if that’s true, I guess one can conclude that his opinion was superseded by Hunter’s. Of course, that could also be just another of the endless “informed sources tell me.”
Yay that Simmons post just seems pointless!!!
Bozak is garbage and they’d be lucky if someone just took him off Toronto’s hands.
I’d rather talk about Grabner.. Leafs news is so boring
I’m mean the team sucks.. And they have sucked for the last 10 years.. And they are going to suck for 10 more!!!!!
End of story!!!
What’s going on with Boston? Are they going to miss playoffs or what???
B’s need a top 4 D-man badly, get that and they will be in the playoffs. Get real everybody they traded Lucic who has been invisible here for the better parts of the last 3 seasons and got a monster return. Hamilton is going to be a real good D-man but not a #1, he won’t have Chara covering his butt every time he coughs up the puck in his own end or being caught up ice. If someone had offered Beleskey and Hayes for Lucic and Smith in a trade I would have rented a Limo to drive Lucic & Smith to the Airport and bought them plane tickets ( coach )
As a Kings fan I would LOVE for you to explain to me how the Bruins got a “monster deal” for Lucic?
The way I see it the Bruins got a lot of what-if’s in return for a proven performer and a truly one-of-a-kind player. Like Lyle said the other day, if these “what-ifs” don’t pan out Sweeney will be run out of town faster than Seguin was.
If they stumble out of the gate and are still stuttering by December look for Julien to be the next to get chopped.
I want to hear about the Devils out there.
The Devils are getting a bit long in the tooth up front. Their D is OK with Greene being the only one over 30 (32) but they need to hope that their prospects at F make the jump soon with 8 of their F 30 plus.
Bruins will be fine great core stud goalie could use maybe one more decent D-man. Definitely don’t need Bozak they have all the centers they need.
I still would love to see the pens offer Semin a 1.5 to 2million contract for a year to acquire him plus like the idea of another goal scorer to help.
Honestly though I would be happy with a offer to Boyes for fourth line center and a show me contract to Booth as well. Would like to see the pens make a couple more moves.
At this stage, anyone wanting to take a chance on Semin can get him for 1 years at $1 mil. That’s how far his stock h as fallen. Mind you, if he came in determined to resurrect his career it could be the best $1 mil anyone every spent.
The justification to trade Bozak is pretty thin. #1. We won’t get much in return and may have to retain salary to get it #2. We don’t need to free up cap space, we have plenty. His contract will expire before the rebuild is complete. #3. If he has a strong start to the season it will ‘prove’ in many minds that he can perform without Kessel – these people want to believe (look at Belesky, look at Clarkson) #4. There are bound to be injuries this season. Second line centre is an important position. Under ideal circumstances we could command a better return (maybe multiple picks, a late 1st – see Perron). We have time to wait for the market to change. #5. He’s averaging 23G/54PTS per 82 GMS over the last 4 years. Those are strong numbers (comp. to Bergeron, Duchene or E Stall’s numbers last season – not to say he’s their equal – but still) and I’m not saying his #s won’t trail off but there is a reason they kept him with Kessel, he’s a clever play maker and opportunistic scorer. I don’t think he’s being given credit for any of that. He can also win draws and kill penalties. #6. If we keep him and his offense dries up he can still be a capable depth centre. And a guy who can log minutes during a rebuild. That’s worth something.
The only real justification for trading him would be to remove his influence from the dressing room. But unlike Lupul or Phaneuf I don’t see him as being a big presence and he’s smart enough that when Babcock speaks he will do what he’s told.
Bottom line, I think his value is deeply discounted and I would gamble on keeping him. Worst case we’re not out much (cap space we didn’t need and a draft pick that has a 30% chance of being an nhler).
Best write up on Bozak here.
Not sure the facination of runnong players out of town in Toronto.
i see both co and gordon have their heads in the sand with blozak—-he can win a draw every once in awhile—every other category sucks—-99% chance he sucks even more without kessel—-and fyi—leafs are supposed to tank next year not keep past junk and no one will have better numbers when team is tanking—amazing geezz
I agree that the Leafs should hold onto Bozak until an actual market emerges for him. They apparently made him available to anyone that wanted him for a 2nd at the draft and there were no takers (I think this was Elliot Freedman). There’s a perception that it was a strong draft but still it suggests his value isn’t all that high right now. His value could bounce back if there are injuries or if he performs well.
Of course the opposite is also true, he could get injured or underperform and his market could drop. The Leafs could benefit by moving him in that they may get another pick, albeit a late one, and he may help keep them closer to the middle than the bottom where they would ideally like to be to gather better assets.
Steve Simmons is a disgrace to legitimate sports writers everywhere
Not really. He just pisses off diehard Leafs fans by telling them what they SHOULD hear as opposed to what they W ANT to hear. He’s not paid by the Sun to be a cheerleader.