It’s another quiet Sunday for media-generate NHL trade & free agent rumors, so let’s take a look at what’s kicking around the blogosphere of late.
The Boston Bruins are pursuing Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets could lose Byfuglien to next summer’s UFA market, but I think they’ll keep him around for next season and see how things play out. His presence buys more time for Tyler Myers to adjust (he’s only been with them since mid-Feb) and for Jacob Trouba to continue his development. The Bruins are considering adding another defenseman but that addition will likely come via free agency.
Could the Maple Leafs shop Dion Phaneuf this summer?
The Los Angeles Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs are talking trade regarding Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Phaneuf was linked to the Kings midway through last season, but the talks never really went anywhere because of the Kings’ limited cap space and the Leafs unwillingness to pick up part of his contract or take back a toxic contract. The Leafs’ new management and coaching staff want to evaluate Phaneuf’s performance in 2015-16, while the Kings still lack sufficient cap space to take on his contract.
The Carolina Hurricanes are shopping left wing Jeff Skinner. Montreal and Nashville are interested.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes entertained offers for Skinner earlier this summer but didn’t get anything to their liking. The Canadiens might have had interest, but over the past month they added Alex Semin and Zack Kassian to their forward lines. They also have high hopes for youngsters Alex Galchenyuk and Jacob de la Rose. As for the Predators, they’ve already got Filip Forsberg, Colin Wilson and promising Kevin Fiala on the left side, so I doubt they’re chasing Skinner.
The St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators are interested in Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Jonathan Drouin.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Despite Drouin’s disappointing rookie season, the Lightning aren’t giving up on him. Drouin has the potential to move up into the Lightning’s top-two lines. I’ve already noted the Predators’ depth at left wing, while the Blues have Alex Steen, Jaden Schwartz and promising Dmitrij Jaskin on the left side, so Drouin’s not a fit there.
The Chicago Blackhawks are shopping Corey Crawford. Winnipeg, Ottawa, Detroit and Edmonton are all interested.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Not happening. The Blackhawks are committed to Crawford as their starter. They won’t go into next season with Scott Darling and Michael Leighton as their tandem. Yes, Darling has promise but he hasn’t fully established himself as an NHL starting goalie.
The San Jose Sharks could trade forward Patrick Marleau to the Boston Bruins.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: No, they won’t. As I noted a week ago, Marleau has a full no-movement clause and no intention of waiving it. The Bruins are more interested in bolstering their defense.
The Montreal Canadiens could trade defenseman Alexei Emelin to the Dallas Stars for winger Ales Hemsky and a draft pick.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Not happening. Sure, Emelin was mentioned in trade rumors last season, but his full no-trade clause makes him difficult to move. Assuming the Habs were to ship Emelin to the Stars, they won’t want a banged-up winger like Hemsky, who’s past his best-before date and is earning $4 million annually for two more years, as part of the return.
Drouin has top end potential. With the age of Fippula and Stamkos with no contract extension Tampa would be foolish to trade Drouin at this point.
Agree I could see Yzerman trading Filppula before I could see him trading Drouin. Drouin is part of Tampa’s future and right now not knowing of what the future status is of Stamkos. It would be foolish for Tampa to trade Drouin.
Top end POTENTIAL, but still has issues holding the biscuit and not passing it away impulsively. He has plenty of high end skill when he gets it together….and we all know teams are gonna offer lesser lights not real players to obtain him.
LOL Why would Detroit be interested in Corey Crawford, When we already have Jimmy Howard signed for 4 more years and he’s cheaper. Petr Mrazek is Detroit’s future and Crawford makes more then Howard, And Detroit could be looking to move Howard because his cap will be too much for a future backup. If we don’t move Howard next summer I look for him to be left un-protected for the 2017/18 Expansion Draft. Bottom line even if Crawford were to be available pretty sure that Detroit wont be involved.
It’s just some sports writer speculating out loud. And it didn’t make sense all the way around. Chicago is not interested in trading Crawford. If they were they would have dumped him for cap relief this off season. Detroit has Howard, Edmonton just traded for Talbot. And they don’t have the cap space for Crawford either. And Ottawa just traded Lehner away to clear the crease of a goalie. Why would they bring a third goalie back in after that trade? They just solved that problem.
Whoever wrote the original rumor/article is clueless. It has no merit.
Byfuglien would be nice but not for one year. Wait until next season when he, Seabrook and Yandle could all hit the ufa market. I think if that happens Boston will target Yandle but I would rather the other two.
Agree Byfuglien would be the best choice in Boston.
If a trade is made i would want him resigned to a extension.
I don’t care for Yandle not what we need another 4-6 guy.
Pretty sure it’s safe to say the Habs are done for now. We’ve got everyone signed, a couple new faces, and have some cap space to make some moves during the season if needed.
Unless something falls in their lap, it’s just sit and wait game now (which is probably true with most teams)
Yep, having a full roster with $3.5M in cap space is genius. Though it has some weaknesses, this is a playoff roster already. Barring a big injury, that allows MB to get to the deadline then become a buyer. He fills the holes in his roster and has the cap room to do so. I don’t think the Habs are a Cup winner yet, but they’ve managed this team beautifully so far.
MB is a genius? gave PK a small bridge deal then paid thru the teeth for a long term, when he could’ve did the long term for a few mill less per year.
I just look at the bruins and what they have done recently gave kreicj way too much than trade away a 1 2 defenseman in Hamilton for virtually nothing! so compared to Sweeney and pc he is a genius lol
@ Dave
In what world is yandle a 4-6 defenceman?
He is still one of the better offensive defenceman in this league.. He is a lock for 40 points a year on any team
Not his fault the Rangers don’t know how to use him.. And he is 28 years old which puts him in his prime
If the Rangers don’t want him someone will be very happy to take him off theirs hands
Just look at what the Rangers paid to get him!! That should give you an idea of where Yandles abilities are ranked.. Extremely high cause they paid a first and top prospect.
K, look at what the Rangers paid to aquire an almost 39 year old St. Louis. Just because a team pays alot doesn’t make him more valuable. Yandle is a good offensive dman but defensively he leaves much to be desired. I agree that he definitely is not a 5th or 6th dman but he is far from great.
Dave. Your living in some sort of fantasy land if you think Yandle is a #5/6 Damn.
Yandle was tied for 9th overall last season in scoring by Damn. 5th over the last 2 seasons. 3rd over the last 3 seasons. Tied for 4th over the last 4 season & 2nd over the last 5 seasons & those last 3 seasons were playing for a team that kept getting worse every year offensively in Arizona as they never replaced the scorers they lost, Whitney, Vrbata, etc.
I’m not sure what criteria you are using to determine a players ranking but you need to readdress. Yangle is a top 10 offensive Dman if not top 5 in the entire NHL. Yes he over commits to make plays offensively causing defensive break downs but few coaches would want it any other way. He’s not a total slug defensively. Even with his warts he has to be 1 of the top 30 Dman in the entire NHL if for no other reason than his abilities to drive offense. His plus minus in Arizona over the last 2 seasons was brutal but that is more a reflection of the teams issues than his own. I perceive Karlsson to be a bigger defensive liability but when your that good offensively who cares.
Atomic Biscuit,
Actually what a team pays does determine a players worth.. You can debate whether it’s an over payment or under payment.
In the case of St Louis that was an overpayment.. Yandle was good value for Arizona but in the ball park for his services and his $$$
Jets should ask Boston for Zboril, Pastrnak and a 1st for Byufglien. fair??
I’d say the Jets would be all over that.. But not Boston
Sorry guys maybe not a 5-6 but not a top two which is what Boston needs.
He does have offensive ability but I don’t think he has the best defensive game. I’ve heard he isn’t a upgrade over Krug so that’s why I believe he would be another bottom defenseman if Boston acquired him.