Updates on Matt Duchene, Ryan Johansen and Patrick Marleau, plus one Philadelphia sportswriter suggests the Flyers should trade Claude Giroux.
Matt Duchene to the Senators?
Avalanche center Matt Duchene could be available, but can the Senators afford him?
BLEACHER REPORT: Former Denver Post hockey columnist Adrian Dater reports Colorado Avalanche GM Joe Sakic doesn’t intend to blow up his struggling roster, but he admits “you’re always talking with teams, and you’re wanting to listen on anybody, really.” Sakic stated center Nathan MacKinnon isn’t going anywhere. Dater reports veteran winger Jarome Iginla won’t waive his no-movement clause this season, citing family reasons.
He also speculates the Avalanche’s two highest-paid players, center Matt Duchene ($6 million per season) and goaltender Semyon Varlamov ($5.9 million annually) could be available for the right price, though he didn’t get into specifics as to what those returns could be. Sakic acknowledged the salary cap is playing a big role for all clubs, making it difficult to swing a big trade. If he does make a deal, Sakic said he’d want a return that helps his club over the long term.
TSN.CA: Pierre LeBrun reports Duchene’s name is out there in the NHL trade market. He claims Sakic and head coach Patrick Roy are under a lot of pressure, as their club is mired in last place and attendance is suffering. Outside of MacKinnon, LeBrun believes many Avs are available for the right price.
Darren Dreger reports Sakic reached out to Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray about 10 days ago to gauge his interest in Duchene. Dreger claims Murray’s been seeking a top-six forward for some time, but the fit might not be there with Duchene.
Bob McKenzie claims the Senators aren’t happy with their performance of late and Murray is open for business. The Senators GM could trade a defenseman, apart from Erik Karlsson and perhaps Marc Methot. McKenzie believes if the Sens move a defenseman, the other club will also have to accept winger Colin Greening’s contract as part of the return.
OTTAWA SUN: Don Brennan believes Duchene could be just the player the inconsistent Senators need, though he doubts Sakic would be interested in “Jared Cowen or Patrick Wiercioch and Colin Greening”, plus the Sens have some young players they don’t want to move. While Duchene’s expensive, Brennan believes he could become a bargain over the remaining term of his contract. Prior to the TSN report linking Duchene to the Senators, Bruce Garrioch reported the club had no deals in the works.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t doubt Murray was surprised to get that call from Sakic about Duchene. I also wouldn’t be shocked if Murray was interested in Duchene. The problem is, the Senators are a budget team. The Avs will have to pick up part of Duchene’s contract, or take back a significant chunk of salary to make the dollars fit. And as Brennan points out, the Avs aren’t going to take back castoffs like Greening or struggling players like Cowen or Wiercioch. The Avs need blueline help, but there doesn’t appear to be anyone there that the Sens are willing to part with who would interest Sakic. As Dreger noted, there just doesn’t seem to be a fit there.
Update on Patrick Marleau.
SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS: Mark Purdy doesn’t expect a Patrick Marleau trade to be imminent. In fact, he suggests the Feb. 29 trade deadline could be the earliest for such a move. As for the recent report of Marleau’s preferred destinations being the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings or New York Rangers, Purdy believes the Sharks will never trade Marleau to the Ducks or Kings, while the Rangers have cap limitations and no reason to swing such a major move right now. Purdy also said it doesn’t appear as though Sharks GM Doug Wilson is shopping Marleau. If he is to move Marleau, a deal near the trade deadline (when Wilson traditionally makes his significant in-season deal) seems more likely. Even then, Marleau might have to broaden his list of trade destinations.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman, who first broke the Marleau trade rumor last weekend, also believes it could take time for a Marleau trade to happen, citing many of the issues Purdy raised. While Wilson and Ducks GM Bob Murray are friends, Murray is under a self-imposed salary cap ceiling and lacks space to take on Marleau’s $6.6 million annual cap hit. Friedman also dismissed a rumor suggesting Marleau to the Ducks for Pat Maroon and draft picks.
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks dismisses the notion of the Rangers acquiring Marleau, citing his cap hit whilst calling him “the wrong player at the wrong time for the Rangers.” Instead, Brooks suggests the Rangers pursue playoff-rental players at the trade deadline who play with more of a physical edge, like Winnipeg’s Dustin Byfuglien or Andrew Ladd, Carolina’s Eric Staal or Arizona’s Shane Doan.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Looks like the Marleau trade speculation is starting to run out of steam. No surprise, really. Despite Wilson’s friendship with the Ducks GM, he’s not going to trade Marleau to another California-based team. I agree with Brooks’ take that Marleau’s not the player the Rangers need. Unless that trade list broadens, expect Marleau to finish the season with the Sharks. The speculation will likely resume in June as we get close to the 2016 NHL Draft.
Teams calling about Ryan Johansen.
TSN.CA: Darren Dreger reports the Columbus Blue Jackets are still trying to find a deal to bolster their sagging fortunes. He claims teams are calling to express interest in center Ryan Johansen, though GM Jarmo Kekalainen isn’t shopping him. Dreger believes every player has a price, but if they were to make that deal it would have to be significant and multi-piece.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Aaron Portzline reports Kekalainen said deals are difficult to make right now, but things could improve soon. He’s been trying to improve the Jackets defense for weeks, but he won’t make a reckless trade just for the sake of doing so.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As the Million Dollar Man used to say, everybody’s got a price. Is there one for Johansen? Of course there is. Could a team be willing to make a big pitch for him? Probably, though I believe that kind of significant deal could take place around the June draft. Could Johansen be dealt? Possibly, but I don’t believe Kekalainen wants to move the guy he’s counting on to become his franchise player. Things can change, of course, but I don’t think the Blue Jackets will trade Johansen this season.
Should the Flyers trade Claude Giroux?
PHILLY.COM: Sam Donnellon is so disgruntled with the performance of the Philadelphia Flyers that he suggests they trade top center Claude Giroux while he still has value. By the time the Flyers top prospects have developed into full-fledged NHL players, Giroux will be in the thirties and past his prime.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ok, this isn’t a trade rumor, and I doubt Flyers GM Ron Hextall is shopping Giroux or even thinking about that possibility. Giroux’s in the second season of an eight-year, $66.2 million contract with a no-movement clause that kicked in this season. I daresay once Donnellon’s piece makes the rounds in the trade rumor mill, it’ll go from being a columnist suggesting Giroux be dealt to some rumormonger claiming that Hextall’s actively shopping his captain.
Still, this could give some Flyers fans something to discuss over the course of the season, especially if the Flyers are out of playoff contention leading up to the Feb. 29 trade deadline. Bear in mind, Giroux’s hefty salary alone is almost like a no-movement clause, and Giroux has the final say over any attempt to trade him. Such a deal would have to take place in the offseason. So, what do you think Flyers fans? Trade Giroux or keep him?
Duchene Giroux Johansen in trade rumor section complete with reference to “Million Dollar Man” (*slow claps Lyle for that*)
…..welcome to the bizzaro
Do I get to claim that Giroux wants to leave and come to Home to Ottawa. Well Gatineau, but it pretty much the same thing.
Philly has been managed by ex goons for two long.Tough? yes….smart? not so much
I thoroughly enjoyed the Million Dollar Man reference. Thanks Lyle.
Philly needs to blow that roster up. They have a few good players. But they can’t compete with all those bad contracts on the back end holding them down. I agree with trading giroux by the time they straighten that mess out a few of those players will be past their primes. I say get something for giroux Simmons and voracek now
I really like Voracek but 8 years over 8 mill per and prior to last year career best 60 points…so far 0 goals, not sure Id be assuming people are going to be falling all over themselve for that. Hextal may have overpriced him. (I realize its still early but thats a huge chunk of money to try and move)
The salary cap seems to be becoming a huge problem for a lot of teams which is probably the exact reason Stamkos hasn’t signed yet. Would take balls of steel but maybe Yzerman is playing hard ball with the kid around the 8 million mark.
It would be nice to see some of these big names move but I don’t see Johansen moving that price tag would be enormous. Giroux is overrated and over paid IMO and so is most of that Flyer team.
Marleau would be interesting 4-5 years ago but I am sure its a buyer beware thing with a 36 year with term left. He probably moves next year or in the summer.
There should be a line of teams interested in Duchene though if he is available maybe there is a deal there for Giroux …
So now that the Flames are off to such a horrible start and not playing very well at all does that Gio contract look ridiculous yet?
The only thing about that contract that I didnt really mind was the thought that maybe it could be moved and the backend of it would be someone elses problem….with the start the Flames are off to maybe they might wanna think about trying to dump it soonrr than later for something that better suits their position.
We’ve been saying trade Giroux for 2 years now on the boards in Philly. (Not because he sucks, most people in Philly love him and are glad to have him on the team), but because the timing is horrible. We are at least 3 years away from the playoffs and 5 years from going deep. By then G is going to be past his prime, so trade him now for someone that will be coming into their prime in 5 years. Glad to see Sam had an original thought…
Giroux for Bobby Ryan and some other stuff makes more sense….
To a Ottawa fan, maybe….
Bobby Ryan is doing awesome this year. For now you will have to pry him out of this Sens fans cold dead hands. Just wait a month then I will be wanting to toss him away when he goes cold again.
As a Senator fan. I am all for trading for Duchene. Yahoo has him listed as C,LW. Be nice to put him on the Left side.
I realize that Colorado needs help on D. Well so does Ottawa. Perhaps a swap of D men can help in this trade. Yet although I’d prefer Ottawa to trade Boroweicki, Cowen or Weicoich in this trade perhaps Ceci could be added.
Here is my trade idea
Zabenijad (C,RW), Cowen (D), Greening (LW), 3rd round pick
for
Duchene (C,LW), Holden (D)
Perhaps Zach smith could draw some attention?
Cowen probably not of interest to Colorado, neither is Greening, simple salary dumps for Ottawa. Perhaps Ceci would need to be added or both Greenign and Cowen removed.
Its hard matching these teams up as I think they both need help on D. Ottawa can score. It’s keeping the shots down and the pucks out of there net is the issue.
If Ottawa
Sent
Lazar, Ceci and a 2nd round pick for Duchene perhaps then Colorado would accept Greening and Cowen in the mix and then work on bringing a D back in the deal. Haha. Anyway it gets done Duchene’s 6 million cap hit or whatever it is, is going to have to be delt with and Lazar and Ceci make next to nothing. So I can’t see Ottawa shipping both in this deal with out Salary leaving town as well. Or Colorado holding some back.
what I heard was duschene for Zabenijad + Cowen?
but if av’s need defense then why Ottawa?
It would seem dusch for zab is a lateral move
I think Sakic will sell Duchene as a star player. He is still young. I think Duchene can at the very least be what Kyle Turris is. Duchene Turris down the middle doesn’t seem bad to me.
Although Duchene and Zabinejad might seem lateral as they may equate to each other in the end. Duchene can play LW where Zibenijad can go RW. Ottawa needs more help on LW so it could give the coach more options by having the flexibility of adding Duchene on the LW. I not sure what Colorado actually needs.
Yet a Hoffman/Turris/Stone
then Duchene/Zabinejad/Ryan
doesn’t look so bad to me as top two lines. Or Duchene in the middle with Lazar/Puemple/Prince on the LW if Zbad is traded.
Yet I concur the only D Colorado likely has interest in from Ottawa is Karlsson, Methot, Ceci and Chalbot. Will Ottawa give up any of them?
Heard that where?
Bad joke. Duchesne not gonna be give. Away.
news/rumors website
you don’t get it duchene never heard anything so again murray is blowing smoke again
The Senators (and Avs) should explore Winnipeg’s willingness to part with Mark Stuart…
When Roy called Brian Murray with the offer of Duchene who do you think he was requesting in return?
Oops….when Sakic made the call
Looking at the A vs lineup and from Sakics comments I assume it would be looking at a package of Zabinijad Ceci and a pick as a starting point. I agree with Lyle not Condra Greening or Me that and any mention of Greening being included in the deal would probably end a conversation.
That’s funny because if Ottawa is going to pick up Duchene’s salary and give up those guys who get paid much less the conversation will end if Colorado doesn’t accept a contract in return. Zbad and Cowen or Greening contracts together will offset the Duchene contract for the most part.
Guess it seems there isn’t a fit. But I am liking the Idea of Duchene on my team. I will sit back and quietly hope it happens and it doesn’t cost us to much if it does.
I don’t know whos stupider: the reporters or fans who believe they’re crap
1. marleau has a no trade contract
2. marleau stated “isn’t a little early to start rumors”
3. nyr and la have no cap space
4. sj is in a fight for a playoff spot
5. LA and Ana are in same division
So Phaneuf for stamkos is valid in this world of make belief?
Friedman and Dreger and pretty sound sources ..
I understand that and also that these are rumors but at least make the “stories” somewhat realistic.
To start, Marleau has to initiate talks or it’s a breach of contract. If you get that far, then lie…geez
Not a big fan of what Philly has going on. Still handing out stupid contracts. They still think they can create a 6-8 million dollar player by just paying him that way. Haven’t been able to figure out their goaltending since Ron Hextall. Got a bunch of muffs on defence. Burying a good kid in the minors with MacDonald. I don’t care what his contract is, find the 1mil in cap space and get him in the NHL. Giroux needs a solid, public horsewhipping. Wiping boogers on refs among other nonesense, hes a clown and shouldn’t be a captain.
As a fan I’ve always hated Philadelphia. But it was always a tough team to play. Not anymore. Teams like Philly, and yes Toronto, have to play this style of game. Get some smash mouth hockey back in Philly.
The most ANY current player should be signed for is 5 seasons. Any team that signs any player beyond that should have their heads examined. Guys on extended long term deals usually become boat anchors to their existing teams. Vorachek is a prime candidate.
Philly is a mess n no sign of it changing for years yet.
Old boy cronies gottem into into it n all should be fired.
A goon n a haywire goalie r dinosaurs in this era.
Cannot see an Avs/Ottawa fit at all. Avs need D.
I’d say Phaneuf Hamhuis r maybe the best D possibles if or when available for teams looking for top 4 D. Hamhuis prolly won’t accept a move unless a new contract is lart if it n also will be selective.
Sure be nice if a team in panic mode swings a big deal early. CBJ Calgary n the Avs come to mind most.
A few things:
1. If Duchene (a young up-and-comer at age 24) is too expensive at $6M per season, Marleau is too expensive at $6.6M per season, and a 27 year-old Giroux is too expensive at $8.2M per season, then why is $10M per season a good price for a 28 year-old Kopitar? If the Kings sign Kopitar to 8 years at $10M per season, I 100% guarantee that within 2 years, he’ll be a toxic contract that they can’t move.
2. It’s ridiculous for GMs to not get an adequate trade and cap relief just because they don’t want to trade a player to a local rival. I think the Sharks can win now, but if the GM thinks they can’t, then why not trade Marleau to the Kings or Ducks? At age 36, Marleau’s value is not increasing. I understand the idea of not wanting to trade a young player to a rival and then having that player burn you for the next decade, but Marleau doesn’t have much time left. Presumably, Marleau would like to end his career with a Stanley Cup. If San Jose doesn’t believe that their current roster is a contender, then why not send him to the Kings.
3. Speaking of winning a cup… It’s kind of disappointing that Iginla wouldn’t want to move on to a contender.
Maybe Iggy figures if he stays he will get a front office job when he retires?
1. Kopitar has 2 cups?
He is deserving; the other guys no so much
2. Season is early, if SJ qualifies for playoffs they will keep marleau for one more year. Because Marleau’s NTC, they have no choice and/or a good offer must be presented
3. Nothing wrong with wanting to commit to your contract obligations. I hear Colorado is nice
With Kopitar, are you suggesting that his salary should be based on what he’s done or what he will do? It’s not very reasonable to assume that Kopitar will be a 10 million dollar player for the next 8 years. And just so you know, I’m a former Kings’ season ticket-holder and I was there in 2012 when they beat New Jersey. So I’m not some Kopitar-hater. I’d like to see Kopitar be this generations’ Dave Taylor. But I want the Kings to avoid signing a really bad unmanageable contract that causes them to become non-competitive for the next 5 to 10 years.
what hes done mostly
you usually hire/pay an employee based on past accomplishements.
I understand what your saying but the flip side is ohhh well pay you nothing if you win and then will pay you nothing again.
LA should be appreciative of there cups and take pay up for it.
If not then why would anyone else want to go there, if they just gonna use people?
keep reading iggy too the habs to play with galchenyuk on the second line
I’ve been saying for a while Giroux could be traded. In many ways it would work well with Hextall’s plans of getting out of salary hell and if we can get young forwards back, they can grow with the young d men. The timeline makes sense. But the contract makes it untenable unless you take something back. I suspect Hextall will try to harvest value in other forwards at the deadline.
Only thing is I think we’d be selling low right now. The most value can be had around the draft imho.
I think commentators above are stuck in the Holmgren / Clarke era of management. I think each of Hextall’s moves this far have been very deliberate.
But this team does not have the speed especially on the back end to make the playoffs. I’d say they’re still 2 years away from being competitive. It is going to be a long winter in Philadelphia.
I have said a few times on here that Giroux is completely overrated and one of the worst captains in the NHL. He is a prime example of why you don’t make a guy your captain just because he is your best player.
Giroux is the leading scorer over the last 5 seasons if you combine their total. Over rated. I hardly think so. I will take him on my team in a heart beat and 28 other teams will to. Heck Philly won’t even be stupid enough to give him up.
Overrated? No, sorry. One of the Worst Captains? Yes, for sure.
Av’s should try to get Drouin out of Tampa, and not for a Duchene so simma. I watched MacKinnon and Drouin play for Halifax Mooseheads many times. What a combo.
good call
I guarantee Sakic doesn’t want our crappola. So forget getting Duchene for anything less than Ceci, or Lazar or Chabbot or some other combo of those and a pick. Aint nobody want Greening/Cowen/Smith/Wiercoch.
…that being said….somehow they managed to get Edmonton to bite on Gryba.
Being Born and raised in Saint John, New Brunswick. I got a soft spot for the Seadog the Sens drafted and would hate to see them move him before I get to see the guy on my favorite NHL team. Not often I see a guy on my favorite Junior team on the big fave big club. But I do follow them. Like Charlie Coyle and Johnathon Huberdeau.
Edmonton didn’t exactly give up a Duchene for Gryba.
The hope for Philly (emphasis on HOPE) is the bad contracts (and bad players, RJ, Luke, Vinny, AMac to name a few) will be gone and some of their prospects will have matured and become contributors BEFORE Giroux and Jake’s contracts are up. If this can happen within the next 5 years, the Flyers MAY contend. If it takes longer than that, or the prospects fail to deliver, well, it’s gonna be a loooong next 10 years…..
Kolitar is not getting 10m per so can that nonsense.
2nd 2 Cups n the teams leader year in year out gets him 8m or more.
Lastly 2 years from now he will not disappear like the other jabrones.
Could Duchene possibly head to the Devils? They have the cap space, and the Av’s need young Defensemen, something the Devils have in abundance… We all know Shero isn’t shy when he sees something he wants.
rj… I really like that idea of nj makes sense don’t know what they would give up
Marleau has no heart and anyone who gives up more than a bag of pucks for him is a fool.
#1 stud centers are hard to find-and a must to build a team around. Fans of Teams without a #1 are clammering for a #1 centre-there is no way I would trade Giroux.
You don’t understand why I think trading Giroux is a deal to be made in the offseason? I’ll give you 9 million reasons why. That’s his actual salary. Or if you prefer, how about 8.25 million reasons. That’s his annual cap hit on a contract that runs through 2021-22. Now, factor in the 24 teams that lack the cap space to take on that big cap hit, let alone the cap-crunching headache of trying to make the dollars fit, and it’s easy to understand why that type of contract usually gets moved in the offseason.
What’s gardiner + kadri + pitts 1st round pick…worth?
Dushene?
Other?
Bag of pucks?
Typical!
underachiever underachiever late 1st = phil kessel?? lol
no seriously
aren’t they worth a top 20 1st rounder?
I mean your not suggesting duschene is better than kessel?
Id suggest tjat Sakic is going to have a tough time convincing someone to gie up a player under 25 who plays in their top 6 forwards a guy who is under 25 who plays in their top 4 D and a first round pick for a forward who plays second line minutes and is a similar plaur to the other top 6 forward….take the names off the jersey and think about it.
kadri and gardiner have not lived up to what they were supposed to be! and to say top 6 and top 4 on a team that cant score and don’t a have a top pairing it doesn’t matter what jersey! I would take Duchene and give up kadri,gardiner and pitts first in a heartbeat we would be stupid not too