Updates on Evgeni Malkin, Eric Staal, Luke Schenn, Cam Fowler, Alexander Semin, Eric Gelinas and more in your NHL rumor mill.
Roundup of Friedman trade speculation.
Eric Staal is reportedly no closer to re-signing with the Hurricanes.
SPORTSNET (via TODAY’S SLAPSHOT): Elliotte Friedman reports he doesn’t know how much Carolina Hurricanes captain Eric Staal is asking for in contract talks, but claims he’s heard the two sides aren’t close. Friedman believes Staal will be rejuvenated playing elsewhere, suggesting he’d look good with the Nashville Predators or New York Rangers.
Friedman also believes someone will take a chance on Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Luke Schenn within the next month. He’s also hearing Anaheim Ducks blueliner Cam Fowler has popped up in the rumor mill. He wonders if the Montreal Canadiens will waive or trade little-used winger Alexander Semin.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Look for the Staal trade rumors to ramp up in January if there’s no indication he’s getting close to agreeing to a new deal with the Hurricanes. As for Schenn, I think it’s going to take longer for the Flyers to find any suitors for him. The more the Ducks struggle, the more Fowler’s name will get floated in trade rumors. For the record, Ducks GM Bob Murray claims he’s not going to rush into any deals. And finally, if Semin washes out with the Habs, I don’t believe anyone will have interest in him.
Latest on the Penguins.
TSN (via TODAY’S SLAPSHOT): Darren Dreger wonders if another early playoff exit by the Pittsburgh Penguins could lead to significant changes. He claims the Penguins are among the clubs seeking a top-four defenseman and believes GM Jim Rutherford will try to land one by the trade deadline. If that fails to get down and the club doesn’t improve, Dreger wonders if Evgeni Malkin’s name get tossed into the trade market.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: With just over $337K in cap space, Rutherford will find it difficult to make the dollars fit to land a suitable defenseman. As for Malkin, an offseason trade is entirely up to him. He has a full no-movement clause. Just like last spring when his name first popped up in the rumor mill, if he’s unwilling to leave the Penguins, there’s nothing Rutherford can do about it.
SPECTOR’S NOTE:
Blackhawks still seek a defenseman.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE: Despite the imminent return of defensemen Duncan Keith and Michal Rozsival, Chris Kuc reports if they don’t improve their blueline depth, it will prevent them from successfully defending their Stanley Cup title. A source claims GM Stan Bowman is on the lookout for a No.4 defenseman, though there are salary-cap constraints. Kuc also believes such a move could mean a forward and a defenseman could be moved in this deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: With only $39K in cap space, Bowman faces a difficult challenge freeing up sufficient cap space to land that defenseman he needs. Mind you, such a deal doesn’t have to happen now. The market should improve near the Feb. 29 trade deadline, but it still won’t be easy.
Gelinas facing a short-term future in New Jersey?
NJ.COM: Rich Chere wonders if defenseman Eric Gelinas has a long-term future with the New Jersey Devils. He’s been a healthy scratch in recent games and continues to struggle.
Unfortunately for Semin he’s obviously taken his cue from fellow Russian Nikita (Nikki Doesn’t Do Rebounds) Filatov, only in his case it’s Alexander (Alex Doesn’t Back-Check) Semin. He’ll be headed to the KHL or some other similar bush-league before the end the season.
Semin has played well defensively this year. He should never have been scratched to begin with. The Galchenyuk line hasn’t been scoring but that’s not all on Semin.
He could have also taken his cue from North American players that don’t do rebounds or back check. I think you’re culturally insensitive.
Ahh “Mr. Politically Correct” chimes in. I compared with a fellow Russian only because Filatov is notorious for that remark. Of course he could be compared to many North Americans who don’t back check. So what?
“Darren Dreger wonders if another early playoff exit by the Pittsburgh Penguins could lead to significant changes.”
They might not even MAKE the playoffs.
yeah its too early to make that statement. Might as well say if the canadians have another early playoff loss then they might look to move price. same thing.
Apples and oranges. If Sid is in fact slowing down, outise of Malkin and, when he feels like playing, Kessel, their scoring drops off quite dramatically, and their D is nothing to brag about.
If the Rangers can’t afford to sign Yandle then how would they get the money to sign Staal?
I think Staal to the Preds makes a ton of sense. Nashville has the cap space and need for a veteran number 1 centre, and clearly Carolina is rebuilding. The Preds 1st plus Fiala should get it done (maybe a late pick going back to the Preds)
That wont fly for an aging number 1C UFA. I could see fiala and a conditional 1st pending staal resigning. if he doesnt it turns into a 2nd? maybe thats not right either but a 1st and a good prospect for a rental is an overpayment. then again… the preds have traded like a million 1sts at the deadline for less than decent returns (ahem gaustad)
Preds 1st plus Fiala……….lol. Will take more than that.
think you are overvaluing the current Staal. 2 yrs ago maybe different but he really does not look good anymore.
Pens have some options to open cap space, namely moving perron or kunitz or hornqvist. pens actually have enough forward depth (though its not showing currently #firetochett) to move one of these guys in a deal for a d-man. perron would be a rental for rental swap… limits options. kunitz has the least value. Horny might be the best option. If its not a rental d man the pens could use pouliot as the prize in the deal. wonder what perron/pouliot could get in return?
well big buff is the guy I am thinking they need to target and try to offer Scuderi(hold some salary), Perron, top draft pick and and a top d prospect. Cannot see anyone out there willing to trade a top 4 for anything Pitts has outside of Malkin and Crosby( which is not going to happen). Buff being a potential hard man for WPG to re sign might find a trading partner in pitts. what say you?
Scuds would have to waive. money still doesnt add up. pens have (most likely) 2 2nds and the jets get a first + in a deal for buff. Not going to happen.
Bruins need to make a offer the Ducks can’t refuse an get Fowler in a Bruins jersey I just can’t take watching the Bruins D turn it over so many times it’s getting brutal
The Bruins are currently the 10th best team in the NHL at not giving away the puck?
So Bowman needs a Dman in Chi Town? What if he offers Bickell to NJ for little used Gelinas and Elias. Dollars might work out and gives Chicago some depth. Thoughts?
Bickell was just nixed by 29 teams when on waivers. He has no value. Chicago must take a bad contract back to commence a trade there.
No one thinking about Byfuglien?
Jets could take on Bickell’s contract, throw in Dano + 1st + prospect.
If Jets continue freefall, book it!