A roundup of trade and free agent rumors not including Travis Hamonic. Get the latest updates on Eric Staal, Loui Eriksson, Trevor Daley, Jonathan Bernier and Alex Semin.
SPORTNET: Luke Fox reports Carolina Hurricanes captain Eric Staal would like to re-sign with his club, though he admits the two sides haven’t talked much about contract lately. A UFA at season’s end, Staal carries an $8.25 million cap hit this season and a full no-trade clause. He’d be an expensive rental player, but there’s also a chance the team acquiring him could re-sign him at a reduce rate. Speculation suggests the New York Rangers as a possible destination “as they are a cash-flush Cup contender who employ Staal’s brother, Marc, on defence.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers may be cash flush, but they’re current salary-cap poor, with only around $1.6 million in cap space this season. They have over $52 million invested in next season’s payroll. Assuming another marginal $2.4 million cap increase, that’ll give them over $21 million in cap space. However, they must also re-sign RFAs Chris Kreider, J.T. Miller, Kevin Hayes and Antti Raanta, plus they must re-sign or replace UFAs like Keith Yandle and Viktor Stalberg. Staal won’t come cheap, probably between $6-$7 million at least. That’s a big chunk taken out of that cap space. Kreider, Miller and Hayes alone will seek significant raises, plus there must be sufficient room left to fill out the rest of the roster. Unless they dump salary elsewhere, I’m not convinced the Rangers are a destination for Staal this season or next summer.
Could the Bruins shop Loui Eriksson near the trade deadline?
THE BOSTON GLOBE: Fluto Shinzawa reports the Bruins management faces a difficult decision over whether to re-sign or trade winger Loui Eriksson. While he’s one of the Bruins top forwards this season, he’s also 30 and has a concussion history. Re-signing the pending UFA could prove expensive. Meanwhile, his trade value is currently high and he could fetch a solid return near the Feb. 29 trade deadline. Shinzawa speculates if Eriksson seeks more than, say, four years and $24 million, the Bruins could shop him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The standings will also be a determining factor. If the Bruins are out of playoff contention by the trade deadline, I think they put Eriksson on the trade block. If they’re still in the playoff picture, they could retain him and try to re-sign him before July 1.
ESPN.COM: Pierre LeBrun reports the Chicago Blackhawks are getting calls about defenseman Trevor Daley, who’s struggling to adjust to the Blackhawks system. Given the numbers of teams seeking defensive help, there’s a market for Daley, though LeBrun believes the Blackhawks aren’t in a hurry to move him, preferring to wait for the right fit. Daley has a year left on his contract at a $3.3 million cap hit. He notes the Pittsburgh Penguins would like to add a blueliner, but it could be difficult fitting Daley under their cap.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Penguins only have around $337K in cap space. No fit there for Daley unless they can shed salary. The Blackhawks, meanwhile, are reportedly in the market for a top-four defenseman.
SPORTSNET: Chris Johnston recently reported Jonathan Bernier’s future with the Toronto Maple Leafs is still somewhat uncertain, as two teams have recently inquired about acquiring him via trade.
SPECTOR’S NOTE:Those teams are with interest in Bernier must be desperate. He’s earning a $4.150 cap hit through 2016-17 plus he’s being outplayed by backup James Reimer.
NBC SPORTS: Jason Brough reports Montreal Canadiens winger Alexander Semin, who’s been a frequent healthy scratch, may be wearing out his welcome. He speculates that could put the Habs in the trade market for a scorer sometime before the trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ve read and heard a few suggestions of the Canadiens trading Semin. Good luck with that. I believe he’s blown his last chance to salvage his NHL career . Fortunately for the Habs, they didn’t overpay to get him (one-year, $1.1 million). They could demote him, but I’m not sure they want to risk him being a bad influence on their younger players. Perhaps both sides eventually come to a mutual agreement to terminate his contract.
Maybe the 2 teams that are looking at Bernier are not so desperate as much as they know they would be looking at a very cheap gamble. I dont think (besides the contract) the cost of Bernier in a trade would be very significant, and it wouldnt be the first time where a goalie moving on helps him refind his game. Swapping Bernier for 1 of the goalies in Calgary could work for both.
I don’t think the flames would have any interest in Bernier.
why would they swap him for Ramo? Ramo is cheaper and maybe better.
They aren’t trading Ortio to place one of their goalies on waivers.
Hiller won’t be swapped either, no need for Hiller on the Leafs and similarly, why would the Flames give up an experienced tender in case they do sneak into the playoffs.
He’s been terrible for a while and I’m surprised two teams have interest in him. at $4M x 2 years he isn’t cheap for what would be a back up on any playoff contender.
I can understand that he has a poor defense in front of him but those crazy goals are happening far too often. The goal against Carolina, OEL’s goal and Stepan last week.
The only silver lining is that we didn’t overpay for him initially.
Reason I say it is because there is very lttle to no risk for either team Hiller and Ramo both are Ufa who make close to the same $ as Bernier who has 1 extra year on his deal, both Hiller and Ramo have looked about as evebtive as Bernier this year neither are likely to be Flames next year…this would give them a goalie who despite the struggles has some potential. At worst they have someone for 1 year to play with Ortio that isnt costing them any more than what they have now or putting up anyworse of numbers at best Bernier finds his form again and they have a good tandem…Leafs have a backup in which ever comes back their way and get out of the second year of Berniers contract…could be other pieces going back and
forth depending on other needs but the dollars are fairly
close. Its a low risk deal for both
My guess is the two team inquiring about Bernier are Colorado and Carolina. Colorado would love to trade Varlamov, getting some relief on the four years remaining on contract at $5.9M/yr and need a physical defense man. Likewise, Lack hasn’t caught fire in Carolina (although Ward would be the goalie dealt) and they are in a world of hurt for a defense man, staying competitive and realizing some salary relief. In either case Polak would be the defense man along with Bernier being dealt. In addition to a goaltender coming back in either deal Toronto would be asking for a draft pick. A higher one from Colorado then Carolina, as Ward could be moved at the deadline and the Leafs also escape Bernier’s $4.1M obligation for next year.
While I understand Chicago is looking for a top 4 dman, what are your thoughts of a Dano, Teravainen and Kruger deal to Toronto for JVR?
Chicago then makes the trade of Trevor Daley for Nick Bonino and Ben Lovejoy?
Teravainen for JVR would be too much. Why would Chicago even want him? And as for the Daley trade, rumor has it that the asking price is a 2nd round pick and a young forward.
Loui Eriksson was the main piece in the Seguin trade and he is no Seguin and the bruins lost that trade. But that doesn’t mean Eriksson is a bad player. he plays a complete game, had 22 goals last season and 10 so far this season, he also is a net presence doesn’t mind the dirt areas. I think Boston should try and resign maybe a 4yr deal $18 to $20 million if it can get done. If out of the playoff picture trade him, then try to resign in the offseason.
The meaningful facts on Bernier are that he put up a .912 SV% last year in 58 games and a .923 SV% in 55 games the year prior.
In 8 games this year he has put up an .895 SV%. Only a complete fool would base their view of his future on this small sample.
And if other GMs are that foolish, let’s hope the Leafs take advantage of it and trade Reimer while he’s on a hot streak.
Loui is in drivers seat and he should be he is 30 and earned it. Boston should offer what they feel is fair like 4 years 20 million and if that doesn’t work pick up another first round pick or a younger D- man.
Eriksson is a tough call. Good player having a good year so far.
Bruins aren’t going anywhere this year so a trade to a contender makes the most sense. Would rather go after Byfuglien or bring Lucic back.
Team really needs top line wings for Krejci.
I have been wondering what Bruins’ fans feel about brining back Lucic. Most teams would love to have his game around at the right price. I, for one and glad to see him out of Boston, though I won’t be shocked if he gets back to the B’s for next season.
I would absolutely be shocked to see Lucic back with the Bruins next season. I would say the % chance is quite low, 1.0 – 5.0% He’s currently making $3.25m and will definitely be getting a sizable raise and long term contract. He’s struggling so far through 18 games, still playing top 6 minutes and on the PP. For what the Bruins are supposedly doing (faster, more goal scoring, transitions, but staying strong and tough to play against) I don’t feel Lucic would be a wise signing, especially for what he’ll most likely get on the market unless Kings sign him before that point. He was never a strong 2-way player, anytime he was in his own end he seemed to struggle defensively… but I think a lot of that tied into his skating ability (north and south power skater), a lot of people would describe him as having concrete feet most nights and being invisible. I tend to agree. For the money it would take to resign him, I’d lean towards resigning Eriksson at 30 years old, who even if he has off nights offensively is still a great asset on the defensive end.
Chad, Lucic salary is $5.5 what you read is the salary cap for LA Boston is paying the difference. I doubt he gets a raise. personally I like what he brings, but he’s just too slow. I think his ship has sailed in Boston and not to return.
Good call, I didn’t think to read the buyout section for salaries on Hockeybuzz for Boston.. but I see that now at the bottom. I think he’ll get a raise on open market from $5.5m I’d expect somewhere around $6-$6.5 per but I agree with you, he’s just too slow and his ship has sailed
As a Bruins fan, I’ve always liked Lucic, but his time was over in Boston. He and the team, have both moved on. As well, Belesky’s playing well, and has been a good replacement for Lucic. So, I don’t see him returning to Boston. I think he’ll either resign with the Kings or move to another Western club.
I commented on 4th Hanson brother below about this but honestly don’t think Lucic is a good option at all. The Bruins moved him for a number of different reasons and 1 of those was speed and skill on the offensive end. He still had the 2015-2016 season left on his contract and I think if the Bruins intent was to bring him back “eventually” then they would’ve kept him in the off season, they had no real dire need to deal him based on remaining time on contract and he could’ve still fit under the cap. I think they saw an opportunity to move a player with term left that would undoubtedly demand a large increase in salary and term, both of which the Bruins were most likely reluctant to do. Eriksson is a great player, he still posted 22 goals and 25 assists last year and most would argue he had a tough season production wise just as he did the year before. This season thus far seems like the 1st season since he’s been here that he’s fit in well and developed some chemistry. Beleskey has essentially been Lucic’s replacement and through the first 18 games (16 of which he’s played in) I don’t think he’s been that bad, posted 8 points so far to Lucic’s 11 (Lucic has played 18 games) and I feel as if Beleskey has really made it an effort to go hard to the net, and hit everything he can. No offense to the Lucic lovers out there and I know a lot of people fell in love with him as a Bruin because he posted 1 or 2 solid seasons and really was a train out there running through people but over the past couple of seasons his production has been shoddy. His ability to make quality hits and go hard to the net seemed to disappear for huge stretches throughout the season.
I agree, I think he was moved as his stock was as high as they thought it would go, and lets not forget they are paying his salary this year I believe.
You are correct, Caper pointed that out above. When I wrote the comment up yesterday I even questioned myself when I saw $3.25m on LA salary breakdown but I never thought to check Bruins salary to see what they retained. They did retain money so the cap hit for LA is lower than what he’s making ($5.5m). I think the return they received for Lucic was more than fair, and I was actually quite impressed with that trade.
Publicly Pacioretty has stood up for Semin and called him a good teammate. Maybe in private he has a different opinion but his comments don’t seem to indicate Semin is a bad influence – an underperformer, yes but a bad influence. I am not so sure.
Semin is Semin – he’s a modern day Mikko Makela
If the Bruins are unable to gain any headway during the season in resigning Eriksson to a team and player friendly deal then I think it’s wise to move the player at the deadline. The Bruins will likely be a team that hovers around the 7th or 8th spot in the standings, if they’re even in the playoff picture at the trade deadline at all. Antoine Vermette was moved at the deadline and was 32 years old, posted 13-22-35 and a -23 in 63 games played. He did bring a lot of intangibles such as leadership I realize that but I’d say this is as close to a comparable in terms of recent deadline moves for a player who had an expiring contract, top 6 player, 2-way, and similar age. If I were the Bruins and Eriksson continues to post the numbers and solid 2-way play that he has and they’re out of the playoff picture or riding the cusp… I’d highly consider moving him for a 1st round pick, talented prospect, and even an additional 2nd or 3rd round pick. Eriksson is obviously giving playing for a contract this year and is on pace to put between 60-75 points and could be a huge asset to a team in need of a winger.
I’d like to see the Leafs move Bernier and bring in a cheap veteran goaltender who is past his prime, but still able to deliver as a backup. I still feel like Bernier has better natural skill, athleticism and puck handling than Reimer, but I don’t see his personality fitting in Toronto. Reimer works extremely hard, and seems to be a great guy for morale, so why not give him the #1 job? In my opinion, the goaltender they want 5 years down the road (or whenever they are making a big push) is not currently with the team anyway, so they don’t have much to lose at this point.
Goaltending is a mental game. Some cities are harder on goalies than others. Bernier seems to have a hard time. I’m not surprised as every goalie won’t be a fit there. Reimer is not a true no1 going forward. In a teams transitional period, he could function like that of course, but not when you try to seriously contend for the cup. They must make new prospect strategies regarding no1 prospect goalies as there doesn’t exist one within the organization right now.