Latest on the Sabres, Stars and Canadiens, plus up dates on Luke Schenn and Nikita Nikitin.
Highlights of Friedman’s latest “30 Thoughts.”
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Buffalo Sabres have been seeking a left-shot defenseman since the 2015 NHL Draft.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Tampa Bay Lightning are reportedly shopping Matt Carle, who’s a left-handed shot, but I doubt the Sabres will have interest in his $5.5 million annual cap hit through 2017-18.
Teams in need of defensemen are focused on the Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens, who each carry eight blueliners. Stars GM Jim Nill doesn’t want to be Jamie Oleksiak on waivers, nor does Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin wish to do the same with Jared Tinordi, prompting rivals to make inquiries. Both clubs are in a position where they can afford to be patient. Friedman guesses the asking price for Tinordi could be two second rounders.
Will the Flyers find any takers for defenseman Luke Schenn?
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oleksiak and Tinordi are big defensemen (both stand over 6-foot-5) but they’ve yet to establish themselves as reliable NHL blueliners. Some GMs, however, could be willing to take a chance on them, provided the asking price isn’t too high. Don’t see the Habs getting two second rounders for Tinordi.
Friedman is puzzled over why the Philadelphia Flyers can’t move defenseman Luke Schenn, whose age (26) and UFA status next summer should make him a prime trade candidate. Because of his cap hit ($3.6 million), it hurts his trade value if the Flyers won’t retain part of it. His lack of speed is another factor. One GM believes Schenn’s market value will improve as more of his salary is spent.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schenn was also a healthy scratch in several games last month, which doesn’t help his trade stock. If the Flyers want to move him, they have to play him regularly and be willing to pick up a portion of his cap hit. Otherwise, it could take weeks, perhaps even into the New Year, to find a willing trade partner for him.
No truth to rumors of the Los Angeles Kings having interest in Toronto Maple Leafs blueliner Roman Polak. There’s rumblings the Leafs are checking into goalie options.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: After a shaky start, the Kings have found blueline stability, winning eight of their last nine games. I don’t think there’s any urgency on their part right now to purse a blueliner via trade. As for the Leafs goalie options, I pointed out in a recent THN.com Rumor Roundup that there aren’t many decent goalies available right now.
Interest in Nikitin growing?
TSN: Bob McKenzie reports some teams, “including maybe the Colorado Avalanche,” have expressed some interest in Edmonton Oilers defenseman Nikita Nikitin, who is currently skating with their AHL affiliate in Bakersfield. Nikitin had a work visa issue and hasn’t played many games yet, but one he gets up to speed, interest in him could increase. The Oilers would love to move him, but recognize they must take back part of his $4.5 million cap hit.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nikitin is a UFA next summer, so any interested team won’t be taking on a long-term deal here. Still, it could take some time for him to get up to speed, meaning it will also take time before the Oilers can move him. They could speed up the process by picking up half of his cap hit, but I don’t know how keen they are to do that.
If the Leafs are inquiring around the League for a goaltender, their best match would be with Detroit for Howard. Mrazek is looking more and more to be their #1 netminder. With that said, the Leafs should offer up:
To Toronto: Howard
To Detroit: Bernier + 2016 2nd Rounder
I can’t see Howard doing any better than Bernier with this team in front of him. I doubt the Leafs make a parallel trade like that. Trading expiring contracts for 2nd and 3rd rounders seems to be the mandate right now.
I sincerely doubt they would waste the option of putting Horton on LTIR to accommodate Howards contract, and I cant see Detroit taking Lupul or Bozak back to make the contracts almost balance out….cant see it, or why the Leafs would be interested in an aging goalie who makes more than 5 mill who verywell could be a worse option than both the goalies they currently have making less money.
Drove into work this morning and on the morning show (Fan 960) here they were discussing the Flames trading for a goalie.. They suggested Howard or Elliot … I just about caused an accident choking on my coffee .. don’t think either will help the Leafs anymore then they would help the Flames ..
Buffalo lookIng for a LHD? Look no further than one of Danny B’s old buddies MR. Robert Scuderi. And you can just have him we don’t want anything in return. Hell we’ll pick up a mill of his salary just because we like you.
Yours Truly
The Penguins
PS did we tell you he’s a lefty?
PPS did we mention we’ll pay him to play for you?
Leafs have a great shot at a sorely-needed top 3 draft pick this year where they could pick up the potential franchise center or D partner for Reilly they desperately need.
The quickest way to kill that potential is to upgrade the goalie situation.
Also, Bernier and Riemer are average goalies – I think Bernier was a .923 and a .913 or so in his last two years of 50+ games. I don’t know why you would bail on that only 12 games into the season. It makes no sense.
You’re right. In season the Leafs should absolutely stay put and evaluate what they have under Babcock. Later on, this season, they can trade away players for picks, when teams can easier absorb these salaries. This is a transitional year for this temporary roster. There will be “pain” as Babcock put it.
Maybe Reimer is a keeper. I’m not particularily in love with him or his salary but it seems he plays his best hockey in Leafs uniform. If they keep him he can at least be a good choice for no2 (unless he still asks for a trade to a no1 goalie destination which seems unrealistic to me at least). Bernier seems to struggle mentally a bit. Leafs have to be very patient in order for him to excel. It might not happen until next season, who knows. Will he still be on the team then?
Can’t see them picking up Howard. Considering how finicky goalies can be, I really can’t see any young goalies getting moved until maybe the draft. Toronto can move reimer at some point for a mid to probably late pick. He can make the timely save, but needs a defence that can clear the puck. Calgary has a defence that can clear the puck but can’t seem to make a save. Why not make a minor deal with calagry? I’d take hillers contract back if a pick came with it. I may be alone on this but I think reimer would be solid for Calgary. He isn’t enough don’t get me wrong but solid is more than they have right now.
Done deal, Hiller is hurt right now and UFA at the end of the year so we will make the pick a 3rd
Howard has had one of the worse contracts in the NHL. I believe there are still multiple years left there. His contract won’t be moved. There will simply be no takers.
No way! Detroit would get way more
To TOR J Howard, 4th
To DET J Bernier , 3rd, B Boyes
That’s if DET is interested in moving him
Why would Detroit want Boyes? They have enough depth in the forward position. Unless there are more forwards coming from Detroit for an upgrade somehow. I can see prospects or other picks more than Boyes.
Schenn should be an easy dman to move given his contract situation but the Flyers refuse to dress him consistently. It seems they dress him in what they consider to be favorable match-ups with an attempt to make his numbers solid but other teams are well aware of the Flyers desire to move him and getting what they want will be tough. I’m a Flyers fan and love what Hex is doing but it’s pretty obvious who simply won’t cover part of any out going salary to complete a trade, as he’s desperate to free some cap space and work away from the cap nightmare Homer left him with.
I don’t think anyone is jumping on a $3.6m cap hit for their bottom pair Dman. There are simply better options on the market. However, the Flyers could move him if they’re taking a bad contract back, like an overpaid forward.
It won’t happen, Hextall doesn’t make those kinds of deals, look how long he’s held onto Vinny, refusing to take a bad contract back, retain part of his salary or even buy him out. Bad contracts are all over the books already, insert Luke Schenn, Vinny, Umburger, on and on here.
He will be moved, close to the trading deadline when most of his $3.6M is paid. He won’t fetch much of a return. Hextall won’t go for an early trade where he must retain another players salary.
I can’t see why the flyers won’t retain some of Schenn’s salary. They are under the cap-and if they get a draft pick in return-they wont be adding salary.
Hextall simply wants total cap flex going forward. Retaining a portion still leaves them with less room for roster movement now. He’s been handing a tough situation, compliments of Homer’s trades and contract decisions but I really do think he’ll get it right.
ike every other position on this team, the Maple Leafs haven’t done a good job of drafting and developing their own talent and rely on other teams promising young goaltenders to fill the void but they always rush them. When the Leafs acquired Bernier, he had only 30 NHL games experience over a three year period. Apparently that was enough to justify that eh was a starter in the making. Remember when the Maple Leafs did the same with Toskala and Raycroft? Toronto has had a very bad way of repeating history.
So here is my stance the goaltending situation. Now, this is a slight chance (as in small) the Bernier or Reimer could turn their careers around, but Mike Babcock and Leafs management have to put their faith whoever they have in goal. As former goalie, half the game is psychological, if there isn’t any faith then their confidence gets shot. Remember when Reimer put u solid numbers alongside J.S. Giguere? Remember when Reimer was our next staring netminder? Then one playoff series with Boston later and all of a sudden they need bring in a better goalie (and to this day I blame Carlyle for coaching decisions made late in that game)?
So I will tell you right now the Maple Leafs will never have another starter as long as they continue to ride the hot hand.
Now as far as who can come in right now and help, like Lyle said, there isn’t anyone. For all those who keep talking about Howard, while it remains possible, Mrazek isn’t ready quite yet. ONE GOOD SEASON DOES NOT A STARTER MAKE. If Mrazek can repeat numbers, then and only then should Detroit look into moving Howard.
Now there is a chance they could have a starter in Antoine Bibeau, but once again that all depends on how much this new Leafs regime values development time. That being said, Bibeau won’t be of help for another two seasons.
This summer, the free agent crop is slim to none. It is filled with aging goaltenders who may or may not solve the problem. Unless you could convince one of Hiller or Ward to take a one or two year deal, they’re better off keeping the tandem of Bernier or Reimer. NOW, in 2016 Ben Bishop is a UFA a could be a target for the Maple Leafs. But a lot like Peter Mrazek, Andrei Vashilevsky hasn’t proven anything and after undergoing procedures for blood clot issues, I wouldn’t be in a rush to make him a starter.
To summarize, Leafs need to draft their own players, that’s the bottomline. Nashville drafted Rinne, Montreal drafted Price, the Rangers drafted Lundqvist, and the Kings drafted Quick. Do we see the pattern people?
Add Jared Cowen to the list of big slow defensemen that can’t be moved. He has a contract nobody wants either….a couple years left at 3.something or other.
Schenn for Cowen straight up? Change of scenery for both? Our guy is younger. You watch a Sens game and you zoom your vision on him only for an entire shift…and you’re like….”what the eff is he doing?”
Pass!. Scheen for Lazar?, I know, not a chance but it’s fun to dream. As a Flyers fan, dreams of better days are all I have it seems yet again this season.
Some dream! Why on earth would Ottawa part with Lazar for a pylon like Schenn when they already have one of their own who’s a lot bigger and at least shows a mean steak now and then.
There is quite a difference between perceived value in Schenn vs Cowen. Murray has acknowledged that there were quite a lot of interest in Cowen before this season and Murray contemplated if he should trade Cowen but decided against it. As he talked about it, he seemed supportive and had substantial belief that Cowen would turn things around. Compare that to Hextalls futile attempts of offering up Schenn to the market, for nothing, for over a year. These players situations are far apart.
it would be really nice to know what really happened behind the scenes with seguin in boston? they gave up on a great player for virtually nothing erikson is ok but geez seguin is phenominal
I would love to see the Wild ship Kuemper somewhere else. He scares me between the pipes every game he plays because there is no consistency. He’s either white hot or ice cold. Maybe more playing time would help but that isn’t going to happen with Dubnyk signed for another 5 years.
White hot?
What???
Said last week here j predict a good chance this year will see early trades. Pylons like Schenn not included.
I like to see Hamhuis moved asap once healthy. In about 1-2 weeks time a few teams at least could be very willing to pull yhe trigger early. Other than maybe Buff idk or can see much D men to pick outta or offered up now or by the TDL.
Another player to move sooner than later could be Hudler the way the Flames have regressed. Goal makes me think this will happen n Calgary may tank in a quite type of fashion n get draft picks.
Colorado will be lookin to trade asap or the season will be over at their current rate.
Lastly Detroit is looking bery old n something needs to give there. Holland prolly ride it out til the TDL but stranger things have happened.
Phaneuf not a Leaf once a team gets real serious.