The latest on Patrick Marleau, Cam Ward and Mark Fayne, plus updates on the Flames, Avalanche, Flyers & more in your NHL rumor mill.
Patrick Marleau on the trade block?
San Jose Sharks winger Patrick Marleau is back in the rumor mill again.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports San Jose Sharks winger Patrick Marleau keeps popping up in the otherwise tight trade market right now. The 36-year-old Marleau has a full no-movement clause and an annual salary-cap hit of $6.66 million through 2016-17. Friedman says there’s no evidence that management has asked him to waive it. He also said it’s uncertain who’s pushing for it.
SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS/CSNBAYAREA.COM: Curtis Pashelka and Kevin Kurz reports Marleau laughed off the speculation. “Starting early this year,” he joked. He adds he’ll do what he always does whenever his name comes up in the rumor mill. “I just go out and play. I can’t control what people are saying, or anything like that. Just focus on what I can control.” Marleau also said he hasn’t been approached by management about waiving his NMC. nor would he speculate if he ever sees himself accepting a trade out of San Jose.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: During his long career with the Sharks, Marleau’s name has frequently surfaced in the rumor mill. Perhaps management genuinely wants to move him, but unless he’s willing to waive his movement clause, he’s not going anywhere. Same goes for teammate Joe Thornton, who was also frequently mentioned in last season’s rumor mill.
Highlights from Garrioch’s “Insider Trading.”
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the struggling Colorado Avalanche “badly want help on defense,” preferably an impact player.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avs aren’t dealing from a position of strength here. They’re floundering early in the standings. Rival GMs will want at least a good young player as part of the return for an impact defenseman. Even then, there’s probably no one available at this point in the season who can significantly improve the Avalanche blueline. Such a player will come with a hefty price tag.
Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving “has been trying to gauge the market for defencemen Dennis Wideman and Kris Russell.” While they like Wideman, Garrioch believes they want to shed the blueliner’s $5.25 million annual cap hit to free up cap room to re-sign RFAs Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau next summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wideman’s salary and full no-movement clause significantly limits where Treliving can deal him. Russell, a UFA next summer who lacks a movement clause, is easier to shop, but I suspect Treliving prefers to re-sign him.
Toronto Maple Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello is looking around for goaltending help and is willing to discuss anyone on his roster except Morgan Reilly.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Few decent options are available for Lamoriello. The Flames have three goalies but none are currently an improvement over James Reimer and the sidelined Jonathan Bernier. The Minnesota Wild would love to move veteran Niklas Backstrom, but he won’t help the Leafs at this stage in his career. The Anaheim Ducks might be willing to move Anton Khudobin, but they won’t listen to offers for promising John Gibson and they certainly aren’t moving Frederik Andersen. The Montreal Canadiens could move Dustin Tokarski once Carey Price returns from injury, but they’re not in any hurry to make a deal right now.
New Jersey Devils GM Ray Shero could be checking to see if defenseman Eric Gelinas has any value in the trade market.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I doubt he does. He’s earning third-pairing minutes and was a healthy scratch three times so far this season.
Contract talks between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Steven Stamkos remain quiet.
A couple of teams could have interest in Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Maybe the Maple Leafs are among them? If so, he could only be a short-term acquisition as he’s a UFA next summer whose current cap hit is $6.3 million. If the Hurricanes do move Ward, it could be later in the season if they’re out of playoff contention. Right now, he’s helping to keep them in the postseason hunt.
Philadelphia Flyers GM Ron Hextall’s had no success trying to move defenseman Luke Schenn. It’s unlikely center Vincent Lecavalier will retired to free up cap space for the club.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers probably won’t be able to move Schenn until later in the season, which doesn’t help them right now. They’re stuck with Lecavalier.
The Chicago Blackhawks could be in the market for a defenseman before the Feb 29 trade deadline. Other clubs seeking blueline help include Buffalo, Columbus, Colorado, St. Louis, Boston and Anaheim.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the St. Louis Blues seek blueline depth, why are they rumored to be shopping Carl Gunnarsson? The Ducks also have plenty of good young defensemen. Right now, they need more from their scoring forwards.
Is Oilers defenseman Mark Fayne available?
TSN (via Chris Nichols): On Friday, Darren Dreger said there might be a trade market for Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mark Fayne, but he wasn’t sure what that would be. While there are teams seeking a top-four defenseman, Fayne isn’t being mentioned.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fayne was an analytics darling when he played with the New Jersey Devils, but his performance has declined since joining the Oilers. Right now, I don’t see him as a reliable top-four defenseman.
How about a Cowen for Gelinas trade? Both are big Dmen that could use a change of scenery. Cowen’s cap hit is far larger than Gelinas but maybe the Sens throw in a prospect a compensation. I always thought Gelinas was developing nicely, are there any Devil fans that can fill me in as to what’s going on with him?
Gelinas’s not even playing D except on his few PP opportunities. He’s playing as the #4 RW when he see’s 5 on 5 time & isn’t in the press box.
I don’t understand why the Leafs would want to upgrade their goalie situation. They’re losing just fine, which is a good thing when you’re rebuilding. I understand that it probably sucks for the fans, but even the coach warned about the pain before the gain.
Also Spec, I can’t see them going after Tokarski, he’s no upgrade to what they have.
Pretty sure they are not looking for right now but one that will fit long term (not sure if Tokarski is a fit but Fucale maybe) I think for now there is no harm in going with Reimer who over his last few starts has actuslly looked pretty decent with a .913 Sv% and is 2-2-3.
I agree, their answer for goaltending needs is via the draft. Stay the course.
And I think some might not be paying attention but Perissini has been lights out good for the Frontenacs …its n8t likethey have absolutely nobody up and coming hi and or Sparks could be decent down the road.
Garrioch isn’t a very reliable source for info & I agree with Lyle that neither Anaheim, St.L or for that matter Boston need a Dman. Boston gets Sedeinberg back late next week & Boston is on a youth movement. Trotman, Morrow & C. Miller are all being integrated into Boston’s D this season. Bostons retooling with youth both at forward & D.
As for Garrioch`s comments about Calgary needing to free up cap space to sign Geaudreau & Monahan. Calgary has tons of space next season. They have 14 players signed next season at 50.619 but get 2.3 in cap relief on Bennetts ELC bonus monies. That leaves Calgary 23.26 to sign 9 players & fill out their 23 man roster at today’s maxi cap of 71.4.
There are no goalie upgrades available for Toronto. Bernier is a decent goalie. The fix is getting better players on the NHL roster so players stop hanging Toronto`s goalies out to dry. Where the hell was Komorov going last night on the game tying goal. He has Backstrom covered at the side of the net but abandon`s him to chase the puck on the other side of the ice leaving Backstrom wide open!
Toronto has structured their roster to lose. When your playing Komorov as your number 1 RW & Lupul as your number 3 that`s a problem. Toronto is a bad team. Bernier & Riemer are hung out to dry constantly.
Not to mention goal support….tough to win many games in the NHL when you only score 2 per game.
Agreed. It would be easier to generate offense if they just built 2 scoring lines instead of spreading what little offense they have out over 3 lines. As I stated else where. If Komorov is playing as the #1 RW over Lupul who’s playing as the #3 that’s a problem.
I think the reasoning for that is to help hide some fundamental flaws to some players and combinations more than it has to do with spreading offense out.
Maybe but the way Babcock is choosing to deploy his 20 players leads me to believe that Toronto is making every effort to lose games with out specifically tanking it as rolling those players in that way isn’t helping Toronto win games.
They want a shot at Matthews & they obviously intend to lunch bucket the whole roster to achieve it to the best of their abilities.
The real problem is that the lottery weighting doesn’t almost guarantee you 1st pick anymore. You may have the best odds of winning but it’s still a very small % of the odds.
you really think babcock is trying to lose games? give your head a shake mike babcock would never try to throw games let alone a season just not happening
Nah its not coaching to lose Komarov is the guy who pulls the piano similar to how Babs used Abdekater in Detroit and the lines effectively are trying to bust up the amount of time Lupul Bozak JVR and Kadri spend on the ice all at one time with shift changes cant havr those 4 or combinztions of them together for very long playing top lines…its about the match ups.
Its more about spreading out guys like Komarov Mathias Winnik and Parenteau guys who have some semblance of a defensive game through out the lineup instead of just the bottom 2 lines
Wonder if Leafs would be interested in Fucale?
leafs aught to be looking at a fucale / subban / murray hellibuck etc type goalie to line up developmentwise with their top assets…the youngins. costly though.
How about a deal centering around Perron for Fowler. It would take more from the pens obviously but “scoring” help (I know he is slumping but his history suggests a twenty plus goal man) is what ANA needs and pens could use another d-man.
Things will be fine in Anaheim. It’s been a very odd start to the 2015-16 season. More anomaly’s then I can ever remember in previous seasons. Perry, Getzlaf, Giroux, Voracek, Crosby, Pominville, I could go on & on. Anaheim is now only 2 points out of a playoff spot in the Pacific division & I still have them as my favorite to win the cup this season. Scoring will work it self out & getting Despres, Rackell & Sekec back will help. Anaheim needs nothing. Bring Ritchie up after the new year & rock & roll unless injuries dictate sooner.
I have 2 fundamental markers I use in my 8 fantasy leagues. The last team playing it’s 10th game in the league. I take a snap shot of where were at & make a few minor adjustments & then I try to sit on my hands unless injuries dictate otherwise until the last team in the league plays it’s 25th game. Things have away of balancing themselves out by that 2nd marker; last team playing it’s 25th game, & especially over the course of 82 games.
The disparity in games played is also a factor this early. Montreal & TB have played 16 games. 6 teams have only played 13. That’s almost 20% more games. That disparity levels out as more games are played but it’s a significant fact or when looking at players production to date.
Toronto Maple Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello is looking around for goaltending help and is willing to discuss anyone on his roster except Morgan Reilly.
is this true or just rumor?
If it’s true then Leafs are offering up whole roster early (again) nevermind the goalies. Rightfully so.
Whole team is second-line players (JVR / Kadri / Bernier / Gardiner)
except for Reilly.
Kudos to Phaneuf + Remier + Kadri for trying this year, but too little too late
Throw in pitts first rounder with the lot above and you got some “assets” to flip. Maybe
Go LOU GO
Does anybody else feel that no other team wants anyone from the Leaf roster other than Morgan Reilly?
Most of the team either has a bad contract while the rest of the team is not as skilled as other teams would like to have.
My feeling was just the opposite than Spector speculates – that maybe Calgary was looking around for a potential no1 since they seem to have turnover at the goalie position and that Torontos Bernier maybe is a viable alternative. Maybe a trade there if Flames like him?
Toronto could either choose to resign Bernier och look at other young goalie prospects they perhaps would like to trade for. They won’t be competitive for another 2 years so they have time on their side. Goalies like Ward and such make no sense for them at all.
nobody is looking at bernier to be a number at this point in his career
marleau & thorton are in their RFA years..the sharks will put feelers out now but will probably trade them next year. Especially if they are in playoffs.
That only brings more value to their worth for next year.
They should get good returns.
Either one to a contender would be interesting
ie. Montreal / nashville / stlouis
Except they have no interest in leaving SJ & as Lyle keeps stating they have full no movement clauses & control their fates. Have you been to SJ? I wouldn’t want to leave either.
I don;t see SJ resigning them for 2017-2018 season they will be 40+
that and pressure to be moved for the better of the organization typically wins. Not ever one is the muskoka five
never been to cali ; wish i could
I don’t see them resigning either. I just don’t see them accepting a trade until at the very least if even then the trade deadline of 2016-17. Both have families & lives & if & when they move their families it will be with out uprooting their families well in school.
Now if Wilson is let go both might resign but not under his watch.
The one thing you have forgotten was that Vincent Lecavailer signed an 35 and over deal with Philly, so there is only about $950,000 in cap savings if he retires.
So f*cking pissed off at the no-goals from the stupid rulings as fallout from coaches challenges. It’s the first time in 10 years I’m visibly looking at NHL games, waving my hands in the air, shouting “NO, NO, NO!!!” when rulings for “no goal” are handed out for perfectly fine goals! NO referee in the world would disallow most of these goals in real time. Then, how the hell is it ok that other ruling nerds sit behind computer assisted hardware, with slow motion pictures, looking for the SMALLEST optical seemingly touch in the goalies direction…? How is that hockey? How is that refereeing? That’s bullsh*t.
75% of the goals are scored withing 5 feet of the goalie crease. 75%!!!!!!!!! Goals are HARD to come by in 2015.
So…these stupid overturned rulings force the players to OPERATE WITHIN JUST 5 FEET, WITH SURGICAL PRECISION, in a crowded, hard fought area, WITH ABSOLUTELY NO ROOM FOR EVEN A BRUSH ON A GOALIE…not even if they were pushed in that direction by the opposite team.
HOW IS THAT REASONABLE TO PRESENT AS A TASK FOR AN NHL FORWARD?
I must say, these overturned rulings are such a failure on NHL’s side, I’m flabbergasted. Is this how the NHL envisions how goal scoring will increase – to waive off perfectly fine goals?
stats
rules
caps
all to micromanage and profit from the product rather than actually use the product, while ruining it.
Welcome to the NWO
UH… I think Rob Scuderi would be a great fit on any team willing to give up a 7th rounder and some new pucks!!!!
Schenn, and any DMan for the matter will be moved in the season for the simple fact that Hextall has a “what he wants” price tag and has proven her clearly won’t budge unless he gets it. I’m gonna through my own rumor out, they will get Mason back and playing good hockey and than they will trade him to Toronto. The Leafs are clearly looking for a long term answer, and mason is from Oakville which would allow him to be closer to his family. Nevurith can easily carry the load and he’s on a reasonable 2 year deal, while 1 of this year drafted goalies work up the system, likely Sandstrom. Mason is young and a solid goaltender but when his current deal expires he’ll be looking for a deal in the range of $6,000,000 plus a year and Hextall won’t go there.
Maybe the Leafs should approach the Detroit Red Wings about one of their starting goalies. Having rotating number ones is just not a recipe for success, so maybe you could swing a Phaneuf for Jimmy Howard and Brendan Smith. Detroit has injuries on the blue line (Quincy, Green), and they did express some interest in Phaneuf last year.