The Stamkos watch continues, plus the latest on Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Milan Lucic and more in your NHL rumor mill.
TSN.CA: Pierre LeBrun touched on “Twittergate”,in which Tampa Bay Lightning star Steven Stamkos “accidentally” liked a tweet suggesting the Toronto Maple Leafs should pursue him. He feels it puts an unwelcome light on Stamkos’ contract status and raises questions over his relationship with coach Jon Cooper. LeBrun doubts the two sides have even started exchanging salary numbers right now.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The combination of a lack of real trade rumors (compared to last month), the Lightning playing in Toronto next Tuesday and ongoing uncertainty over Stamkos’ future in Tampa Bay is fueling the rise in speculation linking him to the Maple Leafs.
I like SI.com’s Allan Muir‘s recent take on the matter. He points out the Leafs are an option for Stamkos via free agency in July, but they’re not the only one and probably not the best one. Leafs fans won’t like hearing that, but it’s a good point.
Should the Maple Leafs pursue Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins?
Speaking of Stamkos, The Leafs Lunch crew debated if the Maple Leafs are better off pursuing the Lightning captain or going after a younger center like Edmonton’s Ryan Nugent-Hopkins via trade.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Oilers shop Nugent-Hopkins, they’ll likely want a top-two defenseman in return. That means the asking price is Morgan Rielly, Leafs fans. Not Jake Gardiner or Dion Phaneuf. Morgan Rielly. Suddenly, Nugent-Hopkins isn’t such a palatable option.
Darren Dreger reports the Edmonton Oilers have recalled defenseman Nikita Nikitin to showcase him for teams that have some interest in him. There’s some observers who believe the Oilers could be willing to absorb part of Nikitin’s $4.5 million cap hit to facilitate a deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I believe picking up part of his cap hit is the only way they can move him, unless they’re willing to pick up a toxic contract, which defeats the purpose of moving Nikitin in the first place.
Dreger notes there’s been considerable speculation this season regarding the struggling Columbus Blue Jackets. If they fail to improve in the coming weeks, they could make some moves.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dreger noted stars like Ryan Johansen and Scott Hartnell have been mentioned in trade rumors, but I’ll be surprised if they’re the ones traded. The asking price for Johansen will be expensive (a top young player, first-round pick and top prospect is my guess), while Hartnell’s $4.75 million cap hit and no-trade clause are reasons why he could be tough to move. Guys like Cam Atkinson and Kerby Rychel have been frequently mentioned this season as possible trade candidates. Wouldn’t surprise me if they’re the ones most likely to be dealt.
LeBrun reports the Los Angeles Kings are interested in re-signing pending UFA winger Milan Lucic, who’s enjoying playing for the Kings this season. The club recently reached out to the Lucic camp and appear keen to open contract discussions in the new year. Their priority remains re-signing center Anze Kopitar.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kings GM Dean Lombardi undoubtedly saw Lucic having a long future in Los Angeles when he acquired him last June. Still, as NBC Sports’ Mike Halford observes, the Kings have over $50 million invested in just 14 players for next season. A new contract for Kopitar (which could be close to $10 million annually) will take a big bite out of that remaining space. Lombardi must also ensure he’s got long-term cap space to re-sign Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson in two years’ time. Halford wonders if Lucic might consider a pay cut to stay in Los Angeles. Lucic also claimed last summer that playing for the Vancouver Canucks was his childhood dream, so we can’t rule that out.
Does anyone watch RNH play? He’s against the other teams top lines night in and night out. He’s a pretty solid player, and yes, I’d take him over Rielly.
I said that after the draft. The Leafs should of taken Hannifan and traded Reilly for RNH or Draisidl.
marner is the real deal I am from London and have see kane and marner play many times live marners hands are awesome but the main difference is marner has better matter between the ears leaf nation is going to love this kid from Toronto
Sorry-you are wrong. Marner is no Kane
Way too early to say but sounds like he is ahead of Kane when Kane was that age. How it translates we need to wait and see.
Kane at the same age had 72 points in the NHL-Last time I looked London wasn’t in the NHL
May wanna check again scott not that it means anything but Kane was 19 in his rookie year Marner tuned 18 in may I believe and could return to JR again next year…Im not comparing Marner to akane just saying Kane was not putting 72 points in the NHL as as a 18 year old he was 19…at this point Marner and Kane have very similar numbers in their final year in london…others are right tho have to see how things work out down the road no saying he could be like Kane or be similar cant say he wont be either.
Making a flat-out statement like that based solely upon play in the OHL is really reaching Bill for a gut who is 5′ 11″ 160 lbs. Guillaum Gauther of Sherbrooke (an Arizona pick) is 5′ 10 190lbs, fast, with good hands and has 26g 30a so far. Francis Perron of the Rouyn-Noranda, Huskies is 6′ 168 lbs (An Ottawa pick) and has 24g 28s. Tyson Baillie of Kelowna is 5′ 11 190lbs and leads the WHL with 18g 31a. All great prospects – but right now that’s ALL they are. Nick Paul was a force last year in the OHL – now he’s struggling in his first pro year at Binghamton. It ‘s one helluva jump and to look at a player’s performance against opponent, 95% of whom will never make the NHL, and say he’s better than Kane is just stretching things a bit.
great post George! until nylander and marner prove it in the nhl all they are is hopefuls. I would love to see them both turn out to great in the nhl so we can see some regular playoff appearances but ive seen lots of guys in the ahl and chl that play great but just could never get it done in the nhl
Since we see so many of these guys big bear name the last player to be around 100 point player or pace as a 19 year old in the ahl…
Hint….no teenager or rookie has ever done it.
did you get that off a hockey card? lol not one place did I say teenager or rookie shticky just guys in the ahl he could be good or he could be a bust in the nhl
George, your comparisons are worthless. All of those guys are at least a year older than Marner and none were much better than point-a-game players at Marner’s age. I mean I take your point, Marner has to prove himself an nhler before comparing him to the likes of Kane. But to compare him to bunch of low-grade prospects 1 and 2 years older than himself!?! That’s equally silly on your part.
George its a little more than just the fact that they are highly rated its by who they are highly rated, Mark Hunter who also had a hand in many a new NHL’er, including Kane.
For me, I have more hopes today as a Leaf fan because of the people running the operation.
LOW-grade prospects CO?? Oh, I get it – they are not Leafs prospects, so that makes them “low-grade” in your tunnel-vision eyes. Talk about worthless comments.
My point: you can’t compare a guy’s draft+1 season to another guy’s draft+2 or draft+3 season. Compare Marner’s numbers this year to those other guys draft+1 seasons and you will see why people are excited about him.
Good call
Thanks, he needed to be put in his place. Lol.
co…. look at the times of the post!! lol he wasn’t saying good call to you! Jaime benn was a 5th rd pick was he a low grade prospect? lol
Yeah, your “blue-and-white only count” post really put me in “my place.” Jaysus.
People seem to find a way to always knock down Nuge, but man he’s a great up and coming center man. Definitely the real deal and I agree, I’d take him over Reilly in a Heart Beat. Lol, I’m an Oil fan… Wow we already have him.
RNH is a top notch player. The only reason I think Edmonton should trade him is because McDavid and Draistle are also top notch players. Although Draistle has proven he’s pretty good on the wing to allowing the Oilers to keep all three. Yet if they moved RNH I’d have to think they could fill some holes on the back and perhaps on the wings and still be fine as a team. McDavid isn’t going anywhere’s after all.
I guess they could move Draistle as well since his stock is going up. He just seems bigger to me and on that fact alone I like him as their 2nd Centre being in the west.
Of coarse keeping all 3 is not a bad idea either.
Totally agree
Realising that under the salary cap, this has virtually NO chance of happening, I would love to see the Toronto media and their fan base react, if Stamkos signs as a free agent in Montreal, stating that not only does he want to play for a serious contender as he has with Tampa, but he also wants to be a teammate of long-time friend PK Subban.
Watching the national (Toronto-based) media implode would be the highlight of the year.
t.o would have double the cap space as the habs,typical hab fan chirping off when they don’t know whats going on..
Thanks for demonstrating my point as it was noted that it has virtually NO chance of happening as even a suggestion that he would not sign with the Leafs invites vitriol.
FYI, I still believe that he re-signs with Tampa.
That’s hilarious coming from a Leafs fan, trust me I have read 100 times more ridiculous, head shaking comments from Leafs fans than Habs fans.
lol I agree king! ive followed the leafs for a long time and everytime we get a high draft pick or a big free agent comes along they are coming to Toronto! lol on this site alone it sounds like nylander and marner are cant miss nhl players someone today said marner will be better than kane? and mark please tell everyone why Toronto is a better option than montreal?? you say he is chirping off when he doesn’t know what is going on so that must mean you know whats going on?? lol
Leafs on a rebuild is goin on say no more.
I’m quietly waiting for him to Sign in Ottawa. hahahahahahaha. I think Leaf nation would react quite humourishly. Heck I think Sens Nation would all faint in utter disbelief that a 10 million dollar player is on their roster. LOL.
Not happening but I can dream.
There is nobody on the Leafs I would trade RNH for (PERIOD). Stop it!
Yes, thank you. The leafs lunch are almost as bad as the calgary radio crew.
Like I said from the beginning, Lucic will resign with the Kings. All the talk of him going to Vancouver as a UFA were completely asinine, he never said he wanted to sign there, all he said was he dreamed of playing for them as a child, what Canadian doesn’t dream of that? but they RARELY, if ever come back.
He is currently on a first place team that has multiple, recent stanley cups, and forms one of the most dominant lines in hockey. He’s not leaving. Lebrun also reported that Lucic is every bit as keen on signing with LA as they are on signing him.
Just picture him wearing a Canadien sweater. LOL
Perhaps there’s a three way deal involving Kings/Islanders/Canucks that gets both Lucic and Hamonic to Vancouver. What comes back the other way I don’t really know…
There is no one in Vancouver worth one of those players… Vancouver is on the way to the dumpster fire status of the west.
Quote:
Vancouver is on the way to the dumpster fire status of the west.
Anyone can say something with nothing to back it up.
Can explain why or not?
Pretty sure there isn’t.
Maybe the Sedins would agree to being split up to facilitate the trade 🙂
EDM should have the cap room for Lucic. How does playing alongside McDvid/Yakupov or Nuge/Eberle sound?
The Oilers have around 2mil of cap space available right now. Seeing that Lucic will want a raise from his current 6mil contract I don’t think that will be a good idea. Seeing that the Oilers will need to sign Nurse, Driasiatl, and McDavid, to name a few, in a few years as well.
And thats why Lucic won’t be playing for the Canucks. As much as the Canucks need a player like him to keep the post whistle scrums down, and cheap shots to
a minimum, they won’t pay anyone more than the Sedins. I for one would love to
see him on the Canucks, but he’s going to want too much. Perhaps it’s time to
see if guys like Pedan and Tryamkin can play full time next year, throw their
weight around. Spare parts like Higgins, Baertschi, and Weber need to go. Let
the kids play.
I think that’s a good idea Edmonton really needs some toughness to that lineup. Being a Bruins fan I can see Chiarelli looking at that. Move someone like Eberle for cap space.
The Oilers have a big tough centre already, Driasiatl. and he wont cost them 7+mil.
Stamkos – My opinion on this whole Stamkos ordeal is as simple as this, why are we debating something that we probably won’t know the answer to till July 2016? Do you know how many times big fingers have accidentally sent a text message before I was finished typing? Or the number of times I have accidentally “liked” something on Facebook or Twitter? I think at this point we just want something to talk about and were dragging this little incident more than we should be. Is it possible he has desire to play for the Leafs? Yes. But it’s also just as possible he has a desire to stay in Tampa Bay. The team has been nothing but kind to him during his time with Lightning, he has been to the Stanley Cup finals with them, there’s loads of potential with this club, but they’re also incredibly young. If you ask me they hit their growth spurt early and only now are beginning to experience to growing pains. As far as his relationship with Jon Cooper goes, bottom line, the team isn’t playing well and Cooper is doing his job. Its the life of a versatile player, if you can play multiple positions the coach is going to take advantage of that to get the team winning again. Until Stamkos signs on the dotted line, all this speculation is pointless and a waste of time.
Nikitin – You have to wonder if something is happening there. Word on the street is Chicago ha sbeen looking at him for quite sometime, but I agree with most people, Edmonton has to eat the contract.
Lucic – He’s fit in well for the Kings, but L.A. is running a risk the Hurricanes and Penguins ran into. After their Stanley Cup victories, the team refused to shake things up and tried to keep everyone in the same boat. They would then trade away futures for temporary help but those pending UFA’s were never enough to get them back to where they were. Yes L.A. has one two Cups with this roster but the NHL has them figured out. If you ask me, it’s time to move Dustin Brown and marian Gaborik (if at all possible). Re-cooperate assets and hope for the best, if you look at the numbers, the Kings are winning whether or not they have been impactful. Get the cash flowing and some younger players.
The league has the Kings figured out? Have you seen the Kings record? The league knows how the Kings play because it’s the same way they have played for years. It’s Sutter’s way. No one has them figured out yet.
Allen Muir is absolutely right. Stamkos doesn’t hit free agency just because of a boyhood dream of playing for the Leafs. His leaving Tampa could only indicate a complete break-down of his relationship with TBL management. If he becomes a ufa expect him to weigh his options. If a team like Anaheim could put up the money they’d be quite appealing option. Yes, the Leafs can accommodate his salary. No, acquiring him does not have to derail the rebuild. But Stamkos would have to be prepared to play a couple of his prime years on a weak team in a tough market. Regardless of the lucrative endorsements it’s hard to imagine him being willing to do that.
Stamkos is pushing for the heal that he wants, and he wants to be the #1 guy for his team. If he goes anywhere, it is going to take a ton of cap room and a team with enough cheap young stars to make a real splash. We’ll have to wait and see who is in that position if he does not get the deal he wants in Tampa.
Ha Ha ! Sorry, DEAL that he wants. (I hate sell phones!)
Another slip. CELL not SELL. It’s one of those days, I know how Steve Stamkos feels (LOL).
The full impact of Columbus trading for Saad will be seen next year when Boone Jenner and Ryan Murray are restricted free agents. It seems they will be forced to trade at least one forward with a 5 million dollar plus cap hit. My guess is they will keep their younger forwards that still have cost effective cap hits.
THE RANGERS LOST TO OILERS!!! TRADE EVERYONE!!!LOL
Bigbear: Jaysus! it was a joke. No one knows who Traynorboy was talking to.