Updates on Eric Staal, Travis Hamonic, Dustin Byfuglien, Kyle Okposo and more in your NHL Rumor Mill.
Update on Eric Staal.
Coyld the Hurricanes cut ties with the Staals?
NBC SPORTS: TSN Insider Bob McKenzie reports Carolina Hurricanes GM Ron Francis’ plan is to soon meet with Eric Staal agent to discuss re-signing Staal (perhaps for a lesser deal) or to convince him to accept a deal by the trade deadline. McKenzie also wonders if the Hurricanes opt to cut ties with Eric if they could also do the same with his brother Jordan, who has seven more years (at $6 million annually) with a no-trade clause remaining on his contract.
NHL.COM: Dan Rosen reports Staal said he won’t use his no-movement clause to veto a trade if it’s clear to him the Hurricanes no longer want him. Staal’s preference is to remain with the Hurricanes.
THE SCORE: Craig Hagerman believes the Hurricanes should consider a trade-and-sign deal with Staal, shipping him out near the trade deadline for the best deal they can get (“high assets and picks”) and then bringing him back by signing him as an unrestricted free agent in July.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The way I see it, if Staal wants to stay with the Hurricanes, he’ll have to accept a considerable pay cut on a much shorter term. His stats have also steadily declined in recent years, raising the possibility he could be a spent force. If so, it’s best for the Hurricanes to capitalize on his value now by shipping him out near the trade deadline for the best return possible.
If they do want him back, a trade-and-sign scenario is the best option. He wouldn’t be the first player dealt at the trade deadline who returns to his former club via free agency (Hello there, Antoine Vermette).
McKenzie raises an interesting point about Jordan’s status with the Hurricanes if they part ways with Eric. Trouble is, that hefty contract will be very tough to move, especially given the decline in his own performance. They could buy him out, though they already have one very expensive buyout on their books already with Alexander Semin. Buying out Jordan Staal comes at a cost of $2 million annually through 2030-31.
Latest on Hamonic, Byfuglien, Okposo and Johansen.
NBC SPORTS: TSN insider Bob McKenzie reports New York Islanders GM Garth Snow doesn’t want draft picks or prospects for defenseman Travis Hamonic, but rather a comparable defenseman. He also doesn’t want solely an offensive blueliner like Colorado’ Tyson Barrie or Edmonton’s Oscar Klefbom.
McKenzie claims Winnipeg Jets blueliner Dustin Byfgulien isn’t on the trade block, but there’s a feeling he may be because of his UFA status. He believes the Jets will have a difficult time re-signing Byfuglien. He also said Snow isn’t interested in Byfuglien for Hamonic.
Islanders winger and pending UFA Kyle Okposo won’t be traded unless the club falls completely out of the playoff picture by the trade deadline. The club is focused on making the playoffs and going as far as they can. even at the risk of losing Okposo to free agency in July.
McKenzie also said the Columbus Blue Jackets aren’t shopping center Ryan Johansen but he is listening to offers from rival clubs. He believes their short-term preference is to trade someone like Cam Atkinson for a defenseman. He cited Johansen’s contract status after next season and the center being off to a somewhat rocky start under new head coach John Tortorella.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Apart from the Okposo update, there’s not really much new here. Okposo was rumored as a possible trade candidate earlier in the season. I agree with McKenzie that they won’t move him unless they fall completely out of playoff contention. I’d add that the lack of improvement on the part of Ryan Strome and Brock Nelson this season is an even better reason for the Isles to hang onto Okposo for the rest of this season. As McKenzie points out, the new ownership takes control of the Isles on July 1 and there could be more willingness on their part to invest in retaining a pending UFA like Okposo.
All quiet on the Bruins’ trade front.
CSNNE.COM: In a recent mailbag segment, Joe Haggerty claims it’s all quiet on the Boston Bruins trade front right now. There’s currently not many teams that could be considered sellers plus the Bruins just had a five-game winning streak. Haggerty feels the Bruins will have to decide to either overpay to retain the versatile Loui Eriksson or ship him out near the trade deadline for a very good young defenseman, citing Winnipeg’s Jacob Trouba as an example. He believes the Bruins defense still needs improvement. Haggerty doubts the Bruins do any wheeling and dealing before the upcoming (Dec. 19-27) holiday trade freeze.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Bruins remain in playoff contention, they could retain Eriksson and take their chances on losing him to free agency in July.
Jordan Staal might be difficult to move? Ya dont say…lol poor Ronnie Francis Rutherford really did leave him a mess. Semin Ward the Staals
And now he’s busily setting the Penguins up for a similar period of instability.
Jordans NTC is a redundancy measure at this point.
Not true: Rutherford is cleaning up after the mess Ray Shero left behind. I would get into it but it’s old news. Believe me, it’s frustrating as hell living here & rooting for the Pens.
Regardless of the team, long term contracts are a prescription for trouble down the road. How are you supposed to really know what a player is going to be like moving forward 5 seasons?
Poor you!! Recent cup. Makes playoffs every year. Star players fun to watch. Imagine being a leafs, panthers, columbus,SJ, Oilers, flames, Canucks, Jets, Hurricanes, Buffalo……you get my drift. Being a Penguins fan is not hard at all.
Wait. Your time will come for misery. It’s inevitable. And let us never forget that they started their rise to respectability with Lemieux by deliberately and quite openly tanking under Johnson.
What’s so bad about the Staals? Only one bad thing is Jordan, Eric is a UFA and that comes as territory. So is Ward. Semin was horrible though.
Are you not the same jes that was calling Ward a buyout candidate?
Shticky
Tbh i have no clue how Rutherford is a GM.
It doesn’t say whole lotta good about Pittsburgh now either.
I’m a Pens fan and I almost had a heart attack when he was hired. He’s terrible. I still don’t agree with the Shero firing but it’s old news. Ownership of this team thinks they’re so much better than they are and Shero was trying to balance the act of setting them up for the future while meeting ownerships demands to “win now”, even though they weren’t good enough at the time. They should have sat back (which I believe Shero started to do the last year or two), kept their first rounders and went for a 2-3 year re-tool and then go aggressive again. When you go for broke every year this is what you get, a COMPLETELY empty cupboard. Sigh.
If Byfuglien is going to be hard to resign the Jets should move he regardless, since the season is underway they could even retain some salary this year to maximizes the return.
The asking price for Hamonic will have to change or he isn’t moving at all, there aren’t alot of teams willing to make a lateral move. The Oilers need this guy if you ask me and PC should be working as hard as he can to get him. The Oilers need to learn at this stage they are going to have overpay to fill some of their holes.
E.Staal seems like a prime candidate to become exactly like Vinny in Philly,
So the Oilers are supposed to give Snow what he wants and trade Nurse for Hamonic? How is that going to help the Oilers? If Snow is going to make a deal with the Oilers it will include one of the Oilers top six forwards.
What I think PC is doing is keeping his eye on what is going on with the Jets and Byfuglien and if he hits the UFA do all he can to sign him. Also if Driasadle keeps up this play for the whole year trade RNH for another d man.
No I am not suggesting the Oilers trade Nurse for Hamonic. I am however suggesting Eberle + 2nd round pick or something along those lines. I am sure Snow would love to get a Hamonic back in the trade but the likely hood of that happening is slim to none IMO. You over a offer a little now to entice Snow to atleast move from his asking price somewhat and work from there.
I don’t see Big Buff signing in Edmonton as a UFA unless the money is ridiculous which could seriously complicate things cap wise for the Oilers down the road.
As for trading RNH I think the Oilers have no choice but to trade him or Leon before the draft (As well as Eberle). RNH package for Seth Jones or something along those lines, Weber is 30 and still has alot of good years left in him and their blue line wouldnt suffer that much. I am not saying Jones is available again just saying if you dangle RNH it might get the convo started.
If that Gibson kid plays as well as he has then by the trade deadline I would also make a pitch to trade for F.Anderson from the ducks.
The Oilers are going to have no choice but to over pay as teams know they are hurting. Their 1st round draft pick should be worth a lot right now as well. The trade chips are their they just need to take some chances here and see where things pan out. Seriously it really can’t get any worse in Edmonton.
Hi have no doubt that PC already dangled Eberle in front of Snow. Snow want an equal d-man in exchange for Hamonic and the Oilers don’t have that. The only way I think the Oilers can get him is if they can bring in another team that is deep on defence to make it a three way trade. Nashville is already on record saying they are not trading Jones or Weber any time soon. Also if you look at Ander Nilssons numbers in the last 5 games he has a below 1.8 GAA and above .940 SV%. The goalie is not a problem for the Oilers.
Webber, Jones, Josi, Ellis.
You’d have to think Edmonton can pry one of these guys from Nashville
I have no doubt Eberle’s name has come up in trade talks with NYI the point is you are going to have to overpay regardless. Maybe PC shot himself in the foot with the price he paid for Reinhart but Hamonic is exactly what they need. Eberle and a 2nd should be a great starting point.
So since he public said Weber and Jones wont be moved does that mean Josi is available? (Sarcasm)
That is an extremely small sample size for a goalie, they should still pursue a established starter. I know they have been,,,,
I have no doubt PC already offered Eberle I was saying Eberle + or even Eberle ++, they are going to have to overpay until the stench of desperation leaves that team.
I am aware that Poile said they aren’t moving those two so does that mean the defenders he didn’t mention are moving? Then take a run at Josi, RNH or LD.
There is no use hanging one to any forward not named McDavid or Hall and one of RNH or LD IMO. And your right they shouldnt trade Nurse or Klefbom.
As for the goalie that is a small sample size they should still chase a proven starter.
What is all the hype about Hamonic,the guy is at best a #4 dman a stay at home type,does not Quarterback a powerplay to any great success.Is a usefull dman with a friendly contract.
There is no way the Jets will let Buff and Ladd walk without receiving some sort of return.
Wow trouba for eriksson as a rental? Was the rest of Haggerty’s mailbag full of peyote?
LOL. Precisely!
My thoughts exactly. When I read that kind of stuff I can only assume the writer, in this case Haggerty was drunk or momentarily lost his mind.
I agree, a Trouba for Eriksson trade or similar isn’t realistic but on the other end I think a lot of people are undervaluing Eriksson or have some preconceived notion that the return won’t be surprising. If the Bruins do end up moving Eriksson, and between now and that point Eriksson continues production like he has thus far… the return will be quite substantial. He may be one of the most coveted assets at the trade deadline this year… much like Vermette was last season.
Loui Eriksson for a Jacob Trouba like defenseman? Good luck with that.
Loui Eriksson as a rental is not going to land Jacob Trouba who will still be an RFA at season end. That’s just not realistic, IMO.
I could certainly see the Burins holding onto him and then losing him at the deadline if they’re in contention – like renting your own player.
Doesn’t strike me the Bruins have decided one way or the other if they are contenders or heading to a rebuild.
Speaking of Brock Nelson I came up with a new drinking game during last night’s game. Everytime Brock Nelson gets knocked over you have to drink. At the rate he is going I expect to be attending AA meetings by the end of the month.
Just heard on this morning News that from 2 separate Economist opinions is the Canadian dollar will fall to $0.69 in 2016. Bad news for the NHL.
I have been essentially stating that on several occasions on this very site as it relates to the cap. I hate having to address global economics to determine the fate of my NHL fantasy teams but it’s part of the package now.
I work in the petroleum industry in a consulting capacity & my clients sell the majority of their production on what are called hedge books. A contract to sell oil to you at a later date for a predetermined price. They have been benefiting currently as oil dropped quickly but as those contracts are coming up for renewal less is being hedged due to volatility & selling at current market prices. The impact on the Canadian economy & subsequently the dollar is going to be profound on Canadian NHL clubs.
take on the Bruins although they had a 5 game win streak ( lost last night) watching this team every game they really need to bring it every night they play, the D is really a soft spot on this team by years end Chara will wear down & C Miller could be the best D-Man the team although right now Miller is having a tough time in his own zone. If Belinsky can ever find the net they could afford to trade Eriksson they will let him walk can’t see them giving him another contract…would like to see them go to Nashville and offer Eriksson plus a draft pick for a D-Man
I believe the Bruins will get Eriksson signed comfortable for 3 or 4 years at in or around 5 million. These Nordic players just aren’t greedy. It’s not all about the money for them even though their agents may push them to make it so. It will simply boil down to does Eriksson want to be a Bruin.
In my Avalanche opinion they can trade Erick Johnson for Hamonic. I personally don’t see Johnson as a 1A Dman more of a 1B-2A. I think Hamonic would fit better and he is a couple years younger.
This is absolutely idiotic.
This buyout process is horrible. Just give a guy his money and get him off the payroll. What’s wrong with that? Why should a team be penalized for doing this? In general it deters buyouts and keeps marginal talent in the league.
Buyouts r laid at the feet of bad GM decisions.
Nobody else to blame. Every CBA generally is always about money n ways to curb GM’s from their idiotic tendencies.
Coyld you be making up new words?
Almost every move he has made has worked out. The troubles remain from the prior regime. scuds, kunitz, dupers contracts all too long for older players.
Must have been a weak day for rumours…Trouba for Eriksson, someone picking up E. Staal lol E. Stall is a 50 point guy and good for 20 goals, for the asking price that Carolina will be asking I don’t see him moving especially with that cap hit of 8.25.
They should have done what Calgary did with Iginla, don’t forget they got a first for him. Carolina would be lucky to get mid level prospect + a 2nd for Staal at this point.
E. Staal (and conditional 2nd if he does not sign with them next year) to NYI for Strome and Nelson
J. Staal to Phi for Read and Lecavlier
thoughts?
Why on earth would Carolina want Matt Read and Vinny L to just give away the only center they really have?
So Carolina, which has a fading over-priced C on its roster, adds a washed-up over-priced C to the mix. I thought Rutherford had LE FT Carolina!
Hey Spector, it’s not the $ that’s keeping the Isles away from re-signing Okposo. It’s the term of the deal. They don’t want to invest 7 years in a player who has had a significant injury history throughout his career.