Latest on Keith Yandle, Kyle Okposo, Andrew Ladd, Eric Staal and more in Part One of your NHL rumor mill.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM FRIEDMAN’S “AMA” ON REDDIT.
Could center Nazem Kadri be part of the Maple Leafs’ deadline purge?
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman yesterday took part in a Reddit AMA (“Ask Me Anything”) chat, and with the trade deadline less than a week away, several fans asked him about which players could be on the move and which teams could be swinging deals leading up to Feb.29. Among the highlights:
Friedman believes Vancouver Canucks right wing Radim Vrbata could be on the move, as could defenseman Dan Hamhuis and perhaps winger Jannik Hansen.
He believes the Montreal Canadiens are sellers and wonders if a team might make a pitch for forward Alex Galchenyuk. Unless they get back a comparative-aged player with term on his contract, they won’t move him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Canadiens are inclined to move Galchenyuk, I think that’s a deal discussed in the days leading up to the NHL Draft in June, when there are more teams willing to talk trade and a better chance of getting a good return.
While the Calgary Flames are still talking contract with pending UFA defenseman Kris Russell, it’s possible he could be moved by the deadline. The Flames could seek a long-term possibility in goal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames might have to wait until the offseason to find a decent starting goalie.
Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray isn’t interested in acquiring rental players.
Friedman speculates there could be a bombshell deal no one expects. He wonders about Winnipeg Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba and Toronto Maple Leafs center Nazem Kadri, adding he’d be “very curious to see Kadri in a STL uniform.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Interesting blurb about Kadri. I get the sense his future with the Leafs isn’t assured right now. For the right offer, they could part with him. As for Trouba, the Jets hold the hammer. He’s coming out of his entry-level contract and has no leverage other than to threaten a holdout this fall. I don’t see him being dealt.
He sees the LA Kings making impactful deals to acquire a forward and a defenseman.
LATEST ON THE RANGERS.
SPORTSNET 960 (via TODAY’S SLAPSHOT): Elliotte Friedman claims there’s no truth a rumor the New York Rangers could ship winger Chris Kreider to the Boston Bruins for right wing Loui Eriksson. He notes Kreider is a player who performs well in the postseason, and also doubts the Blueshirts will move defenseman Keith Yandle. Friedman wonders if the Rangers might take their chances with their current roster.
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports multiple sources claim several teams are interested in Rangers blueliner Keith Yandle, including the Dallas Stars. However, league sources claim the Rangers are signalling Yandle’s not available. The 29-year-old rearguard stepped up in a big way during captain Ryan McDonagh’s injuries. The Rangers are 7-1-1 in their last nine games and 13-5-2 in their last 20 games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I can see the Rangers trying to bolster their lineup for the playoffs, but I don’t believe they’re moving Yandle or Kreider.
BEST FITS FOR SIX NOTABLE NHL TRADE CANDIDATES.
USA TODAY: Kevin Allen believes the Chicago Blackhawks are the best fit for Winnipeg Jets left wing Andrew Ladd, while the New York Rangers are the best fit for Carolina Hurricanes forward Eric Staal. He believes the Florida Panthers could be the best destination for Arizona Coyotes winger Mikkel Boedker, the Dallas Stars for defenseman Dan Hamhuis, the St. Louis Blues for Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Jonathan Drouin and the Anaheim Ducks for Montreal Canadiens right wing Dale Weise.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A well-thought-out piece by Allen, which also includes the potential stumbling blocks for those clubs if they hope to acquire those players. Of course, we don’t know for sure where those players could end up, but it’s still fun to speculate on their potential destinations.
UPDATES ON THE ISLANDERS AND HURRICANES
NEWSDAY: Steven Marcus reports New York Islanders right wing (and pending UFA) Kyle Okposo won’t plead with management to remain an Islander. It’s possible the 27-year-old could be playing his final games with the Isles before the Feb. 29 trade deadline. To date, there’s been no reports of contract negotiations between the two sides.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Islanders are a playoff club and Okposo’s one of their best players this season. Unless they’re getting a return that helps them now and in the future, Okposo won’t be dealt. As for his contract status, that could depend upon his performance down the stretch and in the playoffs.
THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: Luke DeCock believes the moves Carolina Hurricanes GM Ron Francis makes leading up to this trade deadline could define his tenure as their general manager. DeCock believes pending UFAs Eric Staal, Cam Ward, Kris Versteeg and John-Michael Liles should be dealt for the best possible returns. “The real challenge is whether Francis can get creative and craft a Jeff Skinner or Jordan Staal deal – neither will ever be more marketable, the way they’re playing – that clears their contracts off the books and would really allow Francis to make drastic changes.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Increasing Francis’ difficulty is the fact his club is jockeying for playoff contention. He could be facing pressure from ownership not to do anything that adversely affects their chances of reaching the postseason for the first time since 2009. We’ll find out soon enough what Francis has in mind.
So is it official, are the Leafs in full tank mode? Sabres were tossed under the wheels for doing the same last season, don’t see the same treatment for the Leafs this year.
Just saying…..
Lol I dont know…do ypu have twitter?
I actually applaud what the Leafs are doing, just like I did for the Sabres. Time for Tronna to finally have a plan.
Yep. As a Habs fan, I see our team having no direction while to Leafs rebuild the right way. Shanny & Lou are doing a good job so far.
I agree fully. I love what the Leaf’s are putting in place & this is a team I have hated for ever but I respect what Shanahan has put in place both from a management perspective, coaching & actual hockey culture. The long term benefits of this vision will pay in spades in about 5 years maybe less.
Note to Linden. This is a far better model on how to rebuild.
No everybody knows that they are tanking but heaven forbid if we say anything about canada. team
Boys, there’s no McDavid this year, there’s not even an Eichel, and the lottery rules have been changed dramatically to make finishing last worth less – put away the pitchforks.
Lol bring em on imo long overdue. One of those top 4 picks is ours fishes!
Auston Mathews looks as good as Eichel imo
One thing is certain – and before anyone labels me a “LeafsHater” this isn’t meant to be nasty, just a statement of fact – IF the Leafs get the 1st pick and choose Mathews you can bet the farm that there will be those among LeafsNation (perhaps even some saying now that he isn’t as good as Eichel) who will automatically place him in the saviour category and start touting him as BETTER than McDavid. I’ll keep a copy of this in the event I’m right. And I hasten to add I won’t blame them one bit because I am already on record as saying he is a “generational” pick and will be a mega-star in the NHL. He has ALL the tools.
I dont think this statement makes you a Leaf hater more than anyother team. Every year every team thats drafting no.1 would or is doing the same thing, no matter who the pick is really. The mext ome is always going to be the best one. Thats just life with draft picks I guess.
I think there was more of a SHOCK last year with Buffalo being so open about the process that they got roasted more …but now that it has come and gone and teams see what the possibilities are, it is more expected and accepted moving forward and will be the mindset of more teams to try and tank once they have hit there cap wall and have little assets to try and rebuild, I think that the Habs are next in line with this ( TANKING ) process after the year they have had.
How do you tank when you`re not gaurenteed anything
Kad4i to StLouis soumds good Fabbri, Rattie Barbashev prospect wose or mayne the Leafs could add abit for Shattenkirk….only one problem,since Lou has taken ove there hasnt neen a peep leaked about any 8f hos deals until its happened and even then Its released thru the Leafs not insiders…its a nice thought Kadri to the Blues but I think the days of guys like Dreger MacKenzie amd Friedman having aninside track on these deals may be over judging by the past season. Even a big deal like Phaneuf to the Sens, didnt hear a peep until a few minutes before it went down.
Oh, and maybe add a bit for Shattenkirk … how generous of you? with Pieterangelo out Shattenkirk isn’t going anywhere … homer
lol ya thats what that was about…
I am completely on board with moving Kadri for the right deal.
Not because of any short comings he can be a great 2nd line Center.
But Iam on board with moving forward with a new team and building a new core of NHL ready players and rookies sprinkled in.
I would NOT trade Kadri for draft picks ..NHL ready players only !
If you trade Kadri, who plays C in three years? You have… Holland, who is weak even at 4C on a good team. Maybe you get lucky and one of Nylander/Marner blossoms into a solid 2C at the NHl level, but you see my point. You have a huge hole even before trading Kadri.
One of em wont be back Dan…I understand what yoire saying but depemding on the return (if they can get the ransom for Kadri or if not can they get a price close to want for Bozak) one of them has to go. I’d prefer Bozak but you nly need 1 of the 2 especially if they end up drafting a C or were to go after one ufa. Cant make an omelet with oit breaking some eggs.
It`s called free agency, that`s how you fill for the couple of years. Remember Shanny said next year is gonna be more painful than this year.
Shticky, Yogi, you both may be right. Certainly a good chance, but will depend on the offers. I expect Bozak to go after next year when he’s a UFA if a good offer doesn’t come along sooner, but Kadri is young enough to fit. He plays with heart even if he’s unreliable off the ice or was (maybe wishful thinking)
Interestingly enough Elliot hurt and now out for a momth aswell sooo, need a goalie and a guy to play center eh? lol
Sorry Lyle, but I have to disagree with you that Kyle Okposo “is one of their best players this season.” That statement is absolutely false. You are strictly going by numbers and obviously don’t watch the team on a regular basis. Okposo is invisible most nights and gets alot of secondary assists and goals when the game is already decided. Greiss and Clutterbuck are more valuable to the team than Okposo and many many Islander fans will be happy if he is traded. Any team that gives him 6 plus million in free agency will be sorry before he is halfway through his new contract.
Not sure why STL would want Kadri . Nothing to do with talent but how is he a fit ? Barbashev for Drouin makes more sense but I think a message will be sent and he stays home until next year. Draft at the earliest.
A couple of points. Last year the Leafs Dubus traded out of the first to get extra lower picks (cost them Konechny). Wondering if the experienced Lou will do the opposite this draft. Package some 2nds to get extra picks in the 1st round.
Second point-its interesting to see if Mark Hunter is the scouting guru as many have hoped…or is success at London due to a rich franchise able to entice college committed kids to London.
The Knigjts are not any more rich interms of financing than alot of CHL teams lots are owmed by NHL player and Flint maybe has the richest owner in the OHL look at how thats going. Yes the Leafs gave up the Preds first and likely Konechny which will likely be a decent NHLer but if yp look at it this is how it turned out
The return on that Franson/Santorelli deal last season is wild.
2017 6th
Travis Dermott
Martins Dzierkals
Jeremy Bracco
Those are 3 excellent looking prospect that all could have a similar ceiling (not saying they will for sure ya never know but) so far this year have been very good.
Please don’t be offended Shticky ,
but the Leafs could have had Konecny instead.
I understand that they got both Bracco and Dermott at that draft position ..but I always thought that the idea was to take the best player ath that position and that was Konecny.
They could have gotten Dermott at another spot or traded up to get him ..I am not sold on Bracco ..so I think it was a mistake to trade Konecny for Bracco and Derrmott…just my opinion. I think Konecny will be a more of an impact player than the other two on an individual basis.
Not offended at all, and definitely not saying any of these guys will be better than Koenechy who I really do like, but if you look at %s ilate firsts are not all that much higher of a chance of beiing impactful than seconds so I dont mind the idea of trading down late firsts for more opportunity is all I am saying. I wouldnt suggest trading back if it was a top 10 pick but to turn a 24 8r whatever it was in to multiple picks that may turn out to be almost as good for a team like the Leafs that were or are still kinda starved for high ceiling type picks I dont mind it at all. Those 3 all have a legitimate shot at being NHL guys. Plus another pick on top.
“SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Canadiens are inclined to move Galchenyuk, I think that’s a deal discussed in the days leading up to the NHL Draft in June, when there are more teams willing to talk trade and a better chance of getting a good return”
Galchenyuk is an RFA though… wouldn’t teams at the deadline looking for a young forward that they can use going into the playoffs and retain in the offseason bring back more value on deadline day when teams are more apt to overpay. I know the draft gives teams more time in terms of leading up to, and can work out bigger moves but I would think there’s a team out there willing to overpay for him on Monday.
Fyi, Galchenyuk isn’t a RFA this summer…he’s signed thru next season.
$2.8m, you’re right so one more season. That would make a difference then. Would be better to move him closer to the draft in that case.
“Friedman: He sees the LA Kings making impactful deals to acquire a forward and a defenseman”
Impactful deals… not entirely sure they’ll be making some impactful deals. I could see them making a depth move at forward or defense. Going to be hard to do both and swing a player in that’s going to be an impact. The team has $0 in cap space unless they factor in LTIR, around $2.38m if I understand that correctly (not an expert in cap space and LTIR) but that’s what I’ve read. I’d think that any moves made by the team would have to include shipping out $$$ in order to make it happen, which brings us to the next order of business and that’s what does LA have in terms of attractable assets with $$$ that they are ready to ship out? I’m not entirely up to speed with their prospect pool, I’ve read about Kempe, and Forbort leading up to their respective drafts but the Kings also have no 1st round pick this year, no 3rd round pick… just curious as to what others feel the Kings could do. Like I said, not an expert in cap space and LTIR but it would appear they have very limited room to make impactful moves… and unless they’re going to ship out a player with $$$, I just don’t see them making that type of move. Depth moves only, 3rd line maybe and a 6-7th defenseman.
Agreed on all counts. LA has the equivalent of 2.4 in annual contract dollars according to generalfanager.
Chad, I don’t disagree with you nor do I fully agree either. Lombardi has proven over the past few years to be the master at fitting players in when he seemingly has no cap to work with.
In 2014 he was able to land Gaborik at the deadline for Frattin, 2nd and 3rd rounder, but the kicker was Columbus agreed to eat 50% of his remaining contract to fit him in. Lombardi also did the same thing with Lucic this summer. Remember the Kings are only paying him $3.25 million right now.
I’m not saying its a foregone conclusion that the Kings are landing some big players, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if some big names are traded to LA with retained salary. I’ve read on plenty of Kings insider sites/blogs that the Kings are all in this year, Lombardi wants to match the Hawks 3 cup wins and wants to do it one last time with the current players.
Who would they move though, what assets would teams be interested in? No 1st or 3rd round pick. Would LA be interested in moving their 2nd… that could honestly hurt their future. Any ideas?
Striker, I too found 2.4 as the number but then again I’m typically 50/50 with these salary – roster websites. Just above I noted Galchenyuk was an RFA this year… obviously incorrect. So I really never know who has what for salary and players lol
Even if Winnipeg eats say 1/2 of Ladd’s contract he just fits in leaving no wiggle room to acquire a Damn. Perhaps he targets the next tier of players not making as much as say a Ladd or Hamhuis doing exactly what you suggest. LA doesn’t necessarily need top notch players just some depth guys for the run.
Say like Parenteau & Schlemko. If Toronto & NJ eat 1/2 their cap hits LA easily gets them in in the cap space available & both would help.
Agreed, I figured a solid depth move. LA shouldn’t want to mix things up too much. They have the talent and their team is clicking. Minor moves makes more sense, or as you said… acquiring a Ladd with Winnipeg eating $$ but would leave them limited to a Dman. They have swung some surprising moves before, the Gaborik one for example, slightly different situation as I think they had more cap space at the time and more assets to move. Also, the Sekera move surprised me last year but then again they gave up a 1st round pick to acquire him. We shall see what they do.
Well like you said they have a 2nd rounder and some nice prospects like Kempe, Forbort, Zykov and I wouldn’t be surprised if Pearson was available, for the right price of course. which I can see them getting these pieces back in the summer, by trading some vets for cap reasons.
As for the cap this deadline, yes they have $2.4 right now but they will be putting Gaborik on LTIR, since he will be out until the playoffs, so that will free up more than enough to acquire who they want.
It’s funny, when the NHL changed the draft policy, to help stop tanking the season; well tanking is alive and well. I guess for me the simple answer is if you finish last you have the best odds of winning, regardless of the percentage and then it climbs from there to the 2nd and 3rd. In Toronto case the top 3 this year are very good, so go better your odds by winning as little as possible, but count on the 2nd or 3rd pick because the 1st belongs to Edmonton.
Don’t count out Montreal yet, lol… they’re certainly on there way to the basement.
Looking at how things have happened over the season Im ok not having the first pick, I am not sure there 8s all that much of a gap in the top 4.
Not entirely no, I think Matthews is the lone wolf ahead of that top 5-6 group but Laine, Puljujarvi, Tkachuk, Chychrun, and Nylander are all fairly close as far as talent is concerned and ceiling. Personally I like Nylander, I’ve watched some highlights and he has some incredible skill… a little on the small side but that impacts his speed on the ice (in a good way).
Staal only makes sense if his list of teams only includes the Rangers…though so was MSL and it cost us two 1st rounders
Let’s not forget that NYR got TB’s 2nd round pick in 2015 back in the StLouis trade. 60th overall, later moved to Arizona in the Yandle trade & onto Calgary at the draft.
My point was how much the Ranger gave up for a player that only wanted to come to them. Not to diminish value of a 2nd round pick.
A single 1st round+RC to make Tampas problem go away.
I wasn’t really responding to your post just entering the thread. I should have qualified my comment as it wasn’t directed at you specifically. It’s just that when people slag the MSL trade for TB or NYR they never mention NYR got a 2nd in 2015 with StL & as they made the cup final that season & the conference final the year following that it moved essentially from a 2nd to a 1st for a player NYR couldn’t hope to resign at monies acceptable to them.
I don’t have an issue with the return to either team. Both benefited substantially from this deal. Both made it to the cup with the assets they acquired & the profit those playoff runs made it worth the cost however you wish to look at it.
I know many of you struggle with the concept of the business side of hockey but those home playoff dates are real gross profit dollars. Players get ZERO, owners get all the money. TB got in access of 10 home play off gates. At 3 plus million per gate that’s some serous gross profit. NYR in StL’s 2 seasons had in access on 20 & there gates profit are even larger. That’s 30 & over 50 million in GP for each team respectively.
What am I missing? Oh it cost them a pick for a player that may or may not ever play in the NHL & if he does, with those picks being so late is 5 years from now before they even become a regular baring luck.
“I know many of you struggle with the concept of the business side of hockey but…”
Holy smokes man is the air thinner up there on that giant pedestal you place yourself on?
Believe it or not Shticky many teams actually make hockey decisions based on factoring in the financial implications of those decisions as it relates to their business model. Even more so now due to cap constraints.
All factors need to be accounted for. Not all teams are just willing to lose money repeatedly & are actually in business to turn a profit.
You more than anyone love to look at small sample sizes & are unwilling to look at the big picture. You love to contort a situation to help make your point. Your point is taken. You don’t care about the big picture & that’s your choice. Not mine.
I’ve read your repeated slags constantly about the StLouis/Callahan trade & the following Callahan signing. Yandle, etc.
There are in excess of 30 to 50 million reasons why both those teams loved those trades, regardless of the implications on their business model or on ice product today & moving forward. Those are millions of gross profit dollars earned for those respective teams. That’s not chump change. That’s gross profit before expenses & tax’s with no player salary costs attached to them in the playoffs.
With success in the playoffs comes cap problems. Players earn significant raises when their respective teams make it deep into the Stanley Cup playoffs or win. See Chicago. Twice now they have had to make hard choices, now it’s NYR’s & TB’s turn. Success has a cost, the primary being your players want substantially more money for contributing to that success & not everyone can be reatined.
Believe it or not Strker youre not the only one who understands this yet you talk like you are, with all the long winded explanations like you are some how teaching a class of children the economics of the NHL. Man I’m not trying to start an aguement but jeez do you ever stop looking down your nose at others? We get it you have seasons tickets to 4 teams, run hockeypools and blah blah blah there are others here who probably follow the league or their team as closely as you and you dont need to be a condescending prick to every one here. lots of us go to gzmes, watch hockey can read a stat sheet and have an idea of the business side of things Professor Puck we dont need the lesson everytime you post.
The Rangers should not trade for Eric Stall this season, he is not the missing piece this teams is looking for. The Rangers need a big physical forward with some real net front presence, other than that they should roll with the current line-up. Once Nash gets back it will be like they picked up another top 3-4 guys without having to give up anything, plus the extended rest he has had will be another boost for the playoffs. This team is built to win right now and maybe another 2-3 seasons with the young core locked up for that term. No more giving away 1st round picks for rentals, with Sather out of the picture I’m curious to see what Gordon has up his sleeves for the deadline deals, hopefully just some minor tweaks and no major overhauls. LGR!!!!!!
NYR has some space to add some depth for the run. 4.8 mil according to generalfanager. They project deadline cap monies at annual contract value there by factoring in kind of the cost today. Odd way to report but makes the math easier for us.
I don’t want to see them give up much also. Just maybe a #3 winger that could bump Glass out of the line up at the #4 LW spot & 6/7 Dman in case injuries hit the current top 7 they are carrying.
AV will not bump out Glass…
Carolina should find a way to get Staal to the Ducks and grab a young D
Hopefully that is the course of action they will take, what about using Diaz as the 6/7th Dman, I was hoping to see him called up before now just to get a look at him, he is a veteran and has a descent shot from the back end. Looking forward to Boyle coming off the books and hopefully Yandle resigning at a reasonable rate (after giving up what they did for him, losing him for nothing in FA would suck). They biggest question mark I see for them going forward is the back-up goalie spot, Raanta has not been as reliable as I was hoping he would be and if Hank goes down I don’t see him carrying this team very deep in the postseason.
I would love to see them pick up Weise or Pareteau for that 3rd line spot, both of those guys step it up come playoff time.
Once the playoffs start teams are no longer required to maintain a 23 man roster nor is the cap any longer really in effect. Players are only paid for the regular season once they playoffs start they aren’t earning income, just bonus monies potentially; even then just ELC & players over 35 on 1 year deals, which are allowed to push them over the cap but if they do will be tacked onto next seasons cap space as a penalty.
So other players will be brought up as black aces & many will get some playing time.
And the Isles ended up with both picks! Garth is a real accountant. Lol
Okposo or Drouin will end up on the Flyers either by next Monday or by this summer’s draft.
I just had a thought, would the Oilers have to add anything to their first round pick this year to Boston for Chara? Or would Boston have to add anything to the proposal? Yeah Chara is 38 years old with 2 more years on his contract at a cap hit of 6.9mil but next year he will be down to 5mil next year and then 4mil the year after in actual money. Yeah he has slowed down a lot, but if paired with Nurse or Klefbomb they could make up for it and he could teach them a lot on how to play postionaly. Any thoughts?
Not Yay pr nay but rather wasnt that kimda the thought with Ferrance? Wasmt he kinda brought in to teach a bluline how to be pros and all the rest….it might work or it could ne puttiing him in a position where his speed particularly recovering if say Kelfbolm madean ill advised pinch jist kind pf hoghlights hos weakness. Tough to say either brillant or a bad idea.
Tough to say. Maybe if Boston ate some of the salary and kicked in a pick I’d consider it. It would ultimately tear down the team though, which at this point is a possibility. The team is so inconsistent and a great deal of that is because of the talent and depth on defense. Striker has pointed out before that a lot of the kids will continue to get better and this is typically true but I think the Bruins are definitely lacking an impact defenseman on the backend and not entirely confident there is one currently in the mix.
Chara (eat $1-2m per year of contract), 2nd round pick 2016 – Oilers for their 1st round pick 2016. We all know Chiarelli loves Chara, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s spoken to Sweeney about Chara, Seidenberg, Krug, Krejci, or even Eriksson. He loves those players and types. But, would Chiarelli be interested in making a move with the team that gave him the axe… business is business but it definitely won’t be for any discount or one-sided type. Chiarelli will probably want to come out the winner.