Latest on the Blackhawks, Oilers, Ducks and Canadiens in Part Two of today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
COULD THE BLACKHAWKS ADD A DEFENSEMAN?
CHICAGO TRIBUNE: In the wake of the Blackhawks’ acquiring left wing Andrew Ladd, Chris Hine reports they still could use a top-four defenseman. GM Stan Bowman expressed confidence in his current group even if he doesn’t make any more moves. “If Bowman does want to make a move for another defenseman, it could come with a hefty price,” writes Hine.
NBC SPORTS: Prior to the Ladd deal, Jason Brough cited a TSN report claiming the Blackhawks had “serious interest” in Vancouver Canucks right wing Radim Vrbata and defenseman Dan Hamhuis.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bowman only has around $1.4 million in deadline day cap space remaining, so if he wants to add someone like Hamhuis (provided he agrees to be traded) he might have to ship out some salary in return. I think Bowman could still add a defenseman but he could be looking in the bargain bin.
UPDATES ON THE OILERS.
Could the Oilers trade Taylor Hall this summer for a top defenseman?
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jonathan Willis reports the Oilers made right wing Teddy Purcell and defenseman Justin Schultz healthy scratches prior to last night’s game against the Los Angeles Kings. He suspects that was done to avoid injury while management attempts to move them before the trade deadline. Jim Matheson, meanwhile, suggests if Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli is serious about moving one of his high-salaried young core players, left wing Taylor Hall will fetch the best return. He suggests offering up Hall during the NHL draft to the St. Louis Blues for defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Purcell and Schultz are goners at the deadline, but I don’t know if there’s much of a market for Korpikoski. As for which young core players the Oilers eventually trade, I suspect it’ll be Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or maybe Jordan Eberle. I don’t see them dealing Hall, even though he would certainly attract the best offer. If they make Matheson’s proposed deal for Shattenkirk, they’d best make sure he’s willing to first re-sign a long-term contract extension. Otherwise, they’ll be trading their best forward for a blueliner who could bolt next summer via free agency.
DUCKS COULD SEE A REASONABLY PRICED WINGER.
LOS ANGELES TIMES/ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray claims he has the financial stability to make a move at the trade deadline, suggesting he wouldn’t rule out adding a winger for a reasonable price. Available wingers reportedly include Vancouver’s Radim Vrbata and Jannik Hansen, Boston’s Loui Eriksson, Arizona’s Mikkel Boedker, Montreal’s Dale Weise and Buffalo’s Jamie McGinn. Given the Ducks improvement over the last two months, Murray confirms he’s not a seller. He also suggested he didn’t want to tinker too much with the team chemistry, which has been working very well over the last 25 games. Murray also said he hasn’t made progress yet in negotiations with his restricted free agents like goalie Frederik Andersen, defensemen Sami Vatanen and Hampus Lindholm and forward Rikard Rackell.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks are well below the cap ceiling but they operate under a much lower self-imposed one. I expect Murray will add a winger at the deadline but only if the asking price and the player’s contract is affordable. In other words, we can probably forget about him giving up one of his good young defensemen for an expensive rental like Eric Staal or Loui Eriksson.
LATEST ON THE CANADIENS.
TSN 690 (VIA TODAY’S SLAPSHOT): Darren Dreger reports Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Galchenyuk’s name is “out there” in the rumor mill, but only because some GMs are wondering if Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin might consider moving the young forward. However, Dreger claims the Canadiens aren’t shopping Galchenyuk. He also reports pending UFA winger Dale Weise might not be a certainty to be traded as originally suspected, as it’s believed Habs management has “circled back” on Weise, not so much negotiating with him but asking some questions.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: While Weise could still be dealt, Bergevin might be having second thoughts about moving out a heart-and-soul player. Weise’s contract demands will determine his fate in Montreal. As for Galchenyuk, if Bergevin wants to move him, that’s a deal I suspect gets done around the NHL draft in June.
Not sure why the hans wouldnt move Weise and circle back in the summer, he totally seems like the type of player who would do that for the team and come back possibly for a little less just to play in Montreal again.
It’s oddly satisfying to know that the Flyers aren’t listed as buyers this trade deadline season.
Agree-Medvodov or Shultz are a good chance to move-Chucago or LA. Other than that nothing radical is a pleasant thought
You think Streit goes? I do.
Who’s taking on Streit’s contract for next season?
I’m not saying he isn’t moved but I don’t see it happening at the deadline. A team like Edmonton could potentially use Streit for 1 year if they can’t find a better option. If Hamoinc were to end up in Edmonton they could potentially still be interested in a player like Streit for 1 year. Streit would certainly help there PP which sits 20th this season.
Scott T-I think Streit goes in the offseason-either at the draft or after July 1-fter his bonus is paid. Could be part of a bigger deal with the oilers-for some young fire power.
I think Streit would be a great short term solution for Edmonton. Trade for Hamonic take Streit, bonus money isn’t an issue for Edmonton specicily as it doesn’t alter the cap hit but why pay 2 mil if you don’t have to. The return wouldn’t be great. More of a salary dump by Philly than a player trade. He would garner some form of return but none of the name players even including Yakupov. Not for a 38 year old with a 5.25 cap hit. Cap space is king today.
Streit, Read and Schultz will be gone by Monday. if Hextall can get the right return for Schenn or if he could get a team to take both Andrew MacDonald and Schenn in a package deal (and take less in return then he would have gotten by trading Schenn only), they will both be gone as well.
Monkeydog.
If Steit is moved before the deadline I will be shocked. What contender can afford to take on that cap hit? Or are you proposing some other team takes him now & if so why now not after his 2 million bonus is paid on July 1st?
Brayden Schenn has been getting slightly better each season and is now finally become a solid 2nd line scorer – I don’t think that the Flyers are just going to package him off to get rid of the Amac contract. Schenn has actual value and could be part of the Flyers future.
Hall for Kevin Shattenkirk…
St Louis would have to add some picks or another forward.
Little expensive there seeing most likely that Shattenkirk wont sign an extension with Edmonton it’s pretty much a gimme that he wants to play closer to home near New York most likely he would be only a 1 year deal in Edmonton and Hall would be to expensive of a price to pay for 1 year of Shatty.
Foolish for Edmonton to give up Hall.
I wouldn’t do it. But heck that’s me.
Streit is coming off of back-to-back-to-back…etc… 40+ point seasons and has only been hampered this year by getting injured early and subsequently losing his top PP spot to Ghost. He’s still got value as a top end PP quarterback and has only one year left after this. He should fetch a late 1st pick.
Montreal should trade Markov ASAP he has good value and anyone who doubts that go check his stats last year and this year . If yandle in NY was getting a lot of interest then Montreal should ask for more for Markov he has better stats, points , shot blocks more minutes per game also he is signed next year Montreal could hold back some salary as well . Trade D.W and circle back and sign him trade every UFA and get whatever you can. Montreal should call Edmonton see what it will take to grab Yakupov and eberle or RNH also heard there were some calls for Emelin trade him for something decent leader in hits and 4 mill contract off the books equals more cap space. Maybe package him for shatinkirik trade Eller if someone even called and said his name MB should be saying yes deal even if the other team didn’t say anything but is he available another 3.5 mill of cap space
Sam Vatanen for Tomas Tatar helps out both the Duck and Wings in short term and long term.
I think it would take a bit more with tatar to get vatenan
Yes it does. Might take a nominal pick with Tatar. Vatanen is moving in the off season so you may get your wish.
I think fowler moves before vatanen
Why?
Fowler is Anaheim’s #1 Dman on a great contract. 2 more years at 4 mil per. Teams don’t trade their #1’s unless they have absolutely no choice. Anaheim has a ton of choices & Vatanen will cost more than 4 mil per to sign.
other than vatanan is better than fowler! like you say why would ana move there best dman?
fowler is overrated for what he brings he is 3rd on the depth chart behind lindholm and vatanen
Fowler leads Anaheim Dman in TOI/GP, PP TOI/GP & is 6th for PK a whopping 13 seconds per game below #1.
he will be moved before lindholm or vatanen
We’ll see. I see Vatanen being moved. Time will tell who’s correct. I would love to see Boston acquire Fowler not Vatanen.
I believe Markov will be traded to one of these three teams Dallas or Nashville and maybe Washington . If Markov hits the block which he should he’s a vet and to give him a chance at a cup maybe Montreal takes a V.Nischikin young big guy back for him . Montreal should trade Dale W. To Anaheim for a young D like Despres or try and get N.Ritchie .. Eller I have no clue maybe a bag of pucks worth around 3.5 million .
Well it’s important to have dreams. I don’t see 2 of those teams taking Markov, age, cap hit & seriously declining abilities. The only way Washington even considers it as they have no cap space is if Montreal takes Laich in return with a pick or prospect but there D is set for their run. No fit there. Nashville. Not happening. Their top 4 is set. Dallas could easily justify it as they have bags of cap space & could use a Dman but age & cap hit limit the return. Your not getting. Nichushkin.
hall for trouba
Come on now Bruiny I know youre better than that lol
Yea I’m with Schticky on this one, huge overpayment for Trouba. I know, I know, d men are more valuable than wingers but Hall is among the leading scorers and Trouba is struggling mightily this year. No way that trade goes down without Trouba playing way more consistently first.
Haha had to try
Trouba, Petan & Chicago’s 1st for Hall and a d-man?
The cupboard at LW in Edm is strong. Move Hall 1 of the best LW’s in the gamne & that makes Pouliot your #1, Ugh! I don’t see that happening. The logical player to move is RNH.
That leaves your top 6 baring, Yakupov being moved as something like this.
Hall, Drasaitl, Eberle.
Pouliot, McDavid, Yakupov.
Eberle has looked great playing with McDavid but Yakupov looked pretty good to. Anyone would, hell even I could get points playing with him & I can barely skate. Just joking I played right up to what is essentially Jr B today & 4 years of Canadian College hockey but I’m 53, Ha-ha! I think you get my point though.
Unless Edm wants to move Yakupov under value they have to help create value for him by showcasing him. He’s not the only Edm forward that’s clueless when it comes to back checking & picking up their defensive assignments. None are any better than the others currently & some have far more years of NHL service to have learned to be. I don’t think it’s a question of can they, it’s more they just don’t want to.
Sorry should read the cupboard at LW in Edm isn’t strong. Argh!
Edmonton isn’t moving Hall. RNH will be moved for the best Dman they can get. Which would be a decent #2 at best. Might be young enough to potentially be a #1 1 day.
Yakupov could potentially be moved in the off season as well but his value has dropped so significantly. I’m not sure Edmonton would want to give him up for such a return. Several teams would still have interest but considering he was selected 1st overall what ever return is received will be disappointing. I would assume he would still garner a later 1st & a B grade prospect or maybe a 1st & a decent 3rd line winger. By later 1st I mean 16 thru 30.
I always thought Edmonton with all those high picks were in a good position to make trades. I thought by now because of all their assets, they would have made trades to fill holes and solidify weak positions on the team. They really have not done any of that. With the exception of Nurse, they have used the high picks they have had entirely on forwards. Is this the deadline where they make the trades everyone knows they NEED to make? McDavid is safe….No other player on Edmonton should be. They clearly have the guns to hunt but they have refused to load them.
Good question DC, personally I see the Oilers making minor deals at deadline like trading Purcell, with the bigger moves coming in the off-season where they can get all the teams involved with more cap space.
My best guess is Nugent-Hopkins, Yakupov and maybe their first rounder will be moved for help in other areas. I think Hall, Draisaitl, McDavid and Eberle will be safe. Eberle being on the most shaky ground, but his chemistry with McDavid may just save him.
If done properly (and it can be done), they are in a position to ice a pretty good team with quality trades. The longer they wait, players could regress on an underperforming team which could weaken their trade values. Ducksfan93 made a good point. Imagine a Hall or Eberle on a good Ducks team. I think their production would increase to numbers way better then what they are now. They have loads of value at this point. Of course they had to draft forwards as they were the best available player at Edmonton’s draft position, BUT, they must use that to their advantage and turn those best available players into Dmen and maybe a veteran big leadership type forward.
I would love to see Hall go to the ducks. Fowler, Stoner and a 3th could make that happen. Get minimum of 2 years from the Dmen and the ducks get a little cap space. But I think it would cost more than that.
Halls not going anywhere, it would leave a HUGE hole at RW. They will be dealing from a position of strength to beef up their d core. With the emergence of McDavid and Draisaitl at center, Nugent-Hopkins is expendable, he will be the one traded.
Hall is LW, but yes that would leave a huge hole there as the next LW after Hall is Pouliot.
Sorry meant to type LW, didn’t realize I hit RW. Thanks for the heads up Mammoth.
Anaheim will be moving Vatanen & Andersen in the off season. A RW & LW will be part of the return. The returning players will be on their ELC’s or bridge deals so as cap hits are manageable. Both players will be highly sought after. Hall just won’t be 1 of them.
If Boston doesn’t resign Eriksson they will bid but you need to remember Murray is very frugal. He functions on a tight internal cap & with Rakell & Lindholm both due significant raises even with Vatanen & Andersen moving on it simply may not be possible to make it work financially.
Anaheim is structured very similar to Chicago. A highly paid core group of players coming essentially & then a whole bunch of moving pieces around that core that keeps changing. Anaheim isn’t as far along with their core as Chicago; 3 years behind, a significantly younger group outside of Getzlaf, Perry & Kesler & didn’t take advantage of the cap when able like Chicago did with Keith & Hossa.
I love the make up of this team, now & moving forward. I assume Murray will be in the running for GM of the year again, as no team in the NHL accomplishes as much consistently as the Ducks spending so little money to do so. Tallon may have that locked up especially if he pulls off a miracle here at the trade deadline.
There’s a market for Schultz?
That’s my thought as well, and I am an Oiler fan.
Darren Dreger just said that he expects Schultz will be traded by Monday as apparently a lot of teams have shown interest. I am shocked!
Now he has said that Boston is one of the teams interested in Schultz!?
playing with the oilers hasn’t helped Shultz at all its a losing attitude in edm! he will end up somewhere and his play will improve
As an unbiased Edmontonian (Bruins Fan) I have a real hard time understanding why a playoff team would want Shultz as a rental. I have seen this guy live 20+ times and on TV regularly. And he is a rental with a qualifying offer of $3.9M at seasons end. Nobody will pay that. He is also 24, not 20 or 21 and should be entering his prime right now.
There is no way you fix those habits by playoff time. I don’t you can ever change a total lack of desire or battle.
I understand that there are not many D available this time of year but this blows my mind if it is true. Which I don’t believe.
Sweeney – Please don’t do this!!
No market til a UFA IMO
Ryan Rishaug just said on TSN1260 out of Edmonton that a trade could be done as soon as today for Purcell and Schultz.
if Ducks can make a trade why not Fowler to NYR for Nash…. with Perron off the books this summer the cap hit should work out ….Fowler plus Perron is about what Nash makes. Nash adds that scoring punch. Also insurance for NYR if Yandle wants more than the Rangers can afford to pay.
Murray brought in Perron to get Hagelin’s 4 mil off the books for the next 3 seasons & help today. Hagelin didn’t fit for what ever reason. It looked like a great acquisition as a 2/3 LW who could kill penalties but it failed in Anaheim. Anaheim isn’t taking on Nash’s cap hit. You need to understand that Anaheim is incredibly thrifty.
Rackell & Lindholm will eat up more money on their raises than was being spent on Hagelin or Perron. Vatanen & Andersen’s returns will more than fill the hole left by Perron. A RW & LW will be coming back. Theodore will step into the line up some what replacing Vatanen at least on the PP & Anaheim will still have 1 of the best D’s in the NHL.
This is a serous cup contender for years. Unfortunately playing in the West makes even getting to the cup a serous challenge. As I write this here are the 1st round match ups in the West.
Col @ Dal. I see Minny beating Col out for the final playoff spot.
StL @ Chi.
Nas @ LA.
SJ @ Anh.
Poor StL, Nas & SJ to a lesser extent. Doomed right out of the gate unless there is some intervention by God or some other unworldly power, or they deliberately injure some of the other teams best players. The NHL should create some form of conference cross over in the playoffs as playing in the WEST is just not fair.
StL needs to avoid Chi somehow.
To Striker’s point, here is the playoff projection for the east as it stands today
Was vs. Pit
Fla Vs. Det
Tam vs. Bos
NYR vs. NYI
Other than Wash the western teams would fancy themselves to beat every other team here
Not fair the East is least lol
So Cobourn to 3 year extension?…not like ya got a norris candidate or Richard winner to worry about Stevie sign a bottom pairing guy for 3.7 x 3 and give him a ntc..
It certainly complicates things with the cap for next season Shticky. I see him as a 4/5 guy, ideally 5 who only plays top 4 as injuries dictate. A good penalty killer, sold stay at home guy but shocked to see Yzerman tie him up before most of the other cap issues are addressed. It’s looking more & more likely the plan is to let Stamkos walk, as if they plan to keep him now then getting everyone 1 currently TB property under cap next season is impossible.
Obviously Yzerman has more info than us as to his current options to create cap space but it’s going to be interesting to see how this plays out.
yet another questionable move by yzerman this season has been a mess by him if they don’t have a long run this season and lose stamkos stevie will have some questions to be answered
Possibly. I think Coburn at 3.7 for 3 years is decent value for his combination of skills but not necessarily for a team like TB with a ton of other cap issues in play. I’m just not going to prejudge him until it plays out.
I am very interested to see how he gets out of all the things currently in limbo. Stamkos, Drouin, all the RFA’s needing new contracts this off season & next.
With the timing and some of the things I read the ball got rolling on the extension shortly (maybe a wek or 2) after Stevoe lowballed Stamkps with the 8..5 offer wonder if some talks went oon and it necame obviois that Stamkos is probably going elsewhere so maybe the cap isnt going to be as bog an issue as it could be….timing of thos is weird thats for sure.
Why on earth would it be guaranteed that Purcell and Schultz would be gone? Who is going to trade draft picks for them? How is that a rumour? Are Rumours not “There is a rumor that a certain team is about to trade for someone for someone” There should be a rumor choice, and a speculation choice on your page Mr. Spector.
The rumors aren’t Lyle’s, he’s not making them up, he’s just reporting what others are. Purcell will be moved. I’m not certain there is a market for Schultz due to his contract status but we will know soon enough. Even if someone takes Schultz before the deadline there is no guarantee he is qualified by that team & that has to factor into what anyone will pay to get him. He’s just not a 3.9 million dollar Dman today. The salary he needs to be qualified at.
The leafs have managed to double all their picks on each round except the 2nd and 7th. To me it makes little sense to make anymore trades for picks this year unless it is a 2nd. Jeff Schutz has questionable value. He is making 3.9 million, and an RFA. That means he must be qualified at an increase rate despite having a crap year and obvious issues with the Oilers. teams wait, schultz becomes a UFA and free to be signed at a lower rate. Not sure how much he will be worth
No guaranteed 10% raise on qualifying offers to players making over the league average under the new CBA but your point is still valid. It’s 3.9 to qualify, if Schultz declines & files for arbitration his lowest allowable salary in arbitration is 3.3. Ouch to any team in today’s cap world.
He simply isn’t worth that today. A ton of teams would like a chance to see if the can correct Schultz’s game or at least get him back to where he was. The problem is that’s probably in or around 2.5 for at least 2 years. Will Schultz & his agent willingly agree to that today so that Edmonton can maximize his return as if he’s prepared to accept something close to that now numerous teams would pay to get him if not playoff bound.
Ok trade idea/proposal thingy
Dallas sends Valeri Nichushkin, a non rental young player who to Ottawa. For Weircoich and a pick, I’m not sure which round would be needed. Perhaps 3rd or 4th? Perhaps Weircoich and a player like Lazar.
Thoughts on my crazy idea?
Why would you possibly want Weircoich? A border line NHL Dman at best, He wasn’t a regular on 1 of the worst D’s in the NHL by bodies & now that Phaneuf has been acquired can’t make Ottawa’s top 6.
I can understand why you would want Lazar. Your essentially swapping your 1st round picks Nichushkin 10th in 13 & Lazar 17th in 13. Lazar will end up being a #2/3 C in the NHL in 2 or 3 years. Nichushkin is a monster so almost twice the development time.
What’s gained for either team?
Keep seeing Kadri’s name in here. Leafs have two top six forwards so why trade one of them? Parenteau is the ultimate rental for a number of teams but Bozak or both of them would be a better trade for a team like Nashville? These sites need to do a better job of listing the bad contracts for “sale”. Leafs could easily absorb Umberger and Bickell or take a chance on Schultz and it would bring some more picks. It seems every year some guy continues to get chances even though he doesn’t show much. Look at Kassian. Schultz could be a low risk/high reward guy now because for a low price a team can determine if the want to qualify him rather than signing him as a free agent after giving him a six week look?
Better to just wait & bid for Schultz as a UFA. Any team willing to qualify him at 3.9 is insane.
Best case scenario as I typed earlier so as Schultz isn’t embarrassed by being allowed to walk for nothing is for him to agree to a sign & trade or trade & sign on a new deal for significantly less money. Edmonton would benefit as would the team that trades for him, otherwise he’s a rental & the chances he can get back on track with 20 games to go with a new team aren’t high.
Mentally he has to be shot. Confidence is a significant factor in any sport. More specifically a lack there of. Better for him to have a summer off to train with out the stress of a new contract. Agree to a new deal. Go to your new team & allow them to help resurrect your career.
RNH and Yakupov to mtl for Eller.Andrighetto,Juulsen,Scherback,1st and 2nd round pick 2016
Where is the #2 Dman Edmonton needs? They need a #1 but no 1 is giving them that. They tried for a future #1 with RNH for Jones but he wasn’t in the same class as Johansen.
Why would Edmonton want Eller? There are dozens of cheaper similarities available way cheaper & can be had for free as UFA’s. A 3rd line C or LW with a 3.5 cap hit & limited scoring abilities.
Scherback & a 1st might get you Yakupov & a lesser pick. After a 2nd there almost useless regardless. Total crap shoot by the 45th selection.
Thoughts?
Love this time of year. So many fans of crappy bottom 5 teams convinced that the third stringers are worth someone else’s top prospect or #1 pick. I mean of course Dale Weiss is worth a couple of picks or a stud prospect, he’s been part of such a winning culture… PA Parenteau? Couple of firsts and an elite prospect or two cause, while he’s a third or fourth liner on most clubs, he’s a top line guy on the Toronto Marlies/Leafs now. Nail Yakupov? One of the biggest busts since Daigle but he’s worth an elite D man plus high end picks 🙂
One of the best players to be had is Kris Russell. Maybe a first from a top team (equivalent to a second) or a decent prospect and he maybe is not even a rental. Could help a number of teams. Certainly better than a lot of suit case names being thrown around.
To early to roll out the red carpet for Steve Stamkos in T.O?