Latest take on possible NHL expansion draft rules, plus updates on Jacob Trouba, Jimmy Howard, Martin Hanzal & more in your NHL rumor mill.
Highlights from Garrioch’s latest “Insider Trading”.
OTTAWA SUN: Weighing in on the rules of a potential expansion draft, Bruce Garrioch reports many believe players carrying no-movement clauses can’t be exposed in an expansion draft because the clauses prevents them from being traded or waived. Those with no-trade clauses are subject to waivers and could be left unprotected in the draft.
Jets are reportedly no closer to re-signing Jacob Trouba.
Garrioch believes the Winnipeg Jets won’t fire head coach Paul Maurice at the end of this season.
Speaking of the Jets, Garrioch reports the talk among league executives is contract talks with defenseman Jacob Trouba are nowhere close to resolution. Trouba is coming off an entry-level deal. Garrioch believes he falls within the $4-$5 million per season range but it’s believed the blueliner’s camp seeks more than that. With the New York Islanders at some point having to honor defenseman Travis Hamonic’s request to be dealt closer to his Manitoba home, Garrioch suggests there could be a fit with the Jets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Garrioch isn’t the only pundit to suggest a swap of Hamonic for Trouba, but as more than a few of them have pointed out, Isles GM Garth Snow tends to play hardball with players coming out of entry-level contracts. He might prefer getting a return for Hamonic that’s less of a headache.
Unless Steven Stamkos re-signs with the Tampa Bay Lightning between now and July 1, the speculation over his future will continue to grow. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres could be among the suitors if Stamkos hits the open market.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stamkos’ future remains the biggest guessing game in the NHL rumor mill. If the Lightning make an early playoff exit, expect the conjecture to go into overdrive.
Updates on Howard and Hanzal.
SPORTSNET: Luke Fox recently wondered if the Detroit Red Wings goalie tandem of Petr Mrazek and Jimmy Howard will remain intact beyond this season. With the younger, more affordable Mrazek taken over as the Wings starter, retaining Howard’s $5.3 million annual salary becomes burdensome for the Wings’ cap payroll. Fox speculated they could try to ship out Howard in the offseason, though they could be faced with retaining some of his salary. They could also buy Howard out and pursue a more affordable backup.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Buying out Howard would free up considerable cap space, but it would also be on their books for the next eight seasons. With the possibility of an expansion draft next year, perhaps the Wings would be better off carrying Howard for one more season and then exposing him to the expansion draft. He’s now on a modified no-trade clause, meaning he can be exposed to waivers and thus left unprotected in an expansion draft. If he’s unclaimed after that draft, then it might be worthwhile to shop him or buy out the remainder of his contract.
AZCENTRAL.COM: Sarah McLellan recently reported there was interest from several clubs in Arizona Coyotes center Martin Hanzal at the recent trade deadline. Hanzal is a year away from unrestricted free agency, but GM Don Maloney expressed interest in talking contract extension with the center this summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hanzal carries a $3.1 million annual cap hit and will earn $3.5 million in actual salary next season. He also has a modified no-trade clause. If the two sides can’t reach an agreement this summer, I think Maloney will wait and see how next season pans out before deciding if he’ll re-sign Hanzal or shop him at the trade deadline.
Can hardly wait till the Habs sign Stamkos and Therrien turns him into a 4th line grinder. Sigh.
Nah its just because of injuries Paddy everything else in Montreal is just fine….lol
Living in Winnipeg, this is the very first time I heard or read Paul Maurice name in relationship to his job security, in fact he isn’t even mentioned as part of the problem for their dismal season and worst finish since arriving.
Secondly, reading various opinion on the NMC and what it may or may not mean. My question is the PA says the contract must be honour, then I would question why a team would have to protect them in a draft? If they cant be moved then you don’t have to protect them because they are already protected and therefore don’t count against the number of players being protected, I’m certain a lot of teams wouldn’t like this or wouldn’t find it fair and this will be interesting to see how it all unfolds.
An interesting perspective but the NHL will honor the CBA. NTC’s have no relevance as these players selected aren’t being traded. A NTC doesn’t protect you from wavers or expansion, your not being traded.
An NMC is just that, a no movement clause. Players with NMC’s can’t be moved in any scenario with out their consent. The NHL will force teams to honor these NMC’s unless the player is willing to allow himself to be exposed. The NHL won’t allow teams to protect more than 1 of the 2 formula’s allow, 7F, 3D & 1G or 8 F/D & 1G.
If you were stupid enough to give out these clauses to players it’s time to pay the piper. Just like the NHL did to teams in the last CBA with contracts that circumvented the spirit of the previous CBA with long term deals & the cap recapture penalty.
As stated 2 days ago, only 46 players will have NMC’s in place come the summer of 2016-17; should expansion happen then, baring any more NMC’s handed out between now & then, only 2 or 3 teams have scenario’s that may be unfavorable as to who they would like to protect. Columbus with Tyutin, Vancouver with the Sedin’s; odd scenario due to 1 year remaining & their ages, better for Vancouver if expansion were to be delayed until 2018-19, & Minnesota with Pominville. Every other player that holds an NMC would be protected regardless.
Based on this I just don’t see the NHL going to war with the NHLPA over this issue. I can assure you that teams won’t get to exceed the 2 protection scenario’s with players that have NMC’s. Which I believe is what your implying.
I’m not sure what you’re implying wrt the Canucks and the Sedins. The Canucks organization wants them to remain as and retire as Canucks. There’s talk of retiring their numbers the same night they play their last game as a sign of respect for what they’ve done for the team and the community. They are so firmly entrenched in the community they have said it’s impossible to retire to Sweden as so many have. With 2 years remaining and NMCs, they are not going anywhere. If the expansion draft was held after the 2017/18 season the Sedins would be 38 when the 2018/19 season starts so I doubt an expansion team would pick them. If it happens IMO they would retire. If not and they still have an interest in playing, Vanvouver will sign them to cap friendly short term contracts
What I’m implying is if the expansion draft is in the summer of 2016-17 the Sedins would need to be protected as they have NMC’s & would still each have a year remaining on their existing contracts. The Canucks would have to use 2 of their protector spots on them. Although looking at the current roster make up they aren’t really facing a serous issue regardless of which format they may choose to employ, either the 7F, 3D, & 1 G or 8F/D & 1 G.
Neither Virtanen nor McCann would need to be protected as they will just be completing year 2 of their ELC’s if expansion is the summer following this 1. They would be looking at Sedin, Sedin, Horvat, Sutter, Hansen, Baertschi & 1 of Granlund, Etem or Vey. D would be Edler, Tanev & Hamhuis if retained failing that? Hutton will just be completing year 2 so safe as is Trymakin both are exempt. I assume they would expose Sbisa but if Hamhuis isn’t retained then Sbisa as the #3 D keeper & Markstrom.
That would leave a # of Utica prospects available that have more than 2 years of NHL/AHL/ECHL contractual service as well.
Hanzal is a bandaid. Would be great if he could play even 3/4 of a season.
There’s no way Stamkos is going to sign with either Toronto or Vancouver, two of the worst teams in the league that are in rebuild mode. He’ll get his money, but I’m sure the chance to win a cup will carry equal weight. Neither Toronto or Vancouver will be a contender for several years.
I actually read his second cousin through marriage has a place in Sweden good chance he ends up in Sweden! he has also liked a few tweets from Sweden lol
LOL!!! I did hear he likes blondes.
lol
I agree, First off if Stamkos leaves Tampa i’m pretty sure it’s to play closer to home. So that leaves out Vancouver i could see Buffalo but just can’t see either Toronto or Montreal right now. Stamkos has stated numerous times that playing for a winner and cup contender are important to him so that leaves out Toronto most definitely. Buffalo will be a good up and coming team still need defense and goaltending though. Toronto’s Defense and Goaltending suck just can’t see Stamkos wasting his best years on a team that’s going no where any time soon. I can’t see Stamkos going to Montreal just because he grew up a Leafs fan and why would he want to go to Montreal i could even see him in Detroit before seeing him in Vancouver, Toronto or Montreal.
When’s Buffalo going to be a contender? Certainly not next season. They are just nominally ahead of Toronto in their rebuilding efforts. Maybe a year, 2 at best. That is a pretty ugly D & very little help on the way. Not to mention expansion is going to cost almost all team at least 1 decent player if not 2. Depends on whether we get 1 or 2 expansion teams.
I hop3 it doesnt jappen bit sems like anywhere but the most obviois spot sometime…honestly if it matter to him to be close to home I dont think there are any teams in the east that could be considered anymore of a contender than the team he is currently on that has any less cap troubles… there are teams in the east that can fford him buffalo toronto whoch are close to home but not either are anymore a contender than the other…if he wants to play on a contender that can maybe kinda afford
him…look west. The Habs can prolly ,ake it work for a while but do2n the road Subnan Price Stamkos Galchenyuk is going to cost a tonme of cap.
Chicago seems to make it work with toews,kane,keith,seabrook and Crawford? plus the increase of the cap
keith Seabrook and Crawford make 6 Toews Kame 10 so between 5 guys who have won 3 cups ots 38….Subban Price andStamkos will like cost 30 for 3 guys who have won 0, you could argue the Pens are close with Kessel Malkin Letang and Crosby but again 3 of those guys have cups and 1 is probably the best player in the sport if its not Toews or Kane. Montreal might be able to make it fit
but, not sure its a good I think Montreal could be a little further away than 1 player and a goalie being injured….not trying to troll the Habs I just think they need a few pieces not just 1.
trouba for drouin and carle =)
Stamkos wants to win now ergo he’s bound for Buffalo or Vancouver or maybe Montreal??? Seriously, if those three lousy teams are the only competition he will be banging down Lamoriello’s door to sign in TO. Honestly, what free agent in their right mind would sign in any of those cities? Montreal is the proverbial 18 wheeler heading off a cliff-they still think it’s about Price’s injury, Vancouver’s leadership is totally dis-functional with a bleak future ahead, and Buffalo is… Buffalo. He’s going to chose Buffalo over Toronto because it is close to Toronto and marginally closer to contending? Uh, no. At least Toronto has quality people in charge, deep pockets, a plan, tons of young assets and a massive fan base. You all are starting to convince me he really is coming to the Leafs. Name a contending team somewhere that will make the moves necessary to accommodate his contract because those suggested options are a joke.
lmao typical leaf fan! the leafs have terrible goaltending and terrible defense its looking eerily similar to the oilers rebuild and we know how that turned out lol
quality people in charge(cant be on the ice) deep pockets( salary cap) a plan ( 50 yrs later) tons of young assets( very questionable) massive fan base ( cause that helps) lmfao
Bigbear, if he’s not coming to Toronto then at least name another destination that is a contender in the near future. Mtl (22nd), Buf (24th), Van (26th). No player is going from Tampa to one of those losers with the hope of winning a cup any time soon.
I really like where Buffalo is at, they are at least 2 years ahead of Toronto in their rebuild & have a far better foundation currently. The trade for R. O’Reilly was brilliant. 1 of the best 2 way center’s in the game. With Eichel, Reinhart, Kane, Ennis, Girgenson’s at F, Ristolainen, Bogosian & McCabe at D & Lehner in net they are very close to having a foundation to push into the playoffs next season. They are essentially 1 top 6 forward & 1 top 4 Dman short of being a playoff team.
It’s going to be interesting to see what Murray does this summer as they have bags of money to spend if so inclined. I’d like to see them bring back McGinn & sign a short term solution at D. No point going for a big name next season as with expansion a season away for at least 1 team there 3 D are locked in currently so why pay big money this summer for a player you would have to expose unless they choose the 8 skater option which might make more sense for them if they signed big name UFA Dman.
I see Buffalo’s keepers in expansion as.
O’Reilly, Kane, Ennis, Girgenson’s, Larsson, TBD, TBD, Ristolainen, Bogosian, McCabe, Lehner. You could see how the 8 skaters option might be more appealing if Buffalo could sign a player like say Yandle.
Eichel & Reinhart are exempt.
This is a very good young team with a solid future. Give Eichel, Reinhart, Girgenson’s, Ristolainen, McCabe & Lehner another 2 years development with O’Reilly, Kane & Bogosian & this is a really solid base.
Its looks like they should ne 2 uears a jead with those guys in the line up I agree but judging by the standimgs Im not sire, amd Im anything but sold on the blue line and Lehner being consistantly good for a full season…especially playimg a style of game that Bylsma usually employs. Ya ROR has been good Kane has been decent and well there are 2 great rookies there…you know who else jas some great looking rookies? Im not sure Buffalo os any closer than Toronto. There are no crystal balls to predict how these things workout…both have good young teams that could use some stable D and goaltending Id put Kadri up agaimst ROR this year defemsively and Id take JVR over E Kane every day of the week Gardiner Rielly and the Leafs young D has looked very good at points and Eichle may develop in to the all around player than Nylander but if people want to question the rest of Leafs young guys then I dont see how those same questions dont apply in Buffalo….
ror is a league above kadri take the rose colored glasses shticky
Shticky, take off the rose coloured glasses and put on some bleu blanc et rose coloured glasses. See things as a professed Leafs fan and closeted Habs fan sees them. Scarry thought, that.
don’t be an idiot CO you shouldn’t even watch hockey if you think kadri is in ror league!
Whats youre excuse about saying half of the leagies Starting goalies are first round picks Big bear? ..how much hockey you watch? Kadri has been very good defensively, and a little unlucky offensively, and Kadri is the more physical player…I got no issues saying it Kadri Komarov and Shoshnikov has been a very good physical gritty defensive line. If you disagree I could give you stats thatshow ot and if you actually did watch Sabre or Leaf games you would know.
whats your excuse on the leafs in no way would have to hold salary on kessel shticky I could show stats on why they had too! I guarantee I watch more hockey than you shticky
you obviously don’t watch enough if you think kadri is good defensively he is brutal and basically a bust when he doesn’t score points
Quality people = better product on the ice and behind the bench.
Deep Pockets = Even with a salary cap it helps. (Clarkson Trade as an example)
A Plan = You cannot fault the current administration for the last 50years.(Full rebuild is now happening)
Young Assets = Outlook is promising but too early to judge.
Massive Fan base = it helps line the pockets of MLSE and provide funds to fuel this giant going forward. Just ask the Trashers, the old Jets, Quebec….
I have heard all the same things when burke was in at gm and about some of the prospect that never turned out! high hopes for a team that has been terrible for along time
Kame and Towes jad 2 cups before they got those deals Crawford makes nowjere near 10 mill amd neither does Keith or Seabrook…Chicago kimda hedged their bet once they won that secomd cup….Subban Stamkos and Price will be very close to 3 guys making 10 mill each with no cups which last time I looked was not the same as 2 guys making 10 mill who have won 3 stanley cups I think there is a difference….sure maybe the Habs could make it work for a year or 2 but down the road it could make it very difficult to improve or make any other moves to help the team, and I dont think Montreal has anywhere near the stockpile of prospects that Chicago had at the time they signed those deals.
I wouldnt be alll that much supprised if he went to a place like Detroit, Nashville or somewhere that is speculated a little (lot) less if winning a cup os his biggest motivation, if he wants to play close to home I think chances are its Toronto or Detroit makes some semse long term with Datsyiuk having only 1 more year and a deep pool of good younger
players and not many really bloated long term deals, it might be tight short term for a year or 2 but depemding on how much longe Dats and Franzen plan on going I could see them being able to make it work there. Whoch would be close to home and a playoff team. Out west Nashville SJ (especially if they lose Thornton and/or Marleau, Nashville would have enough space if the Blues stumble and that gets blown up I could see how he could fit there….if its a cjance at a cup I think its west if its the East Toronto or Detroit.