Latest on Matt Duchene, Ryan Miller and Mika Zibanejad in your NHL rumor mill.
Duchene, Avs corp could be under the microscope this summer.
Avalanche center Matt Duchene could be dogged by offseason trade speculation.
TSN: (via TODAY’S SLAPSHOT): Darren Dreger reports Colorado Avalanche coach Patrick Roy’s harsh comments over center Matt Duchene celebrating his first 30-goal season during a recent 5-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues will “fuel and breed ongoing speculation” over Duchene’s future with the Avalanche. He noted the center’s name came up in trade rumors last November loosely linking him to the Ottawa Senators. Roy’s comments will ensure trade speculation will hang over Duchene in the offseason.
Frank Seravalli noted Roy also ripped the core players of his team, including Duchene, following that loss to the Blues. While Roy’s job security has come under fire, Seravalli points out Roy has a hand in many player decisions with GM Joe Sakic. He also referenced the Duchene trade rumors back in November and believes the 25-year-old would attract considerable attention if he hits the trade block this summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Roy’s comments may have been to hold the club’s core talent accountable and his remarks about Duchene perhaps nothing more than a tempest in a teapot. However, they’ve already reignited speculation over Duchene’s future in Colorado. After missing the playoffs for the second straight season following their surprising 112-point campaign two years ago (and that due largely to the goaltending of an overworked Semyon Varlamov), Roy and Sakic could consider shaking up the roster next season. If so, Duchene could be part of the changes.
Could the Canucks shop Ryan Miller?
THE PROVINCE: Jason Botchford doesn’t believe Vancouver Canucks GM Jim Benning wants to trade goaltender Ryan Miller. Given Miller’s recent performance, however, he could have some value on the trade market this summer if the Canucks “are willing to retain salary and cap space.” Given Miller’s preference to remain on the West Coast, Botchford wonders if the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks might be interested this summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If, and that’s a big “If”, the Canucks shop Miller this summer, the options are limited. He has a five-team list of acceptable destinations on his modified no-trade clause. You can bet three of them include Anaheim, San Jose and Los Angeles, as he wants to be as close to his wife (actress Noureen DeWulf) as possible during the season. If the Ducks keep the tandem of John Gibson and Frederik Andersen together for next season, they’re not a destination. The Kings can’t afford Miller even if they could get him for half his cap hit, especially if they re-sign Milan Lucic. The Sharks could surprise folks by perhaps re-signing pending UFA goalie James Reimer as a backup for Martin Jones. Even if they don’t, they could find more affordable options than Miller.
Mika Zibanejad facing uncertain future in Ottawa.
OTTAWA SUN: Given Senators owner Eugene Melnyk’s recent promise of offseason changes, Don Brennan wonders if it’s a good idea for Senators center Mika Zibanejad to be building a $2-million home in the Ottawa area. Though Zibanejad is the club’s fifth-leading scorer this season, Brennan claims more was expected of him and it’s unclear where he fits into the Sens’ future. Brennan believes someone could get traded this summer. “Part of me believes Zibanejad can still be a big-time player, but after four seasons of waiting, part of me also thinks he shouldn’t have bought that house,” said Brennan.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zibanejad’s also carrying an affordable $2.625 million cap hit for next season, after which he’s a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. It’s possible the Sens could avoid that potential hassle by shopping him this summer, but I still think Mike Hoffman is the most likely trade candidate.
Why not BOTH Hoffman and Zibanejad? A “shake-up” hardly involves dealing the likes of Chiasson, Borowiecki and Wiercioch and if they want anything of substance back they’ll have to look at moving some of their top 6 F. Something they would need in return is a C of course (not counting White at Boston College who could opt to turn pro after the Frozen Four). Pageau has had a decent year but he’s too small to become a regular 1/2 C and could move to a wing position. The huge Nick Paul has likely made the team as a 4th line C to start, and perhaps Dzingel as well, but I’d still like to see them latch onto to someone established as a top C and to do that – IF anyone is available – they’ll have to give up some of their top-end talent .
Murray seems to have been quite good at wheeling and dealing when his hands have not been tied recently, I would like to see what he could do with a mandate for change from above. Should be interesting if not productive.
I’m with you George. I have been thinking dealing Zibanejad or Lazar was the most sensible option for some time in a larger package to sure up their Centre position. The LW isn’t as bad as it was a year or two ago with Hoffman’s emergence as a bonifide scorer. Hopefully MacArther is back. Ryan and Stone on the RW and the top 4 wingers don’t look that terrible. Sure improvements could be had but that isn’t all that bad. The Sens need to further improve the D buy getting a #5. Hopefully that is found in the system. But I think the injury to Turris really showed where this team is lacking.
If they can find a player equivalent to Turris, doesn’t need to be a bonified top 1 Centre but a really good 2nd line Centre to create a good 1/2 push from the top two lines this could help the team greatly. I’m leaning towards them trying to get RNH though his injury history is starting to waver that view.
In any case everyone but Turris and Karlsson seem “replaceable” players in my view. I remember using this term last year and the whole Rumour bill blew up on me. Yet I think if they combined Zabinejad and Hoffman with and perhaps a draft pick or prospect a Centre somewhere out there that can improve this club may be available then another move can be made to easily replace the loss at LW.
Hoffman and Zibanejad and throw in Wiercioch and exchange some picks for Duchene
I’m fine with that.
I wonder if there is a deal to be made with Ottawa and Pittsburgh and Malkin going to Ottawa with Cole and Kunitz and Turris, Lazar, Stone, the best defensive prospect and a first going back to Pittsburgh. Malkin has missed 8 games and the Pens have won every one and have scored 5 or more goals in 5 of their last 6 games. Malkin and Karlson on the Sens power play would be lethal and the deal makes Pittsburgh younger and even faster and provides some futures.
Stone with elite forwards would be awesome. I’m not sure Ottawa would stomach giving Turris and Stone up. Even for a guy like Malkin.
Stone is not being traded plus the best defensive prospect being Chabot, Turris AND a 1st and Lazar? Come on, That’s beyond steep. Malkin is a stud but if there’s young players going, there’s young players coming back. Wouldn’t really want Kunitz. Turris is a great centre, be it not elite like Malkin, but would be awesome behind Crosby. So the Pens get 2 great players to help now and 2 in the close future plus a 1st. Sens get Malkin, 1 retiree and 1 bottom pairing Dman. I’m not buying. For fun if the 3 players to the Sens stayed the same, I could see:
To Pens: Zibanejad, Ryan, Weiroich, Lazar, Wikstrand, 1st
Pens add a 2nd and Bennett to OTT.
Malkin would have to waive his NMC though for Ottawa lol. That would be surprising
Why would Ottawa do something that stupid and you say Leaf fans are bad. Yikes, you sure that’s enough. Maybe a couple of first born as well
Hockey Central threw out one yesterday. Subban to the oilers for their #1 if its Matthews. Also they suggested 2 of 3 of their $6Million men should be moved. I think the Subban rumour could have legs-as I can see the Habs moving him before his no trade kicks in.
I feel like that was more of a joke than serious talk. Id be incredibly surprised if the habs move Subban
I don’t see Subban going anywhere.
i don’t see Subban getting traded unless a team is willing to overpay. Maybe if the Oilers offered RNH/#3 overall pick 2016/Brandon Davidson for Subban.
my favorite trade speculation i’ve read all season was Subban to Pittsburgh for Malkin. That would be amazing for both teams imo. Losing Malkin would sting but a top pairing playing 24 min a night of Subban/Letang would be awesome. i know they would cough it up a bit but overall they would control the ice so well it would be ridiculous. with their speed and passing would be sick. will never happen haha
ive read the subban/malkin rumors and the way the pens are playing without malkin he could be moved not saying for subban but could be moved
Kessel putting up 21 points in his last 22 games seems to have helped the Pens wouldnt ya say big bear?
its about time with that offense shticky?
Not interested in Subban for Malkin, do not need him. If the Penguins do move Malkin it will be for a package of younger players and futures not one overpriced dman. A month ago I wouldn’t even entertain the idea of moving Malkin(like most Pens fans) but now, although still unlikely, it could happen. I can also see MAF playing for a new team very soon. Murray has already earned his first NHL 3 star of the week and there is more to come that is for sure. He looks like a bigger Carey Price. Excellent postitionaly and has incredible rebound control.
Letang been hurt Malkin been hirt Horrnqvist been hurt Bonino been hurtt….way I see it Crosby and Kessel have been the offense. Maybe 4 differnt coaches and 2 teams it just took him a while to get ccomfortable. You know like it would take anybody, to learn 4 different systems and alot 8fdifferent players in just over a year, after spending 6 seasons playing with the same 4 guys.
i agree deee murray is the pens future goalie he does look good! im going for him in my lifetime hockey pool! lol
I don’t see why the Habs would trade Subban, even if it was for a scoring prodigy. Elite D is just too hard to come by in the NHL. I mean, you look at virtually every struggling team, and you can pretty much point the finger at Defense and goaltending. The Habs are set in both of those positions. Seems counter productive to me to fix a hole by turning one of your strengths into a weakness. Plus, Subban has more prime years left on his contract. Malkin is a top player, I won’t dispute that for a second, but from my perspective Subban is more valuable overall.
Who wouldn’t want to be closer to Noureen DeWulf?!
Who is she?
Oh…I got yah. She must be Mrs Miller.
lol
Apparently a list movie directors and producers!!!!! Zing!
Haha responding wayyy too late on this, but that is an amazing zing! ^5 🙂
I don’t trade Zibanejad or Lazar. They are 2 of Ottawa’s best young players. Zibanejad will turn 23 on April 18th, Lazar just turned 21 in February. Their just kids & no where near fully developed. Zibanejad’s 7 game winning goals put him in pretty elite company & he is a decent #2 C who still has more upside. Lazar is still 2 years away from even giving us a real idea of the player he’ll be.
Zibanejad & Lazar aren’t what ails Ottawa. Ottawa is sitting 7th for GF/GP. Injuries to key personal; MacArthur & Turris, what was 1 of the worst defenses; 3rd for GA/GP, in hockey before the acquisition of Phaneuf, the depth at D behind what is now a solid top 4 is brutal & Cameron’s personal decisions are the problem.
Owners spout off all the time but I don’t see major changes coming in Ottawa. I have concerns about what’s going to play out with Hoffman as he has been completely mishandled by both management & Cameron. Unless Murray wants to pay Hoffman at least 5 million per he will head to arbitration & UFA status the season following & any potential return for Ottawa in trade significantly diminished.
No 1 is trading for Chiasson, Borowiecki and Wiercioch. Chiasson is a 4th line winger 3rd at best & the 2 D are borderline NHL players even with expansion coming.
Ottawa has serous financial issues & 1 of lowest internal caps in the league. I do agree it will be interesting to see what Ottawa plans to do to improve next season. Getting Phaneuf to help solidify the top 4 D was a significant start to fixing what ails Ottawa. If your an Ottawa fan & you belive what Melnyk’s peddling your in for disappointment. The big change may simply be paying Hoffman what he’s shown he’s worth & trading him for younger less expensive assets.
Sorry should read. “NOT paying Hoffman what he’s worth.”
Let’s agree to disagree. You may not see “major changes” coming in Ottawa but I – for one – do. And since neither one of us is consulted by Melnyk or his management team all we can do is wait and seem who’s correct. For me, Zibanejad and Lazar, along with Hoffman who will almost assuredly hum-and-haw about signing a longer term deal since he’s due for UFA status next year, are all expendable.
I get what you are saying and white may be another season away from turning pro. Yet he looks promising. Where do you fit him if you don’t move out Zibanejad or Lazar. Pageau seems like a character guy a winning team should keep. Smith has made a nice transition to wing. It seems the Sens have a lot down the middle but nothing overly great.
Zibanejad is a 2nd line Centre, so is Turris. Yet Zibanejad needs to be better or they need to find better. Lazar can’t score at the NHL level perhaps they brought him up to soon. Great guy but he is expendable.
I agree though if they can shore up the backend and I’d think that can’t be to difficult to do looking for a solid #5 guy, (Is there such a thing as a solid #5) results would be much better.
I also am on the fire Cameron bandwagon. Maclean was fired after saying was afraid of who he put on the ice. Cameron’s fear of putting Hoffman on the ice is pretty much the same in my view.
I feel if Turris remained healthy the team would be battling for that last wild card spot.
With White and Chalbot moving along in the system holes may be filled from within but these guys aren’t coming next season.
I find it hard to believe Ottawa can change their fortunes by trading the likes of Weircoich or Chiasson. Something bigger more valuable will have to go to bring in the required fix.
I like Zibanejad and Lazar, it just seems they are two players who could be moved that have value to bring in something useful. Instead of making lateral moves and praying it works.
I like Ottawa’s roster make up for the most part & accept their internal cap issues being a small market Canadian team.
The majority of the core is young & have better seasons ahead. I would like to see them be active in the UFA market signing 2 quality NHL Dman & a solid 3rd line winger who could play on the top 2 lines as injuries dictate & help the 2nd PP unit. A player like Mcginn, Brouwer, etc at forward & a Demer’s, Polak, etc type Dman. Solid defensive Dman to play in the 4 thru 6 slots, 1 of who has some 2 way skills like Demer’s.
2nd tier UFA’s that can potentially be had for far more reasonable monies than the Yandle’s, Goligoski’s Eriksson’s & Lucic’s of the world.
I agree that had Turris & MacArthur stayed healthy & Phaneuf been with the team all season that Ottawa would be battling for a playoff spot even with Cameron’s bad line up choices.
As season ticket holder – Im asking this seriously. Would any of you consider trading Karlson for the Austin Mathews pick straight up? And or for more.
He’s won us 2 (likely 3) Norris trophies. We’ve pretty much wasted his best years, and we’re unlikely to resign him in a couple years.
Clamp down the defense with better defense, let the offense be the offense.
Thoughts?
No I wouldn’t do it straight up. Karlsson is a known factor. A Superior factor in this league. Mathews is an unknown. He could be a Daigle or Yakupov, he could be a McDavid or Crosby. Who knows? I would sooner stick with the 2 maybe 3 time Norris trophy winning defensemen than go with an unproven elite prospect.
However if more was added along with the 1rst pick I would consider it.
Never. You don’t trade #1 Dman, never mind the best offensive Dman in the game, unless you get an offer you just can’t refuse & they never happen.
I think Karlsson will be resigned when the time comes, regardless he has 3 years left on his existing deal & that’s a long way away.
I just don’t get all this Matthew’s + for OEL, Subban & now you raising Karlsson. These deals are never happening. Matthew’s is a great prospect but he’s not a generational player like McDavid, Crosby, Ovechkin, etc. The consensus of the so called experts was had he been eligible for last season’s draft; missed by 2 days, he would have been selected 3rd overall at best. Bob MacKenzie stated it was coin toss between people he spoke to about Matthew’s & Strome.
No GM is moving a #1 Dman unless he has absolutely no choice, a UFA refusing to resign & even then the return will be substantial. These Dman never hit the UFA market, they get signed either by the team that has them or they are traded to a team they like that signs them, even then who was the last legitamate #1 Dman ti hit the market?
I trade him for matthews
hell never win a cup
Perennial Norris candidate foor a draft pick? I want the Leafs to win the lottery and you to be named GM of the Sens by draft day.
the leafs would probably turn it down! lol
Matthews no. Wouldn’t even do it for Karlsson’s flow… McDavid and we can start talking
Lazar was rushed to the NHL to soon. I certainly hope he turns the corner in the next few seasons & hasn’t be stunted being brought in to soon. Had I been Ottawa I would have returned him to Jr for at least 1 more season for numerous reasons, not the least of which is expansion coming & now he will need to be protected.
He wasn’t ready for full time NHL duty & hasn’t been deployed or developed properly. Few 18 year olds are but he’s very young & it’s way to early to write him off. This was a very good JR player who showed very well against his peers in the WJC in the WHL playoffs & in the Memorial Cup.
Many including I agree with you Striker. The only difference I have is if you can move him to get a more established NHL player to help in the top 6 perhaps moving him is the best for the team and the player.
The top 6 in Ottawa is solid even though neither Turris or Zibaejad are stud centers specificly, the issue is what happens when any go down for any length of time.
MacArthur, Turris, Stone.
Hoffman, Zibanejad, Ryan.
The foundation of a decent 3rd line is almost in place.
Smith, Pageau, UFA;
Maybe you move Lazar back to RW again from C as playing as a potential 4th liner once everyone is healthy again makes no sense.
I’m happy with the contributions of Smith & Pageau taking on significantly more offensive roles due to injuries but neither are really suited to those roles long term. Both are great penalty killers & face off guys & make for a decent pairing on the 3rd line but both are ideally C’s & where does that leave Lazar? Back at RW.
I’d love to see Ottawa just let Chiasson walk. I don’t like his game. Here’s what I would like the bottom 2 lines to look like next season.
UFA; McGinn, Lazar, UFA; Brouwer.
Smith, Pageau, Neil.
Spare 1 of the kids. Dzingel, Peumpel, Paul.
With Ottawa needing to sign Hoffman & Ceci Ottawa may not be willing to expend any cash what so ever on UFA’s other than possibly 1 decent #5 Dman & with expansion looming it clouds the issue. Baring trades Ottawa appears to need to use the 7F, 3D & 1G option.
Ryan, Stone, Hoffman, Zibanejad, Turris, Lazar, ?, Karlsson, Phaneuf, Ceci & Anderson.
It’s not a bad idea but definitely not straight up. In fact, will have to overpay a bit. I don’t think he will re-sign in Ottawa either. He is wasting his career with the Sens. Has played 7 seasons now, 4 playoffs and only won 1 round. Not saying it’s his fault but the Sens are nowhere near a contender and Melnyk won’t spend either.
I’m surprised by the rush to judgement on Zibanejad, Lazar and Chiasson. I would view those guys along with Karlsson, Stone, Pageau and Ceci as a decent core going forward. The rest of the team is the problem. A combination of mostly good-not-great players on long term contracts. Some skill but not a lot of grit. A new coach, a Hoffman trade and a UFA dman might shake things up. I’d give it another year and if they haven’t turned the corner then look at trading Karlsson.
bruins lose another game against a non playoff team they are in trouble! if they don’t make the playoffs it will be an epic collapse
Ottawa beats Boston on the final day of the season to eliminate them. Julien gets the axe, and Ottawa hires him to replace Cameron. How’s that for a prediction?