Updates on the Canadian NHL teams, Steven Stamkos, & more in your NHL rumor mill.
P.K. Subban surfaces in the rumor mill.
Canadiens superstar P.K. Subban resurfaces in the NHL rumor mill.
TSN (VIA TODAY’S SLAPSHOT) During part of a larger conversation regarding the Montreal Canadiens, Bob McKenzie believes questions will be asked about defenseman P.K. Subban, whose no-trade clause kicks in on July 1. While GM Marc Bergevin “went to the mat” in arbitration two years ago with Subban, it was team owner Geoff Molson who stepped in to ensure a new contract was done. While McKenzie said he’s not saying the Canadiens are going to trade Subban or are planning to go down that road, he wouldn’t be surprised if all options are discussed by management, including Subban, when the season concludes.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan believes it’s very likely Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien will return next season and considers it unlikely Subban gets traded, though he suggested that “anything’s possible.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was inevitable that Subban’s name would pop up again in the rumor chatter. The Canadiens’ “season from hell” is drawing to a close, so naturally there’s speculation over Bergevin’s offseason plans. I don’t believe Molson will approve the trade of his club’s most popular player, whose performance is money in the bank for the Habs even in a bad season like this one. Trading Subban for a scorer addresses one big problem while creating another, that being the huge void on their blueline, one that could take years to fix.
Priority for each NHL Canadian team.
TSN: Frank Seravalli recently listed the top priority for every Canadian NHL team to get back on track. The Calgary Flames need a starting goalie and Seravalli wondered why they didn’t trade for James Reimer before he was dealt to the San Jose Sharks in February. He wonders if the Pittsburgh Penguins might consider moving Marc-Andre Fleury with Matt Murray now in their system. Anaheim’s Frederik Andersen and Detroit’s Jimmy Howard could be other options.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fleury has a no-trade clause, but it doesn’t matter because the Penguins aren’t trading him. Murray may be their goaiie of the future, but Fleury remains their goalie of the present. I think the Flames could have serious interest in Andersen. They likely passed on Reimer because of his history of inconsistent play and injuries. However, his current performance with the Sharks could be enticing to the Flames. I’m not as convinced that Howard will be traded this summer as I once was. Petr Mrazek has yet to put together a consistent complete season as a starter.
The Edmonton Oilers need a right-shooting offensive blueliner. Seravalli suggests Anaheim’s Sami Vatanen, Colorado’s Tyson Barrie (though the Avs are looking to bolster their defense) and Dallas’ Jason Demers (who played for Oilers coach Todd McLellan in San Jose) as options. Seravalli believes the Montreal Canadiens need a scoring right winger with size, suggesting Boston’s Loui Eriksson (though he lacks size) and the NY Islanders’ Kyle Okposo as UFA targets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vatanen could be available via trade if the Ducks feel he’ll be too costly to re-sign, but the Avs aren’t parting with Barrie. Demers could be an options. As for the Habs, if they want a scoring winger with size, Okposo is the best bet, but he’ll likely seek a long-term deal worth over $6 million per season. Ditto Eriksson.
The Ottawa Senators need top-six scoring help. They were linked to Colorado’s Matt Duchene and Tampa Bay’s Jonathan Drouin during the season. The Toronto Maple Leafs could address their need for a true number-one center if they win the 2016 draft lottery and select Auston Matthews. The Vancouver Canucks must find successors for the aging Sedins while the young Winnipeg Jets roster needs maturation.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Duchene recently kissed and made up with Avs head coach Patrick Roy, who was pissed off over the center’s celebrating his 30th goal of the season during a 5-1 loss to St.Louis. Drouin could be available if he still insists on a trade. The Leafs are in the midst of a major rebuild. If they stick with the plan of rebuilding with youth, they won’t be pursuing big-ticket first-line talent. The Canucks must finally engage in a real rebuild, rather than tinkering on the fly. As for the Jets, maybe they maintain the patient route. Certainly would fit with GM Kevin Cheveldayoff’s cautious style.
Latest on Stamkos, Nugent-Hopkins, Radulov and more.
TSN: Gary Lawless doubts Steven Stamkos’ recent vascular surgery to remove a blood clot near his right collarbone won’t adversely affect his value on the free-agent market or reduce his asking price. The surgery is expected to resolve the problem and it won’t be a recurring issue. Lawless wonders, however, if the surgery could affect Stamkos’ plans for the upcoming summer regarding his future. He also suggests the Lightning’s playoff performance without Stamkos (sidelined one-to-three months) could affect their efforts to re-sign Stamkos..
NHL.COM: Among the ways Dan Rosen suggest the best way to “un-damage” the Edmonton Oilers is by trading center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for hopefully a top-pair defenseman, dealing away winger Nail Yakupov, find bottom-six forwards with speed and signing a top-four defenseman with a right-handed shot. He suggests Nugent-Hopkins could be a good fit with the Minnesota Wild, who need help at center and have blueline depth to interest the Oilers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nugent-Hopkins’ $6 million per season salary won’t be easy for the cap-strapped Wild to pick up unless they can send salary the other way, perhaps by moving Jared Spurgeon (a right-handed shot) and his new contract worth $5.1 million per season.
Rosen speculates the Buffalo Sabres could be an interesting landing spot for Steven Stamkos via free agency this summer as they’re close to his Toronto hometown, though that move would push either Jack Eichel or Ryan O’Reilly to the wing. They could also look at Boston’s Loui Eriksson, Los Angeles’ Milan Lucic or Colorado’s Mikkel Boedker. He also doubts Stamkos’ recent surgery will adversely affect his value in the UFA market, though he’ll likely have to first pass a medical screening by interested teams.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: While the Sabres were briefly linked to Stamkos earlier this season, I don’t think he’s the right fit for them. Stamkos wants to play center, but the Sabres are already set at that with O’Reilly and Eichel, with the latter going to be their first-line guy in the very near future. If they’re to pursue a top-six forward, Eriksson, Lucic or Boedker are better – and more affordable – choices.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jared Clinton recently noted a report out of Russia linked KHL forward and former Nashville Predator Alex Radulov with the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers and New York Islanders. He suspects several other clubs could kick the tires on Radulov.
Regarding the Calgary Flames: they could still take a shot at Reimer in the off season or even trade for Fredrik Andersson. Another weakness is Rw for Monahan Gaudreau line and if I were Gm I’d trade for Matt Read. With 3 goalies walking Flames can afford Read’s $3.75 million UFA in 2017 cap hit. That addresses both problems. Read also has only 25 points in 77 games which will get a heavy boost on line with Gaudreau and Monahan. They could end up a triple threat together and Flames could extend him if Flames return to playoffs in 2017
Good suggestion about Read!
I don’t dislike Read but hasn’t been the same player since he got injured early in the 2014-15 season. I see him as a 3rd liner & at 3.75 that’s to much. I would much prefer to see Calgary continue the youth movement. I really like the thought of Colborne in that spot but maybe to slow to play with them long term.
Most teams roll pairs with the 3rd wheel in constant flux. Shinkaruk has looked ok but a very small sample size. I think Poirier could play RW as well.
If your adamant that they add a player at RW I would much prefer they do so in the UFA market than giving up any assets for Read.
Ottawa didn’t have any trouble generating offense this season. They currently sit 11th for GF/GP .01 from being 1 of the top 10 offenses in the league.
What ailed Ottawa far more was 1 of the worst defenses in hockey & mind boggling personal decisions by both Cameron & Murray who are apparently still living in a different decade. Acquiring Phaneuf helped solidify the top 4 significantly but after that it’s as ugly as any team in the league at the 5/6 & depth spots. Ottawa needs at least 2 more legitimate top 6 NHL Dman.
Demer’s & Polak would be perfect. A decent 2 way Dman in Demer’s & a solid shot blocking hitting Dman that can kill penalties in Polak or similar players. Ottawa finished 27th for GA/GP. Reduce goals against & play better overall team defense & Ottawa is a playoff team.
I second this motion. I prefer Demers over Polak though by a lot because Phaneuf and him play a similar game. I’m afraid Sens management is going to do what they do every year, and hope for the progression of the players in place despite past results. Especially now they have Phaneuf, they probably want to see a full season. Granted Ceci played better with him, Phaneuf was just ok. The only other option is Chabot. I think he’s going to be a legitimate top 4 but he should spend his time in junior and at least one full AHL season. I really hope they don’t keep him up like they did with Ceci. A little extra minor league time never hurt anyone.
I think they need 2 Dman. Demer’s comes in at sort of the 4/5 slot & covers for injuries, specificly for Methot who’s now firmly entrenched in the ambulance brigade. Polak slides into the #6 spot pushing Wideman to sheltered minutes & an injury replacement. Chabot gets properly seasoned in jr’s or the minors
I really liked the Phaneuf trade for both teams & Ottawa dumped a ton of salary next season shipping off Michalek’s; 4 mil, Greenings; 3.2 & Cowen’s; 4.5, not to mention they saved money this season in that deal as well. It makes Phaneuf’s cap hit easily palatable.
Getting Phaneuf really solidified Ottawa’s top 4 at least when Methot was able to play.
I’m not sure about the top 4. Nothing really changed since the trade (12-13-2). I doubt the Sens sign two defenseman though. Weircoich is still on the team lol. Sure the trade saved money for next year. but that was it. Greening and Michalek came off the books after next season, Cowen could’ve walked… I wouldn’t have missed him. MacArthur and Turris coming back will help. But I’m not sold till I see them play lol
The other situation is Hoffman. I don’t know if Hoffman will want to resign with how he’s been jerked around with OTT and he might price himself out. 2 seasons around just shy of 30 goals (unless he scores today) will have him around 5.75 to 6.5. He’s out scored Ryan (7.25m) in the last 2 seasons, he has major leverage now.
So if he goes then the Sens would actually need another top 6 lol. At which point, I would look at Boedker. He has the speed no doubt, maybe not the big scoring finish, but he can make plays and kill penalties if need be. Him with Zibanejad would be one fast line. If that doesn’t work out then trade for Drouin, I guess, but I’d rather not give up assets.
If a Ceci for Drouin trade occurs then maybe Hoffman could get a top 4D but that’s a lot of moving. Any other ideas?
I’m with you on Hoffman. I have serous concerns how that’s going to play out. 30 goal scorers or those that can get close to 30 don’t grow on tree’s. Considering he has very little NHL development he should still have further upside especially if deployed properly. Cameron’s reluctance to give him solid PP time & what he got was essentially as a point man is disturbing. I would much prefer to see him playing the 1/2 wall. With his release the reduced time for the goalie to respond would lead to far more power play goals.
A teams defensive game relies on more than just the D yes Ottawa does need to improve the backend but that does not mean improving the forwards would not improve the teams defensive game. Yes Ottawa can score but there forwards lack a solid defensive game to help the D. The injury to Turris showed the need for another top forward. If the Sens had two guys as solid as Turris the teams defensive game would be much better, Hopefully if not found else where a guy like Zabinejad or Lazar can progress to that state.
Ottawa needs both top 6 forward help and bottom pairing D help.
BAHAHAHA, the Sens (10th in goals for), need a top 6 forward to help with scoring. But being 26th in goals against warrants a meh, seems legit. I’m so
tired of this ongoing narrative. They have massive defensive issues that has to be addressed by a coaching change or adding some competent defenseman. Especially in the bottom pairing
If the Lightning can rally and win a series, it might reset a lot of calculations. Hardline Stamkos at 8.5 and build around him, or lose him & ad a couple of good players to a team that won without hhim building around triplets/Bishop/Hedman/Stralmanm
I agree & have made the same arguments. If Stamkos won’t except no more than 9 mil per I let him walk or move him for what ever the best offer is prior to the UFA market. That cap space solves all TB’s cap issues & they are still a great young hockey team with out him.
Expansion muddies the waters significantly, especially if 2 teams are added. We will know soon enough; a little over 2 months, if expansion is happening, when & by how many teams. These issues need to be known before the draft, trade & UFA markets open fully for next season as teams need time to start to prepare themselves.
It significantly alters the market place until the new team or teams have built their rosters. Teams need to move assets out if they have to many potentially & others may not want to add player for to long a term if their potentially looking at losing them the summer following. It is going to be very interesting to watch how this plays out.
It shocks me that these so called experts, broadcasters, journalists don’t look at the big picture. If Ottawa is so need of a top 6 winger why are they scoring so well & comfortably in the top of the league yet not making the playoff’s. This isn’t rocket science. They can’t stop a beach-ball so perhaps they might wish to spend money there.
It shocks me that teams put themselves in a position to lose a player like Stamkos for nothing. See Suter, Parise, etc. I simply don’t cross that bridge. Even if I consider myself a solid cup contender I’m not risking it. It’s a crap shoot winning the cup. no other sport like it a 2 month physical grind playing almost every other night. So many things need to align to win never mind to win repeatedly like CHi & LA have done recently. You need so much depth it’s shocking & god forbid you lose a top 3 player.
Using Shattenkirk as an example. He has 1 year to UFA status. I approach him about an extension. If I can’t get him signed for the monies & terms acceptable to me, I move him with a year left on his contract in the off season for the best package available.
FEAR! If you move a player early & it backfires, the cost is very high. The “bad trade” can even be a career definer! Kessel come to mind but there are others. It’s easy at times for choosing to remind oneself that drafting and prospect development are crapshoots. And you have to face a couple of thousand fans with numbered sweaters who will hate you for a while. If you “keep and build around” most will agree, even if it is concensus around a wrong-headed move.
With so many teams looking for top pairing defensemen or top 6 forwards, I wonder if the talent pool can support a 32 team NHL. Going into the final weekend of the season, one player has over 100 points, a handfull have 80-90 points with nobody scoring 50 goals. IMO the game has become boring and the NHL should try to fix the game (goalie equipment as an example) and stabilize it’s current 30 teams (move franchises that are hemoraging money) before diluting the current product by expanding into new markets.
There are more young, talented, coached hockey players per slot that ever in a now worldwide game. The original six were great in their time but they would be outskated, outsized, and outdepthed in todays game. Of course the HOF players would succeed today. But a team from then,transported forward, playing against six all star teams drawn from today’s rosters……
More than enough talent to stock 32 teams. Their were players that played in the 80’s & 90’s that could barely skate, pivot to their forehand, or take a pass by today’s standard’s.
Players are bigger, faster, better conditioned, significantly better coached. Factor in the growth of equipment especially for goalies & the scoring issues in today’s NHL aren’t talent related but relate to a multitude of other factors some mentioned above.
I don’t find the game boring at all. I wish he NHL would enforce the rules we have properly making for more penalties until the players stop taking them & we get better consistency to what is & isn’t a penalty. Even the streamlined equipment being proposed will be nominal.
I miss a player coming down the wing & firing the puck into the net of the rush from the top of the faceoff circle along the wall. This type of goal virtually is non existent today & all you need do is watch ESPN NHL classic games to see why. Goalies are huge, their equipment as well. Make the goalies equipment significantly smaller, players to for that matter but a support nets in the NHL that are a foot wider & 6 inches taller.
Goalie nets are currently 6′ X 4′, a 3/2 ratio.
Any increase in net size will probably follow that ratio.
In my opinion, increasing by a foot one way and 6 inches in the otheris serious overkill.
Don’t forget that all ages of players use the same size nets.
My son is a goalie, now 6’2″, but at 11 years old when he started he was a tad smaller.
This size would be impossible for the kids.
Smaller kids could forget the position, completely forget it.
Is this what we want?
Also – women players?
Better to increase incrementally and look at the result.
My suggestion would be to increase 3 inches in height amd 2 in width.
Along with equipment streamlining, I believe that should pretty much do it.
The NHL should shorten the teams’ benches (only 3 lines) and have more generous rules regarding callups/substitutes to compensate. I’m remembering Chelios’ comments regarding playing 60 mins non-stop and the challenge of pacing yourself to cope. The problem now is everybody are so well trained and quick and with 4 lines constantly putting the defensive pressure on, not much offense can be created. NHL should force the teams to only use 12 forwards (and have substitutes for any injury). That way the players would have to pace themselves and the smart players would shine and the pluggers (4th liners and energy players) would be pretty much useless. Just the development I’d like to see. I have no problem in slowing down the game a little and seeing players commit mistakes. Offense comes out of that. I’d like a more cerebral game. There would be more space in the neutral zone with less defensive pressure due to fatigue. I never see this idea being discussed.
My idea is in the same vein as removing the breaks for tennis players. Tennis players of today are so extremely well trained that the breaks make little sense to keep. It makes little sense to me to have that many players on a hockey bench. It’s too obvious the players don’t get nearly tired enough, the way they’re playing defense. Often disciplined and defensive teams can lock it down for the whole 60 mins easily. That should not be a possible option.
Make that “3 inches in width and 2 in height”.
Need more sleep.
I wonder if the bruins missing the playoffs this yr might make some of the core guys available in the offseason? I bet Sweeney is kicking himself for not getting some picks or prospect for loui at the deadline
not only Loui but trading picks for Stempiak and Liles. Them 3 and the picks won’t be back.
good point caper never thought of those 2 coming in for picks
Only players they should not trade are Bergeron, Marchand, Pastranak, Krejci , and maybe Rask. If the right offer is made for anybody else they need to listen.
the only one of those guys that might get moved would be krejci imo he would get a great return
Build your team through the center position they say so I would keep both Bergie and Krejci and let Spooner be your third line center. There weakness besides D is RW , time to move Hayes and Brett and play the kids.
Nail Yakupov – A year too late to hold much trade value. I would expect that there are cheaper/safer options for many teams than dealing for Yakupov. Remember when people said that Phil Kessel needed better linemates to show what he could do? Well,like Kessel, it likely won’t make much difference. I think a lot of teams might prefer their own second round draft choice to rolling the dice on this former #1 overall.
And Radulov? Nobody believes he’d come back to the NHL for more than a season…and only if you have a coach who will let him do things his own way…nope…don’t see it. I bet he’s trying to scare his KHL team into giving him all that he wants.