Latest on the Flyers, Red Wings, Penguins and Senators in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
Flyers free-agent options.
St. Louis Blues captain David Backes could be a free-agent target of the Flyers and Red Wings via free agency this summer.
PHILLY.COM: Sam Carchidi lists St. Louis Blues center David Backes, Colorado Avalanche left wing Mikkel Boedker, Blues right wing Troy Brouwer, Boston Bruins right wing Loui Eriksson, Chicago Blackhawks left winger Andrew Ladd, Los Angeles Kings LW Milan Lucic, Anaheim Ducks left wing Jamie McGinn, New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo and Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos as the pending UFAs who could attract the interest of Philadelphia Flyers GM Ron Hextall when the market opens on July 1.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Carchidi’s list is in alphabetical order by last name and not by Hextall’s supposed preference. He believes the Flyers need two scoring wingers but cap constraints means he can only add one via free agency. The Flyers have over $63.8 million invested in 18 players for 2016-17, leaving around $10 million if cap space if the ceiling reaches $74 million as projected. Braydon Schenn, Radko Gudas, Nick Cousins and Brandon Manning are restricted free agents. Raises for those players will take up most of that cap space. If Hextall wants to add a forward via free agency, McGinn is probably the most affordable option. He’s completing a two-year deal at an annual cap hit of $2.95 million per season. His feisty style of play would make him a good fit with the Flyers.
Red Wings UFA options.
THE DETROIT NEWS: Ted Kulfan lists Steven Stamkos, David Backes, former NHL winger Alexander Radulov, Milan Lucic, Andrew Ladd, New York Rangers defenseman Keith Yandle, Dallas Stars blueliner Kris Russell and Vancouver Canucks rearguard Dan Hamhuis among the Detroit Red Wings UFA options. He also includes re-signing center Darren Helm.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wings currently have over $58 million committed to 16 players for 2016-17. However, GM Ken Holland could free up an additional $7.5 million by finding a trade partner for the remaining year of Pavel Datsyuk’s contract if he decides to finish his career next season in Russia. While Holland must re-sign RFAs such as goalie Petr Mrazek, defenseman Danny DeKeyser and forward Riley Sheahan, if he sheds Datsyuk’s contract he could have more than enough to re-sign Helm and add a top UFA forward or defenseman this summer. There’s been some speculation the Wings could be a strong candidate to pursue Stamkos if he hits the opening market. They’ve also reportedly had discussions with Radulov’s agent.
The Penguins goaltending situation in an expansion draft.
NBC SPORTS: Ryan Dadoun wonders which goaltender – Marc-Andre Fleury or current playoff hero Matt Murray – the Pittsburgh Penguins will protect if there’s an expansion draft next year. It’s been reported players carrying no-movement clauses must be protected in that draft. Fleury has a no-movement clause when it comes to waivers and demotions but a partial no-trade clause in which he must provide a 12-team “no-trade” list. That means he could be left unprotected in an expansion draft.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Penguins won’t have to rush into that decision. They can maintain the Fleury-Murray tandem for next season and then decide later which one they’ll protect. If they decide it’s Murray, they can simply leave Fleury exposed in the draft, trade him before the draft to at least get something for him or they can cut a side deal with the expansion team or teams to ensure he doesn’t get selected if left unprotected. I doubt there will be anything preventing the Penguins from employing the latter option if they wish,as the expansion draft rules must be within CBA guidelines.
Senators coaching list.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators could finish their coaching interviews by Friday. After that, it’s believed they will have a short list of two or three candidates. Team owner Eugene Melnyk said the list could be down to two candidates by Friday, and the club could announce its new bench boss within the next two weeks. It’s expected GM Pierre Dorion will meet with former Anaheim Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau on Friday. He could also reach out to recently fired Calgary Flames coach Bob Hartley.
I get taking a risk for maybe 1 mill on a proven player who’s declined in years is ok (see P.A. Parenteau) but why anyone would take a gamble on Radulov is beyond me, all I think of is him in Nashville when he dragged his arse on a line change and whoever they were playing went in on a two on O and scored. He’s just a Russian mercenary who’s in it for cash and not the cup.
It was one of the Kostitsyn brothers that did that drag-arse move getting off the ice. Rads and one of the brothers got caught staying out late in Phoenix and got benched for it. Rads has made arse-loads of cash in Russia and still would I guess, but wants to come to the big boy league before it’s too late. He couldn’t possibly expect big money. All that being said, I wouldn’t pay him league minimum. Poile has taken low dollar flyers on several guys over the last several years, some pay off and some don’t. This will be that sort of deal for whoever feels like gambling.
Backes isn’t on the top of the Flyers’ need list, but his temperament and playing style would make him a perfect Flyer.
Yeppers
Give him the base salary with bonus incentives and the risk is minimal.
Radulov is who I was referring to.
Only rookies and vets 35+ can get bonuses, not too mention Radulov has a pretty good idea he’s getting a decent contract over here if he’s willing to leave behind big KHL money.
KHL money isn’t that great anymore.
The Russian rubble has fallen to 50% of what it was in US$ terms in the past few years.
So someone making $10 million Now makes $5 million (US$ equivalent)
So they may be wanting to come back for the $$$
Radulov won’t sign for that. He already says he has “proven” himself and expects to sign a multi-year and multi-million dollar deal. The only thing he has proven is that he goes where the biggest payday for him will be. He left the NHL to join the KHL because he’d be treated and paid as elite there, but now that the Russian currency is dropping (thanks to the annexation of Ukraine) money isn’t worth as nearly as much as it’s used to, so surprise surprise he wants to come back. You can be assured that if the rumors about Kovalchuk are the same, the motive is also the same.
I’m eager to see who the Sens sign up as coach and to see how long he last.
I would like to see Boucher get another shot and Ottawa would be a nice landing spot.
Also, starting to wonder in the Jets are looking beyond Maurice. He has done a nice job in Winnipeg, but the Jets are amassing some nice talent for a future that looks bright. Is Maurice the guy to lead them to the next level? I am not advocating a change, just posing the question.
In my uninformed humble opinion I would suggest Maurice has another season to get the Jets to the playoffs. If the Jets fail to make the post season he will be chopped.
Hell making the playoffs in the west is no easy feat. Can you see Winnipeg next season beating out 8 teams in the west to make it?
how about doogie houser
Flyers have proven this year they need scoring depth. Girioux,Simmons,Schenn, Vorachek and Coutourier are a legitimate top 5 with the hope Konechny can join them. As for the balance they have a 3rd line and 4th lines that are solid but not enough offense. But unless they move a lot of the bad contracts-Umberger (buyout),Streit and McDonald (untradeable) they don’t have anywhere near the cap space to go after high end UFA’s
IMO, Streit is traded at some point this year. Hexy can retain 2 salaries(3 once Vinny officially retires) and with Streit having 1 year left on his deal, he will get moved, its just a matter of when.
Sean Couturier is overrated, 3rd liner at best. Flyers need 2 tops 6 forwards … good luck moving those contracts.
Agreed. I think Couturier is a VERY good defensive forward, but he’s been in the league 5 years and never cracked 15 goals. I don’t believe he’s a top 6 at all.
I think he’s 3rd line centre who can fill in 2nd line during injury. But as long as the Flyers lineup is based on him being top 6, they’ll keep struggling.
Yes I understand Couturier is often referred to as David Bolland 2.0 by many of the superior hockey minds.
Not many Scott just me, Flyers fans acted like this kid was a star based of a bad series by Malkin.
Dave Bolland 2.0 might be over valuing him now.
I wanted the Sens to draft him over Zabinejad. For a few years after I still did. It seems Zabinejad may have been the better choice. Or perhaps they cancel out.
I see Couturier’s break thru coming next season. That said it might only be 20 goals & 50 points but he is a very effective 2 way center that leans more to defense than offense.
It might even be nominal further out as he’s a pretty big boy at 6’3″. In today’s lower scoring league where what goals & assists are awarded are being awarded over a far greater # of players this may put him in soft #2 range & with Philadelphia’s cap situation; Schenn & Gudas both looking a substantial raises, current roster make up; he only usually has 1 winger than can score do the lack of scoring depth, & prospects; no 1 ready to take his spot as the #2, it’s him or no one.
The UFA market only has 2 available that would be upgrades Stamkos & Backes & Philly can’t possibly afford either whether they can trade Streit or not.
just curious..what was the flyers record this yr with and without couturier?
you guys see him a lot in person?
he is without a doubt a second line center.
FYI, Flyers have 10.1 mil in cap room atm, expected buyout of RJ Umberger and Vinny retiring will free up an additional 5.5 mil. Leaving them with 15.6 mil cap space to start. Hopefully Hexy can free up more by trading Read, Streit, or MacDonald(hah! in our dreams). But in saying that, I dont think Hexy is keen on spending big bucks for long term in Free Agency.
Streit is a good fit for a team like Arizona. $2M actual salary, leadership, and can play the PP.
Arizona isn’t taking Streit at even 1/2 his salary of 2.625. Lots of leadership in Arizona. Vermette, Hanzal, Richardson, Michalek not to mention Doan will most likely be resigned on a 1 year bonus laden deal.
They are transitioning this team to their new young core of studs & the torch is being passed to the next wave. OEL currently wears an A & will wear the C when Doan decides to retire. The next wave, Reider, Murphy, & Stone are taking on more & more responsibility & will be part of the leadership group when the veterans move out, supplemented by a few UFA veteran signings & the kids are all coming fast. Domi, Duclair, Martinook & Dahlbeck, this past season, Strome, Dvorak & possibly Samuelsson next.
Streit doesn’t fit what Arizona is doing & I don’t see him as a Tippet type player.
Yes there is no way Matt Murray is not protected unless he has a tragic reversal of fortunes. Unfortunately MAF will likely be the one to move on and Inwould guess he would rather be traded to a decent team in need of good goaltending like the Flames of the Stars than agree to play for an expansion team. Pittsburgh actually has more very good goaltending prospects in the system and by the time the expansion draft happens one of them should be ready for back up duties. The Penguins actually also have a bunch of good forward prospects in the system that are almost ready for full time NHL action. Moving MAF and having good young players on ELCs will give them a lot of salary cap flexability. Just need a couple decent defensive prospects and they will be set.
Holland has his work cut out for him regarding moving that Datsyuk contract. Freeing up that salary will give the Red Wings plenty to work with, locking up their RFA’s, and adding another player or two from free agency.
I’m curious as to what everyone else feels Holland will have to do in order to move the contract… I’ve felt all along that it’ll take at least a 2nd round pick in this draft. What does everyone think?
– Package with a player
– Package with pick(s)
Hey Chad,
Maybe Datsyuk and either Pulkinen or jurco plus a mid pick gets it done.
wings should trade Howawrd for Wideman straight up
Trade Jurco Tatar Marchenko and this years first for Siflverberg and Vatanen
wings should trade Dats Pulkinen and a 5th to the Yotes for a 7th.
wings should sign Brouwer,Okposo
Zetterberg,Okposo,Larkin
AA,mantha,Nyquist
Sheahan,Brouwer,Abbie/FRK
LGD,Callahan,Tangradi
Dekeyser/Vatanen
Kronwall,Wideman
Green/Ericcson/Smith/Ouellet
Mrazek/McCollum
Sounds like a fair package – Datsyuk, Jurco, and a mid round
I will literally become an Oilers fan if the Flames trade for Jimmy Howard … The wings can have Widemen for a 4th
datsyuk for wideman straight up =)
It might take Pulkinen or Jurco & a 2nd but your on the right track.
I have been pushing the same trade concept for sometime. Wideman for Howard & Detroit eats a little of Howard’s contract in the last 2 years. say 1.2 per.
I don’t see Anaheim moving Silfverberg. He was signed to a 4 year deal & he & Kesler do all the heavy lifting. Lead Anaheim in SH TOI/GP for all players & anchor te 2nd line. They are a significant reason why Anaheim had the lowest GA in the NHL this season.
Vatanen will be moved. The cost will be high. Probably very close to what Calgary paid to get Hamilton.
I think that depends on what goes back to Detroit. If a deal is made with the Leafs (and lets face it that isn’t exactly a long shot considering the circumstances) I think they’d push for a prospect as they already have so many picks in this year’s draft, unless they obtain a good pick in a future draft.
I don’t know that it will be as expensive as people think to move that contract. Since datsyuk won’t actually get paid, teams not near the cap may start bidding enough that a 3rd or two even later picks could get it done. I mean a team like New Jersey, Florida, Toronto, Calgary, and Carolina would all potentially be hoping to get something for absolutely no cost if they weren’t concerned with next years cap situation. So if Toronto will only do it for a 2nd I think someone else steps in a days they do it for a 3rd.
Would be different if datsyuk had a couple more years left or it cost actual dollars.
Danny,
I think you’ll be surprised at what it will take. There really aren’t many teams that NEED to get to the cap floor. Most of the teams you mentioned have plenty of RFA’s and potential free agents to resign… by the time you account for all of that the teams are already at the floor. You are right though that essentially the team who gets Datsyuk won’t actually have to pay him but still… Keep in mind the Bruins moved Reilly Smith and Marc Savard’s contract and in return got back Jimmy Hayes. That’s quite the lopsided trade but the Bruins had to add value to move that contract and the contract was a little over 1/2 of what the Datsyuk one is.
Danny.
Nether Calgary or Toronto can afford to take on that cap hit. Calgary has to resign Monahan & Gaudreau that’s 12 mil min & Colborne needs to be resigned as well. Calgary also has some bonus monies carrying over to next seasons cap hit.
Toronto ca’t put players on LTIR until the opening day of the season. At 9PM the night prior they need to submit a 23 man roster & all injured players count. In the summer or when tagging; signing players to future deals, those new contracts can’t exceed the current cap by more than 10%.
Striker them off your list of possible destinations.
Well, I think what could possibly work is trading Howard and Datsyuk’s 7.5 mill cap hit to Carolina for NO MORE than a 3rd round pick in some future draft.
Other options including trading the cap hit with one of their better prospects like Pulkkenin or even Sproul and get a mid draft pick, probably a 3rd or something.
The value of a 3rd round pick is virtually nothing. How many 3rd round picks in any draft year even make it to the NHL?
I suggest you go to Wikipedia & type in 2010 NHL entry draft, 2009, 2008, etc. You’ll be shocked.
Here are the #’s for how many players that were drafted in the 3rd round are playing in the NHL today & I’m not talking in the minors or have had a cup of coffee but are essential part of their teams 23 man regular season rosters today.
I’ll start in 2010 & most players take 5 years to just start getting a regular spot in the NHL 5 years from the time they were drafted.
2010. 1. Gudas.
2009. 6. Barrie, McNabb, R. Smith, Nestrasil, Deslauriers & Eakin.
2008. 6. Lehtera, Stone, Hutchinson, Bouma, Z. Smith & Henrique.
2007. 1. Killorn.
2006. 3. Mason, Clutterbuck & Marchand.
Not a hope in hell anyone is taking Detroit’s headache for a 3rd or a 3rd & even a B grade prospect like Pulkinen or Jurco.
This site sometimes appears to be as bad as Eklunds, at least show a few possibilities even if it means dig a little harder. Everyone worth his weight in hockey knowledge knows who the free agents are. You need to dig a little deeper in the well to make this site a little more appealing!( come up with some Names of players that are going to different destinations)
So you want Lyle to make up something.
Datsyuk to Russia L5
L5…..thats funny !
haha
Randomly? That’s not very appealing IMO. But,usually there is no shortage of those type of hypothetical scenarios in the comments section.
You claim this site is almost as bad as Eklunds and in the same comment suggest that this site do exactly what Eklund does to improve it.
You confused me.
OK Garth
Site is doing fine, you need to keep this stuff to yourself.
I totally agree with you. Spector has proven himself to be an accomplished cut-and-paster but rarely offers the level of insight that I want to know.
And yet you not only visit regularly but also take the time to comment. Evidently, I’m doing something right to keep you coming back regularly, even if it’s under a different name. Oh, and it’s “aficionado”. Cheers, and thanks for your ongoing support! 🙂
While I appreciate your input,Rick, the purpose of this rumor mill is to post up the latest NHL trade and free agent rumors and speculation as reported by the media, along with my analysis of each. I hope that clarifies things for you.
Stick tap to everyone who replied.
Datsyuk for Andrew MacDonald straight up
It should also be noted that participation here is optional.
Lyle reports rumors from reputable sources & states where they came from. He doesn’t make things up like Eklund. I frequent hockeybuzz just as often as I come here but I primarily chat here as this group is far more focused on hockey & not the BS a ton of those posters are talking about. More than 1/2 the posts on hockeybuzz have nothing to even do with hockey.
appreciate the ability to comment…its going away everywhere.\]
whats nice is that theres an opening for us to also list some facts/opinions…
Stamkos to leafs is old (and a given 🙂
MAF to CGY for Wideman and a 2nd?
I would like Backes and Brouwer if they can be had for 4 – 4.5 each as my wingers for Stepan on the 2nd line and trade Nash to STL.
Brouwer maybe but Backes will command more on the free agent market… I’m guessing in the $5.5-6m per area
I’m think Kesler money for Backes but not the same term. If he wants Kesler money, 3 years maybe 4, if he takes less money the term could be extended nominally.
Backes is 1 of those players who’s value has far more to do with just goals & assists. This player has serious leadership abilities, is a big body, wins faceoffs, kills penalties; leads StL forwards in penalty killing, leads StL forwards in hits & can play in any situation any way you want. He’s 1 of those players many of you complain about when you talk about salaries as it seems to be all about points for you. Backes, Kesler, Callahan, Brown etc.
Wings better hope they can get someone to take Pavel’s contract. That’s assuming he is not coming back, which seems to be the case. There are a couple free agents that would look good in the Wings’ lineup. Moving Howard would help too.
If No dollars are paid out on Datzyuk’s contract if he goes to Russia. Would it not be an option for a team who doesn’t spend to the cap to trade for the contract. It doesn’t need to be a team trying to reach the cap floor. Say my team Ottawa takes on the contract and acquires some draft picks or prospects or even that top 6 forward they talk about. Perhaps Anaheim. Not sure if teams like this can fit Datzyuk’s cap in the current payroll yet couldn’t a team like these make a move for Datzyuk? I keep hearing suggestions a team that needs to get to the cap floor may trade for his contract. Why not the mid level budget teams too?
Yes. It will all boil down to the compensation Det is willing to pay the team that’s willing to do so.
We know what Bos paid Flo to take Savard’s, Arz to take Prongers & the only other time I can think of where it happened was when the cap 1st cap into effect & NJ paid SJ a 1st to take Malkhov on their hands.
Some consider Saad & Hamilton were moved for similar reasons or as they were offer sheet targets. I don’t buy this 2nd argument at all. These players were simply moved for contract reasons & hockey reasons, their teams couldn’t afford to keep them.
Hamilton signed for 5.75 in Calgary. The compensation required should he have signed an offer sheet at that price point would have been a 1st, 2nd & 3rd. Bos got a 1st & 2 2nds. Had a team offered him below that threshold; essentially 5.3, the compensation would have been a 1st & 3rd. Boston would have matched. He essentially signed for the money Boston offered him, nominally less.
Brandon Saad signed for 6 mil per after his trade. Chi may well have been better served to let him sign an RFA offer sheet if it truley existed it didn’t. Given a choice of what Chicago gave up & received I would have preferred the 1st, 2nd & 3rd as compensation & if below that threshold for a 1st & 3rd would have matched.
That’s a decent list of free agents if they all hit the market. Sabres are going to make a run at Backes if he becomes available IMO.
hed be on good on any team. but buffalo is interesting
I expect that Mrazek will sign a short term deal for 2.5-3 mill for 2-3 years.
Drew Miller, Kyle Quincey, Mike Richards, and probably Darren Helm could depart via FA. Expect Help to get around 4 mill plus on the open market.
What I would LIKE them to do is to try for Backes or Stamkos. Love to have them both, IF we can move Datsyuk’s cap hit and move Howard’s contract out and it might end up somewhere on the edge of dreamland.
Trade either Tatar or Nyquist for a top 4 defenseman. As much as I like Shattenkirk, I am not sure how that kind of offer would even work out but one of the two could interest in a starting point.
Maybe they can get Ericcson to waive his no-trade to go to Ottawa who needs a stay at home D man.
Hopefully they can get a deal with Carolina for Howard and Pavel’s contract hit for a mid pick and then sign a reasonable back-up, maybe Ward for around 1-1.5 mill.
Given what The Sabers paid for Robin Lehner, what could the Pens get for MAF???
Atleast a 1st Rd pick or top prospect..
But I think Buff over payed
Habs should trade there 9th overall to Edmonton along L Eller for N yakupov and RNH
Than should trade Pleckanec & desharnais for picks
Trade 2nd pick 2016 along with N Scherback for A Shaw
Sign A Ladd
I know im dreaming but we can all dream!!!
Tony, I think your 9th & Eller would maybe get you RNH, But Edmonton would probably want your 3rd round pick also. Believe or not but Edmonton thinks Yak is worth a first rounder
I’m guessing like most Hab fans you want to put Yak’s with Alex Galchenyuk
if DET really needs cap space would they entertain Mike Smith in AZ for Howard and Datsyuk’s contract? At least Howard stays healthy.
TO owes Wings a 3rd round pick for Babcock signing. I expect that solves or almost solves that issue. I would like to say they should get more but realistically they won’t. Leafs only need to be under the cap on the first day of the season then the LTIR kicks in and they can spend more money. It is only a timing issue. Oilers would be crazy to trade the 4th pick for anyone mentioned. Draft the best Dman available and tweek the roster as needed. Sign a steady UFA Dman, get rid of any bad attitudes and let McClellan do his magic? Flames need to see if their “hier apparent in goal” is real so let him play in the AHL, sign Reimer for two years, and bring back Ortio. Alberta teams need patience.
If all these established stars want to play for teams in the Silver Cup hunt, how do they expect to get the tall dollars when most are so close to the Cap ceiling?
Chad,
You could be right, but I just think the few teams willing to look at taking datsyuk can drive the price dos a bit. I would argue datsyuks contract is a little better to deal with than savard as its just one year. With savards deal a gm has the constraint of making room for that deal for several years to start the season. I think the simplicity of the datsyuk deal will make it a little easier and include more teams in those willing to take it on which will drop the price a bit (or at least could).
Striker,
With Calgary and Toronto it will depend largely on what they do this summer, but if the return was high they both have the capability of takining on a salary for a prospect. I would agree Calgary is less likely, as they will face more pressure to bring in players to help now but the leafs have enough two way contracts, bonus cushion that they would be able to work it if the return was high. My point isn’t that Toronto would do it for a 3rd, but if the price starts out high they could get involved and as the price drops they would likely be a team to bow out. I think it will likely be something along the lines of a 3rd with maybe another mid round pick for a 7th or maybe something like moving a 4th or 3rd up to a 2nd. I don’t think they have to do the deal in any bigger package.
Here is a side deal to any expansion team looking to take Fleury – We’ll give you Beau Bennett for free.