Latest on Steven Stamkos, David Backes, Nikita Kucherov, Jacob Trouba, Milan Lucic and more in your Sunday NHL rumor roundup.
Trouba, Hanzal, the Ducks & the salary cap.
Could the Colorado Avalanche pursue Winnipeg Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba?
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Colorado Avalanche and Arizona Coyotes want to add to their defense this summer. Restricted free agent blueliner Tyson Barrie’s future with the Avs isn’t that certain, but Friedman believes they won’t move him unless they can “add some help”. He believes one of their targets could be Jacob Trouba of the Winnipeg Jets. “I’m not saying Winnipeg’s going to do it, but I think that’s a player Colorado would like to get its hands on,” said Friedman.
He also claims some teams have asked about Coyotes center Martin Hanzal, who’s a year away from unrestricted free agency. He said the Coyotes hope to sign Hanzal to an extension but could also request a list of trade destinations from the center if a deal can’t be reached.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trouba reportedly sought a six-year deal worth over $6 million per season from the Jets. Barrie is also rumored seeking a long-term extension in the neighborhood of $6 million per. Don’t see how that makes things better for the Avs.
The Anaheim Ducks have shown interest in London Knights head coach Dale Hunter.
There’s a chance the salary cap could drop below $70 million if the NHLPA votes against its annual five percent salary escalator. “Not yet decided, but that’s potentially what they’ve been told.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As per the New York Post’s Larry Brooks, the PA membership is expected to approve the five-percent escalator for 2016-17, but the cap will only marginally increase from $71.4 million to $72.8 million. That’s well below the original projection of $74 million made by commissioner Gary Bettman back in December.
Latest on Kucherov and Backes.
THE BOSTON GLOBE: Fluto Shinzawa believes Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov is in line for a big raise, perhaps one comparable to the five-year, $37.5 million extension signed several years ago by teammate Steven Stamkos.
Shinzawa doubts pending UFA forward David Backes, 32, will get a long-term extension from the St. Louis Blues. RFA left wing Jaden Schwartz has more to give and is their priority to re-sign.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I agree with Shinzawa. Kucherov’s getting a hefty raise this summer, not a bridge deal. I expect something that’s at least five years in length and between $6-$7 million per season. As for Backes, the Blues want to keep him, but I believe they’re considering a three-year deal worth between $5-$6 million annually. They need the cap space to re-sign Schwartz to his lengthy new deal that could be around $6 million per.
Lucic to the Canucks or Oilers?
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Bruce McCurdey and Jonathan Willis weigh in on TSN’s Pierre LeBrun’s recent report suggesting Los Angeles Kings left wing Milan Lucic could be open to signing with the Vancouver Canucks or Edmonton Oilers if he hits the open market on July 1. McCurdey notes the Oilers have the cap space for a big UFA contract if they wish, but spending it on a left wing would be a strange place to invest it. Willis believes both clubs would be better off if Lucic re-signs with the Kings, who already have a number of players under expensive contracts.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The report of Lucic entertaining the notion of signing with Vancouver or Edmonton could be his camp’s way of trying to pressure Kings management. Of the Canucks and Oilers, I see Lucic as a better fit with the former. The Oilers already have Taylor Hall and Patrick Maroon at the left side. They could also select Matthew Tkachuk if they keep the fourth overall pick in the upcoming NHL draft. Lucic wouldn’t be a fit there.
Latest Red Wings speculation.
THE DETROIT FREE PRESS: Helene St. James recently responded to her readers questions regarding rumors suggesting the Red Wings might pursue both Steven Stamkos and Alexander Radulov. “Even if the Wings are able to move Pavel Datsyuk’s contract (if he, as expected, leaves this summer), there would not be room to sign both Steven Stamkos (various reports have him rejecting an $8.5 million cap average contract) and Alexander Radulov (who probably would want at least in the $5 million range)”. She points out the Wings “have to re-sign RFAs in Petr Mrazek, Danny DeKeyser and Riley Sheahan, all of whom are due significant raises.” Regarding a possible trade with St. Louis for defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, St. James claims the last asking price was Dylan Larkin, which is an automatic no-go.”
She does believe the Wings have a good opportunity to sign Stamkos once they shed Datsyuk’s cap hit. “The Wings should appeal to Stamkos because he’d be close to his family in the greater Toronto area, and unlike the work in progress that is the Maple Leafs, with the Wings he’d be joining a competitive Original Six team.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I agree with St. James regarding the Wings’ chances of landing Stamkos. They certainly can’t afford he and Radulov. Given a subsequent report claiming Radulov seeks a two-year deal at $7.5 million per, the Wings could be out of the bidding unless he accepts their rumored one-year deal between $4-$5 million. If the Wings wish to pursue a puck-moving defenseman, there’s potentially other options (Winnipeg’s Jason Trouba, Colorado’s Tyson Barrie, Minnesota’s Jonas Brodin) beside Shattenkirk.
Trouba’s demands, if true seem to be a little much for a guy who hasn’t proven himself yet. Are his demands more designed to get him out of Winnipeg?
I stand by my statement that if Stammer leaves TB, he will be headed to the Wings.
Probably right just wants out.
Just like Hamilton everyone thought it was money issue then he signed for about the same money Boston offered.
It’s an interesting question, one I’ve asked myself several times. His agent said the contract request is false. When Kane was here he was asked repeatly if he wanted out of Winnipeg and he never gave a direct answer. The strange thing is I’ve have not heard anyone ask Trouba that same question and have never heard him say “I want to stay in Winnipeg.” I phrase it that way because that’s how it was always phrased when referring to Kane with a no reply. I’m thinking his days in Winnipeg might be done, but hope not because this team is heading in the right direction.
He may want to stay in Winnipeg – for a price, maybe a little higher than he would ask from other teams. If his demands are close to what we are hearing, then it just seems like a alot both dollars + term for a guy who has yet to prove much of anything.
The Wings may have a shot at Stammer if he hits the open market; however, this is a franchise that is in the decline so why would he want to entertain this? Dats and Zetts have had fine careers but are nearing the end, Larkin is an excellent future leader but still needs some time, but their d and supporting forward cast need a major overhaul. Nyquist disappeared this year, Tatar was OK, and then you have grinders like Abdelkater and Helm. Decent players but not the kind you build team around. Detriot’s future is Larkin period. Two years from now teams like Buffulo or Toronto will be ahead of them in the standings and it’s one of those teams where Stamkos should sign before considering Detriot, if he wants to play close to home. If he wants a shot at the cup, decent cash, stay in TBay where the tax breaks help soften any hometown discount he may have to take. I am sure we will all be happier if Stamkos just resigned so we can stop reading about it everyday.
Agreed Vince, they barely squeaked into the playoffs. I’d be surprised if they made it next year, especially without Datsyuk.
Personally I’d stay in Tampa if I were him, but if Stamkos decides to leave I honestly give it an 80% chance he ends up in Toronto.
Let’s revisit this discussion in a couple weeks
Detroit has developed a tradition of winning, consistently. They have shown the abilty to build teams and develop talent. A generation is defines by 25 year increments – well, the Wings have been in the playofs for an entire generation. Buffalo and Toronto have rarely shown the ability to build and sustain competitive teams.
So, while you can make an argument for the ups and coming teams, there is a greater argument for franchises, like the Wings and Pittsburgh Steelers, franchises that somehow seem to able to put things together year after year. and this comes from a life-long Sabres’ fan, a guy that grew up watching the Leafs.
Nobody is saying they haven’t been a model franchise, I wish my team had such a recent history of winning. But the past doesn’t make them any less a team on the decline now. I’m not doubting they’ll rebound in the next few years, but I do agree with Vince that in 2 years time Buffalo and Toronto will be ahead of them in the standings. I think they really hurt themselves when they traded Jarnkrok as well as their 2011 and 2012 first round picks. They lack high end talent in their system and should restock over the next couple of years imo. I’m sure they’ll be rebound quite quickly but I still doubt they make the playoffs next year,
What if Vancouver traded for Datysuk’s contract from DET. Ask for Mantha and trade back a 2.5 cap hit Chris Higgins (who is a UFA end of next season). I think it best Vancouver make it to the end of next year where many more of their older roster then become UFAs to look to go UFA hunting.
Asking for Mantha to take Pavel would be the 1st step in rebuilding. Heck Maybe Pavel plays 1 season with the Sedins
The best result of taking Datysuk’s contract would be not being able to sign Lucic.
Yeah sorry but Mantha is a no go to move Datsyuk’s contract, Ken Holland already said that top prospects and picks wont be moved to move Datsyuk’s contract. He will just eat it then for 1 year. Mantha is part of Detroit’s future and will not be moved to move Pavs contract. So forget about any team asking for any top pick and prospect will be sorely mistaken just wont happen. No way is Detroit all that desperate to move key pieces just to rid themselves of Pavels contract. If we miss out on Stamkos then so be it but were’nt going to move good pieces just to move his contract that’s just not going to happen in any shape or form.
Whoaa!
Somehow, you managed to say “no” to Mantha moving a total of 7 times in a 6 sentence paragraph.
So, tell us, is this what you really think?
Bravo.
I’m a huge fan of differing expository styles.
And I agree with you, by the way.
Gary you kept repeating the same thing over and over.. we get it.. you sound like a broken record..
Detroit has 13.1 mil available in cap space with 16 players singed for next season with a cap of 71.4. If as is being reported the cap is now slated to come in between 72 & 73 if the NHLPA supports the 5% escalator Detroit has 15 mil approximately to sign 7 players to get to the 23 man roster limit.
Pulkkinen, Sheahan, Dekeyser, Marchenko & Mrazek are all RFA’s. They combined easily eat up 11 to 13 million to resign, leaving Detroit with about 2 million to add 2 more players before any possible trades.
Datsyuk isn’t coming back to the NHL. Detroit will need has cap hit off the books. At a bare minimum it will cost Detroit a 2nd & a player like Jurco to get Datsyuk’s 7.5 cap hit off the books. If I’m a team I don’t take that cap hit for that return but someone might. If they won’t Detroit is screwed & any talk of Stamkos or even the bum Radulov, no 1 is giving him 5 mil never mind 7.5, playing in Detroit next season is impossible. If Radulov is hoping for that kind of money he won’t be playing in the NHL.
The red wings have Ben trying to move mantha for the last 2 seasons….he will be the first prospect moved by Detroit in any trade.
Whoa I think there’s got to be a heck of a lot more going back to Detroit if Van is getting Mantha. There would be a bunch of other teams willing to make that move too.
yeah we will give them mantha and take back higgins as long as they throw in virtanen and gudbranson
so if Mantha is a no go…. what other contract comes to VAN?
Datsyuk & say a Tatar or Nyqvist for a Burrows? Borrows comes off the following season where Nyqvist is I believe 4 more yrs.
The most detroit gives up to move dat’s contract is a second or b prospect. He retires, other team pays no money, gets to cap ceiling and gets a second rounder in return. Otherwise as Detroit you keep the contract and work around it. Maybe he doesnt retire and returns if they are in playoff hunt for a last hurrah.
I don’t see any team taking Datysuk’s contrcat for a B grade prospect or a 2nd. Maybe both but even then unlikely.
Florida got R. Smith for taking on Savard’s contract last season, returning J. Hayes. Many years ago NJ paid SJ a 1st to get Malakhov off the books as they were facing serious cap issues.
It’s going to be very exciting summer & the answer to most of these questions will be known soon enough.
I would like to Lucic on the right side of JT in Brooklyn.
That be nice. Or for me Backes. Looks like he played some RW and C last year.
Why? He’s no where near the player he was when he first broke in with Boston.
I think Lucic is exactly what Edmonton needs. Someone to step up if someone pushes around the younger skilled guys. I’ve been saying this since Lucic was in Boston. Edmonton should keep the pick and take the best defenseman available they have enough forwards. Maybe drop down a few spots and still get the top defenseman.
Lucic wouldn’t be a terrible option for the Oilers, but I can’t see him being a fit there unless they deal Pouliot (*which they very well may as he was heavily rumored to be moving,along with Yakupov,to the Ducks for Vatanen at the trade deadline, a deal that could still happen this summer). The dollars Lucic will likely want (and the term) are the issues there for Edmonton. He would look great riding shotgun with McDavid and I’m sure he’d consider that possibility.
As for Vancouver, everybody seems to think because he’s a “B.C. boy” he’ll be jumping at the chance to sign there. Well, yeah, he’s from there but so what? Benning would be wise to continue rebuilding than to start sinking money into long term free agent deals right now. If they were to sign him the first three years or more would be meaningless as Vancouver currently isn’t built to be a playoff team , much less a contender. As a long time Canucks fan, I can’t say I’d be happy about them pursuing and signing him. Maybe if he’d been available 3 or 4 years ago, sure.
In any event, it’ll be interesting to see how this plays out. I honestly think he signs for less money to stay in L.A.
Tampa is obviously in a no win situation with all their free agents they have to try sign to big contracts all within a short time frame. The writing is on the wall that they can’t re-sign them all, & with Stamkos health issues the past two years, & 8 years already under his belt – he will be the one leaving Tampa.
After seeing Nylander performance during the Marlies playoff run I’d be ok with Stamkos signing with the Leafs at around $8.5 million per.
Try 10 million per and you are in the correct range to win the bidding war.
If the cap is going to be $72.8 million, I don’t forsee many GMs offering $10 million up for Stamkos. Very few teams have the cap space and the revenue stream to be able to afford that amount.
I disagree. Biggest name FA in many years. It will cause a bidding war. Stamkos will want close to toews/kane and someone will give it.
If Stamkos can be signed for 8.5 he would have done so in TB already. If Stamkos leaves TB his contract with whoever he agrees to sign will be between 10 & 11 million for 7 possibly 8 years if the team that signs him pays TB for his rights before July 1st.
When the draft and the interview week before free agency is done you can expect TO to own Datsyuk because they owe Detroit a third round pick but Wings will have to take Hunwick or someone else back. That is provided Leafs have enough cap space to sign Stamkos if he decides to go to TO.
Oilers should just draft Chychren (?spelling) with the fourth pick or look at a trade down that brings a top four Dman and a first pick. Emilem (?spelling), Habs first plus one of Habs young Dmen or Gardner, Percy, and the 31st from TO? I am a Leafs fan so I may be overestimating Gardner? Winnipeg’s Trouba packaged like this could work too?
Ha ha ha……Lupul for Datsyuk and TO’s 3rd.
@Yankee Fan where did you come up with that trade.
I’m laughing at the thought of it.Its more of a joke Yogi as I cant see anyone taking Lupul. But stranger things have happened.
In the category of “expect the unexpected”, Lupul is poised for a come-back year. 99% of Leaf fans have completely written him off. He’s expected to be healthy by training camp, yet most are hoping to bury him on LTIR. Won’t it be a great story if he makes everyone eat their words.
co….lol
Expectations are zero. Less than zero. He’s had two awful seasons and everyone’s written him off, myself included. That being said he’s going to show up to training camp with a clean bill of health. You never know, there might be a little gas left in the tank. I can’t believe he’d want to end his career like this.
He hasn’t even come close to playing a full season for nearly 8 years. What are the odds that clean bill of health lasts 1/2 a season?
Well that’s the other part of it. Even in his best seasons he missed 15-20 games.
Toronto isn’t rolling in cap space themselves currently. They can’t afford to take on Datsyuk’s cap hit. Players aren’t eligible to be put on LTIR until the opening day of the season. The day prior all teams must submit a 23 man roster & for Toronto that means the cap hits of Horton & Ribidas count until the next day. That’s 8.3 million in dead cap space for less than 24 hours but very important hours as Toronto can’t replace the monies prior.
Cowen will be bought out that free’s up significant space but still not enough to sign Stamkos & eat Datsyuk’s 7.5.
as crazy as it sounds…. what about sending Cowen and Robidas (1 mil retained) to NYR for Girardi. Dan was a solid defender. Babcock’s sort of leader. He can help settle their rather young D. Eat minutes on the PK. NY get’s their 6th and 7th Dman.
Radulov is still a guy who coaches who dictate a tight disciplined game will hate. He certainly would not be a fit in Detroit. I still think he is just trying to get a buzz going so that he an get a sweetheart deal in the KHL.
The only way Radulov plays in the NHL next season is if he takes less than 4 mil on a 1 year deal. I still wouldn’t sign him for that but some desperate GM will only to regret doing so quite quickly. Radulov is a flake.
I’ve heard the prospect Detroit would move will be Pulkkinen, not Mantha.
Pulkinanen isn’t a prospect any longer. He just turned 24. He’s past his best before date. Some team will give him a chance when Detroit waives his rights or jettison’s him for a 4th or 5th round pick. With a 2nd round pick a team like Carolina might take Datsyuk’s contract & Pulkinen.
striker its funny how you think pulikanen is past his best before date but miller in boston who is 29 isn’t?? you use selective stats to prove you argument kinda like someone else on here used too
Miller has played consistently since getting to the NHL, 2.5 seasons. He hits, kills penalties & has posted a plus 55 in 159 NHL games.
Pulkkinen although 5 years younger can’t get into the NHL as a regular & sooner or later everyone gives up on prospects. Pulkkinen will get 1 more chance with either Detroit o4 another team & if doesn’t click will return to europe or the KHL to play.
K. Miller will be an NHL regular even after his new 4 year deal expires & he’s in his early 30’s. NHL Dman that can play are in short supply. Not all 30 teams have enough to ice 6 competent NHL Dman. Prospect forwards are a dime a dozen.
Sorry should read on prospects that never develop at the NHL level.
“Trouba reportedly sought a six-year deal worth over $6 million per season from the Jets. Barrie is also rumored seeking a long-term extension in the neighborhood of $6 million per. Don’t see how that makes things better for the Avs.” Well, if you are going to spend that kind of money with that term, you might as well get the one you want (maybe Trouba), rather than on one you clearly only sort-of want to keep in your organization (Barrie).
I don’t lend any credence to this report that Trouba wants 6 mil per. On what grounds? Can anyone remember who reported this as a possible contract demand?
Here you go Striker, he is a well respected reporter.http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/jets/Ladd-Byfuglien-Trouba-asking-Jets-for-152M-in-contracts–361904251.html
If MTL wants to make a couple of “all in” moves, they could “help a couple of teams shed cap space. Thomas Vanek in MIN and Rick Nash in NYR. These are 2 wingers MTL could benefit from having in their line up.
MIN would welcome unburdening themselves of Vanek’s contract, expiring in 2017. Vanek has been rumored for a buyout. If MTL were to offer Desharnais, without asking MIN to retain salary, MTĹ would create over 4 million in cap space.
If business is officially open for NYR, then Lars Eller for Rick Nash is realistic. If you take on Nash’s fuĺl cap hit, you clear over 4 mil in cap space for NYR.
Your potential top six is:
Nash, Galchenyuk, Gallagher
Pacioretty, Plekanec, Vanek
Vanek bombed in MTL. Why would they want him & his bad contract back again? Hes was a healthy scratch for quite a few games this season too.