Latest on St. Louis Blues winger Vladimir Tarasenko and Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard in your NHL Rumor Mill.
Tarasenko denies rumors of a rift with Blues.
Vladimir Tarasenko claims there’s no rift between himself and the Blues organization.
STLTODAY.COM: Tom Timmermann reports Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko spoke to the media yesterday, explaining that the reason he didn’t talk to them on lockout clean-out day was he was still upset over his club’s elimination from the Western Conference Final. “I wasn’t ready to talk,” he said. “I was too frustrated, too upset, too (angry) about our loss and I don’t want to give you guys a hard time to talk with me because I was so mad. We can talk now.”
Tarasenko also denied rumors out of Canada speculating about a rift between himself and the Blues organization. “It’s never been even talked about it,” he said. “We have really good relationships. The media talk about problems between me and the Blues, it’s never been a problem. If there was going to be a problem, I would not sign for eight years.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I won’t be surprised if someone claims the “rift” between Tarasenko and the Blues began this season, after he signed his eight-year contract with them. I’m willing to take the Blues wingers at his word. He’s their top scorer and a young NHL star who will be taking on a bigger role within the organization, perhaps as soon as next season. The Blues won’t be moving him.
For an entertainingly profane “tear down” on the Tarasenko rift rumor and his refusal to speak with the press during locker clean out day, check out this piece from the Blues blog St. Louis Game Time.
Could the Wings part ways with Howard?
NBC SPORTS: James O’Brien recently cited the Detroit Free Press noted a comment by Red Wings GM Ken Holland admitting that moving former franchise goaltender Jimmy Howard “might be good for the organization.” O’Brien wondered what the market could be for Howard, who’s signed through 2018-19 at an annual salary-cap hit of $5.29 million. He suggests it might be best for the Wings to consider their options if Howard has a strong start next season. He also thinks an expansion draft next summer could alleviate that problem.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Further complicating things is Howard has a modified no-trade clause in which he lists 10 preferred trade destinations each year. There are a few clubs (Calgary, Carolina, Toronto, perhaps Dallas) that could use an upgrade between the pipes, but they could be unwilling to taken on Howard’s full salary-cap hit. He might not be keen to go to rebuilding clubs like the Flames, Hurricanes and Leafs. I wouldn’t be surprised if Howard’s back with the Wings next season.
Holland comments are amusing since during the season he often stated Howard won’t be traded. I don’t think he understands the concept of trading a player when his value is highest and obviously he had no faith in Mrazek ever surpassing him as TG.
Illitch made the wrong decision letting Nill go and keeping Holland as GM.
This team is yearly getting smaller, softer and worse since 2008.
The wings are trying to win. Why would you trade a player when his value is highest, as this player is obviously helping you achieve your goal of winning if his value is that high.
Now if the wings decide to change course and blow it up in order to do a full rebuild, then OK, depending on the age of the player. I agree that the Wings window for challenging for a Cup closed after this year. They gave it another run while their core could still compete, Howard was their starter to begin the year and Mrazek unproven, so no choice but to keep him. At least it makes sense to me.
The decision to change course and go full rebuild will be ownership’s not Hollands, as it is their playoff money that goes away for 5 or more years.
I don’t understand your comment. What are you getting it. Trading Howard is not going to be easy due to all the things Lyle wrote about. Perhaps Holland wanted to move him but realistically he knew he wouldn’t be traded and stated so. Now you have issue with Holland now that he stated that moving Howard may be good for the organization. Perhaps he has always tried to move him, perhaps he will continue to try. Perhaps he never has. I just don’t see where you come to such a conclusion.
I don’t even feel Howard has a lot of value right now… if anything his value should be considered at an all time low. He’s coming off of arguably one of his worst seasons yet, and making $5.3 mil (cap hit) annually for 3 more seasons. I think the only reason there is any value in Howard at this point is because of the immediate need of goaltending in other organizations but even then unless the Red Wings are willing to absorb a good portion of that contract, I don’t see him moving. Clearly moving Howard would be for a salary dump, and creating some extra space to work with… unless I’m missing something.
The Canes need to take on salary to reach the cap floor – send them Howard along with Datsyuk’s contract. They write off Datsyuk’s contract when he doesn’t report, and they get a goalie for the season who they can leave exposed in the expansion draft next year if they want. But they make it to the cap floor & don’t have to give up anything but maybe a late pick. Detroit sheds a ton of salary, which they need to do.
By the time Carolina adds 9 more players to get from the 14 currently signed to the NHL 23 man roster limit they will hit the cap floor comfortably. Can’t see them taking on Howard but if Detroit provides enough enticement I can see them taking on Datsyuk’s cap hit. Not to reach the floor but to secure an asset as they have the cap space to do so. Like Florida taking on Savard’s contract & upgrading Hayes to Smith last summer.
God can you imagine how much better we would be if we had Nill? As for Illitch, focus more on hockey instead of how to screw bankrupt Detroit out of money it’s likely owed from TV revenues. Beginning to question my alegience to the Wings.
Tarasenko – let’s face it, there are members of the hockey media that like to stir this stuff up, rift or not especially if the player involved is a Russian. I think the Sharks did a great job bottling Tarasenko up AND he’s not accustom to such restrictions. No wonder he was frustrated.
If Tarsenko is available – well, just name your price and my team would gladly take him over most players in the NHL.
controversy draws in readers. Increasing readership is the goal. It’s been this way as long as I can remember.
Exactly – in a few weeks everyone will forget this nonsense.
Yeah. And the Blues need one more guy like Tarasenko. High end guy. They’re too average in my mind.
Schwartz has the potential to be a high end guy, not as high end as Tarasenko but better than he is today.
So would I for Ottawa. Hell, he was drafted by the Blues when the Sens traded away that pick when Murray decided he wanted the great David Rundblad. At least he reversed that disaster a bit when he later dealt Rundblad to Phoenix in the Turris deal.
Lyle must say you did warn of the profane Blues Blog; however for me I can’t see the writers point(s) when using such language, it may have valid points but they get lost in the profanity and I stop reading. One should be able to articulate his or her points without the verbal diarrhea.
Really, Caper. I thought it was done pretty well. He ripped down the Tarasenko controversy with the dignity it deserved. Of coarse profanity never was a thing that bothered me. Sometimes you need a certain word to truly express what you feel. Haha.
And that Tarasenko business was the Sh!ts. haha
Jeff where there is SH@#T there is odor.
I believe, in a nutshell, guy was trying to say the Captain is leaving and the reigns are being handed over to this guy who makes 8 mill long term. Do I think it’s a big deal- meh. You can’t deny though there should come a level of maturity when the club breaks the bank for you. Tarasenko played well- despite reports BUT he should have faced the music…if this happened to…. I don’t know… Kessel in Toronto, Subban in Montreal, the Sedins, etc….it would be far worse.
He should have just said , Im really mad- that’s all I can say…Backes broke down in tears…perspective. Talk to the media….because contrary it is part of your job, unless, you want articles like that written about you
You can’t really compare well established vets who have gone through these emotions before to a young player like Tarasenko. Would you want to talk to a bunch of reporters at a time when you might say something at the spur of the moment that you might regret later and that the media can use against you? I certainly wouldn’t! I say good on the young guy to recognize his state of mind.
Lyle,
I am surprised that you would provide a link to that St Louis Blues blog. While we’d likely all agree members of the press can push their own narratives to sell controversy and generate “clicks”, that blog was a hack piece that read like it was written by a basement dwelling, spoiled brat, Blues fanboy. Complete garbage.
You sound like a black pot.
Did you read the article Arnie?
Nope, I’m just calling you a basement dweller, lol.
IMO, I don’t think Howard will be easy for Holland to move without retaining a good chunk of his salary or taking back bad salary in exchange. At least not with the goalie market as it sits right now.
Calgary could snag a short term UFA “1B” type goalie and just wait till next summer to address the need when Raymond, Smid and Wideman come off the books. Carolina could just as easily re-sign their own “former franchise goalie” coming off a better season than Howard, and probably for less cap and term than Howard has remaining. Dallas already has two “former franchise goalies” at similar cap hits but each with one less year remaining than Howard. I doubt they’d want to get rid of one and add basically the same thing. As for Toronto, I doubt Howard would want to go to a city where he’d face 10x more scrutiny for his usual struggles and inconsistency than he already does in Detroit. At the same time, would Babcock want to take on a goalie that he lost faith in before he left the Wings?
I would think “potential” starters on the UFA market like Reimer, Enroth, Ward and Johnson would take priority for teams looking for a starter or 1B guy. Then, you have teams with two good goalies that might look to offload one (Anderson/Gibson, Varlamov/Pickard/Berra, Dubnyk/Kuemper, Greiss/Halak, Fleury/Murray, Elliott/Allen, Bishop/Vasilevskiy). Last resort is probably trading for and taking on overpaid and underperforming “former franchise goalies” like Howard, Niemi/Lehtonen or Pavelec.
One possibility is maybe the Sabres? They’re the closest NHL team to Howards home town, so I’m sure he’d be open to the trade. If the Sabres lose out on Johnson, Howard could be a good insurance policy while Ullmark and the seemingly injury prone Lehner continue to develop. The Sabres also have a glut of mid-late round picks that could be used in a potential deal for Howard…
Downey20,
I think the only reason Howard holds value at this point is exactly the opposite of what you said “At least not with the goalie market as it sits right now”… there are a good number of teams in the NHL that require changes in goaltending and upgrades. I don’t see the free agent market being that strong besides Reimer… once he’s signed the quality of goaltenders available is quite small so many teams in need of changes will look for through trades. I would peg about 4-6 teams that could look for upgrades in the offseason… once Reimer is signed that leaves about 4-5 teams looking for upgrades. A lot of the free agents available are anything but upgrades. Teams will be contacting the Red Wings (Howard) and Pittsburgh (MAF)… but where I do agree with you is that the Red Wings will need to take back a good chunk of salary in moving Howard. I don’t see any teams giving up valuable assets AND taking all of Howards salary… little to no chance IMO. I think moving Howard will be nothing more than a salary dump, which gives Detroit some space to tackle other positions on the team.
Going to be a tough sell regardless of what ever salary Det retains. I think Howard would be plan C for most teams.
That’s what I have felt also… I think teams would much rather give up assets and go after MAF. Still, the free agent market is limited aside from Reimer so maybe theres a chance.
Chad,
“A lot of the free agents available are anything but upgrades”. Same thing could be said about Howard… As a Wings fan, seeing that Mrazek hasn’t exactly secured the starting job yet, on a 1-2 year deal I’d happily take a 1B type goalie that put up average to good numbers playing in front of a rebuilding club (Johnson/Ward) or a solid backup that put up excellent numbers with a good team and has experience as a starter (Enroth), over Howard and his cap situation. I would think those GM’s looking for a change or upgrade would think similarly of Howard.
I see where you’re going, but save for Dallas, those teams needing a change in net or an upgrade would probably be better off waiting till next summer when the goalie market gets interesting for the possible expansion draft. There will probably be a whole bunch of teams with more than one quality tender looking to get something measurable before potentially losing one to the expansion team. Heck, the expansion team could also take three decent tenders in hopes of offloading one for some assets to stock their prospect pool or organizational depth. PLUS, there’s a much better crop of goalies slated to potentially hit next summer’s UFA market like Bishop, Elliott, Mason, Neuvirth, Greiss, and Bernier (if he keeps playing like he did to end this past season).
Those teams that need an upgrade or a change in net would be better suited taking a gamble on a short term deal with Reimer, Johnson, Ward or Enroth and keeping their books open for a possible better long term solution next summer. IMO, that would be wiser than clogging up their cap space with three expensive years of “former franchise goalie” Howard. And even they do opt for a “former franchise goalie”, Jim Nill has two to choose from with similar resumes, both which have one year less term, and one of which has a smaller cap hit.
As Yankee pointed out, the only value in Howard is the cap flexibility the Wings gain with him out of the picture. But his value to other teams is probably just a way to get out of some bad salary of their own. But with declining Zetterberg, Kronwall and Ericsson, as well LTIR bound Franzen and Weiss’s buyout clogging up the cap situation for at least the next three seasons, does retaining a sizeable chunk of Howard’s salary and/or taking on bad salary help or hurt? At this point, the only value Howard really has would be to a team that needs a warm body in net, but also wants to offload bad salary of their own. Maybe Calgary takes him in exchange for two of Smid, Wideman, Engelland or Raymond? Gives Calgary a serviceable goalie while Ortio and Gillies develop, and clears some space for this summer to resign their RFA’s and do some UFA shopping. The Wings end up with a couple of expensive duds for one year, but they’ll be gone after the year and so will Howards last two years giving them room to give RFA’s raises and/or make upgrades. Maybe Lupul and Cowen/Greening from Toronto for the same reasons? Those are the types of deals I see happening with Howard.
As a team looking for an upgrade… maybe Enroth, I can see that or Zatkoff who is also a free agent this offseason but I’m sure his stock/value has risen quite a bit as well. I still think you’ll see some teams contacting the Red Wings on Howard. I did mentioned it was likely nothing more than a salary dump but Howard still offers value to a team looking for a starter. He went 14-14-5 this season and still kept a 2.80 GA. His previous seasons have been quite strong and I’d definitely give him just as much an opportunity to turn things around than say Cam Ward. Ward had some better numbers but he’s still another goaltender that may go either way… could turn around and be excellent or could fall off the cliff like Eric Staal. Not sure what’s going on down there in Carolina lol
Plan A for teams I hope is to go after a Fleury, Bishop, Andersson etc. Failing that plan B would be guys like Reimer, Ward, Johnson, Enroth, Montoya and Hutton. I put Howard in at plan C due to his cap hit. Detroit would have to sweeten any deal and take a similar contract back.
Dallas is going with Lehtonen again according to Nill. Im sure if they can move Niemi they would and look for a cheaper backup. I’d put Niemi in B plan as he may be a good stop gap for a team waiting for someone to develop.( Calgary ? ) Whatever DAllas does they are making it difficult by retaining Lehtonen.
I like Howard just not at that price point. His play down the stretch was instrumental to Detroit making the playoffs. Detroit didn’t have the best D playing in front of him either.
I seeing him being moved but Detroit will have to eat salary & take back a contract to do so.
I still see Calgary as the best fit as they off load Wideman on Detroit & Detroit eats 2 to 2.5 of Howard’s contract.
Fleury would be a better fit in Calgary but Pittsburgh won’t want any salary back & will want a reasonable asset returned. Howard is essentially free.
Many Wings fans thought it was a mistake when that contract of that length and money was given to Howard. He was good at times but also very inconsistent and lost alot of pucks in traffic giving up soft goals. But the Howard contract was not the only bad contract Holland has doled out in recent years and now we will see just how good Holland is as a GM with this Datsyuk mess and more talent needed at both forward and defense. I dont see Holland being successful but maybe we will be surprised.
Could the Blues go past the Conference Finals with a true #1 goalie with the same exact lineup next season?
Ah some of my text did not show up-
Perhaps Backes sees resigning in STL as his best shot to win a Cup next season vs the last hefty paycheck of his career. Brouwer will get too many good offers to stay put.
Blues problem is not the goalies:anyone remember anything Steen contributed to the playoff run?….and as far as the Red wings go,, why would anyone like Howard not prefer a team like Toronto, whose future seems brighter than the Wings’
I assume Steen was injured but have never heard anything to that effect. His contribution was limited & he logged a ton of minutes in all situations. Lead the team for forwards, 3rd overall in TOI/GP, 2nd overall for PP TOI/GP & 5th SH TOI/GP. 4 goals & 10 points in 20 games was incredibly disappointing.
St. Louis has always done their scoring by committee. It’s no surprise to me the “stars” on that team lacked production from time to time. The likes of Tarasenk and Steen. When the offense is spread it that often happens.
Striker where r u? just read expansion to Vegas is a done deal, just need BOG approval.
Actually it’s far from a “done deal.” What Bet t man said was
“I’m not going to handicap what is going to happen … but when the board meets in Las Vegas on June 22, I am fairly certain we will know more than we do today.”
In effect, on that date the NHL will decide
(a)not to expand;
(b) it will choose to expand to one of Las Vegas or Quebec City;
(c) it will elect to expand to both Las Vegas or Quebec City.
The report went on to say “Many around the NHL feel that Las Vegas will likely be chosen as the sole expansion team at this time, with possible entrance coming during the 2018-19 season, rather than 2017-18 as originally expected. However, expansion in general is far from a unanimous issue among the board so there is still some level of unpredictability to the process.”
George O I’m referencing a tweet today by Adrian Dater and re-tweeted by Rick Westhead “Couple of NHL sources telling me Vegas is done deal for 17-18, with formal approval by BOG this month.” Not my words and i have no idea if there is any truth to the statement, just relaying the message. If i was a betting man, i would bet on expansion.
BTW George, I know what he said, but thanks.
Hung over again Caper. Played orthodox ball last night, it got ugly, Ha-ha!
You know my position on expansion. It’s coming & I’d be shocked if they don’t take the billion; 2 teams, instead of 500 million; 1 team, & start play in 2017-18, although we have started to hear some rumblings about it being delayed until 2018-19 perhaps to provide better clarity on the Canadian Dollar & how that might effect Quebec’s bid.
I haven’t had time yet to go delve into the CBA to see if what Frank Saravelli reported the other day is in fact correct. I understood it to be only 12 teams had to be in support if Bettman was in support but Frank reported 2/3rds. Will 20 teams support expansion? Hard to say but at 12 it’s a lock.
8 NHL teams lost money in 2014-15 add 4 more & that only gets you into 2.8 in operating profit range. Add 8 more teams needing to support at 2/3rds & that brings in the teams that fund revenue sharing & they might not be so eager to share the wealth.
I haven’t heard a really good trade rumour in a long time but today I believe I have discovered a real beauty. I have just finished watching Hockey Central on Sportsnet where Nick Kypreos throws out the idea that Evgeni Malkin (whose wife gave birth yesterday) could be “playing in his last series for the Penguins” and could get traded over the summer. Possible detinations mentioned include Montreal and Florida although Tampa Bay might have a couple of holes to fill as well.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/kypreos-malkins-playing-last-series-penguins/
Malkin to the Kings!! LOL
Montreal would have to move salary, plus i don’t see them having the players to make to move. Don’t say PK because that’s not happening as Lyle mentioned several times why fill one hole and create another. If im Montreal i wouldn’t move Pacioretty for Malkin just because i like what Pacioretty brings for 4.5m a year and the 5m per extra for Malkin wouldn’t bring me twice the results. If the habs moved out some salary then maybe but what do they have to offer Gallagher, Galchenyuk? just playing along.
Sal,
Could make sense… Penguins are very tight against the cap and I thought I read somewhere recently that the salary cap isn’t expected to rise or rise very little for the ’16-17 season. Penguins should be focusing on fixing their salary issues this offseason. If they win the Cup then I could see Malkin getting moved for future pieces to help build around, otherwise, maybe they find alternative ways to create cap space and make another run of it next season.
Moving Fleury solves both Pittsburgh’s cap issue & protection issue with expansion looming.
Moving Malkin would potentially make more sense post expansion draft than before.
The rumour stems from the success of the HBK line, where are you goin to put expensive Malkin. I guess on the top line as you don’t want him on he third, but Pittsburgh is now able to use him as a great asset to being in prospects, draft picks and fill in depth, I don’t see a Malkin trade briniging in another star as Pittsburgh doesn’t need it, I see them moving Malkin if they do for solid bottom six players and prospects and picks. They could bring in quite in at type of deal,
I do not consider Howard an upgrade to Cam Ward.
Nor do I really as goalies but in a cap world their not the same assets. Ward will simply cost cash, probably in or around 3.5 to 4 on a 2 or 3 year deal. I team can’t dump a contract off signing him like they may be able to do in a deal for Howard.
Who would have ever though we would be discussing players as anything more than hockey players & their on ice contributions. The NHL changed significantly in 04-05 when the cap was brought in, free agency was reduced significantly as were waiver rules. Now all factor into player personal decisions.
Datsyuk’s salary will be taken by the Leafs for signing Babcock? Howard is better than Ward but also expensive. Any team that thinks they have their future goalie but he wont be ready for a couple years could look at Howard or the free agents. Wings will probably have to retain some money or add a prospect. Malken willnot be traded.