The NHL media rumor mill is quiet this weekend, so here’s a look at what’s been recently kicking around the hockey rumor blogosphere. Enjoy!
NY Rangers winger Rick Nash remains a fixture in the NHL offseason rumor mill.
The Nashville Predators have had some talks with the New York Rangers regarding left wing Rick Nash.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Don’t see the Preds being keen to take on Nash’s $7.8 million contract. We also don’t know if the Preds are on Nash’s list of preferred trade destinations. And of course, the Rangers reportedly don’t want to just give him away.
The Calgary Flames are “considering a big push” for Ottawa Senators winger Mike Hoffman, who’s slated for salary arbitration on Aug. 4.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If they are, they’d better be prepared to offer up one of their good young forwards (Sam Bennett, top prospect Matthew Tkachuk) in return. They’ll also have to ship out some salary in order to clear cap space for his new contract, as they still have young stars Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan to re-sign, which will eat up much of their current available cap payroll for 2016-17.
The Carolina Hurricanes are “mildly interested” in Tampa Bay Lightning center Valtteri Filppula.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes could use some experienced depth at center, but I doubt they’re keen in taking on Filppula’s $5 million annual cap hit. We also don’t know if the ‘Canes are on his list of preferred trade destinations.
The Lightning and Dallas Stars are talking a possible swap of Ben Bishop for Antti Niemi and a prospect, with Lightning defenseman Jason Garrison and Stars center Cody Eakin also being discussed.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bolts and Stars reportedly discussed Bishop during the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo last month but the talks apparently didn’t go far. The Bolts do need to shed salary and the Stars must improve in goal, but Bishop’s no-movement clause and his UFA status next summer complicates things, not to mention the fact the Lightning probably don’t want to be saddled with Niemi’s $4.5 million cap hit (provided he agrees to waive his no-trade clause) for the next two seasons.
The New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres were discussing a package deal with Nash and defenseman Dan Girardi mentioned. The Rangers could also attempt to make moves to set the stage for a trade or a potential offer sheet to Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov. In addition to the Rangers, the New York Islanders, Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets and Arizona Coyotes made trade inquiries about Kucherov.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers only have $4.5 million in cap space and can only go over the salary cap by 10 percent in the offseason. They have no room to offer sheet Kucherov, who might not even be interested in one. I don’t doubt some teams probably called the Bolts about Kucherov’s availability, but I don’t see him being traded. We can also probably forget about a Nash and Girardi swap involving the Sabres. Both have full no-movement clauses and probably aren’t willing to waive them to go to a rebuilding club.
The San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings have interest in Islanders winger “Kulimen”, the New Jersey Devils “kicked the tires” on winger Radim Vrbata, the Philadelphia Flyers are still trying to move defenseman Mark Streit and the Montreal Canadiens are “quietly making a run” at Edmonton Oilers winger Nail Yakupov.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nikolai Kulemin is earning over $4.1 million per season through 2017-18. The Kings and Sharks lack the cap space to take on that contract. I can see the Devils having some interest in Vrbata, but they seem set now with their forward lines for the start of next season. The Flyers could try moving Streit, but there probably isn’t much of a market for a 38-year-old defenseman with a $5.25 million cap hit for next season. Yakupov was linked to the Canadiens last season, but with Brendan Gallagher and Alexander Radulov at right wing (Yakupov’s primary position), I doubt they’re interested in him now.
The Vancouver Canucks, Devils and Columbus Blue Jackets could be pursuing winger Jiri Hudler.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks and Blue Jackets could use some experienced depth at forward, but both have limited salary cap space. Unless Hudler’s willing to sign at a significant discount, he probably won’t be joining either club. As for the Devils, they seem set now on their forward lines with the acquisitions of Taylor Hall and Beau Bennett and the re-signing of Devante Smith-Pelly.
Stars have over $10m invested at the goaltending position and put up a 906 SV% vs league average of 915 – that’s atrocious. Getting Bishop, however, is going to be very expensive, both to acquire and also to get rid of either of their current goalies, both of which are overpaid.
Even if they accomplish this, they will then still have too much invested at the position. Bishop should be paired with a cheap, young backup instead of an overpriced one.
Got players you don`t want any more, Better call Lou.
Dont you mean Marc or Jim ??
Dim Jim is looking for a first line All Star Hall of Fame 25-30 pt right/left winger in Vancouver
Ron Jull, why such a hard on for the Canucks and Jim Benning? I swear all you do is troll these boards looking for an opportunity to sound off. Sure there’s been some horrible decisions with asset management but unless you’ve been sitting in his chair then there’s no way you can know for certain what his options were at the time.
Benning inherited an aging roster, completely void of prospects or players in their early to mid 20’s. He’s done a commendable job re-tooling the defence, trading 2nd round picks for nhl ready players and finding gems in the later rounds of the draft.
His track records not perfect but show me a GM who’s is?
I remember being flabbergasted at the time Nill signed Niemi on top of Lehtonen. $10.4M committed to the goalie position when you, at one time, only can have either Niemi and Lehtonen in net. To pay $10.4M for that doubtful privilege is crazy. It’s not 1+1=2 in goal, it´s 1+1=1 since only one goalie can play at any one time. Also not signing them to staggered contracts, but having both contracts end at the same time (summer 2018) is not very practical if serious about their abilities. GMs signs players so that contracts normally don’t all end simultaneously for practical reasons.
I think everybody recognize that Bishop would be a great fit in Dallas, but in todays NHL a club lives and dies with its contracts. Too many bad rich contracts because of a string of bad signings…the club will suffer until that money is off the books. There is actually a chance that by season 2018-19, Seguin and Benn won’t be able to carry this team to a cup by themselves anymore. If that happens it’s not too hard to point the finger on what’s (or who’s) to blame. I hope in the end they find a way to get either MAB or Bishop. It would be interesting to see if Dallas could mount a serious try for the cup.
bishop is going to command a deal similar to MAF but more money. there respective injury concerns are about a wash. and bishop could choose to test the free market. and tampa has no chance of taking back niemi, pittburgh could. the stage is set for a MAF trade to Dallas.
Bishop to Dallas does make sense but I think a deal for MAF would be a lot easier to navigate if Pitt is willing to move him Murray will need a veteran backup IMO
MAF to dallas makes the most sense. Already signed at a reasonable price. pens could afford to take back niemi as well… though I think they wouuld need dallas to hold maybe 1 mil of it. Niemi with 1 mil held and a decent prospect or pick for maf would work. it would be selling low on MAF but thats the market now.
That’s the kinda trade I was thinking as well chris a prospect or picks definitely heading to Pitts
No, Big Bear, there’s no indication from the collection of words without punctuation you published that that was what you were thinking.
The full thought, which you didn’t articulate but now claim, doesn’t make sense in any case. Why would Pitt want an overpaid backup when they can move MAF for assets and cap relief elsewhere?
dan… because if “decent” assets were available, along with MAF list matching, he would have been traded. pens will have to expose so much salary next year… niemi would be easy. hard to take to much out of an online punctuation nazi when the name is dan39. What did you do with the previous 38 Dans!?!?!?
I just ignore dan39 chris as you will read is hockey knowledge is pretty minimal just read his stupid comments he doesn’t get the fact that the new nhl salary is traded for picks/prospects don’t ask me where he has been the last couple years but if it’s not in the stats page he doesn’t understand it
I agree…
Along with MAF we throw in Derrick Pouliot and maybe a pick and we get back along with Neimi ($1.5 retained by Dallas) Valerie Nichushkin
That would be interesting john Dallas does need dmen and malkin and nichuskin would be fun to watch!!
I think Dan39 is homage to Dan Cloutier former Canucks goalie. You, the guy that let a 100ft slapshot from center ice against Detroit in the playoffs a few years ago.
Danny 5 Hole…brutal
I agree MAF makes Dallas dangerous all they need with that offense is decent goaltending and he gives them that for sure….
Ron “The Troll” Jull strikes again!! If by “a few years ago” you mean 14 years then ya we remember! Let me guess, Benning is somehow to blame for this as well?
With Nash, the Rangers are not in a position to make “demands”. Nash will only go to place that has a legit shot at a cup. ie. (Hawks/Bolts) Most importantly (like MAF w/ Calgary) if you hold out (like Gillis in Van for Luongo) you won’t move him. But, there are stupid GM’s out there that will think Nash is the pice of the puzzle that puts them over the top…………whatever
If its a chance at the cup Nash wants then Nashville would be a damn sight closer than NY. hawks bolts dont have a salary cap prayer.
They can trade Nash for 2 dozen hockey sticks. Apart from Nash being atrociously over paid,he’s over rated as well and has been for many years now. The Rangers are stuck with him throughout his contract
Yeah right, great two way hockey player when he’s not hurt. Theirs more then one zone on the ice.
The Rangers are like the Caunucks. Falsely believe any carcass on their roster is worth a first line player and a first round pick. At 7.8 million I would think Nash is going to be a Ranger until his deal expires. Brutal signing when they made it, even worse looking now.
They traded for him, his contract was already in place.
But ….. Overrated, or overpaid?
Overpaid…absolutely. Overrated…not so much. To me, Nash is a bit like Kessel. Great skills, but not a player who you can build a team around. Like Kessel he is a complimentary player you bring in as a final piece for a cup run.
Really Ron, this is getting comical. The post isn’t even remotely related to the Canucks but you just can’t resist can you?
If Nash wants a legitimate chance at a cup then he’d better pick a team (assuming he agrees to go anywhere) that has a few players whose playoff performances are significantly better than his own, because 12 goals in 65 games is not what you expect from someone making that kind of coin. In fact, his goal production in the play offs is exactly half that of his regular seasons stats. And even that is hardly worth what they are paying him.
Hey Lyle any discussion on the blogospheres regarding Barrie. Is it likely Colorado will sign him or accept the arbitration reward? Is Edmonton still rumoured to be after him? I was thinking about Edmonton yesterday and came to the conclusion that Chirealli likely beleives the old core of Hall, RNH, Eberle and to a lesser extend Yakupov failed. That he likely views the new core of Edmonton to be McDavid, Draistle and Pulujujarvi (doubt if I spelt that right) however Pulujujarvi is still much an unknown and could be a bust like Yakupov. Yet I think those are the three guys Edmonton is now going to be built around which makes the other guys all expendable.
Can Eberle or RNH get Barrier. If my theory on Edmonton’s core is correct these two could,be valuable to other teams and Edmonton will stomach letting them go pretty easy.
Didn’t see anything about Barrie. If I had, I would’ve included it.
Id ditch the Nuge, but not Eberle.
I think the only issue with a trade like that is Burnaby Joe has stated more than once that he considers Barrie to be a specialist and rates him at #5 on his depth chart …very hard to ask for a top 6 player ( Ebbs RNH )for your 5 th best D …that would be like the Oilers asking for Duschene or Landeskog for Mark Fayne or Brandon Davidson … ie I have a 5 year old truck that gets bad gas mileage and has a transmission problem …but I want 30K for it …you cant say someone is crap then ask for Gold in return
That would be like asking for Taylor Hall for 3rd pairing defenceman…..nobody sane would do it….lmao….Soilers
Sakic never made that comment.
roger stop with the bald faced lying, Sakic never said anything of the sort. that was noted BASEBALL WRITER Terry Frei who said that, and he hadnt even spoken to sakic before writing it…..
Sammi silber a clueless blogger on Oilonwhyte and edmonton oiler fan site has been spreading that lie for months, just because Oiler fans have a wet dream fantasy to acquire Barrie.
Short of trading McDavid the oilers dont have a player who could get Barrie one for one…..so stop lyong and get over it
Pateryn for Yakupov is more than a fair swap. Yakupov could become the benefactor of learning from Radulov; a veteran who also had a rocky start to his career. Being in a room a veteran fellow countrymen could help him…and potentially the Habs.
@craig yak has skill and I think can be a goal scorer in the right position but IMO pateryn a bottom pairing dman is still an overpayment yaks stock is just that low right now
Radulov is garbage, thats why hes in Montreal. Because only a fool would sign him, especially for 5 million per. Thats the kind of move Dim Jim would make in Vancouver. Next to Bungling Jimmy, Bergevin is the worst GM in the NHL.
Troll much, Ron?
Al, you’ll have to get used to Ron “The Troll” Jull on these boards. He thinks he’s clever but his obsession to bashing the Canucks and Benning is actually quite sad and pathetic.
That’s a reasonable trade. While Yaks value is at an all time low he does have more potential then what he is worth right now, a 3rd round pick.
Pateryn is a bottom 3 d man, I cant see him cracking even Edmontons top 4.
A fair deal but it doesnt help Edmonton so hold onto Yak for now.
Hmm, If the Hoffman situation doesn’t work out as I’m hoping and the Flames are interested, some ideas could be
To CGY: Hoffman, Lazar
To OTT: Bennett, Backlund
To CGY: Hoffman, Ceci
To OTT: Brodie/Hamilton, Tkachuk/Bennett, Bouma (if Brodie not Hamilton for cap)
To CGY: Hoffman, 3rd
To OTT: Shinkaruk, Bouma, 1st
To CGY: Hoffman, C. Wideman, Lazar
To OTT: D. Wideman, Bennett, Shinkaruk, 2nd
Personally, I would do option 2 with Hoffman and Ceci going over. Brodie with Phaneuf playing his off-side would be a nice 2nd pair. I could see the Flames willing to trade Hamilton because of his more expensive contract but I would rather have Brodie. Bouma to help with the money if Brodie is traded not Hamilton. The Flames could sign Ceci for under 4 mil on a bridge deal like 3 years or try long term maybe just over 4. If the Flames feel Tkachuk will push for a spot then Bennett could be the player included. I highly doubt it will get to the point of trading Hoffman but IF it does they better get something quality in return… ahem Spezza, Heatley, Bishop trades lol.
I think it would take a kings ransom to get Bennett from Calgary. Hoffman + is not going to do it.
If Calgary wants Hoffman the cost will be Bennet or Tkachuck. Ottawa doesn’t have to give Hoffman up. They can accept the arbitration reward if no contract is reach. Calgary is going to have to make Ottawa an offer that would convince them to open such a huge hole at LW. Ottawa isn’t rebuilding rig now. They according to Dorion are gunning for the playoffs,
That’s why it’s not going to happen. Treliving doesn’t trade a young player for a guy who’s almost his equal but 5-6 years older. He leaves that to some of his foolish Canadian counterparts.
Tat bit about Calgary “considering a big push” for Hoffman came right out of left field! There’s no link so just wondering where you heard/saw that one Lyle?
The link is provided, George. It’s from HockeyBuzz
Ahh, ok, that explains it. Sounds more like wishful-thinking on the part of some die-hard Flames fan because, if that were ever to happen Bennett would have to be part of the deal. And unless the Flames are certain they could sign Hoffman to a reasonable deal, and with Monahan and Gaudreau to sign I don’t want any of their excess cap weight in return.
Hudler to Vancouver is just the kind of move Dim Jim would make. Overpay for a third liner and expect first line production from him. Bungling Jimmy has got to goooooooooo……
You cheer for any team or are you just a full time hater of teams?
Dont get me wrong Mr Jstewy, I like the Nucks ….just 100% loathe Dim Jim….
Wow Troll, you may need to talk to someone.
Rick Nash at 7.8 million is untradeable, Rangers are stuck with this over rated snail I think.
Back in the day a couple of guys raged against me when I said “in what universe is Nash worth 8m? Lol”
Everyone should’ve seen it coming – all these expensive contracts will be an anchor at some point, or even directly after it’s signed; see Kane and Toews.
Almost every team does the same mistake, don’t get it..
“Oh, it takes 7.8 to sign guys like Nash” – well, let another GM sign him then and it will not be your problem!
Really should be greater restrictions on GMs.. 2 lock outs, one for a whole season, and the CBA is still total crap. Good job highly paid excecutives! How did you get your title?
If the Rangers are really going to blow it up, they need to consider moving Lundqvist to Dallas for one of their keepers and a package to stock the cupboard.
Lundqvist, grand total of zero Stanley Cups….over rated…..over paid…..typical New York Rangers or Canucks attitude…..every player on the team is a sure fire Hall of Fame All Star worth a first line player and a first round pick in any trade….please refer to Vancouver Canucks, Dim Jim…..Hamhuis trade to Dallas….Bungling Jimmy strikes again.
Give it a rest pal. Enough of your hate. Wish I could just click you away…….
We arent pals, if You dont like my opinion then dont read it.
Some people can’t understand that Ron you will start to realize that on here
Ron , you call that an opinion ? You spew hatred towards everyone and expect it to be an opinion ? How abouts you go back under that bridge of yours and stay there.
As for your remark big bear its not hockey related now is it ?
So for those of you out there that like stats, here’s one for you. Ron “The Troll” Jull made 10 posts on this board today and was only able to avoid bashing the Canucks and Benning in 3 of them.
But don’t get him wrong. He’s a huge Nucks fan. LMAO