Latest on the Canucks, Sabres, Predators & more in your Sunday NHL rumor roundup.
SOME TRADE TARGETS FOR THE CANUCKS
Could Colorado Avalanche winger Gabe Landeskog become a trade target of the Vancouver Canucks?
VANCOUVER SUN: Jason Botchford lists Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog and defenseman Tyson Barrie, Boston Bruins center David Krejci, Buffalo Sabres left wing Evander Kane and Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Scott Hartnell as suggested trade targets for the Vancouver Canucks.
To get Landeskog or Barrie, Botchford suggests it could cost the Canucks defenseman Chris Tanev as part of the deal. He wonders if Alexander Edler might interest the Bruins, though probably not straight up. If the Canucks can get Kane for a low price, it could be worthwhile. While Hartnell’s $4.75 million contract is “terrible”, Botchford speculates few in Vancouver would complain if the Canucks could part with Luca Sbisa, even by eating part of his salary.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t see the Avs being tempted by Tanev to give up Landeskog or Barrie unless something else was added. Yes, I know, the Oilers traded Taylor Hall for Adam Larsson last month so anything’s possible, but we can’t assume Avs GM Joe Sakic would be as desperate as Peter Chiarelli in Edmonton.
The Bruins might have interest in Edler for Krejci, but I think their focus is on St. Louis’ Kevin Shattenkirk or Anaheim’s Cam Fowler. If the Canucks truly interested in Evander Kane, the Sabres will probably listen. I don’t see the Blue Jackets being tempted by an offer of Sbisa and a portion of his cap hit for Hartnell.
UPDATES ON HOWARD, VESEY AND KANE
THE BOSTON GLOBE: Kevin Paul Dupont speculates if Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland is convinced Petr Mrazek is his No.1 goalie, trading goalie Jimmy Howard and his $5.3 million cap hit would be the most obvious way to get under the salary-cap ceiling for 2016-17. Dupont suggests Howard’s current cap hit for the next three seasons is “a fairly comfortable number for a No. 1, especially with his solid résumé.” The Wings are currently over $4.2 million above the cap ceiling. He suggests one move could see the Wings absorb a third of Howard’s cap hit.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dupont should take a closer look at Howard’s resume. Since 2013-14, it’s nowhere near as impressive as it once was. The Wings reportedly gauged Howard’s trade value this offseason and apparently couldn’t drum up sufficient interest. That could change in training camp, preseason play or at some point in 2016-17. For now, Howard is probably untradeable, unless they agree to pick up a significant chunk of his cap hit.
Unless the Boston Bruins can sign pending unrestricted free agent prospect winger Jimmy Vesey, Dupont doubts they’ll make any significant roster additions before the start of training camp. Defense remains a concern for the Bruins.
Speaking of Vesey, if the Buffalo Sabres can re-sign him, Dupont believes they’ll move quickly to unload troubled left wing Evander Kane.
LATEST ON THE PREDATORS AND JETS
NHL.COM: In a recent mailbag segment, Dan Rosen speculated Nashville Predators GM David Poile will see how the season plays out with Ryan Johansen, Mike Fisher and Mike Ribeiro as his top-three centers. Fisher and Ribeiro are aging, while Johansen still hasn’t shown the same offensive potential as he did in the AHL. He points out Poile isn’t afraid to make a blockbuster move, suggesting something could brew a few months into the season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The addition of P.K. Subban on the Predators blueline could boost Johansen’s offensive numbers. This will also be the young center’s first full season with the Preds, which could also help his production. Rosen’s point about Fisher and Ribeiro getting long in the tooth is certainly valid. If one or both show signs of flagging as 2016-17 rolls on, Poile could be prompted to swing a deal.
Rosen also believes the Winnipeg Jets will re-sign, not trade, defenseman Jacob Trouba. With Trouba coming off his entry-level contract, Rosen notes the blueliner doesn’t have much leverage in contract talks with the Jets to land a lucrative long-term deal. He expects the two sides will reach an agreement on a new deal before the start of training camp, doubting he’ll want to play in the World Cup of Hockey without a new contract. Rosen doubts the Jets have any desire to trade Trouba.
Hopefully picks/prospects would be coming to Boston IMO edler isn’t enough to get krejci
I agree, I would think Krejci is worth way more than Edler one for one. Canuck lovers would want Krejci a prospect and a 1rst round pick for Edler as he is a perennial all star and future hall of famer.
I would think for Krejci it would take Edler, a 2nd or 3rd round pick and a middle level prospect.
Not sure how the Nucks are going to fit another 7 million under the cap though.
Mr. Jull, the Canucks are certainly an odd team. The fan base seems to be more inclined toward a “re-tool” perhaps if not a full re-build a la Toronto. ‘They’d have gotten away with it too if it weren’t for those meddling owners.’ Krejci would be just another aging player whose longer term value, given their age, implies Vancouver thinks the window is still open during the Sedins’ last few NHL seasons. Fools!
Calgary is doing it the right way. The majority of their acquisitions, at least the ones designed for their cup chase window beginning in a few years or so and excluding place holders Elliott, Johnson and Brouwer, are in the age range of 20-26 (Jokipakka- 24, Shinkaruk- 21, Hamilton- 23, Brett Pollock- 20, Pribyl- 23). Glad we have Treliving.
Edler as a #1 D has more value than a #1 C.
Elder a number one D? Now that’s funny
@striker edler isn’t a number one dman lets be honest
Striker,
It’s been a long time since I’ve been on here to weigh my 2 cents but that’s because of the new job and baby… damn real life and its problems LOL
My question to you is centered around Alexander Edler as a #1 defenseman… do you believe he truly is or are you simply stating that Edler being dangled in trade discussions as a “de facto” #1 dman holds more value than a #1 center?
Aside from TOI, which I know is a big contributor to comparing defenseman in todays NHL… Edler statistically barely makes the conversation as a top 100 defenseman in the league the last 3 seasons based on +/- and points. I feel these are 2 important aspects when comparing defenseman… not all defenseman put up a lot of points but if that’s the case then they better make sure they’re a shutdown defenseman and have a good +/-… which Edler does not. If people think Edler is a #1 defenseman on an NHL team then by that notion Zdeno Chara is EASILY still a #1 defenseman and by way of statistics TOI, +/-, and overall points the past 3 seasons, comparable to Edler, Chara blows him out of the water.
… I certainly don’t think Edler is a #1 defenseman and definitely not worth a healthy David Krejci, if in fact he does return healthy. Thanks but no thanks, Canucks can keep Edler all they want.
Chad.
Congratulations on the baby. Parenthood can’t truly be expressed in words but having had the baby I assume you get my meaning. Your perspective on life & values changes over night.
Edler is Vancouver’s #1. Has been for years. Not 1 of my favorite players but has a very reasonable contract for a Dman that can play against another teams best players & log big minutes. Never going to post gaudy offensive #’s. I don’t even really like him as a PP option to be honest. Brings a very similar skill set to the ice as a Vlasic.
Never going to startle you, or shock you with his skills, just going to go out & do his job, hitting, blocking shots, tieing players up logging huge difficult minutes against the other teams best players. His TOI/GP was good for 20th overall for all Dman in the NHL last season albeit in only 52 games. A willing hitter & shot blocker that plays a very reliable game. With out him Vancouver’s D is dismal. I don’t like Gubranson any more than I like Sbisa which isn’t very much. A #4 Dman at best.
This player has more value to any team than a Krejci. Having just turned 30 Edler has years of playing at this level left in him. Dman of this ilk are irreplaceable & to acquire such, a premium must be paid baring extenuating circumstances. None are currently in play & even the moron Benning isn’t trading Edler his best Dman for Krejci at 30 year old C with a huge contract with 5 years remaining, coming off serious hip surgery that has impeded him for 2 years. This type of surgery may for ever alter Krejci’s skating ability & the recovery time to potentially getting back to the player he was; if able, prior will take 4 to 6 months.
@sriker I think you are trying to talk yourself into believing edler is a number 1 dman his warts on the ice speak for themselves
I could careless if Edler’s a # 1. All question of how you perceive such. For me there can only be 30. 30 teams so 30 #1’s. Minutes played? Top 20.
Considering Dman like Orpik, Petry, Staal, Girardi, Niskanen, Greene, MacDonald, etc. Make the same or more I see decent value.
Striker the only two teams I could see Edler actually being a number one defenseman on is New Jersey and Boston. Other than that he is a 2nd pairing guy.
Edler wouldnt be theb#1 defenceman on the Vancouver Giants, let alone an NHL team…..
Vancouver isn’t trading for Krejci. The have Sedin, Sutter & Horvat at C now, Horvat passes Sutter; may well play some RW again this season, as the #2 C this season. The Sedin’s will be signed for 2 more years at a significantly lower cap hit following the expiry of their current contracts & start to play less significant roles moving slowly down the line up as their skills decline. What choice do the Canucks have & this works for me. They will retire as Canucks & play until they are almost 40. Their games were never built on speed so not like their going to lose something they don’t already have. Smarts, puck possession, passing & cycling; is their any tandem in the NHL better, are their strengths.
Will be interesting to see where Vesey signs. Just read an article about the Rangers and Vesey-but he would not be promised a top 6 spot there + would he want to play with for a moody coach like AV who has benched Hayes(written as a good friend of Vesey)?
I don’t expect any moves by Buffalo, Boston until after the 15th. We could see Kane moved by the 16th
the hockey world will resume shortly after Vesey signs somewhere.
Really god……. so sick of this guy he hasn’t proved sh*****t and everyone is making him out to be Wayne Gretzky..
Lyle,
Every “deal” the Vancouver Province or fans in their comments section involves Sbisa. Sbisa for Barrie, Sbisa for Krejci, Sbisa for Landeskog, Sbisa for Kane. I watch tons of Canuck games and find Sbisa is a defensive liability with next to zero upside offensively. I just cant see any way Vancouver can trade him, who would want or need him? 7th defenceman or pressbox material at 3 million makes no sense.
Sbisa is a train wreck but he’s not a #7 Dman. He is a legitimate top 6 D but has numerous faults, many players do. Teams are dressing players that have no rights to be playing in the NHL as regulars at D, Sbisa is a regular & only 26. He has 383 games on NHL regular season experience. He is a #5/6 on most teams higher on some. At 3.6 he may well be overpaid. I should qualify that this is a player I don’t like & in trade his value would be limited.
Considering Benning traded Garrison; pick used to acquire Vey, & Bieksa; pick sent to Pittsburgh in the Sutter trade, for late 2nd rounders & let Hamhuis walk for nothing. I’m sure he would happily continue the trend & give Sbisa away for nothing as well. That’s 3 top 4 NHL Dman, the hardest positions to fill in the NHL & Vancouver let 3 go & have ZERO to show for it accept what is now 1 of the worst defenses in the entire NHL.
Bennings an idiot.
When people talk about Kane, he will be gone. I read that he will never play a game again in a Buffalo Sabres Jersey. So yeah, if what I read is true. then he’s gone. Can should grab him. Not like they have offence this year besides a few players
Who is Can?
Nonsense. Certainly not from Buffalo management, at any level. Doubt they are going to devalue their own player. I’m sure they would listen to any offer. Any team with off ice problems, wants to fix them. Reality is, Sabres gave up a lot to sign Kane and they are not giving him away. And, I’ll bet a dime to a doughnut hole, come opening night, if he can be on the ice, he will be. 20 to 30 goal scoring forwards, whether you like them or not, are a viable commodity. Most fans love him on the ice and once he starts skating, they will forget the problems. But Kane definitely needs to “grow up” soon.
Exactly . Well said. Too many ready to toss some of these young kids – and that’s what they are, immature – under a bus. I often wonder if any of them can spell “sanctimonious” – never mind knowing what it means.
Agree George and sabrenav Kane is a solid goal scorer will not be giving away he’s young and will grow up
Kane will get a slap on the wrist; all 4 charges are misdemeanors, if charges aren’t dropped eventually & be playing as the #1 LW in Buffalo next season. If healthy; at least 75 games, he scores 25 to 30 goals & 55 to 60 points & helps Buffalo make the playoffs.
Should Murray decide to trade him, numerous teams will gladly step up & pay full market value based on his on ice attributes, warts & all. Players with this skill set don’t grow on trees & are a pretty rare commodity. He needs to grow up, he may never but he has about 28 lives left.
I don’t agree with your views on Edler be anywhere close to a real number one defenseman but what you said about Kane here striker is right on the money.
Ryan Johansen will thrive in Nashville this year. Not so sure about Fisher and Ribeiro.
The article about the Canucks is just another example of the wishful thinking in Vancouver – the remedy for that team is to look long and rebuild, get younger and faster, and focus for the next couple of years on building its prospect pool.Calgary tried to have it both ways and it just doesn’t work.
60 points with a few sets of wingers on a pair of teams is still a solid season.
He could top 80 if motivated
I agree! Step one: get rid of the twins. They still have value. Vancouver will never win with them in the lineup. Grant it they came within one game of the Cup, but they will never be that close again as long as they are around. A lot of talk here about Poile’s willingness to deal, maybe that’s a deadline destination for the twins. Eat a portion of their salary and move on! The list of former players acting as managers and screwing up teams is growing! Add Linden to the list.
Saying “get rid of the twins” is a lot easier than actually pulling it off. Assuming they’d even consider waiving their NM clauses, they’d have to go as a pair because it’s pretty well established that they have ZERO interest in being split up. At a cap hit of $7 mil each to the end of next season, I doubt there’s a team in the league that might want them which has the cap space or the ability to clear enough space.
Never happening. Their NMC’s with 1 year remaining on their contracts makes them unwanted with the expansion draft coming this summer. Both retire Canucks & will get another contract each upon the expiry of these current deals. 2 years at around 4.5 to 5 taking on 2nd or 3rd line roles as they wind down & retire as Canucks.
Captain Trevor and Dim Jim are running the Nucks into the ground. Retool thiscweek, rebuild next week. No plan, just silliness after silliness….need a management team with the stones to strip the roster for pucks and prospects and rebuild from the AHL up. Couldnt even complete an accepted deal with Dallas without bungling it up and ended up getting nothing for Hamhuis….
Johansen thrive? Production wise, maybe. I would like him to be able to hold the puck when in scrums a bit better. As far as I ma concerned he is very close in comparsion to a guy who got the fat contract while still in the on-the-job-training portion of his career. I am not suggesting he is a minor leaguer, but still far from a complete centre who can attain impact status.
6’3″ 220 lbs already has a 33 goals & 70+ point season on his resume, turning 25 today. This is Johansson’s breakthrough year if he didn’t already have it. 30 to 35 goals & 75+ points if he stays healthy. Playing for a new contract being an RFA next season. Couldn’t be more motivated & Subban is a game changer especially on offense, all will benefit from his addition offensively.
Lol wow Bill just wow.
Seems like you’re talking about Johansen in his rookie year.
Totally agree….roster gut and complete rebuild…but Trev and Dim Jim have neither the sense nor thevstones to do it.
Boston signs Vesey, then packages him with Krecji and trade them to Nashville for PK Subban. That would be funny. Vesey playing in Nashville and PK lighting up the Habs in a Bruins sweater.
Funny!
Vesey was originally drafted by Nashville and spurned them and became an FA, I would think he would not be too happy with that move. Plus Kreci can’t stay healthy and has declined in a big way and Vesey is really unproven at this point. There is no way that package gets you Subban. And yes I realize you were kidding.
Maybe the Bruins sell Jimmy vesey on staying home and then before the ink is dry on hos contract, the ship him to Vancouver for Sbisa…
Maybe we will see Jason Botchford suggest it…
He’d just hold out and not report.
I hear he is looking at Crosby dollars already for his next contract. ( j/k )
Man I hate the crap he is causing. Be grateful you even get a chance to play in the NHL.
My first thought when PK was traded was for Sweeney to call Nashville and see what it would take to get him. I knew Montreal would never trade with Boston. Would solve Bostons defensive problems.
What are you smoking bud?
Sbisa licks, I don’t think any team would really be too interested. Maybe if buffalo is that desperate to get rid of Kane I can MAYBE see Sbisa going the other way along with a pick assuming buffalo eats some salary?
Is Jason Botchford a even keel hockey writer or a one sided fanboy?
Why would he think Gabriel Landeskog,Tyson Barrie, or David Krejci can be had for Chris Tanev and “something?
Only diluted fan-boys think that their home team can trade TWO lesser lights for another teams “best player in the deal.”
Totally agree…seems like every carcass in a Canucks sweater is worth a first line player, top prospect and a first round pick….
Makes me wonder how a team so full of studs and stars finished 26th….brutal
nash and staal to avs for Ladeskog =) lol
I don’t think the Sabres move Kane without a viable replacement. The team is expected to challenge for a playoff spot this season, any step back would look very bad, regardless of how Kane has put the team in a difficult position. Would signing Vescey help? Not sure, he still hasn’t played a shift in the NHL, it would be asking a lot of him.
Kane hasn’t put anyone in a bad spot. Kane is Kane, a young immature premadona. Murray may not be happy with his off ice antics but the effect to his on ice value is zero. 29 other teams in the NHL would be happy to take this headache off Buffalo’s hands it’s just not happening anytime soon. Kane is Buffalo’s #1 LW with no legitimate challengers & Vesey isn’t a replacement, few are.
Discussing these ridiculous offers of Buffalo giving Kane away for a bag of pucks is a joke. Not happening. Murray would trade him if he receives an offer he can’t refuse. Any player can move if the right offer comes along but it won’t be at any form of discount.
Buffalo needs very little but time now to allow for the continued develop of all the young studs, Eichel, Reinhart, Ristolainen, etc. This is a very well constructed team & a legitimate playoff contender next season with almost 9 mil in cap space.
Kane, O’Reilly, Okposo.
Ennis, Eichel, Reinhart.
Moulson, Larsson, Gionta.
Foligno, McCormick, Girgensons.
Spare. Deslauriers.
Move the wingers around anyway you wish in the top 9, bump Larsson to LW, #4 C move Girgensons to #3 C, what have you.
Kulikov, Ristolainen.
McCabe, Bogosian.
Gorges, Franson.
Falk, Nelson.
Lehner, Nilsson.
If this team doesn’t make the playoffs as now constructed, I will be surprised.
Hey Jason Botchford what do you think it would take for Van to get Macdavid out of Edmonton.
To Edmonton – Lucas Sbisa, Bo Horvat
To Vancouver – Conner McDavid, Milan Lucic, 2017 & 2018 first round picks, future considerations
Vesey will sign with Boston that’s a certainty. I think the b’s can do better than Elder for Krecji though.
Rick W Murray,
I certainly hope Jimmy Vesey signs with Boston. Would definitely add a much needed presence on the wing who by many accounts will be an offensive threat and make an immediate impact first season. The later will remain to be seen. I’m quite confident though that the Bruins will absolutely be one of the few teams Vesey will consider come August 15th… should be an exciting week when that rolls around.
I do agree with you about Alexander Edler and David Krejci. Once David Krejci comes back and proves his healthy once again, he should be worth more than Edler. It’s not a knock on Edler as a player or that the Canucks have utilized him as a top pairing defenseman, Bruins have used Chara as a top pairing defenseman and many don’t see him as a #1 anymore, and a lot feel he’s more of a 2nd pairing defenseman on a contending NHL team. Statistically, TOI, +/-, and overall points among defenseman last 3 seasons, Chara has far been the better player. I’m not about to suggest Chara is worth top value because Bruins use him as a top pairing dman.
What am I missing with Hartnell? He has been essentially a 20 to 25 goal scorer 50 to 60 point LW for the last decade. He is a willing hitter, not fun to play against & will defend his teammates to a fault. At 4.75 for 3 more years, a total cap hit of 14.25 but only 12.5 in real dollars this appears to be good value for this particular package of skills.
All we ever hear is teams are looking for a power forward that can play a top 6 role & here is 1 that is 6’2 215 lbs that doesn’t appear to be slowing down. Is he all that much different than say Lucic who just got 7 years at 6? Who would you prefer Lucic at 6 for 7 or Hartnell for 3 at 4.75 but less in real dollars?
Hartnell could play for my team anytime. I would be happy to have him, lets swap him out for Belesky. Saves Columbus almost a million per in cap hit & only costs Boston 500K more in real dollars over the next 3 years & Hartnell is only signed for 3 more, Belesky 4 allowing for some cap flexibility sooner.
Hartnell has slowed down and has started taking bad penalties I don’t think teams are worried about this yr it’s the 2 after that
23 goals & 49 points playing as the #7 forward for TOI/GP minutes played by regulars in Columbus, seeing solid PP time; 4th on the team, beg to differ. 10 PPG’s; top 20 in the NHL.
Hartnell has always taken questionable penalties on occasion. He plays on the edge often crossing it, part of the benefit as well as the the negative.
Is tied with Giroux & Wheeler at 27th for goals scored in the NHL in the last 5 seasons at 116 & done so playing less games or getting any where near the quantity & quality of minutes. At 4.75 foe even 3 more years that’s great value.
I disagree his play is on the decline IMO
Is tied with Giroux and Wheeler? Lol wtf does that mean Striker? Hartnell is nowhere near on the same level as those two and to even try to make your point like that is asinine.
Hartnell is a great piece for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations at the trade deadline. Can hit, score lots of grit. Skating not what it once was so Id be suprised to see him move before the deadline.
Haven’t really looked at Howards numbers since 2013 but haven’t had to either. He has been playing behind an atrocious D since then so naturally his numbers are going to get worse. I believe a combo of the Babcock mind game, trade speculation, coaching change which led to a huge decline in offense and special teams have left Howie unsure of himself. I still think he will surprise whomever picks him up. Yes Petr has had to play behind the same underperforming team and lousy D but he didn’t have to deal with the groun thing either. Both Howards and Petes numbers would be very good on a better team and I think Howards groin is probably much better now.
I don’t disagree with your thought process but Mrazek’s #’s behind that same D are solid?
Jimmy Howard=Kari Lehtonen=Jonathan Bernier= sieve
Get rid of the twins! I know it’s difficult but just find a way!
I’m always one to say… Never say never , but I’m going to pull a 1st here. The Sedins are NEVER being traded. That is just way too difficult of a trade to pull off.
$14,000,000.00 for 120-130 points is a lot of loot for 35 year olds that dont backcheck anymore.
I like Daniel and Henrik, but salary plus declining production plus age makes them untradeable.
I’d love it if the Canucks got Hartnell. I’d put him with the Sedins. They’d have a guy that goes to the net, and who would watch their backs. Not sure what would have to go the other way, though.
To Columbus – Lucas Sbisa
To Vancouver – Scott Hartnell, Seth Jones, 2017 & 2018 first round picks plus 2019 conditional pick whichh becomes 1rst rounder if Sbisa wins Norris, Hart or Conn Smythe Trophies.
Tyson Barrie 4yrs. 22 mill
Well George you were only off by 2 to 2.5 per year on Barrie’s contract. Or almost double. I guess we saw.
Now the rest of you can stop pining for Barrie. Was never going any where. Top 5 offensive Dman in the NHL next season. Teams don’t trade these assets unless absolutely confronted with no choice or extenuating circumstances.
Now take Roy please. Anyone, someone.
That could also turn out to be an albatross contract at some point. Wouldn’t be the first time. I could be wrong – hell, probably am – but there’s something about his game that I just never liked – certainly not to get $5 mil plus outta me.
Jason Garrison/Dennis Wideman 2.0
Are u flipping kidding me? Top 5 dman in the league next year? You seriously need to buff up on ur current hockey. Karlsson, Burns, Letang, Weber and Josi will be your top 5.
Subban, Giordano, Hedman, Ekblad, Doughty, Byfuglien, OEL, Ristolainen, Shattenkirk, Pieterangelo are just few more names that are better then Barrie now and in the future.
Letang is a P.O.S.
Mental note: Ignore everything Ron Jull says.
Letang should have won the Conn Smythe.
I’d add Gostisbehere to that group. I kinda doubt he’s a one-year wonder.