NHL Rumor Mill – October 21, 2019
A list of five clubs that could make a significant early-season move in today’s NHL rumor mill.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jared Clinton recently listed the Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars on his list of five clubs that could make an early-season move to shake up their rosters. The New Jersey Devils, Winnipeg Jets, and Pittsburgh Penguins also made the list.
Clinton believes the Wild need a roster rebuild. He considers them aging, slow and lacking the talent to contend for a playoff berth in the Western Conference. He points out forwards Eric Staal and Kevin Fiala and defenseman Jonas Brodin lack no-trade protection.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Clinton noted recent reports indicating Wild general manager Bill Guerin intends to be patient and won’t make any panic moves. If his club doesn’t improve in the coming weeks, however, he could test the trade market.
Could Minnesota Wild center Eric Staal become an early-season trade candidate? (Photo via NHL Images)
Staal might attract more interest near the Feb. 24 trade deadline. Guerin recently re-signed Fiala but the winger has just one point in seven games and was a healthy scratch against Toronto. Brodin could be enticing to clubs seeking a top-four, left-side defenseman. Other trade options could include forwards Jason Zucker, Ryan Donato, and Marcus Foligno.
Clinton suggests Stars GM Jim Nill attempt to bring in another scoring forward. He proposed shopping Andrew Cogliano for a middle-six forward or bring in free-agent winger Thomas Vanek to boost their power play.
Nill downplayed speculation suggesting he might shake things up. If their offense keeps sputtering, the Stars will be in big trouble. Their top forwards must start producing. In their first 10 games, Tyler Seguin has five points, Jamie Benn and Alexander Radulov four points, and off-season acquisition Joe Pavelski just two points.
Clinton feels the Devils should bolster their third-pairing defense and their bottom-six forwards. He suggests they scour the UFA market because the players they could attempt to move (Matt Tennyson, Connor Carrick, John Hayden) won’t fetch much of a return.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Third-pairing UFA defense options include Dion Phaneuf and Andy MacDonald. Checking-line forwards includes Jason Pominville, Troy Brouwer, and Devante Smith-Pelly.
If Dustin Byfuglien doesn’t return to the Jets, Clinton thinks they could be in a market for a replacement. Trade-bait could include center Mathieu Perreault and forward Jack Roslovic. He feels Nikolaj Ehlers’ early production and play will keep him out of any trade talk.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: For now, Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff will be patient and hope Byfuglien decides to return. It would take someone like Ehlers’ to bring in a potential top-pairing rearguard. Rival GMs could squeeze the Jets to include a top prospect or a first-round pick into a package with Perreault or Roslovic.
The Penguins’ early injury woes could push them into the trade market. They could also attempt to shop a defenseman like Jack Johnson or Erik Gudbranson but their contracts could be tough to move. Clinton suspects they’ll look for a depth forward or blueliner.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Penguins GM Jim Rutherford last week indicated he hasn’t found anything enticing in the trade market. The club’s solid performance despite the absence of some key players relieves the pressure to swing a deal. Rutherford could be trying to stay the course until his injured players return.
Staal to Dallas cogliano to wild. Haydon to Pitt for gudbranson.
Perrault to wild for Brodin.
Johnson to ufa for vanek.
Get the trades done!
Hi Chrisms
Re: Johnson to UFA for Vanek …. if it can be done ….. 👍😁
I don’t know Haydon. What team and what position is he
No matter what …. Johnson has to go….. that only goal in Sat just epitomized what JJ is all about … and that is…. absolutely nothing to do with hockey
Likely wouldn’t have won with Fleury standing in his head … but if that goal doesn’t go in …. its 0-0 and Sully doesn’t pull Jarry for an extra attacker … no EN goals… goes to OT…. Pens get a point
If it wasn’t for his D partners or forwards or Jarry bailing JJ out during the rest of the game; he could have cost 2 or 3 more goals
Per above …. talk now re Staal as possibly being moved ?
JJ & Bjug for Staal gedderdone
I think Staal would fit in very well as 3C
Pengy… Stahl is good but not needed we want to get younger, faster and better.
Fiala is 23 a faster younger cheaper better option
Brodin ion defense is 26 and that 4th d-man we need
when Malkin comes back Mccann who is playing wll goes to 3rd center
Hi BlackNGold
Ur typing faster than this old man can
Responded below to you
Have to go with what Billy G will give up
I last d out a trade bell w that could move the needle
If Staal was 3C and McC up with Sid & Guentz ….. the three lines I’ve listed below are very solid
The 4th has speed and grit
No matter what though …. JJ has to go
Improve the forwards and still have JJ playing is just too costly
Pettersson Shultz are working well together
I’m hoping that Dumo doesn’t miss any more
Ahhhh!!!
“I last d out a trade bell w that could move the needle”
should have been
I listed out a trade below that ……
Pengy. I posted that whole thing tongue in cheek to post something for somethings sake.
Perreault to Pittsburgh for Gubransson
Brodin to Pittsburgh for Rust
Brodin for Rust
perfect for both teams Minnesota needs a second line scoring wing who can net 20 goals if healthy.
Pittsburgh gets a second pairing defense man to go with Justin Schultz
Perrault to Pittsburgh
Bujgstad and Gubranson to Winnipeg
Hi BlackNGold
See my response to Chrisms above
The first move has to be JJ
It’s making me cringe every time he’s on the ice
The Brodin / Rust flip would be excellent but there is no way Billy G makes that move…. would cost Pens more for sure
Send the trio of Bjug ; Rusty; JJ to Minn plus mid rounder (or also send Ruhweedel instead of the pick) for
Brodin and Staal
When dust settles and team healthy
Sid Guentz McC
Geno G-Chuck Tanev
Staal Horny Kahun OR Simon
Laff Blueger Kahun OR Simon OR ZAR
Blandisi
Tanger Dumo
Shultz Pettersson
Marino Brodin
Riikola and GudB
Pengy…solid but Brodin isn’t playing 3rd pairing defense it will be Peterson.
Peterson inst ready for 2nd pairing minutes just yet!soon but not yet and he isn’t anywhere close to brodin moving the puck and skating..
if this year goes well and Peterson and Marino mature properly maybe those two are the second pairing defense group with Schultz moving on….
NO WAY WE TRADE FOR BRODIN TO PLAY 3RD PAIRING…
Bjugstad & Rust to MIN for Staal & Fiala?
gives Pens more cap room..
not sure Staal wants to be a 3 C though
but perhaps Malkin can move to wing with Crosby & Guentzel . Potent 1st line to right the chi so to speak.
Staal then becomes 2C
IHC
Ur forgetting who MUST go in any trade
He’s just too costly being played for ANY game right now
I think Staal could be persuaded to play 3C on the Pens
Don’t forget Pens have already win a cup with a Staal at 3C
👍
you can always offer JJ & Schutlz or something for BUFF in WPG lol
Schultz is signed so they get a player on the RD side
Pitt gets Buff.
We got Hans and franz for that. Pass.
I really don’t think the Pens top 4 D needs to change. Jackhole(a combination of the words Jack and blackhole) has to go and maybe even another dman like Ruhwedal because they still have PO Joseph if they need him. If they can get healthy they will have to move a forward as well and Rust is definitely the best candidate cap wise. But any move should be for futures and maybe an expiring contract. I like the top 4 D and Marino that doesn’t need to change.
i HATE CROSBY,,,Penguins are getting faster and younger we don’t need Eric Stahl…..good player but not what we are trying to accomplish Kevin Fiala, 23, young talented winger bring him over to Pittsburgh.
Dee…..The Penguin top 4 d-man wont match up well in the playoffs. w Another top4 guy to compete with Tampa, Toronto, Washington AND Boston in the east..
You have Jekyll and Hyde Letang with solid Dumolin
You have Schultz back healthy playing better with Petterson who is unproven for top 4 minutes let alone the playoff top 4 minutes, MARINO has played well third pairing is where he belongs same to gubranson an Johnson..
It has to be done three guys that could be had with Brian Rust as the trade piece
Nikita Zadorov Colorado
Marco Scandella Buffalo
Jonas brodin Minnesota
Pengy & Dee….looks like McCann is back as well as Bujgstad who wore a contact jersey today at practice.
Rust is eligible for the last game of the three game trip in Dallas as well as Dumolin.
Galchenyuk when we return home and Malkin who knows who cares….