NHL Rumor Mill – January 13, 2020
After firing GM Ray Shero, what’s next for the Devils? Which second-line wingers will the Bruins target? What moves might the Flames make? Check out the latest in today’s NHL rumor mill.
WHAT NEXT FOR THE DEVILS?
THE ATHLETIC: Corey Masisak and Scott Burnside weighed in with their thoughts on the New Jersey Devils firing general manager Ray Shero yesterday.
After firing their general manager, will the New Jersey Devils trade pending UFAs like Sami Vatanen before the Feb. 24 trade deadline? (Photo via NHL Images)
Masisak believes they need a replacement for the recently-traded Taylor Hall, an upgrade or two on defense, and a resolution to their goaltending predicament if they’re to contend next season. Burnside believes they have important decisions to make regarding pending UFAs Andy Greene, Sami Vatanen, and Wayne Simmonds before the Feb. 24 trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Addressing the goaltending is the priority. The Devils have the second-worst goals-against per game (3.38) in the league. Long-time starter Cory Schneider hasn’t been the same since suffering hip, groin, and abdominal injuries over the previous two years. Mackenzie Blackwood has shown some potential but he’s struggled with his consistency. Louis Domingue is a decent backup but he’s never going to be a reliable starter.
Trading Greene, Vatanen, and Simmonds at the trade deadline won’t fetch immediate help to their woes between the pipes. However, one of them could bring in a promising prospect or a quality draft pick that could one day blossom into a goaltending star.
POSSIBLE BRUINS TRADE TARGETS
THE BOSTON GLOBE: Kevin Paul Dupont reported the Bruins still need a quality winger to skate alongside second-line center David Krejci. He believes GM Don Sweeney will be contemplating such potential options as the New York Rangers’ Chris Kreider, the LA Kings’ Tyler Toffoli, and New Jersey Devils winger Kyle Palmieri or perhaps his teammate Wayne Simmonds.
Dupont also suggested San Jose Sharks center (and former Bruin) Joe Thornton. While he has a no-movement clause, he’s 40 and won’t get a chance to win the Stanley Cup with the fading Sharks this season.
Thornton wouldn’t fix the Bruins’ second-line winger issue but could provide stability at center and give coach Bruce Cassidy the flexibility to move Charlie Coyle back to the second line. Dupont acknowledged the return of Thornton to Boston is unlikely, but reminded us Sweeney surprised us in the past with his acquisition of Rick Nash from the Rangers in 2018.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s more likely we’ll see Kreider, Toffoli, Palmieri or Simmonds in a Bruins jersey than Thornton. That ship sailed a long time ago and it ain’t comin’ back.
LATEST FLAMES SPECULATION
THE ATHLETIC: Eric Duhatschek recently pondered some possible moves by the Calgary Flames. They’re seeking a top-six winger to play alongside first-line stars Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. He considered Sam Bennett an intriguing trade chip to address that need.
Duhatschek suggested Detroit Red Wings forward Andreas Athanasiou as an option, pointing out Wings GM Steve Yzerman was believed to have interest in Sam Bennett when he was GM of the Lightning. The Flames, however, could prefer a right-handed shot. He also wondered if Bennett might be a good fit with the Toronto Maple Leafs, proposing winger Kasperi Kapanen would be a good fit for the Flames in terms of age, skill, and salary.
Other options for the Flames could include Kings winger Tyler Toffoli and Devils winger Wayne Simmonds.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bennett has frequently surfaced in trade rumors over the past three years. So far, however, Flames GM Brad Treliving has resisted the temptation to move him. That could change if a club comes calling with the right offer.
Athanasiou is a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights who could pursue a hefty raise after last season’s 30-goal performance. Kapanen is under contract through 2021-22 with an affordable $3.2 million cap hit. He’d be the better fit, but every indication I’ve seen or heard suggests the Leafs don’t want to part with him.
It will be interesting to see what the Bruins decide to do, however I really wish that they would do it sooner then later to address the secondary scoring and build more chemistry for the playoffs.
Toffoli (maybe Simmonds but he is a far cry from the 30 goal scorer he was) would be your cheapest rental IMO, and one of Backes or Moore is likely needing to go in any other trade.
Sam Bennett for Willie Nylander.
Are you the real “yes guy”
Duhatschek must have been dropped on his Calagary Flames fanboy head if he wrote that Bennet for Kapanen even up was a good trade.
Kapenen for a solid skating D man I could see. I am not saying a 1 or 2 D man. But a reliable one that can skate and shoot.
Not sure if this is credible but how about Kapanen and Tyson Barrie for Hannafin. Or maybe some dropped me on my Leaf fan boy head.
Hanafin for Nylander
Sorry boys, I am pretty sure Hanafin is staying. A young big good skating dependable puck mover is not being traded for any of the Leaf scraps.
Kapanen for Matt Benning
Nylander is scrap? On pace for 70 points is scrap?
NJ should inquire if Price is available. They have the cap space to take on the salary. NJ could send Wayne Simmonds, 1st round pick and a either Blackwood or Sneider
.
Why would Price want to go from one bad team to another? And why would the Canadiens want a broken-down pending UFA winger, a broken-down Schneider or an inconsistent Blackwood? Doesn’t make any sense.
And why would nj give up the potential 1st overall pick?
Yes Guy….that one is interesting…I think I would be tempted a lot more than Dubas….
What do other Calgary and Leaf fans think?
No Hanifin is a lefty a good trade for both would be more like Kappy, Barrie and Moore for Hamonic and Andersson. Even though I`d rather give up Johnsson than Kappy
I know it is nice to speculate but I don’t think any of the Flames defensemen are on the trade block.
We have a very good core with some excellent young guys.
The reason is, if they got hit with injuries the depth is very thin on the farm.
If they did trade a defensemen it would have to be a top forward. Also quantity does not make up for quality.
@flamefan Hamonic has been in the rumours for the past year. His stock has dropped since Calgary acquired him. Kappy or Johnsson are top 6 wingers on most teams. Moore is a solid winger. Barrie is probably worth a little more than Hamonic in value right now both are pending UFA`s. Toronto`s need is more of a guy that can play his own end than a rushing defenceman. Calgary`s looking for increased secondary scoring and depth on the wings. To me, Andersson is a second pairing rhd and that`s it. Kappy + for Andersson is more than fair. Calgary has been shopping defenceman for a long time looking for help on the wings
@Bob
Hamonic value really hasn’t dropped. The perception of his value has dropped only because he doesn’t play in the eastern time zone where more people see him.
It’s hard to say that Kappy and Johnson are top six, if they are then I would say the leafs should be challenging Boston and Tampa for 1st place. They are what they are 3rd liners on a good team. It is possible they may be used in a top six role on a bad team.
The thing is, I doubt very much the Flames will trade any defensemen never mind trading 2 of them. As mentioned they are thin on defensive depth on the farm and Treliving likes to have depth going into the playoffs.
I think Bennett would help the leafs in the playoffs for a Kappy or Johnsson would be fair trade.
3rd liner for 3rd liner on good teams
Different styles
No way Flames are trading Andersson after they just signed him to a rock star 6 year deal. He is pencilled as a top 4 next year & has already shown he can handle it. I can see Hamonic being shopped & definitely would have value out there, especially from the Jets. Andersson would easily be able to move up with Hanifin. Whether we can pry Kappy out of Leafs for him is unlikely without adding something. Flames management love what Bennett brings when games get like Saturday & Benny has always played well in the playoffs. It will take an overpayment to pry him from Treliving. Jankowski & Czarnick could be added to sweeten the Hamonic for Kappy deal.
A guy who has 1 assist in 37 games and another guy buried in the minors yep that`ll sweeten a deal for top 6 forward. Bennett is a 3rd line centre nothing more. Calgary should`ve traded him 2 years ago. Treliving the guy who traded Neal for Lucic how`s that trade looking guys. Calgary needs secondary scoring and a top 6 forward and really all they have to trade is defencemen, draft picks and prospects. Jankoski, Czarnik and Bennett isn`t going to buy you much maybe Lucic Oh wait
Ridiculous trade idea.
2 top 4 defensemen for a pile of crap?
Yeah, Bob. The Flames fans are the delusional ones. 😂
Kappy? Lol. Todd Marchant anyone?
Please Barrie Moore and Kappy garbage hahaha All 3 would look good in Boston and don`t call Hamonic and Andersson top four defensemen you`re insinuating that both could be first pairing defencemen. Neither of them has ever been first pairing and never will be. Hamonic in today’s game is slow, Andersson is a decent defenceman but he`s no all star
Compared to what’s left of the Leafs D with Muzzin out and now Rielly for 8 weeks, both Hamonic and Anderson would become top-pairing D in TO.
Sadly right now George that would be very true. Were going to get a chance to see at least Sandin.
Bruins should talk to Montreal about Nate Thompson.
Exactly what they need – and they drafted him so they know what he can do.
Also Pageau would look good in a Bruins jersey.
Thornton back to Boston ….. no please….Coyle on the #2 line don’t solve the problem…..Bruins have been looking for a winger to play with #46 for 4 years and counting, no hurry take your time Sweeney
Agree don’t need Thornton would rather see someone from Providence. Palmieri would be great but have to do without losing top prospects Studnicka and Vaakanienen. Also Debrusk or Bjork. First rounder and two quality prospects like Zboril, Frederick and Senyshyn.
McAvoy needs to step up his game which will lessen the loss of Krug at years end unless the Bruins plan on overpaying on money and years for a one demential Dman
Stop with this trade with flames nonsense. Dubas is only trading for a first pair RHD and/or a reliable backup goalie. Flames have neither. Full stop.
Stop with this trade with flames nonsense. Dubas is only trading for a first pair defensive or all around RHD and/or a reliable backup goalie. Flames have neither. Full stop.
Flames will make a deal but it won’t be the obvious and it will be a right winger. Flamesfan is correct zero depth on the farm . Maybe off season they move a Dman but not at the trade deadline.
Jankowsi and picks . Maybe Bennett and picks.