Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – June 21, 2020
Check out the latest on the Devils and Stars plus an update on Jesse Puljujarvi in the Sunday NHL rumor roundup.
DEVILS DEFENSE SPECULATION
THE ATHLETIC (Subscription required) In a recent mailbag segment, Corey Masisak speculated Andy Greene could return to the New Jersey Devils if they see a veteran defenseman to mentor their young blueliners. He also doubts they’ll pursue this summer’s top UFAs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Greene spent nearly 14 full seasons with the Devils before he was shipped last February to the New York Islanders. If he’s still available later in the off-season perhaps he’d be willing to return to New Jersey on a one-year, bonus-laden deal.
Could the New Jersey Devils target a defenseman like Anaheim’s Josh Manson in the off-season? (Photo via NHL Images)
Turning to the trade market, Masisak looked at several defensemen that could be on the Devils’ off-season radar. His list of good options included Anaheim’s Josh Manson, Buffalo’s Colin Miller, Columbus’ David Savard, St. Louis’ Vince Dunn, and Tampa Bay’s Mikhail Sergachev.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Masisak published a long list of options, but I wanted to focus on the notables.
I believe it’ll cost the Devils a scoring forward to acquire Manson, Miller, or Savard because their respective clubs need secondary scoring. Dunn and Sergachev made his list largely because of the cap constraints faced by their respective teams. However, it’s assumed the Blues and Lightning will make cost-cutting moves to free up salary-cap space to re-sign those two.
UPDATE ON PULJUJARVI
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Kurt Leavins believes Jesse Puljujarvi will sign a one-year contract extension with Karpat of the Finnish Professional League. He expects that deal will include an NHL opt-out clause.
Puljujarvi spent this season in Finland after requesting a trade from the Edmonton Oilers. While the young winger hasn’t ruled out returning to the Oilers, Leavins wondered if his recent change of heart was to rehabilitate his trade value.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I doubt it’ll make Puljujarvi more attractive in the trade market. The Oilers reportedly listened to trade offers but didn’t get anything worthwhile.
Most teams consider the former fourth-overall pick to be at best a third-line winger. They’re unwilling to part with a first-rounder or a good young player to get him. Puljujarvi will likely have to return to the Oilers if he hopes to salvage his NHL career and boost his trade value.
STARS COULD TRY TO RE-SIGN KHUDOBIN.
THE ATHLETIC (subscription required): In a recent mailbag segment, Sean Shapiro said he believes the Stars will do everything they can to re-sign goaltender Anton Khudobin. They know they won’t make the playoffs next season without a competent backup for Ben Bishop.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: With over $62 million invested in 15 players (stick tap to Cap Friendly), the Stars have sufficient cap space to re-sign Khudobin.
They must also re-sign RFAs Roope Hintz, Denis Gurianov, and Radek Faksa. Hintz and Gurianov lack arbitration rights, giving Stars management sufficient leverage to re-sign both to affordable bridge deals.
Assuming Khudobin isn’t seeking a significant raise over his current $2.5 million, I wouldn’t be surprised if he stuck around in Dallas for at least another year.
The Devils’s really cannot afford to trade secondary scoring – because they really do not have any. I still think the Devils would be interested in Puljujarvi, but only at a reasonable price. A first rounder is not it. This off-season is going to be incredibly interesting. What type of season will we have next year, economic constraints and will teams really spend more knowing their revenues (ticket $) will be down again.
IMO Puljujarvi MIGHT be worth a 5/6 and pick? Oilers can “hold out’ all they want, he’ll likely play his career in Finland. Hope Devils have no interest. We don’t need any “projects.” I just wish Marty would take the Pres of hockey ops.
vincois, I get it, but both teams might be up for a project, say McLeod for Puljujarvi. We get a right winger, they get a center. Both first round pedigrees, both somewhat struggling. You put McLeod on the third line in Edmonton with some decent wingers (something Devs do not have) and Puljujarvi on the second line with Hughes passing to him. They might both improve – and if not no one missed a thing.
I think the off season moves by most teams will be driven by total annual salary expenditures more than salary cap. More buyouts, less free agent signings, and teams promoting from within their organizations to reduce payroll cost. Teams may also have smaller rosters and less contracts, a strategy that Carolina seems to have under Dundon.
Happy Fathers Day to all and have a great day…….
I think that one other factor might make this a very different draft. None of us know if there will be college hockey, high school hockey and Juniors.
If none or a major cut back that would make 2021 more of a crap shoot than normal. For the rebuilding teams that may push them trade for draft picks this year. It is suppose to be a deep draft and much more will be known about the players this year than next if there is a disruption in lower level hockey
Agreed that “actual salary dollars” rather than cap hit dollars will be important to a lot of clubs next year.
Puljularvi is not returning a first.
The ONLY way that that might have happened is if he had lit up the Finnish league in which he played this past season (and apparently will again) and is perceived as clearly head and shoulders above the competition. That hasn’t happened.
In a far better league (the AHL)
Reid Boucher 4th rd 2011 NJ – – 34 33 67 in 53gp
Josh Norris 1st rd 2017 SJ – 31 30 61 in 56 gp
Sam Annis undrafted – Minn – 20 50 70 in 61 gp
Drake Batherson 4th rd 2017 Ott – 44 16 60 in 44 gp
Gerry Mayhew undrafted Minn – 39 21 60 in 49 gp
Sam Anas …
Puljujarvi’s comparative stats in 56 gp in the Finnish league
24g 29a 53 pts – solid – if not spectacular – stats for a competitive league, but you can’t compare that league to the AHL
Anas is good when he gets regular use. But when the competition clogs up anas He tends to get grouchy. When he is used too much though he can get irritated. Gotta treat anas just right.
Maybe he needs Meta Mucil on his line?
Or a second , or a third, and probably not even a fourth.