NHL Morning Coffee Headlines and Rumor Mill – September 28, 2020

by | Sep 28, 2020 | News, NHL, Rumors | 110 comments

The latest on the Lightning and Stars in the NHL morning coffee headlines plus updates on Alex Pietrangelo and Braden Holtby and the latest Penguins and Senators speculation in the NHL rumor mill.

MORNING COFFEE HEADLINES

TSN: Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said team captain Steven Stamkos will not return for the remainder of the Stanley Cup Final. Stamkos returned to the Lightning lineup in Game 3 for the first time since February, scoring a goal but playing only five shifts in the first period.

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No surprise there. Stamkos was in obvious discomfort following his final shift in Game 3. It’s believed he’s still dealing with an issue tied to the core muscle surgery he underwent in March.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars coach Rick Bowness yesterday said forwards Roope Hintz, Blake Comeau and Radek Faksa, defenseman Stephen Johns and goaltender Ben Bishop remain unfit to play.

MLIVE.COM’s Ansar Khan reported Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman confirmed unrestricted free agent defensemen Jonathan Ericsson and Trevor Daley won’t be re-signed.

THE SCORE: Forward Chris Stewart announced his retirement after 11 NHL seasons. He played 668 career games with the Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis Blues, Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota Wild, Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, and Philadelphia Flyers, finishing with 160 goals and 322 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Best wishes to Stewart in his future endeavors.

RUMOR MILL

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: David Schoen cites multiple reports claiming the Golden Knights will aggressively pursue Alex Pietrangelo if the St. Louis Blues defenseman becomes an unrestricted free agent on Oct. 9. The Blues are reportedly offering an eight-year deal worth $8-million annually but Pietrangelo is said to be seeking an annual average value of over $9 million.

The Golden Knights have limited salary-cap space but Schoen believes they would “perform the necessary salary-cap gymnastics” to fit in Pietrangelo’s new contract. He said team owner Bill Foley’s financial clout and dogged pursuit of the Stanley Cup makes the Golden Knights among the few clubs willing to spend to the $81.5 million salary cap.

Schoen said the Golden Knights aren’t expected to be active in free agency outside of Pietrangelo. However, he suggested several other blueline targets, such as Toronto’s Tyson Barrie, Winnipeg’s Dylan DeMelo, Washington’s Brenden Dillon, Calgary’s Travis Hamonic and Carolina’s Sami Vatanen. If they seek depth elsewhere in the roster, New York Rangers winger Jesper Fast and Calgary’s Cam Talbot are among his proposed options.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cap Friendly indicates the Golden Knights have $76.5 million tied up in 18 players, with goaltender Robin Lehner their most notable free agent. Those “gymnastics” to free up cap space for Pietrangelo could include trading away players under contract for next season, contract buyouts, or acquiring a player on permanent long-term injury reserve. The Golden Knights are also allowed to spend over the cap by 10 percent in the offseason but must become cap compliant when the regular season begins.

THE ATHLETIC (subscription required): Tarik El-Bashir lists the Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks among possible destinations for free-agent goalie Braden Holtby. He also included returning with the Washington Capitals if Holtby can’t find better offers in the free-agent market but acknowledged the math doesn’t appear to work there. El-Bashir reports the Capitals asked Holtby’s camp if there was interest in a one-year contract but there wasn’t.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames, Hurricanes, Oilers and Sharks all need a reliable starting goalie. The question is, how much are they willing to pay to get one via free agency. Holtby is coming off a five-year contract worth an annual average value of $6.1 million and likely unwilling to accept a similar or lesser cap hit on his next deal. The Flames, Oilers and Sharks have the most cap space but could be reluctant to invest too much in a goalie during the current economic situation.

THE ATHLETIC (subscription required): Josh Yohe believes the Pittsburgh Penguins recent blueline addition of Mike Matheson could mean veteran Jack Johnson won’t be in the lineup and might not be back at all. With three left-side defensemen, Johnson will either have to play on the right side, become a healthy scratch or get traded. Yohe feels the Penguins will try to move Johnson to a team trying to reach the salary-cap floor, or perhaps package him in a deal involving goalie Matt Murray.

Regarding recent rumors tying the Penguins to Vancouver Canucks rearguard Chris Tanev, Yohe points out they lack the cap space to sign him now. He also said the front office is looking forward to seeing Kris Letang’s performance under his second stint playing for defense coach Todd Reirden.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trading Johnson won’t be easy because of the steady deterioration of his play, but we cannot outright dismiss the possibility, slim as it may seem. He lacks no-trade protection and carries a reasonable cap hit ($3.25 million) through 2022-23. Those two years beyond next season, however, are a sticking point.

Perhaps a budget club would acquire him and buy him out if he’s part of Yohe’s suggested package deal. Cap Friendly indicates the cap hit would be $1.16 million for the next two seasons, rising to over $1.9 million in 2022-23, then falling to over $916K for the final three years.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch expects more changes for the Senators after they bought out winger Bobby Ryan’s contract last week. Approaching next week’s NHL draft with three first-round picks, GM Pierre Dorion is reportedly listening to all offers as he looks to bolster his roster.

Anders Nilsson’s concussion could push the Senators into the market for a goaltender. Garrioch claims Carolina’s Petr Mrazek or James Reimer, Toronto’s Frederik Andersen, Pittsburgh’s Matt Murray and Arizona’s Darcy Kuemper are available. He said they’re not seeking a long-term solution because they’ve got six goalies in their system.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes won’t move one of their goalies unless they pursue an upgrade. The same goes for the Leafs with Andersen. Murray is on the block and the Penguins could try to pry away one of the Sens’ first-round picks for him. A first-rounder could also be part of the asking price for Kuemper.







110 Comments

  1. Rutherford could try and pry a 1st rounder from the sens for Murray … he could also try and swim the Atlantic Ocean … but I wouldn’t bet the farm on either.

    Seriously, there are simply too many goalie options out there for Ottawa to consider if they do decide to bring one in on a short-term basis because Nilsson is deemed unfit to go, than to give up anything of consequence for an oft-injured one with the additional headache of being an RFA with arbitration rights coming off a $3,750,000 cap hit.

    If Rutherford is intent on peddling Murray for cap reasons, given the many short-term options available he’s going to have to settle for something a LOT less than a 1st rounder.

    If he does decide to bring in a goalie I would hope Dorion goes hard after Kuemper whose $4.5 mil cap hit for 2 more years is close to what they were paying Anderson, and by the time he becomes a UFA (at 32 y/o) hopefully one of those 6 younger goalies in the pipeline is ready to step up to join Hogberg.

    • Not on point but saw an interesting tidbit this morning. Wikipedia page for Patrick Laine has him as a Montreal Canadien?

      • LOL. Saw that Slick62. Somebody at Wikipedia is jumping the gun – either that or they’re a Habs fan and it’s in the nature of wishful-thinking.

      • George O. Or someone from Wikipedia has been coming here to Spectors every morning!

      • Kal El edited the Wiki page it seems!

      • I did to support my KK and a 1st for Laine theory.

      • Don’t throw that out Ray, or you will have to endure another rebuttal from Roger Laurin. KK is a one dimensional pole vaulter from Outer Mongolia with a future as bright as the west coast of Ireland, if you read any of his posts.

    • Good morning

      @ SLICK

      …not sure if you have read any of my posts lately on Laine ..but I have been posting that he would be very much desired on the Habs …and Iam of the thought that Bergevin has kept this cap availability for a time and place using it for a player such as this and more specifically this player ..IMO .

      Iam not going to throw scenarios out there
      ‘anymore as they could really range in variety
      ..but I know on other sites the asking price might be 2 firsts and a top 4 D man …so who knows what that could entail from the Habs ..if they wanted to do so.

      If was the Jets id be asking for Caufield and Metes as a potential starter …Habs also have Noah Julsen and Fleury on D as a young player that the Jets maybe interested in ..for conversation sake ..

      have a good day

      Cheers

      • As i mentioned before Kal EL i don’t think Winnipeg is moving Laine; however, there is enough chatter out there to suggest that Chevy is certainly listening.

        MTL- Laine 4th round pick
        WPG- Kotkaniemi, Romanov, 1st and 2nd round picks

        If Boston

        Bos- Laine
        WPG- Carlo, Debrusk, 1st round pick

        Tor-Laine
        Wpg- Nylander, Dermot, 2nd round pick

        Matthews and Laine on the same line.

      • Nice list if your WPG Caper.
        I hope BOS doesn’t do it.
        I hope MTL does.
        Not sure why the Leafs would but closest one to even IMO.
        I say this from as Bruin fan and Hab hater.
        Personally I would rather have Nylander over Laine.
        Many Leaf fans may disagree with that one.

      • Caper thats a good scenario for the Habs I am all in on Laine but something else i read if Vegas is serious about Pietrangelo I would still love to pry Tuch he is less assets than Laine but either one is the perfect RW power forward that would help the Habs in the long run

      • Kal El
        Do you work for Wikipedia? Lol. Agree. Montreal would be a good match. I think a team like Devils could get in on it. If Buffalo wanted to keep Eichel happy, maybe send Cozens, Montour and 8th pick?

    • I could also see Ottawa look to sign Talbot as he seems primarily interested in being a starting goalie. He won’t get the #1 job on a contender so if starting is his priority, he and Ottawa could be a good fit.

      • He’s certainly one short-term option … among many.

      • @George – I can definitely see him as a viable short-term if they indeed are only looking for a stop-gap for those in the system to step up. Some of the others (UFA wise) are unlikely to want to go to Ottawa (sorry) which leaves the trade route.

        It’s an interesting year for goalie trades as I could see a number of teams waiting to see if they can get one of the $ only options like Markstrom and Khudobin before dipping into trades. But if Kuemper can stay healthy he would be a fantastic option. He has been at the top of my list (with Lehner) for guys I would love to see in Calgary next year.

      • SCJ, in normal times I would agree that attracting UFAs to a re-building club like Ottawa – with the added burden of having Melnyk as the owner – would be difficult – at best.

        But with the flat cap and total uncertainty hanging over the league for at least two more seasons as world-wide economies spiral downward, I truly believe that, where UFAs are concerned, most will be thrust into a category known as “beggars can’t be choosers” IF they wish to continue their careers. There are going to be far more of them – goalies included – who are going to find that the supply far exceeds the demand

        I HOPE I’m dead wrong … and would be pleasantly surprised if I was … but right now I think all this pundit talk as if nothing has changed is just misplaced bluster. The BIG s*^t is about to touch the fan.

      • @ GOERGE O

        What a Brian Elliott reunion…this would be a better stop gap replacement ..and he would be a better mentor to the up and coming golaies in the system than a Talbot who struggles between the ears as a goalie !

        SENS…dont need a goalie to be there for the next 3 – 5 years ..they need a stop gap god quality veteran ..

        As well I think you can get Elliott for much less than Talbot and a shorter term..in a negotiations..

        The Sens will have an embarrassment of riches ready to go in the next 2 – 4 years and in year s3 is when they will need that LEGIT #1 goalie ..

        @ Geoerge

        …copy and paste this ..LOL..
        talk after draft ..LOL

        But I would not be surprised AT ALL if the Sens use one of the mid 1st rounders to take Goalie
        He is very highly touted !!

        ( G ) Yaroslav Askarov

        Just sayin…..I think they do this ..with so many picks !

        Cheers – take care

      • Ray, as someone who watched all Jets games and as i mentioned previously, Laine goals (28 in 68gp) is his lowest total since entering the NHL, but imo was his best season.

        Laine took the next step in his development a big man at 6’5 205lbs started to use that size and had some thundering hits. One game i was at, he back skated and broke up a break away. The other part of his game is his passing as this season was his fewest games and he finished with 35 assist which is 7 better then his previous high in 5 less games.

        2 things if he keeps this trend, one he will open more space for himself because of the hits and two, he will be on the ice more because of his defensive reliabilities.

        As someone wanting the Jets to do well, there is only two places i want Laine, Winnipeg or Boston.

        Yes i will take the 6’5″ 205lb 22yr old who can score in the blink of an eye and crush you into the boards at the same time.

        Count me as a big time Laine fan.

      • Kal El, I can think of a lot of worse options than Elliot. Getting him as a mentor/stop-gap wouldn’t be seen in a bad light at all.

        Unfortunately, I can see someone taking Askarov in the top 15 so he’ll be long gone before Ottawa picks again in the 1st round at # 28 (IF they retain that pick). There is NO way they take him at # 3 or # 5.

      • Caper – I value your opinion as a Jets fan. What do you make of the sharp drop in goals after November 2018 and the drop in PP goals? Is this more on Wheeler, Buff and Pionk not getting him his opportunities?
        My belief is that the league learned they are better off to let him have the shot and focus on shutting down the pass (so the shot doesn’t happen). He doesn’t have good movement (yet) to open lanes and has been contained too easily. Does he mature out of this and start scoring again from his spot? I haven’t seen him score many goals in other ways.

      • yeah that should be 2.0, not 200. not sure how that happened

      • Fair enough Caper, and perhaps I am not giving him enough credit for the improvements you mention in his game this year. So you are reading me right, I do view him as a 1 dimensional player who gets 40% of his goals 1 timing on the PP. Or getting fed by the guys doing the hard stuff.
        Plus the C vs Wing debate. I am big on the C being way more valuable. And I value the 200′ game (hence the C thing).
        No debate he is a really valuable player. I just see him being a very expensive luxury for WPG. They are deep on the wing. Need a C and a D. Those deals look pretty good, especially the MTL one as it addresses both with high quality young guys. I think it makes them a better team in the next coupe years.

      • George, with all those 2nd round picks, Ottawa should be able to move up from 28.

    • George. It’s a hell of a long shot for a first for Murray. But the market currently is a lot less buyer friendly than anticipated. So saying “a lot” less is a stretch at this point.

      • Well Chrisms, I agree with George – I don’t think Murray gets a first or a second round pick – and I wouldn’t be totally surprised if were as low as a fourth. The fact that GMJR has let it slip that he’s asking for a first tells me he already knows he’s not getting it, and is trying to jack the price up to a second or third rather than a fourth.

      • @Iago if Jake Allen gets a 3rd; then Murray will pull a 2nd or 3rd for sure. I would not be surprise to see it go as a 3rd after his injuries and down season.

      • Chrisms, the main reason I think that way is based upon the reasoning that, the longer Rutherford rejects the early offers and, instead, holds out for as big a return as possible, coupled with the unprecedented glut of goalies on the market and the limited number of teams – comparatively speaking – seeking one, he might just run out of prospective suitors as teams look to other options.

        In many ways – and not just with teams looking to shed a goalie (like Vegas for example as some are suggesting) – it’s boiling down to a game of chicken. St. Louis struck early when they found a taker for Allen.

        These are the UFA goalies: Braden Holtby; Corey Crawford; Jimmy Howard; Robin Lehner; Craig Anderson; Jacob Markstrom; Thomas Greiss; Cam Talbot; Anton Khudobin; Michael Condon; Brian Elliott; Mike Smith; Aaron Dell; Keith Kinkaid; Laurent Brossoit; Louis Domingue; Ryan Miller; Niclas Westerholm; Anton Forsberg; Jon Gillies; Garret Sparks; Zane McIntyre; Scott Wedgewood; Kevin Poulin; Michael Hutchinson; Shane Starrett; Jean-Francois Berube; Jared Coreau; Maxime Lagace; Andrew Hammond; Troy Grosenick; Chris Gibson; Richard Bachman; Kevin Boyle; Antoine Bibeau.

        To be sure, some in this list have probably reached the end of the line, while many others will never be more than an AHL or ECHL goalie. But there are still quite a few who might be seen as viable one- or two-year stopgaps while younger system talent develops (as with Ottawa) – and if these are snapped up while GMs in Rutherford’s position hold on for better offers, they will find the market depleted.

        And, like Murray, there are a LOT of other RFA goalies – and while most will probably be re-signed by their current teams, there could also be enough whose GMs may be forced to deal because they simply don’t have the cap space to get them re-upped.

        In addition to Murray, these are: Mat Robson; Linus Ullmark; Jake Kielly; Matiss Kivlenieks; Joey Daccord; Andrew Shortridge; Tyler Parsons; Angus Redmond; Linus Soderstrom; Alexander Georgiev; Kaapo Kahkonen; Merrick Madsen; Jonas Johansson; Malcolm Subban; Cole Kehler; Callum Booth; Josef Korenar; Alex D’Orio; MacKenzie Blackwood; Samuel Montembeault; Michael McNiven; Philippe Desrosiers; Spencer Martin; Hunter Miska; Landon Bow; Tristan Jarry; Kasimir Kaskisuo; Nick Schneider

      • Great list George. Just out of the UFA’s there are 5-7 I would target ahead of Murray based on play (Holtby, Crawford, Lehner, Markstrom, Talbot, Greiss, and Khudobin) and the fact that they cost no assets (let alone a 1st round pick).

        Figure the mix of the good RFA’s get kept by their teams in some capacity (looks like Blackwood and Jarry are the two full-time NHLers) and you have knocked out over a quarter of the potential suitors for Murray (since he will want a starter’s salary).

        Very possible that GMJR will price himself into keeping Murray. The Blues were smart to take what they could get for Allen.

    • Hi George And welcome back. I am curious about Ottawa. With all the pick and young players that they have gathered why wouldn’t they offer sheet Matt Barzal?

      It sees to me, as an Isles fan, that Ottawa is one of the few teams that could easily afford it.

      I would hate to see it happen but it really makes sense to me. Especially after unloading Ryan’s money.
      I’ve also read the Chabot & Barzal are BFF’s.
      They would be quite a foundation to build upon.

      I’m not awake in the morning. I worked nights my whole life, and even being retired, I cannot break the cycle. So I miss out on stuff. But that’s why.

      • Thanks, nevinsrip. I prepared a response to you about an hour ago only to have it wind up shown as “timed out” – which Royally p*ssed me off, so now I’m re-doing it in WP and will cut-and-paste.

        Offer sheets, to me, are a legitimate tool to speed up improvement of your team and, at the same time, put the squeeze on a rival GM. Unfortunately, this generation of GMs are mostly reluctant to use it for fear of reprisal (especially when dealing with Lou Lamoriello) or having to relinquish some high picks dfepending upon the amount of the offer,

        Certainly, with two good young D RFAs to deal with (Pulock – coming off a $2 mil cap hit and Toes coming off a $700,000 ELC), Lamoriello – who has $72,594,167 committed to 20 players with $8,905,833 to sign 3 – will see at least $6.5 of that go to the 2 D leaving just $2.4 to re-sign Barzal. And after a 19g 41a 60 pts in 68gp season and adding 5G 17a 22 pts in 22 playoff games, Barzal will be looking for a lot more than that after playing for an $863,333 ELC. Probably closer to $5.5 mil on a bridge deal – which would make him an ideal target for an Offer Sheet.

        But Dorion won’t go down that road. If, however, Lou is open to dealing a Nick Leddy and his $5.5 mil cap hit for 2 more years for a pick (his 28th back?) and a prospect, I’d love to see that to add a veteran presence on the back end following the departures of Hainsey and Borowiecki.

      • Thanks George, You can have Leddy and Boychuck and really have experience on the blue line. We’ll take a 7 th round pick back.

        Would Dorian have interest in Hickey, who is a proven 5-6 guy and doesn’t cost much. I don’t see Barzal accepting a bridge deal unless it in the 7 million range.

        I wonder if the League is going to come to it’s senses and allow a free do over for each team.

        Without fans, I just don’t see where the money os going to come from.

    • George O.

      Agreed Penguins wont get a 1st for Matt Murray..but if the package Murray with a second round pick and a player like Dominick Simon or a Jusso Rikola. For nikita Zadorov who is available..

      Then sign UFA Radko gudas to play third pairing d with newly acquired mike Matheson.

      Adding Zadorov gudas helps with toughness character and depth.

      Buyout Johnson.trade marcus pettersson for a third round pick..that’s $6.2 mlion saved

      These are easy deals and realistic to make.

      Letang Dumolin
      Zadorov Marino
      Gudas. Matheson

      Much better top 6

      • You’re assuming a lot Blackbgold when you say those deals are “easy and realistic.” First of all, I haven’t heard Sakic say Zadorov – who is an RFA – is available, not when they probably won’t bring back Connauton. And what makes you think he’s eager to get Murray when there are far better and generally healthy UFA goalies out there?

      • And, hoo-boy, you want a 5/6 pairing of Matheson and Gudas??? You may have added “toughness” but you don’t dare put them out on the ice in opposing last-change arenas for more than 5 minutes a game.

    • @George 0… you might be right..but guess is a better puck mover and skater than given credit..for..

      The penguins are soft and gudas and Zadorov add much needed grit, toughness, and sandpaper.

      In regards to Zadorov who was terrific in the playoffs is available…a kid is using the line I’m not actually shopping him.. but with the emergence of graves plus cole Johnson and make he is on bottom 6
      .Colorado has a lot of rfas next season..so he can b had..was available last year they sig ed a one year deal.

      We will see penguins could use both

  2. Re

    “ Josh Yohe believes the Pittsburgh Penguins recent blueline addition of Mike Matheson could mean veteran Jack Johnson won’t be in the lineup and might not be back at all. With three left-side defensemen, Johnson will either have to play on the right side, become a healthy scratch or get traded. ”

    This started out as music to my ears but then got very scary with “ play on the right side”

    🤬😡🤬😡🤬

    A trade …. that will cost a pretty penny in sweetener…. why waste MM trade return

    It is going to have to be something like MM; ZAR; JJ for a 7th in ‘23

    Buyout …. absolutely best…. even with replacing him with Czuczman or Pierre Olivier Joseph on the roster…. that’s a net of $1.4 M cash and Cap….. then you still have whatever return for MM; and still have ZAR

    He should have already been waived by mid Sat; bought out before Bobby Ryan was

    No matter what…. they must get him entirely off the Pens roster…. we don’t even want him buried then called up if there is an injury

    • I’m waiting for you to see Matheson in Pittsburgh’s lineup. Okay, he’s not as bad as JJ, but I have a feeling we’re all going to be in for 6 painful years of you proposing to trade him on a daily basis.

      This is like replacing the flat tire on the back with a good one from the front and calling it fixed. Matheson is not good.

      • I cede MM may not be good and overpaid

        But no matter what; he’s a massive upgrade in JJ

        Every single Pen that played more than 5 games in last two years had tremendously better stats when JJ was on the bench than when he was on

        There is no chance in hell that MM is the sole cause for 3 out of 6 and co-responsible for another 1 out of 6 of the next Pens play-off /play-in losses; as JJ was for Pens

        No chance that MM alone costs the team 11 standings points (like JJ in 18/19)

        No chance MM impacts a goalie like JJ (MM v Habs …. 914 overall… 970 when JJ was not on ice)

        Is MM good…. nope

        Can we even say that he’s poor right now…. yep

        Will he degrade from his Panther’s play… remotely possible; I don’t see it

        Will he improve… TBD… but certainly more likely than status quo ; and massively more likely than declining

        Will he be an improvement over JJ…. an absolute certainty

        There is no D-Man in the NHL or AHL that is anywhere near as detrimental to his team’s success; as JJ… no one

        The addition of MM is moot if they still keep and play JJ

        Pens could add a 23 year old Bobby Orr to the team; and if they still played JJ 15 minutes a game… Pens would be on the playoff bubble

        JJ is just that bad

        I think I’ve missed only two Pens games (PVR foul up) since JJ started… so I’ve seen it all… he is horrific

      • @ PENGY

        PENS

        I have no issue with the Pens going with
        DE Smith and Jarry this season ..if they find a quality deal for Matt Murry …

        they have both proved to be able to split the season next year and save some good money for elsewhere for right now !

        Maybe Rutherford can take less for Murry but add Johnson in on the deal as a package !

        Maybe Detroit would be the suitor as they need a #1 Goalie and can absorb Johnson as well..

        LEAFS

        I am big Hoffamn fan …supporter ..of sorts ..LOL

        What do you think of the Leafs moving Nylander for a top D man and then signing Hoffamn for $5.5 AAV for 5 years with bonus structure to replace him and his points …gives a much more had working players who will give the same points and or goals most likely also a player that is better on the power-play ..and a better one timer..

        This will also save the Leafs about $2 million plus per year ( shorter term ) for the same production..IMO
        but get a more versatile harder player to play against !

        LOL..as you well know I am not a big Nylander fan…lol.

      • I’m paraphrasing Burke from the other night regarding this trade and Matheson – “the toughest player to evaluate is a young D-man on a bad team”. Or something like that.
        He like Matheson’s talent and think’s the Pens have a chance to turn his game around.
        He thought the deal helped both teams.

      • @ Kal El – Nylander doesn’t get you a top D-man. Top 4 sure; but not Top 2 RH. And even if he did, that player coming back is likely to have at least the same contract AAV.

      • Hi Kal El

        Stevie Y might take on JJ… might… but it’s going to cost MM and more… JJ ; MM; ZAR for a 7th in ‘23???

        The better move is buyout JJ; and get a 2nd or prospect for MM, keep ZAR

        RE Leafs… concur…. I’ve posted many many times that the easiest (as MM Cap is almost completely prohibitive to all suitors) and most prudent move is WW for 22-25 year old who has term and is either now; or is trending to…top 3D… and of course Leafs will gain space in trade and depending on the D coming… perhaps another asset

        Re Hoffman … can’t see him at $5.5M… he could stay; re-up at $4.2 M and get same take home…. $5.5 M in Toronto and $4.2 M in Florida both have take home in the $2.6 M range

        He’s not going to accept $4.2 M and get the advantage of not uprooting again; so he won’t take $5.5 M in Toronto (AND have to move)

        Would I like Hoffman on Leafs (or Pens)…. you betcha

        I had advocated for Hoffman instead of Zucker and that trade would not have cost as much as the first and Addison (note Pens did jettison G-Chuck …. but could have moved G-Chuck to Panthers in a deal for Hoffman)

        Yes I fully realize Hoffman was UFA vs Zucker (term) and 26 months older than Zucker…. but his talent level being that much higher… would have been worth the move IMHO

        Hoffman will be in demand ; and will get North of $5.5 M… which is way more space than Leafs have

        … WW out; young top 3 D in
        … use above space created for a persnickety grinder mid 6 with size
        … firm up balance of D
        … make long term move wrt starter/back-up

    • @ NYR4Life – good morning

      just throwing this out there ..but do you see the Stall deal and the potential future Lundqvist buy out to make way for a shot at a Petro signing??

      Rangers are one of the few teams that can give upfront big money for a signing bonus not to mention that they may pull the player away from a conference or divisional rival ..

      Cheers

      • Kal el,

        I don’t see Pietrangelo as a fit in NY. Currently NY has Trouba , Fox and DeAngelo on the right side. Can’t see adding him.

        Staal trade was all about re-signing DeAngelo, Strome, Lemieux, Georgiev.

        More than likely NY will be taking a look internally to fill the vacant d position. Hajek or Miller.

        Miller supposedly would have made the bubble roster but was not eligible to play this year.

        I believe they buyout Lundqvist, but after the players above are signed and other positions that need to be filled (McKegg, Fast etc) and Lafreniere is added (with bonus I’m sure)there will be limited cap space To sign anyone near what Pietrangelo is looking for (8-9 per)

        My guess is Pietrangelo is going nowhere. I think St. Louis figures it out.

      • Ya Nyr4Life, the Rangers have some quality D prospects in the pipeline to go with their high end F prospects. Hajek, Millar & Robertson. Lindgren if you still consider him a prospect. Have to think 1 or 2 pan out. Maybe more.
        They will also need to sign Zib and Kakko in a couple years, and obviously Laf down the road.
        Might they just eat Henrik’s salary this year and get it over with so they have more flexibility after the upcoming season?

    • Jack Johnson in, Kris LeTurnover a healthy scratch … bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

      • Hahahahahahaha!!!!

    • Pengy. Your abbreviations have now hit the point of matching. Is Marner not MM anymore?

  3. George…..great to see you back in good spirits…don’t forget to take it easy on the Leafs….their fans are a vulnerable and sensitive group these days….

    • Thanks Old Blue Dog. LOL – nah – from now on – to keep the peace – I’ll leave any and all personal opinions on the Leafs to their fans only – confining any posts to unassailable facts. As I did yesterday when it comes to the pursuit of Pietrangelo.

  4. Re Petro and Knights

    I have absolutely no doubt they are perusing him….they can go over Cap by 10% now; but moves must be made by first game

    Statsny out IMHO… is an easy move…. he’ll fit in 3C on many teams; only has one year left; Cash is less than Cap

    Statsny out Glass in… that’s more than $5.6 M in net Cap…. certainly not Petro amount… but dang good chunk Of it

  5. I still don’t understand the logic in picking up a player on LTIR. You get someone making $5m, so your cap goes up to $86.5m, but that has to include the $5m from the player on LTIR, so your cap is still only $81.5m. Am I wrong here? Don’t want to sound stupid, but can somebody explain it to me.

    • Join the club Bruinsfan1. If you have access to a proverbial Philadelphia Lawyer perhaps he can break this down into language we ordinary mortals can follow

      https://www.capfriendly.com/ltir-faq

      Personally, I’d like to see the NHL plug that loophole for good.

    • I think it’s more about swapping an actual salary for an ltir contract.

      Clarkson for Horton.

      Savard and Smith for Jimmy Hayes etc.

    • My understanding is that when a player is put on LTIR he doesn’t count against the cap at that time . I believe it was put in the rules so a team could go out and aquire a player if one went down long term, by trade or call up.

      • That’s fine … as far as it goes for the team affected. Just don’t allow a trade of a player who will likely never play again so he can be used to get around cap issues.

  6. Re. Petro and Vegas. There’s now a rumor going around that Boston will be trading Krug’s rights today. Vegas is one of the rumored teams to be interested.

  7. Say the Colorado Avalanche want Krug negotiations rights and Rask from the Bruins what would work in terms of pieces going back to Boston for this trade to happen …. two big pieces the Colorado Avalanche need

    • Why would Sakic have any interest in Krug and Rask? Reportedly Krug is seeking a 7 year $56 million contract and with Byram coming up not sure that Krug is a need. Sakic would need to move Nikita Zadarov to another team. Krug made it known that he and his wife want to be near their families there in Michigan and raise their kids there. And Sakic he’s happy with his Goaltending with Grabauer and Francouz so i doubt he has any interest in Rask.

      • Gary i could see the interest in Rask for Grubauer both a year away from free agency, not sure what the Av would have to add.

        I see 0 reason why Colorado be interested in Krug. They already got Makar and Girard.

        I do see them being interested in Carlo but i don’t see Boston moving Carlo (hope not) that would mean a rightie dman coming back.

    • The Krug to Avalanche thing baffles me. Unless they really feel they need someone to help Makar why would they want him at 6 to 7 mill a year with all there guys coming up for contracts in the next couple of years.

      And if they did send Rask there, one of the 2 Avs goalies would be going back to Boston and the Bruins taking one of those 2 guys makes no sense as Rask is far superior then them and the Bruins I would think are going to try make a run again this year.

      Never say never, but the Avs just dont seem like a match.

    • I kind of get the tender and Rask thing, as he is an upgrade for the Avs. But ya, Grabauer has to go the other way.
      Tough to tell as both were hurt during the playoffs.
      For BOS? Depends what their plans are moving forward. I’m not sure, they are at a crossroads.
      The Krug thing makes zero sense for the reason you guys state.

    • Avs dont need D, however they do need a goalie but I dont think Rask is the solution, me I would sign Markstrom to a 3 year deal so he comes of the books when MacKinnon needs a new contract, like 3 times 8

    • Rask is way better then either avs goalie so I could see them wanting him, and Caper is right, Carlo would to me be the Dman they want from Boston. Boston is already small on the back end so I dont see them making that deal unless they are getting Byram Plus back.

      The avs could use that same size in carlo the Bruins could.

      And if they trade Rask they better have a plan in place. I would take Lenher over Rask right now, but any other FA goalie I am keeping Rask.

  8. With the rangers and wings kind of setting the price for salary dumps do the habs go that route with alzner? Or wait one more year to buy him out

    • The BIG problem there is, any on-ice resemblance between Alzner and Staal (or Jack Johnson and Staal) is beyond remote.

      • Any salary dump the player getting moved isn’t going to be a mainstay haha

      • To clarify… there is no resemblance to JJ by anyone, anywhere, anytime

        A 1 for 1 swap of Alzner for JJ would result in a GMMB public flogging in Montreal

      • Hi Big Bear

        Agree for most Sal dumps… but I proposed moving Statsny … so that there was a chunk freed up for Knights to maneuver … Statsny out Glass in ; frees up > $5.6 M

        Statsny on receiving team … fits in absolutely fine at 3C; can bump to 2C if an injury occurs; Cap greater than cash; and Vegas would be ponying up a prospect (Lechyshyn??) to make it happen

        That team would then likely move him at TDL and get another asset

        So ….in that case ; Statsny would be a “main stay” for the period of time he’s on that team

      • But Stastny asked for – and was given – a full M-NTC clause – why on earth would he waive that to go anywhere else – especially if the only teams Vegas could find willing to take on a 34 y/o making $6.5 mil off the cap are in locations that he wants no part of?

        It’s way too easy to suggest that teams will be lining up to take him simply to get a low pick (given that it comes from a top contending team) or a maybe-prospect.

      • Hi George

        He can be traded to any of 20 teams w/0 his permission

        I’m certainly not saying they’d be lining up… but there are teams looking for a 3C … a return to Jets is certainly not a ridiculous scenario

        Again… that’s if Knights ARE definitely moving on and are successful in getting Petro

      • Pengy I wouldn’t consider statsny a dump per say they would still get something in return not great but not have to give a sweetener away

    • Chatter is, Alzner gets bought out the year after this. Not much cap benefit to buying him out this year, apparently.

      • How bad is Alzner? Would a swap of him and Eriksson make sense? I mean Eriksson can play but no offence and to high salary but he is a good 4th line winger worth maybe 1,5m on the market

  9. There is not a goalie available worth a first on their own. Matheson is good enough as a 5-6. Would not expect more.
    I would like Murray or Holtby in Calgary . It will be part of a overhaul on the entire backend. They certainly have some work to do getting their defence together.
    I think Detroit is going to pip the Sens and grab Drysdale at 4.

      • Hi George

        I’d love to see (actually I would expect at least a call) Dorian to call Blake on the extra required to flip 2nd for 3rd

        I’m very very pro on the long term advantages of Byfield over Stutzle… very pro

        The speed and agility now has Stutzle ahead… but Byfield on the rise; and you just can’t teach size and strength… they are still showing him as 6’ 4 1/4” ; 215…. they had that height and 212 last summer when he was still 16

        Even if he doesn’t grow another cm from last summer… by 22 he will be playing at 225-230 (all gained in muscle)

        What’s Blake want for the flip?

        I know Brown is Roster ready … but long term I think Byfield is the better choice… loads to give up in Brown so LA would have to give up something??

        Brown and 3rd overall (Stutzle) for

        2nd overall (Byfield) and 35th overall(LA’s 2nd rounder)?

        Or …. flip 2nd for 3rd…. Sens give up Norris or Balcers AND 33rd overall pick????

        Thoughts??

      • IF Blake would take the 3rd + Logan Brown for the 2nd … sure, I’d do that in a heartbeat. But Blake ain’t gonna agree to that.

        As for Norris + the 3rd – no – bloody – way. This 6′ 1″ C from U of Michigan – himself a 1st round pick by San Jose – is the real deal and the whole key to the Karlsson trade (before, that is, that 1st round pick turned out to be a Top 5).

        In his first year as a pro at Belleville, he turned in a 31g 30a 61pts season in a shortened 56 game schedule and was a +9.

        He’s a virtual shoo-in to become a Top 2 C in Ottawa playing on a line with longtime buddy Brady Tkachuk.

      • George. I think Blake would be crazy not to take that deal. Most have Byfeld going at 2, but LA has taken centers in 4 straight drafts, including 5th overall last year. I think there’s a chance they move back.

      • Actually, 3 straight drafts Slick62, and although those 3 were decent enough picks – Alex Turcotte 5th overall last year, Rasmus Kupari, 20th in 2018, and Gabriel Vilardi, 11th in 2017 (they didn’t have a 1st rounder in 2016 and at 51st they took a D), none had the pedigree of Quinton Byfield who’d likely be a # 1 if not for some guy named Lafrenière.

    • Prior to last season, I was big on the idea of Holtby to Calgary; but what a train wreck of a season by him. For the salary he is still going to want, I think there are better options.

      Hard NO to Murray for me; injury history and inconsistency coupled with the other options available and the 1st rd asking price all contribute to the hard pass.

      • SCJ, I am hoping the Flames are looking at Lehner, Markstrom if available. I wouldn’t mind Frederick Andersen or Kuemper if the price isn’t too high with Griess as a possibility short term. I am sure the owner would love Andersen’s remaining salary in these Covid times.

  10. George,

    A lot of mock drafts now have Stuetzle going # 2 and Myfield #3.

    Which would you prefer in Ottawa?

    • Both come highly rated Nyr4life – but since Stuetzle is a LW (with decent size who turns 19 in January) where the Sens are reasonably well-stocked (Tkachuk, Connor Brown, Paul, Formenton can all play there) and Byfield is a monster C who turns 19 next Aug and plays a position where they’re a bit thin (Anisimov – 1 year left, Tierney, maybe Colin White and the unproven (at NHL level) Josh Norris and Logan Brown) I’d have to say Byfield would be grabbed if available at 3. But I just don’t see Blake letting that opportunity go by either.

      • @ George O

        Please see my post up top to you about the Sens using the mid first round pick to take Goalie

        ( G ) Yaroslav Askarov

        @ Geoerge

        …copy and paste this ..LOL..
        talk post draft on this topic.. ..LOL

        But I would not be surprised AT ALL if the Sens use one of the mid 1st rounders to take Goalie
        He is very highly touted !!

        ( G ) Yaroslav Askarov

        Just sayin…..I think they do this ..with so many picks !

        Cheers – take care

      • Agree George, you take the C.
        Also agree that Blake thinks the same way and takes him.
        Both D men are excellent skaters with Drysdale more dynamic and elite on his blades. And the kid is a gamer and not afraid of the big stage. 17 year old’s rarely make Canada’s WJ team let alone thrive as the tourney goes on. That was impressive for me.
        Both are blue chip prospects, just bring different attributes.

      • And Kal El, also as I say above, there is NO way Ottawa uses either the 3rd or 5th pick to take Askarov … and he’ll be long gone by the time they get to the 28th pick – which they’ll likely deal anyway.

      • Yeah, Ray, after Lafrenière, Byfield is clearly the consensus # 2 pick simply because of his size, skating ability and position.

        One thing about almost every draft is the emergence of one taken in the Top 10 who is labeled “the sleeper of the draft” – and from all the sites I have visited complete with videos, and based upon my own observations from having seen him play a lot on local TV, my pick for that category this draft is Marco Rossi of the Ottawa 67’s.

        Although I freely admit that, given my druthers and everything else being equal, I’ll always prefer the good big man over the good little man, I wouldn’t hesitate to take the latter if, when the time comes, he’s clearly and by far the best option available. And at # 6 I think he’ll be snapped up by Anaheim.

        He’s a 5′ 9″ 187 lb left-shooting C who takes NO crap from anybody and scores a lot of his goals from the in-close rough areas. One pundit, in his assessment, says if he and 6″ 4″ Byfield were in trhe corner battling for a puck, he’d put his money on Rossi more often than not.

        Back in the spring most had him listed in the bottom half of the 1st round – and now I’ve seen him ranked as high as # 4. He puts me in mind of another smallish 657’s graduate, Travis Konecny, who also plays with an edge, not to mention Brad Marchand (as the pundit also said “albeit without the licks”) – who EVERYONE would love to have on their team – whether they’d openly admit it or not.

      • George…agreed on Blake not passing on Byfield. Build from the Middle out kind of GM.

        Would OTT offer Logan Brown and the #5 for #2? Would LA do it?

      • Hi George

        Oops

        Started my post above re Draft and Byfield but took a call… by the time I finished it (w/o refreshing screen) and hit send… many more had posted on this thread and weighed in… so see above re my take on Byfield 👍

      • I more or less answered that re Brown above IhateCrosby. If Blake would take the # 3 and C Logan Brown for the # 2, I’d do that in a flash. I seriously doubt he’d do that, however, and sure wouldn’t if the offer was Brown + the 5th pick for # 1.

      • # 2 – damned keyboard and huge hands

  11. Rutherford putting Johnson (3.25 million) and Murray together in a deal is going to require adding quality picks and prospects.

    Who is going to want a defenceman that cant play defence and a goalie in need of a new contract (raise)mthats one bump to the noggin away from LTIR?

    A shame for Rutherford that Chiarelli got fired.

    Good luck on that….

  12. Pengy,

    If you think Johnson is brutal youre in for a bloody nightmare if the Pens sign Chris Tanev. Complete turnstile, zero speed or offensive upside.

    Pen fans had best be praying Rutherford doesnt read any Vancouver media or worse listen to the drones on local radio spew their lunacy about how Tanev is a shotblocking stay at home dman.

    Of course as a Flyers fan Im forced to hope Rutherford does sign him, long term lol.

    Impossible to down grade from Johnson? Enjoy the Chris Tanev turnover show, lol.

    Buyer Beware!!!

    • Hi Ron

      Certainly wasn’t any fan of the potential CT on Pens deal…certainly looks dead in the water now

      That said… CT in his worst game on his worst day… is better than JJ on his best day

      I’m glad he’s not coming… but CT or MM ; are, no ifs ands or buts; an improvement over JJ

      I still can’t fathom why they haven’t bought him out

      Burying him is ridiculous as he’s still being paid and $2.1 M still against Cap

      Trading him will cost assets… and not just MM… Prob JJ, MM and ZAR for a 7th

      I’d rather keep ZAR and the 2nd (for MM); or flip MM and ZAR for a 3RD

      The buyout of JJ and replacing his roster spot with Czuczman or Pierre Oilivier Joseph ; NETS $1.4 M cash AND Cap

  13. Pengy if you still do not like JJ call EDM up and offer JJ & Rust for Neal lol

    • Hi IHC

      see my last post under Ron’s thread

    • Hi IHC

      see my last post under Ron’s thread

      • Double post ????? 🤪😫

  14. If the Lightning win the Cup without him…… does anyone see Tampa making a trade involving Stamkos? (picks and/prospects).

    Or……. a Stamkos buyout? (8.5 cap hit).

    • Geez, Ron – with the possibility this muscle core injury becoming chronic that would be a helluva gamble if a team had to relinquish high assets. Besides, he’s likely to hold fast to his NMC clause which would severely limit the trade options. Who could blame him?

    • To BUFF for Staal lol I kid I kid

  15. He’s been out since March 2 since having that surgery. That’s 6 months and he obviously wasn’t ready for full game action when he did return – or if he was, a few shifts was all it took to trigger it again.

  16. T. Johnson 4 points in the playoffs. Tough sell at his income rate.
    I believe Stamkos played to get his name engraved on the cup. Otherwise the captain would not . If in fact they win.

  17. Kucherov, 58th; Point 79th; Cirelli 72nd; Palat 208th; Killorn 77th; Gourde undrafted.
    If they win the Cup, Tampa Bay’s scouting staff deserve their names on the trophy and the same rings as the players.
    What a job they did.

    • Missed at least one – Tyler Johnson undrafted. Not sure another team can match that record.

  18. Stammer to BUFF for Staal? lol I kid I kid

  19. Don’t know if this is above but it appears the Bruins offered Krug 6.5 /6 …. word is he’s looking for mire $$$ per

    • I read that too.
      Not sure where he expects to get more money and term than that.
      Good luck in your future endeavors, Krug.