NHL Morning Headlines & Rumor Mill – September 21, 2020
The latest on Steven Stamkos and Jimmy Howard in this morning’s NHL headlines, plus updates on the Devils, Flyers, Senators, and Hurricanes in the NHL rumor mill.
NHL MORNING COFFEE HEADLINES
TAMPA BAY TIMES: Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said Steven Stamkos is inching closer to returning to action, but he doesn’t expect his captain to suit up for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final tonight against the Dallas Stars. Stamkos has been sidelined since July with a core-muscle issue.
THE DETROIT NEWS: Goaltender Jimmy Howard wants to continue his NHL playing career but acknowledged it probably won’t be with the Red Wings. Howard, 36, is an unrestricted free agent on Oct. 9.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wings are likely in the market for a starting goaltender, something Howard is no longer capable of being. He could land elsewhere on a one-year deal as a backup and mentor to a younger starter.
TSN: Former Montreal Canadiens defenseman Albert (Junior) Langlois passed away over the weekend at age 85. He spent four seasons with the Canadiens from 1957 to 1961, winning three Stanley Cups. He also spent three seasons with the New York Rangers, two with the Boston Bruins, and one with the Detroit Red Wings, followed by one season with the WHL before retiring in 1967.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Langlois’ family, friends and former teammates.
NHL RUMOR MILL
TSN RADIO VANCOUVER: TSN analyst Ray Ferraro speculated Devils defenseman Damon Severson may have “soured” in New Jersey. Ferraro noted Severson is a right-hand shot, praising his skating and shot. He believes the 26-year-old blueliner would be more affordable than Minnesota’s Matt Dumba if the Devils are willing to move him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils have been quiet since hiring Lindy Ruff as head coach and removing the interim tag from Tom Fitzgerald’s title as general manager in early July. Their most notable move since then was hiring Mark Recchi earlier this month as an assistant coach.
We don’t know if Fitzgerald has any intention of shopping Severson, who has three years remaining on his contract with an annual cap hit of $4.166 million and lacking no-trade protection. The Devils have $55.2 million invested in 13 players. Unless they have an internal cap lower than the league’s $81.5 million, Fitzgerald won’t be under pressure to shed salary. Nevertheless, it could be worth keeping an eye on Severson and the Devils in the coming weeks as activity builds up in the trade market.
PHILLY.com‘s Sam Carchidi believes the Philadelphia Flyers will try to move defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere and winger James van Riemsdyk. He believes Gostisbehere will draw more interest.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both players are signed through 2022-23 and lack no-trade protection. Gostisbehere, however, carries an annual average value of $4.5 million while van Riemsdyk’s is $7 million. So yeah, there will probably be more interest in Ghost Bear than JVR in this economic climate.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch expects the Senators will receive plenty of calls from clubs looking to shed contracts in exchange for draft picks. The Sens have nine picks in the first three rounds and 13 in total.
Garrioch doesn’t expect them to take on bad contracts but maybe they can use this situation to their advantage to bolster their roster. It’s believed they’ve been in talks for a veteran goalie, including Pittsburgh’s Matt Murray. The Columbus Blue Jackets and Arizona Coyotes could also be shopping goaltenders.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sens have three first-round picks, including the third and fifth overall, in this year’s draft. I don’t see them moving either of those (or both) unless they’re getting a terrific player in return. They could, however, entertain offers for the first-rounder they acquired from the New York Islanders in the Jean-Gabriel Pageau trade at the February trade deadline.
The Blue Jackets could move either Joonas Korpisalo or Elvis Merzlikins. The Coyotes, meanwhile, could shop Darcy Kuemper or Antti Raanta.
THE ATHLETIC (subscription required): With the Carolina Hurricanes carrying limited salary-cap space next season, Sara Civian wondered if they’ll go the free-agent or trade route to upgrade their goaltending.
Free-agent options could include Vegas’ Robin Lehner, Vancouver’s Jacob Markstrom or Dallas’ Anton Khudobin, though Civian doesn’t expect an encore with the Hurricanes for the latter. If the Golden Knights re-sign Lehner, she suggests the Hurricanes look into acquiring Marc-Andre Fleury.
Civian wondered what they’d be willing to trade for a goalie. Jaccob Slavin is off-limits, they don’t want to trade Brett Pesce or Martin Necas, and she doesn’t believe they’d move Dougie Hamilton even though he’s a year away from UFA eligibility.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t believe the Hurricanes can become a Cup contender next season with their current goaltending tandem of Petr Mrazek and James Reimer. Maybe they ride it out for another season with those two until their contracts expire next summer, but if the front office is serious about building a contender, they must look to the trade or free-agent market for an upgrade.
Severson. Well that came from out of nowhere. Severson is a very good second pairing Dman. Devils problem is that they have no first pairing Dmen. I don’t see how trading him helps the team, unless its an overpay which I would doubt highly.
Severson is inconsistent . one night he looks great and the next night he looks lost. @ 26 and in his prime a change might do it
Severson hasn’t “soured” at all. He is good skating, big, physical RD and not going anywhere unless, it’s something pretty darn big.
I think many other clubs had interest in JVR when he became a UFA, and here it is, a short time after Philly has him at 7 mil, they want to unload him. Unless Philly takes back half his cap hit, he’s staying. He was a heal.thy scratch early on the playoffs. And he’s a Jersey boy. let him stay there w/ Flyers.
Fleury
I don’t see M A F going to the Canes ..he holds a NMC …and if he is bought out he will end up back in Pitt for a very low salary to be where he wants and it will not be with the Canes…..IMO.
He wants to finish off in Pitt if given an opportunity and his choice.
DEVILS
If Severson is available. The Devils may be able to command a First round pick for him …he has good term and an excellent contact for a Right shot #2 D man ..interesting asset…
If a team was to go after Severson Id try to broaden the deal to include Gusev..
I LOVE this player ..one of the best passers in the game …IMO …tis would be a great pick up for the Oilers… IMO ..Id move out Ethan Bear Athansaiou & ..Puljijarvi for those 2 players …if I am Holland Gusev would be a great addition McDavids line.
HOWARD
The only way I am taking Howard is for league minimum ..and that’s it ..for 1 year !
CANES
Id love for the Canes and Leafs to make a deal …Nylander and Anderson …for
Foegele …and Pesce…..Id really like this deal
Then If I am the Leafs Iam sending the Rangers the 15th pick they got from the Pens to the Rangers for Georgieve !
take care have a good day
Cheers
M A F has a Mod-NTC he has a 20 team trade list 10 team no trade list. So yeah i can easily see Carolina being one of the 20 teams he’d waive for. M A F to Carolina makes totally perfect sense.
@ Gary VanDecar
I am Sorry I don’t see Fleury waiving anything to go to the Canes..no way …I just dont see it…
sorry…IMHO
I don’t mind the trade proposal TOR and CAR. I don’t think Nylander is being moved though? Johnsson and Kerfoot most likely are gone.
Not sure Georgiev is worth a 1st rounder though?
Not sure why Fleury wouldn’t go to Carolina? He agreed to Vegas. Why not Carolina? Vegas is a fun place to visit, but a god awful place to live.
I don’t thinK ANY goaltender is worth a 1st. At least I can’t think of one.
I definitely don’t see Georgiev fetching a 1st. Probably a 3rd. That’s if NY wanted to move him. Which all signs point to him being in NY and Lundqvist being bought out.
@ Daryl
I do think Georgieve is worth the pick ..for sure ..not only is he worth the pick ..it allows the Leafs to use the 15th pick to keep there cap low on acquiring a RFA Goalie that is the same caliber of any goalie they would have to make a deal for an most likely pay $5 million or more to have signed …getting Georgieve with the 15th pick allows the Leafs to not only get a SOLID goalie tandem in place but a price to where as in the 2 combined goalies would be had for the same price as one ELITE goalie ..I think Georgieve grows into an elite goalie and id make that deal …he has shown his potential to be able to play RIGHT NOW and win !
the 15th pock is usd as leverage to keep the cap down low and still have quality …the player that they pick at 15 now ..will not help them until at least 3 years away now …so its better used to get a low cost goalie that GREAT Used and use that asset to keep cap low at same time !
cheers
https://www.tsn.ca/must-see/video/must-see-jimmy-kimmel-trolls-canada-with-stanley-cup-joke~2039622
FD
Glad you put that in, you beat me to mentioning it here.
I know this is a hockey site; but when Jimmy Kimmel ties the Emmies into hockey …. the door is open
I watched them last night and was ecstatic that Canadians swept the first 7 awards… Schitt’s Creek swept the comedy awards… great show BTW… for those of you south of the border give it a try
Kimmel slipped up in saying that if Canada (via Schitt’s Creek) had won 8 (instead of the 7) we (Canada ) could have traded it in for a Stanley cup… and that we had to wait another 27 years…. we’ll hold on Jimmy; Schitt’s Creek also won two other Emmies earlier in the week … making it 9…. so…. show us the cup 👍🙏😁
Congrats Schitt’s Creek ensemble
Add that (Schitt’s creek ) to the fact that last year’s Hollywood’s two top earners both are 🇨🇦 citizens ….👍👍👍👍👍👍
Regardless of which team wins the cup; a Canadian is lifting it first (assuming Stamkos is either on the ice, or the team follows tradition and has him take it).
2019 top Hollywood earners Chris Hemsworth (Australia) and Dwayne Johnson (US)
Actresses:
Sofia Vergara (Columbia) split US citizen.
Scarlett Johansson(US)
Is this where the US / Canada hockey rivalry has come to? Who got more emmys / Grammys / oscars or earned more in Hollywood?
Lmao. What’s all this have to do with the price of milk or 1993?
Just in
Pens trade JJ to Hollywood for Dwayne Johnson.
Pens gets the bigger / harder hitter for their “D”
Hollywood gets the better actor
Per Forbes post of 11/8/20 Hollywood’s highest paid actors:
1) the Rock $87.5 M; and
2) Ryan Reynolds $71.5 M
….both 🇨🇦 citizens … RR all his life; The Rock became a 🇨🇦 citizen 11 years ago in honour of his Nova Scotian father ; wrestler Rocky Johnson
https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2020/08/11/the-highest-paid-actors-of-2020-dwayne-johnson-ryan-reynolds/
Last year is 2019. Lmao
While he may have some sort of honorary citizenship in Canada…. he resides in Florida and owns homes in California and Virginia. As far as I can see, doesn’t even have any type of legal residency in Canada.
I’m not even sure he has visited Canada any time recently 🤡!
You guys are going to have to come up with some other way to justify a 27 year cup drought.
I have an opinion on why a Canadian team hasn’t won in so long Nyr4Life.
They lack patience.
Is that the pressure from the fans and media to win?
Maybe it is real or it is perceived, I don’t know.
Just look at the Leafs.
Stuck to the plan for 2-3 years, Tavares is available as a UFA, patience out the window and pay him $11M.
Now – cap hell and big decisions coming due.
Definitely solvable, trade from forward depth for D, but easier said than done when you are up against it.
Montreal – I will let a MTL resident answer but from the outside a long rebuild and finishing in the bottom 3 for 2-3 years seems unacceptable in Quebec. That Price deal was crazy.
VCR – signed a bunch of vets trying to get into playoffs now. Ownership mandate. That is why Linden walked. May have been better served to wait, now have cap issues and may lose players they want to keep.
Cgy – meh? Who cares. But should have won in 04. That goal was in. They got hosed.
Edmonton – Incompetent management and lack of patience up until Holland. Chased Lucic. Made a Hall trade as he couldn’t wait for D to develop. Pushed 18 and 19 yr old players into the lineup. We will see how Holland does, but I am optimistic he will do what he needs to over the next couple years and they have a shot.
OTT – Melnyk is a wild card, but along with EDM have the best chance in next 4-5 years as he either get’s it or is just cheap, so isn’t trying to sign UFA’s. Maybe both.
Top 3 picks don’t guarantee success, but not having them almost guarantees you won’t win the cup. You need young talent and depth and you need to be patient and develop it. Seems like a problem in Canada.
Gostisbehere is toast with the Flyers. Healthy scratch during the playoffs. He even did not look as bad as he did earlier in the year nd still no room for his talents. Tough to be just a PP specialist
Flyers did a much better job exiting their zone with Gostisbehere in the lineup during the playoffs.
I didnt like the JVR signing when they did it and it looks even worse now.
Best they’ll do for the Ghost is a 3rd or 4th round pick. Moving JVR is going to prove very difficult in the current climate.
News + Rumors
Tasty combo platter, Lyle
Agree!! Like having both in same post. Hoping this is the new norm.
I feel for Jimmy Howard in a way, I don’t think he’d even get a gig in the KHL. Not a criticism of him, I know he’s had a pretty awful D in front of him. But, I don’t think we’ll see him in an NHL uniform .
Actually I do see him playing in NHL next year.
There are a few teams that need a back up goalie and don’t forget teams need to have two goalies
signed for the expansion draft. I could see a team like the Ducks offer him 2 years @ 1.25 million a year, they then they have a Vet to backup Gibson and can expose Howard to the expansion draft
You knew as soon as the flyers signed jvr it was a mistake! Ghost might fetch a 4th or 5th pick but jvr a sweeetner is going to be needed
BBB,
Totally agree on JVR. I think Ghost may draw a 3rd or 4th rounder.
I like to see Zach Bogosian win the Cup; his 12th year in the league and his first Stanley Cup playoffs.
Ron Hainsey also played in his first playoffs after 12 full season in 2016-2017 and won the Cup with Pittsburgh.
But i’m cheering for Seguin, Khodobin (We no go home!) and Rick Bowness.
A couple of good stories to keep me interested.
Ya agree Caper, Bowness and the other guys you mention.
Part of me wants to see TB win because of Hedman. Does anybody in the NHL have a bigger impact on a game than he does?
He should win the Norris every year if he is healthy.
Bogo will be a good pick up for some team. From the scrapheap to legitimacy. He’s playing well. a very decent 5-6 D man
I’d like to see that Avs pick him up after they move Zadorov out. More affordable 3rd pair option plus the experience.
Makes me wonder who the Lightning assistant coach is who focuses primarily on d men. He seems to have a knack for refurbishing guys. Shattenkirk bogo. More?
BOGO is a good 3rd pairing at Less than 2m
Pulling for Bowness. met him several times at islander STH events back when he was with them.
Really nice man. I’m rooting hard for him.
I don’t know what it is about Jon Cooper, but he seems too “slick” for me.
The kind of guy that goes in the revolving door behind you , yet comes out ahead of you.
That is a fun saying I ain’t neva hurd. Love it.
Hi Bill
I have s different view of Cooper… like him
… but; just as Chrisms; had never heard that revolving door explanation of “slick”…👍👍👍👍
That’s an old New York City-ism, guys.
Jersey souring on Severson… Leafs and Pens will gladly take him
Let’s finally get that rumoured WW + 15th for Ekblad done; and move Holl, Bracco , and Rosen for Severson
Ekblad/Reilly
Severson/Muzzin
*??/Dermott
7th… Sandin
*not sure if Liljegren is ready
Pens will gladly send Jimbo’s most prized (pronounced “praised” ) player; #3
plus sweeteners #2; #46; and #37 for Severson
Tanger/Dumo
Marino/Pettersson
Severson/Riikola
7th… Czuczman or Pierre-Olivier Joseph
Either of the above scenarios are great for me
All that so you can play Severson on the 3rd pair??? Stick to the Emmy’s ….
Why would NJ do that. Bracco – I don’t know the story, but appears to have gone rotten on the Marlies.
Hi Kevin
I was frivolously being facetious…. Jersey would be a fool to move on from Severson…. I’ve been pro on him for a while.
If somehow they do… I’m sure he will be in great demand
Jersey would never make the trade that brings in JJ… I was just pointing out how much (at a minimum ) would have to be given up in sweeteners to jettison the horrific JJ 🤬😡🤬😡
The Leafs proposed move to get Severson was less facetious… was trying to come up with some package that might come close. I’m not keen AT ALL on Bracco…. never understood why they got him in the first place … only included him as others on here think he’s better than I do and the fact that Bracco grew up just over an hour away from the Prudential centre in Manhasset
Severson IMHO should (and does) stay a Devil
The WW & 15th for Ekblad…. I’m 100 % serious on…. gedderdone, please and thank-you
Hello Pengy, value wise I see no reason that Florida would not jump at the WW & 15th for Ekblad. My thought is that Florida would then have NO defense and would therefore ultimately be worse off.
Also on Severson, someone pointed out he is inconsistent. I understand that viewpoint, but feel that is more on the Devils team then on him. He would pinch and try to get some offense going for Devs because they have barely any, but his pairings were so poor they could not compensate for this. So sometimes worked great, sometimes not so much. on a better team or better line mate he could stay within his game – and be a very good second pairing.
Hi Kevin
with you 100% on Severson evaluation …. for sure it’s circumstances and surrounding players …. another team…. 👍👍👍👍
Correctamundo re Panthers … tough to move a great D then have limitations on D…. however… this rumour keeps percolating ; and Panthers need to save cash (which the proposal does) and we be looking to replace offence with the likely departure of Hoffman
They also get the 15th to go along with their 12th in this strong draft
Perhaps they nab Jarvis or Quinn or Mercer at 12; plus Ghule @ 15???
Panthers for sure looking to lower costs
@Kevin
I have been pushing the WW & #15 for Ekblad as FLA is looking to clear long term cap room.
Yes it lowers the grade to their D Core. The 15th would bring a young core player.
Have to start thinking transition now as no promise that Barkov will sign in 2 years. Better start planning now!!
Plenty of D-men out there UFA to build a conistent core back there and well rounded in terms of $ and cap hit. Not 7 million in 1 guy but 7 mill in 2.
Trade Matheson for picks
Trade Connelly to EDM for PJ
use cap space to grab picks and 1 yr bad contracts from teams like NY and other teams.
Let Dadonov, Hoffman & Boyle walk. All over 30.
Nylander (24) gives them more younger offensive punch upfront and signed to term. Especially if Barkov walks.
I think you’re both nuts! If Florida makes the Nylander for Ekblad trade , all 4 Panthers fans will get together and riot!
@NYR4Life
As the Rock says “It Doesn’t Matter What You Think”
Just kidding
It will be interesting what FLA does going forward. They are like ANA…too good to get top 3 pick too bad to compete for a playoff spot.
Tough decisions to make going forward…what I suggested was the tough one to make.
With you IHC re Panthers… limbo land ain’t cuttin’ it… they are already a losing (profits) team and Gary won’t approve a move…. cut costs now; get building assets for the future
Dang right that they might be able to snag 2 UFA RHD’s for $7 M (or just a tad more)…. Barrie and De Melo??
pengy have u forgotten about Lehtonen? Severson is a really bad idea. Really bad.
I like him W17H
He’s no Parayko that’s for sure; but I like him for his Cap hit
Gostisbehere had knee surgery during stoppage. Pretty sure he wasn’t at 100% in playoffs. Has one of those front loaded contracts: 3 years left with a cap hit of 4.5m, but actual salary is 3.25 per. Could be attractive to a team with space but has internal budget. I’d swap him for DeAngelo if philly threw in a 2nd rounder
To CHI: Tage Thompson & Casey Mittelstadt
To BUF: Saad & CGY 3rd
CHI clears cap room
BUF gets a LW to line up with Staal & Okposo on line 2
CHI can sign Howard (league minimum 2 yr) to back up Crawford
Can’t see it happening, Saad is one and done where I think they still have hope for Thompson and mattering what type of shape Mittelstadt comes to camp in may determine his fate. If he comes in a dough boy then maybe he gets traded. If a center is drafted at 8 that could also seal his fate. Sabres need a top 6 RW more than another LW.
I wonder if a Ghost for Montour or Miller works as the Sabres need a LHD.
Hey Len
Hope is to have the season to talk to Saad and extend him perhaps for less but more $ on the term like 5.5 for 6….
Ya know what ya get with Saad and not Take or Casey…..Buff needs to hep Eichel and Chicago needs to rebuild getting ready for a post JT and PK.
Heavy top 6 and veteran low contract bottom 6…bunch of grinders like Brad Richardson, Colemans etc….
Interesting note I read yesterday…did you know that in Dallas they are allowing fans in the arena, be-it at 25% capacity during their cup run?
I hope it works out and nice test for the upcoming season.
They’re allowing them in clusters; if you come with a group, you can sit together but with a lot of distance between groups. Some NFL teams have been doing it, too. Sounds like a reasonable way to get fans back in the buildings. Hopefully it will work out.
is there really a market for a 36 year old goalie who last season had a 4.20 GAA and .882 SV PCT?
you have had a nice career Jimmy , time to hang em up.
Agree Fergy 22
If he’s playing… KHL or AHL; best case NHL at/near League min as a back-up (and it won’t be for a contender)
Retirement is the prudent decision IMHO
Howard was 2 wins 23 losses… and as you’ve pointed out his GAA and save % was very bad
Hutch … now 30… was 5-9-1; 3.48; .888….. got League minimum last year…. so that is realistically the best Howard could logistically get…. time to retire
@Kal El
I do agree with you that Georgiev is worth looking into but not at the cost of a 1st. A 2nd round pick might be worth the risk.
If TOR is offering the 15th pick there has to be more coming back…
To NYR 15th pick, Dermott
To TOR Georgiev, DeAngelo
Both teams are given permission to negotiate a contract with the RFAs before completing the deal.
A 2nd is plenty for Georgiev, or Dermott or Kerfoot straight up.
Why would anyone trade for a 4-5 rhd like Severenson and then compound the error by paying him over 4M a year. That is a bad contract. Holl is probably a more consistent D at $2m.
If anyone wondering if hockey is Canada’s game just look at who are the best players pretty sure Connor Sid Nathan Marchand Bergeron and Price wear red and white and I could name 30 more. It’s not where the team is based I am. Ruin fan because of best Canadian ever Robert Gordon Orr