NHL Rumor Mill – September 8, 2020

by | Sep 8, 2020 | Rumors | 84 comments

Are the Oilers shopping for a goalie? Will the Blue Jackets get into the market for a center? How could the Blackhawks shed salary? Check out the latest in today’s NHL rumor mill.

OILERS SEEKING A GOALTENDER?

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson reports the Oilers seek a goaltender to share the duties with Mikko Koskinen. While they’ve kicked the tires on Pittsburgh’s Matt Murray, the Oilers would prefer adding a younger version of Mike Smith for around $2.5 million who can play 35-40 games with Koskinen.

Matheson points out the Oilers only have around $9 million in cap space. He also notes it’s a buyer’s market for unrestricted free agent goalies with such notables as Braden Holtby, Jacob Markstrom, Cam Talbot, Anton Khudobin and Thomas Greiss potentially available. Trade options could include Murray, Arizona’s Darcy Kuemper, or maybe Columbus’ Joonas Korpisalo.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bolstering the goaltending should be the Oilers’ priority. Koskinen cannot be relied upon to carry the bulk of the starts and Smith is clearly past his prime and must be replaced.

Kuemper would be the best trade option if available, carrying a reasonable $4.5 million annual average value over the next two seasons. Korpisalo would be even more affordable ($2.8 million AAV for two years) but has a limited body of work as a starter.

The Penguins are trying to cut costs by shopping Murray. The asking price won’t be expensive but his new contract will be, perhaps over $6 million annually. Factor in his injury history and inconsistent play over the last two years, and the Oilers would be wise to look elsewhere.

Perhaps the Oilers will move one of their defensemen to free up cap space for other moves. Matheson’s colleague David Staples suggested shopping veteran defenseman Kris Russell to free up some cap space. He’s got a year left on his contract with a $4 million AAV and a 15-team no-trade list for 2020-21, but his actual salary will be $1.5 million once the Oilers pay his $1 million signing bonus for next season.

WILL THE BLUE JACKETS SHOP FOR A CENTER?

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Brian Hedger reports the 2020 playoffs showed the Blue Jackets need an upgrade at center, specifically on the second line. He indicates there’s a “glaring void” between first-line center Pierre-Luc Dubois and third-liner Boone Jenner.

Hedger lists free agency, the trade market and developing from within as the ways general manager Jarmo Kekalainen can address this issue.

The free-agent market is bleak, with Nashville’s Mikael Granlund topping the list with 30 points this season. Kekalainen will explore the trade market as they can draw upon their blueline depth, young forwards, and a pair of goalies in their mid-20s who performed well this season for trade bait. Hedger suggested the Edmonton Oilers’ Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as a trade target, though he’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent next year.

Options from within could include Alexander Wennberg or Alexandre Texier.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The UFA market is very thin for center. Granlund, Carl Soderberg, Tyler Ennis, Joe Thornton, Jason Spezza, Mikko Koivu and Erik Haula are the best of the bunch. Thornton, Spezza, Koivu and Soderberg are past their prime, Granlund and Ennis are used more as wingers while Haula’s been hampered by injuries in recent years.They could try Wennberg and Texier, but I don’t think that’s going to work. Wennberg is inconsistent while Texier is used mostly on the wing.

The trade market is their best option to address that need, but I don’t think the Oilers intend to part with Nugent-Hopkins. He’s a key versatile part of their forward lines, able to play second-line center or skate at left wing on Connor McDavid’s line.

HOW WILL THE BLACKHAWKS CUT SALARY?

NBC SPORTS CHICAGO: Charlie Roumeliotis recently examined how the Blackhawks can free up salary-cap space to re-sign restricted free agents Dominik Kubalik, Dylan Strome and Drake Caggiula and unrestricted free agent goalie Corey Crawford.

The Blackhawks can free up $5.56 million if they buy out Olli Maatta and Zack Smith. A more ideal solution would be moving one or both via trade, but that would involve packaging them with sweeteners.

Trading Brandon Saad would shed $6 million. The 27-year-old left winger is slated to become a UFA next summer. However, Roumeliotis argues that move would subtract a top-six forward merely to shed salary. Given the current economic climate, he doubts a rival club would take on that full cap hit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Buying out Maatta and Smith could also leave the Blackhawks with over $1.7 million in dead cap space for the next two seasons, followed by two more seasons of $680K annually. Nevertheless, that could become their best option to re-sign their key players.

I doubt Smith will have any more trade value. Maatta’s performance in this year’s playoffs might make him enticing for clubs seeking a puck-moving defenseman.







84 Comments

  1. The Jackets and the Habs would be a good trade fit. Max Domi would be perfect to fill the Jackets hole at #2 Center. The Habs would likely be interested in Vladislav Gavrikov. The Jackets would be loathe to trade him but you have to give up somebody to get somebody.

    • Howard, I agree that Domi looks like a great fit for CBJ. I don’t know Gavrikov, but in looking him up, it seems like he could be a good fit for what the Habs would want, too. I like it!

      p.s. It’s also nice that you have a “have to give to get” perspective. That’s not a given when reading some people’s proposed trades 🙂

      • Why let logic stand in the way of a good trade rumor. The entire armchair GM industry would go out of business if that happened.

    • Howard, I replied perhaps too late to you yesterday for you to notice my comment that you seem to have overlooked Fleury, Juulsen and Brook as young defensive prospects the Habs have.

      I believe Fleury will be full time this year. With the addition of Romanov (and I agree with you that his strong suit is not offense) the Habs do not need more young D.

      Further, the market for centers is always slim and while Domi will not fetch a big return he will surely fetch more than Gavrikov and his one goal last year. If the Habs add a D it needs to be someone who has offensive flair. Petry needs some help in that department.

      • I’m obviously hopeful that at least one of Juulsen, Fleury and Brook will emerge as a solid top 4 D-man. The thing is, they all play the right side. The left side is thinner. I agree they’d need more than Gavrikov for Domi, such as a good prospect or a young depth forward, but he had a very solid rookie year.

      • What the habs should do is approach the jets about something like domi and kotkaniemi for laine and lowry type deal, jets get a 2nd line winger and center, montreal gets the top lime scoring winger they need and center to go behind suzuki and denault while also getting bigger

  2. Boston Bruins thinking ahead..
    Rask will be 34 & Krejci will be 35 before they become UFA’s next summer & both Players are huge parts of the Boston Bruins right now the two players have a modified NTC …. do the Bruins try to trade, extend or just let either one or both of them walk … the two total a $14 + cap hit

    • Bruins need to stay all in as they like Pitts might not see a 1+2 center punch like Bergeron and Krejci for a generation

      • I agree I also think they wasted Krejci talent by not getting him wingers to play with after Lucic & Horton left many years ago

    • Joe, I believe they have one last kick at the can.

      For me David Krecji was Boston best player in the playoff, it always amazes me, how he can just slow down the play and control it, I believe unless you watch him on a regular basses you don’t fully appreciate his games.

      They need better D, a little more toughness and a revamp 4th line.

      C is set with Bergeron, Krecji, Coyle and Kuraly

      2 wingers in Marchand and Pastrnak

      2 dman in McAvoy and Carlo

      2 goalies in Rask and Halak

      anyone not listed is tradable and some should be while, other should just walk.

      • One last kick is correct out of that group Rask,Krejci,Kuraly are UFA’s next summer and Carlo a RFA

      • Bergeron is also 35. amazing

      • Hindsight .. the 2015 Draft was suppose to be the bridge with 3. 1st picks & 3 2nd rd picks … it failed

      • Hindsight…..Hindsight

        How would a Boeser,Barzal,Connor,Konecny bridge for the Bruins work ?

        OK I’ll stop

      • Caper
        I always resepct your posts, big Bees fan here as well. The difference between TB and Bees wasnt that much

        37-Pasta-March
        46—Kase/Debrusk
        13—Bjork/Studnicka
        52-Khulman/Lindolm/Wagner

        Mac/Carlo/Gryz/Chara/Clif/Zboril-Lauzon

        Halak–MAF? LUNDQUIST
        1 year deal bridge gap to the young guy

        Rask has to be traded or cut
        Moore back to the Devils
        Debrusk–I like him maybe included in right deal for a top 6 forward top 4 def

      • The biggest difference is that TB has secondary scoring and the B’s had nothing in that regard. Krejci is not a scorer but a good set up man. I still dont think he is worth his salary but Caper is 100% correct, he is amazing at slowing the play down.

        Right now the B’s have just over 15 mill in cap space I believe and if I were them these would be the following players I would look to ship out (again my own Opinion)

        Moore – not sure why we are content paying someone 2.75 to sit in the press box.
        Debrusk – just does not seem to fit in with this team RFA
        Nick Ritchie – I guess we did not learn from the Brett Ritchie signing 1.5 mill
        ondrej Kase – Also just doesn’t seem to fit in 2.6 Mill
        Torey Krug – UFA he simply does not feel to me like a 6+ mill a year player and not someone I want to worry about protecting come expansion draft.

        If (and big if) you can get rid of those contracts that’s another 6.85 to play with.

        I would sign Hall to play with Krejci and try to sign Pietrangelo (may not be popular opinion) really try to trade for Josh Anderson as a flier.

        And at some point in time you are going to have to let Fredric come and play some meaningful minutes.

        Rask is a know knows, but one thing for sure it is nice that either way after this next season he is off the books.

      • I think giving up on Ritchie and Kase this soon would be a mistake. Both are RFA after the coming season. A 2.6 mil second line right winger is cheap! The average salary for a second line winger last year was just over 4.5 million. Only 8 teams had a second line winger paid less than Kase, and 4 of those were still on rookie deals.

        Let Kase gel with Krejci a bit first and then decide. Give Ritchie a bit of time on the third line with Coyle. He is mush more skilled than his brother and his cap hit is team friendly.

        As others have said, Krejci has a way to slow the play down. He is why Lucic looked so good. So give DeBrusk more time too. He had 35 points last year. Let him grow with two constant line mates unless they trade for a better LW.

        I’d let Krug go. He is NOT worth over 6mil. Too small and not great defensively. I’d offer a prospect and possible a pick to NYR for the rights to DeAngelo.

        I think the Bruins are stuck with some players due to NTC.

        I hope they do something like this….

        Let Krug, Chara, Miller and Nordstrom walk.

        Bring Chara back as a coach. His leadership and ability to tutor young d-men is invaluable.

        Resign DeBrusk to either a bridge deal or a long term team friendly one.

        Resign Grzelcyk around 2.5-2.75 for 4 years.

        Try to sign Edmundson 4 year at between 14 -16 mil.

        Sign Krejci to a 2yr 10mil extension.

        Try for Hall with a 7 yr 6.5 per deal.

        If Hall doesn’t work go after Dadonov.

    • Joe, EVERY team can say the same about hindsight because there is no way to know. How many of the 24 other picks would have taken Pastrnak instead of who they drafted in 2014? Other than Edmonton, I think all of the other 23 teams would have. You could go back every draft and say what if.

      • The difference is the Bruins had three picks CONSECUTIVELY and passed on Barzal all three times. That is brutal, no one else can say that.

      • Agree 100%….. I guess it turned out that it was a very important draft for the Bruins because of all the 1st & 2nd td picks they had and it did turn out to be a whiff

      • I remember watching that draft specifically for those 3 picks and was super excited when Barzal dropped to them and was also hoping for Chabot. It would have been nice if we hit on one of those picks.

        I also remember watching when they had 2 picks in 2016. Super happy with McAvoy and was hoping for DeBrinkcat with the second.

      • Pretty sure super scout GM Keith Gretzky was running the Bruins draft table that day.
        Embarrassing picks

      • Gotta remember that bruins drafting barzal or chabot etc does not mean that they would have turned into the same players on a different team. They could have developed differently in a different system with different coaches/styles.

      • While that is true Christmas, both those players were talked about a lot more and higher with regard to draft spot compared to any of the 3 bruins picks

      • That’s the rub Greatgonzo.
        Too clever by half.

      • I like being called Christmas!

      • Consecutive or not…. the Bruins were not looking for another center early in that draft. Boston always looks to build the defense and back then they had plenty of centers in the system. They needed wings. I’m not saying I wouldn’t have picked Barzel with the 13th pick, because I would have jumped all over him. What I’m saying is, it is REAL easy to criticize years later when all of us are just armchair GMs.

  3. Thinking out loud if TB wins the Cup and no Stamkos in the lineup.

    Could TB move Stamkos to free up much needed cap space?

    Stamkos is 30yrs old 4yrs remaining cap hit is $8.5

    Does have a nmc so he would have to waive it.

    What would the market be for Stamkos who has been injured a lot lately.

    • It will not be easy for the Bolts to trade Stamkos. He’s 30 years old, has a large cap hit and lots of term left and many recent injuries. Plus he cannot be traded without his consents. The Bolts would have to retain at least $2m. and even then he wouldn’t bring in what he’s worth when healthy.

    • Caper, I’ve thought the same thing. I just don’t see Stamkos waiving. On top of that, how many teams have the cap space, the assets, and will take a risk on him. Before playoffs, I thought Pointe was a possible trade piece. He doesn’t have a ntc but, he’s killing it in playoffs.

      • But you don’t live in Florida…. so how would you know?

        If we wanted to hear from a guy in NJ…….

        🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪

        See how stupid that sounds?

      • NY4 life. Wow. You where offended by that? How long ago was that discussion? Guy told me to ask someone in Florida what goes on at MSG? That wasn’t a shot at you. That was me responding to a guy that didn’t know I attend Ranger games.

      • Do you think I’m FROM Florida? It’s weird that you got offended by him saying ask me!. Like that couldn’t be answered by someone living outside of NY?

    • I have been thinking the same thing about Stamkos.
      He always seems to be hurt. I think Tampa would be wise to trade him for futures and use his salary to re-sign their RFAs.

    • If I were the Lightening,
      I’d think Stamkos is just fine where he is.

      If he’s injured or LTIR, no worries. Awesome team around him AND Cap relief.

      If he plays, $10 mill player at a discount.

      Would I think he’s a gamble? Nope!

  4. Kubalik and Strome are both going to get at least 4M each. Maatta was easily top two defense for the Hawks in the playoffs, and they dont have a goalie signed right now. Seabrook and Shaw have both said they are coming back, so that LTIR cushion is out the window, unless they send him to Hossa’s house and they catch the mystery rash syndrome. Saad and Keith where pointed out by their local beat writer as having value, but Keith at age 37 and Saad at 6mil, what type of return are you going to get in the flat cap era? Kubalik is arbitration eligible as well.

    • Does Kubalik sign a bridge deal or does Chic go for a longer term and buy a few years of UFA? According to Evolving Hockey 4/5.5M or 5/5.9M for Kubalik and 3/3.7 and 4/4.3 for Strome.

  5. Feel like Calgary and Columbus could line up as trade partners as well if Columbus is potentially considering a Korpi trade. A swing for the fences trade on each side could include Korpi & Anderson for Monahan (to note once again I feel Monahan rather than Gaudreau is the piece to move) as the main pieces. Would give Calgary the RW and goalie they’ve looked for and send Columbus their centre. Would depend on if Calgary feels Lindholm could play centre full time or try to give Bennett or Dube more responsibility.

    Could definitely see Domi from Mtl. as being an option for them, but I wonder how he would do with Torts.

    • Once again, why would Calgary trade their #1 centre for a good goalie and an injured winger? geez …

      • You seem to have a lot of faith in Monahan being a good legit #1C. Disillusion yourself because he’s not.

        He gets his goals by sitting in the exact same spot in the offensive zone and waiting for the puck. Time and time again in the playoffs J.G. and Monahan tried to make that play work and it didn’t.

        I suggest the trade of Monahan because I wholeheartedly disagree that he is a #1C and they need someone dynamic who can help create plays and actually go get the puck.

        Is that explanation enough for you so I can copy and paste it each time you make the same comment? It’s great that you love Monahan, but that doesn’t mean he is untradeable.

      • Agreed Ed vanimpe! I don’t care if Monahan is a #1 or #2 C…BOTH spots are exceptionally hard to fill! Especially one signed to the deal he’s signed to.
        I honestly think Gaudreau is their best chip for a G.

      • I wouldn’t trade Monohan either, unless your getting a high end center back.
        Wears an A, big boy who can skate and scores consistently year after year. If he gets them going to the front of the net where goals are scored, good on him. More Flames should.
        I think the Flames should focus on who will be their RD’s next year and a goaltender would be nice.
        Long term – more guys like Tkachuk & Bennett and fewer guys like Johnny is what I would do.
        If you want to shake it up, and they might, trade JG.

    • Torts likes his team to grind and block shots. Even the stars. He had Sedins blocking shots in Vancouver before he was run out of town and he benched Gaborik in NY for not doing so.

      None of that plays to Gaudreau’s skill set. Don’t see an attraction for CBJ.

      • @ Ed. You love Monahan, I get it. I do not. He sits in one spot on the ice and waits for the puck. Good enough for 20-30 goals in the reg season when you have people feeding you. Good for 0 5v5 points in the playoffs. I will keep thinking Monahan is the Flame that should be traded and you will keep disagreeing as we have both made very clear going back and forth over the last 2 weeks. Moving on.

        As to the return, I don’t particularly like Anderson but have him in the trade because of the persistent rumours of Calgary interest. As to Korpi; it’s definitely risky because of his limited body of work; but he’s had an impressive season and playoffs and I think he’s worth the gamble.

        @LJ – didn’t mention J.G. in my post. Monahan would be my trade piece based on the article mentioned CBJ looking for a 2C.

    • SCJ CBJ-CAL look a good fit and it was reported that they were in deep talks at the trade deadline. It will be interesting to see if they revisit those and if the value of what CBJ has to offer lines up with any of the potentially available F IN CAL

      • SCJ, respectfully disagree on Monahan’s value. Consistent 30 goal scoring centres that are 25 yrs old on a very good contract do not grow on trees. It is easy to criticize any player if you dwell on the mistakes they make. Anybody who has not made a mistake has never done anything. IMO this year he was trying to become a 200′ player. He made some strides but still needs to improve. Plenty of good players recognize the need to become a complete player. Some take a bit longer than others

      • Ttutone, you are absolutely right and his defensive game definitely improved and I noted that in the playoffs. Though it did honestly make me even more disappointed with how 1-dimensional he was in the offensive zone.

        I would love it if there could be a greater return, but I think with back-to-back poor playoffs, it’s a sell-low scenario, so I tried to account for that.

        To be transparent, my real belief is that a major tweak is a bad idea. I think they need to put Tkachuk up with Monahan and J.G. to add some tenacity and agressiveness. I think that and a consistent starting goalie is the right path, but making proposals based on the available rumours.

      • Didn’t Gaudreau play for Team USA under Torts? If I remember correctly Hartley was the 1st coach to get Johnny on track and he was a hard-ass. I think the trade most needed by the Flames is Eric Francis for virtually a free pizza. Francis has been the problem in the room for several years now.

  6. I’ve read stories where Edmonton is looking to move some dmen and glooming for an offensive dman. IMO, now is time for Rangers to move DeAngelo. Gorgiev would be perfect match for Koskinen. Trade both for Larsson and a pick. Also, Ryan Strome to Columbus for J Anderson.
    Saw an interesting story today that Letang is being shopped and he’s already told teammates that he expects to be dealt.

    • “Looking” Not “glooming”

    • I hope that’s not true. Pens will in no way get equal value back in return.

      • Chrisms. It was on Twitter. A link to a story in the Atlantic.

      • Sorry. Athletic. Not Atlantic
        “In the days following the Penguins’ loss in the Stanley Cup playoffs qualifying round last month, shortly after sharing with team officials his desire to retire a Penguin, Letang told several teammates he expected to be traded this offseason.“

      • Boo. No way they get commiserate value. He’s one of those players that has a lower perceived value than what they actually bring. He is still a good player. Reasonable contract. I wouldn’t care if he moved for a fair package but I don’t see pens getting said package

    • Slick62 could they move out enough dollars and sign Krug as a Ufa?

      What do think Ray Bark is Krug a fit in Edmonton?

      • Skill set yes , contract no , hit or term he probably seeks . I would try to sign Barrie at a much lower number on a short term deal . Good fit for him to rebuild his value on top pp and offensive role , similar to the one he left in Colorado . Good timeline for oilers and Bouchard to hopefully develop into that spot . I wouldn’t over pay but I would buy low if the market is light on him

      • Caper, I think Krug would be a good fit if he was willing to accept less money and term.
        And if the Oil didn’t have Bear there now, and Bouchard knocking on the door, who they are grooming to play the point on the PP.
        They could really use a guy like Krug next season, maybe one more after that, but he obviously isn’t signing for 1 or 2 years.
        I like what Krug brings as a puck mover but he is too big a ticket for the space the Oil have and where their D core is today.

        IMO they don’t need a PP specialist, they had the best PP in the league, by a decent margin this season. It ran through McDavid and Draisaitl, and it will next year too.

        I don’t sign any D man long term, let Bouchard, Broberg, Nurse and Bear continue to develop. There is your future top 4. Klefbom becomes expendable with a year or 2 left. Keep Larsson for this season as he does bring toughness, let him walk in off season unless they feel they can move him this off season and Bouchard is ready. Depends what the AHL plans for next season? Can’t let these prospects just sit there either. Longer term they could use some snarl back there, and Nurse has it at times, but another one in your bottom pair wouldn’t hurt.

        The Oil should focus on a tender that can play 35-40 games. A 3C would help too. At the draft; a winger who can score if Askarov is gone.

      • I think if he isn’t willing to take less in Boston, why would he in Edmonton?

      • He wouldn’t Slick.

        I would be really surprised if Krug ended up in Edmonton. Shocked actually.
        I was trying to make the point of why he wouldn’t.

    • ADA+Georgie for Nurse…;-0

      • ds. Then who replaces AdA?

      • @Slick62
        True to miss ADA on the powerplay…but his salary and the need for defense…
        honestly Trouba started the season solid on the PP. Fox can handle more

    • I don’t believe the Letang rumors…Pens are paper thin on good defensemen. They would have to have a specific target player in mind to make such a move. I don’t think it would be just a salary dump. I do have this gut feeling that this season is GMJR’s last season….maybe HCMS too. Maybe they burn it to the ground and trade Sid to Colorado at the trade deadline

      • I’d include Mario as well. I believe he sells his part of the team when the current era is over. Or keeps just a small percentage to keep his name attached.

      • Hi Marko

        Re “ this season is GMJR’s last season…”

        this season is still 19/20; so I certainly hope you ate right

        There is no other GM in history that would praise their worst player (in this case the worst player in NHL history) and then blame all other players but him on the quick exodus against Habs

        The CR extension ; is not only completely unnerving ; but completely against all logic

        The Kappy trade IMHO was a draw ; so no problem on that

        Glad to see he extended Riikola (but again; note, after CR was extended [which was a year before he was UFA with absolutely no other team now or in future , interested in him])

        This recent talk of trading Tanger?????? When the most logical thing to do is BO JJ (cost savings per Ronny/Mario demands; and simultaneously making team better by a gargantuan amount)????

        4th round pick for Jamie O….$2.1 M …. shining bright in the WCF?????

    • I think that’s pretty good, but it all depends on what DeAngelo and Goergiev want salary wise. And, as I don’t watch NYR that much, I don’t know if DeAngelo is much better defensively than Larsson.

      • DeAngelo isn’t better than Larson defensively. That’s the problem in NY. They can use 1 or 2 bigger guys that can play defense. DeAngelo is a very gifted offensive player but there’s a lot of room for improvement in his own end. He gives Oilers something they don’t have, while NY currently has Fox on roster and another prospect similar to DeAngelo. Would be cheaper than Krug and is only 24. I don’t see Gorgiev getting much of a raise.

      • As much as I love the idea of having an offensive weapon like DeAngelo on the back end, I think they should shore up the defensive/goaltending side of things 1st.
        I really don’t mind the idea of seeing if MA Fleury would accept a trade to Edmonton. I still have faith in him. And if Vegas can take on a heavier contract or keep some cash, I think Holland can make it work!

        Eg.

        Vegas gets Larsson or Nurse, Neal and 1st

        Oilers get Fleury, McNabb and 1st.

        Of course, if the Oil can get Askarov with the 14th, this proposal is off my table! Ha!

        As for Krug? I believe he’d be a perfect fit, but again, at what cost?

      • @Artsy19
        its also the salary that ADA points total warrants. and I am not sure the Rangers want to roll the dice long term with him.
        Stuck with Trouba contract… let him earn it.

        I still believe even with ADA performance its still a buyer beware tag

      • Agreed on buyer beware, ds.

        If he wants the money he’s worth (and play the game), ADA – and all RFAs – should sign short term “show me” deals. If they prove themselves, then they’ll get one helluva raise once the League gets back to business as usual!

      • ds. I think defense on the whole has to get better. It scares me that Rangers give up about 40 shots a game. With a rookie goalie heading into his 1st season, even if it’s shortened is not ideal. Offense isn’t as big a need, although I’d like to upgrade 2C and maybe get another power forward like Anderson. Maybe Virtanen.

  7. “… but I wonder how he would do with Torts.”

    I’d wager about as well as Duclair.

    • Yep. Agreed.

  8. What about Tatar for Saad + a sweetener(s)?

    It’s a straight swap of LW on their last year, each with (relatively) similar performance.

    Chicago gets cap relief, Habs get a little bigger with Saad, plus they get a sweetener of a young player or pick.

    Lots of trade history between Bergevin and the Hawks.

  9. Granlund will see disappointing interests in his services for anywhere near $6m .
    I really believe more buyouts than trades this year. Very limited “league” dollars available
    Talbot back in Edmonton

  10. Charlie Roumeliotis is this waffle sandwich really is just another guy placed in to a job area he =knows little about, so he reads the thought of others and regurgitates. A year ago, he wrote a draft article thinking that winning the draft lottery, Chicago jumped up to 3rd in each round. And all he needed was to here Craig Button’s opinion to immediately change his about who the team should select…boith of course were incorrect.

  11. Dear NHL,

    I declined to watch some of your playoff games and yet somehow I managed to survive.

    Turns out, you need me far more than I need you.

  12. I think owners are loathe to be asked to buy out an expensive player who is still running on a contract his value was outlived. For example, Lucic was a stupid contract, Steen’s (St. Louis) is at it’s natural conclusion. Folks just say just buy out this guy, and that guy, and viola, cap space. If I were an owner, I’d say you messed up, you find a way to trade it! You made your bed, now lie in it! Well it didn’t turn out like I hoped? It’s on you,

  13. It will be interesting to see the approach Jarmo takes to address the CBJ need for skilled F. They absolutely need a reliable 2C and scoring LW. Options for 2C are going to be limited. They sorely missed Panarin’s scoring transition/zone entry and PP puck retrieval skill. I would love to say I know who they are targeting but honestly Jarmo tends to surprise and aims quite high in these situations. The buzz here is they view their window is just opening and are motivated to make changes that emphasize winning now and particularly facilitate Seth Jones’s willingness to sign long-term. That is, unsurprisingly, reported as a franchise priority. The current buzz on assets is they will be shopping Anderson, Korpisalo, their depth on D and (possibly) Jenner and/or Atkinson (though he has a 10 team NTC) if a vet F needs to be included in various packages to address need. They also apparently have interest from cap teams in Dubinsky to use his 1 yr of $5.85 for LTIR cap relief) D men most likely to move are Savard, Nutivarra, and Murray. It is unlikely Gavrikov gets moved but all bets are off if the right F is available. Apparently Marchenko and Tarasov are being asked for as top prospects but those are apparently only in play for part of package for elite F should any actually be available. I sincerely hope neither are but to have to give to get. Just an FYI on Anderson…both Friedman and LeBrun have reported the list of interested teams is double-digits deep and returns are substantial. So while I recognize the popular narrative is his worth is sabotaged after his injury plagued season, insiders reporting is running contrary to that. All I can report from CBus at the time…it should be an active off season and draft for the organization.

  14. TO CMB: RNH
    TO EDM: Wennberg & Korpisalo

    ??

    • If EDM would take Wennberg’s contract and RNH would extend with CBJ that is a huge win…CBJ takes that runs before Holland changes his mind. To be clear, I think Wennberg is a much better player than his point production indicates across the last few years….it just doesn’t seem as though he will live up to the potential his 59pt season pointed to. I hope he regains his game in a fresh start somewhere else (should that be the case)

  15. To EDM: JJ, McCann & Murray
    To PITT: AA & Larson

    Too lopsided?

    Seems AA will not be qualified so Basically Larson for Murray & JJ

    • IHC

      you had me at “& JJ”

      Done and done

  16. To NYR: Virtanen (36 pts)& Stecher (17 pts) & pick (maybe 2021 2nd)
    To VAN: ADA (53 pts) & Buch (46 pts)

    works for me

    Move Kakko to 1st line with Zib, Virtanen to 2nd line with Bread. Gauthier to 3rd line with LaFreniere and resign Fast to the 4th line rw with Howden and Lemieux. ‘

    Van upgrades offensively over Stecher & Tanev. ADA is 24 while Tanev is 30 and Stecher is 26 yr old RFA.

    Takes pressure off Hughes being the only offensive punch on the backend.

    Rangers have depth to cover ADA and can trade Stecher or qualifying him for 1 yr as the 3rd pair Dman with Staal or Smith. Saving cap room to resign Strome at 2C.

    After this upcoming season Hank, Staal & Smith are all off the books. Leaving room to re-up ELC’s and leave room to resign Mika.

    ??