NHL Rumor Mill – March 24, 2021
Check out the latest on Ryan Ellis, Mattias Ekholm, Jonathan Quick, Dustin Brown, Conor Garland, Nick Foligno and more in today’s NHL rumor mill.
LATEST PREDATORS SPECULATION
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Nashville Predators could face a decision between trading Mattias Ekholm or Ryan Ellis, who is currently sidelined. The latter was considered among their untouchables but there could be considerable value in the highly-regarded defenseman.
Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis (NHL Images).
Players with Ellis’ contract (six years remaining with an annual average value of $6.25 million) are difficult to move now but Friedman suggests the Preds blueliner could be an exception. He believes Ellis could be a good long-term fit with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Friedman is also curious about what the Predators might do with Calle Jarnkrok. He has one season remaining on his contract worth $2 million and was last week’s NHL player of the week.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t doubt Ellis would attract plenty of interest if Predators general manager David Poile is willing to listen to offers. However, I don’t believe they can move him during the trade deadline with so many capped-out clubs seeking affordable rentals. If Ellis is to be traded that move probably happens in the offseason when interested clubs have more cap space.
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports Mattias Ekholm remains the big name on the trade bait list. Sources tell LeBrun the Predators are seeking three assets in return: a first-round pick, an elite prospect and a third asset that could take on different forms.
Part of the reason behind that asking price is Ekholm’s under contract for another year. They must determine if the best offer they’ll get is at this trade deadline or after this summer’s expansion draft when interested clubs no longer have to worry about protection lists.
Frank Seravalli believes Predators winger Mikael Granlund is the Toronto Maple Leafs’ primary target in their search for a top-six forward. However, there are some complicating factors.
The Leafs are awaiting clarity on whether the current 14-day quarantine period for players from American teams joining Canadian clubs will be reduced to seven games. There could also be some hesitation by the Predators to sell as they’re gaining ground on the fourth-place Chicago Blackhawks in the Discover Central Division.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Poile isn’t under pressure to move Ekholm at this trade deadline. Interested clubs could be more willing to pursue him in the offseason following the expansion draft.
Granlund is probably the most affordable forward linked to the Leafs in terms of return and salary. If that quarantine period isn’t reduced they’ll have to acquire him before the end of this month if he’s to be effective for them over the remainder of the season.
TRADE RUMORS FROM FRIEDMAN’S LATEST â31 THOUGHTSâ.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the Leafs have checked around on goalies (âArizona makes senseâ) but doesn’t see a long list of potential healthy options to acquire in a sensible trade. He also dismissed the rumors linking the Leafs to Los Angeles Kings netminder Jonathan Quick.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Darcy Kuemper is a terrific starter but the Coyotes netminder remains week-to-week with a lower-body injury. TSN’s Frank Seravalli reports Kuemper’s certain to be back before the trade deadline but there’s no certainty he’ll be moved before the trade deadline. He’s under contract for another season and Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong could be reluctant to move him. Oft-injured backup Antti Raanta was recently placed on injured reserve.
The speculation about the Leafs acquiring Quick sounds like a desperate fever dream from the more deranged of Frederik Andersen’s critics. The 35-year-old Kings goalie is past his prime, carries a $5.8 million annual salary-cap hit for the next two years and has a long injury history.
Acquiring Quick would make the Leafs older, eat up valuable cap space for next season that could be better invested in a younger player, and wouldn’t resolve their goaltending concerns.
Following on his report from last Saturday that the Coyotes could consider moving winger Conor Garland, Friedman said they’re not interested in multiple late-round picks. The Boston Bruins need scoring depth and he speculates they could have interest in the former junior Bruin.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Garland is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights who’s a year away from UFA eligibility. Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong could wait until the offseason if he doesn’t find any suitable offers before the trade deadline.
Friedman wonders if New York Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello will consider acquiring Kings winger Dustin Brown to replace sidelined captain Anders Lee.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 36-year-old Brown is having a good bounce-back performance from last season’s disappointing effort. He’s got a year remaining on his contract ($5.875 million cap hit) but I don’t think he’s a fit with the Islanders from a contract standpoint.
Cap Friendly indicates they’ve got $75.9 million invested in 15 players next season. Anthony Beauvillier, Adam Pelech and Ilya Sorokin are restricted free agents seeking raises on their next contracts.
The Columbus Blue Jackets must decide if they’ll shop pending UFA defenseman David Savard at the trade deadline or hold onto him for the playoffs. The Jackets have risen back into the postseason chase in the Discover Central Division. Friedman also isn’t sure the Jackets want to trade captain (and pending UFA) Nick Foligno.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen could move Savard for the right price if his club slides further out of playoff contention. I’ll be surprised if he shops Foligno, who is believed keen to re-sign with the Jackets. Trading their captain at the deadline would be a gut punch to their playoff hopes.
The Vancouver Canucks playoff math isn’t good but they want to compete as long as they can before becoming deadline sellers. They’ve taken calls on pending unrestricted free agent defenders Alex Edler and Travis Hamonic (both have no-move clauses) and Jordie Benn, who has a five-team no-trade clause. There’s been some action on Benn and at least one Eastern American club asked about Hamonic.
They also have pending UFA forwards Tanner Pearson and Brandon Sutter to deal with as well as winger Jake Virtanen’s situation to sort out.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s assumed Edler could be unwilling to leave Vancouver. The Jets have been linked to Hamonic, who might entertain the opportunity to play in his home province. TSN’s Darren Dreger reported the Canucks could soon start contract extension talks with Pearson.
Friedman thinks the Flyers could consider someone like Detroit Red Wings defenseman Marc Staal if they don’t go the Ryan Ellis route.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s assuming the Flyers are buyers. The Athletic’s Charlie O’Connor makes the case that the slumping club hasn’t done much to warrant being aggressive shoppers before the trade deadline. Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher might even become a seller if his club doesn’t reverse its fortunes soon.
Virtanen has a year after this still with a backloaded salary. Heâll either get traded for a similar project or bought out
Virtanens trade value = zero.
Ryan Ellis, top pairing D earning $6.25 for 6 more years 30 y/o upper body injury, had surgery.
Unless this injury and surgery is serious enough to keep interest away why would Nashville even consider it?, Very affordable contract for a top D.
Ekholm has grown from Muzzin like to a 1st round pick, elite prospect and an asset.
Poile could wait for the off season after the expansion draft……not really since Seattle will probably take him.
Nashville has to move Ekholm now for a serviceable D and whatever he can get to a team able to eat his cap hit.
I don’t see why Nashville has to trade Ekholm or Ellis or they will lose one to the expansion draft. They can protect 8 skaters instead of 7 forwards and 3 defensemen. Who are the 7 forwards that Nashville should protect if they are going to expose a defenseman of that caliber?
I think Columbus still believes. Makes it hard to be a seller.
I would give the ask for Ekholm.Worth 3 assets for sure. A first rounder included , not out of the question. The acquiring club would need to understand expectations for his next contract before pulling the trigger.
No thanks on Ellis all things considered.
Flyers should just take their medicine and become sellers … I don’t see any needle movers in that heap of Canucks other than maybe Edler … although I would take a flyer on Virtanen .. Poile already gave away Seth Jones for nothing might as well do the same with Ellis …
If I’m Yzerman, I’d be all over Ellis!
If Andersen is closer to returning than ARI s Kuemper or Niemi, the time is ripe for Dubas to strike a trade as Ari still trying for playoff spot. Whichever we get can rehab during quarantine.
When I first saw this I was a little apprehensive because of the size factor but heâs an u believable player scoring speed everything but size. look at brad and Johnny g in Calgary âConor Garlandâ Iâd wake Sweeney up from his mid morning afternoon and evening naps to actually look in on this gem.
Nice idea….
But, does the player not have to quarantine for the duration in hotel room?
They cannot practice or anything. How does that help??
Same rules for everyone entering the country – exceptions can’t be made for pro athletes
It’s a 14 day quarantine, end of story. Don’t expect any provincial government to give NHL teams and players any kind of break, especially when small businesses are going through hell to try and survive.
Your wrong the liberal government in Canada said a player coming from the states to Canada only has to sit for 7 days
The Leafs need depth in goal…. not another forward…. it would be best if everybody other than me knew this bit of information.
Bernier plus Staal (retained) to TML for Anderson?
This is for the Freddie haters đ
From Detroit’s standpoint……why ?
I just canât understand any interest by any team, in Quick now
The Quick from 4 years ago… everybody is in on him
35; 2 more years after this with nigh $6M Cap hit
Last three years …. .888; .904; and .898 this year
He had a bout of say a 3 game streak this year where he did well… many goalies get those âmini streaksâ
Dubas… under no circumstances should you go after a Freddy /JQ flip…. big gamble at best just for this year ; and Cap sit is then worse next near…. almost assuring that there is no space for Hyman
Iâll say it again…. Leafs are not winning the cup this year unless MASSIVE changes happen and then it is still a huge long shot…. why…
IF they make it out of the North….. they have to get by at least one of Bolts or Knights; and now with the recent surge; perhaps maybe Avs
Leafs are just not matching up with those teams
Bolts are .781…. no Kuch all year; Vaz 1st in Sav % , 2nd in GAA
Knights …. .750…. and have been dealing with injuries…. Patches and Petro out right now; MAF 2nd in Sav %; 3rd in GAA…. and they just got Lehner back
Avs … at just shy of 700; won 16 of last possible 20 points; Grubs 1st in GAA ; 3rd in Sav %
So how in any way; are Leafs going to win the Cup this year?
Dubas… reality check… no selling the farm for a chance at max depth run of SFs this year…. get ur thinking cap on re Krakken exposure; re-signing Hyman; re-jigging skewed top heavy (1/2 cap on 4 Fwds ) roster; improve D ; improve G tandem… note …. window for cup…. â22, â23, â24…. AM will not be around in â25
Magical cap manipulation and fancy to-through trades with parting off deal assets to get a Granlund or Ekholm… will not win the cup this year
@Pengy…Thoughts here on a Penguins Red Wings deal.
TO PITTSBURGH;
Center. 24, Robbie Fabri, speed, quickness, talented, 9 goals this year, 18 a couple years ago. Signed through 2022 @ $2.95 affordable.
Winger Bobby Ryan tough aggressive, gritty, gets the net front presence. Pending Ufa.
TO DETROIT;
LHD Marcus Pettersson, 24, second pairing defenseman signed @$4.025 designed 2024
Forward Sam Lafferty 26 $750,000
Plus our second round pick.
Two years from now we have all our picks we keep em but now it’s all hands on deck.
Fabri is young, talented an affordable @ $2.95 third line center.
Imagine Fabri. McCann Tanev as your new third line..wow. speed to burn
You add Fabri 24. To
Kapanen 24
McCann. 24
Marino. 24
Guentzel 26
Blueger. 26
Pierre oliver Joseph 21
DE Smith. 24
Jarry. 26
Younger team moving forward. Rust 28 dump 29 tanev 29
Compared to Washington Philadelphia Boston we are younger faster
Thoughts trade.
Fabri. Ryan. Bring us speed skill toughness
BNG,
I don’t know much about Marcus Pettersson but I watched him this weekend and he was pretty impressive.
Did I catch him on a couple of good games or are you trying to unload a pretty good.
In case you didn’t see it the other day, I retracted my opinion on your Pettersson/Byron trade and said it would be a hard pass by Pittsburgh and in a heartbeat by the Habs
I’m not sure Detroit would want to include Fabbri for this package. We have a “barely there” offense now, and Fabbri is our leading goal scorer. Neither Pettersson or Laffy is going to contribute to that, and the second rounder might…..in about 5 years.
Hi BnG
Would I do that deal thinking long term …. yep
However as Iago pointed out… Stevie Y not likely to do the deal; and Fabbri ; although has played the odd game here and there at C…. is basically a speedy W
If he comes over then it is McC to play Centre; Turno and Fabri in wings
A natural C with experience would be best for Pens… Staal or Carter (now basically a W but with a few hundred games experience as a C)
The change of scenery move to do is Zucker for Henrique
Ducks save a year on the contract and a bit of cash
They are about the same size
Henrique almost 2 years older but…. a C; and Zucker is just not clicking this year; will not (at least should not) be put back on with Gino…. so for basically the same Cap in the 3rd line Iâd rather have Henrique at 3C vs Zucker as a 3rd line winger
Sid/Guentz/Rusty
Gino/Kappy/Rodrigues
Henrique/McC/Turbo
Blueger/ZAR/Janko or Sceviour
AA and Janko or Sceviour as depth fwds
Go Pens Go
Pengy..Stahl again looked slow, disinterested. And took bad penalties..
Carter isnt leaving LA again slower player.neirher is appealing..thought stahl originally but not now.
Fabri has played center ALL Year and is better than McCann at center who looked so so tonight at second center.
Penguins havent played their best hockey and we have beaten the islanders and Capitals 4 of 6..get Malkin back and management make a good move at the deadline..still a fast team
when is the light,,,
OR is it another rebuild down the road
AWAY too top Heavy with Tavares, Mathews. Marner, Nylander contracts….
1/2 of their over all cap….
Alot of comments made when this all went down…
Tavares, impossible to solve, Nylander can easily be moved…
So how in any way; are Leafs going to win the Cup this year?
Same way they have since…….
Kidding aside, TML as assembled need almost the comical changes I was presenting the other day. The problem is on the D, they can make a goalie look good or bad.
No point complaining about the top 4, they are locked in and nobody will take on those contracts.
In my opinion, I could be wrong but I think a tandem of Lou and Hunter would have done a better job from a pro scouting/evaluation than Dubas and would have stocked the back end better.
habfan30
I find it humorous that you say âhow in any way are the Leafs going to win the cup this year? â
Will MTL even make the playoffs?
Toronto has started to address their problems on defence. Youâre right…the D can make a goalie look good or bad. Compare Priceâs numbers to Andersenâs the last few years. Theyâre very similar but Andersen has been doing it for half the salary.
Donât forget that MTL was one of several teams that wanted Tavares as a UFA. A couple teams offered more money. Wrong again that nobody would take the contracts of the top 4
The Leafs selected well in the drafts that got them Marner and Nylander when other teams missed on their picks. Naturally if a player performs he gets paid.
Would you rather have Marner in his prime at $10.9M for the next 5 years or a past his prime Price for $10.5M for the next six years?
Will TOR win the Cup this year? Who knows…but at least theyâll get the opportunity.
Hunter was a joke look at his picks and then make your comments
And in regards to Pengy, he in no way represents how all Leafs feel. He sounds like a great guy and really has a unique perspective as misguided as it often is, but he – like everyone else, is entitled to their opinion as wrong as it may very well be and are welcome to recycle it as many times as they like, no matter how annoying… just like you and your hate for all things Leafs.
Hi Habfan30
Yep re D improvement need; but I still believe they need G improvement as well
Re
â No point complaining about the top 4, they are locked in and nobody will take on those contracts.â
Here is where we differ
WW contract is trade-able… Cap ~ $7M but since front end loaded; cash AAV for final years basically ~ $5M per
Tough to move on a trade now as it would need to be s contender and contenders with loads of cap space donât grow in trees
I was hoping last iff season that WW would be flipped for a top 3 (now or trending towards) early/mid 20âs D ; at a Cap hit much less
That wasnât done
This summer; with the need for a Hyman raise and replacement starter…. Cap must be cleared…. WW for that type of Dman is the way to go
Leafs wonât have issues with scoring with or without WE
Their issues lie from the blue-line and back
Go Leafs Go
Pengy
Could you see the Leafs moving Reilly? I know it might not be popular in the dressing room but they have plenty of offence up front. Would NSH entertain a package around Reilly for Ellis or Ekholm?
Heâs going to be looking for a decent raise on his next contract. Heâs got good offensive instincts but is suspect in his own end.
Who would you target in a trade for Nylander? Would Dumba for Nylander be a fair trade for both teams? Not much cap savings but every bit helps. What about Chychrun from ARZ?
ARZ wants to restock its prospect pool and get into the first round of the draft. Is there a deal between TOR and ARZ for the Leafs 1st round pick this year or last years pick (Amirov)?
It would be a heartwarming (to a Leats fan) fairy tale made real if the Leafs, fretting about entering the playoffs with the perceived goaltending weakness thought to have led to their undoing in previous postseasons, found themselves nearing the trade deadline with the same weakness and, unable to trade with any but Canadian teams because of quarantine restrictions, as a last hope, dealt for two-time Cup winner Matt Murray, who with confidence renewed by playing with a top team, then became his former self and led the Leafs to a championship.
The Senators will probably protect Joey Daccord or Filip Gustavsson from the expansion draft, and likely would hope in vain that the Kraken would select Murray. The Leafs fairy-tale could make both teams happy, given an amenable solution to Murray’s cap hit.
Ottawa should make a strong push for Ellis.. give up this years 1st and a prospect.
I wouldn’t mind that. With Stutzle eventually becoming their # 1 C and Norris the # 2, and probably White # 3 (we’re finally going to see Formenton up at LW on some line today against Calgary) their BIG target should be a 1st pairing D to play alongside Chabot.
Prospect D like Bernard-Docker and Sanderson are – and SHOULD be – about 2 years away with AHL seasoning, while Lassi Thompson could be up full time next season.
Hans fan
Absolutely , Lou and Hunter would of done a better job…
Marner and Matthews would of signed earlier for far less money
Lou and Hunter bolted from the organization, without even saying , âgoodbyeâ
Itâs well known , âDubasâ is a snot nosed âbâ and itâs his way or the highway , and Shanahan has his back…
Bad recipe, IMO – Shanahan and the wonder kid …
They will both be gone , who knows when , and another REBUILD
Yzerman wanted wanted the GM. Job , back when , but Tatenbaum , replied, he wanted experience !!â
Gong Show !!â
Ken where’s Hunter working again? Why wasnt he offered or got any of the many positions that were open? As for your hate on Dubas, damn striaght his way or the highway. I dont want the team to be presuaded by the dumb media or fans. F that! Both fans and media couldnt find their way out of a paper bag, let alone run a team.
Ron
Hunter has turned down opportunities, even with the Islanders. with Lou
Dubais messed up with Kadri trade, signing Tavares for a boatload of money, as a result drove the Marner , Matthews contracts higher than they could of been signefd for, 1 year earlier
Lago…I here you but they Dylan larkin, Mantha, bertuzzi, plus $30 plus million in off season cap space to improve the offense this off season….
There will be lots of good players in the off season.
Taylor Hall for example and many more..
Yes, they will, and they will have it whether or not they make this trade. I doubt Yzerman intends to sign Anderson this off season, so Detroit would, in effect, be giving the TML’s Bernier and Staal for nothing. In case you didn’t notice, The Detroit Red Wings, despite their current lowly standing, is not a charitable organization. It would take Anderson ++ to get Bernier and Staal.
Any thoughts on Tim Peele?
Perhaps George is around longer than I am, but ever since I’ve watched hockey the “even up” call has always been understood.
It’s like the scene in Casablanca. “Gambling? I’m shocked”.
Poor Tim. Just saying what everyone knows to be true.
Seems like in almost every game the team with the lead is sure to get a penalty called against them in the last 5 minutes.
Fixed? I dont believe thats true but if an NBA ref can get busted for fixing games an NHL ref doing likewise isnt an impossibility.
Its corruption. It is hard to prove that versus gross incompetence (see Kerry Fraser and 2 linesmen not seeing Gretzky high stick gilmour in 93 with puck at his feet) but once it has been by been proven in this case caught on mic EVERYTHING that can be done should be done to the scumbag. They should go after his pension as he is a disgrace to the league and be sued for reputation harm to the league, his family and himself. He should also be investigated to see if there was any bribes or gambler payoffs in his past.
“The character of a man is determined by what he does when no one is watching” or in this case listening.
TRUE STORY
Remember the moment Very Well !!
He got caught saying what refs have been doing forever…the whole even up things mi d set..which is stupid you dont penalize a team for playing well..
Ref Jobs?
I can really only recall 3 calls in the NHL that ever made me feel the outcome was preordained/rigged.
1980 Finals, game 6. Islanders clearly offside (more than a foot), scored on the play and Islanders went on to beat the Flyers on a Nystrom overtime goal to win the Cup.
1999 Finals, Brett Hull scores Cup winning goal with his foot clearly in the crease which per rules at the time should have been called no goal.
2004 Finals game 6. Flames Gelinas scores goal that was clearly in but waved off by referees. Lightning win Cup in game 7.
Any other notable NHL blown calls you can think of?
1999 Hull goal was the biggest black eye for the league. Shameful.
Glad you mentioned the Gretzky high stick on Gilmour. No way in Hades Frasier didnt see that.
Good for L.A. meant good for hockey…… brutal non call, likely cost the Leafs the series.
Had the picture as a screen saver for a while…. Gretsky lumber; Dougieâs face and Mr. Polyglycoat Hairdoo looking right at it … all three captured in same photo
Leafs win series 100% if its called…. why:
Leafs up 3-2 in series
Up in 3rd period
Drew blood …. so at that time … auto 5 min major for Wayne if called
So instead of being up in 3rd in series deciding game…. with a 5 min PP…. no call…. Gretzky contribution in tying and GWG…, we all know about G7…. but it all should have ended in G6
Here is what made it worse in the eyes of the media
The week before; Bettman was out to dinner with a big group; Frazer was in that group
the day before that game ; Bettman was asked point blank if he would rather have LA in the SCF , rather than the potential Habs v Leafs…. his response was that he didnât favour any team (proper answer and he should have stopped there) but added that revenues would be higher if it was Kings v Habs than Leafs v Habs
Then when they challenged him quoting the previously reported projected revenues of the two potential match-ups; which had a Leaf/Habs projected revs much higher than Habs/Kings… Bettman clammed up
Do I think the fix was in …. Bettman to Frazer… no
Do I think Frazer blew the call and that call cost the Leafs from playing in the cup…. youbettyoursweetbippy I do
đđ©đ
Cost them the series one play I disagree there were millions of plays why pick one.
Give it up you whiny clowns. Kings beat the Leafs fair and square. There were missed calls both ways.
I am so sick of hearing Leafers cry about the Gretzky high stick, conspiracy, bla, bla, bla.
But conveniently enough Leaf fans ignore Gilmourâs head-butt on Marty McSorley in Game 2, which no penalty or ejection was called, despite NHL rules stating such an action warrants both.
But this doesn’t fit the BS narrative that makes you feel better about your favourite team being an absolute joke.
Bazinga!
LVK’s Cody Eakins major for supposedly high sticking Sharks Joe Pavelsky in game 7 of the 2019 playoffs. and 4 goals were scored on that penalty
Garland would be a great out of left field move for Boston. No way Iâm moving Studz or Freddy. Vaak Halak and a 2 nd as for Ekholm Iâd offer Zboril Lauko and a 1st. But that depends on like Sweeny said how healthy the team is going forward. 5 starters out with covid protocol wouldnât make sense to make any big moves. The flyers keep doing Boston favors losing lol we still in the playoffs if it ended today and thatâs having 5 games in hand.if they are healthy I say go for it and give the remaining core from 2011 another shot. I do expect DK and Rask to resign for at least 1 yr DK and 2-3 for Rask. If they donât have plans to resign DK Iâd move him now
R.I.P. Bob Plager. Died in car accident today at 78 yrs old.
habfan30
Isnât this a public comment board?
You replied to Pengy and I replied to you based on your comments. Why so sensitive? Canât take constructive criticism of your team but youâre free to criticize another team?
Everyone is aware of the Leafs four highest paid players. Youâre not breaking any news here.
I wasnât trolling anyone. I follow the Leafs. You follow the Habs. You made comments about the Leafs and I was making a comparison to your team.
If Hunter was such a sought after GM candidate wouldnât he already be a GM by now?
I do follow the posts but sometimes they canât be replied to in order…
Daryl
I would trade Reilly, for Ekholm in a new york minute..
Ekholm , U have term and affordability, and a better suited defenseman for Toronto..
Reilly will be seeking over 7 mil come his renewal of his contract….
I am already hearing 8.5 which ludicrous,,, cut him loose now…
He is not Drew Doughty , far from it !!!