NHL Rumor Mill – April 9, 2021
The latest on Taylor Hall, Jaden Schwartz, and Alex Iafallo, the Panthers could be up to something following a cost-cutting trade, plus updates on the Coyotes, Blackhawks and Wings in today’s NHL rumor mill.
UPDATES ON TAYLOR HALL
TSN: Darren Dreger reports Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams is having discussions with multiple teams regarding Taylor Hall. General managers are talking to the 29-year-old left winger’s agent wondering what a contract extension would look like.
Interest is growing in Buffalo Sabres winger Taylor Hall (NHL Images).
The New York Islanders had an interest in Hall prior to their recent acquisition of winger Kyle Palmieri. Some wonder if Isles GM Lou Lamoriello might circle back before the trade deadline.
Frank Seravalli reports the Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t in the mix for Hall, though they’ll continue to monitor what the price could be for the winger leading up to Monday’s deadline. They had an interest in Palmieri and in Nashville Predators winger Mikael Granlund but it could be a quiet trade deadline for the Leafs.
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun believes it could take a three-team deal or the Sabres taking on a contract or two to make a Hall trade work. That’s because few buyers have sufficient cap space to take on the winger’s contract. A team executive speculates a team could get Hall for a second- or third-round pick plus send the Sabres a contract to make it work if the winger’s still on the market by Monday.
SPORTSNET: Chris Johnston reported Hall is willing to consider signing a contract extension with an acquiring club. The St. Louis Blues, Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins are said to be in the mix.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Just because Hall is willing to consider an extension doesn’t mean he’ll sign one. He was willing to consider an extension with the Coyotes and then signed a one-year deal with the Sabres. As for the Isles, they only have around $3 million in long-term injury reserve cap dollars available. Lamoriello would have to get creative to pull that off.
PANTHERS PLANNING ANOTHER TRADE?
TSN: Pierre LeBrun believes the Florida Panthers could make another deal or two after shedding salary yesterday in a five-time trade that sent veteran winger Brett Connolly to the Chicago Blackhawks. He feels GM Bill Zito is keeping an eye on the future but also wants to reward his club for the way they’re playing.
Zito could set his sights on potentially a top-four defenseman and a top-six winger. It’s believed he “kicked the tires” on Kyle Palmieri before he was shipped to the Islanders. Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman David Savard could be a target given Zito’s previous job as the Jacket’s assistant GM.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Matt Larkin also thinks Zito could be active in the trade market before Monday. He could pursue a forward like Hall or a defenseman like Savard or Josh Manson of the Anaheim Ducks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zito’s been busy as he also recently shipping Vinnie Hinostroza to Chicago in another cost-cutting deal with the Blackhawks. I’ll be surprised if the deadline passes and he hasn’t made a significant acquisition.
COULD SCHWARTZ OR IAFALLO BECOME AVAILABLE?
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports St. Louis Blues winger Jaden Schwartz has popped up on his radar over the past day or so. Blues GM Doug Armstrong might be willing to move him but only for a significant return. Schwartz has a 15-team no-trade list. Pending UFAs Mike Hoffman and Tyler Bozak are believed to be available.
TSN: Frank Seravalli reports Los Angeles Kings GM Rob Blake is starting to take calls on winger Alex Iafallo. Blake and Iafallo’s representatives are still attempting to negotiate a contract extension but this could go down to the wire. Seravalli speculates the 27-year-old winger could be moved if he’s not signed before Monday.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hoffman or Bozak are more likely to be moved by the Blues than Schwartz unless somebody’s willing to overpay for the latter. As for Iafallo, it sounds like things could go either way. His situation will be worth monitoring over the next couple of days.
LATEST ON THE COYOTES
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun speculates this could be a quiet trade deadline for the Arizona Coyotes. They’re carrying nine pending UFAs, including such notables as Alex Goligoski, Jason Demers, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Derick Brassard and Antti Raanta. With the Coyotes in playoff contention, however, it seems unlikely they’ll move them unless someone comes up with a meaningful offer for one of them.
AZ COYOTES INSIDER: In a recent interview with Craig Morgan, Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong said the trade rumors regarding winger Conor Garland were the result of another club calling about him. Armstrong said it leaked out but didn’t come from him. He spoke with Garland about the other club’s interest in the winger. He praised Garland as one of his core players, saying he was impressed with his play.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Coyotes’ recent surge into the fourth and final playoff spot in the Honda West probably takes them off the trade-deadline sellers’ list. I don’t see Armstrong shopping Garland. The 25-year-old winger is his club’s leading scorer and a restricted free agent this summer so there’s no pressure to move him at the trade deadline.
UPDATES ON THE BLACKHAWKS, DEVILS AND WINGS
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman remains willing to leverage his salary cap space if cap-strapped teams need help making a trade. He’s spoken to the Leafs about that several times in recent weeks as they could use a third-party broker to get a trade done. The San Jose Sharks and Detroit Red Wings are willing to do the same.
NJ.COM: Chris Ryan reports the New Jersey Devils might not be done dealing after shipping Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac to the Islanders on Wednesday. They could also shop pending UFAs Ryan Murray, Dmitry Kulikov, Sami Vatanen and Nikita Gusev.
MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan thinks there could be a market for lower-salaried, pending UFAs such as Bobby Ryan, Sam Gagner and Jon Merrill while higher-salaried free agents such as Marc Staal, Darren Helm, Patrik Nemeth and Jonathan Bernier could be more difficult to move. Injuries to Ryan, Bernier, Nemeth and Gagner will also be a factor.
Lyle,
I hope you are correct regarding Jaden Schwartz and that a contract extension can be reached (maybe P. LeBrun’s radar is malfunctioning??)
Regarding Hoffman and Bozak, I think Armstrong needs to pick up some of their salaries to entice a buyer.
Still watching Vince Dunn—with Parayko back playing, I think a Dunn trade is possible–Montreal? Boston? Florida?
keep your blozak to yourself lol
Bruins should make an offer for Jaden Schwartz if he is indeed made available. He’s just the type of person/player Boston needs.
I wonder what the Blues would ask in return?
Shore,
Just for fun:
Schwartz and Dunn for Frederic, DeBrusk, a 1st, and conditional 3rd (if both are signed)
Iowa I think that deal could work but needs to be reevaluated as the Bruins are one of the teams who have some good cap space left but contracts are up at seasons end and will be eaten up quickly. STL are in trouble looking to next yrs cap and resigning some of your players won’t be as easy. Freddy is great and honestly I wouldn’t move him. He fits the big bad bruins prototype pretty well. So I’ll say DeBrusk and a 3rd for Dunn. If you really want the local boy then flip that first to Boston because his potential and we know you guys are in trouble cap wise and for signing Krug lol
He is a terrific player hard to believe st Louis would move him..but Boston would be a good fit for sure..
Bruins also looking at Hoffman who has been a healthy scratch three days in a row..
He is weak defensively not sure that fits with Bostons good defensive structure..
My Penguins looking at Sam Bennett would be a good add if price is right.
If BOS is looking for a D Ryan Murray might be a good option. Not a flashy guy, but when healthy a solid D man. Or at least he used to be. Haven’t watched him in a while and he has had some injuries, but seems like a guy the B’s could use on the left side to add some experience that has an all around game and can keep up if the young guys struggle come playoff time.
Likely wouldn’t cost that much, but maybe NJ plans on keeping him. Still pretty young.
I like the Iafallo idea for BOS.
Hey Ray Bark, Devs fan here. I am hoping that the Devs can resign him. Based solely on the eye test, he plays solid D and has a little offensive upside. This is a young team and he definitely adds some veteran leadership.
Iowa, I might have agreed wth you 6 weeks ago on Dunn, however the guy has been playing very well over the past month and I dont see him going anywhere. With multiple team interested in Hoffman, there is no need to retain salary.
Acquiring Borgstrom for salary was a really nice under the radar move for Bowman … Hawks will have some good young pieces to build around …
DeAngelo to Panthers makes more sense than Savard. IMO.
I think Deangelo will still be a Ranger 4/13. Rangers buy him out over the summer.
Or Manson from Anaheim. The idea was for Florida to find at least a temporary replacement for Ekblad. I doubt Zito went to the trouble of clearing cap space for Savard who fits a very different mold. But we’ll see.
Meanwhile if Bowman is open to absorbing some bad contracts in exchange for futures, I am surprised Tyler Johnson’s name has not resurfaced for more than what Chicago got in the deal with Florida. Johnson is also a better player than Connolly and would help the Hawks. His $ and term is off but he still can put up numbers and the Lightning could possibly absorb some of that contract with a lower return to the Hawks
Why would Boston want D men they beat Washington without Carlo and Charlie they are set.
big no way still for Tony D in Florida
they already have Yandle for the same role
Florida seems to have a tight group too. they need vet to keep it status quo.
Florida has to have their sights on Savard. I am wagering that is where he lands.
I think Chicago still in the playoff hunt . Adding Hinostroza and Connolly is certainly going to help with veteran depth.
Cash is King
Iafallo could be a sneaky-good pick up for a contender. I doubt he would cost very much to acquire. He’s in his prime years, healthy, affordable ($2.4 mil cap hit) and having a good season (3rd on Kings in points, behind Doughty and Kopitar).
He plays on an offensively inept team, and a lot of players (Toffoli, Pearson, Martinez, etc) that LA has traded in recent years improved their offense once they were out of LA.
LA could clear a roster spot for one of their prospects like Kupari or Kaliyev who are playing well in the AHL.
I agree and I’m sure (hoping) if Blake trades him he does so with some sort of gentleman deal to resign in LA. he would be a great fit on the team and help with the younger players.
That being said, I can see a trade to Toronto, Blake gets an asset to build with the new his player back without losing a protection slot for the expansion draft. Good players are hard to come by so if you can resign him and given all these reasons, it makes sense to me.
Toronto’s the one team I expect to see do something either just before or on TD day – what exactly I have no idea – or opinion – just that Dubas usually finds some way to surprise. If I had to venture a guess, I’d say it’ll be for a consequential D because they have enough offense. And with the way Campbell has been playing lights out – and with a healthy Andersen as the back-up, I don’t think he’ll deal for a goalie.
One prediction I would make, however, is that, if a Leaf becomes a top candidate for playoff mvp, it’ll be Hyman. This is always the type of player that can have an outstanding playoff when the top stars are being checked to death.
I have to believe a goalie is the primary focus for Dubas and he is playing it down to keep the ask down.
Nothing else matters. They have the best roster top to bottom in the league excluding goal.
Dubas will get a goalie…he will get a goalie…he will get..
I’m going to make a Toronto prediction here.
The Leafs have a false positive in Jack Campbell.
He is not as good as his 10 game win streak appears to be. The only reason that he looks good, is the level of competition he is playing against.
Let’s be real here (except you Wendel) would Campbell have this streak in the East or the Central?
No, the guy is a carer back up goalie. Eventually, he will be found out.
Sorokin on the Island has a 9 game win streak. Does anyone expect him to play ahead of Varley at crunch time?
Due to the Division they are in, I fully expect to see the Leafs escape into the final four.
But that’s where it will end.
If Dubas doesn’t pick up a goal tender at the deadline, he’s making a huge mistake.
You guys can copy this and throw it back in my face if I’m wrong. I just don’t see it.
Hey George what do you think?…..Bill (not Bob but close enough LOL LOL)
“Your comment is awaiting moderation.”
Hey Lyle why is this? I didn’t abuse anyone or use bad language. Please explain?
Or is it that anything bad said about the Leafs requires censorship?
It’s because you misspelled your name when you published it.
I’ve had that happen and it turns out I garbled something in the ID box
Lyle is big into censorship. I met the fella at one of our nudest retreats and he had black electrical tape x’s over his nips! The nerve!
That’s weird Chrisms…
You would think masking would be the way to go.
nevinsrip, Campbell has the talent and was picked 11th overall and first goalie taken in the draft.
When he played in LA his #’s were good.
His issue has been injuries, we’ll see if he can stay healthy.
If we are going to make predictions, I predict the Leafs would be first in the East if they were in that division.
The Leafs are a good team.
And I never cheer for the Leafs.
If get through and they play the winner of the East, I think they win. If they don’t, I think they lose.
So masking is censorship now huh ray! I see how’s you are! Duh.
Especially after getting shutout last night,I don’t think adding Savard makes too much sense for Panthers. Need to replace Ekblads offense and teams with offensive dmen could outbid Florida. Won’t need to give up as much for DeAngelo either. I don’t see Rangers agreeing to any salary retention though so he could still be on roster next week.
Unless the Rangers would get an asset that they could use in return for DeAngelo they will just buy him out. It would be cheaper and make more sense to cut the cord that way than retaining anything on that guy.
Shanein. Rangers were willing to work with his agent. They don’t want to retain salary as stated because buy-out option is cheap. They can’t back down on their disciplinary move on DeAngelo, but also aren’t looking to destroy his career. They’d gladly part ways with him for future considerations if possible and allow him a chance to resume his career elsewhere.
The last line said it all I think. Players could have had him for free but if there was any interest. A big if… it was with rangers holding salary. Could injuries change that? I dunno.
He would be a good fit down there though. Seems like the perfect dude to feature in an article starting
“In today’s news, a Florida man….”.
Chrisms. Isn’t cap hit and money owed lower at deadline? Also, there’s possibility Rangers take back a player with salary
Isn’t he signed through next year? Would rangers take back player with salary for next season too? Doesn’t make sense.
Buyout is cheap due to his age.
$383K next
$833K year after.
I don’t get the idea of bringing in a rental that you will have to pay for two more seasons after this one not to play for you.
A team could trade a couple mid round picks and probably a 2nd and land a legit 4th line (Glendening Helm and Ryan) from the Wings without taking on any risk beyond playoffs. Wings would probably even hell them with salary concerns. Thoughts?
Hi Dmart, Bobby Ryan is out for the rest of the season.
Don’t tell me – another hand injury?
Hi George O, the report I saw on Ryan was upper body injury.
Hall to NY if Lou is willing to give up Bellows & Dal Colle.
Buff can take back a Komarov and hold a small part of Hall.
Skip on the picks for depth players.
OR
to TMl for Amirov, Freddie & Kerfoot to send back Ullmark and Hall
Ihatecrosby
Please keep any Hall to the Leafs talk to a minimum 🤣
He is not what they need. He’s a selfish player and a defensive liability. Better options would be Foligno or Laughton.
Still would like to see Hall on the bruins but, not at the expense of a 1st rounder. He may only have 2 goals but a change of scenery
Would be like escaping Alcatraz for Taylor. How bout Swayman?Rask and Halak can start worrying now. I’d like Rask to go but I have feeling Halak might be expendable now. Believe me this is no fluke I’ve watched him ( Swayman)in Providence he’s been brilliant. Great positional goalie with elite reflexes and instinct he seems to find puck! With duds like John Beecher, Zachary zeroshun, the completely invisible Jake Debrusk. It’s refreshing to look down the bench and see someone like Swayman or Vlad ready to jump in. They still need a GOOD winger please no Bobby( slower than Slow) Ryan.(retread)
In all honesty, if the bruins are entertaining trading a first for Hall I am only in favor of that if they sign him to an extension upon trade.
Truthfully if they move a first I hope they call Detroit and try to get Mantha from the wings. He is the exact player that excels with a center like Krecji. I would even take on Stall for D to facilitate that trade.
I would also love them to send Debrusk to Cgy for benett. Not sure that would ever happen but great playoff performer and bruins type of player.
Those are my hopes.
I agree 100% with this post, gonzo. Excellent targets.
I doubt hall agrees to sign any deal (unless it’s based entirely off older seasons performance) upon trade. Why do that? If he goes on a tear with new team and does well in playoffs he could add millions to his next contract. He is at his lowest value ever now.
Not sure how taking on staal helps get mantha either.
Debrusk for Bennett seems reasonable though.
Chrisms
I don’t know that taking on Staal helps other then a salary dump, but Zobrill has been terrible lately and I would take him on my LD side for sure.
Mantha is the guy I want. Big, physical and can score.
And I do not think Debrusk is getting out of this slump he’s in with the bruins.
That’s what I don’t get
Detroit doesn’t need to salary dump. They took staal off of ny in the hope of moving him for a pick at the deadline. Even if they don’t get one they certainly arnt going to move him
As negative collateral.
Only draw back to the kid goalies looking good is that with Halak and Rask being UFA they will have to expose either Vlad or Swayman to the draft. So they can lose one. I would extend Halak before the draft just to hang onto them
Cheese,
I don’t think you need to worry about those young goalies, neither has a body of work to make them appealing.
There are plenty of proven goalies available. Allen, Holtby, Hill, Khudobin, Talbot.
Swayman won’t be eligible for the expansion draft but Vladar will be.
Unless Sweeney can cut a side deal with Francis, I think the Bruins are likely going to lose Jeremy Lauzon in the expansion draft, though I imagine they would take a long look at Vladar if he is available.
What are the rules wto having a goalie that you can expose?
Does Callum Booth qualify?
I have no idea.
DM, they might consider protecting 4 D.
I would.
My guess is they scoop up DeBrusk, Smith or Zboril.
Cheese & Ej Swayman is exempt, they will protect Vladar and expose Booth.
Just assuming that the Bruins will go the 7 / 3/ 1 route for expansion, Vladar will be the goalie protected and if it were me I would be protecting MaCavoy, Lauzon and Carlo.
If Seattle takes Grez that means another 4 mill in cap space for the bruins. I have been advocating for some time that MaCavoy should be the PP1 d man anyways.
Canucks resign Tanner Pearson for 3 yrs at 3.25 million per. Another classic Dim Jim overpay. 2nd line pay for a 3rd line slug. Just like Beagle, Roussel, Virtanen. Bungling Jimmy still needs to find money to get Hughes and Pettersson signed.
Yet again the Canucks throw an uneccesary bag of money at someone that could be easily replaced with a Spezza or Thornton minimum dollars contract.
How is this guy not fired yet?!?
Hall to the oilers for a draft pick and James Neal, maybe even a young D-man (jones)
Dman, it is going to take a lot more than that to move Neal.
Nikita Gusev was high commodity whom teams fought over and not gets an unconditional release from NJ Devils.
Is he a bust or a player stifled by Lindy Ruff?
I’d take a chance on him with the Habs on one of Bergevin’s late season filler contracts.
He isn’t an NHL calibre skater, and he doesn’t have much of a shot. I’m sure if he put the work in he could learn, but I sincerely doubt it.
habsfan30
I wonder if EDM will take a chance on Gusev?
He was one of the top offensive players in the KHL. Might be a good wonder for McDavid or Draisaitl?
“Zito could set his sights on potentially a top-four defenseman and a top-six winger.”
I don’t know, maybe give Tippett a legit look (like more than 1 shift a week). He was drafted to be a top 6 winger, so maybe you don’t have to chase an aging veteran or a bad contract to solve your problems.
I thought the rule was they have to expose a goalie. I could be wrong. If that were true I if I were Sweeney I would look to pick up a minor league goalie with NHL time to expose. Last year we could have done that with Legacy. I don’t think he is the system now.
No thanks DeBrusk for Bennett as a straight up. Jake has digressed
Still think Bennett is going to Pit but not sure for what.
T. O. needs backend depth . Not sure if they can make Savard work financially and that is why I think Panthers
DeAngelo cant be on my playoff team. You need everyone playing for everyone and he beats to his own drummer. Will rot until the buyout period.