NHL Rumor Mill – October 14, 2021
An update on Vladimir Tarasenko, the Bruins could be close to re-signing Charlie McAvoy, Blackhawks GM addresses the Dylan Strome trade speculation, and more on Vitali Kravtsov in today’s NHL rumor mill.
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli advises keeping an eye on Vladimir Tarasenko’s start with the St. Louis Blues. While both sides are playing nice and saying the right things, the 29-year-old winger “still strongly desires a trade”, said Seravalli.
St. Louis Blues winger Vladimir Tarasenko (NHL Images).
Tarasenko has let it be known he’s fully recovered from the surgeries on his right shoulder. Whether he can regain his 30-goal form is another matter. He’s signed through 2022-23 with an annual average value of $7.5 million. If he gets off to a hot start, Seravalli believes a trade could materialize.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Asked about the possibility of the Anaheim Ducks acquiring Tarasenko, The Athletic’s Eric Stephens cited the winger’s health and contract as significant sticking points. He also pointed out the Blues won’t be moving him for pennies on the dollar. Those issues are likely shared by general managers with a potential interest in the winger’s services but leery about making the investment.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Joe Haggerty reports Bruins president Cam Neely suggested a new contract for Charlie McAvoy could be in the works. He said management has been working closely with the 23-year-old defenseman’s representatives in recent days. He’s hopeful of a new deal “in short order”.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Haggerty believes it’ll be a long-term deal comparable to those in the $9 million per season range signed this summer by several top young defensemen. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman believes it’ll be an eight-year contract with a hefty salary though not one in double-digits. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun cautions nothing is imminent as there’s still some work to be done by both sides.
NBC SPORTS CHICAGO: Charlie Roumeliotis reports Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman attempted to downplay trade rumors swirling about Dylan Strome. He struggled to find a regular spot among their forward lines and was a healthy scratch for their season-opening loss last night to the Colorado Avalanche. Roumeliotis believes it wouldn’t be surprising if the Blackhawks try to give the 24-year-old center a fresh start with another club.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Inconsistency and injuries hampered Strome over the past two seasons. He’s proved he can play well when skating alongside talented wingers. Perhaps a club seeking depth at center will take a chance on him. He signed through this season with an annual average value of $3 million.
THE ATHLETIC: Rick Carpiniello reported a source informed him Vitali Kravtsov’s demotion by the New York Rangers to their AHL affiliate in Hartford had nothing to do with him being waiver-exempt. Instead, it was based on his mediocre performance during training camp, the lower-body injury that cost him part of camp and preseason play, and the belief of GM Chris Drury and head coach Gerard Gallant that the winger needed more developmental time.
Kravtsov has been suspended by the Rangers for his unwillingness to report to the minors and his agent has been given permission to speak to other clubs about a trade. Carpiniello also indicated the young winger at times butted heads with Drury during 2019-20 in Hartford.
Why not Strome for Kravstov. Strome had 51 points in 56 games in his first season for the Blackhawks. He’s big was a high draft pick and is only 24. Rangers have the wingers to complement him. Way cheaper than having to resign the other Strome.
Actually I would not make that trade due to cap constraints of all the other players NY has to resign.
What I will say is after watching last nights game…Hunt was invisible and should be sent down to make room for Kratsov.
I would move Blais to 1RW with Zib & Laf
Kreids to 3LW to play with Chtyl * Kratsov and Goodrow to 4th with Rooney & Reeves.
Kakko finally looksed more aggressive.
Blais needs to walk the fine line.
Nice to see Kreider use the body but again not much else and he looks off playing RW.
Agreed
What cap constraints. If you make the trade Ryan Strome walks at the trade deadline or next years free agency. Dylan Strome is cheaper
still have to sign Kakko, Fox, LAF and the 2m$ in savings from Ryan Strome won’t cut it.
Those cap constraints. 🙂
https://www.tsn.ca/ottawa-senators-sign-brady-tkachuk-1.1706390
8years 57.5
7 years 8.2. Tk-YUCK!
https://www.tsn.ca/ottawa-senators-sign-brady-tkachuk-1.1706390
8yrs/57.5
Cap hit $8.214
7 years everything else is correct
My bad
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/brady-tkachuk-signs-seven-year-extension-ottawa-senators/
Tkachuk signs for 7 x $8.2M
Quite a bit for him, but he did lead them in scoring and PM’s, so a unique player.
I see a groin injury in the near future for B Tkachuk.
I would call the dollars a little on the high side but I guess both sides got what they wanted ,.one dollars one term
No bonuses though which is a win for Ottawa.
https://www.capfriendly.com/players/brady-tkachuk
As matters have turned out, that could well have been the sticking point. I doubt we’ll ever know full details of the back-and-forth negotiations.
As for automatically getting the “C” back before the long drawn-out process started, I see now that he, along with several others, will be assigned an “A” – for the time being.
Thinking at least 1.5 mil more than I’d go. Basher crasher types wear out their bodies faster. Plus this not a top line type player he should be a middle 6
Hard to say if he should be top line Swamp Dragon. He has led them in scoring the last 2 years, so top line in OTT is warranted.
He hasn’t played with a true fist line C either although Norris has a chance to be one soon if he develops.
Tough to say because of that.
I liked the bridge idea, but not sure the bridge # is what the Tkachuk camp wanted. He wasn’t gonna get what his Bro got on the bridge IMO.
He is being paid for future performance, we will see what the future brings.
Exactly Ray – that’s where everything stands now – time to see what the future brings.
With that signing the Senators now have 39% of their cap devoted to 5 players and, in that regard, move to somewhere in the middle of the pack.
I agree Ray, the Sens are paying for future performance and locking him up for his most productive years. The tough game Brady plays will likely lead to decline in the years following this contract.
Tyler Bozak was a #1 C for years in that line of thinking.
Even Leafs fans know that’s not true
What line of thinking?
I see him as a little better version of David Backes. Not a bad player to have on your squad.
top echelon hockey player signings are akin to the cost of housing in Canada, overinflated
LOL. Perfect analogy Fergy22. Back in 1958 when my dad bought this house he paid the whopping sum of $12,500.00. Now I am being offered upwards of $650,000!
In 1958 both Gordie Howe and Rocket Richard were paid in the area of $25,000.
I guess, given the time and the cost of living then, that was considered huge. I know that that was around the time I decided to quit smoking, mainly because it was too damned expensive (36 cents a pack – a monthly habit of around $10.50 if you were a pack a day type).
I’d hate to see what that would cost today!
George, my nephew asked me to grab him a pack while I was in the store paying for gas last week.
$20 bucks for 25 darts !
Yikes.
Holy crap! So, if you’re a pack a day smoker you’re forking over $600.00 a MONTH?
Now it evolves into “we shall see” time. As for a groin injury possibility, you have to think the coaching staff is well aware how that could happen if they aren’t prudent as to when to insert him in the line-up.
With or without him they’re a long-shot to make the playoffs so I think they’ll be cautious in the early games and be content with Formenton and Stutzle getting the work at LW until they’re certain he’s in “game shape.” Hell, at some early point, when they think he’s close to ready he could even suit up for a game in Belleville, which wouldn’t be a bad idea
I wish all NHL contracts were private and all negotiations too.
The game could revolve around quality and talent, fans could discuss systems, coaching and actual play on the ice.
Yay!
Im sorry. Brady signing is huge news for the City of Ottawa, and will ensure my continued patronage. But the bigger news of the day and the one that made me do a little dance in my pants is that…..the anti-Christ of sports broadcasting has decided to move on….Rod Black…..quite simply the worst sports broadcaster ever has left TSN\CTV.
The guy I can do without is Jeff O’Neill. Every time he opens his mouth it sounds like he’s kissing up for a job in the Leafs organization.
The “O Dog” is a bit of a smug arse I agree.
Fun fact about him, he had\has a fear of flying. Apparently it hampered moving him during his tradeable years.
Assuming he isn’t on the bench for tonight’s game, but anyone hearing if/when he’ll make his debut? I’m assuming he does play the Sat/Sun games this weekend. Anyone hearing anything?
Foley, this appears in one of the articles today:
“Expected to skate with the team as early as Friday, Tkachuk will need a few days to get ready to take part in a game, but in a short time, he will be ready to play. ”
I would not expect to see him in the line-up until after those week-end games. There’s no real rush.
They also announced today that Brannstrom has been sent to Belleville.