NHL Rumor Mill – November 13, 2021
More speculation about Samuel Girard’s future with the Avalanche, Eric Staal hopes to continue his NHL career and the latest on the Islanders in today’s NHL rumor mill.
SPORTSNET: Appearing on the Nov. 10 episode of The Jeff Marek Show, Mike Chambers of The Denver Post said he believes Samuel Girard was “the big piece” in the Colorado Avalanche’s efforts to acquire Jack Eichel before the Buffalo Sabres trade him to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (NHL Images).
Chambers still thinks Girard could be traded, claiming the Avalanche want to acquire a forward and shed the 24-year-old defenseman’s $5 million annual salary-cap hit. He also indicated management was unhappy with Girard’s performance against the Golden Knights in last spring’s second-round series, singling out his turnovers and lack of production.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chambers had speculated about Girard’s future with the Avs during his column earlier this week. He also mentioned the emergence of young rearguard Bowen Byram could make Girard expendable.
I didn’t dismiss the possibility of the Avs using Girard as a trade chip for a second-line forward before the March 21 trade deadline. I see no reason to change that opinion if Byram continues playing well over the course of the season.
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports Eric Staal is hoping to return for an 18th NHL season. The 37-year-old center continues to skate in Minnesota as his agent is in regular contact with three or four clubs. Those teams could decide later this month if signing Staal works for them.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staal’s best years are now well behind him. That was apparent in his 13 points in 53 games last season with the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens. However, Staal did have a decent performance with the Canadiens during their run to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, collecting eight points in 21 games. He could be an affordable depth option.
THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple recently wondered if New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello might jump into the trade market to bolster his blueline. He pointed out Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Trevor Dermott is available for the right price. Dermott is a “serviceable left-handed defenseman” who would be “cheap enough to fit under the cap right now.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dermott might not be on Lamoriello’s radar if he’s considering an early-season move for a blueliner. Perhaps he’s considering other options or maybe the Leafs’ asking price is more than he’s willing to part with.
About Girard, if “management was unhappy with Girard’s performance against the Golden Knights in last spring’s second-round series, singling out his turnovers and lack of production”, similar results to date this year, and he has a $5M cap hit, why would another team trade a valuable scoring forward for him. Just asking.
Well said. I wouldn’t.
Bruins going to NJ today …how about leaving two players there you don’t want or need maybe NJ can use them and bring back P Subban …
sure the Devils will gladly keep Marchand and Pastarnak with them as Subban heads to Boston … 🙂
BM & Pasta I’m sure they (Bos) wants maybe you didn’t read it right
Joe you talk my kind of hockey Subban is exactly what the doctor ordered. Now if the bruins can unload some useless cargo Ullmark, that fragile flower of love Nick Foligno, throw in Forbort?!?! Huala and nosek. And somebody needs to light fire under the carcass Of Hall I think the bruins paid far too much for him in the first place.
Arizona can trade ya wellwood and Kessel for ullmark and something’s of value to offset the cap dump for Boston and value add of Kessel
*Wedgewood
Subban would make the B’s worse defensively, and a 9 mil salary is ridiculous, hope those rumours stop
At his age the longer it takes the worse off it is for conditioning and speed and timing. its now or never.
Around US thanksgiving we might see some movement . Couple of weeks
Girard, “the big piece”??? bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Send Girard, Kadri alongside with a pick to CHI for Kane and see if CHicago bites
Bowen Byram stepping up isn’t making Girard redundant, he’s replacing another big D, Ryan Graves.
Small puck moving D are the style with many getting big contracts but there is a drop in effectiveness when the going gets tough.
Any other reason they took a flyer on Jack Johnson?