Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – December 19, 2021
Will the Flames make any big moves? Does Joe Pavelski wish to stay with the Stars? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup
NOTE: The NHL’s holiday roster freeze begins at 11:59 PM EST on Sunday, Dec. 19 and lifts at 12:01 am EST on Tuesday, Dec. 28.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I wouldn’t expect very much trade activity leading up to the holiday freeze given the increasing number of players testing positive for COVID-19 and game postponements.
This situation is also dominating NHL news and the rumor mill. Pundits have shifted their focus toward speculation over whether the league will pause the schedule and the implications of doing so for the remainder of the season, including participation in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Hailey Salvian was asked if she thought the Calgary Flames would make a big splash before the March 21 trade deadline or a series of small moves to shore up their roster.
Would Boston Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk be a good fit with the Calgary Flames? (NHL Images).
Salvian believes they’d like to add a depth defenseman and a high-impact forward. Regarding the latter, she observed there are several good potential rental options such as the San Jose Sharks Tomas Hertl, Anaheim Ducks’ Rickard Rakell, Nashville Predators’ Filip Forsberg and the Seattle Kraken’s Jared McCann. However, limited salary cap space could restrict them to instead make more affordable depth moves.
Boston Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk is also available. While he could use a fresh start he also comes with uncertainty given the decline in his production since his promising first two NHL seasons.
Asked if the Flames could bring in winger Evander Kane from the San Jose Sharks, Salvian said she wouldn’t make that move if she were the general manager. His off-ice issues raise too many questions plus he has an expensive $7 million cap hit.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames attempted to acquire Jack Eichel earlier this season from the Buffalo Sabres. They were outbid by the Vegas Golden Knights but that could leave lingering conjecture that Flames general manager Brad Treliving will try to swing a major deal before the trade deadline.
However, the Flames are doing well thus far this season. Despite having games postponed they’re still third in the Pacific Division. Treliving could be reluctant to make a big move if his club is still in the thick of the playoff race, perhaps preferring a couple of affordable rental depth options.
Even if Treliving remains in the market for a big deal I share Salvian’s view that it won’t be Kane. Assuming the Flames GM could find a way to make the dollars work the 30-year-old winger has too much personal baggage.
THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka recently shot down any hope San Jose Sharks fans might have had of seeing Joe Pavelski return as a free agent next summer. The still-productive 37-year-old winger said his No. 1 option is re-signing with the Dallas Stars. He indicated he and his family love it in Dallas and he really enjoys playing with the Stars.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cap Friendly shows the Stars with over $23 million in projected salary-cap space for 2022-23. However, that will quickly evaporate if they intend on re-signing Pavelski and fellow UFAs John Klingberg, Braden Holtby and Alexander Radulov as well as restricted free agents Denis Gurianov and Jason Robertson. Pavelski might have to take a pay cut from his current $7 million annual average value to remain in Dallas.
With all this time on his hands time for Sweeney bid his estate on the Cote d Azur
Adieu. Get off his lazy keester and Grab Hertl. Debrusk 2nd rounder Beecher and Studnicka. THAT WILL DO IT! Get Busy Donny !!
While I realize that the Bruins need scoring and watching their games this season it seems to me their biggest lack are defensemen that can move the puck up to the forwards. They get hemmed in their own zone, using only the boards because of the lack of talent of the stagnant defensemen to carry out of their defensive zone or make that first good pass to the forwards. How about trying to acquire Klingburg or the ghost?
Way too much for a rental, time to realize the window is closed, time for a rebuild there, don’t have enough beyond the first line
All the speculation about Chycrun must have quieted with the unreasonably high asking price of 4 pieces returning. LOL
Pavelski turns 38 this summer. Radulov will be 36. What kind of deals can they expect? Dallas isn’t in playoffs as of today. Barely above .500.Radulov has 1 goal. Would imagine he’d be shopped at deadline. Unlike Pavelski 3 team trade list, Radulov can be dealt to half the league. Actual salary left is less than 2.5 mil. Stars can retain half to help with h cap hit.
Could see pavelski getting 2 for 12.
No way he is worth 6×2 at 38 years old
Typical Treliving and his obsession with defensemen. They were carrying 8 for most of the season until they finally realized Valimaki has to play so the sent him down. Flames have defensemen coming out of their backside and he wants more.
STAY away from Kane, that guy is bad news and can single handle drag a good team down. Don’t understand people on this site hoping their teams sign him, he is toxic and should not even be allowed to play in the NHL!
Personally I hope the Flames do nothing this year. They have some very good young players in the AHL who are lighting it up. Stockton heat have a record of 18-2-3. They have an excellent scouting department and can probably draft another very good player this year in a good draft. They are not a player away from winning a cup so they should just stand pat.
Agree on Kane, wouldn’t take him for free on league minimum
Bruins should give DeBust for Kane (retain $3M). Talk about a “Hail Mary” to save their season! LOL
Just wondering, can Kane play LD???
Flamefan; why shouldn’t Kane be allow in the NHL?
You don’t have to like him or want him and I’m clearly on board with him going to Boston if that was to happen.
For a player who has minimal impact on the game, DeBrusk gets a lot of ink.
I agree although I think all the buzz is because of his untapped potential- big, fast and has scored 27 goals a few years ago. He has wasted that potential because he is on the lazy side, doesn’t use the body like he could, and because of this the coach has lost tons of confidence in him. He needs a fresh start elsewhere but is not worth a lot at this time.
Agree, Bruins best bet is to find another disgruntled project to replace him, Kravtsov maybe?
Kravtsov is not available till after the KHL season.
“I really don’t know what the right thing is. At the end of the day, I think — and now I’m getting political — but at the end of the day our players are testing positive with very little symptoms, if any symptoms at all.”
“I don’t see it as a threat to their health at this point. I think you might take it a step further and question why are we even testing, for guys that have no symptoms,” Yzerman said during his media availability Saturday.
Now here is a leader of men!
https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl-wings-gm-steve-yzerman-questions-why-league-testing-asymptomatic-players-034443268.html
Straight from the lips of Sweeney “no moves till after Xmas,” Translation? He’s not planning to do anything.
I hope you don’t charge to much for translation services