NHL Rumor Mill – March 16, 2022
Are the Avs setting the table for a big move? Could Tyler Bertuzzi or Sean Monahan be moved before the trade deadline? What’s the latest on Ben Chiarot and Andrew Copp? Find out in today’s NHL rumor mill.
AVALANCHE COULD HAVE A BIGGER DEAL IN STORE
THE DENVER POST: Mike Chambers speculates Colorado Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic could be preparing for a bigger move after making two trades in as many days. On Monday, he shipped a draft pick and prospect to the Anaheim Ducks for Josh Manson. Yesterday, he sent Tyson Jost to the Minnesota Wild for the more affordable Nico Sturm.
Chambers believes Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux and San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl could be most enticing to the Avalanche if they can find sufficient salary-cap space to acquire them. Swapping Jost for Sturm gives them almost $3 million in projected trade deadline cap space. They could also garner additional flexibility by placing sidelined winger Gabriel Landeskog ($7 million annual cap hit) and defenseman Samuel Girard ($5 million) on long-term injury reserve.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sakic isn’t done dealing. I believe he’s in “go-for-it” mode this season with his club riding high in the standings, especially after they came up short in last year’s playoffs. I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t make a major move before Monday’s trade deadline.
BERTUZZI, MONAHAN LATEST DAILY FACEOFF TRADE TARGETS
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli added Detroit Red Wings winger Tyler Bertuzzi and Calgary Flames center Sean Monahan to his growing list of NHL trade targets as the March 21 deadline approaches. Bertuzzi debuts at No. 13 and Monahan at 15.
Calgary Flames center Sean Monahan (NHL Images).
Seravalli said Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman has told teams he’s “open for business”. Just about everyone other than rookies Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond is believed to be available.
The Flames, meanwhile, would prefer not to move Monahan now while his trade value is at its lowest. However, there are teams said to be interested to see if the 27-year-old center can reboot his career with another club.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bertuzzi is signed through next season with a $4.75 million annual cap hit and lacks no-trade protection. Monahan, meanwhile, carries a $6.375 million cap hit through next season and has a 10-team no-trade list.
The Wings and Flames don’t have to move either guy at the trade deadline but it doesn’t hurt to gauge the market. They could wait until the offseason when they’re likely to find more suitors with available cap space willing to make deals.
The Flames, however, could be under greater pressure to move Monahan. As Seravalli observes, they can’t afford to carry Monahan’s contract if they intend to sign Johnny Gaudreau to a long-term contract extension. Maybe they can find a suitable offer before Monday.
LATEST ON CHIAROT, COPP, AND MIDDLETON
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports interest has intensified in Montreal Canadiens defenseman Ben Chiarot since the Avalanche acquired Josh Manson. The Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers and St. Louis Blues are among the potential suitors. The Canadiens are interested in Calgary prospect Jakob Pelletier but LeBrun isn’t sure if the Flames will move him. The Hurricanes lack a first-round pick but maybe they can entice the Habs with a prospect or two while the Blues don’t want to pay the asking price of a first-round pick.
Darren Dreger said the Minnesota Wild also has an interest in Chiarot but they also don’t want to part with a first-rounder. Meanwhile, there’s discussions between the two clubs about prospect center Jack McBain, who has told the Wild he doesn’t intend to sign with them. The asking price is a second-round pick, which doesn’t worry the Canadiens provided they can get him signed.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues are also rumored to be interested in the Arizona Coyotes’ Jakob Chychrun and the Philadelphia Flyers’ Ivan Provorov. It will take significant offers to acquire either guy, much more than what it could cost to land Chiarot. Maybe they can tempt the Canadiens with a couple of quality prospects if no other club meets the Habs’ asking price.
Dreger also believes the Winnipeg Jets will soon have to reach a decision whether they’ll retain or trade pending UFA forward Andrew Copp. He said the Avalanche, New York Rangers and Boston Bruins are among those interested in the 27-year-old Jet.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s an interesting situation for Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff. He risks losing Copp for nothing to free agent in July, but trading him now would signal to his roster that he’s giving up on reaching the playoffs. They’ve won four of their last five, by the way, and are just two points out of a wild-card berth in the Western Conference.
LeBrun also reports Jacob Middleton is garnering interest in the trade market. The 26-year-old San Jose Sharks defenseman is seeing top-four minutes alongside Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns and carries an affordable $725K cap hit. The asking price is a second-round pick plus another pick or prospect. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins have been linked to the physical left-side blueliner.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As LeBrun indicates, Middleton’s a great story this season, going from signing an AHL contract with the Sharks to seeing significant minutes on their blueline. However, what’s working for him in San Jose might not work for him with another club. Interested teams should tread carefully here.
UPDATE ON THE LEAFS
TSN: Chris Johnston reports his sources indicated the Maple Leafs are looking for help in goal, on defense and on their forward lines. They’ll have to trade someone off their roster to make the dollars fit if they intend to make multiple additions before the trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: NYI Hockey Now’s Stefen Rosner cites a source claiming New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov is on the Leafs’ shortlist. Whether they’re on Varlamov’s list of preferred trade destinations, however, is another matter.
It is going to be tough for Calgary to move Monahan with that contract and those stats. Most likely, they will need to attach significant sweeteners to get anyone to take him.
Wagner. Moore and Debrusk for. Him and a 2nd
Id do monahan plus vs dvorak
No matter how you slice it Monahan’s time in Calgary is coming to an end. I don’t think they will move him at the deadline but they have to move him in the off season.
When they do move him it will have to be a deal for draft pick so no cash coming back. They need his 6.35 m cap hit off the books.
Moving Chariot for Pelletier is wishful thinking or someone just spitballing.
Pelletier is a top prospect and should make the team next year as well he will be on an entry level contract.
Personally I hope the Flames are finished dealing, but Treliving has this compulsive behaviour to give up draft picks for depth defensemen. Just crazy
The Flames don’t want to move Monahan while his trade value is at its lowest. That’s what they said last year too. And it’s gotten lower. Better to trade a guy a year too early than a year too late.
I wonder what goalie, defenceman and forward the Leafs could get for Nylander. Throw in picks and prospects.
Gibson + Lindholm(1/2 retained) + Rakell(1/2 retained) for Nylander + Dermott
So, one of the best goalies in the league and 2 more players for a marshmallow and a forward nobody wants?
Exactly why would Anaheim do that?
Besides the boy wonder Dubas promised not to trade Nylander. If he dies then every team, agent and player in the league will know Dubas cant be trusted at his word.
Almost a point per game player this year, over a point per game in the last playoffs, under 7M/year for another two years = a forward that no body wants?
Ok then
From what I have read, it’s his poor defensive play and inconsistency as to why the Leafs are looking to trade him.
That being said, a top 6 forward (Rakell), one of the top goalies in the NHL (Gibson), and a top pairing d-man (Lindholm) for a weak defensive and inconsistent forward and a bottom pairing d-man is way too much to ask for.
agree with that Kev, no chance of that deal happening.
My statement was simply restricted to the analysis on Nylander. There is also no chatter around moving Nylander at this time, I dont see the Leafs trading him since he is actually living up to his contract, unless the offer is too good to pass up.
Oh Ron a give you credit for coming back day after day even after posting something like that. You’re gold baby.
Stay in school
Please Winnipeg keep Copp for the playoff run. I say this more for the fact i don’t want him in Boston at the cost of any prospects or picks.
He isn’t a 1st line player and he’s not much of an improvement over Haula.
Read this morning Pierre Lebrun that LA and Boston are still very much in on Chychrun. If Sweeney can land him without giving up Lysell that was be a win.
Sweeney’s contract is up at the end of the season. He needs to make a splash , more than Middleton to give the Bruins a chance to go deeper into playoffs and save his own job. He is better at in-season moves than summer moves ,with in-season trades to get Hall, Johansson, and Nash (his career -ending concussions could not be foreseen),etc. Sweeney never replaced defensemen Krug,Boychuk,Chara and he gets a ‘C’ for his drafting. I won’t be sad to see him go if his contract is not renewed.
Barry. Sweeney drafting has been less then ideal as well as his FA signings of Backes. Foligno. Bruin type players but past their expire dates
Had nothing to do with Boychuk. And was correct move with both Krug and Z
He does have a way to get stars to take less then market value
Pretty hard to criticize Sweeney his Boston Bruins have been one of the best teams in NHL year in and year out. Don has developed an atmosphere that attracts players not pushes them away I say extend him 3 years and see how he starts the rebuild in year 3.
Not a Sweeney fan, all that needs to be done is look at what he has hit on……a couple of trades,his FA signings are mostly for depth players not difference makers & his drafting speaks for itself ….for the last 6 seasons after every end of the season presser he and Neely say the same thing, need to get bigger, tougher and stronger on the puck and every year none of that is accomplished, time to make a change
https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-best-teams-in-past-decade-according-to-stats/c-316922430
Past decade Boston 1 want me to drop mic on your toe 10-15 made me laugh had to look it up a real Bruin fan knows …….. next!!!!!
Caper
Chychrun. As our top pair LD would be good news But would have to really know what the knee injury is as he has now had a few in his young career
Mr Bruin
If you’re looking for a top pair LD look no further than Hampus Lindholm.
If Sweeney could offer what’s needed from ANA for their rebuild and have permission to negotiate a long term contract he would be a better target than Chychrun.
Giving up the farm for a UFA might not be wise but top D men are hard to come by unless you draft one.
Rumours that ANA won’t go past 5 years for Lindholm. If BOS can/will offer 7-8 it might do the trick?
Daryl I like Lindholm but Chychrun would be my first priority.
He under contract for another 3yrs at $4.6 your not signing Lindholm for less then $7m
All packages being equal i take Chychrun more offense but mainly the capspace.
With ya on that Daryl.
ANA still trying to sign him is the talk, so likely goes to the wire to find out if available.
How long does Sweeney wait? Other targets might be gone waiting for the home run.
He would help huge, and would cost huge.
My main point discussing Sweeney is that he HAS to make moves to get past the first round of the playoffs in order to save his own job regardless of how anyone feels about him.
I have to respond to Obe on his evaluation of Sweeney.If being a 10-15 team in the league is your goal than Sweeney might be your man.Here in Boston we strive for championships not bridesmaids.Please don t give Sweeney credit for the Taylor Hall trade.Hall and his NTC status delivered him to Boston.Let me remind you he let Krug and Krecji go w/out getting anything in return.
@ Ron Jull
You do realize that hockey is not just about hitting right? This isn’t the 70’s.
Nylander would definitely be in demand. Not only is he on a reasonable cap hit but most of the cash has already been paid. He’s a first line RW possibly on his way to another30G season.
Dermott is a decent 3rd pair LD that has a good first pass and skates very well. He’s also signed for another year at $1.5M
Gibson has had some ups and downs this year and his GAA is slightly over 3. He’s signed for a while at $6.25M so Mrazek would have to fo somewhere first. It would also likely spell the end of Campbell’s time in TOR.
Rackell could take Nylander’s spot at 2RW.
Lindholm would be a dream on defence if they can re-sign him.
It’s a very interesting proposal. If Nylander were made available Dubas would get a lot of calls.
I know Dorion and McGuire would be interested.
On that score I always remember what Al Arbour said when GM Bill Torrey hesitated on picking Mike Bossy, wondering about his defensive skills – “I can teach him to play defense … I can’t teach hands like that.”
Now I’m NOT saying Nylander is another Bossy – but he does know where the net is and has great hands. Any defensive shortcomings and tendency to avoid the rough stuff can be more than covered by the right line-mates.
Daryl
He would be my 1st choice as well.
@ George O
Mike Bossy was my favourite player as a kid.
I remember a story my father in law told me. He is a huge Habs fan and grew up watching them in their heyday. After The Rocket retired he did some scouting for the Canadiens and urged the GM at the time to draft Bossy. He said “I haven’t seen a guy shoot like that since I played”. Unfortunately for tte Habs they didn’t heed Richard’s advice and Bossy was picked by Torrey and the Islanders.
Upon meeting GM Bill Torrey Bossy said “I’m going to score 50 goals for you next year” …and he did.
Canucks post game show on 650am last night started pumping JT Miller as a Hart candidate. Zero chance of that. Millers not even the MVP on his own team, Demko is and its not even close.
Then they started in on an 8×8 extension for Miller. Ridiculous and foolish.
Hughes 7 million
Pettersson – 7 million
Oliver Ekman Larson – 7 million
Myers-6 million
Demko 5 million
Then add in 8 million or more for Miller and at least 6-7 to resign Horvat and youre running around 45 million on just 7 players which leaves just around 36 million to fill out 14-15 roster spots.
Resigning Miller only makes sense if the Canucks believe they can contend, not for a playoff spot but a Cup. No more than 5 years for Miller, hes having a great season but an 8 year deal makes him 37 when it ends. Another anchor deal like OELs.
Sure he’s the MVP since goalies usually not in the convo. They have their own awards.
They both stir the drink & Van going nowhere missing either one
Re Johnston…”Maple Leafs are looking for help in goal, on defense and on their forward lines”
Was the quote cut short? Was it supposed to have after the word “lines”…. “AND in a GM
AND in a President of Hockey Operations” ?
Pengy
Ahh…you’re not souring in Dubas now are you?
He’s done a reasonable job as GM. Cut him a little slack. He couldn’t have foreseen the pandemic and resultant flat cap. He also lost a 1st round pick to rid the Leafs of Marleau’s last year. Thanks Lou. He also couldn’t anticipate that his stars would go cold two playoffs on a row…He also wanted to fire Babcock the summer after they lost to the Bruins but was overruled.
He’s drafted some promising looking picks and made a couple nice free agent signings and trades. He’s not perfect…
Who would you rather have as President and GM?
I think what Pengy would like on both of his teams , are Gms that are capable of putting blinders on every gm in the league. I’m basing this on his trade proposals. Which are always clear cut win win deals for Pittsburgh and Toronto. And lose lose lose for every team they deal with.
Hi Daryl
Not souring on Dubas per se. A bit weary, yes.
Was not super-fan of his hiring but certainly gave him a chance
Yes I was jaded as most were with his capitulation on Nylander’s father’s demands.
Had he sat him (as he should) for the year; then that contract comes in cheaper; and for sure MM and AM don’t have the upper hand in their negotiations (that they ended up having) and those deals come in cheaper and/or for longer terms
I fully agree with Burke (rare) when he said that specific capitulation ended up costing (between the 3 contracts) about $4-$5 M in annual cap (that could much more logically be spent on the back end). I had posted very similarly many months before he made that statement live on HNIC
Has Dubas done a fair job so far… yes fair/reasonable …. but he does need to move one of the big 4 this summer— and as I stated above— it has to be one of MM or WW…. and since WW’s cap hit is only ~$7M…. that is the easier route.
I wish he had made the above move last summer
We’ll see what he can do in 4 months
Re President and GM…. I think that any true fan of the game would love their President and/or GM to be a hybrid of Yzerman/Zito/Brisboise
In summary—- if Dubas starts next year with the same 4… then I believe I’m justified in being sour then.
Man, I was going to post some sass about that quote too. If you need help on G, D & FWD at Trade Deadline Time…you’re team simply isn’t built. : )
@ Pengy
Don’t forget it takes two to tango. Just because the Leafs wanted to sign them doesn’t mean the player’s agents are going to cave. All three players bet on themselves and all three were correct. Matthews is a pure goal scorer, possibly the best in the league. Marner is a point per game player, and Nylander is living up to his contract.
As I’ve said before…good players cost money. If you had an inferior 1RW to Marner or 2RW Nylander how much would they save? Enough to spend it on a defenceman? Likely not.
I know what you’re saying but not sure it’s all on the GM. Also…wasn’t it Marner’s father that was stirring the pot during negotiations?
@ Pete
They would like to upgrade at a few spots for depth…they’re in 5th place. They need depth in case of injuries…including current injuries to Campbell and Muzzin. Every team should always be looking to upgrade.
Dylan Larkin is available?
Yes please!
Get in line Captain
I wonder if the Rangers try to acquire Sean Monahan from Calgary, as insurance in case Strome doesn’t get resigned. Might require a 3rd team, like Detroit, to eat some of his salary cap hit, though
NYR can’t afford a unperforming Monahan next year. They would be better with Strome.
MikeP
I will be honest, if the Rangers could swing a deal so the Flames don’t have to eat any salary I am sure the ask wouldn’t be too high.
Unfortunately I think the Flames would like to keep him for the playoffs this year and move him in the off season
No thanks,
Ny can’t really afford that deal. And his production is alarming.
He’s not moving the needle for NY, and They are going to need to fill that 2C center next year. I don’t think he’s the answer.
Couple years ago I would’ve lived a trade for Monahan to NY. Since hip injury his goal scoring has disappeared. Honestly wouldn’t want either him or Strome for over 6 million per. Scheifele would be better target in off season. Was hoping they’d fall out of race by now but as Lyle noted, they’re 2 points out. Would Detroit seriously shop Larkin? Would definately deal Laf or Kakko Just got notification Rangers traded for Vatrano from Panthers as I’m typing
Good pick up by NYR. Vatrano for a 4th rounder
I believe Monahan will be bought out this summer . If not by the Flames by some other team. His hip and wrist injuries seem to have taken a toll. No zip on either. Too bad a good team mate and a very good player. They may just keep him for chemistry purposes. Be Real cautious on messing with their current mojo.
If Habs want Pelletier who is having a good AHL rookie season and I believe they would have interest it would cost them more than Chiarot and a draft pick .
“Super Joe” is at it again. The Avalanche even if they don’t get Giroux probably got a plan B? So watch out, the Avalanche if they stay healthy and that’s a big “IF” because anything can happen will win the Stanley Cup! I think they can beat Carolina, Florida, Calgary or the “champs” unless Vasileski stands on his head because he is the best goalie in the NHL. GO AVS!!!!!!!!!!
TommyBoy. As I mentioned Vatrano trade above, Florida gained nothing but cap space. Look for them to be busy this week.
And there it is. Chiarot to Florida
I prefer Bruins do nothing but if they do Tyler Bertuzzi has always been a Bruin just in a red jersey.
He is a “bear” to play against.
Tyler will have to go to the Central or Metro (but not NYR) divisions to be les involved in mandate crazy teams.
Hertl 8 x 8.1. Done deal.
Hehe, some said we over-evaluated the value of Chiarot well he did fetch a late 1st rounder and more : The Canadiens have traded defenseman Ben Chiarot to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Tyler Smilanic, a 1st-round pick in 2023, and a 4th-round pick in 2022. As I thought GMs pay alot at trade deadline 🙂
And thinking of it, not only am I happy about the return for Chiarot but the Leafs will have to pay more for Giordano… What a good way to end the day lol 😉
@ Mike Pilon
The Leafs or any team would likely have to pay more for Giordano simply because he’s the better player. Former Norris Trophy winner.
One bonus that MTL did get is that the 1st pick is in 2023…who knows if FLA can be as dominant next year as they have been this year.