NHL Rumor Mill (Part Two) – March 19, 2022
Check out the latest on the Golden Knights, Rangers, Blackhawks, Canadiens, Wild and Capitals in Part Two of today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
ARE THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS INTERESTED IN VARLAMOV?
NYI HOCKEY NOW/VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Stefen Rosner and Owen Krepps cite sources claiming Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon is “pushing hard” to acquire goaltender Semyon Varlamov from the New York Islanders. Vegas starter Robin Lehner’s been hampered by injuries while backup Laurent Brossoit has struggled of late.
The Isles’ asking price is reportedly a first-round pick. Vegas traded their 2022 first-rounder to the Buffalo Sabres in last November’s deal for Jack Eichel but have their first-round picks for 2023 and 2024.
New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Varlamov carries a $5 million cap hit through 2022-23 so he wouldn’t be a rental player. However, he also has a 16-team no-trade list, though Vegas might not be on it. With Ilya Sorokin playing well as the Isles starter and GM Lou Lamoriello needing to shed some salary for next season, perhaps a Varalmov deal is possible. Whether it’s with the Golden Knights remains to be seen.
IS ANOTHER TRADE COMING FOR THE RANGERS?
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks speculates Anaheim Ducks winger Rickard Rakell could be a good fit alongside Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad on the Rangers’ top line if the price is right. A first-round pick could be asking too much though Brooks believes Rangers GM Chris Drury is keeping an open mind about that. The better of the Rangers’ two second-rounders should be on the table but more would probably be needed to acquire Rakell.
Brooks also cites sources reporting the Rangers have Seattle Kraken defenseman Mark Giordano on their radar. However, the price for rental players is high this year. It’s unclear if the Rangers could get Giordano and Rakell without dipping into their pool of prime assets.
THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple also indicated the Rangers are kicking tires on the Winnipeg Jets’ Andrew Copp, the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Max Domi and the Arizona Coyotes’ Phil Kessel, though the latter two are low on their list. GM Chris Drury also called the Montreal Canadiens about Artturi Lehkonen but his improved play under coach Martin St. Louis could see him staying put. Drury could also see if a team is willing to take a flier on the Rangers struggling backup goalie Alexandar Georgiev.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Drury is sitting on nearly $32 million in trade deadline cap space and has plenty of tradeable assets to swing a deal for one or two of those aforementioned players I’ll be surprised if his recent acquisition of Frank Vatrano is his biggest deadline move.
WILL THE BLACKHAWKS MOVE KUBALIK AND DE HAAN?
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Ben Pope recently reported the Blackhawks were making progress on a trade involving winger Dominik Kubalik, whose production has significantly declined this season. The Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks appear the front-runners.
Pope also anticipates Blackhawks defenseman Calvin de Haan will be on the move by deadline day. Sources suggest the club could get the second- or third-round pick they’ve set as their asking price.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kubalik is a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights. His annual cap hit is $3.7 million but he’s earning $4 million in actual salary. I didn’t post this rumor earlier because it appeared a trade was imminent. So far, however, there’s no indication yet that the Blackhawks are any closer to moving Kubalik.
Meanwhile, de Haan is an experienced stay-at-home blueliner slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July. He should be an affordable acquisition for a playoff contender.
COULD THE CANADIENS MOVE LEHKONEN OR KULAK?
TSN: Darren Dreger yesterday reported there is “high interest” in Montreal Canadiens forward Artturi Lehkonen leading up to Monday’s trade deadline. He could continue to produce for the Habs for the next four-five seasons, which is being measured against his trade value.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan recently reported Canadiens GM Kent Hughes isn’t looking to stage a fire sale leading up to deadline day. He indicated he’s not trying to move defenseman Brett Kulak, who became the subject of recent media trade chatter.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes also said he wasn’t looking at trading Tyler Toffoli until he got a deal too good to pass up from the Calgary Flames. He could do the same with Lehkonen or Kulak but only if it meets his price. Hughes won’t trade them just for the sake of it.
Lehkonen is a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights. If he’s only willing to commit to a one-year deal to take him up to UFA status they should trade him for the best possible return.
LATEST ON THE WILD AND CAPITALS
TWINCITIES.COM: Dane Mizutani reports Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin recently indicated he’s not trying to trade his way out of his club’s roster problems but is instead trying to make the team better. Though it seems like the Wild were in the market for a star player a few weeks ago, that market seems to have dried up with Joe Pavelski re-signing with the Dallas Stars, Tomas Hertl staying with the San Jose Sharks, and Claude Giroux linked to the Florida Panthers.
THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo recently reported the Montreal Canadiens, Winnipeg Jets and Arizona Coyotes are showing interest in Jack McBain. The prospect center has indicated he’s not going to sign with the Wild because he doesn’t see a center position opening for himself on their roster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Guerin sending Nico Sturm to Colorado for Tyson Jost earlier this week indicates he’s willing to make a move to bolster his roster if the right deal can be found. I wouldn’t dismiss the possibility of him adding another player, perhaps one who’ll have more impact than Jost, by deadline day.
THE ATHLETIC: Tarik El-Bashir expects the Washington Capitals to get in on the action if Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury becomes available in the trade market provided the asking price is palatable. They’re also not interested in goalies who are in the “good-but-not-great” tier.
GM Brian MacLellan isn’t willing to part with his first-round pick or a top prospect for a rental player. Rumors have linked the Capitals to Blue Jackets forward Max Domi. MacLellan is working the phones and we shouldn’t rule anything in or out at this point. He’s in the market for a middle-six forward.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It would be a great story if Fleury joined the Capitals given his history playing against them during his years with the Pittsburgh Penguins. At this stage, however, it’s hard to say if Fleury’s going anywhere.
That’s a terrible story!
I don’t want to see Fleury in a Caps jersey…. I would be very sad.
Sad? get a puppy
Another quality post.
Ed I hope you’re smart enough to read the room and realize people are responding to your posts with “venom” because so many if not all, are not hockey related. Argue hockey points and keep your opinions of the author of the comment to yourself please.
It’s bad enough the hockey talk gets dumb, let’s not let the comments become a school yard bash fest.
When you have a good hockey take that isn’t full of vinegar and spite, I think many on here would love to hear it.
It sounds like the Giroux situation will come down to who he wants to play for and the Flyers will accommodate him? So, not necessarily the BEST offer for the Flyers but where does Giroux feel comfortable going? It sounds like the Avalanche made a very fair offer, I wouldn’t give away “the farm” for him. GO AVS!!!!!!!
Ron MOORE
DO U EVER HAVE ANYTHING CONSTRUCTIVE TO SAY..
IT’S YOUR COMMENTS ON HERE THAT MAKE IT A SCHOOL YARD BASH FEST…
Why are you yelling at poor tommyboy?
Shhhh. Let’s just see where this leads.
Brossoit, Dadanov, and 2024 1st and a 2022 6th for Varly, Clutterbuck (1/2 retained)
Michael DeRosa from the hockey writers suggest the Flames and Bruins make a trade involving Debrusk for Monahan.
That trade would create a bit of cap space for the Flames to make a play for Lindholm from Anaheim.
Pretty big pie in the sky spitballing but with Treliving you never know
Giroux, why would the 2 of the best offences try for more offence and risk the chemistry they already have? I would hope they get a better on their 3rd and 4th line with cheaper but gifted players that have term for their future a TB has done.
The Last thing the 🍁Edmonton Oilers Need is an other forward…!?
The Whole NHL know we NEED a Starter in goal as the 2 Old guys are almost washed up and Done….
Right now there is nothing is open at pressent thats makes sence, They Oilers Really like Blues back up Villi Husso but the Blues need him to help with the playoff Run, he is a UFA at the end of the playoffs….
# 1 Need,
The Oilers Really Need a Big Physical Hard Hiting RD d/man like local Carson Soucey type who could be got for one of Edmontons young LD prospects
and a late round pick…❓
Maybe be its a bigger trade a to add 2nd pick and James Neals $1.95 mill salary they are carrying
maybe a forward like young Brendan Prelini and or Tyler Benson, or a Joss Archabald who they could fill for a 4th pick also or keep….
Oiler will do something… We All hope it what they need on D⁉️
I don’t comment much because I rarely have anything to contribute. But I feel compelled to say something. The reason Lyle takes the time to write the Morning Coffee column and this column is to keep people up-to-date in brief form. But the bickering in the comments section is getting aggravating. Seems to me that the way to deal with people who just have to post snark is to ignore them.
No thanks to De Hann and Monahan.
A healthy Monahan makes for a great 2C. If we can get him for Debrusk (I don’t believe that deal is possible) you do it. He’s very good, just not fully healthy.
There you go, Rick. Boston gets Lindholm
How lindholm. Look for you.
Just shows you know zip about Sweeney or by our bruins.
PS. He ain’t done yet
Kraken , As per a trade with Toronto , they should make a trade interesting
Include Oleksiak – as per Button , playoff hockey – U need weighty, heavy defenseman ..
Francis is holding out for a first rounder for Giordano , he isn’t going to get it …
Leafs can offer a second , Kraken can have Dermot and Holl to celebrate there winnings
Caper on March 19, 2022 at 6:17 pm
There you go, Rick. Boston gets Lindholm
I really like this deal for the Bruins, a 1st and 2 secs. Altough I am a Habs fan I thinks the Bruins did very well giving their 2022 1st and not the one for 2023. Excellent rade
Think not thinks, excuse my french 😉
And trade not rade… Sorry. Just noticed Urho Vaakanainen is going to Anaheim too.. Still Lindholm will have a big impact, good trade for both
Giroux headed to Florida. Almost done. Tippet is the only thing I see so far.
great gobs of gravy Sweeney has really swung for the fences we’ve got LIndholm 1st and two seconds wow!! huge huge move by Sweeney. The bruins with this move look dangerous. Looking to hear from Joe on this one or caper The other two I don’t really pay much attention they don’t really know that much about the sport.
You sure seem to pay a lot of attention to the other two…. You post about one or the other daily.
You sure have a lot of time of your hands for god sake get hobby and a life fool
This also is weird. Wouldn’t you also have a lot of time on your hand if you could call me out for having a lot of time on my hand? Doesn’t that make you a fool as well? What are your hobbies Ricky?
https://y.yarn.co/ea1ef781-d6ee-415c-adac-c7f02761d9f4_text.gif
Bruins are much better now got to the NYI and get Mayfield and Martin … will a DeBrusk bring back both
1st compliment to Sweeney and Bruins. You are learning lol
A lot of people were speculating that this would be a buyers market.
It appears when pending UFA’s land a 1st, 2-2nds and a young roster player (not named as of this post) it’s clearly a sellers market. Probably the strongest we’ve seen in a while.
Okay, Moore may be part of the deal. Makes a lot more sense now.
That was me!
Got the LD now go get a RD, why couldn’t the Bruins get Nick from the Ducks too
This Lindholm trade ..
Great for Boston
Home run
“Real Pissoff” – A leaf fan
How could Dubas not pull this deal off …
Mind boggling !
Never in my wildest dreams , did I think Anaheim would let him go at a bargain !!!
Anaheim absorbs half of the cap
Toronto considers him a rental
Sign him than !!!
He’s better than Reilly , U broke the bank for ..
Than u have dumb a dumber die hard Leaf fans , who will think different .
RM
WTH … prime examples
My celebration will be when board of directors finally step in
Dubas, a goner
Good move by the Wild they got Dumba staring the crap and Deslauriers to clean it up … Deslauriers should’ve been a Bruin ….Wild are playoff ready
Came home from work and looking at twitter. Besides a flurry of trades there was a tweet from Staple that a league source reports Rangers aren’t shopping Lafreniere. Apparently this guy Pagnatta started rumor this afternoon. Crazy. I don’t doubt teams might inquire, but no way Rangers would just put his name out there