NHL Rumor Mill – May 21, 2022

by | May 21, 2022 | Rumors | 33 comments

What teams could the Canadiens ship Jeff Petry to this summer? Should they pursue Kris Letang, Kevin Fiala or Jakob Chychrun this summer? Check out the latest collection of Habs speculation in today’s NHL rumor mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Marc Antoine Godin recently looked at possible trade destinations for Jeff Petry if the Montreal Canadiens intend to shop the 34-year-old defenseman this summer.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jeff Petry (NHL Images).

He suggested the Pittsburgh Penguins as a salary-dump destination if they lose Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Bryan Rust to free agency. The Seattle Kraken could be an option for a return of futures if the Habs retain some of Petry’s $6.25 million cap hit. The Nashville Predators were also among his proposed destinations if the Habs agree to take on Philippe Myers’ $2.25 million contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes is expected to gauge Petry’s value in this summer’s trade market. However, he’s made it clear he’s not moving him unless he can find a deal that’s fair for both sides. We already saw examples of that this season with his trades of Tyler Toffoli, Ben Chiarot, Artturi Lehkonen and Brett Kulak.

The Habs need to clear some cap space if they’re going ahead with a rebuild and Petry would be a prime cost-cutting candidate. Whether he ends up with the aforementioned teams or is peddled elsewhere remains to be determined. His 15-team no-trade list and his cap hit will limit where the Canadiens can send him.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marco D’Amico believes the Canadiens should steer clear of Kris Letang if the 35-year-old Penguins defenseman hits the open market. He doesn’t believe it’s worthwhile to invest over $7 million annually for multiple years given the uncertainty over Carey Price’s future, the glut of young defensemen in the system and management’s intent to build for the long-term future.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Letang’s been linked to the Canadiens because he’s from Montreal and Hughes is his former agent. None of those factors, however, means he wants to become a Hab or that Hughes sees him as a piece for the future. The Canadiens’ limited cap space should put the kibosh on the notion of them signing a big-ticket UFA like Letang.

Jimmy Murphy wondered if the Canadiens will make a pitch for Minnesota Wild winger Kevin Fiala if he hits this summer’s trade block. He also pondered if they might pursue defenseman Jakob Chychrun if the Arizona Coyotes lower their asking price.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fiala and Chychrun will draw plenty of attention if they’re available in this summer’s trade market. The Canadiens possess considerable depth in draft picks and prospects to offer up as trade bait. Of the two, Chychrun would address their more pressing need for skilled blueliners.

Hughes could conduct his due diligence here. However, I’ll be surprised if either guy ends up in Montreal.

Fiala is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer coming off a career-best 85-point performance. He’ll seek a big raise over his $5.1 million salary for this season on a long-term deal. I don’t think he’s a fit with the Canadiens’ rebuilding plans.

Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong isn’t likely to reduce his high asking price for Chychrun. He’s got the blueliner under contract for three more seasons so he can take his time and wait for the right offer. If he doesn’t get it during this summer, he’ll try again around next season’s trade deadline or next summer.

Murphy also listed Washington’s Ilya Samsonov, St. Louis’ Ville Husso and the New York Rangers’ Alexandar Georgiev as possible trade targets if Carey Price isn’t able to return next season. Meanwhile, D’Amico listed Arizona’s Anton Stralman, Tampa Bay’s Jan Rutta and the Rangers’ Justin Braun as possible blueline free-agent targets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Samsonov and Georgiev are restricted free agents with arbitration rights while Husso is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Stralman, Rutta and Braun are all UFAs.

The Canadiens were linked to Samsonov before the trade deadline so perhaps Hughes revisits his rumored interest in the Capitals netminder. Georgiev is a year away from UFA eligibility and could be a decent short-term fit while the Habs await word on Price. Husso played well with a strong Blues team but we don’t know how he’d fare with a rebuilding club like the Canadiens.

Stralman has indicated he’d like to return with the Coyotes next season. They’re also rebuilding but could keep an affordable veteran like him. Rutta or Braun could be reasonable short-term options for the Habs but they could be looking at signing with playoff contenders if they hit the open market in July.







33 Comments

  1. Petry + Habs’ 2022 2nd for Hronek
    Willy Karlsson for Caps’ 2nd
    2 cap dumps that would benefit both teams

    • I have said it before when you have posted this bad cap dump on the Wings. Why would the Wings want to take on an aging and overpaid Petry? There is no way they take that contract for a 2nd round pick let alone giving Hronek on top of it. Habs would have to pay more than a 2nd round pick for the Wings to take on that bad long term contract for a player in decline.

      Unless the Habs were willing to swap 1st round picks with the Wings in this draft, i wouldn’t even consider taking Petry at all let alone give them Hronek on top of it.

      • I’m with you Kroner….zero interest in Petry unless he comes with all kinds of goodies attached.

      • You are right! If the Habs wih to dump Petry”s salary they can do this:
        Petry for Juolevi and a 3rd

      • No Johnny….more like Petry plus Carolinas 1st round pick for Juolevi.

      • Look at it this way…Wings got a 2nd round pick from the Rangers to take 1 year of Marc Staal. Wings gave up a 2nd round pick for 1 year of Leddy from the Islanders but got a 2nd round pick, Walman and Sundqvist back for him at the deadline.

        Petry is not a 1 year cap dump, he has 3 years left plus 8 million in signing bonuses where his salary will be more than his cap hit. I think even Arizona would stay away from that contract. Unless the Habs pick up part of that contract, i don’t see anyone giving up anything or wanting that contract. Habs will have to pay someone to take him and unless they keep some cap hit, it won’t be for cheap.

        Personally, i don’t want Petry at all on the Wings unless (like i said before) the Habs are willing to swap the 1st overall for the Wings 8th. I can’t see the Habs wanting to do that so they can keep him or peddle him somewhere else.

        Before Petrys contract runs out, Larkin, Bertuzzi, Vrana, Raymond, Seider will all need raises and in the case of Raymond and Seider, those will likely be big raises. Wings still need to add a 2nd line center which has to be the priority since it is their biggest need and unless you draft one, it won’t come cheap…especially not if it is a UFA. They also need to fix the LEFT side of their defense. Petry does nothing for any of that and just adds an old RH defenseman and salary they don’t need to take on.

        Yzerman has been smart about not spending cap space foolishly so if that holds true, he will stay the hell away from Petry unless the Habs pay him a premium to take on that contract.

        Habs might have better luck with the Oilers, Holland loves overpaid vets signed long term lol

  2. Just wondering what the habs would give up to get Chychrun from yotes. 2 1sts and Romanov? Yotes wanted 4 pieces maybe settle on 3 Do not see what else habs have to offer as young high valued assets as Caufield Suzuki not going anywhere

    • Mrbruin, I don’t see the logic of the Habs trading for any expensive defensive vet, let alone using Romanov as part of the deal – he is playing well and is a restricted RFA who is affordable.

      The Habs are clearly several years away from being a contender, and in a rebuild surely it makes sense for them to audition their defensive prospects, of which there are many: Guhle, Norlinder, Harris, Barron, Brook, Struble, Xhekaj and Mailloux.

      Rebuilds manage fan expectations, and Habs fans know the next several years are wildnerness years. They have Edmunson and Savard to help mentor young D.

      • LJ
        I too do not see a trade with habs. For Chychrun. I was just responding to the article I doubt he gets traded at all unless someone overpays

      • I wouldn’t trade Romanov. He’s seasoning well, and looks poised to have a great future.
        Chychrun is overrated in my opinion.

  3. I am not responding to Chychrun rumours for the next 3 years. He ain’t going anywhere

    If in need of a starter or a1b Husso is the guy this summer. Pay the man Stl can’t
    Edm Tor Njd Arz and a few others

    • Agree SS

      There should be quite a few teams with interest in Husso

    • If St. Louis can’t how does Toronto fit him in? Even Edmonton is top-heavy on the cap.

      • Beware the 1 year wonders in net. Especially on teams that defend as well as the Blues. They make tenders look good.

        Seems to be Binninton playing in the Blues net for majority of playoffs after a difficult regular season.

        Depends what he wants for term and $ I suppose.

  4. Re Godin on Habs and Petry and “ He suggested the Pittsburgh Penguins as a salary-dump destination if they lose Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Bryan Rust to free agency. ”…. If Pens lose Gino and Tanger…. Why would they want the “salary dump” Petry??? That makes no sense

    Pens should re-up Tanger and Gino if for combined $15 M or less (currently $16.8 M combined); retain on , and jettison, Zucker; trade Dumo; qualify Kappy (only $840 K); re-up E-Rod, Rakell, Heinen, bring up P-O J, Poulin, Nylander, and one of Zoho, Legare, Puust, Bjorkvist

    Rust is lost (can’t afford)

    Sign a UFA top winger or….

    Use 1st, O’Connor, net of Dumo trade; and ONE of Legare, Puust, Bjorkvist… to trade for a top 6 winger

    See if they have enough room left for a good back-up (or 1B)

    New owners…. Loaded with $’s…. Re-tool , IMHO, more likely than re-build

    • A re-tool for an aging team (where their “stars” are concerned) is a road to nowhere. They’ve had their moment in the sun – even the best of them have to face a re-build at some point – and when you’re ranked at the bottom of 32 teams you know it ain’t going to be pretty.

      And, please Pengy, don’t give us a long, detailed solution involving several teams of the type that just never happens since the advent of the cap era. I know it’s fun to toss names around – complete with takers – but that’s the stuff of fantasy leagues.

      • “ranked at the bottom of 32 teams in terms of prospects …”

      • Hi George

        My solution at most involved 3 other teams (less if their was a multi-player trade)

        One taking Zucker (with retention but no sweetener)

        One taking Dumo

        And… if NOT getting top 6 winger via UFA… one for that

        That’s 3 trades max

        I’m not necessarily advocating for a re-tool; just pondering a “re-tool” over “re-build” direction seeming more likely for by the new owners

        I do believe best efforts (within reason) will be put forth to re-sign Tanger and Gino

        I don’t believe they can afford Rusty

        I do believe they will try to get rid of Zucker

        The Rackell re-up…. Is what I’d do…. not necessarily what I’m guessing HexBurkie actually does

        I do believe they’ll finally promote P-O J

        Other promotions are speculative and what I’d do; not a suggestion that it’s what will be done

        Dumo out… speculative… but their have been Penguin media that have “called” for and/or “promoted” that move

        Re-upping RFAs E-Rod and Heinen, is speculative…. But very logical IMHO

        The Kappy QO … pure speculation on my part; but what I would do

        CR to WBS; or better still…. Out of organization…., just wishful thinking on my part

        My suggestions have D improving and getting younger; Rackell replacing Zucker for full season; huge improvement

        The overall improvement in depth… youth

        The key improvement v level/no-change v decline will come re acquisition of top 6 forward (replacing Rusty) either via UFA or vis using 1st, O’Connor, whatever in Dumo trade; and ONE of Legare, Puust, Bjorkvist

      • Hi George

        My solution at most involved 3 other teams (less if their was a multi-player trade)

        One taking Zucker (with retention but no sweetener)

        One taking Dumo

        And… if NOT getting top 6 winger via UFA… one for that

        That’s 3 trades max

        I’m not necessarily advocating for a re-tool; just pondering a “re-tool” over “re-build” direction seeming more likely for by the new owners

        I do believe best efforts (within reason) will be put forth to re-sign Tanger and Gino

        I don’t believe they can afford Rusty

        I do believe they will try to get rid of Zucker

        The Rackell re-up…. Is what I’d do…. not necessarily what I’m guessing HexBurkie actually does

        I do believe they’ll finally promote P-O J

        Other promotions are speculative and what I’d do; not a suggestion that it’s what will be done

        Dumo out… speculative… but their have been Penguin media that have “called” for and/or “promoted” that move

        Re-upping RFAs E-Rod and Heinen, is speculative…. But very logical IMHO

        The Kappy QO … pure speculation on my part; but what I would do

        CR to WBS; or better still…. Out of organization…., just wishful thinking on my part

        My suggestions have D improving and getting younger; Rackell replacing Zucker for full season; huge improvement

        The overall improvement in depth… youth

        The key improvement v level/no-change v decline will come re acquisition of top 6 forward (replacing Rusty) either via UFA or vis using 1st, O’Connor, whatever in Dumo trade; and ONE of Legare, Puust, Bjorkvist

      • George O—-
        Seriously why wouldn’t you build around Sidney Crosby who is still an elite player who had 90 points and was un-stoppable in the Rangers series.

        The Penguins will have anywhere from $29-$32 million in cap room depending on Malkin and Letang.

        This team had 103 points despite being ravaged by injuries most of the year. We aren’t taking about a bubble team.

        They can retool quickly and take a shot with Crosby still being elite. there are players out there like Schifielle, Gaudreau, Forsberg, Kadri…

        Malkin can go he is still a good player not elite. You have a generational player in Crosby who is still great hell yes you still retool.

        3 years from now no I agree

    • Rust was just re-signed six-year, $30.75 million contract extension.

  5. Hey Iowa Prince, what the heck is with the back-to-back games in the playoffs? Is there some conflicting arena availability?

  6. They would get rid of Petry’s contract and then offer more to Letang?

    That makes no sense in itself.

    It’s like the Leafs would trade Nylander to free up cap space and then sign Fiala to 8 milli.

    Won’t happen Montreal.

  7. Couldn’t agree more with LJ’s comments. The Habs are a minimum of 2 years away from getting close to cap sanity.
    Giving up sweeteners to dump any one of a multiple of bad contracts at this period of time would be bad management.
    New management has a very long leash and they always use it. I think you can expect very few meaningful moves for 2 years at least. So look for moves at the trade deadline when hopefully some players like Armia, Petry etc etc are having decent years and can be moved.
    Build the team thru their draft picks and by year 3 maybe there’s some light at the end of the tunnel

  8. Romanov is not going anywhere; he is being groomed to be the lead of the D-Corps in MTL and trading him for anything less than an NHL superstar or elite top 3 1st rounder in 2022-2023 would be akin to the trades that cost the Habs McDonagh and Sergachev complete busts. Don’t discount Ben Chiarot resigning in MTL; he loves it there; especially if they are able to move Webers contract. If Price is done and they can move his contract then pursue Kuemper and Husso, would make fine tandem, ship Jake Allen out and leave Primeau and Dichow to continue in development. Should Habs draft Shane Wright and put him in AHL to develop and adapt to grind of higher competition and length of season, then the 2 year plan Hughes seems to be putting together looks good. Notable RFA’s and UFA’s to resign in next two years are the Pitlicks, Schueneman, Primeau (2022); Caufield, Poehling, Yloenen (2023) and you know Caufield could command Matthews, Marner type money if he continues to play the way he has under Martin St.Louis. Drouin, Byron, Hoffman and Allen will not be part of the future as their contracts expire and I would seriously consider teasing Arizona with a 1st round pick, a late prospect and Drouin for a 4th round pick, Soderstrom and Josh Doan (ah the dreams) this helps yotes to cap floor and let’s face it until they have a real arena or relocate to a better fanbase (Houston or Cincinnati/Cleveland) they would be forced to trade elite players down the road before losing them to free agency. Future looks good for Habs, they just need to be careful; and Kent Hughes, Jeff Gorton are slow and steady wins the race type of guys. Seriously see Habs competing and being a top 10 team in 2024. next couple of seasons will be tough for sure but with low rankings come better draft prospects that can help the rebuild along. Only major barrier will be drowning out the media and the “win now” mentality of the fan base. But hey it could be worse the Habs could be first round exit champions right Toronto?

    • Fans in Montreal are ready for a couple years of misery if they see a plan for better future. Which Hugues/Gorton/MSL seems to be able to deliver. The “win now” mentality is long gone.

  9. I guess it is fun to speculate on teams dumping all their bad contracts and teams signing over the hill vets. The fact remains with the cap only going up by 1m this year and nothing the last two there are just too many teams that are close to the ceiling with very good young players to sign.

    Of course there will the odd team find another team to take a bad contract but they will be far and few between.
    It really started last year where we saw a lot of veteran players without teams at the start and had to go on PTO’s just to stay in the league.

    Teams like Ottawa, Buffalo, Detroit, NJ who have cap space are getting close so they don’t want to take a toxic contract because they all feel they are on the way up not down.

    A team that could and will take one more LTIR contract is Arizona but they will not take an overpriced vet. I also suspect the offers for Chychrun will never be good enough because of his low contract. Arizona who get to play in a 5,000 seat arena want a payroll at a minimum with the help of LTIR players. Chychrun helps them immensely because he is good and he is cheap.

    The stagnation of the cap only stifles player movement. The last option left to most teams will be buy outs then teams that want vets can pick them up cheap.

    • Thanks, makes sense!

    • Totally agree. Like I pointed out yesterday, Arizona – without taking anyone on (yet) – is close to the cap floor as it is, just by re-upping their RFAs and finding a back-up goalie. If they ever DO take on someone’s toxic contract it’s going to have to be accompanied by a top-of-the-line sweetener – and not a low 1st, 2nd round pick (from a top contender) and a so-so prospect.

  10. Toronto : Nylander and a 1st
    Boston: Nick Foligno

    Scooby Dubas is on it, loll

  11. Rust just signed a 6 year deal with a reasonable cap hit of $5.125 million….with the Penguins.

    That probably means either Rakell or Malkin or both are leaving…

    Well done Pittsburgh

    • I think they can get them both

      Cap increased a tad less than Rusty’s raise

      Tanger/Gino not w $16.8 M; seems many in media believe Pens can get them for combined $15M maybe less

      Above has Rust, Tanger, Gino back…. With actually an increase in Cap space

      Punt Zucker; re-sign Rackell

      • Pengy…
        Letang isn’t taking less than $ 8million. Malkin I think is gone and so be it.

        Yes 20 goals but 1/2 his points were on the power play and his 5 on 5 stats are awful…

        He is simply not worth $9.5 million anymore.
        Rakell would be nice