NHL Rumor Mill – May 3, 2022
More speculation about the Jets plus an update on the Senators’ off-season plans in today’s NHL rumor mill.
JET GM CHEVELDAYOFF FACING A CHALLENGING SUMMER.
SPORTSNET: Ken Wiebe believes how Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff proceeds with Mark Scheifele and Pierre-Luc Dubois will determine the club’s future.
Winnipeg Jets center Pierre-Luc Dubois (NHL Images).
Meeting with the media yesterday, Cheveldayoff said Scheifele, who made eyebrow-raising comments on Sunday about his future in Winnipeg, has not submitted a trade request nor have the two held an exit interview yet. The Jets GM also attempted to diffuse Scheifele’s comments, as well as those of several of his teammates over their frustration and disappointment about the team’s failure to reach the playoffs. He chalked them up to their competitive nature.
Wiebe believes Scheifele would draw plenty of interest if Cheveldayoff were to put the 29-year-old center on the trade block this summer. He’s signed through 2023-24 with an annual average value of $6.125 million.
Dubois, meanwhile, is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights completing a two-year, $10 million contract. Cheveldayoff met with the 23-year-old center yesterday and was encouraged by what he heard, though he added the contract negotiations will take time.
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS: Mike McIntyre believes this is a mess of Chevelodayoff’s making. With his new contract, he’s got three years to clean this up, suggesting the number of players making their frustrations public isn’t normal or healthy behavior.
McIntyre claims Scheifele isn’t the only player seeking an exit plan but he’s the only one to say so out loud. While he expects the center is likely a goner this summer, he also believes his frustration is a disturbing trend, citing the recent departures of several Jets including Dustin Byfuglien, Patrik Laine, Jack Roslovic, Jacob Trouba and Andrew Copp. He also pointed to head coach Paul Maurice’s unexpected resignation last December.
WINNIPEG SUN: Paul Friesen called on Cheveldayoff to ship out Scheifele, citing the latter’s comments about the club’s plans and whether he fits within them. He also believes the Jets GM should hire a tough coach who will demand accountability from the players.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets’ woes appear tied to a broken culture within the dressing room that’s been ongoing for some time. Some of those earlier departures McIntyre mentioned could be put down to difficult contract negotiations. Some, like Laine, Roslovic and Trouba, weren’t happy with their roles with the clubs.
At the time Maurice stepped down as head coach, he claimed the team needed a new voice behind the bench. That suggests some of the core players may have been tuning him out while others could share the same concerns that led to some of those aforementioned departures.
Hiring a tougher coach could help provided he earns the players’ respect. As for trading Scheifele, he’s under contract for two more seasons. Cheveldayoff can afford to take his time to evaluate trade offers. Scheifele could return with the Jets next season unless he’s the main reason behind his teammates’ discontent. That could spur the Jets’ general manager to seek a trade sooner rather than later.
LATEST ON THE SENATORS
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said his club won’t spend to the $82.5 million cap next season but they will increase their salary budget. He also indicated he’ll be starting contract talks soon with restricted free agent center Josh Norris. The club has also held contract discussions with defenseman Erik Brannstrom, who shares the same agent with Norris.
Dorion said he would like to bring in a player to help his young talent play meaningful games by the end of next season. That player could be acquired via trade or free agency. Dorion didn’t rule out the possibility of shopping his first-round pick in this year’s draft provided the Senators don’t win next Tuesday’s draft lottery and they remain seventh in the selection order.
Garrioch said it’s no secret the Senators would like to add a top-six right winger to skate alongside center Tim Stutzle. While promising young defenseman Jake Sanderson could become an impact player, they might want to add a little more support around him by acquiring a veteran blueliner.
The Senators could be among the clubs interested in Ottawa native Claude Giroux if he hits the open market this summer. Garrioch reports they’ve also been linked to Kevin Fiala but Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin could find a way to re-sign the pending restricted free agent winger.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cap Friendly shows the Senators have $59.1 million invested in 14 active roster players for 2022-23 with Norris, Brannstrom and forward Alex Formenton as their notable restricted free agents. Re-signing those three could push their payroll closer to $69 million. They’ll still have room to add a veteran or two but they might be unable to chase someone like Giroux or Fiala if they’re not going to be a cap team next season.
It just seems more and more likely that Scheifele gets moved
And there will definitely be interest… a big C, 6 straight seasons at a point per game….this year 82 game pace of 36-50-86…..
Yes …. Some defensive concerns , but the Jets team as a whole had some defensive concerns
This just seems like one of those “change of scenery” scenarios where the player has a possibility of “taking off” in a new location
Where to, not “if” he goes seems more likely …. and then of course…. What is the return ??
If Gino does not re-sign…. Scheifele at 2C would be an excellent acquisition for Pens…. But other than a 1st rounder…. What else can Jets possibly have interest from Pens ??
Bruins I would expect, would be very active in negotiations…. Again… what is the return?
Gino Malkin already said he’s rich and won’t ask for a big contract. He makes much more sense for the Pens.
Scheifele will cost A LOT to get in a trade and then you will need to resign him to a big raise in 2 years, because you have to resign him if you pay that high price to get him in the first place.
Also, Winnipeg might want a top line player in the deal, which the Pens won’t part with or it will just take them a step back. Like only Guentzel is that level, Rusk won’t cut it.
A 1st line Center in his prime is the most expensive item on the menu, don’t under estimate how much it cost to acquire Scheifele.
Can’t see anything on Penguins or Bruins rosters that would interest Chevy. It will take. 1st rounder and a top prospect at the minimum. Maybe Ottawa or Buffalo.
I appreciate and agree with your usual excellent take, this time on the stumbling Jets. They don’t lack talent, but some kind of malaise clearly permeates their room. Paul Maurice’s departure was shocking at the time but in retrospect was inevitable. I can’t tell you which players are causing the problem, but an excellent communicator such as Maurice couldn’t resolve it and neither could the hapless Dave Lowry. Cheveldayoff must act wisely decisively to remove problem players from the equation or he’ll be looking for a new job.
Paul Maurice was the problem. He used his leadership group to keep order and rewarded them with ice time and opportunity. He did not hold them accountable and created a rift in the dressing room. In turn, they gave him loyalty and spoke his praises. In turn they all secured good paycheques and NHL jobs. Everyone happy but a team that underperforms.
IMO if you have to hold the “leadership group” accountable, they aren’t right players to be leaders.
Assuming we are talking about Scheifele and Wheeler, they are 2 of the highest paid players on the team and both wear a letter.
If it takes the coach to motivate them to play the right way, or compete at a high level, they shouldn’t wear a letter, and you shouldn’t use that much of your cap space on them either.
I don’t spend every game and practice in that room so don’t know what the truth is, but WPG needs to fix it, or they ain’t winning anything.
Seems like they really miss Big Buff. Seems like it was his room before he retired.
Only way to change a culture is to get rid of problems. At least in my experience.
Hard to imagine that a player in his 11th season with same team is suddenly a problem. Jets were in playoffs last 4 seasons before missing out this year. Schiefele was over a point per game over that span but had unfortunate incident in last years Habs game. PLD was a kid who wanted out of Columbus and maybe he’s not a great fit in Winnipeg? Jets need to decide on either trading him or signing him long term before thinking about moving Schiefele
Sign and trade PLD? He was a problem in Columbus, he look to be a problem with negotiating a contract as well. Trade to AZ for Chychrun, McBain, and Philly’s 2nd.
Assuming what you say is true re Dubois, and therefore generally known throughout the league, what make you think Arizona would want any part of him, never mind giving up quality assets to obtain the headache?
How’s spring treating you, George? Hope you’re well.
They want 4 assets for Chy, dont think that deal ever happens.
Arizona is in gather assets mode, they will play in a college stadium next year so no one in there right mind wants to play in the desert until the new arena is built.
Scheifele and Wheeler are the problem, they seem to think they run the team. Adding PLD has reduced Scheifele ‘s perceived self worth. PLD is the center on the PP. Hopefully they can trade Scheifele (Wheeler will be next to impossible with his huge contract). Here in Manitoba many believe that the future should be built around PLD, they have some great young players coming and the future is not that bleak.
The whole Scheifele thing smells the same as the Ryan O’Reilley mess. WHO is the problem? The team? Another player? Or THAT player?
Please no–to Fiala. No more over achieving smurfs.