NHL Rumor Mill – June 18, 2022

by | Jun 18, 2022 | Rumors | 45 comments

What’s the latest on Filip Forsberg and Jeff Petry? Could the Devils attempt to move Jesper Bratt? What will the Capitals do about their goaltending? Check out the latest in today’s NHL rumor mill.

WILL FORSBERG RE-SIGN WITH THE PREDATORS?

TSN: Chris Johnston reports the Nashville Predators would like to bring back Filip Forsberg. However, it’s not clear at this point if they’ll be able to do that. He said there hasn’t been much progress in contract extension talks since March and both sides seem entrenched in their current positions.

THE ATHLETIC: Adam Vingan recently examined three options for the Predators to replace Forsberg if he hits the open market on July 13. The bold move could be attempting a major trade to acquire David Pastrnak if he’s reluctant to sign a contract extension with the Boston Bruins.

Nashville Predators winger Filip Forsberg (NHL Images).

They could attempt to sign Valeri Nichushkin if the Colorado Avalanche winger becomes an unrestricted free agent next month. Another option is acquiring Jesse Puljujarvi from the Edmonton Oilers as a reclamation project.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Plenty of time remains for Forsberg and the Predators to work out a deal. However, if there hasn’t been any progress in talks when the calendar flips to July, the more likely it’ll be that the 27-year-old left winger goes to market.

I don’t anticipate the Bruins shopping Pastrnak as both sides seem open to working out a contract extension starting on July 13. Sure, it’s possible talks could stall and the Bruins could start listening to offers but I’d say the odds of that happening are low right now.

Nichushkin won’t replace Forsberg’s offense or star power. Nevertheless, he’d be a more affordable option and his two-way game could be a good fit in the Predators’ system.

Puljujarvi’s trade value is low right now and he could be available given the Oilers’ limited cap space. It shouldn’t cost very much to acquire him if the Predators are interested.

CANADIENS WORKING ON PETRY TRADE

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Montreal Canadiens are working on trading Jeff Petry though there’s no guarantee a deal will take place. Five or six teams have expressed an interest in the 34-year-old defenseman.

The Dallas Stars are among those clubs, especially if they lose blueliner John Klingberg to free agency next month. LeBrun said it appears Klingberg could test the UFA market as there have been no contract talks of late with the Stars. The Detroit Red Wings are another potential destination.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Petry-to-Dallas speculation has been around since March when there was talk the Stars looked into acquiring him before the trade deadline. As for the Wings, they have plenty of salary-cap space to absorb the Michigan native’s $6.25 million annual cap hit through 2024-25 and are in need of experienced blueline depth.

A LOOK AT DAILY FACEOFF’S UPDATED TRADE TARGETS LIST

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli added five new names to his NHL offseason trade targets list.

New Jersey Devils winger Jesper Bratt is the notable new name, checking in at No. 10. Seravalli noted Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald recently said the 23-year-old winger is a big part of the club’s future. However, sources said Bratt was available at the trade deadline and there’s been no contract extension talks to this point. He also noted Fitzgerald’s pursuit of “hard skill” this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bratt completed a career-best 73-point season and is coming off his second NHL contract. Fitzgerald can take his time negotiating with him though Bratt does have arbitration rights and is in line for a big raise.

I’m skeptical that Bratt will get traded but I don’t rule it out. It will depend on what type of skill player Fitzgerald is pursuing this summer and if Bratt would be a trade chip necessary to acquire that type of player.

Speaking of the Devils, Seravalli has Mackenzie Blackwood at No. 20. There’s a sense they’re losing faith in the 25-year-old goaltender after two seasons of injury and inconsistent play. He could be a bounce-back candidate in tandem with a veteran on a deeper club with limited cap space.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Improving the goaltending depth is a must for Fitzgerald this summer. He could shop Blackwood but could also keep him as a backup to be mentored by whoever he brings in as a starter.

New York Islanders winger Anthony Beauvillier, Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alec Martinez and Pittsburgh Penguins winger Kasperi Kapanen were also added to the list. Beauvillier came in at No. 15, Martinez at 14 and Kapanen at 18.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: These three have previously surfaced in trade speculation mostly as cost-cutting candidates.

LATEST CAPITALS SPECULATION

NBC SPORTS WASHINGTON: Andrew Gillis recently examined possible goaltending candidates for the Capitals if they part ways with Ilya Samsonov or Vitek Vanecek this summer. He suggested monitoring the New York Islanders’ Semyon Varlamov and Los Angeles Kings’ Jonathan Quick.

Both have a year remaining on their respective contracts. He also doesn’t anticipate they’ll be among the bidders for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Jack Campbell if he tests the open market in July.

WASHINGTON HOCKEY NOW: Sammi Silber recently cited Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos claiming the Florida Panthers are shopping starting goalie Sergei Bobrovsky hard, so much so they’re willing to retain as much as 50 percent of his $10 million annual cap hit.

Silber wondered if the Capitals would be interested. She also suggested the Capitals could prefer keeping their options open with Campbell, Colorado’s Darcy Kuemper and St. Louis’ Ville Husso possibly available via free agency.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Varlamov might approve a trade back to where his career began but I don’t see the Capitals investing in him unless they can get him signed to a contract extension. The Kings could stick with Quick for his final season before passing the full-time goalie duties to Cal Petersen.

Bobrovsky’s contract expires in 2026. Even at $5 million annually, that’s a lengthy investment in a 33-year-old goaltender who struggles at times with consistency. I think the Capitals will test their luck in the UFA market and make a cost-cutting deal if necessary to add a goalie.

WASHINGTON HOCKEY NOW: Sammi Silber cites a report out of Russia claiming Alex Ovechkin called Evander Kane earlier this season to encourage him to sign with the Capitals following his contract termination by the San Jose Sharks. Kane ultimately signed with the Edmonton Oilers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m including this one just for fun. And no, I don’t see Kane signing with the Capitals. They already have a first-line left winger (hello there, Ovechkin) and they’ll likely invest their limited cap space in improving their goaltending and perhaps their blueline depth.







45 Comments

  1. TSN said that Kuzmenko has finished his interviews with stops in Edmonton; Vegas , Vancouver; and that any deal must be ELC; and WILL be for 1 year. TSN also reported that teams would be getting him (promising him) for a top 6 roll

    If Oil can snag him….

    Yammo and Ryan (both from Spokane BTW) to Krakken for Soucy

    I believe Kuzmenko’s agent is Milstein (Holland has worked with before) . Milstein is Kane’s agent BTW

    If Keith retires and they buyout Kassian…. Definitely possible to have Kane and Kuzmenko as wingers for McD and Leon respectively next year.

    I would assume they are grooming McLeod for 3C…. Oil fans…. Is that correct? Is Holloway now ready for the jump? Play on third line with McLeod….

    If so…. Oil top 6 very well could be McD Kane Hyman
    Leon RNH Kuzmenko

    3rd line?
    McLeod Holloway JP

  2. Soucy #21 on Servelli’s list

    would be a great Pen or Leaf… just saying

  3. In an article this morning under the title “Senators have already launched a search to replace departing assistant GM Peter MacTavish”, Bruce Garrioch relates that Dorion hasn’t made a decision yet as to whether or not he will give RFA Adam Gaudette a qualifying offer. If he doesn’t, he’ll likely become one of many upcoming RFAs who will find themselves unrestricted free agents. And that includes D-man Victor Mete who “has already been told he won’t be back and (UFA) forward Chris Tierney was also informed he’ll be allowed to go to unrestricted free agency.”
    The article also conforms that “The Senators have indicated they’re willing to deal the No. 7 overall pick for a player who can help right away if they find the right fit. There’s been no shortage of interest in that selection, but teams haven’t even come close to making their best offer yet. The Minnesota Wild, Chicago Blackhawks, Vegas Golden Knights and Arizona Coyotes have all been listed as potential dance partners. Dorion told this newspaper last week the tire-kicking on the pick had already begun and will likely continue right up until the Senators arrive in Montreal on July 4. Teams generally don’t make their best offers until there’s a deadline, and you can expect the same here.”

    • Brick Boeser for 7OA?

    • Hi George

      Re “The article also conforms that “The Senators have indicated they’re willing to deal the No. 7 overall pick for a player who can help right away if they find the right fit. ”…. I’ll say it again….

      7th overall; Sanderson, Pinto, Boucher for Power

      Yes, It’s 4 for 1…. But that guarantees probably 55 minutes of every game with either Chabot OR Power on the ice…. and for at least the next 1/2 + decade

      That outcome is certainly worth the 4-for-1 swap

      • Only in a fantasy league, Pengy. And from what I’ve heard, anyway, from a number of sources who pay attention to the top prospects out there, Sanderson is regarded as a top-notch D with A level on-ice smarts. Certainly not that far behind Power (if at all) to also give up a Pinto AND the 7th overall. That is just ludicrous.

        Time will tell, of course, but that sort of deal will just NEVER go down in the real world.

      • Soucy…
        Would be a nice addition for sure..

        Look Letang is going to want between 8 and $ 9 million.

        You could sidn Ufa josh Manson and Nikita Zadorov for about the same or slightly more. I think $10 million gets you Zadorov and Manson.

        Manson Dumoulin
        Marino Zadorov
        Matheson Friedman

        You add those two our line up guys like trouba lingren tom Wilson wont be cheap shotting our star players

        We have Matheson to run the power play and he has a better shot than letang

  4. Petry + Romanov for Hronek + Erne
    Montreal reduces cap for a FA acquisition.
    Petry goes home, beautiful story!

    • Pass
      Absolutely
      Pass

    • Detroit says nyet to any Petry trade that doesn’t come with a significant sweetener. There are a half dozen RHD’s who are UFA’s that are 3 – 6 years younger who are as good or better than JP, and who would be paid less. I would rather take my chances getting one of those than giving up anything of value to get Petry.

      • Romanov is the sweetener.
        Klingberg is too expensive, who are the other 5-6?????

      • Johnny Z – Manson, Schultz, Miller, Gudbranson, Lyubushkin, Rutta, Stecher….heck, I’d rather resign Staal and play him on the right side.

      • Johnny Z – Manson, Schultz, Miller, Gudbranson, Stecher, Lyubushkin, Rutta. Heck, I’d rather resign Staal and play him on the right side.

  5. The Devils are a couple important cogs away. New goaltender (g-bye Blackwood) & no more smallest fb’s for now. Pretty good AHL team)
    Bratt (great shot/deaking) offensively gifted but no PK & easily knocked off puck. Surprised/ (not shocked) he could be moved.
    Hughes needs a couple wings w/ size. As does Nico. Zacha’s going to be traded I think. Think
    I’d love Forsberg in NJ>

    • JT Miller for 2OA?

      • Miller needs to be signed to a longer term…..if he is he is worth much more than 2 OA. But Miller un-extended for 2 OA would be good.

  6. That is the first I have heard about Bratt at the deadline last year. Bratt is a homegrown fan favorite who has improved every year. Not signing Bratt without bringing back a superstar (to make up for the disappointment) would be a huge blow to an already on the edge fan base. Fitz and ownership better have some big plans and execute them. Or the fans anger will turn to apathy…

    • I agree, if they move Bratt and don’t bring back something better, it won’t be pretty. It would have to be for someone like Knight, Pastrnak, Q.Hughes, or maybe a Wallstadt or Askarov. Perhaps Bratt’s contract demands are a bit much and that’s what is facilitating this, he did holdout before and if that’s the case again then F him and send him to ASU for Chycrain (forgot how to spell his name)

  7. Yes Bobo’s contract is a pretty long extended contract but at 50 percent off or 5 million if you will, seems like a snag for the Capitals to use since they always seem to be talking about trading their respective tender.

    Speaking of tenders,…The Flower (who loves to promote himself imo) says now he would love to join the habs if Carey is on the LTIR (which I imagine he will be) but I can see this actually happening and Fleury getting his dream shot at playing for the Canadiens.

    There seems to be a real doe si doe going on with goaltenders and this upcoming year has the potential to see many goalies playing for different clubs next season. The one goalie I would love for the Leafs to steal would be Oettinger but I feel Dallas is going to lock him up and would be smart to do so,…but I’m here wishing Ott gets disgruntled somehow, someway during negotiations (had to put that out in the universe lol)

    Happy upcoming Fathers day to all. May the puck bounce your way. 😉

    • Why are people assuming Price will be on LTIR? He finished the season and just won the Masterson for his heroic 5 game 1-4, 3.63 gaa, .878 sv% come back.

      Being awful doesn’t get you on the ltir. If it does, Montreal needs to get slapped for cap circumvention.

      If they don’t, NY needs to throw Nemeth and Tinordi on LTIR to start the season.

      • Captain O
        Well Bettmen just praised Tampa for the way they use the cap and Gary even said The cap is almost just a suggestion “Bettman supports Tampa’s use of “loopholes” for what he calls “cap management” https://www.hockeyfeed.com/nhl-news/bettman-supports-tampa-s-use-of-loopholes-for-what-he-calls-cap-management

        So with Montreal trying to do big things in this draft this year plus if you add in the hint from Fleury, I can totally see it come to fruitation and maybe even relying on a 1-2 duo if the Habs slide in a playoff spot somehow, someway.

      • Why does everyone blame Tampa? Actually Tampa was the first victim of “over the cap” when they lost to Chicago in 2015.

        When Kane came back for the playoffs, Chicago was over the cap.

        As great as Gaborik was for Tampa in that 17 over the cap run, well you get where I’m going.

      • CO,

        “Price admitted that his knee would not allow him to play a full schedule of games and he needed it to get better before making a decision on playing in 2022-23.”

        Nothing has been said since that end of season press conference other than Price went to Pittsburgh for a medical consult at the end of the season.

        It doesn’t mean he’ll be on LTIR but it remains a possibiity.

      • If you have had knee surgery(s), and come back and you knee needs to be drained, pretty sure that would qualify as injured.

        Sounds like he wants to play so hopefully he comes back healthy, have to say it doesn’t sound promising.

  8. If the Flames can’t sign Gaudreau for 10m or less they should let him walk and go after Forsberg. Probably get Forsberg for 8 or 9m
    The Flames currently have 5 players from Sweden that would make his transition to Calgary very easy.

    • I would take Forsberg over Gaudreau as well, Flamefan, but were I Flames’ management I would be cautious about Forsberg not having played a full season in 5 years.

      And he has been in the league since 2012 so I doubt he needs help transitioning from one north american city to another.

      • LJ

        Also if Tkachuk digs in which I know he will. Qualify him for this season and trade him to NJ for the 2nd overall and Sharangovich.

      • Matty for 2 OA, Bratt, Bahl

      • Flamesfan, I agree Tkachuk will dig in, and NJ would surely know that. Thus they d have to agree to Tkachuk’s asking price for a new contract before any such trade was made.

        There is a lot of chatter about teams wanting NJ’s pick this year, including the Habs. That drives up the asking price, complicating your suggested trade.

  9. Pasta will resign with Boston 8.5-9 max term. People need to stop entering dumb made up rumors.I’m betting the Bruins core wasn’t that found of Cassidy the last couple years. That may explain why Pasta hadn’t come to terms during the past season. Or maybe he’s waiting for Bergy to make up his mind meaning he signs a cheaper deal for a yr or two if Bergy doesn’t retire

    • He won’t sign a 1-2 year contract cause the risk is too great. The league is full of dirty players head hunting. Long term deal guarantees him payment even if his career gets cut short.

      • Any chance Pasta takes a wait and see and not sign this summer? See what the team does as far as filling out roster and how competitive he thinks they are going to be moving forward? I really wonder if he would be on board for a rebuild.

      • Most of them on the Rangers and Capitals..

      • Many said that when he signed his last contract. If it means saving cap space for Bergy to return I’d lean towards that than not. If Bergy retires then no he will want the big payday. As he and his agent said completely false he doesn’t want to resign

    • Pasta will sign just at the start of training camp. Same goes for Bergy and Krech. This is how it works in Boston, now.

  10. Wings interested in Petry…why because he’s from Michigan? Why would the Wings want a player turning 35 years old this year making 20 million in the next 3 years with 8 million of it in signing bonuses? They already have Seider, Hronek and Lindstrom on the right side. They need to upgrade the left side of the defense and get a 2nd line center so why waste money on something they don’t need. Much better to use that money on Trocheck or Malkin and on a left side defenseman like Zadorov or trade for a LD or center.

    I do hope Petry is traded soon somewhere other than Detroit so they can stop with that. Detroit doesn’t need every Michigan player that is available or players making too much money just because they have plenty of cap space right now. Cap space can disappear pretty quickly when good young players come off their entry level contracts. When Seider and Raymond come off those rookie contracts (if they continue to improve or play the same as now), that will eat a significant amount of cap space not to mention other young players that will continue to come in and UFA or trades to fill the major holes they have on the roster.

    • the av’s number one off season priority will be to re sign the big russian choo choo train…kadri, burka etc will be gone…rants can play 2c and or maybe newhook next season

    • So very true Kronwalled – especially “Cap space can disappear pretty quickly when good young players come off their entry level contracts …”

      I keep hearing the same sort of “suggestions” when it comes to Ottawa and their huge cap space which clearly don’t take into consideration that they must come up with new deals for Norris, Formenton and Joseph this year, and Stutzle next year along with a couple of pending UFAs next year they might like to retain (e.g., Connor Brown).

      • Yeah it can eat up all that cap space pretty quickly going from under 1 million to millions for a few players. Then you still have other young prospects coming in and if they do well, they will need to get paid when their ELC end too like Sandersson, Pinto ect… for the Sens or Edvinsson, Cossa ect… for the Wings. If a team rebuilding team isn’t careful of their spending now (when they have plenty of cap space), they can end up in cap hell pretty quickly and having to try and move players not worth their contracts anymore or younger players because they can’t afford to pay everyone under the cap.

        Taking bad contracts or cap dumps is fine short term (a year or two depending on where the rebuild is at) but more than that like Petry with 3 years left, could possibly cause cap problems for the Wings in the near future. Then the Wings would be stuck trying to find someone to take that contract on an even older Petry that might not even be worth half the salary he is making. Yzerman has had to buy out a few of the horrible long term contracts Holland left him while riding out a few more. I should hope he doesn’t want to find himself in that situation again. So far he has kept things short term and stayed away from long term on guys over 30 years old…i hope he continues that trend along with not handing out NTCs or NMCs like candy.

  11. Patrice SIGN ALREADY!! Or dwiddledee will most likely sign someone like Zack Hamill okayed by Dwiddledum.

  12. If Carey Price is done, should Montreal look into Bobrovsky? Petry for Bob at 50% retain?

    • And in that scenario what does Florida do about a goaltender? Go with Spencer Knight? And with a D complement and depth of Ekblad, Gudas, Chiarot (better to re-sign him than get Petry), Weegar, Montour, Hagg, Lindbohm & Nutivaara why would they want Petry in the first place?

    • Bob is too inconsistent. And that would cause him to be eaten alive in Montreal.

  13. Bob ($3M retained) + Weegar for Gibson. They will have to get Bob very drunk first to waive his NMC!