NHL Rumor Mill – July 7, 2022
The rumor mill is abuzz leading up to the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft. Check out the latest on J.T. Miller, Matthew Tkachuk, Alex DeBrincat, Blake Wheeler, Claude Giroux, the Senator’s first-round pick and much more in today’s NHL rumor mill.
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the New York Rangers are among the suitors for Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller.
SPECTOR’ S NOTE: I wonder if the Capitals are still interested with Nicklas Backstrom determined to return to action in 2022-23 following hip surgery? They were linked to Miller in recent rumors because of uncertainty over Backstrom’s status.
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports teams are “delicately approaching” the Calgary Flames about Matthew Tkachuk. The representatives for the restricted free agent winger want to see how things play out with his teammate (and pending UFA) Johnny Gaudreau before formalizing a game plan for their client.
Calgary Flames winger Matthew Tkachuk (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch cited St. Louis broadcaster Andy Strickland suggesting the Blues would be interested if Tkachuk becomes available in the trade market. If the Flames lose Gaudreau I expect they’ll put all their focus on signing Tkachuk to a big raise on a long-term deal.
Pierre LeBrun said teams are starting to put their best offers forward to the Chicago Blackhawks for winger Alex DeBrincat. A first-round pick would have to be part of the return.
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Ben Pope believes the New Jersey Devils (second overall pick), Philadelphia Flyers (fifth overall) and Ottawa Senators (seventh overall) are the most likely suitors for DeBrincat. He reports rumors involving the Flyers and DeBrincat have cooled of late.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks traded away their first-round pick in this year’s draft to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Seth Jones.
THE SCORE: cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reporting the Winnipeg Jets have started exploring the trade market for captain Blake Wheeler. The 35-year-old winger’s no-movement clause has now become a modified no-trade in which he submits five preferred trade destinations. He has two seasons left on his contract with an annual average value of $8.25 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wheeler’s age, cap hit and limited trade destinations make him difficult to move in an offseason where the salary cap has only risen by $1 million.
Pierre LeBrun adds the Carolina Hurricanes to the list of possible suitors for Florida Panthers forward Claude Giroux. They’re prioritizing offense this season and could lose forwards Nino Niederreiter and Vincent Trocheck to free agency next Wednesday.
WILL THE SENATORS SHOP THE SEVENTH-OVERALL PICK?
TSN: Darren Dreger reports Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion has said there was a 50-50 chance he might trade it. Dreger believes he’s now leaning toward trading that selection.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports there’s some “serious interest” in that seventh-overall pick. The offers have increased dramatically since Dorion and his staff arrived in Montreal for the upcoming draft. It’s believed the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks and Arizona Coyotes have been the most aggressive teams pursuing a top-10 pick.
Dorion was asked by a reporter if the Canadiens had offered up winger Josh Anderson for that pick. He declined to say anything about that but added that he’d seriously consider an offer from the Habs if it allowed both clubs to improve.
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marco D’Amico reports sources say the Senators are interested in Anderson and teammate Christian Dvorak.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s also talk the Canadiens are interested in the Devils’ pick and could offer up Anderson in a package deal for that. I’d say they’ll have better luck landing the Senators’ pick with that package but I’m not holding my breath they’ll get either pick.
EDMONTON JOURNAL’s Jim Matheson believes Oilers GM Ken Holland could seek a first-round pick who hasn’t panned on other clubs in return for Jesse Pujujarvi. He listed Detroit’s Filip Zadina, Nashville’s Eeli Tolvanen and Carolina’s Martin Necas as options.
LATEST ON THE LEAFS GOALTENDING SITUATION
TSN: Chris Johnston reports Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas said his club is still talking to Jack Campbell’s camp. However, there doesn’t appear to be much progress toward a deal. He felt the Leafs will look to add at least one goaltender, mentioning the Minnesota Wild’s Marc-Andre Fleury as an option. Dubas also indicated Petr Mrazek could be sticking around next season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The whole point of trading Mrazek is to free up cap space for Campbell. If they can’t afford him with Mrazek still on the books, how can they afford Fleury?
Darren Dreger believes Campbell is headed to the open market. He listed the Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils as possible destinations for the 30-year-old netminder with the Washington Capitals and Detroit Red Wings as honorable mentions. Dreger believes Campbell could seek a five-year deal worth $5 million per season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: My guess is it’s Edmonton or New Jersey for Campbell.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the word is the Leafs have kicked tires on Senators goaltender Matt Murray as one of their options if Campbell departs next week via free agency.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Unless the Senators are retaining half of Murray’s $6.25 million cap hit, I don’t see how the Leafs can afford him. I also think they should seek better options rather than a goalie with a long injury history or it’s Mrazek time again next season.
GOLDEN KNIGHTS COULD SEEK A GOALTENDER
LAS VEGAS SUN: Danny Webster reports the Vegas Golden Knights could be in the market for a goaltender if Robin Lehner and Laurent Brossoit haven’t recovered from their offseason surgeries in time for training camp.
Webster suggested the Montreal Canadiens’ Jake Allen and the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Brian Elliott as possibilities. He rules out any hope of a Marc-Andre Fleury reunion. Webster also indicated the Golden Knights could shop defenseman Alec Martinez. Center William Karlsson has come up as a trade candidate but the sense is things have cooled on that front.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: One option could be the Rangers’ Alexandar Georgiev. The New York Post’s Larry Brooks reports the Blueshirts could move the 26-year-old restricted free agent if they don’t intend to file a qualifying offer by Monday’s deadline.
The Canadiens aren’t moving Allen until they’ve had more clarity on Carey Price’s health and that won’t be known until later in the summer. The Lightning re-sign Elliott in April to a one-year, $900K contract so he’s not going anywhere.
RUMORS FROM THE OTTAWA SUN
Bruce Garrioch reports a couple of teams have contacted the St. Louis Blues about Vladimir Tarasenko but the club isn’t shopping him. He wouldn’t mind staying in St. Louis.
The Florida Panthers are expected to let defenseman Ben Chiarot depart as a free agent next week.
Teams might want to reach out to the Minnesota Wild about defenseman Matt Dumba. He was being shopped before the Wild shipped Kevin Fiala last week to the Los Angeles Kings.
Wouldn’t the Knights rely further on Logan Thompson and get an acceptable temp fill to help the load in Vegas until Lehner is healthy?
I agree Lyle. I don’t see the Habs picking up either the #2 pick from NJ or the #7 pick from Ottawa. For that high a pick, a team will want a young, top level player, such as DeBrincat or Chychrun. For the Habs, it would mean Suzuki or Caufield, and neither one is going. I can see the Habs packaging the #26 & #33 picks to move up to #15-20 if someone they really like is available.
The Leafs won’t be signing Campbell or Fleury unless they can unload Mrazek. Georgiev may be an option.
If Petry is traded, the Habs should definitely call the Wild about Dumba.
I can see Vancouver trading the 15th for 26 + 33. This of course after they trade Miller to NJ for 2OA.
“The whole point of trading Mrazek is to free up cap space for Campbell. ”
I thought the point of trading him was that he was absolutely terrible and unreliable last year.
Hi Garth
The point is…. You make a good point!
But by saying that you also admit that he is basically untradeable.
At this point, if the Leafs lose Campbell then they may as well roll the dice with Mrazek. I know he was terrible last season but at least he is an NHL caliber goalie over the course of his career.
I’m not a fan of giving away assets to trade the contract.
If he bounces back then great, if not, use the assets to land someone during the season.
Ok. I don’t watch Vancouver, but arent both Horvat and Pettersson centers? I see in stats Miller takes a lot of face offs, but isn’t he primarily a LW? Considering Drurys front office hasn’t leaked any info since taking over, I’m not believing any J T to NY rumors. Fell they’re being generated outside org and I don’t see him being guy that brings cup to NY in the next year. Not when you’re letting every other ufa aquired at deadline plus Strome depart. At end of day you won’t be able to extend Miller and you’ll deal away future. I call bs.
Miller played wing in 2019/20 on a line with Pettersson but took a lot of draws. He played wing and some center in 2020/21. At the start of 2021/22 there was a lot of discussion around Canucks land about whether he could play center, focusing on the theory that the Canucks could have a balanced scoring lineup with Pettersson – Horvat – Miller down the middle. It turned out that Miller was too effective at center to be a 3C, and with Pettersson affected by a wrist injury in the first third or so of the season, Miller clicked as 1C to collect 32G, 67A, 99P (Pettersson played a bunch on the wing).
Miller’s trade value is much higher to a team that can re-sign him. I’m not sure if that’s the case for the NYR, but Miller is signed for one more year at $5.25 m and the Rangers have almost $3.5 m in buyouts coming off the books after next season, so maybe there’s some space for something like 6 years @ $8.5 m.
Re
“There’s also talk the Canadiens are interested in the Devils’ pick and could offer up Anderson in a package deal for that. I’d say they’ll have better luck landing the Senators’ pick with that package but I’m not holding my breath they’ll get either pick.”
As I mentioned in Morning Coffee… perhaps the Burkie 2-step draft approach…
Make a deal with Sens (say Anderson + 26th OA +) for 7 OA
Then a deal with NJ to flip 2OA for 7OA
A stretch…. But a possibility
Straight up Habs dealing with Devils for 2OA … to me likely costs one of Suzuki or Caulfield
Two step… they could swing it to keep both and have Suzuki , Wright, Slaf, Caulfield in top 4 when their hopeful Cup drives are starting in 3-4 years
Pengy, that might be the cost in terms of sticker price but why on earth would the Habs move their # 1 center and a goal scorer, both young, to get one prospect that would take several years to develop into what, I wonder?
George, when the Sens take Petry as part of the price for # 7, you need not feel obligated to call me The Prophet. LJ will do.
LOL. LJ, that would not surprise me one iota … I may not be convinced of Petry’s value but I couldn’t possibly be farther removed from any “inner circle” thoughts than I am. Should Dorion and his staff believe that Petry could be the RD they are seeking it may well boil down to him and Anderson for that 7th overall – perhaps with Ottawa adding one of the D prospects from among Brannstrom, Bernard-Docker or Thompson while Montreal includes the 26th overall.
LJ, Nostradamus you’re not – lol. I NEVER thought they’d actually make a deal for DeBrincat.
Hi LJ
Sorry if my post came out as me thinking they’d move Suzuki
I meant that it would take at least Suzuki or Caufirld plus
I don’t think they should or would trade steaight up for 2OA…. Unless somehow they convince Devils to go 26th; 33rd; 62 Nd; Anderson; a B prospect…. I doubt Devils take that though
Well, that too. His stats speak for themselves. 41 year old Craig Anderson had better stats and with a far worse (at that time) team in front of him.
But, to be fair to the guy, when you look at his career to date in seasons where he played in an appreciable number of games, you have to wonder what the basic reason was for his dropping off a cliff when it comes to performance this past season? Did he suddenly just forget how to play goal? Was it a reaction to the intense media/fan pressure when it comes to playing in Toronto? (hardly unheard of(:
2014-15 Detroit 29gp 2.38gaa/0.918 save %
2015-16 Detroit 54gp 2.33gaa/0.921 save %
2016-17 Detroit 50gp 3.04gaa/0.901 save %
2017/18 Det/Pha 39gp 2.89/3.22 gaa – 0.910/0.891 save %
2018-19 Carolina 40gp 2.39gaa/0.914 save %
2019-20 Carolina 40gp 2.69gaa/0.905 save %
2020-21 Carolina 12gp 2.08gaa/0.923 save %
2021-22 Toronto 20gp 3.34gaa/0.888 save %
The Wings should take that contract off of the Leafs hands and ask for a prospect or picks in the deal for doing so. Mrazek wasn’t bad in Detroit and they have nothing to lose by having him as a back up. If he’s that bad, send him to Grand Rapids like they did with Pickard to mentor the numerous struggling goalie prospects they have down there.
Don’t know what happened to your comment to not fall under the comment your point is referring to. But in any case, he seems to have a pattern of two good years followed by a bad one regardless where.
To me, it’s an interesting point. What does cause such a variation in a player? Is it luck, atmosphere, family/personal issues, coaches, teammates…the list is endless but none I feel are definite.
If the Leafs do end up trading him, I wouldn’t be surprise if he has one of his best seasons…this is would be such a Leafs thing to happen…. Remember how washed up Anderson was the year before last?
It is hard to put a finger on, that’s for sure Ron. Take that 2017-18 season – he played in 22 games for the Red Wings and posted a decent 2.89gaa/0.910 save % for a team that ranked 27th overall with a 30 39 13 73pts record scoring 217 goals while giving up 255 for a -38.
Then he goes to Philadelphia where he played in 17 games for a team ranked 13th overall with a 42 26 14 98 pts record, scoring 251 goals while giving up 243 for a +8 and there his performance takes a big dip – 3.22gaa – 0.891 save %.
You could be right … if he is dealt somewhere he could very well bounce back up to his better years. He is just 30 y/o. And it’s also interesting to note that his best statistical performances came in those years where he played in a LOT of games (35 and up). Relative inactivity could also have been a factor this past season.
With so many teams scrambling for goalies, that $3.8 mil for the next 2 seasons could turn out to be a bargain when all is settled. My opinion to this point that he is untradeable due to that cap hit could well be way off base.
Ron, that’s the Leafy result for sure. I’ll go with the blue sky approach: Mrazek stays, by some miracle, is healthy all year and gets the job done in the playoffs.
Yes!
If Montreal wants to move up and don’t plan on giving up Suzuki or Caufield. Then more difficult but not impossible
1. Josh Anderson
2. Alexander Romanov
3. Kaiden Guhle
4. 26th overall pick
5. next season Florida 1st round pick
depending on how far up determines how much you give up.
Hi Caper
Completely forgot re next year’s FLA 1st….
Anderson, 26th, 62nd (this year) to Sens for 6OA (this year)
Sen’s 6OA, Habs 33rd OA (‘22) , Cats 1st rounder (‘23) to Devils for 2OA (‘22)…
Habs pick 1,2 in front of home crowd…. Wright and Slaf…. that would rock Habsville
Caper/Pengy,
It’ll take a better player than Anderson to get Ottawa to move down from #7 to #26. If tghe Habs do manage to pull that off, the NJ trade is more realistic, but still not likely. The Devils would want a player who could help them now. I also don’t see the Habs dealing Romanov or Guhle. Would weaken their defensive depth even while shoring things up at LW.
You can all stop with the NJ moving down in the draft. That pick is moved only for a quality NHL player under team control. And that is likely limited to a handful of players. I doubt its DeBrincat – the Devs cannot afford to get smaller in their division. I can only see them moving it for Tkachuk or Pasternak, and then only if signed long term – and not sure either team or player is open to trading or going to NJ, so this is a pointless exercise. Devils are not trading for lower picks.
Howard correct it will take more then Josh Anderson. You can pick from the list i posted.
Min of Anderson plus Romanov.
Pengy, the Senators already have 11 picks in this year’s draft – I suspect they’ll be trying to deal some away for established players – not add more late-round picks. Their system is already pretty full.
Point taken George
If Habs are end gaming 1-2…. And see first step at getting 7IS frim Sens
What/who on top of Anderson ; might Dorion be looking for
Now we know – DeBrincat, So much for Anderson and Petry. I hear too that Dorion is sniffing around RD Mackenxie Weegar of Florida.
Pengy in that scenario, add on, Habs staying at the bottom of the standings in 2022-2023 and landing the 1st or 2nd overall in 2023.
Yes another bonus possibility
Re- Kane with/without the Oilers.
I really feel Kane brought that edge and had tons of room to score many goals with McDavid line that also gave Connor added room on the ice.
Yes Kane is due for a big raise and imo if he doesn’t get signed to the Oilers, the Oilers won’t be as good as they were with him in the line-up.
I really dred this year (being a Leaf fan) just because there are a few players I would love to target that are going to available but we gotz no money ,…..yet! So,…,hopefully Dubas and company can pull off some miracles.
I still say they can unload Mrazek to Chicago and realize that in no way should they be heading into the season with Mrazek as the #1 even though at times Dooby tries to make it sound like he has faith in Mrazek. (lip service because he hired him and has to bring him up to ensure Pete has some type of value at that cap hit) But at the same time he states that the number one priority is goaltending.
I just hope to hell it doesn’t end up like this ol joke > “Pete and repeat were walking down the street, Pete fell into a hole,..who was left?”..(repeat) Pete and repeat were walking down the street, Pete fell into a hole, who was left? (repeat)…
May the Hockey Gods be good to us on this draft day and tomorrows draft day,…and on free agency day. Thanks in advance 🙂
Hi DJ
Is the answer to your fable question of who is left….. Monsieur Deja vu?
Re
“LeBrun reports teams are “delicately approaching” the Calgary Flames about Matthew Tkachuk. ”
Teams more importantly should “delicately approach” Keith…. He’ll decide for Matt
If the chatter is true about Tkachuk I am leaning to do a deal with NJ.
Tkachuk for NJ 2nd and sharaganov
Flames can use the pick to select Logan Cooley
This would work – but only if a long term contract for Tkachuk is in place. Not gonna happen otherwise.
Is Tkachuck even worth his qualifying offer which would be north of $9m? It would be a terrible move (simply because it should be avoided) to open the vaults to sign him if Johnny hockey leaves as a UFA. That will be a desperate reactionary move that will handcuff the team going forward.
I like your idea and be proactive and trade him for a good haul that can fill out other holes your team has. I think in short, he’ll have the team over a barrow and that generally isn’t good.
And you call others on this forum dumb Ron. Tkachuk would be coveted by almost every team in the NHL, including your Leafs.
42 goals, 104pts & +57 and he isn’t worth his qualifying offer?
Try watching other teams besides you precious Leafs before you make such a dumb comment.
I can’t stand Tkachuk, likely never will.
Unless he comes to BOS or EDM of course.
He will get his $9M +, if the Flames don’t, somebody else will gladly step to the plate. If he is wise he waits a year or 2 before signing a long term deal, as I think the cap goes up big when the covid pay back finishes. He will bargain hard.
The prick is a good player.
Like his brother better.
I know right.
Sparky, one year doesn’t convince me from what I’ve seen, and by the sounds of it, so do others feel this way. I could be wrong but until then I am entitled to my opinion like everyone else, even though it’s crap.
Hold de phone here. Over 152gp Tkachuk has posted an 82-game average of 29g 44a 73 pts,
DeBrincat, for whom no one blinks at the thought that he’d have to be qualified at $9 mil per, has over his 368gp, posted an 82-game average of 36g 33a 69 pts – and he’s a 5′ 7″ Smurf weighing 165 lbs soaking wet.
Meanwhile, over his 119 gp since scoring an $11 mil + per deal, Tavares has averaged 35g 45a 80 pts – or 7 pts a season greater than Tkachuk.
So George what you’re saying is, it is what it is? LOL.
I think age, lineage and draft pedigree play a role in some manner.
Then you have the fan perspective that is what it is, far from free of bias.
Been saying that for a while, but Matty would garner a prospect as well, such as Bahl.
I’m not opposed to the Flames trading Tkachuk. He had a great year last year but he’s a tad overrated. You don’t want him to be “the guy” because that’s not him (if Gaudreau walks). I’m not buying this future captain or the dog in the fight stuff they say about him either. He’s a mediocre pest with really good scoring ability, not a gritty leader. But $9mil is going to be the number.
It’s the term that he’ll fight for that makes me wonder.
I don’t mind the thought of Campbell going to the Oilers.
I DO mind how much and for how long. And who they’ll lose in the process.
I figure if Holland has a chance at signing him, it’ll be 5×5…which could end up ugly if his inconsistency continues.
I’d also REALLY like to see Puli be swapped to The Coyotes for Crouse, even if Edmonton has to throw in a filler.
Artsy19,
Ya, I think the Oilers would regret that. I remember on this form Leaf fans were complaining about how Campbells play had deteriorated and wanted him traded. Now he is one of the top goalies on the FA market. Very scary
And therein lies the problem – so few choices for them in the FA market and so few available on the trade market.
But wether it’s Campbell, Holtby…hell….Dubnyk???? They need someone!
Jack has been a serviceable goalie with hot streaks.
Over the course of two years he didn’t steal a single game for us though, you need that against a team like Tampa.
He will get $5M, if Ullmark got that, Campbell definitely will. The comparable in Ullmark and Peterson are way too obvious for his agent to overlook.
Agree 100% Artsy, the Oil can’t start the year with Smith and Skinner, or Skinner and a career backup.
COL looks to have moved on from Kuemper, because he will get paid. Which means Oil can’t afford him either. Leafs in same boat, so gonna guess NJ for Kuemper.
So that leaves Husso (small sample but talented) & Campbell has been up and down like every other tender not named Vasilevskiy, so the safer but more expensive choice, and his career #’s are pretty solid. And I suppose Fleury, but not coming west.
I will go with Campbell in EDM at around $5M as the safer choice. No room at the inn for Kane, can’t afford him, but OK with Husso too.
Re Hawks and moving Debrincat … he goes…. Does Kane want to stay? Highly doubt that
If Hawks moving Deb …. They are full court press on rebuild and covet 1st rounders
Deb gets 1st ++
Pay Kane SB, retain 50%; on to Yotes…. Who retain 25% (50% of 50%)
Yotes buy $2.6 M in Cap for only $725 K…. They give Hawks one of their 4 2nd rounders for that windfall
Hawks also get a 1st + prospect for the eventual team who is getting Kane…. 1RW…. for just $725 K and Cap hit of only $2.6 M
Similarly….. Toews…. Same benefit on to through with Yotes…. another 2nd to Hawks
Final team gets 3C for $725 K and 3rd rounder
Hawks net 1st, two 2nds, and a 3rd for only $1.45 M (the SB already being paid is a sunk cost)
Pens would love to hand Hawks 1st (‘22) and 3rd (‘23); Dumo; Carter…. For both Kane and Toews @ 25 % Cap… total only $5.3 M Cap
Kane on team incentivizes Gino to re-up….
Sid Guentz Rusty
Gino Kane Rackell
Toews E Rod Heinen
Blueger McG Kappy
Tanger/Matheson
Marino/Pettersson
Freidman/P-O J
Jarry/DeSmith
***of course … full/complete decision rests on Kane/Toews…. Certainly a possibility they may want to move in if Deb goes….. may want to stay together…. Both going to Pens…. Fully agree…
Uber longshot… but a nice thought
Now that said….if BriseBois is weighing $4M’ish or more on Palat…. Would he not think twice re Kane @ $2.6 M? Kane incentive is joining Bolts (3 straight SCFs with 2 SCs)?.
Ouch…. Say all Eastern Conference teams not named Lightning
Dubas is using the media to try to downplay the severity of his predicament in goal with his recent comments about Mrazek coming back to form. NOBODY is buying it. A season with him (or worse, two) would be disastrous. He would certainly lose his job. I wouldn’t be surprised if teams were asking for a first round pick to take Mrazek off their hands, its that big of a problem. They just put him on waivers!! Now he’s going to “bet” on him being their starter. No way!
Edmonton should recover their 3rd from Chicago and then offer sheet Jake Oettinger for $5M at 5yrs, only give up a 1st and a 3rd.
JZ- Dallas looking to re-sign both Robertson and Ott and they have 18 mil in the bank while also letting Radulov walk( skate) and most likely Klinger, so I feel they have the cap space to counter offer that Oilers propsal and the Oliers don’t have enough scratch to afford that kind of loss and will most likely have to either trade for a solid tender or just sign one of the free agent tenders. Ott looked awesome in last years playoffs and I can see why you would want him but I just feel Dallas is going to lock him up.
Does anyone think Ottawa will pull a rabbit out of the hat and Offer Sheet Matty to play with Brady?
No. Not saying they wouldn’t try to obtain him in a trade … but no way do they submit an offer sheet.
I could see Ottawa doing that Anderson/Dvorak deal for the 7th and then flipping both of them to Calgary for the Brother of the same mother.
No THAT’S an interesting take.
DJ, swap out Dvorak and insert Stutzle and you are getting close to a deal
THAT is not so interesting. Neither Stutzle nor Norris are going anywhere.
Hey George ,…I have to change it to DebriCAN to Calgary for the Bro. 😉 lol
Meanwhile, the “other” team in last year’s finals waits on this year’s class of ‘pretty-good-but-left-behind-mature-players-willing-to-sign-for-1MM-for-a-decent-shot-at-a-cup-run’. There are always a few.
Who will they be, a 5D, a PK specialist, and maybe a 3rd line wing with good D & 15 goal potential?
cloning Begosian & Perry…..
The Bolts are still a good team, Richard, and Vasilevskiy is capable of putting a team on his back. But do you really believe the Bolts have a legit chance at the Cup next year?
I do not. Too much hockey the past three years to have juice left for a Cup run this coming year. I would be very surprised if any NHL player thinks signing with them means a good chance at a Cup this coming year.
I’ve never believed in that “too much” playing. What I did 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 or 12 months prior, really doesn’t have anything to do with how much I have in the tank today or tomorrow.
There are lots of comments by players and coaches on how important off season rest is, and how draining a Cup run is on a team. Why do you think that no team has one more than two Cups in a three year period in decades?
Too funny. Every player whose name is attached to the Maple Leafs is quickly followed by “cant afford”.
This is the direct result of paying half your cap to 4 players.
The Scooby Dubas School of Cap Management.
Let’s go signed. 6 years. $36.6 mil
**Letang **
Didn’t expect a 6 year contract. At least the cap hit is much lower than i thought it would be.
With Letang signed now, will the Pens now resign Geno???
At least their focus is now on resigning Malkin. If he resigns at $6.1M too i would be happy. But I think he’ll comand more and test free agency.
Interesting contract. Hits that 35yr old or more category for buyouts and retirement. Seems to still have the stuff to play and possibly a decent 3rd pairing at his tail end should be a reach or is it? At $6m, for a 40yr old, will that be the going rate for a guy playing your bottom pairings? If not, you are either gonna swallow some of that cap hit in a trade or hope he finds his way to Robias’ island.
With this 6 year 36.6 million deal first four years include no movement clause.
6 👍’s up
Perfect …. Only just over $6 M …. Gives more space
Who cares re $6M in yrs 4-6 when they are in rebuild…. Maybe he’s LTIR then
I like this deal
Hi Pengy
I also like the deal. They have more cap space now. That’s all matters. As you already mentioned, who cares about his cap hit in a few years when their core is past their prime and they are in a rebuild.
IMO Detroit could take on Mrazek but should get draft picks or prospects as part of the deal. Mrazek wasn’t horrible when he was in Detroit, and Detroit has little to lose by taking on his contract. They could shuttle him back to GR if he’s not playing well and give some of the goalie prospects they’ve picked up over the summer a chance in the NHL. Mrazek may be a great mentor for those guys in GR if he can’t hack it in the NHL anymore.
I also do not think Detroit should trade Zadina for Puljujarvi. Zadina plays much better when he has more talent on his line. Puljujarvi had two of the top talents of this generation on his line and still struggled. Zadina also didn’t get much of a fair shot under Blashill. Zadina was great when paired with Vrana, but Blash kept him on grind and defensive lines with people like Fabbri and Rasmussen. Zadina reminds of Slave Kozlov. Immensely talented, but needs chemistry in order to really have that talent to explode on the ice.
Detroit needs to give Zadina one more year under a new coach. He may never live up to his draft hype, but he still has potential to be a high end 2nd line talent.
Wow, didn’t think Letang would get a 6 year contract.
Seeing what Fiala got from LA and letang getting paid agents asking price for their clients will be going up.
Hate to see what Gaudreau will get on July 13, maybe 7 years at 11m
Hi FF
6 years @ a hair over $6M.,. Tanger did Pens a favour
Low Cap AAV
Years 4-6 irrelevant… Pens then in rebuild…. If he retires…. Cap stays on (they won’t worry about Cap those years) but cash commitment gone
He could also be in the mysterious LTIR world @ 39 and 49 years old!
More room now…. Gino , ur up; then sign Rakell, E-Rod
Still need to boot Zucker
Wow. Gorgiev to Av’s. Can’t believe Rangers return. 2 third rounders and a fifth. Must have been multiple teams interested. They weren’t going to qualify him.
News off the draft floor has Matt Murray vetoing a trade to Buffalo this morning.
The Leafs are said to be interested in Murray’s service now.
For the life of me I can’t figure out why – of that’s true – Dorion is trying to unload Murray … without adding another goalie from somewhere they’d go into the season with a tandem of Forsberg and Gustavsson (Sogaard isn’t ready YET for prime time).
Forsberg is fine – no problem there – but unless some in the organization think he’s suddenly ready to go from the back-up role to # 1, then the only other option in the system is Gustavsson … and he scares the crap outta me with his glaring inconsistency.
George,
Kuemper is now available, maybe Dorion believes he can land him???
He’d better get in line!
Sakic pulls off a great move getting Georgiev for what he gives up
Fergy, I’m a Ranger fan and I’m not a big fan of Gorgiev. Late picks are a crap shoot so I guess both teams made out. Most fans in NY figured he was gone for nothing.
Slick I figure Kuemper was asking for a contract that did not fit Sakic’s plan. Fill that slot with Georgiev go with a tandem 1a/1b including Francouz and spend the savings on re-signing Lehkonen, Nikushkin and maybe even reup Manson.
To be honest I was not sold on Kuemper in the playoffs , he was good but did not steal any games IMO.
I also figure Sakic ran it by his scouting staff and asked if there was anything middle rounds that they could were interested in.
next move Sakic makes is to trade this years 6th and 7th and send the scouting staff on a golf vacation
George confirmed late yesterday that the last top 10 draft pick to be traded was in 2013- 9 years ago. Coincidently a goal tender involved. I am betting that will not change tonight.
Calgary is either in a pickle or a good spot. No matter how flat the pancake there is always two sides. They could make a good deal with St.louis. Tarasenko and a first and prospect for MTkachuk. Johnny’s money to procure in the FA market or take on a salary from a team in cap trouble or both
Whatever the case it is going to be transformational
SilverScreen lol food for thought comments re: pickle,…and, just so you know a pancake has 3 sides. The top , The bottom and the side that seperates the top from the bottom. All I know is my Leafs seem like they are in a Jam and hopefully they can free up some bread. 😉
I know that none of you wanted Tarasenko last year— any interest this time around??? I’m reading Carolina, Florida……Do you the the Rangers or Islanders could revisit?
IP
Petry’s name coming up with two teams showing interest, Columbus & Dallas.
Columbus wants to add a veteran D-man & was said to be extremely interested in McDounagh before he was moved to Nashville.
Dallas has acknowledged that Klingberg is going to test the UFA market & Dallas wants RD to replace him.
Petry’s name coming up with two teams showing interest, Columbus & Dallas.
Columbus wants to add a veteran D-man & was said to be extremely interested in McDounagh before he was moved to Nashville.
Dallas has acknowledged that Klingberg is going to test the UFA market & Dallas wants RD to replace him.
Bruins fans turn away, tonight will be close to what it usually is, nothing. Sweeney won’t accomplish anything& the bruins will most likely end up with someone like Matt Belesky or David Backus. Two out of gas vets.
Alex DeBrincat to Ottawa holy moly
Very good trade for the Sens.
Seems like Chicago is tearing it down to get in on the Connor Bedard sweepstakes next year.