Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup (Part Two) – July 3, 2022

by | Jul 3, 2022 | Rumors | 31 comments

Check out the latest on Ryan McDonagh, Evgeni Malkin, Vincent Trocheck, Sergei Bobrovsky and more in Part Two of the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Minnesota Wild would like to bring back UFA goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury for another season. He hasn’t made his decision yet and there will be competition for his services.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Depends on how much of a pay cut Fleury is willing to accept. Still, he and GM Bill Guerin are old teammates and friends. They could work something out.

Uncertainty over Nicklas Backstrom’s status makes it difficult to determine the Washington Capitals’ cap flexibility. It’s uncertain if they’ll bring back goalies Vitek Vanecek and Ilya Samsonov. They could pursue Colorado’s Darcy Kuemper if he becomes a UFA next week. They could be in on J.T. Miller.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: With $8.9 million in cap space and 18 players under contract for next season, the Capitals will have to move Vanecek or Samsonov if they intend to bring in Kuemper. He could prove too expensive to sign. The Canucks’ asking price for Miller could include Connor McMichael or Hendrix Lapierre.

The Pittsburgh Penguins continue to negotiate with defenseman Kris Letang. They’re reportedly not close to a deal with Evgeni Malkin but that could change before July 13.

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The cost of signing Letang will determine how much they’re willing to invest in bringing back Malkin. That could depend on how much of a pay cut he’s willing to accept and whether he’ll accept a three-year deal.

Friedman believes the St. Louis Blues could be a good destination for Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh. He admits it might take multiple moves and could affect their efforts to re-sign UFA winger David Perron. He also wondered if they can retain goalie Ville Husso.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues have $9 million in cap space and 18 players under contract for next season. McDonagh carries a $6.75 million cap hit and I don’t see the Lightning retaining part of it. They’ll have to shed some salary to fit him in and still have enough for Perron and perhaps Husso.

Friedman is curious whether Darcy Kuemper would consider signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs if Jack Campbell departs next week as a UFA. Re-signing defenseman Rasmus Sandin is trickier than they expected. He also wondered if Max Domi might be a fit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I wouldn’t rule out the Leafs as a suitor for Kuemper but they’ve got to do something first about Petr Mrazek’s contract. They’ll also likely try to move out Justin Holl and his $2 million cap hit for next season.

Edmonton Oilers goalie Mike Smith isn’t expected to play next season while Duncan Keith’s situation could go either way. Trade candidates could include Zack Kassian, Warren Foegele, Jesse Puljujarvi and possibly Tyson Barrie.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Puljujarvi has garnered a lot of attention recently in the rumor mill as a trade candidate. Kassian could be a buyout candidate while there could be some trade interest in Barrie.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are working with Ryan McDonagh to find a suitable trade. Winger Alex Killorn could also become a cost-cutting candidate.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDonagh’s full no-trade clause gives him complete control over potential trade destinations. His $6.75 million annual average value through 2025-26 is also a limiting factor. Killorn carries a more affordable contract at $4.45 million through 2022-23. He carries a 16-team no-trade list.

If the Chicago Blackhawks trade Alex DeBrincat it might spur Patrick Kane or Jonathan Toews to request a trade, especially if DeBrincat’s traded for futures. Teams are also inquiring about Kirby Dach.

SPECTOR’ S NOTE: Kane and Toews have identical $10.5 million cap hits through 2022-23 and full no-movement clauses. Moving either guy will involve retaining a healthy chunk of their annual average salary. One would think the Blackhawks would retain the 21-year-old Dach as part of their rebuilding plans. Then again, a lot of us thought the same thing about Brandon Hagel before they shipped him to Tampa Bay.

The cap-strapped Vegas Golden Knights need to shed salary. They could move Laurent Brossoit for cap reasons. “Trading Nic Hague is not a preferred option”.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights are over $2 million above the cap with 18 players under contract for next season. Reilly Smith is believed to be signed but it won’t be made official until July 13 for tagging reasons. They’ll have to move more than Brossoit’s $2.325 million cap hit. Maybe they try to shop William Karlsson and his $5.9 million cap hit.

The Los Angeles Kings made their big move by acquiring Kevin Fiala last week. Friedman wondered if Fiala’s arrival might prompt one or two of their forward prospects to seek a trade if they feel he’ll block their efforts to crack the lineup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If so, perhaps they could be packaged to add an experienced defenseman to their blueline.

It’s believed the Boston Bruins have an interest in Vincent Trocheck if the Carolina Hurricanes center hits the free-agent market next week.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman also mentions Patrice Bergeron and perhaps David Krejci could return but that’s not a long-term plan at center. Trocheck could help at least fill the second-line center spot beyond next season. They have $2.3 million in cap space with 22 players signed for next season. Not a lot of room there.

The Calgary Flames are believed to have offered an eight-year deal to Johnny Gaudreau worth $9.5 million annually. They’re still waiting for a decision from the left winger, who feels loyalty toward Calgary but this is as much a family decision as it is a hockey one.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Gaudreau departs I can see the Flames pursuing Filip Forsberg if he doesn’t re-sign with the Nashville Predators.

Friedman wondered if the Carolina Hurricanes might make a pitch to Evgeni Malkin if he doesn’t sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I wouldn’t put anything past Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon.

The New York Rangers probably can’t afford to sign Andrew Copp or Ryan Strome so they’re testing the trade market for centers. Potential trade partners could ask for Filip Chytil, Kaapo Kakko or even Braden Schneider in return. Friedman wondered if they might look at Adam Henrique if the Ducks absorbed part of his salary.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The New York Post’s Larry Brooks reported the Rangers have spoken to the Winnipeg Jets about Pierre-Luc Dubois. They’re also believed interested in Mark Scheifele. He also mentioned Vancouver’s J.T. Miller and Bo Horvat and Detroit’s Dylan Larkin, though those three have just one year each remaining on their contracts. Brooks mentioned Chicago’s Kirby Dach as an intriguing possibility.

The Florida Panthers denied they were trying to lay the groundwork to trade goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who has a full no-movement clause for two more seasons. UFA winger Mason Marchment is probably priced out of their market now.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers have $3 million in cap space with 17 players under contract for 2022-23. They can get some cap relief by placing sidelined winger Anthony Duclair (Achilles tendon surgery) on LTIR but they’ll have to be compliant when he returns at midseason.

Coming off their Stanley Cup win, the Colorado Avalanche face big decisions regarding UFAs Darcy Kuemper, Nazem Kadri and Valeri Nichushkin.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Of the three, Nichushkin seems the most likely to be retained. Kuemper and Kadri will be expensive and they’ve got to keep an eye on their long-term cap space with Nathan MacKinnon due for a big raise next summer.







31 Comments

  1. Max Domi would be a fit , ideal in my opinion
    A type of hard to play against player
    Max may flourish in Toronto with his dad in favour of the move !

  2. How about Fleury signing with Avs on a 1 year contract 4-5 mil.

  3. I seen a post by a Bruin fan during the playoffs suggesting a trade of Debrusk for Puljujarvi

    I wouldn’t do that trade. Debrusk had multi 20 goals seasons and Jesse does not.

    After watching the playoffs and the role Edmonton put JP in, makes me wonder about his hockey iq or the value Edmonton see in him.

    Trade for a third round pick but definitely not JD.

    • Caper. Would have to be more then JP alone. Maybe a pkg of players weave way Or JP and a pick

      • Depends on a couple things for me.
        Is JP going to arbitration? If so, most guys who average 1/2 pt/gm get close to $3M. If you can get him for 2 years @ $2.25, he is a worthwhile player on 3rd line.
        Also, will he commit to working with a skills coach in off season, as that is what the issue is with him. Has the physical talent, and is a gym rat, so puts in work.

        He is a guy who could flourish somewhere else, or in Edmonton, if he works on what he needs to improve. Not sure he will though.

        So JP and a young D like Samorukov or Niemelainen who could come up as needed and also become an NHL player soon, would work for me.

        But EDM has their cap limitations, and first job is a tender, so not sure a fit.

  4. Petry, Dadonov and the Calgary 1st to Detroit for Hronek and Victor Brattstrom (goalie prospect)

    • Johnny, Habs do that deal in a second. Detroit doesnt.

      • Actually, if the Habs hold some salary and toss in a 2nd or 3rd there maybe something here. Only if there is any truth to the rumor that Hronek is unhappy being bumped on PP and as 1st D pair.

  5. It is difficult to imagine that Tampa will be able to trade either Killorn or McDonagh without retaining salary, unless they add some nice sweeteners to the deal. One thing I noticed during the cup finals was Tampa’s lack of speed on defense. Victor Hedmann and Rutta have some wheels, Cernak is OK, but McDonagh, Bagosian, and Sergachev are no burners, and McD isn’t getting any younger or faster. Anyway, he and Killorn have a negative trade value now, at their age and salary. Good luck trying to move them.

    • McDonough traded to Nashville for not much. This frees up the cap space to retain Palat, but Tampa defense may suddenly be suspect. Other than Hedman and Sergachev, no D-man now on their roster topped 18 points this past season.

  6. As a fan of chaos I really want to see Malkin sign with Washington with Backstrom on the IR.

    • I am thinking Giroux, because he is much more durable

    • Ah No.. Penguins nightnare anywhere but Washington or Philadelphia..im good..

      LA KINGS PLEASE

  7. Bruins fans ….Let’s just say the B’s sign PB back, then they will probably be 3+ million over CAP…How will this team/roster get any better than it was at the close of this past season. Why would #37 come back to a team that just wasn’t good enough and now going to miss their two best players for 3+ months of the new season ….

    • They would need PB to return for a low cap hit incentive based salary. Then move some salary like Debrusk and Reilly. Then sign a second line center. Probably have to buyout Foligno. That’s what I would do. A healthy Mcavoy and Lindholm could make a big difference come playoffs.

      • Dave. That should be the plan. Let see if they can make it happen

    • I’m sure PB was told about Sweeney’s attempt at a blueprint for the future or he wouldn’t have come back. So far Sweeney’s been about as reliable as a Nigerian Bank Account. He’s got his work cut out for him,
      Personally I Don’t think he can do it that boat has already launched and he ain’t on it.

      • Rick do you actually have any hockey knowledge? It’s pretty pathetic. Since Sweeny took over only 2 other teams have better winning percentages. Still crying about the 2015 draft too. My god you get all you incite from Felger and Mazz and it’s so predictable lol bandwagon crap

  8. I wonder if Stevie takes Mrazek back to Detroit for a price.
    Mrazek + Sandin for Vegas’s 4th or Juolevi
    It’s not like the Wings are going anywhere for a while, and Petr can be bought out as well.

  9. Nashville Predators Acquire Ryan McDonagh

  10. What is the latest on Ben Chariot? Any team have any interest in him or is he going to re-sign in Florida?

    • Not coming back to Montreal, RR. No cap space. Sadly.

  11. Did 46 leave the Bruins because of BC,maybe if he comes back it will be very telling

    • Joe. If 46 does come back it would pretty much prove the rumour he lost the room and brushed many players the wrong way

      • #46, Joe Biden??

    • Johnny Z … that 46 is a moron

      • But he does not know it. Unless on his cue cards

  12. The leafs have to fill 5 roster spots with 6.4M. Elliotte needs to be honest in his reporting that the leafs can’t possibly be in on those players. What a joke!

  13. Surprise surprise, JB and the Lightning solve the problem. McDonough to Nashville. Myers & a minor leaguer in return, Myers a probable buy out for more cap credit & a tiny hit next year, or maybe a third liner (better than Foote???). Enough cap now to likely retain Palat or Rutta & maybe even both. Killorn becomes the solution to next year’s squeeze,

    • If you’re right, nice little tidy bit of business there by the Bolts GM.

    • I think losing McDonagh is part of the problem, not solution, Richard. The Bolts will miss him. Rutta is surely a downgrade, cap compliant now or not.

      My view is this is the slow unraveling of Tampa’s roster.