NHL Rumor Mill – August 26, 2022
Speculation suggests the Flames might not be done in the trade market and a couple of predictions for the Oilers in today’s NHL rumor mill.
ARE THE FLAMES NOT DONE DEALING?
CALGARY HOCKEY NOW: Steve Macfarlane reports a “growing feeling” that Flames general manager Brad Treliving could make another move in the trade market. He points to preseason projections that have prospect Jakob Pelletier among the Flames’ top-six forwards plus their plethora of defensemen.
Juuso Valimaki is a popular name for trade bait while Oliver Kylington would be the kind of young defenseman who might be of greater interest to rival clubs. Noah Hanifin has only two seasons left on his contract but the Flames likely aren’t concerned about that given their “win-now” attitude.
Calgary Flames defenseman Oliver Kylington (NHL Images).
Macfarlane rattled off the names of several forwards (St. Louis’ Vladimir Tarasenko, Chicago’s Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, Detroit’s Tyler Bertuzzi) who are among the bigger names believed on the trade block this summer. Other notables include Washington’s Lars Eller, Philadelphia’s James van Riemsdyk, the New York Islanders Anthony Beauvillier and Montreal’s Christian Dvorak.
Other trade options could be Philadelphia’s Cam Atkinson, Buffalo’s Victor Olofsson or Montreal’s Paul Byron.
Macfarlane also noted some free-agent options such as Evan Rodrigues and Sonny Milano. He pointed out that Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently suggested the Flames had some interest in the 29-year-old Rodrigues.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Treliving’s made some bold moves this summer such as shipping Matthew Tkachuk to Florida for Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar and signing Nazem Kadri. He could have another one up his sleeve, perhaps by drawing on his blueline depth.
Cap space, however, will be a factor. With $2.1 million remaining, Treliving could be forced to make another cost-cutting trade to free up cap space as he did when he traded Sean Monahan to Montreal to make room for Kadri. The other option is a dollar-for-dollar swap. Failing that, an affordable free-agent option such as Rodrigues or Milano seems the more likely route.
TRADE PREDICTIONS FOR THE OILERS
THE ATHLETIC: Allan Mitchell made some bold Edmonton Oilers predictions for the coming season.
One of them is the expectation that the Oilers will become salary-cap compliant by placing Mike Smith and Oscar Klefbom on long-term injury reserve and making a trade. Mitchell suggested shipping out Warren Foegele for a draft pick or a non-roster player.
Mitchell also expects Oilers GM Ken Holland will make a big addition at the 2023 trade deadline. He took note of the recent speculation tying Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane to the Oilers. However, he believes they would be better off waiting until the trade deadline so as to avoid any potential cap complications that could arise over the course of the season. He also doesn’t rule out pursuing Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Unless the Oilers are the only team with a genuine interest in Kane, I don’t think they can win a bidding war for his services at the trade deadline. That’s assuming the Blackhawks star will be willing to waive his no-movement clause to come to Edmonton.
Given their lack of cap space, they’ll have to pull off a three-team trade to spread Kane’s $10.5 million cap hit around. Even then, they’ll have to move a salaried player to ensure sufficient wiggle room. They’ve got some decent prospects within their system but other clubs might be able to offer better quality.
As for Chychrun, I don’t see Holland giving up two first-round picks plus a top prospect or a promising NHL player if that remains the Coyotes’ asking price on deadline day.
Valamaki should have some value and interest . 16th overall, Captain of Finland WJ, Big body that made the Flames team young. However,I don’t think Sutter likes him and a couple of injuries set him back . In tough to make the team and not a regular o this D without being an injury fill in . He would be a nice fit in OWA DET FLO
I don’t see where Valimaki would even fit in for the Wings. The age fits and all but the Wings already have Chiarot, Seider, Maata, Hronek, Lindstrom, Oesterle, Haag and Walman/Pysyk will return from injury at some point during the season. That’s 9 defensemen right there and this doesn’t even include any of the prospects possibly pushing to make the team in training camp like Edvinsson, Johansson and Sebrango.
Where would Valimaki even fit into that depth chart and could he even crack the Wings lineup over most of these guys? It seems like he would just be another guy just fighting for a spot against a lot of players and some good prospects. Doesn’t feel like it would be worth it to give up an assets for a guy that is not a sure thing to make the roster and could end up on waivers.
Unless the Wings are getting a clear cut upgrade on defense, i think they will go into camp with what they have and see who makes it.
Agreed. The last thing the Wings are looking for is another young LD – that is one position they have many of in their system…..McIsaac, Sebrango, Edvinsson, Viro, Johansson, Waallinder…all LD’s. No thank you to Valamaki.
Re Kane or Toews…. Same contract
No matter what; Chi will need to retain half uf either? Both? are moved
At TDL; after Chi retains half…. and after allowing for escrow…. Each player is then owed only ~ $450 K
So team retaining (non playoff team with space) can retain 1/2 again for only $225K cash
Recent years…. Retention if $200 K to $300 K cash has resulted in a 3d or 4th going to middle team
Final team gets them for ANNUALIZED cap hit of ~ $2.6 M; …. AND either player would be replacing someone on the roster (at worst league min $750J)…. so at worst annualized Cap space needed of ~ $1.9 M
but since only ~ 1/3 season left at TDL…. actual space needed…. ~ $650 K
There will be cup contenders that can work towards having that much left in projected space by TDL
Calgary have depth on D but does really most of those players either wants to go to Calgary or adds anything. I could see a trade for someone with term or that would want to sign. I mean Kane would be great, but I dont think he would want to come or resign.
I wouldn’t assume he wouldn’t go to Calgary. Been to Chicago a few times, and a great city with a cool ball park in Wrigley.
Calgary is a great city too, and once you get out of the city an hour west, outstanding.
The weather in the winter months, the average temps are remarkable similar actually. Would think Calgary is a lot sunnier then as well.
I get most American UFA’s would prefer to play in their home country when signing long term deals. Seems normal to me and of course they would. But if your only talking a few years, why the heck not? No idea about kids and such, so that would play a big role to if the fam is up for it or not.
Winning matters to a lot of these guys. Having said that, not sure he is a fit for Calgary either. Have quite a bit of depth up front and Kane won’t play for peanuts on his next deal if I had too bet. He’s too good a player still.
Canadiens – Flames look like perfect trade partners. One with extra Defensemen the other with extra FW’s. Don’t have any speculation on who for who but this situation begs a trade between them
Hi Dov
Any team looking for D should call HexBurkie… Pens have surplus
Anderson and a 3rd for Zadorov and Valamaki
Tre is one of the best at hockey trades, he’ll figure it out. He could easily trade Val for picks, and take one of those picks and trade someone (maybe Kylli) for a top six forward with a couple of years left on their contract.
Only thing is I look around the league and am not impressed with the rw’s I see out there. I don’t like the ufa market, unless those guys come in at 1 mill I don’t take a chance.
I know he will do something but I’m drawing a blank on who he might be targeting, but saying 2.1 mill is not enough to make a decent trade for a good player is the exact opposite of pundits expecting him to make a move, they all agree it gives him the upper Hand in trying to work out a deal.
Weird reading this stuff. Weager doesn’t NEED a new deal…but…..like Zub in Ottawa. You’re just pushing the pain back a year. Also, all these teams that are looking for that Chycrun type player but are going to throw in a nearly ready NHL d-man/prospect into the deal to acquire him? Why not wait. Like, any Sens deal for Chycrun seems to include one of Lassi Thompson(d) or Jacob Bernard-Docker(d) two of the Sens more noteable defensive prospects. Had the Sens bone head of a coach played either of those two prospects more….once the season was lost….they’d have the NHL experience they need to move into a bigger role this season negating the need for a trade with Arizona.
I agree Dark G
I’ve said before…. Dorion should at least inquire (Adams) re Power
Min of 55 or more mins of every Sens game having either Chabot or Power on ice for next 7 years….. Wow!!!
It’ll take a load…. But worth the call at least…..
Zaitzev to Sabres to clear more space
Then the big pieces….
Pinto, Sanderson , Lottery protected 1st; Bouch, Gambrell; higher of the two 2nds in ‘24 (Caps or Sens)
With freed up space….. sign E-Rod
…. and also maybe Gagner for depth
That’s a roster that seriously competes
Fair point. While I have admiration for a guy like Del Zotto – a consummate pro who does what’s asked, including AHL duty – why waste 26 games on a player like that in a season where you know with almost certainty that it’s going to be a “learning” year with all kinds of bumps in the road.
The 16 games Thompson appeared in, and the 8 for Bernard-Docker, could have been more like 29 and 21 respectively.
After all, they gave Brannstrom 54 despite his glaring -17.
Nomad, Kent, and SilverS,
How do you think the Flames would feel about Tarasenko for Valimaki (or Kylington) and Toffoli. Pretty good fit for dollars, and meets the needs of Blues and Flames.
ps. I really covet Zadorov, but I doubt that’s gonna happen
IP
Hey IP,
That’s an interesting proposal, I had thought about Tarasenko last year when he was rumored to be on the block. I definitely wouldn’t mind having him but with only 1 year left on his contract it feels more like a rental, not confident he would resign in Calgary.
Plus I would rather keep Toff, he seems to get a bad wrap but I like what he brings to the team, and we are short on rightshot wingers.
Maybe a package like Dube and Kylington if he will resign.
Right side would then be
Tarasenko, Toff, Coleman, Lewis, not bad. Not sure Tarasenko is a Sutter type player though. 🤔
Flames need a speed guy.. like what peak carl hagelin or michael grabner would bring. What Saprykin was to the ’04 flames. Only thing I can see they’re missing. Somone you can put out there once in a while to give the opposition something different. Throw them off. Kapanen on the pens comes to mind. A guy with demon speed.
They got grit, they can fight, they can score, have goaltending…just need that speed guy. Maybe a big shot from the point too, a better option than Stone.
Hi Arnie
What’s your offer for Kappy?
E-Rod (also has speed) is UFA
Hi Arnie
What’s your offer for Kappy?
E-Rod (also has speed) is UFA
Here’s a prediction for you Allen Mitchell. Oilers will be sellers and not buyers at the trade deadline.