Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 4, 2022
Could the Canadiens attempt to acquire Rangers defenseman Nils Lundkvist? Could the Oilers bring in Evan Rodrigues? What’s next for the Wild after trading Dmitry Kulikov? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marco D’Amico recently wondered if the Canadiens would attempt to acquire Nils Lundkvist. The New York Rangers are reportedly shopping the 22-year-old defenseman. He’s seeking more NHL playing time and could get it on the rebuilding Canadiens.
New York Rangers defenseman Nils Lundkvist (NHL Images)
D’Amico reports the Canadiens had an interest in several Rangers prospects in the recent past. General manager Kent Hughes has indicated he’d like to bolster their depth on the right side of their defense corps.
The Rangers have limited salary-cap space and could use depth in prospect centers. Meanwhile, the Canadiens added centers Kirby Dach and Sean Monahan via recent trades and selected center Owen Beck in this year’s draft.
D’Amico speculates the Canadiens could be inclined to part with a prospect center such as Riley Kidney or Jan Mysak, along with a mid-round draft pick, to address their blueline needs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jeff Gorton, the Canadiens executive vice-president, should know Lundkvist well. He was the Rangers general manager when the young defenseman was chosen in the first round (28th overall) in the 2018 NHL Draft.
Lundkvist could provide an additional measure of puck-moving skills to the right side of the Canadiens blueline. They might not be the only club interested in him. Rebuilding or retooling teams like the Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes, Detroit Red Wings or Vancouver Canucks could also come calling.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Kurt Leavins believes the Oilers will bring another NHL forward into training camp. He anticipates it’ll be a right wing as they need to boost their depth at that position.
Leavins points out that Oilers GM Ken Holland has a history of only offering professional tryout offers to players who could make the team. He suggests Evan Rodrigues could be that guy.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rodrigues is coming off a career-best 43-point performance on a one-year, $1 million contract. He’s likely seeking a more lucrative deal but has probably found limited options.
He could go the PTO route but I wouldn’t be surprised if he lands a one-year deal worth between $1.5 million and $2 million before training camps open later this month.
THE ATHLETIC’s Michael Russo recently speculated that Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin could target cap-strapped teams desperate to shed salary. He recently freed up cap space by trading Dmitry Kulikov to the Anaheim Ducks for future considerations.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Russo indicated the Wild has $5.738 million in cap space now, freeing up space for internal additions such as Marco Rossi or Cale Addison. Guerin could wait and see how those two perform in training camp and preseason before going the trade route to further boost his roster.
Although Detroit needs some RD depth, Nils Lundkvist and his slight body build is not the type of D-man that Stevie covets.
Lundkvist build isn’t any slighter than Hronek or Lindstrom. Adding another though probably isn’t a priority. Don’t really see a match with Habs either. Any trades they make will have to be a salaried player on roster going other way. Lundkvist is in mix with a couple young players for 6th D spot. They’re not going to give him away.
True Slick, but I don’t see him as a high value guy either…hasn’t been able to crack the lineup….questions about his ability to defend. I doubt NY would get more than a third round pick, or a B prospect.
Stevie Y did not draft Hronek and Linstrom.
I’m certainly hoping that the Habs try to make a trade for Lundkvist. I’d offer up either Mysak or Kidney and a pick. Maybe even a 2nd rounder. If that’s not enough, then it won’t happen.
I can see Lundqvist garnering some interest. Prior to last year, Lundqvist was all the rage. It was a transitional year for him. Some team will reap the rewards in a buy low trade. As the first Habs, they won’t be trading mysak for him. I can see Evans going the go the other way in a trade.
Last year a lot of people predicted he’d be in the Calder discussion. They’re not taking a 3rd for this kid.
He sits behind Fox (arguably the best d-men in the game. ) Trouba and lost his spot to a more physical Schneider.
Pretty tough to crack that lineup, and I doubt Gallant would have a rookie play on his off side.
Why has his stock falllen to a 3rd exactly?
Drury didn’t panic on Kravstov, he’s not going to panic trade Lundkvist.
Hell, NY got a 2nd for Andersson, who’s value and upside had significantly plummeted prior to being traded.
Agreed. In fact, I think that he’s much better than Schneider, just not as physically gifted.
I’d take him in Boston right now, but we’re gonna need an OK from Rick before we go any further.
Just what we need a right handed Jack Ahcan!Boston says no!
Capt O, As an Isles fan, I think that the Rangers would be nuts to give up on this kid. I’ve watched enough of him to know that he can play in the NHL.
D-Men take longer to develop. That hockey.
Both Pelech and Pulock (arguably the best D pair in the league) didn’t hit their stride until their 3 rd full season.
The Ranger hold all the cards here. Send him to the AHL to learn how to be a professional.
Lundqvist was all the rage prior to last year. It was a transition year for him. His skills haven’t gone away. Takes time to get used to the bigger ice, physicality, etc of the NHL. I can see teams being interested in a classic buy low scenario but the rangers will trade him to fit a team need. If it’s the Habs, I can see Evans going the other way. Rangers are in win now mode and Evans will help centre bottom 6. Very reliable player.
I doubt NY wants Evans. And that cap won’t work anyway.
Why make a play for Lundkvist at all when there are young prospects who can play RHD on the team of the same stature.
Justin Barron, Mattias Norlinder (L shot but plays R) Jordan Harris (plays both L and R) and more in the pipeline.
Mysak in my opinion is the next Plekanec and needs every opportunity with the club at least until centre is solidified.
If anything I’d like an older Dman on the right side as a filler, a Jordie Benn off waivers for example or an Anton Stralman on a cheap contract.
HabFan, I would also prefer the Habs sign a veteran like Stralman, but they’d be crazy not to check into Lundkvist. They can afford to trade a guy like Mysak – they have some promising young centers with the team and in the system (Suzuki, Dach, Kidney, Beck). They also have some promising young wingers and left side D-men. But the cupboard is thin on the right side of the defense. And it wouldn’t be so simple to try a young left shot D-man on the right side in the NHL.
LJ, with Price going on LTIR, making the cap dollars work won’t be a problem. Taking into account 2 goalies, 6 D-men and 14 forwards (not including Pezzetta and Dach), they have $5.1m. left. And when you figure that Byron will start the year on LTIR (and possibly Monahan), that takes it to $8.5m. Lundkvist will cost only $925,000 on his ELC. That’ll leave more than enough to sign Dach.
Howard,
“it wouldn’t be so simple to try a young left shot D-man on the right side in the NHL.”
Norlinder plays on the R in Europe, it is rather common there for D to play on the “wrong side”.
Barron is a RHD battery mate of Guhle on WCJ team (that was cancelled)
IF they were to trade prospect for prospect I’d look to Helge Grans, Kaedan Korczak, young guys with size.
I mentioned Benn because you know exactly what he brings, experience, mentorship, a pro’s pro who eats all the dirty play for a year and I doubt the TML will keep him.
Howard, thanks for the clarification on the LTIR situation.
I doubt repeating myself makes me any more persuasive but I still don’t see the logic of lessening opportunities for the young D prospects. If the Habs have to give up a centre let it be Kidney, who was in the press box for the IIHF tournament while Mysak played well.
LJ, we can certainly debate the merits of Kidney v Mysak but using the WJC as comparison is not fair. Mysak is a year older and played for the 4th place team which wasn’t expected to do even that well. Kidney was buried in a much stronger Canadian lineup that won the gold. Kidney had better numbers in junior last season
Not sure how much Benn has left, but agree with your overarching point. In bringing in Lundkvist the Habs may end up creating the same situation he faces for one or more of the newbies. The Habs would give up assets to arrive at the same place.
But … where does the $ come from to bring anyone else in, I wonder. Once Dach is signed someone – Armia ? – has to go to get below the cap.