NHL Rumor Mill – October 21, 2022
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: the latest Canadiens speculation, a look at which defensemen the Canucks might target, and the Golden Knights owner weighs in on how his club could invest next season’s cap space.
LATEST ON THE CANADIENS
SPORTSNET: In his latest mailbag segment, Eric Engels was asked how the Montreal Canadiens might address the void in goal if Carey Price’s knee injury brings an end to his playing career.
The club will likely try to identify future starting goalies in the 2023 draft while attempting to develop the prospects within their system. However, Engels anticipates a trade is the most likely way to bolster that position.
With Jake Allen signed for two more seasons, Engels felt there was no immediate need to address that position. Given the type of team they’re trying to develop, they might not need to depend on a goalie the way they did in the past with Price.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, they might only need a reliable goalie who can rise to the occasion in big-game situations rather than one who can dominate at that position.
That strategy worked for the Colorado Avalanche last season as well as the St. Louis Blues in 2019 and the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017. Those clubs, of course, were loaded with stars at other positions. They needed a good goaltender, not a great one.
Montreal Canadiens center Sean Monahan (NHL Images).
However, it’s also worth noting that the star-studded Tampa Bay Lightning won two straight Stanley Cups in part because they also possess a superstar netminder in Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Asked about Sean Monahan’s future with the Canadiens, Engels believes it’ll be a short one. He speculated the Habs could get a first-round pick for the 28-year-old center at the trade deadline if he stays healthy and plays well.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Monahan’s looked good in the early going for the Canadiens. He could fetch a first-rounder at the trade deadline from a playoff contender provided he maintains his current level of performance throughout this season.
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marco D’Amico recently reported the Canadiens are still searching for a right-shot defenseman despite the recent addition of Jonathan Kovacevic off waivers. They’re still seeking a veteran presence on the blueline for at least the short term.
D’Amico believes they’re not going after a big fish like the Arizona Coyotes’ Jakob Chychrun. They are exploring various options as their lineup is too congested at forward to provide any roster flexibility.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Maybe they’ll consider shopping Monahan for that defenseman? Or perhaps Jonathan Drouin if he also has a healthy and productive early season? Granted, their respective cap hits make them expensive to move at this point in the season. Monahan’s is $6.375 million while Drouin’s is $5.5 million.
WHICH DEFENSEMEN COULD THE CANUCKS TARGET?
SEKERES AND PRICE: TSN analyst Darren Dreger was asked which defensemen the Vancouver Canucks might target in the trade market.
Dreger said the problem is so many teams are looking at the same type of defenseman, namely the Coyotes’ Jakob Chychrun. However, Chychrun is currently unavailable as he’s still recovering from off-season surgery. Teams will want to see him play before making offers but the Coyotes are still setting a high asking price.
Short-term options could include Danny DeKeyser, Thomas Hickey or Jason Demers. In the long-term, perhaps Chychrun becomes more affordable at the trade deadline. The Anaheim Ducks’ John Klingberg could be another deadline option as well as the Ducks’ Kevin Shattenkirk or Dmitry Kulikov, the Coyotes’ Shayne Gostisbehere and Troy Stecher, the Seattle Kraken’s Carson Soucy, and the New Jersey Devils’ Damon Severson.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It doesn’t appear as though there are any quality options available right now to the Canucks or any other club in the market for blueline help. Many of those players Dreger rattled off could certainly become obtainable at the deadline but that could be too late to help the struggling Canucks.
HOW WILL THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS INVEST THEIR FUTURE CAP SPACE?
THE ATHLETIC: Jesse Granger recently interviewed Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley. At one point, Granger indicated that next season’s salary cap could rise by $4 million and asked Foley how that might affect the club’s plans.
The Golden Knights owner replied that it would give them the opportunity to pursue “another really quality forward.” He felt they were fine at center but could use more depth among their top-nine forwards.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Something for Golden Knights fans to keep in mind if the cap does rise by $4 million next summer.
From last night’s Leaf s game, it is painfully obvious we need a bruiser to keep opposition players from beating on our star players. We should trade with Calgary for ZADOROV he would take care of them.
Didn’t the Leafs organization just bring DeKyser in as a PTO with the Marlies? Looks like they might be watching him closely as a possible stop-gap to cover their D absences due to injury.
George, yes, the Marlies announced the PTO on Wednesday. Danny is allowed to play up to 25 AHL games under a PTO. Marlies are also under staffed on defense, with Mete, Benn and Kral up with the Leafs / injured (Benn).
Lyle didn’t seem to say anything about the leaf in his article….we have enough Leaf talk on TSN and Sportsnet without being flooded with comments about a bloated team on Lyles’ site
Uhh … in his opening blurb Lyle says “TSN analyst Darren Dreger was asked which defensemen the Vancouver Canucks might target in the trade market … Short-term options could include Danny DeKeyser, Thomas Hickey or Jason Demers.”
I thought I had seen some reference to DeKyser being brought in as a PTO with the Marlies … so I offered the comment … is that somehow taboo now?
Maple leafs.
Actually, should always have been “Leaves” … but that’s nitpicking 🙂
George I don’t mean to be the grammar police but you’d be correct as a plural for a leaf but being a name of, it’s Leafs.
I think crazy canuck’s opening comment is what got Don’s panties in a bunch, which Don does has a point. It’s just been a little while so it’s easy to forget the daily irrelevant Boston posts.
Your comment is exactly what I thought which the Leafs or the Marlies who offered him the PTO would have no say if someone where to offer DeKeyser a contract.
Yeah, I wondered about that Ron … if an NHL team were to offer him a 1-year deal I guess there’s nothing to hold him back – unless Dubas upped the offer I suppose.
Re Leafs – Leaves – what’s in a name? I always thought it was kind of silly for Calgary to retain the name “Flames” after the franchise moved from Atlanta, where at least it had some local context – the Burning Of Atlanta.
Not as bad, though, as when the New Orleans Jazz relocated to Utah – and they kept the nickname. A lot of things come to mind when I think of Utah …. but Jazz ain’t one of them.
At least Dallas had the good sense to drop “North” from the nickname when the Minnesota North Stars re-located there, as they’re anywhere but “north.”
Benn cross checked Mathews No one does a thing because there is no one on the bench to keep the opposition in line . Bunting is a small dog you shake off your leg. Leafs need toughness that can play 10-12 minutes
Matthews is 6’3″ 210 in his socks. He shouldn’t need a policeman.
He should’ve beat the wheels of Benn, himself.
Benn is one of the best fighters in the league. Matthews would get his clock cleaned. What was the price of a hockey ticket in 20’s SOP?
Benn is a bum.
Hockey players were hard men in the 20’s, Rick. Not like the Nancy’s playing today, Right?
I suppose Matthews should be able to but then he breaks a finger doing it. Good plan.
Now reading these comments I’m forgetting what lyle was discussing and need to go re read haha.
To your question, Rick. You could expect to pay two bits for general admission and about $2-$2.50 for reserved seats. Some rinks, only a buck for reserved seats.
Someone needs to do something about Benn. About a year and a half ago, he cross checked Larkin in the back of the neck and put him in a neck brace for 3 months, and didn’t even receive a penalty for it, let. alone a fine or suspension. That’s dangerous man. Where are Joe Kocur, or Bob Probert, or Lee Norwood, or Gilbert Delorme when you need them ?
Why don’t the Leafs just play Simmonds?
Perhaps because he just can’t keep pace anymore?
He still can keep up speed wise but not so much as the way the team wants the line he would fit on plays. That’s why he looks like he can’t keep up with the pace, it’s more with pace (type/style) of play.
I think on this roster, he doesn’t cost much, cap/liability but also doesn’t bring much…or at least what they need him to do. Sort of like fitting a square peg in a round hole. He could be helpful to younger teams.
To Ottawa Chrychrun, 3rd round draft pick
To Arizona. 1rst round draft pick 2023. 2nd round draft pick 2024 (washington or Ottawa’s which ever is the better pick) Tyler Boucher, Lassi Thomson and Nikita Zaitzev.
Now this is the bases plopped down on the negotiating table by some hockey god. Pick a side and debate and counter. Lets see where this goes. haha.
Re; The Vancouver Canucks
which defensemen the Canucks might target….⁉️
They Need 3 New d/men not 1…….. Canucks D is HORRIBLE after Hughes and OEL…..
Good Luck with that Mess,
they will need to use Bo Horvat as a Trade chip
and there 1st pick to start to Re-shape there Defence in Vancouver