Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – February 12, 2023
A Jakob Chychrun trade appears imminent, the Oilers are reportedly in talks with the Sharks about Erik Karlsson, plus updates on Timo Meier, Alex DeBrincat, Brock Boeser, Tyler Bertuzzi and more in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
CHYCHRUN TRADE APPEARS IMMINENT
SPORTSNET: Jeff Marek noted the Arizona Coyotes announced last night that they were keeping Jakob Chychrun out of the lineup for “trade-related reasons”. He said the 24-year-old defenseman won’t be heading to the Edmonton Oilers or Toronto Maple Leafs.
Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun (NHL Images).
While the Los Angeles Kings tossed cold water on the notion that they were acquiring Chychrun, Marek noted that they were honoring former captain Dustin Brown last night in a pregame ceremony “so let’s see where this goes”. He added there was no guarantee Chychrun would be traded that night as the Coyotes don’t play again until Monday, Feb. 13.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Other insiders also weighed in with conflicting reports over potential destinations for Chychrun.
Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported there is “lots of smoke” connecting the Coyotes defenseman to the Kings “but no confirmed fire yet.” Meanwhile, the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch tweeted the Leafs and Oilers are among the teams that stepped up efforts to acquire Chychrun.
The Score’s Josh Wegman pointed out that Chychrun has also been linked to the Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Blues and Columbus Blue Jackets. The Buffalo Sabres also previously expressed interest in him. Boston Hockey Now’s Jimmy Murphy cited a league source expressing his belief that the Bruins are still in on Chychrun.
After months of speculation stretching back to last season, it appears Chychrun is finally going to be traded. We should learn where by no later than Monday evening before the Coyotes’ game with the Predators.
LATEST SHARKS SPECULATION
TSN: Chris Johnston tweeted that the Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks have re-engaged in trade talks regarding Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson. There are considerable financial hurdles to overcome but it’s the second time this season the two clubs have discussed this.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports Karlsson would have to become about a $6.5 million to $7 million player for the Oilers. His current average annual cap hit is $11.5 million for the next four years.
The Oilers need the Sharks to retain $4.5 million to $5 million annually to make this work. Friedman said nobody knows if the Sharks are willing to do that. Karlsson would also have to agree to waive his no-movement clause to go to Edmonton. If this doesn’t pan out, Friedman speculates they could look at Coyotes blueliner Shayne Gostisbehere.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks are already carrying $2.72 million of dead cap space for this season and the next two from last summer’s trade of Brent Burns to the Carolina Hurricanes. Retaining $5 million of Karlsson’s contract is $7.72 million against their cap for the next two years for two players no longer on their roster, followed by two more years at $5 million per season.
If the Sharks are going to do that they had better get one hell of a return for Karlsson. I don’t see how the cap-strapped Oilers can pull it off. Sure, they can part with a first-round pick as well as a prospect or two such as Dylan Holloway or Xavier Bourgault plus a promising defenseman like Philip Broberg.
However, they’re also a cap-strapped club. Oilers general manager Ken Holland said last week that he was looking at “dollar-in, dollar-out” deals. Unless he’s looking at making a three-team deal that spreads the remainder of Karlsson’s cap hit around, he’ll have to move a player carrying an AAV of $6.5 million to $7 million. He’s not moving Leon Draisaitl ($8.5 million AAV) or Darnell Nurse ($9.25 million). Even if he wanted to, they both have no-trade protection.
So who goes? We may never know if the Sharks and Oilers can’t get the math to work. If they can, it could be a move that addresses one issue for the Oilers (a puck-moving defenseman) but creates another by weakening their forward depth.
Meanwhile, the return for the Sharks could make it difficult to justify carrying a big chunk of dead cap space for four years. Even with the salary cap projected to significantly rise after next season, that’s still a lot of money being paid out to former players.
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reported the Sharks haven’t given permission yet to Timo Meier’s agent to speak directly to other teams about a contract extension. He expects that will happen “closer to trade offers being firmed up”. LeBrun tweeted that the New Jersey Devils and Carolina Hurricanes remain “very much interested in Meier” depending on a contract extension.
NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Nick Goss cited ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reporting the Bruins, Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights are “monitoring the Timo Meier situation.” She also suggested there could be some “surprise teams” in the mix.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Meier is a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights and is also eligible next summer for unrestricted free agent eligibility. His current annual cap hit is $6 million but his actual salary is $10 million, which is what it will cost the Sharks (or another club) to qualify his rights unless he agrees to a new contract.
I think we’re more likely to see Meier traded before Karlsson. The expectation is he’ll be moved well before the March 3 trade deadline. Perhaps it could happen at some point this week but it wouldn’t surprise me if it happens the following week. Those clubs interested in Meier will want time to negotiate with his agent.
Those “surprise teams” could be those out of playoff contention with salary-cap space to take on what is expected to be a lucrative new contract for Meier. Perhaps the Anaheim Ducks and Detroit Red Wings will be among those suitors.
SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sheng Peng recently examined the trade value of Kevin Labanc. The 27-year-old Sharks winger had 25 points in 45 games leading up to Feb. 8 but Peng doubts his trade value is very high.
Labanc has a year remaining on his contract but his $4.725 million cap hit is considered too rich to make up for his inconsistent play and one-dimensional game. Peng doubts the Sharks will retain part of his salary this season to move him but didn’t rule it out in the offseason once they’ve gained clarity on Erik Karlsson’s trade situation.
THE LATEST “32 THOUGHTS” TRADE TIDBITS
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports there “appears to be a path” for the Senators to trade defenseman Nikita Zaitsev. He’s assuming it’s a west coast team based on rumblings he’s heard.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zaitsev is signed through next season with an average annual value of $4.5 million and a 10-team no-trade list. That “west coast team” could be the Vancouver Canucks as they’re in need of experienced blueline depth.
Friedman also said the Senators have been asked about Alex DeBrincat but they’re not trading the 25-year-old winger “at this deadline.” They want to wait for the club’s new ownership to take over before they attack contract talks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Like San Jose’s Timo Meier, DeBrincat is a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights who’s a year away from UFA eligibility. He carries an annual cap hit of $6.4 million but his actual salary is $9 million, which is what it’ll cost the Senators to qualify his rights.
Jeff Marek believes Senators forward Austin Watson could be available at the trade deadline. He also speculates the Edmonton Oilers could place winger Jesse Puljujarvi on waivers by Tuesday to make room for Kailer Yamamoto as he returns from injury. That’s assuming the Oilers haven’t traded Puljujarvi by then.
Friedman reports trade talks are heating up over Luke Schenn. He believes the Calgary Flames and Boston Bruins have looked into acquiring the 33-year-old Canucks defenseman.
As for Brock Boeser, he wonders if the Canucks have to wait until Timo Meier is dealt, or does a team say they’re out on Meier and look at Boeser as an alternative.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Boeser’s salary remains an obstacle. He’s carrying an annual cap hit of $6.65 million through 2024-25 and the Canucks are reportedly reluctant to retain salary to facilitate a trade.
Marek reports Detroit Red Wings’ pending UFA Tyler Bertuzzi has been linked to the Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers and Tampa Bay Lightning. Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild and Vegas Golden Knights could be looking at Philadelphia Flyers UFA winger James van Riemsdyk.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bertuzzi, 27, had a 30-goal performance last season but injuries have limited him to just 7 points in 20 games this season. Meanwhile, the 33-year-old van Riemsdyk has 21 points in 34 games with the Flyers and netted 24 goals last season.
Friedman also believes New York Rangers winger Vitaly Kravtsov could be available.
I would love as a Bruins fan to acquire a Chychrun or Meier but those two are unrealistic given the teams lack of cap space, lack of top prospects and low #1 draft choice. More realistic-Gavrikov, Schenectady, or Barbachev.
WHAT about OEL in Van?
To VAN: Grzelcyk, Smith, Reilly, and a 2nd rd pick
To BOS: OEL, Lazar and a 4th rd pick
NOT sure BOS would but they looked at him before and though OEL controls where he goes Ithink he would want to play for a contender.
The Bruins, or any other team for that matter likely have zero interest in OEL.
Slow, weak defensively, little offensive contribution, soft and at 6-7 million for 4 more years makes him almost untradeable.
Schenn is a much more affordable and a better defenceman at this point.
I would be all in on Chychrun.Then if you win the cup keep him.If you don t trade him for a 1st line center to replace Bergeron when he retires !
Barry
Bruins 1st and 7th next years 1st Smith, Reilly Bussi
For Chychrun and Nick Bugstad 1/2 retained
Edmonton could trade Nurse to San Jose. Maybe Karlsson could prove better support than Nurse.
Smitty, it seems San Jose is about to embark upon a complete re-build. Any deal they make for Karlsson – and whether or not they withhold any of his cap hit – will be geared towards that effort – likely meaning what they’d want in return is a combination of draft picks/good prospects.
That will be easier said than done. But even so, given the choice between Karlsson and Nurse I think they’d rather hang onto Karlsson and his $11.5 mil cap hit for 4 years (totaling $46 mil) than Nurse and his $9,250,000 cap hit which has 7 more years to go, totaling $64,750,000.
George what about WSH? ORlov and other d are on expiring contracts, and Eller and Mantha for only 1 yr at 5 ish.
THink something there would work? Cap and asset wise just so sj can get rid of the contract?
ELler, Mantha, orlov, is about close to Karlson contract. wSH can throw in a 1st and 2nd and sj can’t also send Bonino 50% retained.
THAT would be more likely Ihatecrosby
So Chychrun to Edmonton for a 1rst , puljjkarvi and others.
That’s my guess plucked from the air. Lol
While EDM could use help on D I can’t see how they’ll pull off getting Karlsson without severely depleting their roster or farm system.
Are they intent on outscoring their opponents? Karlsson has never been great defensively.
They need a strong defensive defenceman.
How fun would the playoffs be seeing 15-13 fast paced games instead of 2-1 😂
I’m all in to watching run and gun hockey with mcdavid and Karlson
Why didn’t Armstrong get Kravtsov included in the deal for Tarasenko??? I would have felt a bit better!!!
ps. At least Sammy Blais popped in his 1st goal in 2 years last night.
pps. At least the Blues were able to squeeze out a win over the powerhouse Yotes last night.
ppss. Can you tell I’m in a dark place, with no playoffs in sight!
IP
Trade O’Reilly to Van for Boeser plus something. Boeser I think is only 25.
THat would leave some cap room to try to resign Barbashev
Resign Blais to bottom 6 role and trade for Motte in Ottawa to retool your bottom 6.
Maybe offer Krug To WSH for Mantha and Eller if you think your top 9 is struggling.
Why on earth would Vancouver want Oreilly at this stage?
Why would St.Louis want Motte on an expiring contract? They’ve obviously thrown in the towel.
Motte is a great trade chip, but certainly not to a team not making the playoffs, or looking at next year as a retool / rebuild.
No way anyone is interested in Krug. Not with his contract. And his NMC makes it even more difficult. Worst move Army has ever made.
Captain, it is to get trade value. Sending oReilly to a contenders for picks and prospects. Boxer not sure he gets you a first on his own but O’Reilly I think does. Cup experience and all that intangible stuff gms overpay for.
It is merely to flip for assets
But STL needs now and cost controlled players
Top contenders most likely have no cap room next yr and will pay picks and prospects for N expiring rental like O’Reilly.
Win for both Van and STL imo
Not sure who is more delusional, you or little pengy..but it’s close
Ed always a pleasure reading your input. God bless you.
Follow up question, and I’m not being a jerk here.
People always talk about trade scenarios where a player is traded to a non contender, and flipped again for picks or prospects. But outside of a 3 way trade where all parts are moved at one time, typically retention involved. have you ever actually seen that happen? I literally can’t think of one scenario outside of trade proposals that it’s actually happened?
Am I wrong here?
I cannot see Oreilly being the primary piece in a return to a non contender for a younger player still under contract.
Not sure if this qualifies Captain Obvious, since I don’t recall San Jose being a non-contender at the time, but on June 18, 2018 Ottawa dealt Mike Hoffman, Cody Donaghey and a 5th rd pick in 2020 to SJ for Boedker, Bergman & a 6th rd pick in 2020.
A couple of hours later, Hoffman and a 7th rd pick in 2018 were dealt to Florida for a 4th & 5th rd pick in 2018 and a 2nd rd pick in 2019.
Nice work George, I didn’t remember that one. San Jose was in the playoffs that year, but still an example of it happening.
Captain
Good question and I know your not being jerk.
I guess after watching all the NBA deadline deals why trading assets like the example a George provided doesn’t happen more often.
Sort of like Van would retain 50% of O’Reilly to get a better assets.
Very similar to flipping an assets thru Arizona or Chicago to retain salary but not quit a 3 team trade.
Interesting more teams don’t try that particularly. WIth the cap not being raised as high next season
I’ll tell you what – go ahead and flip OR first, and then offer whatever he brings as part of the package for Boeser.
if the blue jackets traded gavrikov to nyr for kravston do u think they can still get a first or would they need to add nyquist or somebody to get the 1st.
Blues traded Halak, to Buffalo in the Ryan Miller deal. Buffalo then turned around and traded Halak to Washington.
Wonder how Hertl feels about all these rumors after committing to 8 years. I find it highly unlikely that SJ retains 40% for 4 years on a deal involving Karlsson. Add to that is Karlsson looking to relocate again? He does have a full nmc. Honestly, if they could miraculously pull off a trade, I think they then keep Meier. Unless he wants out.
Send Lebanc to Jersey. Chychrun to Rangers. Flip Mikkiola along with Kravtsov, a 1st plus?
Don’t think that’s the kind of return Arizona is looking for, don’t think Chychrun is anything but a cap complication for NY going forward.
Here is one out in left field as they say……
Karlsson and Reimer To oilers for 1st,3rd. JP, Campbell, and Barrie
Slick with Trouba and Fox at 17 mill on the back end they cannot afford to have Chychrun be making that’s much with Miller, Laf, Chytl and Kakko upcoming raises.
Taking chychrun means sending Miller away because he will turn out to be better than chychrun. More durable too and better skater.
I’ve been hearing about these huge raises for Kakko and Laf ever since they were drafted. And I’m not convinced Drury overpays Chytil. 3rd pair D is still a problem. Watching this new guy for 2 games I don’t see an upgrade from Harpur. Poor Schneider. Kid is in 2nd season and is tasked with carrying borderline nhl dmen. Rangers are one of few teams that haven’t used ltir. Knock wood, but you never know what future holds. Chychrun at 4.6m for another 2 years isn’t a huge problem. Next season might be tight, but still an outside chance cap goes up more than expected. Rangers are in no worse shape than most tesms
Trading for Chychrun for the 3rd pairing looks an awful lot like Shatenkirk, Yandle all over again. ( minus the injury issues)
Chychruns 4.6 leaves NY with about 13 million to re-sign or replace 7-8 players and a backup goaltender.
Conservatively, 6-7 million will be tied up in Chytil and Miller. Add another 2 per minimum for Laffrienere. That leaves 4-5 to fill out the rest of the roster and a backup goaltender. Even at league minimum that ain’t happening.
Simply put, a guy like Chychrun is not a luxury NY can afford.
They are 2nd I believe in the NHL in defensive scoring. Why do they need this cap headache?
Slick, Mikkola wasn’t brought in to be an upgrade but additional big man D depth for the playoff run. That is what the move was about.
Miller won’t be cheap on a bridge deal. Guessing around 3.5 on a bridge.
I still say Miller is better than Chychrun and when all said and done a much better option to keep long term than Bringing in a 5 million d man to play 3D or even replace Miller on the 2nd pair.
Miller is stronger, better stick lengths and better skater.
And if Mikkola doesn’t look good, and is a pending ufa, why would Arizona have any interest?
Kravstov is just garbage. A whiny little Drouin only with less upside. Also a pending rfa. Not sure why Arizona wants him either.
I had high hopes for Kravstov leading up to this season. However, he’s done nothing but prove the rangers brass had it right about how he should be developed . Top 6 entitled? Not even sure he is a top 6 AHL player.
So the timing of the Chychrun scratch was odd. Are they going to announce it closer to the superbowl or after it or if still not traded by Monday and still a scratch for the same reason, would it be fair to assume he’s suffering from a minor injury or something?
Interesting tactic.
If the Leafs are in on Chychrun the only logical player off the roster going back would be Sandin.
I know rumours are that ARZ wants two firsts and a prospect but if that’s what Chychrun’s value was somebody would have paid it by now.
If the Leafs are truly in on Chychrun it would this be enough…Sandin (former 1st round pick) Knies (former 2nd round pick) 2024 2nd round pick, Engvall for Chychrun and Bjugstad.
With this deal $3.65M would be going out and $5.5M would be coming back. By the Leafs demoting Simmonds ($900K) and Anderson ($875K) they’re cap compliant.
By using Sandin and Knies that still allows the Leafs to use their 1st round pick for help at LW.
If the Leafs are only using Knies to acquire players with term remaining the targets have to be help at LW such as Meier or Koneckny or help at D such as Chychrun or Ekholm
As far as I can tell, the two moves the Lightning made last year, Nick Paul and Brandon Hegel, weren’t even a whiff of a rumor before they happened. They have worked out well. This thrice stripped cap-limited roster could use a little help to make a fourth finals appearance in a row. Again, however, it will likely have to be someone off the radar & way down the salary table, with the possible exception of a ready and willing returnee like Luke Schenn. Still, there is enough at Syracuse to sacrifice for the needed veteran face-off specialist, if available.
What about Nyquist? Leave him in ltir till playoffs
They have enough grit but bottom 6 scoring could be huge.
Daryl, re “I know rumours are that ARZ wants two firsts and a prospect but if that’s what Chychrun’s value was somebody would have paid it by now.” – I tend to agree totally.
However, IF Arizona would lower their demand to what you suggest, there are at least 10 teams that would and could make better offers, including a 2nd rounder much higher up the list than Toronto figures to be for the 2024 draft.
George O
Can’t really disagree with you. I’m not sure why TOR is interested in Chychrun as he’s not really the type of defender they need. Sure he’s big but not overly physical. Plenty of injuries throughout his career too.
Would TOR be better off using their best assets to acquire a top LW like Meier and instead just get depth help on D such as Schenn?
Could Dubas pry Eckholm from NSH? Parayko from STL?
Daryl, whether Parayko or Eckholm it’s essentially the same story as the Chychrun discussion above – unless the Leafs are prepared to offer up someone like Nylander, they just don’t have the level of prospects and “enticing” picks (i.e., high up in the various rounds) to match what a host of teams could offer IF a Parayko or Eckholm trade possibility became a reality. The minute they go “on the block” – if it ever transpires – the line-up will start to the left, as they say, with offers and counter-offers that Toronto simply can’t match. UNLESS they become willing to deal Nylander. Or Rielly.
Knies, Engvall, Kerfoot, Holl, Sandin, low 2nd and other round picks – nice trade chips in lesser deals – but not to get them a Parayko or Eckholm or even a Chychrun.
Anyway, that’s my view on it.
If Chychrun is scratched Monday he is hurt (again) . His cap hit is what is the most attractive (and age) .
Good point …the ONLY way the Oil get Karlsson is by sending Nurse the other way. Maybe a little dough held by Sharks. $1.5m maybe Puljularvi thrown in for the money retention
IMO they can get Karlsson without moving Nurse. Send Foegele and JP the other way an SJ eats 50%.
I can’t see why SJ would do that though without a pkg that blows them away. Can you imagine walking into the owners office and asking for that?
Hey boss, I would like to trade our best player and we pay him $5.75M/year to play for another team for 4 and a half years.
Wow.
Sj will not be holding 50 and not especially for those two players Of of which one likely will hit the waiver wire this week. Karlsson in Edm is a pipe dream
Can’t disagree S7, but they’re talking again about it, assuming the rumor is accurate.
Heard that Chychrun has been traded to the Kings and that Brendt Clarke is implicated in the trade
Nick Kypreos
@RealKyper
Sounding like a Jakob Chychrun @LAKings
@ArizonaCoyotes
trade centered around 2021 8th overall pick Brandt Clarke. #RealKyperandBourne
3:56 PM · Feb 12, 2023
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Bruins are always “in” on everyone but they are usually just trying to satisfying their fan base that they trying to sign big name players. The only significant trades were for Hall and Lindholm and they were made at the deadline.