NHL Rumor Mill – May 3, 2023
Could the Bruins shop Linus Ullmark? Will the Rangers trade one of their young forwards? What’s the latest on the Red Wings and Senators? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
COULD ULLMARK BECOME A TRADE CANDIDATE?
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy cites a former NHL executive claiming the Bruins entertained trade talks for Linus Ullmark but elected to retain the 29-year-old goaltender.
Ullmark went on to become the favorite to win this Vezina Trophy this season after going 40-6-1 with a 1.89 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage. However, the executive felt he could be traded this offseason.
The Bruins have limited salary-cap space for 2023-24. Ullmark is signed through 2024-25 with a $5 million average annual value. Despite his struggles in the Bruins’ opening-round elimination by the Florida Panthers, his regular-season performance ensures he’ll have value in the trade market.
Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (NHL Images).
Murphy wondered if the Bruins would consider icing a goalie tandem of Jeremy Swayman and promising Brandon Bussi next season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bruins general manager Don Sweeney has only 14 active roster players under contract for 2023-24. Cap Friendly shows the Bruins with a projected $10.5 million in cap space but that doesn’t appear to take into account their $4.5 million in performance bonus overages.
Sweeney will have to shed some salary to ice a 23-man roster next season. Trading Ullmark, however, won’t be easy. His no-movement clause for this season reverts on July 1 to a 16-team no-trade list for 2023-24. A number of clubs also have salary-cap constraints.
COULD THE RANGERS TRADE A YOUNG PLAYER?
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks observed the Rangers might need to restructure their roster following their first-round elimination by the New Jersey Devils. He believes they still need a line with “a lockdown mentality and match-up capability,” noting they also lack a true checking-line center.
The Rangers also have limited cap room to work with this summer and limited maneuverability with their no-move veterans. That could lead to them perhaps moving a young player such as defenseman K’Andre Miller or a forward like Alexis Lafreniere, Kaapo Kakko or Filip Chytil.
Brooks’ colleague Mollie Walker believes the Rangers must also address their need for scoring at right wing with Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane likely departing via free agency. She thinks they must free up some cap space to do this.
Walker considers Miller too valuable to part with but the 21-year-old Lafreniere might be a trade option. The 2020 first-overall pick is a natural left winger but the Rangers’ depth at that position has him struggling to play on his off-wing.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rangers general manager Chris Drury could consider another trade option to free up cap room to add a right winger. Perhaps he’ll shop checking-line forward Barclay Goodrow. He could then give the Kid Line of Chytil, Lafreniere and Kakko another go next season.
It’s difficult to believe Drury could trade Lafreniere. Then again, he wasn’t the general manager who drafted him. Despite his struggles, the youngster would garner plenty of interest in the trade market.
Lafreniere is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract and should be an affordable bridge-deal signing. The Rangers aren’t getting any cap relief by trading him as they would with players signed through next season like Chytil ($4.4 million) or Kakko ($2.1 million).
I’ll be shocked if the Rangers trade Miller. He’s only going to improve and is too valuable to their blueline now and down the road.
WHAT WILL THE RED WINGS DO THIS SUMMER?
MLIVE.COM: In a recent mailbag segment, Ansar Khan was asked if the Detroit Red Wings would take a run at acquiring Alex DeBrincat if the Ottawa Senators were to shop the RFA winger.
Khan believes they have to assets to do it if the Senators are willing to trade DeBrincat within the division. However, he wondered if the 5’7”, 165-pounder is the type of scorer they want when they seeking more pushback and being harder to play against. He also noted it would cost $$9 million to qualify DeBrincat’s rights.
Another reader asked Khan if the Red Wings could acquire Kyle Connor. He believes prying the 26-year-old winger away from the Winnipeg Jets is a bigger long shot than acquiring DeBrincat.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: With over $30 million in cap space, five picks in the first two rounds of this year’s draft and a deep pool of prospects, Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman has the trade capital to make a significant addition or two to his roster for next season.
DeBrincat would address their need for more scoring but they’d have to look elsewhere to add more size and toughness to their roster. As for the Jets, they could shake things up this summer but Connor is under a long-term contract and I doubt he’ll be part of any changes they make.
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Kevin Allen recently reported the Red Wings will look for a goalie in this summer’s thin free-agent market. They’ll also shop for a right-shot defenseman.
Free-agent goalie options could include Los Angeles’ Joonas Korpisalo, Pittsburgh’s Tristan Jarry, Vegas’ Adin Hill, the New York Islanders’ Semyon Varlamov and perhaps bringing back Alex Nedeljkovic.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Korpisalo is the best of the bunch if they’re seeking a potential starter. That’s assuming the Kings don’t re-sign him. Hill or Varlamov would be good options if they prefer a backup for starter Ville Husso.
Defense free agents include Minnesota’s Matt Dumba and John Klingberg, Boston’s Connor Clifton, Floridas’ Radko Gudas, the Islanders’ Scott Mayfield, New Jersey’s Damon Severson, Ottawa’s Travis Hamonic, and Anaheim’s Kevin Shattenkirk.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dumba’s stock dropped over the past two seasons. The same goes for Klingberg and Severson. Maybe they can regain their form with a change of scenery. Gudas would add that snarl to the lineup that they’re seeking. Mayfield would be a solid shutdown addition.
POTENTIAL GOALIE OPTIONS FOR THE SENATORS
SPORTSNET: Wayne Scanlan recently listed seven pending UFA goaltenders and offered his assessment of them as options for the Ottawa Senators next season.
Scanlan would pass on Jonathan Quick given his age (37) and two sub-par seasons. Other notables include Pittsburgh’s Tristan Jarry, Carolina’s Frederik Andersen or Antti Raanta, Vegas’ Adin Hill, the Islanders’ Semyon Varlamov and Los Angeles’ Joonas Korpisalo.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andersen and Raanta are solid, reliable netminders when they’re healthy. Their respective injury histories should be a red flag. Jarry’s inconsistency likely means the Penguins will part ways with him. Maybe he finds stability with a change of scenery.
Korpisalo might be a better option if the Senators seek a starter. Varlamov or Hill would be a solid backup choice.
Sweeney will have his hands full Yes I believe he is open to moving Ullmark depending upon the return. Same for Hall. Carlo and Gryz. Based on exit interviews I think 46 is done and Bergy will return unless family says otherwise
Sweeney should try and convince them both. Stay in shape and I will sign you after Xmas holidays for another run
Wouldn’t they be subject to waivers then?
JZ
No waivers as they are just unsigned free agents
This is what Press did with their captain Fischer a few years back
I feel like Provy is out the door this summer, always felt like Ottawa was a good match…maybe not after Chychryn (unless that’s a injury concerns every year going forward)….also feels like they should move Hart to the highest bidder, they won’t establish what they are trying to establish quickly so Hart’s value must be in what he can bring in….Provy & Hart in a package deal?….picks&prospects back
I kinda understand the Bruins in shopping Ullmark. This is the second playoffs in a row where he struggled. In 207 NHL games played he has a save % of .919. In 8 NHL playoff games played, he has a save % of .888. We will find out after the physicals if injuries had anything to do with this year’s playoff performance.
He wouldn’t be the first goalie to struggle in his first couple of playoff appearances only to turn things around. Either way, moving Ullmark is a gamble.
Carlo would fit in nicely in Detroit.
To me I am 100% trading Ullmark if i can. Sway is the future IMO.
In no particular order I would be trying to get rid of the following:
Grez
Ullmark
Reilly
possibly Debrusk (Burtuzzi is more of a Bruins Type)
Bruins can t keep putting off this restructure!Time to move on from 37 and46!Make everyone available to trade except 73,88,63,see what is out there in the market!
Ownership doesn’t support tear downs. They will do a retool. Like they did when Sweeney 1st took the job
I believe they will move 2 maybe 3 D men. Not named MacAvoy or Lindholm
Agree that is what they will do MB4. Kinda have to as they still have quality pieces.
Can’t see how they can be a contender next year, the match doesn’t work IMO. Too many holes not enough cap. Playoffs will be a challenge with BUF knocking and OTT close depending what they do in offseason. Not sure this retool will be as fast as the last one, or if it will work this time.
The guys that would garner a decent return are Ullmark, Grz and Hall.
BOS will be one of the more interesting teams to watch this summer.
I can see them tell DK time to go, however why in the world would you move away from Bergy.
makes Zero Sense.
Speculation on the Cat and Conner going to Detroit is mostly because they are MI natives. Next there will be another Conner to talk about “going home” in Hellebuyck. 😁
Ullmark to the Sens?? For Pinto, yes!
Ullmark and Reilly. For Pinto and one of sens 3 7th rd picks
Thanks, but no thanks.
I think Ottawa would regret that trade for years. I wouldn’t take Ullmark for Pinto let alone taking on the Reilly contract. Boston would have to add a sweetener to get rid of Reilly.
I don’t see Ottawa trading Pinto at all until they see how Josh Norris recovers from shoulder surgery. The Sens would be better off going for a short term deal (max 2 years) on a UFA goalie in hopes that Forsberg recovers and that Sogaard can further develop in Belleville. Sogaard can be called up from time to time when an injury hits.
Beside, we already had Reilly for parts of two lost seasons. He wouldn’t even make the 7th slot of what they have now.
I was thinking that Calgary and NYR would be good trading partners. If NYR are looking for top 6 forwards that can lock things down but still contribute offensively Backland and/or Toffoli fit that bill. Plus they aren’t that expensive for next season.
Bruins has to decide between Ullmark and Swayman, don’t have the money for both, the latter would bring better returns due to being younger. They also need to trade Hall and one of the 3-4m D they have. Hall and Swayman to Detroit for picks and prospects?
Interesting idea Kent, but I think they trade Ullmark for the simple fact that they need cap space, to either keep some guys or replace them. Swayman won’t get $5M IMO.
Detroit is an interesting trading partner for a team looking to move established players for picks. Lots of space, and plenty of picks. 2 1st rounders in each of the next 2 years.
Not even sure what Hall is even worth with 2 more years at 6M. Played well in the playoffs and in a top 6 role would produce more points. Would Yzerman part with the NYI 1st this year?
Meh, Boston would have to take salary back. Detroit has too many wingers as it is. Swayman + Debrusk for Kubalik, Zadina and Nucks 2nd, and a 5th
They don’t too many good ones Johnny
Ott and NYR trade
Ottawa trades Debrincat and Chychrun + 2nd for Trouba and Krieder
UUUH … again, no thank you.
@Scott Forrest
There’s no freaking way either Kreider or Trouba are waiving for Ottawa, Both are Americans that have basically said that they’ve no interest in playing in Canada. DeBrincat wants $9,000,000+ on his next contract. NYR by far are giving up the two best players. Trouba is Captain he’s not going anywhere. Both Trouba and Krider have NMC. And neither are waiving to play in Canada. Trouba’s wife is still doing her Drs recidency in New York City and since she’s Australian/American she can’t practice in Canada. So that leaves out Canada for Trouba. He’ll go where ever her practice leads her in 2024.
Boro announced his retirement , one on my all time favourite Senators. Blood and guts , nothing fancy just left it all out there every game playing for Ottawa and Nashville.
I’d like to see him continue his career with a position somewhere in the organization.
I could absolutely see that George he is originally from Kanata and has many ties to the city , community and organization.
I can tell you he worked very hard to be a pro. I would occasionally see him in the gym during the offseason while he was still in junior and college and it was all business even then. He would set a good example for the younger guys in the organization.
Re; If the Detroit Red Wings would take a run at acquiring Alex DeBrincat if the Ottawa Senators were to shop the RFA winger…….
Yes, for Picks,
A 1st, 2nd, & 3rd…so they can trade for a Swayman the RFA from the Bruins
I see the Bruins Goaltender getting an offer sheet in the $7M to $8.M Range
he will be 25 bye the start of the season and could really grown with the Sens…..🤔⁉️👌
100% the Sens look for a Starter
$7-8M???? maybe FTX crypto currency!😁
Offersheet Swayman at 4 x $4.2M, only costs a 2nd rounder if accepted and Boston is forced to match and can’t trade him for a year!
Vladar in Ottawa ? Maybe Wolfe ?
Maybe Markstrom ?
I bet one is gone for certain. The Least likely is the AHL player of the year . Two years or just goalie of the year last year ?
Thank god Sutter has moved on. Younger faster is what the Flames need.
I would pitch DeBrincat and Pinto and high draft second or third round pick for Markstrom, Mangiapane and Pelletier
And take Ritchie ( either one ) Lucic and Lewis with you.
I think for a possible starting goalie trade that might work for both sides would either be Ottawa or Buffalo making a play for Markstrom. If Calgary is sold on Wolfe and have Vladar as the back up, they really need to gain some cap space, both of those teams could take on the whole contract with just giving up picks and prospects. It wouldn’t be a crazy expensive deal either like going after Hellebucyk. 4 more years at 6 million, does have a NMC but if he’s willing, both teams have younger goalies who in theory should take over 2-3 years down the road.
Buffalo has 19.5 I’m cap space and Ottawa has 16.1.
I think it would look something like this from either team.
Buffalo
Peyton Krebs
2023 2nd (1 of the 2)
Or
2024 1st
2023 2nd (1 or 2)
Ottawa
Tyler Boucher
2024 2nd
2025 3rd
If it were to be a bigger trade with Buffalo say for Markstrom and Toffoli (1 year left at 4.25)
Buffalo could offer
Peyton Krebs .863 million for 1 more year
Eric Comrie 1.8 million (no value but a bit of money needs to go back)
2024 1st
2023 2nd
2024 2nd