NHL Rumor Mill – June 5, 2023

by | Jun 5, 2023 | Rumors | 18 comments

Could the Bruins trade Hampus Lindholm to re-sign Tyler Bertuzzi or Dmitry Orlov? Who could become candidates for contract buyouts later this month? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE BRUINS TRADE LINDHOLM AND RE-SIGN BERTUZZI OR ORLOV?

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy recently cited a report from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicating the Bruins were exploring how to retain Tyler Bertuzzi. The 28-year-old winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Boston Bruins winger Tyler Bertuzzi (NHL Images).

Murphy also noted 98.5 The Sports Hub producer James Stewart claiming Bertuzzi was seeking $7 million annually on his next contract. Stewart also claimed the Bruins preferred Dmitry Orlov over Hampus Lindholm, who is about to enter the second season of an eight-year, $52 million contract. Like Bertuzzi, Orlov was a trade deadline acquisition who is due to become a UFA on July 1.

Stewart said the Bruins had “buyer’s remorse” with Lindholm and he was available in a trade. Murphy cited a former NHL executive saying he’d hear the same thing but two current NHL executives said they had no knowledge that Lindholm was available.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sweeney would undoubtedly love to re-sign Bertuzzi and/or Orlov. However, I think he’ll have to move other players if he hopes to accomplish that feat.

Lindholm has a full no-trade clause plus a no-movement clause that prevents his demotion to the minors. I don’t see him waiving those clauses to be shipped to another team.

I also share Murphy’s doubts that Bruins general manager Don Sweeney will give up on Lindholm after acquiring and signing him last season to that long-term contract. The 29-year-old blueliner played well for the Bruins this season until being hampered by a broken foot in the playoffs.

POTENTIAL CONTRACT BUYOUT CANDIDATES

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli recently listed five NHL players who could become candidates for contract buyouts this summer. The buyout period begins on June 15 or 48 hours following the completion of the final game of the Stanley Cup Final. It runs until 5 pm ET on June 30.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A 48-hour buyout window also opens in late July/early August for a team following the settlement of their final salary arbitration case or receipt of their final arbitration award.

Seravalli listed Edmonton Oilers winger Kailer Yamamoto, Boston Bruins defenseman Mike Reilly, Pittsburgh Penguins winger Mikael Granlund, Washington Capitals winger Anthony Mantha and Dallas Stars defenseman Ryan Suter as his buyout candidates.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Buyouts for players 26 and older are two-thirds of the remaining value of the contract over twice the remaining tenure. The exception is the 24-year-old Yamamoto, whose buyout would be one-third of the remaining value over the two-thirds period.

Those clubs could attempt to move those players via trades rather than buying them out. Seravalli that the Capitals have informed teams they’re willing to move on from Mantha. Even if these teams have to retain some salary to facilitate those trades, it could still be more affordable than a buyout.

Nevertheless, if these cap-strapped clubs can’t find any takers for those players, they could have no other choice but to go the buyout route.

 







18 Comments

  1. I love Bertuzzi as a Bruin but and a big but the guy plays physical I wouldn’t sign him for more than 5 years. Lindholm in my opinion when healthy is Bostons most reliable D man I’d keep him over Orlov. Time for Zboril and Mason to play young guys on cheap contracts.

    • Copy that, Obe.

    • Orlov hinted strongly that he is leaving. No way the Bruins are trading Lindholm even if he didn’t have no-trade protection. He was better than McAvoy this year. Some writer made this up and another tagged along trying to be the first one to get the ‘scoop’.

    • No offense, this quite possible the worst take I’ve heard this week

  2. Trading Lindholm is a bunch of bull.

    • The only trade I would make with Lindholm is for the Calgary Lindholm
      !

  3. Done deal now for Habs and Caufield. 8 years at $7.85m. AAV. Great deal for Habs. As time goes by, it’ll look like a bargain.
    Tony Marinaro, If you’re reading this (and you should be), I deeply and humbly apologize. I’ll never doubt you again. Well, almost never.

    • Howard it appears to be a great deal with front of the sweater being more important than the back.

      The team AND Caufield established an internal salary structure by coming in slightly under Suzuki.

      As for Marinaro, even a broken clock gets the time right twice a day.

      • Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens must really love that crest in Buffalo. They signed sweetheart deals that might even be better than the one Caufield just signed.
        Solid work by both new general managers.

  4. you will always say the guy WITHOUT the broken foot was better in the game

    maybe thats chatter to get Orlov price down to stay in Boston

  5. I have always been a bit surprised that the NHL and NHLPA didnt do some sort of compliance buyout after COVID.
    Granted many of these toxic contracts where signed after COVID, however at some point you gotta clear some of the BS contracts that are factoring into the Cap.
    Last season there was roughly 100+ million in cap for players sitting on LTIR, who will likely never play again.
    I would like to see any player who is on LTIR for more then a season, have to move that player to the AHL and be hit with a buried penalty.
    This shenanigan’s with LTIR have gone on far too long. Open up a compliance buyout, clear out these contracts, and then put limitations on LTIR.

    • That 1 yr rule would be challenged vigorously by the players union. But hey, make it 2 years and then one would have to raise the cap $2-3M to compensate.

  6. How is Matt Murray not tops on the buyout list?

    • Dark G: Because he could still be on LTIR during the upcoming buyout period. If he’s not medically cleared, the Leafs cannot buy him out.

      • Lyle, Murray was cleared to play during the Florida series.

      • Seravalli still lists him as a potential LTIR candidate. Until there’s further clarification, he might not be eligible. We’ll see. If he’s good to go, then yes, he could be bought out of his final year.

  7. Mike Reilly buyout 2 yes at 333,334 and one year @ 1,333,334 or one year in the minors @1.9

    Buying him out doesn’t make a lot of sense.

    Trading and holding half makes more sense.

    I believe Reilly has value and Boston did him a disservice.

    • With so many teams wanting to shed salary and plenty of ufas that can play bottom pair for a bit cheaper than Reilly at half Boston still pro that’s to include an asset. Would you include a third round pick in that deal?