Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 2, 2023
Several teams are reportedly interested in Erik Karlsson, the Bruins are said to be interested in Noah Hanifin plus the latest on Alex DeBrincat and Evgeny Kuznetsov in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
SEVERAL CLUBS INTERESTED IN KARLSSON
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jacob Punturi cited TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reporting the Pittsburgh Penguins are among the teams interested in San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson. LeBrun believes the San Jose Sharks allowed teams to speak directly with the 33-year-old Norris Trophy-winning defenseman.
San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images).
The Seattle Kraken and Carolina Hurricanes are also said to be among the potential suitors. LeBrun also said the Toronto Maple Leafs were interested but not among the front-runners.
THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reports a source claims Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas engaged in talks with the Sharks about Karlsson. It’s believed a deal to Pittsburgh would’ve been complex and involved a third club. However, Yohe suspects it now appears more unlikely following Dubas’ free-agent spending spree on Saturday.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes and Leafs could also be out of it given their limited cap space unless they can find some additional room or pull off a three-team swap. The Kraken still have plentiful cap space but whether they’ll seriously pursue a deal for Karlsson (provided he’ll waive his no-movement clause to go to Seattle) is another matter.
ARE THE BRUINS INTERESTED IN HANIFIN?
CALGARY HOCKEY NOW: Steve MacFarlane reports the Flames have set a high asking price for defenseman Noah Hanifin. He cites NHL insider Pierre McGuire telling Boston Hockey Now’s Jimmy Murphy that he speculates the return to the Flames would have to include at least one established NHL player.
MacFarlane cited a source suggesting the Boston Bruins could be interested in Hanifin. That source proposed prospect Fabian Lysell being dangled while Brandon Carlo and Derek Forbort were mentioned as roster players. However, MacFarlane doesn’t think it would pry Hanifin away from the Flames.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Other clubs will be interested in Hanifin, especially those that fail to address their blueline needs in this summer’s thin free-agent market. Flames GM Craig Conroy is counting on that. He can also afford to be patient with Hanifin under contract for this season.
THE LATEST ON DEBRINCAT
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators attempted to trade Alex DeBrincat over the past three weeks. However, those talks got shut down because his agent was unable to get a long-term deal after being given permission to speak to other teams.
Garrioch speculates a path to a trade might become clearer with the opening day of free agency out of the way. It’s believed the Detroit Red Wings, Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks had expressed interest. Teams in need of scoring punch include the Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals, Seattle Kraken, St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders and New York Rangers. However, the Stars added Matt Duchene yesterday while the Rangers signed Blake Wheeler.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As Garrioch observed, the winger’s camp has to work with the Senators to facilitate a trade just like Matthew Tkachuk’s representatives worked with the Flames a year ago to facilitate his move to the Florida Panthers.
Teams could look into a trade for DeBrincat if they’re unable to address their needs via free agency. Whether they’ll ink him to a long-term deal remains to be seen.
PREDATORS KICKED TIRES ON KUZNETSOV
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber cited a report from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman claiming the Nashville Predators had reached out to the Washington Capitals about Evgeny Kuznetsov. He noted that Predators GM Barry Trotz knows the 31-year-old center well having coached him during his days as the Capitals bench boss. However, those talks apparently quieted down.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Predators aren’t likely to revisit those discussions after signing Ryan O’Reilly to a four-year contract yesterday afternoon. Still, it’s noteworthy that a club looked into Kuznetsov’s availability. Perhaps another team in the market for a playmaking center will come calling.
Bruins have a lot of Dmen Noah Hanifin would definitely fit in but where does the $$$ come from for him ? Dmen would need to leave ..They need a center or two … they have to resign Freddy and Sway RFA…The Sweeney work isn’t done yet
Joe, Boston will wait until next year when he is a ufa and bring Hanifin home.
Remember this is the player Sweeney tried to move up in the 2015 draft to get so I imagine he still has an interest.
Boston with $6m in capspace. Two meaningful reasons in Swayman and Frederick.
Still to many dman, move out forbort.
Sign both Bergeron and Krejci to bonus deals again.
Right Caper. Like the Habs were able to wait a year and bring Dubois home.
Lesson learned that you sometimes have to strike while the iron is hot. Waiting around is far from a guarantee.
Feel the same way as below if the Bruins want NOAH HANIFIN and the Flames might to looking to trade him being 1 year from UFA the team trading for him is no doubt going to sign him to a new contract at 26 years old …. Bruins at 6 million cap space would need to move probably 2 Dmen and if Sway wants to be close to home to play move him too
The Habs did pursue Dubois, Howard.
His decision to go to LA had nothing to do with the Habs not “striking while the iron was hot.”
All Dubois had to say to the Jets was: “I’m not going anywhere else but Montreal.” Clearly he did not and in the end he was more attracted to LA.
Let us please not repeat this baseless theory about Dubois because it is demonstrably incorrect. Life is far from a guarantee.
Caper–agree wait till next year for Hanafin, Im for keeping both goalies this year and run that back as its great to have a number 1 playing 82 games–Im hopeful 1 or both 37/46 return. I think we can save some money by not resigning Freddy, let 1 of the young guys jump into that spot
LJ, I think you read too much into my comment. I was not disputing that the Habs did check into treading for Dubois. My point was that a team cannot simply expect to wait till a player becomes a UFA and sign him. The Dubois saga proves this. As we both agree, hockey, as life, has no guarantee. If the Bruins want Hanifin, they can’t just wait. They have to make a move now.
Re LJ: I would guess that the Jets talked to both Kings and Montreal but the Montreal offer was so bad that the only team the Jets gave Dubois permission to talk to was the Kings. It also makes sense from a PLD perspective since if he only gave Montreal as destination he would have been lowballed by them as well since they would have known that they were his only destination.
Howard, don’t mind me. I’m just fatigued with the whole Dubois rumours, particularly as Mr. Quixotic found yet another team he didn’t want to play for, this time without even playing for it.
Kent, you make a fair point about the thorns of negotiations with the Jets, but it wasn’t that the Habs’ offer was “so bad.” The Habs may have had pieces the Jets wanted (Anderson, perhaps) but they were only willing to give futures. The Jets don’t want a rebuild, and they indeed got players who can play now.
Howard excellent pickup. Lol
As I always posted for PLD that all it takes is one other team in a desirable location than the childhood dream, may just stay a childhood dream.
Dubois signing in LA only proves the Habs didn’t want to overpay. After years of Houle/Gainey overpays (Gomez for McDonough?!), its refreshing there was no knee-jerk move.
How would Karlson fit in the locker room at Carolina? Do him and Burns have any conflict?
I dont think so, the only thing is that to be at their most effective, both needs to be “the man”, it might not be true for Burns but for EK its still true. By the man doesnt mean from an ego perspective, its more from a usage and responsibility perspective
A hard no from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Erik Karlsson…
Yes he got 100 points but he is a orange traffic cone on defense…
Scoring wasnt the Penguins problem keeping the puck out of our own net…
Look elsewhere please..
George, if you stop by today, again congrats on the Korpi signing and thanks for sharing that OTT has discussions on acquiring him at the trade deadline. I hadn’t heard that but it made great sense. How is OTT looking at RD? Any sense of if a CBJ-OTT deal on Peeke makes sense for the Sens? I believe he (Roslovic and possibly 1-2 other F) will be moved this summer as CBJ continue to explore another C (the primary names mentioned that CBJ has at least had discussions on are Lindholm, Hertl, Couture, and Kuznetsov) and had heard that OTT was still looking for a RD…interested in your perspective…thanks!
Lyle,
Great job keeping things up to speed yesterday.
Much appreciated.
Thanks, Ron. Cheers!
DeaconFrost, the way things shape up now, at RD they have Chychrun (who plays both LD/RD), Zub, Bernard-Docker and Brannstrom while on the left they have Chabot, Sanderson and highly-touted rookie Kleven.
Hard to say what Dorion is looking for in return for DeBrincat but I doubt it’s prospects/picks. In his article this morning Garrioch points out that, in discussions so far where he and his agent have been allowed to talk to possible trade partners what DeBrincat is discovering is that NO ONE is ready to jump in with a long-term deal, and ion the end he could wind up back in the Ottawa line-up this coming season. Maybe he’ll sign a 3-year type deal – who knows?
George … I was thinking the same thing that based on Garrioch’s comment, Debrincat might sign at a shorter term here. But there is still the fact they would then be in a tight cap squeeze and still need to sign Pinto and solidify a weak bottom 6.
The key player is really Mathieu Joseph. At his salary he needs to deliver more as a 3rd line player. If not they need to move that salary. That to me was another weak move by Dorion … he would have been better served to pay Nick Paul.
I agree. With the cat in the lineup, everything gets a bit tighter cap wise. I wouldn’t be upset if dorion got picks and or prospects for the car and used the car space elsewhere. Like signing bertuzzi to mid term 6ish contact leaving room to sign pinto and others.
When Ottawa made that deal I shook my head. They gave up a lot to get him and now they are dealing with a headache. They would have been better off not making that deal.
Speaking of deals, a lot of shaking my head in UFAs, when will GMs learn.
Leaf fans, I think the Klingberg signing, on a short team deal, was a smart move. Do you think this precludes a trade for Karlsson?
Did Dallas make any effort to keep Klingberg long term before he went to Ducks for 7m? If they did, he’ made a very bad decision to leave.
Can’t see SJ retaining a huge chunk for 4 years. Carolina could send salary back (Pesce and Kotkaniemi?) but, where does that leave them next year with a lot of key guys needing new deals?
Yes, Howard, can’t see a way for that to happen.
Hope is not a method but I hope Klingberg can get back to his top form. Not holding my breath though.
Howard, Klingberg is also a Right D; so, no Karlsson. Treliving realized Leafs were lacking a puck moving RD. Klingberg will attempt to fill that hole.
Slick, Klingberg had options last year, but not at the number he was seeking on a long term contract. Then, the ’23 season didn’t go very well; one step forward, two steps backward. Second chance to reset his career. Few better places then Toronto, just look at how the Leaf UFAs were all signed to good / great contracts by the end of the first day of free agency.
Totally agree with Craig Button in saying the leafs might be waiting until the cap increases to make any core changes. Based on the Leaf players that left and signed with other teams I don’t see any UFAs still available being much of an upgrade compared to the players they lost. It will be another lost season in Leaf land.
Jeff, and Matthews will get all of the cap increase in his new contract.
Agreed. do you trade Nylander for prospects and draft choices this summer or at the trade deadline? Then use the cap space in the next summer to try and land a true number one D and flip the picks for a top six winger.
Basically Debrincat picked the worst year to try to pry a solid payday out of anyone. That cap situation cause a lot of lowball salaries.
I would not be the least bit surprised that he ends up signing for the year and gets traded at the deadline.
what am i missing in Tampa?
with Seabrook on LITR they have 2.9million for a backup goalie and Jeannot.
the paid alot for Jeannot. what gives down there?
It seems that Lucic had talks with both #37 & #46 before making his decision to sign with the Bruins … have to believe either one or both centers are coming back
If I’m Boston I roll the dice on both Scheifele and Hannifin and sign them next year when cap goes up. This year I beg Bergeron and Krech to play one more year although I believe they both have to believe they can win if coming back. Bertuzzi for the short time he was a Bruin was one of my favorites but he has one 30 goal year and his body won’t last a long contract. 5x 5.5 would be my max.
💩💩💩….E-Rod …. Panthers
Dooby…. You could have had E-Rod at 3C…. Yet still have Granlund…. Hello!!!
Pens had e-rod on the roster a couple of years ago. They let him walk. If he was so great, he’d still be a penguin.
Pengy…. Kyle Dubas doesn’t like buyouts.. While it does make a lot of sense doesn’t seem like he will do this.
Unless it involves getting Erik Karlsson he wont do it..
We don’t need Erik Karlsson while 100 points is great he was -29 a red flag… No secret he is a orange traffic pylon/cone on defense.
The Penguins problem wasn’t scoring it was keeping the puck out of there own net….
I would rather move/trade Petry/or buyout Granlund and go for Matt Dumba to play next to Peterson on the second defensive pairing…
I like the additions the Penguins have made.
Reilly Smith 27 goals two way tetrafic player Stanley Cup champion and slides with Malkin
Noel Accuri 14 goals, grit, sandpaper strong defensively…..hard to play against and fast.
Matt Nieto 12 goals, fast, has grit, good penalty killer, good speed.
Lars Eller 10 goals will get more with the Pens… solid two way center, strong defensively will shutdown other players…was a Penguin killer with Washington
Penguins added 63 goals to the line up, definitley upgraded bottom six, added a solid third line center 200 foot player, improved speed, toughness, and defense.
I love Ryan Graves as the top pair with Kris Letang He is 6ft 5 220 can skate, good defender can be a shutdown guy.
I question bringing back Tristan Jarry at 5 years @ $ 5.35 million would rather have had Korpisalo..
Dearest Pengy,
Jack Johnson—the gift that just keeps giving….. another year!
Your Buddy IP
Jack Johnson might not be your “cup of tea” but he won a SC with us and he’s a valuable veteran and contributor. He will serve a purpose!!!
One of the biggest mistakes of Rutherford’s career was buying out JJ. Shoulda kept him. Pens still have dead cap space because of that buyout. Right now, Pens could be cap compliant if it wasn’t for that dead space.
Eric Karlsson wants out of San Jose.
Let’s add a new wrinkle to the cba.
Allow Karlsson to opt out of his contract at 25% cost to him. In his case he would forfeit $2,875,000 per year or $11,500,000 over 4 years.
Wonder would he still want out of San Jose?
Capfriendly reporting Bertuzzi to Leafs. 1 year, $5.5M.
I have to think Sweeney would have matched that, and that Bertuzzi was never interested in re-signing with Boston. Could be wrong….
And Domi, 1 x $3M
Bertuzzi 1x 5.Toronto
Pengy…. Kyle Dubas doesn’t like buyouts.. While it does make a lot of sense doesn’t seem like he will do this.
Unless it involves getting Erik Karlsson he wont do it..
We don’t need Erik Karlsson while 100 points is great he was -29 a red flag… No secret he is a orange traffic pylon/cone on defense.
The Penguins problem wasn’t scoring it was keeping the puck out of there own net….
I would rather move/trade Petry/or buyout Granlund and go for Matt Dumba to play next to Peterson on the second defensive pairing…
I like the additions the Penguins have made.
Reilly Smith 27 goals two way tetrafic player Stanley Cup champion and slides with Malkin
Noel Accuri 14 goals, grit, sandpaper strong defensively…..hard to play against and fast.
Matt Nieto 12 goals, fast, has grit, good penalty killer, good speed.
Lars Eller 10 goals will get more with the Pens… solid two way center, strong defensively will shutdown other players…was a Penguin killer with Washington
Penguins added 63 goals to the line up, definitley upgraded bottom six, added a solid third line center 200 foot player, improved speed, toughness, and defense.
I love Ryan Graves as the top pair with Kris Letang He is 6ft 5 220 can skate, good defender can be a shutdown guy.
I question bringing back Tristan Jarry at 5 years @ $ 5.35 million would rather have had Korpisalo..