NHL Rumor Mill – October 21, 2023
Check out the latest on remaining free agents such as Patrick Kane, Phil Kessel, Jesse Puljujarvi and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston believes it remains an open question as to where Patrick Kane signs once he’s ready to return from his offseason hip resurfacing procedure. The Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers are among the clubs with an interest in the 34-year-old winger. The plan for the Kane camp is to wait until early November before engaging more seriously with those potential suitors.
In a recent mailbag segment, Johnston’s colleague Matthew Fairburn was asked about the possibility of the Sabres landing Kane. He noted the winger’s ties to general manager Kevyn Adams and head coach Don Granato during their time with Kane in Chicago.
Free agent winger Patrick Kane (NHL Images).
Kane would bring plenty of playoff experience to the young Sabres. However, there’s the question of whether they actually need him and how well he’d fit within the lineup.
Meanwhile, Eric Duhatschek noted the Detroit Red Wings have been mentioned as a destination for Kane along with the Sabres and Rangers. He believes compensation could be a factor as the Wings and Sabres have the cap space to sign the veteran winger while the Rangers would have to shed salary to bring him back.
Roster need would be another, pointing out the Rangers’ scorers have struggled in the early going this season. He suggested the Red Wings’ need for scoring might not be as acute given the offseason additions of Alex DeBrincat, J.T. Compher and Daniel Sprong.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman noted that Kane’s been linked to the Sabres, Florida Panthers and the New York Rangers, who acquired him before last season’s trade deadline. He suggested the Dallas Stars might be a good destination for Kane if he wants to chase a Stanley Cup this season. One downside, however, is the Stars’ travel schedule given their location.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Except for Friedman’s mention of the Stars, there’s not much really new here regarding possible destinations for Kane.
The Sabres could use his experience but they’re loaded with young scoring forwards. The Wings have the cap space but adding someone like Kane might not be as pressing a need as it once was.
Like the Panthers and Rangers, the Stars lack the cap room to take him on unless they dump some salary to create space for him. While the Panthers have some wiggle room with Aaron Ekblad on long-term injury reserve, they must be cap-compliant when he returns in December or January.
THE ATHLETIC: As for other notable remaining UFAs, Johnston reports Phil Kessel had a couple of close calls with contracts in recent weeks. A few interested clubs could attempt to free up cap space to sign the 36-year-old winger. Kessel is the NHL’s reigning Ironman but he understands that he might not be playing every night wherever he signs.
Johnston also indicated that interest may be high in Jesse Puljujarvi, who has recovered from offseason hip surgeries and is skating in his native Finland. The 25-year-old winger is aiming at a return in late November or early December. Johnston suggested he could be an intriguing low-cost, low-risk signing.
Winger Danton Heinen continues to skate and travel with the Boston Bruins. He joined the club on a professional tryout offer in September. The Bruins are trying to sort out their salary-cap issues to free up space to sign him.
Johnston expects Sam Gagner will soon sign an AHL contract with the Edmonton Oilers affiliate in Bakersfield.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Johnston also mentioned Zach Parise could be getting the itch to return after taking some time to ponder his future. As I noted in today’s Morning Coffee Headlines, if he does return it’s expected he’ll sign a one-year contract with the New York Islanders at the league minimum salary of $775K.
It will be interesting to see where Kane ends up. Will he go for the money or for the best chance at a cup. I doubt he will achieve both…
Hockey writers gotta write. But we don’t have to read the articles. Chris Johnston believes it remains an open question as to where Patrick Kane signs. No sh1t, Chris, tell us something we don’t already know. It’s like the song my granddaughter sings, “the wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round”.
I do have empathy for those in the media who are more or less required to pen a daily column. But there is only so many times you can beat a dead horse. Readers will eventually become alienated.
Lyle performs a great service for us by crisply summarizing what’s out in the blogosphere. A quick one or two minute read and we are all up to date.
Really like the idea of the Wings picking him up. If he helps get back into the playoffs that’s worth it, but if they’re not quite there at the TDL he could be shipped to a contender for a pick or prospect. Win-win for the Wings and it helps a contender if the Wings do trade him as they can retain salary.
DRW will either acquire a #2 center ( eg. Lindholm) or kane, konecky type. They need one more piece to definitely make playoffs AND seriously make big trouble for whoever they match up against. Keep watching!!
With the pens lack of depth scoring I’d love to see them move on kesssl. Would have to fine a bit of space though.
Pens don’t need another older player.
Bruins need a 1st line center they don’t need two #1 goaltenders for a total of almost 9 million … pick one trade the other, their top 3 centers total 3 assist in 3 games
Neither brings back a top 6 center alone. Willing to risk say a 1st round pick as well?
Chrism you’re consistent.
You keep mentioning a goalie can’t bring a return.
When has a Vezina goalie been available? And what was the return?
There is very little history of a quality #1 goaltender being available.
Last one I can think of is Patrick Roy.
And almost always there is a goalie going back in return.
Until I see it happen caper I’ll remain consistent. Same could be said for those expecting a sizable return. I’ll continue to lean my way though. It’s hard to prove a negative but if a top six center was available for one of the bruins goalies I think they’d be wearing black and yellow by now.
i really think that the bruins need to stay with what they have which is one of the top 5 defensive teams in the nhl and wait until teams that really need a reliable number 1 goalie become desperate enough to make bruins an offer that they cannot refuse continue to play solid team defense and hope that they score an average of 2.5 goals a game i remember an islanders team making it all the way to stanley cup finals with a similar team but with less scorers
Hey Joe,
Boston do need to fill that 1st line centre position for sure.
the #1 centre in the UFA market is a 28 yr old flames
Elias Lindholm, im sure he will test the UFA market and chose where he wants to go….🤔
He is going to be in the $9.M to $10.M Range
If…. his buddy A local boy gos back home to Boston…The Flames other UFA Big 26 yr old LD man
Noah Hanifin… Boston would have a Great top 4 d…..?
but they may need to wait till the july 1st for this to happen??
Kane was the Rangers best player in the playoffs, but can’t see how they can afford him under the cap
I think Kane goes home to Buffalo, after all they need a 2nd line RW, Oloffson has been getting scratched and Mittlestadt can be the 3rd line center
Boston is waiting for Poitras to play 9 games then decide if they send him back to his Jr team. If they do then they should have the cap space for Heinen. If he stays then they might not need Heinen unless a injury occurs
Zacha and Coyle are good number 3 centres
Anyone who thought otherwise was wishful thinking
PKane is going to wait. Buffalo and Detroit might not even make the playoffs . I am sure he can afford to pay his electric bill in the meantime
Watching Leaf game wow Samsonov isn’t very good at playing goalie team looks embarrassed on bench.