NHL Rumor Mill – November 11, 2023
Possible destinations for Flames defenseman Nikita Zadorov following his trade request and some recent Sharks speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHERE COULD THE FLAMES SHIP ZADOROV?
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s the big question following last night’s report that Calgary Flames defenseman Nikita Zadorov requested a trade through his agent. So, let’s dive in and see…
TSN: Pierre LeBrun confirmed the report by ESPN’s Kevin Weekes that Zadorov requested a trade through his agent Dan Milstein yesterday. His camp is hoping for a quick resolution.
Calgary Flames defenseman Nikita Zadorov (NHL Images).
Chris Johnston reports the pending unrestricted free-agent defenseman would welcome a trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before Weekes’ report of Zadorov’s request broke, Sportsnet’s Luke Fox and The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel included him among three Flames defensemen they felt the Leafs should target in the trade market. The others were Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev, who are also slated to become UFAs next summer.
They agree that Hanifin would be the most expensive to acquire. He and Tanev also have modified no-trade clauses with Hanifin having an eight-team no-trade list and Tanev having 10 teams on his.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols cited a source saying Zadorov would welcome a trade to the Devils.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bidding war! Well, that’s what the Flames will hope for given Zadorov’s lack of no-trade protection and his reasonable $3.75 million cap hit for this season. They’ll ship him to the team that will give them the best return.
THE ATHLETIC: Julian McKenzie wonders what the Flames’ asking price will be for Zadorov. Given the club’s intent to get younger and their need for speed and skill, McKenzie speculates they could obtain draft picks or a young prospect for Zadorov.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils’ deep prospect pool gives them an advantage over the Leafs in that regard. Cap space, however, will be a sticking point for both clubs.
The Flames might have to retain salary or take back a player with a comparable cap hit to make this work for the Leafs or Devils. It’ll be interesting to see if other clubs get into the bidding here.
RECENT SHARKS SPECULATION
THE ATHLETIC: Eric Duhatschek recently observed that the San Jose Sharks had hoped pending UFAs Mike Hoffman, Anthony Duclair and Kevin Labanc would be of interest to playoff contenders as trade-deadline rentals. However, they’re off to terrible starts and would have zero value at the moment.
If the Flames felt their season was salvageable, Duhatschek wondered if they might acquire Duclair and reunite him with Jonathan Huberdeau. The duo developed some offensive chemistry during their time with the Florida Panthers.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Max Miller reported Sharks general manager Mike Grier wasn’t worried about the trade value of those on expiring contracts. “I think all those guys have a pretty good track record of who they are and producing and things like that,” he said.
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli noted that the Sharks need to figure out where high-price forwards like Tomas Hertl and captain Logan Couture fit into the club’s future.
Seravalli noted there will only be room to move one of them if they need to retain salary to facilitate a trade. They only have one salary-retention spot left after using two of them on Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson. Servalli speculates that Hertl could generate more interest than Couture.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s no indication Hertl and/or Couture want out of San Jose. However, Grier said back in September that he would listen if they asked to be moved and explore that option if it made sense for the team.
The most likely trade candidates remain those pending free agents. Of those three, Duclair has the most value given his 31-goal season in 2021-22 and his solid performance during the Panthers’ run to the Stanley Cup Final last spring.
Zadorov to Dallas for Nils Lunqvist, Mason Marchmant, & a 3rd rounder in 2024. (and this is probably too much, to be honest)
zadorov to sabres for isak rosen and second round draft pick in 2024.buffalo have the cap space and a ton of prospects and could use extra defense.
Yup, that sounds like way too much for the Stars to send. Lundquist OR Marchant, plus the pick seems more appropriate.
I think any deals for Zadorov or their other players will include a first, at least conditional. How about Johnston plus a 2nd which turns into a first if they reach the final?
1. Zadorov to Toronto , make it a reality
2. Hard to believe how well Vancouver is playing..
Is Tochet that “good” – seems like ! They will be in on Zadorov
3. I wish Schenn was still a Leaf ,the term must of been the hik- up ?
How good is Zadorov really? I don’t know to be honest, but with little I do he is not a difference maker. Thoughts?
Sadorov .and treliving have a history.Robertson will be going to Calgary and klingberg to Arizona with a draft pick and 1 million paid by leafs.
Crazy canuck, Robertson has shown zilch to date … why would Calgary take him in a Zadorov deal when offers from other teams would easily offer much better? And what in hell would Arizona – one of the early “surprises” – want with Klingberg? He’s be the 8th D in that group.
Come on!
I agree George. Here’s a better trade. Zadorov for Nylander.
Oh, George! Luke Fox reports today that Nick Robertson’s stock is “suddenly soaring.” Since when has the Toronto media ever indulged in boosterism and hyperbole?
LOL. Never heard that. Not.
@Crazy Canuck
There is a fan base that hopes your assumption is “true”
Zadorov’s character would be a welcome addition to Vancouvers dressing room.
He’d have 2 other good Russian buddies,(also Milstein clients)
Between cap penalty, retained salary and buyout San Jose has $8,545,001 tied up, next season $5,886,667 dead cap space.
Not as bad as the $14,743,588 Minny has in dead space this and next season.
Certainly limits your cap space
Doesn’t matter what defenceman Leafs have. The system they play in their own zone is ridiculous. How many goals originate from the point shots. How about the wingers cover the point, rather than stand beside the net. I believe if you have a goalie you don’t need 5 players in the crease. So change the system or even better change the coach.
@George
Why in the “h” did Treliving ever sign Klingberg ??
I can’t get my head around that one …
2. Calgary has the answer for Edmonton’s goaltending turbulence , with “1” to spare , but highly unlikely they trade wit their fellow comrade
Ken, expand that to “why in the ” h” did Treliving ever sign Klingberg (-8) AND Reaves (-11)?
I’m honor of jags zadorov should say in an interview that he is dying alive in Calgary.
Z has screwed Connie here. Douchy move to go public, it was already known he was being traded as a ufa. Z is not really anything more than a number 5 D. He has wheels for a big man, but he’s not a shutdown D nor an Offensive D. He throws the odd big hit maybe once a game. I like him on the 3rd pair but gets exposed in the top 4. That being said I wouldn’t just give him away. He’s not bringing a first unless the Flames retain, or bring back a contract to help him fit into a team’s cap. They paid a 3rd to get him, so anything above that is a win, so is gaining cap space. But they don’t really have anyone to replace him, maybe Solovyov can come up and replace him but Solo, DeSemone, and Gilbert as your 5,6,7 is not awe inspiring and an injury really handcuffs you. So ideally a 3rd and a good prospect would probably be the value you expect. Maybe a second + if theere is a bidding war.
Ryan useless Reaves now minus 11 will be replaced by Alberta boy Bobby McMann
Only a flame fan can answer how valuable Zadorov is besides looking at his size to determine his value. I feel people tent to overpay for or are blinded by the size of a player. In any case, I wouldn’t be surprised if the return isn’t the best.