NHL Rumor Mill – November 14, 2023
What’s the latest on possible trade destinations for the Flames’ Nikita Zadorov? Are the Panthers linked to Patrick Kane? Should the Devils attempt to acquire Ducks goalie John Gibson? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST ON ZADOROV
THE ATHLETIC: Julian McKenzie and Shayna Goldman looked at several possible trade destinations for Nikita Zadorov. The 28-year-old defenseman recently requested a trade through his agent from the Calgary Flames.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils made their list as they’ve already been linked to Zadorov in the rumor mill. They also included the Colorado Avalanche (Zadorov’s former club), Chicago Blackhawks, Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers.
Calgary Flames defenseman Nikita Zadorov (NHL Images).
As for the Flames’ asking price. McKenzie and Goldman suggest a third-round pick as fair compensation given his status as a playoff rental player. They point to the Luke Schenn return at last year’s trade deadline as a comparable.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy cites an NHL source expressing his opinion that Bruins general manager Don Sweeney could be in on Zadorov. They claimed that Sweeney had attempted to acquire the Flames rearguard before, suggesting a one-for-one swap of Matt Grzelcyk.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported the word going around is a Leafs player said to Zadorov that he was exactly who his club needed during Friday’s game between the two teams. No word as to which Leafs player said it.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs, Canucks and Devils reportedly have varying degrees of interest in Zadorov. That’s understandable given their current positions as playoff contenders. Whether those cap-strapped clubs can afford him is another story.
I doubt the rebuilding Blackhawks are interested in a rental player even though he could provide a boost to their blueline. Never say never about a possible return to the Avalanche but they might have other options in mind for their defense besides Zadorov. The Hurricanes could use his defensive grit if they were to ship out offensive-mind rearguard Tony DeAngelo but they could prefer adding depth to their forward lines.
McKenzie and Goldman mentioned the Rangers if injured blueliner Ryan Lindgren winds up sidelined for a while. However, they could look at addressing his absence internally before testing the trade market.
The Flames need to get younger and faster. It’s believed they’ll want a draft pick, a prospect or a good young NHL player in return for Zadorov, rather than another pending UFA d-man like Grzelcyk.
PANTHERS LINKED TO PATRICK KANE
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito has been one of the most aggressive general managers when it comes to Patrick Kane. The 34-year-old unrestricted free-agent winger is expected to soon begin talking to interested teams.
It’s believed Kane could seek a one-year contract and pursue a long-term deal following this season. Friedman noted the Panthers are pressed for salary cap space but Zito could be offering the future Hall-of-Fame a chance to win another Stanley Cup.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Florida could be an intriguing option for Kane. The Panthers have shown no signs of letdown since their surprising march last spring to the Stanley Cup Final. They’re currently third overall in the Eastern Conference despite the absence of sidelined defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour and with versatile forward Sam Bennett battling injuries.
COULD THE DEVILS PURSUE GIBSON?
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks wondered if John Gibson’s return to form with the rebuilding Anaheim Ducks would draw interest from New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald.
Gibson, 30, has three years left on his contract with an average annual value of $6.4 million.
Brooks noted the Devils are getting “barely sufficient netminding” from Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid while their team structure and discipline have evaporated with centers Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier currently sidelined.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gibson’s cap hit is tough to move in a season where most teams have limited cap room, including the Devils. That type of move seems more likely next summer when the salary cap is projected to rise by $4 million. That’s assuming the Devils aren’t on his 10-team no-trade list.
3rd rounder. Keep dreaming.
That does seem weak. But it’s equally incredulous that flames fans think they’ll get a first rounder plus for him.
I could maybe see a team at the deadline giving up a first if they are top of the standing cup hopefuls who think adding a 4-5 depth d man with size will push them over the edge.
The Leafs, Canucks and Devils reportedly have varying degrees of interest in Zadorov. That’s understandable given their current positions as playoff contenders. Whether those cap-strapped clubs can afford him is another story.
Well, if the Leafs had not wasted $5.5 mil of their cap on the likes of Klingberg and Reaves they’d be in a solid position to go after him.
Note: The first para above is not mine – I’m quoting Lyle’s blurb above
George,
Are you implying signing The Klingdenberg is a disaster?
Oh the humanity!!!
4 and counting.
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KKqmYmnngF4/WHfsVfx4hoI/AAAAAAAACHs/81c0jxvMTlQBcPaoYyBq4XTD3dYKxQNrwCLcB/s1600/rippedpants.gif
And 4 and counting for you, as well!
The most passionate fans of the Leafs are not leaf fans at all !
Actually George it’s three. I’ll always be one behind.
LOL. Ba-boom~!
how about jake debrusk lysell lauko greizlik and first round pick in 2026 for hanifin and lindholm
Both Debrusk & Greizlik are UFA…
i can see both going there as UFA july 1st…🤔
Sound like they would like to keep Debrusk,
but d/man Greizlik wont be back they have been trying to move him, i can see a Zadorov trade swapping d/men and a 3rd pick, ❓
Pass on that deal if I was Sweeney get them for free in July
Not enough quality,just to much quantity!
I think it is obvious that Klingberg would have to go back as part of the package for salary matching.
Klingberg is an expiring contract of $4.1M.
Leafs have already paid $2.25 of Klingberg’s contract in a signing bonus so Calagary would only be on the hook for $1.85 of real money which a sweetner should take care of.
The main question is the actual return for Zadorov who is a UFA at the end of the season and can sign with the highest bidder next summer.
Without an extension Zadorov is merely a rental #4, #5 defenseman.
I don’t think he will bring back a 1st round pick unless Calgary waits until the trade deadline in the hopes that some team gets desperate and is willing to overpay (like Dubas used to do every trade deadline).
The question becomes would Leafs give up Frazer Minten or Topi Niemala to acquire Zadorov.
From what I’ve heard Zadorov requested a trade because he wants top 4 minutes, he’s more a 5 guy on the teams that are looking at him, from what I’ve seen when you give those big guys who are playing bottom pairing minutes more minutes they tend to make more mistakes they need to be at 16-18 minutes a game
Zadorov would replace McCabe on the Leafs second pairing easily. Zadorov is a better all-around d-man than McCabe, plus Zadorov is 2 years younger. The biggest advantages that Zadorov has over McCabe are skating and the shot from the point. Having a pairing of Zadorov and Klingberg just might help Klingberg out.
Zadorov 50% retained to NyR for Zac Jones (23) and a 2nd?
Pair Zadorov with Trouba and move Miller with Schneider
Thats an intresting trade with NYR….
two big hitters there..!!
I would love Big Z in Pittsburgh always been a fan.
He can play 2nd pair 3rd pair what a left side Graves Peterson and Zadorov.
Or move Petersson for a goalie..