NHL Rumor Mill – November 27, 2023
A look at questions facing the Bruins, Sabres, Avalanche, Oilers, Panthers, Wild, Canadiens, Islanders, Flyers, Sharks and Leafs in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
SPORTSNET: Rory Boylen recently listed one question facing all 32 NHL teams at the quarter-mark of this season. Among them:
Boylen wondered if the solid performances thus far of Charlie Coyle and Pavel Zacha might shift the Boston Bruins’ trade focus away from adding a center to seeking a scoring winger.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Or maybe they might consider adding a player or two to bolster their defensive game. Their goalie tandem of Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman were able to paper over their leaky defense but they’ve given up at least five goals per game in three of their last four contests.
The Buffalo Sabres have been frequently mentioned as a destination for free-agent winger Patrick Kane but will they get him?
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Boylen pointed out that salary-cap space isn’t an issue. Of late, however, the Florida Panthers and Detroit Red Wings have been mentioned more frequently as possible landing spots for Kane. We’ll hopefully find out by this week where he intends to spend this season.
Boylen pointed out the Colorado Avalanche’s need to boost their depth scoring. This could be an area they look to the trade market to address if no one steps up in the coming weeks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of Patrick Kane, The Athletic’s Peter Baugh believes the Avs are “monitoring the situation” but doesn’t see them among the front-runners.
Which goaltender will the Edmonton Oilers add?
Florida Panthers winger Sam Reinhart (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s been the biggest question in the rumor mill throughout November. They don’t appear any closer to acquiring one while recent speculation suggests they could look at recalling Jack Campbell if he regains his form with their AHL affiliate.
Boylen also pondered the possibility that Sam Reinhart could prove too expensive for the Florida Panthers to re-sign. He’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent but sits among the league’s leading scorers with 13 goals and 25 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Reinhart is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July. He carries a $6.5 million cap hit and could seek between $9 million and $10 million annually on his next contract.
Given the Minnesota Wild’s struggles, Boylen raised the question of whether head coach Dean Evason will make it to the all-star break. The Wild are capped out and have several key players struggling.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wild general manager Bill Guerin is sticking by Evason and insisting the answers to his cap-strapped team’s woes must come from within. It remains to be seen how much longer that will last.
Will the Montreal Canadiens get Sam Montembeault signed? He’s earning an average annual value of $1 million and is eligible for UFA status next July.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Montembeault has been linked to the Oilers in the rumor mill but I think the Canadiens will get him signed. As Boylen noted, he’s starting to build on last season’s promising performance.
Boylen wondered how long the New York Islanders could continue with such a meek offense.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been an issue for the past couple of years. They might have to shift their focus on finding a short-term replacement for defenseman Adam Pelech, who injured an arm during weekend play.
Philadelphia Flyers center Morgan Frost has been a frequent healthy scratch this season, prompting questions over his future. He’s signed through next season with an AAV of $2.1 million. So far, he hasn’t asked for a trade.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers reportedly denied rumors that Frost was available in the trade market but his situation could be worth watching. GM Daniel Briere is reportedly willing to move players for returns that will improve his club’s foundation going forward.
Boylen wondered which players the struggling San Jose Sharks will trade this season. Forwards Anthony Duclair and Mike Hoffman are on expiring contracts while Mackenzie Blackwood could interest goalie-needy clubs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ll be very surprised if Duclair and Hoffman aren’t moved by the March 8 trade deadline. Blackwood could be available for the right price but they could opt to move pending UFA Kaapo Kahkonen.
Turning to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boylen is curious how they’ll address their blueline corps. With John Klingberg going on LTIR, he wonders what kind of defenseman they’ll go after.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Your guess is as good as GM Brad Treliving’s. He opted for a puck-moving defenseman by signing Klingberg during the offseason while bringing in physical forwards like Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi and Ryan Reaves. Perhaps he’ll look to add more “snot” to his blueline.
Perhaps he’ll look to add more “snot” to his blueline.
Well i’ll tell you, yesterday i was out blowing snow and chopping wood, there was a lot of “snot” not sure if it help with my game plan of clearing snow from the front of my place, but certainly worked more efficiently to clear it away to get back inside.
Re; the Oilers
I don’t think they will add a goalie untill they figure out Jack Campbell situation and his $5.M contract for 3 more years….
Looks now like they may play themselves out of the mess they created 🤔
No Question Skinner is the 1A Starter
When JC he gets his game back together the oil will trade him and a 1st pick & good prospect to clear all the $$
Game plan.
-Go after a back up…❓
-Fix the D pairings ….❓
– Paul Coffey goes the D….🤙
Paul Coffey fixes the D…✔️
Auto spell🙈
I wouldn’t jump to think they are out of it yet. They have beaten one team that is playing over .500 this season. They have a harder schedule ahead of them with 8 back to backs remaining.
Caper, you probably did more physicality clearing snow than the Leafs as a whole. There’s no snot to this team. 23 players with eggs in their pockets.
Vancouver needs a winger since Kuzmenko of last season is nowhere to be seen, might Duclair be a good fit depending on cost?
Why not consider Campbell, Broberg a 1st and Holloway to SJ for Blackwood and Duclair with salary retained on him
Gives EDM cap room now and going’s forward. Also helps EDM with scoring depth.
Sj gets draft capital and prospect for taking all of Campbell’s contract
Toronto needs to do only one thing. That is to improve the blueline. Brody, Liliily, for Tanev and Zdorov. Calgary probably want a young stud like Robertson and a 3rd round draft pick. Come trade deadline give Anaheim a call for Goudas availability. Once you have Zdorov, Tanev and Goudas then start preparing for parade route downtown Toronto
This guy thinks what the Leafs really need is better gap control because teams enter the zone way to easily against them. Give it a read, see what you think of his argument. If you can’t skate with the attackers, you can’t play with a tight gap or you get burned too easily.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/analyzing-what-the-maple-leafs-defence-really-needs-to-improve-the-most/
You really think Calgary is taking Lilijgren – currently on LTIR – and a fading Brodie – both pending UFAs – for those two, with the “sweetener” being a 5’9″ 178 lb F prospect misdiagnosed as a “stud” -and a 3rd? Not a chance.
I see no way that deal makes Calgary even remotely a better team.
Come on.
Liljegren is 24, 3 years away from UFA status and even at 5`9″ looks like he may yet turn into a decent NHL`er. I like Tanev but he`s 33 and a UFA, no way would I trade Liljegren for him. Zadorov is a 3rd pairing at best Dman and has all sorts of problems playing against speed, but then most pylons do. Gudas would be the ideal player to go after, but has said he doesn`t want to play in a hockey mad environment. George the world knows how much you hate Toronto but at least get the facts straight
Well Bob, first I DO NOT hate the Leafs. It’s been well -established in here that I detest the Toronto-centric so-called “national” sports outlets.
Get your facts straight.
As for the proposed deal on which I commented – I reiterate – there is no way Calgary gives up those two – however you personally view them – for a D-man on LTIR who is a pending – sorry – RFA (not UFA – my mistake) and one who IS a pending UFA, along with one who is anything but a “stud” and a 3rd round pick.
Like it or not – that is just more evidence of Leafs fans dreaming in technicolour – our crap for your decent players. It continuously pops up in these pages to the point of ridicule.
Ray, experienced coaches like Jon Cooper, Barry Trotz, etc don’t rely on puck possession and analytics.
Finish your checks
Forecheck relentlessly
Cover your player like they teach children
As you said close the gaps
Stick up for your teammates sending a message to the opposing team
If Sheldon Keefe can’t change the culture on this team find someone who will.
Agree Frank, that they don’t “rely” on them alone but they all use analytics extensively. And it sure gets more detailed than what we the fan see with Corsi and Fenwick. I would think the coach can use it to see if it validates what he sees, or suggests something he might be missing.
But ya, in the end, he makes the call and uses his experience to use for what he thinks is valuable. Even after periods I would think.
In Nashville Trotz has a director of analytics, which means he has a team under him, and even employ a data scientist so he can formulate the data and tailor it to what the coaching staff wants.
In TBay they have a Director of analytics, 3 analysts, and also a data scientist. So 4 people that deal with analytics as a full time job.
I don’t think Cooper and Trotz would employ these folks if it wasn’t deemed really important?
Kane to Detroit
Is the rumor 2 year deal also Bruins kicking tires
C’mon Obe, make up your mind! 🤔
Robertson a Stud ? He is not even a top rated prospect anymore.
Career AHL player