NHL Rumor Mill – November 29, 2023
The latest on the Oilers, Flames, Hurricanes, Sharks, Flyers, Devils and Panthers in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST FROM GARRIOCH’S “INSIDER TRADING”.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch has a collection of trade rumors this week from around the NHL. So let’s dive in…
The Edmonton Oilers continue to look for a goaltender after sending Jack Campbell to the minors. However, it’s believed the front office wants to give new head coach Kris Knoblauch an opportunity to right the ship before trading away assets.
St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington (NHL Images).
Garrioch thinks the Oilers kicked tires on St. Louis Blues netminder Jordan Binnington. It’s believed they’re willing to move a number of assets with the exception of their 2024 first-round pick.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Binnington has a full no-trade clause so he’s probably not going anywhere. He also has a $6 million average annual value that the cap-strapped Oilers can’t afford to take on unless they can shed salary in the deal or in a separate move.
The Calgary Flames are trying to move center Elias Lindholm and defensemen Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev and Nikita Zadorov. They’re all slated to become unrestricted free agents next summer.
Zadorov recently made a very public trade request which apparently hasn’t sat well with his teammates. He’s been linked to Toronto, where former Flames general manager Brad Treliving is the Maple Leafs GM. They’re looking for a defenseman with John Klingberg on long-term injury reserve (LTIR).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Boston Hockey Now’s Jimmy Murphy cites a league source recently speculating that the Bruins could be interested in Zadorov. The source also noted that the Bruins had been listening for offers for Matt Grzelcyk and wondered if a one-for-one swap was possible.
The Flames could be keeping their options open but I don’t see them moving anyone right now. They’ve risen into wild-card contention in the Western Conference and will likely want to see how things progress before deciding if they’ll be sellers by the March 8 trade deadline.
Teams in the market for a defenseman should contact the Carolina Hurricanes. They’re willing to move pending UFA blueliners Brett Pesce and Tony DeAngelo.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pesce was the subject of offseason speculation but the Hurricanes apparently intend to hang onto him and sort out his contract situation once the season is over. DeAngelo, on the other hand, could be available if clubs are seeking an experienced puck-moving rearguard.
San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier is willing to move Mackenzie Blackwood. Several teams have expressed interested in the 26-year-old goaltenders.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blackwood is playing fairly well this season with the rebuilding Sharks. He also carries an affordable $2.35 million AAV through 2024-25 and lacks no-trade protection. However, the earliest I see him moving could be leading up to the March trade deadline. Blackwood’s future with the Sharks could also depend on whether Grier intends to sign pending UFA goalie Kaapo Kahkonen to a contract extension.
The Flyers are willing to give forward Morgan Frost a fresh start elsewhere because he’s been scratched by head coach John Tortorella. There’s talk they were interested in shipping him to Ottawa for Shane Pinto. However, that was before Pinto was suspended for breaking the league’s gambling rules. Garrioch said the Senators have shown no interest in moving Pinto.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Frost could have an opportunity to draw back into the Flyers’ lineup with Noah Cates sidelined for six to eight weeks.
LATEST ON THE DEVILS
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman speculating that Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald could be looking around for help between the pipes. Friedman noted that Fitzgerald was also interested in boosting his goaltending at the start of the season but has ramped up those efforts as the tandem of Vitek Vanecek and Akira Schmid continues to struggle.
Nichols noted that Fitzgerald was in the mix for Connor Hellebuyck prior to his re-signing with the Winnipeg Jets. Other options could include the Anaheim Ducks’ John Gibson, Jake Allen or Sam Montembeault of the Montreal Canadiens, the Philadelphia Flyers’ Carter Hart or Ville Husso, James Reimer or Alex Lyon of the Detroit Red Wings.
TSN: Pierre LeBrun noted the Devils had spoken with the Calgary Flames regarding defenseman Nikita Zadorov. However, they want to see if their club can regain its “A” game following their sluggish start before going the trade route.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Injuries have also piled up for the Devils this season with key players such as Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier and Timo Meier sidelined for long periods of time. Perhaps a healthier roster might help them right the ship.
In the meantime, I expect Fitzgerald will keep an eye on the goalie market. Even if the club improves over the course of the season, he could seek an upgrade by the trade deadline if they’re in playoff contention by then.
WHAT NEXT FOR THE PANTHERS AFTER LOSING THE KANE SWEEPSTAKES?
ESPN: Kevin Weekes believes the Florida Panthers will shift their focus to re-signing pending free agents such as Sam Reinhart, Gustav Forsling and Brandon Montour now that the Patrick Kane sweepstakes has ended.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Panthers GM Bill Zito remains hopeful of getting Reinhart under contract. The rise in the salary cap for next season could make it possible for Zito to re-sign everyone provided they take the decision to accept less money to stay. That’s what Aleksander Barkov did while Matthew Tkachuk took less than market value to join the Panthers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Reinhart will be the most expensive to re-sign. He’s earning an AAV of $6.5 million but is on pace for a career-high season as he leads the Panthers with 15 goals and 27 points in 22 games.
Ya ok Zad for Grzelcyk. That makes tons of sense for Calgary. Next.
LOL, yeah – right up there with Klingberg or Liljegren + Brodie + Robertson + a 3rd round pick for Zadorov and Tanev. That would turn the Flames into a real juggernaut.
Bulls eye George! Why would the Flames do that? & these 4 pending UFAs are making the Flames a bubble team, clearly not a contender. There is no way Flames dont trade them by the TDL. Even if they are within striking distance of a wildcard spot. They can easily carry a bit of salary to up the return when there is only a 1/4 of the season left. Conroy has said already that he will not allow valuable assets to walk the way Gaudreau did. The other lesson Conroy is watching unfold is just how well the young guys like Zary & Popisil are playing & there are a few more young Wranglers that may surprise if we trade out these 4 key UFA’s. Next summer, we’ll have loads of futures + cap space to retool the team. Conroy just has to be patient, no rush, he has the players other teams will covet come end January.
George never heard of that trade proposal anywhere but right here by you.
You’re right, though. Typical
Comparing Grzelcyk and Zadorov is apples and oranges, other than both 3rd pairing D-men based on ice time. But ya Harry, not sure that is what the Flames would be looking to add when trading UFA’s. Why add another one?
Not sure why BOS would do that either? I get you want some beef come playoff time, but not sure BOS thinks they have a real shot this year. I don’t think they do. We’ll see how it goes, but might want to roll with what they have and keep some assets if they are in a playoff spot.
It is truly incredible how ridiculous some of the trade proposals are, isn’t it?
Grzelcyk (5’9”, 174lbs) for Zadorov (6’6”, 248lbs)!
Dreaming!
What Calgary decides to do has everything to do with how everything goes and what the prices on their UFAs amount to, both to sign and return. But the most likely to trade are Lindholm, Zadorov, Hanifin and Tanev in that order. If they all go and at least a major retool is in the works, and move of Markström could also be made as they have Wolf coming. Could a 2m retained salary and his rebound season make him a target with a decent return? Markström has stated that he wants to stay but if Lindholm goes, maybe he does too? Would a 4m Markström be worth a 2nd and a B prospect for the Devils? He only has 2 years left
Pesce be a perfect Canucks fit. Costly I’m certain. A 1st/2nd for starters. UFA status is the tough point on if he’d resign. 7/7m?
The Panthers “won” the Kane Sweepstakes. They just don’t know it yet. Dodged the proverbial bullet.
So did potentially 30 other teams!
If I’m the Rangers with Chytil and Kakko on LTIR, I would on the phone with Calgary to see what it would Lindholm in as a playoff rental to take the 2C or 3C role. That way Bonino can move back to 4C and solidify that line.