Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – November 12, 2023
Check out the latest Nikita Zadorov trade rumors plus some recent Oilers speculation in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
THE LATEST ON ZADOROV
CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson reports Nikita Zadorov addressed the reports that he had requested a trade from the Flames through his agent Dan Milstein. “We have been discussing it,” said the 28-year-old defenseman. “I cannot really say a lot of stuff.”
Zadorov reiterated his love of playing for the Flames and the city of Calgary. “But the business side, sometimes stuff happens, you know? My agent has to protect me at some points, for sure”.
Gilbertson cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman expressing his belief that Flames management has made it clear to Zadorov that they would be willing to move him. However, it will be on their timetable.
That means Zadorov could be on their roster for a while, perhaps until the March 8 trade deadline. Gilbertson expects Flames general manager Craig Conroy should receive plenty of calls about the big blueliner, pointing out that he’s already been linked to “Toronto, Vancouver and New Jersey”.
Calgary Flames defenseman Nikita Zadorov (NHL Images).
Zadorov currently skates on the Flames’ third defense pairing. He believes he deserves a bigger role but said the coaches are controlling how much ice time he gets. He also acknowledged that some of his teammates might be miffed by his trade request but he hopes they’ll understand one day.
SPORTSNET: Luke Fox reported the Canucks and Maple Leafs are willing to trade for Zadorov and the rearguard (who lacks a no-trade clause) is open to joining either club. The market for him could be competitive, providing an opportunity for the Flames to land a decent return.
Fox wondered if the Leafs would be willing to part with young forward Nick Robertson or their 2024 first-round pick even though they lack a second-rounder. Perhaps the Flames would take on John Klingberg’s contract with enough of a sweetener.
Meanwhile, the cap-strapped Canucks also hold a first-rounder but lack a second in next year’s draft. Fox wondered if they might be able to offload winger Conor Garland.
THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston also cited Friedman noting that the Canucks are among the clubs with an interest in Zadorov. A source told Johnston that they were looking into trading for him this summer before signing free agent Carson Soucy.
Johnston wondered who Zadorov might replace if the Canucks acquired him. He’s not going in for Quinn Hughes, Ian Cole or Soucy on the left side, though Cole and Soucy have skated on the right side.
Mark Friedman has been a quiet surprise for the Canucks since they picked him up from the Pittsburgh Penguins last month. Perhaps he might replace Tyler Myers, who the Canucks have explored trading over the past couple of years.
TORONTO SUN: Lance Hornby noted there remains a cordial relationship between Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving and his former club in Calgary. However, acquiring Zadorov could prove easier said than done.
The Leafs lack any attractive roster players that they can spare. They might also be hesitant to risk their young prospects plus they’ve already traded away five of their first 12 draft picks over the next three drafts with no second-rounders in any of them. The Leafs also haven’t accrued enough cap space yet to take on Zadorov’s $3.75 million cap hit.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman also noted that Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev have also drawn attention. Like Zadorov, the Flames defensemen are eligible to become unrestricted free agents in July.
Friedman said Toronto and Vancouver are believed to be among the teams with an interest in Tanev and Zadorov “if not both.” Meanwhile, the Arizona Coyotes “took a long look” at Hanifin this week. He thinks Zadorov’s availability has brought other teams into the mix but there’s nothing imminent.
As always, salary cap space and depth in tradeable assets are the determining factors here. Friedman was asked if the Ottawa Senators would be interested in Zadorov but he noted they lack the cap room to do so.
The Devils could have the advantage in terms of prospects and promising young players to draw on for trade bait if they wish. They still need to accrue some cap space to take on Zadorov but could still be better-positioned than the Canucks and Leafs, especially if the Flames were willing to retain some salary in the deal or take back a contract in return.
UPDATE ON THE OILERS
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the Edmonton Oilers remain in shock over how quickly things have fallen apart so far. He indicated that it’s not just the goaltending but also their poor defensive play and lack of offense.
They spent much of this week calling around the league trying to see what’s out there in the trade market. They made it very clear that they were not going to make a desperate deal but couldn’t find a reasonable deal as teams were willing to wait them out.
Friedman doesn’t believe the Oilers have given up on this season. However, something will have to change soon because they can’t keep going as they have.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It could end up being a coaching change if no reasonable season-saving trades can be found. Head coach Jay Woodcroft is probably breathing a little easier today following his club’s 4-1 win over the Seattle Kraken on Saturday. However, he could start feeling the heat again if the Oilers don’t soon string some wins together.
**UPDATE** The Oilers fired Woodcroft on Sunday, replacing him with former Hartford Wolfpack bench boss Kris Knoblauch.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Caleb Kerney noted there’s been a lot of talk linking the Oilers to Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros. However, he feels they would be better off attempting to acquire Ilya Sorokin from the New York Islanders.
With Sorokin having a down year so far, Kerney believes this would be the best time to propose a trade to Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Predators general manager Barry Trotz said earlier this season that Saros isn’t going anywhere, adding that he’s looking into getting the ball rolling on contract extension talks next summer.
Sorokin may be having a “down year” by his standards through the early weeks of this season but Lamoriello isn’t trading his starting netminder. He signed Sorokin to an eight-year contract extension this summer.
The Isles will never trade Sorokin unless McDavid is coming back. I know Lou is crazy but he is not stupid. Not yet anyways.
How about Zad and Dube for the Leafs 1st, Robertson and we’ll take Klingberg off your hands to make some of the money work.
I seriously doubt Calgary – or any other team for that matter – is going to not only take on Klingberg’s $4,150,000 cap hit (or any part of it) but also his defensive liabilities.
Add that cap hit to Reaves’ $1,350,000 cap hit (with 2 more years to run) and that $5,500,000 sure would look good on a body they could actually use.
As for Robertson, until he shows some offensive consistency the best part of any deal involving him would be the $796,667 ELC deal – which expires after this season.
Realistically, a Toronto 1st figures to be somewhere in the 22nd to 32nd range.
Edmonton needs to get rid of Evander Kane before he internally destroys the entire locker room to the point where it will be impossible to make the playoffs.
Zad isn’t really worth a high end first. As for Robertson’s consistency. Dube isn’t a poster child for consistency either and Robertson has more upside and is cheaper.
Kris, in what universe does the 5′ 9″ 178 lb Robertson (35 NHL games since being drafted in 2019) with all of 5g 6a 11 pts, whose high-water mark in the AHL was 17g 26a 43 points (big deal) have more “upside” than a guy who is 5′ 11′ 200 lbs has at least had close to 300 NHL games including back-to-back seasons of 18 goals each?
Come on, man!
I bet Robertson would get 18 on the flames 😉 man.
And Dillon would probably get 25 if on the Leafs. But we’ll never know if that’s the proposed deal.
George since you’re not a Leafs fan, maybe I can shed some light on the 21 yr old Robertson. A player who can skate, really zip the puck and plays bigger than his actual size which can be accredited to his major injuries he has suffered.
His value is whatever a GM thinks it is. To overlook him because you think he’s under average size is a foolish way to evaluate a player.
He’s no super star but a very good complementary player who is a good top 9 scoring threat and then a game like hockey were goals. Scoring is the name of the game there’s value in what he brings. Value some people just don’t get.
If you look at all the teams ahead of Edmonton in the standings I would say Edmonton will easily get back in the race for the wildcard by Christmas break.
Robertson has already become a necessary piece of the Leafs 3rd line but I could see Minten going to the Flames.
To Calgary: Minten, Hirvonen, 2024 – 1st & 3rd round picks, Klingberg, Reaves
To Leafs: Zadorov and Tanev with Flames retaining the cap difference, as both players are UFAs so the retention is only for the balance of this season.
Why would anyone trade anything of value for Robertson or The Klingdenberg?
Fox always has everybody to the Leafs. No clue about salary cap, lack of draft picks or prospects.
Leafy Lukes the King of the Leaf b*llwashers at LeafsNet.
Scribble scribble.
Oh the Humanity.
Ron, nothings for certain what Lyle posts. They are at times speculations, rumors and sometimes just BS talk from peers around the NHL environment. Chill out
Three and counting.
Hey Ron I agree with you regarding fox. I guess all players requesting a trade been made publicly still has value that would fetch a 1st, especially a player headed towards UFA.
Same goes for the Flames getting Klingberg as a swap for one of their pending ufa especially if you can get pieces that are ones you can improve you club with and Klingberg and his cap hit is gone years end.
Whether it be guys like fox or others here, they both have no idea what GMs are thinking as well as what their value is for some assets are to them. It’s great to think a hull is due but history shows most trades are head scratchers.
I seriously doubt Sens want Zadorov. They already have too many left hand shots on D. Branstrom would likely have to go the other way in such a trade. Not sure Calgary would want him. I would agree that Sens could use a bigger body on D, but Injust don’t see it in the card.
Owen, while I agree that Zadorov is not needed in Ottawa, I have to wonder what you consider a “big body?”
Chychrun (210 lbs), Zub (202 lbs), Hamonic (205 lbs) and Chabot (200 lbs) are all 6′ 2″ – Sanderson is 6’3″ and Kleven 6′ 4″ (both at 200 lbs), Bernard-Docker is 6’1 190 lbs.
Yes, Brannstrom is more towards the smaller size for a D – 5′ 10″ 185 lbs – but not as small as some functioning now in the league.
The Sorokin thing is just bananas, where do they get this stuff? I mean rumours are one thing this is just stupid.
Who in their right mind came up with the Zadorov for Klingberg thing? IF Calgary took Klingberg, they should be paid at this moment, not give Zadorov in return.
Zadorov is a very good 3rd line D, but is at best a middle 2nd pair D. He can move up in a pinch but shouldnt stay there. He can shoot, is big but is also prone to make mistakes now and then, at least to many for 2nd pair duty.
Hanifin to Vancouver would be a dream, cant see how they can afford the trade or the contract though. Maybe Tanev? However they dont have a lot to trade away and no manager in his right mind pays for Garland or Beauviller. At best take them of their hands
So no comment from pengy on the mark “quite surprise”Friedman? Now I am worried.
Oilers Part Ways With Head Coach Jay Woodcroft
no replacement announced, yet.
Kris Knoblaugh from Hartford.
This is for SOP and Ray: I was impressed by your B’s defensive play, not just their structure but their reads in the D zone. Not sure they have the offense to do a lot in the playoffs but they sure won’t need to change their style of play.
It won’t be long now, LJ. I was hoping for something stupid to happen and almost got my wish. It’s been a while since we played each other with some emotion……..but when we start again, watch out.
Late reply, SOP: Do you meet fights breaking out? Habs only have Pezzetta and Xhekai, and I would prefer for Wifi to develop his hockey skills.
Not sure who the Bs have in that regard but surely hockey has moved away from the big duke outs of yesteryear.
Not fights as much as angry face washing and “why I oughtas” after every whistle. Maybe some right on the edge stuff.
It’s more fun when they arrive at the puck in Ill humor.
It is. I think Gallagher might have a love tap to return to Swagman. Surprised your guy didn’t get 2 minutes, as I thought using the blocker on someone was a guaranteed penalty. Not complaining, just surprised.
Agreed. Can’t stroke a guy whilst wearing your blocker. I do remember Carey getting away with some of those a while back. Rask too.