NHL Rumor Mill – December 1, 2023
Does the Zadorov trade mean the Flames have more deals in store? Could the Sharks’ Tomas Hertl or the Canadiens’ Sam Montembeault hit the trade block? What’s the latest on the Sabres? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHAT NEXT FOR THE FLAMES FOLLOWING THE ZADOROV TRADE?
CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson wonders what will happen to Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev following the Flames trading Nikita Zadorov to the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. Like Zadorov, the trio are slated to become unrestricted free agents next July.
Unless they sign contract extensions, Gilbertson believes all three will be moved before the March 8 trade deadline. He expects they’ll fetch more than the 2024 fifth-round pick and the 2026 third-rounder that the Flames received in the Zadorov deal. General manager Craig Conroy could allow interested clubs to open contract extension talks with those players or sweeten the pot by retaining some salary.
Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin (NHL Images).
Gilbertson noted that Zadorov ensured the Flames would move him after publicly requesting a trade on Nov. 10 through his agent. It’s believed some of his teammates didn’t approve of him going that route to force a deal.
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reported the Flames were close to reaching an agreement with Hanifin on an eight-year deal with an average annual value of $7.5 million. However, the 26-year-old defenseman wanted to see the club’s direction as the team stumbled out of the gate, resulting in the Flames withdrawing the offer.
Despite the Flames’ improvement through November, LeBrun said that hasn’t changed management’s mindset that a roster reset is in order. That will likely lead to trades involving Hanifin and their other pending UFAs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames have improved partly because of the addition of promising players such as Connor Zary and Martin Pospisil. That might explain why management is still willing to consider moving their other pending UFAs despite the club’s recent improvement to make way for returns that can help them build for the future.
It’ll be interesting to see how Conroy handles this. Does he trade Lindholm, Hanifin and Tanev? Does he retain one or two and trade the other? What happens if the Flames rise even higher in the standings than a wild-card position? Does that change the “roster reset” mindset?
Whatever happens, I daresay we’ll continue to hear a lot of trade speculation about Lindholm, Hanifin and Tanev, especially when the calendar flips to 2024 and the March trade deadline appears on the horizon.
COULD THE SAN JOSE SHARKS ATTEMPT TO TRADE HERTL?
THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens recently examined Tomas Hertl’s future with the rebuilding San Jose Sharks and how he might best help them.
He suggested that the 30-year-old center could be their best trade asset. However, Hertl also carries a full no-movement clause through 2024-25, after which it becomes a three-team trade list through 2027-28, followed by a 15-team trade list until the contract expires in 2030. He’s also carrying an average annual value of $8.137 million.
That means Hertl won’t be going anywhere unless he requests to be moved to a club where he can win now to a team that can absorb all or a large part of his cap hit. Stephens indicated that Sharks GM Mike Grier recently said that he hasn’t received any calls from other clubs about Hertl, who has embraced a leadership role with the Sharks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The piece also noted that Hertl may not be happy with the Sharks’ current rough patch but considers San Jose home for himself and his family. He’s motivated to work harder to help the Sharks regain their winning ways.
Hertl surfaced briefly in the rumor mill earlier this season but that talk has died away. Unless he asks to be moved, I doubt the Sharks will move him.
SHOULD THE CANADIENS TRADE MONTEMBEAULT?
TVA SPORTS: Jean-Nicholas Blanchet makes the case for the Montreal Canadiens to trade Sam Montembeault.
While the 27-year-old goaltender is showing signs of becoming a reliable starter, Blanchet believes he’s only got about two more years remaining in his playing prime before he slows down. By the time the Canadiens promising young core is ready to win, Montembeault won’t be the solution they need in goal.
Blanchet felt that Montembeault’s value won’t be higher than it is now. He suggested shopping him for a second-round pick or a younger player who could fit into the Canadiens’ long-term plans.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: On the other hand, the Canadiens could decide that Montembeault might be a worthwhile starter for them over the next three or four years to hold the fort while they develop a promising goalie such as Jacob Fowler or acquire a more reliable starter via trade or free agency.
I understand Blanchet’s point. Nevertheless, they need somebody reliable between the pipes to give this club some chance of improvement while they wait for those promising kids to fully develop. They can’t keep ending up at the bottom of the standings year after year. That sucks the life out of a team and can hurt the development of those talented kids.
Montembeault is completing a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1 million. Unless he’s trying to force a trade by seeking a ridiculously high number, they should attempt to retain him. Re-signing him to a three or four-year contract with an AAV of around $3.5 million won’t break the bank.
**UPDATE** The Canadiens announced they’ve signed Montembeault to a three-year, $9.45 million contract extension. The AAV is $3.15 million.
WHAT NEXT FOR THE SABRES FOLLOWING THE KANE SWEEPSTAKES
TSN: Darren Dreger wondered if the Buffalo Sabres remain in the market for a forward after losing out to the Detroit Red Wings in the Patrick Kane sweepstakes. He believes they don’t have to rush to do so as they’ve got Tage Thompson and Jack Quinn returning soon from injuries. Dreger believes they’re open for business to add a forward but it’s not an intense search.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I think the Sabres need an experienced, reliable starting goaltender and improved depth among their bottom-six defense. But hey, if they want to chase another forward, fill your boots.
Prayers for the Larkin family
Prayers??? he’s a punk…Karma
Sounds like the real Punk is you
Losing a child during pregnancy is hardly karma just because you think he’s a punk.
That comment says all we need to know about you, Ed.
What a terrible comment. My God are you human.
Disgusting.
Grow up Impe
I would no be surprised if Zadorov is the only trade. Things seem to be settling down and improving in Calgary and he was the only one that publicly demanded a trade.
He was likely seen as a virus to any possible reset in Calgary so was dealt.
I’m sure the flames will move
All 3 UFA D/men
Noah Hannifin will get a 1st and or a good d prospect
These two will get 3rd to 5th round picks….🤔
Chris Taney
&
Oliver Kylington
Flames will get a biggest haul
For
Elias Lindholm…??
Once again Craig Conroy has his pocket picked. Bwahahahahahaha
Ed,
I think this is flames 1st trade as a GM. Craig Conroy
I’m not a flames fan, but he did get left a bit of a mess with all these UFA players and the 2 big signing last year bye the old GM that are not playing up to expectations…..🤔
Looks like a Re-tool in Calgary❓
Zadorov has only ever disappointed his past employers. Nothing to see here. Good job opening cap space by Conroy.
Ed, I get the hahahaha part, you think you’re post is funny and you’re laughing at it. But what’s with the bwa in front of it? I’ve seen it before but never understood it.
Anybody else help me out?
It means “I live with my mom and I have no life so I post stupid things online just so people answer me and feel like an actual human being who makes fun of people with lives who are going through a real tragedy in life”
Hi, Ray. The Bwah implies maniacal laughter, which rather suits the individual in question.
Thank you Lyle.
Stick tap for using the word besmirch earlier as well.
Thanks, Ray!
MTL secure Montembeault which all but spells the end for most likely Allen, there’s most likely not much of a market for Primeau.
I see it differently, Craig. Unless the Habs get a great offer for Allen, keep him. He’s signed through next season, and is a good 2 to Montembeault’s 1.
Primeau has been uneven, as exhibited by a poor showing last night. He takes up a roster spot that the Habs can use to develop forwards, as scoring is a big problem.
The Habs have Fowler and Volokhin in the system that can be developed in the meantime. Time to acknowledge Primeau is a bust.
I feel it spells the end for Allen because he’s worth more on the trade market than Primeau.
Right on LJ,
Montembeault is signed to a good contract and as he continues to improve this contract will be great.
Jake Allen is a solid #2 and a great mentor making him an important piece on a young team learning how to be a winning tram.
You need to have confidence in both of your goalies to play your system with a clear head.
Cayden Primeau just takes up a roster spot and should be traded for anything at all or sent to the minors.
Re; Hab’s
I think it will be Jake Allen that’s moved ….
He is signed for one more year at a good rate
They will continue to develop
Young Primeau and play
Montembeault as the starter
Hab’s are a couple of years away from making the playoffs anyway and have a very young D/core that’s still developing .
And a young forward group….🤔
With lots of pick to come in the next few years
Flames got Zadorov for a third in the first place. The picks are one thing but saving $3.2 m is huge right now. Flames are sitting with $5.1 in space. I hope they weaponize it.
By the way a third pairing D and not Paul Coffey
No pockets picked but certainly some nasal passages (for some ) thinking of a clever response