NHL Rumor Mill – December 12, 2023
The latest on the Canucks, some possible Canadiens trade bait, and an update on Blues winger Jakub Vrana in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST ON THE CANUCKS
SPORTSNET: Iain MacIntyre reports Vancouver Canucks president Jim Rutherford said his club won’t lock itself into a long-term position on Andrei Kuzmenko as trade speculation swirls around the struggling winger.
MacIntyre’s colleague Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday that clubs have inquired about Kuzmenko, whose 39-goal performance last season earned him a two-year, $11 million contract. He’s struggled this season, seeing his playing time reduced and was scratched from two games in late November.
Vancouver Canucks forward Andrei Kuzmenko (NHL Images).
Rutherford insists his club will keep an open mind about Kuzmenko in the hope that the coaching staff can improve his all-around play. Head coach Rick Tocchet recently indicated he wants the winger to forecheck more and compete for pucks rather than have his teammates get them for him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks made that two-year commitment to Kuzmenko because of his scoring last season. However, as Friedman pointed out over the weekend, they’re also looking to free up salary-cap space. If Kuzmenko remains in Tocchet’s doghouse, they could pay more serious attention to those trade inquiries.
THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston believes the Canucks are out of the bidding for Ethan Bear. They’d hoped to bring back the free-agent defenseman but their salary-cap constraints could price them out of the market for his services. The Washington Capitals appear to be the front-runners.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: We could learn by some point this week where Bear will play the remainder of this season.
POSSIBLE CANADIENS TRADE BAIT
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: recently noted that Canadiens goaltenders Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau sat fourth and fifth respectively on TSN’s latest Trade Bait listing. Versatile center Sean Monahan is ninth and defenseman Mike Matheson is 20th.
Regarding Allen and Primeau, Marc Dumont listed the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings as possible suitors for one or the other.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: All four clubs are believed to be monitoring the trade market for depth between the pipes. The Hurricanes and Devils may have the more pressing need as they’ve slipped out of playoff positions in the Eastern Conference.
The Oilers were very much shopping around for goaltending help in November. However, their recent seven-game win streak (in part due to improved play from their current goalie tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard) could reduce their level of urgency to address that issue.
The Kings, meanwhile, are rolling along well thus far with veteran Cam Talbot though backup Pheonix Copley has struggled at times this season. They could be content to stick with their current tandem for the time being.
Whether any of those teams make a pitch for Allen or Primeau remains to be seen.
WHAT NEXT FOR VRANA?
THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford reports St. Louis Blues winger Jakub Vrana is in limbo after first being told he would be placed on waivers on Monday and then not having that come to pass.
Rutherford explains the Blues “are looking at every avenue in terms of how to part ways with Vrana, including the possibility of a trade.”
Acquired from the Detroit Red Wings before the March trade deadline, Vrana scored 10 goals in the final 20 games of the season. However, he’s been unable to replicate that performance this season. The 27-year-old winger has two goals and six points in 19 games and was a healthy scratch in eight contests.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It appears Vrana’s days with the Blues are numbered. While he has a $5.25 million cap hit for this season (the final one of his contract), the Red Wings retained half of it to facilitate his trade to the Blues last season.
At $2.625 million, perhaps a club seeking scoring might take a chance on Vrana. So far, however, there don’t seem to be any takers. As Rutherford observes, Vrana has terrific speed and a great shot but doesn’t use either asset that effectively plus he’s a defensive liability at even strength.
So if Bear is going to Washington, who does he replace at RD???? The Caps have Carlson, Jensen and TVR ahead of Bear. There are also 3 switch hitters on their D that can play both sides. Or is Bear to be the 7th D?
As Vrana packs his bags, Mantha is having a quiet little resurgence in his play, at about a 1/2 pt per game and a plus 5.
TVR has been just as effective at the other side. I’d expect him to move over to make room. Giving the caps more flexibility at D.
My hope would be that the Blues could at least get a depth d’man for Vrana, but I recognize that he is “damaged goods”.
Something like Haag from Anaheim, Peeke from Jackets, Dermott from Ariz—someone!!??
IP
I would think that the return would be comparable to the 2025 7th round pick St Louis gave up to get him, with Detroit retaining 50%.
Bruins should’ve move pending UFA DeBrusk a player they won’t resign this past offseason…his 11 pts in 25 games is a big letdown plus the guy won’t hit a flea, it just seems there’s never a plan with the Bruins ….. just maybe they could’ve moved a goalie/DeBrusk & a piece for a legit 1st line center for now and the future, the D although has size don’t have the toughness it’s a regular season D not a playoff D…. Pasta ever goes out this team is in deep trouble …
Joe
I agree if debrusk is not in bruins plans to move him but I think that depends on his ask$$$. If 5 mil he probably stays. As far as moving a goalie Ullmark has protection so are you saying move Swayman? What team in need of a goalie is moving their 1st line ctr? I can’t see any flames are 3 deep in net
Just because he has protection doesn’t mean he’ll use if he lands in a good spot and is the clear #1 goalie for that team unless he enjoys making $5 million per and only playing 41 games … that sounds like stealing $$$$
As far as DeBrusk he’s making $4 million now I don’t think he’ll settle for a $1 million bump… probably want 6 for 5 years at 27 years old …. Not worth it they should’ve traded him when he wanted out
Re; Oilers Goaltending
I hope they give Pickard a chance to prove himself in Goal as a Back up in 3 NHL Games good numbers…👍
I agree. He looked solid in the game against NJ. I had a look at his past stats. On decent teams, he had good numbers. It’s when he went to poor teams that his numbers declined.
A healthy Ethan Bear rode the bench often in Carolina and Vancouver, so I am puzzled how him returning after shoulder rehab will suddenly make him an in-demand asset.