NHL Rumor Mill – December 17, 2023
The annual holiday trade freeze is from Dec. 20-27. Check out the latest goalie speculation plus updates on the Blues and Avalanche in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
LATEST GOALIE TRADE SPECULATION
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman said the goalie market is starting to heat up. He noted the Carolina Hurricanes placed Antti Raanta on waivers on Saturday so they’re “definitely looking around.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Pierre LeBrun said the same thing yesterday though he claims that “nothing appears imminent at the moment.”
Los Angeles Kings goalie Pheonix Copley underwent an MRI after leaving practice with an injury on Friday. It’s believed he’ll be sidelined for a bit of time so the Kings might be looking for a backup for Cam Talbot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: They’ve recalled David Rittich from their AHL affiliate. They’ll likely see if he can fill the gap until Copley can return.
Friedman noted that call-up Calvin Pickard has been playing really well for the Edmonton Oilers. While they’ve been taking a look at things, he’s not convinced that they’re going to make a trade for a goalie.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That seems to be the case following their recent surge up the standings. There was talk of Jack Campbell returning from their AHL affiliate at some point but for now, they appear content to stick with the tandem of Pickard and Stuart Skinner.
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen (NHL Images).
Turning to trade candidates, Friedman noted the Montreal Canadiens have an extra goalie.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: He didn’t say which one could be traded but it likely comes down to Jake Allen or Cayden Primeau. The Canadiens recently signed Sam Montembeault to a three-year contract extension as he’s taking over the starter’s job in Montreal.
Friedman also mentioned Spencer Martin of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers were reportedly scouting the Blue Jackets’ goalies in late November. Martin’s name surfaced as a trade candidate around then.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Christian Larsen listed the Canadiens’ Jake Allen, the Detroit Red Wings’ James Reimer, the San Jose Sharks’ Kaapo Kahkonen and the Arizona Coyotes’ Karel Vejmelka could help playoff contenders in the new year.
Larsen believes the experienced Allen, who’s signed through 2024-25 on a team-friendly contract, could be a good fit on a better club like the Oilers or Hurricanes. The Kings could be a logical fit for Reimer as they have a few million in cap space.
The rebuilding Sharks are near the bottom of the league and have two prospects in Eetu Makiniemi and Magnus Chrona knocking at the door. That leaves little reason for them to retain Kakhonen, who’s on an expiring contract.
Vejmelka began this season as the Coyotes’ starter but he’s lost playing time to Connor Ingram. The rebuilding club is looking to add draft picks and have the cap space to take on a bad contract like that of the Oilers’ Jack Campbell.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong made those kinds of moves before this past summer. Since then, however, he’d made deals to bring more immediate help to his roster.
The Coyotes’ pipeline is now well-stocked with draft picks and prospects. With his club jockeying for a wild-card berth in the Western Conference, he might not be interested in taking on another bad contract in return for futures.
Speaking of the Coyotes, ESPN’s Kevin Weekes said Vejmelka is drawing interest from several clubs looking to upgrade their goaltending. Perhaps he’ll be the one who gets moved first.
UPDATES ON THE BLUES AND AVALANCHE
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the St. Louis Blues were believed to be a team looking to do things in the trade market. He speculates that might calm down a bit since making their coaching change last week but they were definitely looking at what was out there.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blues general manager Doug Armstrong acknowledged this during his press conference explaining his decision to replace Craig Berube as head coach with Drew Bannister.
Following the Colorado Avalanche trading Tomas Tatar last week to the Seattle Kraken, Friedman claims there are teams “paranoid” that the Avs are looking to add to their roster though they have limited salary-cap space to do so right now.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman didn’t elaborate as to what the Avalanche are looking to add. My guess is a reliable second-line center but that could be a move that takes place closer to the March 8 trade deadline.
If the Habs decide to trade Sean Monahan – and I do believe that extending him is a realistic option – the Avs would be a solid fit.
trade Monahan now for a 1st + and then resign him in the off season for a win-win scenario!
Maybe, Howard, but have you looked at the the Avs draft pick situation? They aren’t likely to give their first away this year or next, so their best offer is a third in 2025. Not in the Habs’ best interest when, as you say, signing Monahan is a good option.
As good as Monahan can be….could he fetch a 1st?
If Habs plan to move him they should while he is healthy. Price for an injury prone forward might be a 2nd at best imho.
He has 2 even strength goals in 30 games.
DS, if you’re watching Habs games then you need to take into account the linemates that he’s been getting the last few weeks…Jake Evan’s is not going to help Monahan put pucks in the net. Why Evan’s is center over Monahan is another head scratcher…are they trying to showcase Evans to someone??
Re; A Trade with the Oil & AZ…
I could see the Oilers making a trade with the Coyotes Vejmelka
Connor Ingram has been playing 👍
100% The rebuilding club is looking to add draft picks and have the cap space to take on a bad contract like that of the Oilers’ Jack Campbell.
The Trade?
A 1st pick in 2024 or 2025 with a good prospect with Jack Campbell
for Coyotes goaltender Vejmelka
The Coyotes have a 24yr old goaltender who is ready to come up Matt Villalta….
Jim Rutherford has a history of making moves early. Recognizing that prospect Arturs Silovs (MVP of last year’s world championships) needed time in the AHL, he started looking for a backup to Demko. After Pittsburg traded 32 year old Casey DeSmith to Montreal, he acquired him before the season started for surplus winger Tanner Pearson and a 2025 3rd round pick. It was a WTF moment and most pundits rationalized the trade as a move to gain $1.5 million in cap space. DeSmith has started 9 game and has a 5-2-2 record with a SV% of .919, a GAA of 2.49 and a shutout, all for $1.8 million. He was available to all teams currently looking for improved goaltending but they all passed.
I am not sure Campbell can be moved at this point or at any point
Also not sure that Kochetkov can carry the mail the rest of the year.
Allen should be at the top of most lists but the Habs and Canes making a trade is highly unlikely . Regardless of the proponents
Hughes will not accept anything below a 2nd round pick a prospect and some veteran forward grit for Monahan, if he trades him as he’s been productive and adding leadership on a team beset by injuries again. Allen will be traded to a contender team looking for experience and depth to take them to the cup and win. Primeau’s upside is too valuable for Habs to trade right now, Montembault may be the starter right now, but Primeau can be the franchise goalie they’re looking for since Price hit LTIR permanently. Habs need to invest in better conditioning coaches and trainers as this could be yet another season where they lead league in man games lost. Gary Roberts should be brought in as a consultant to overhaul this area of their infrastructure.
At that price, Monahan stays in Montreal.
Re; Can’s Pyotr Kochetkov
SilverSeven your right, there is no way this young kid can do it, and his back up is only 23 yr old Who has never played in the NHL…..
Im sure they have something cooking….❓
The Cans put Rannta on wavers yesterday he will probably clear
34-yr old has 6-5-1 with a 3.61 GAA & A 854% Saves
Im sure the Can’s will be looking for a very good starter, they do have all the 1st & 2nd round picks for the next few years……
Hello boston and Linus Ullmark 🤔
A 1st pick and a Good prospect and a $2. M salary player going the other way to Boston should get it done….❓
like a Deangelo❗️
Ww
I don’t see Ullmark getting such a haul. If so Sweeney would have did the trade before the season
Mr Bruin
Just looking at the Goaltender Market today, They are Very Hot commodities… maybe even a bidding war for his services?
Linus Ullmark is the best Goaltender that maybe “could” be avalable on the market…❓
Word is Nashville want to Re-sign 28 yr old Juuse Saros…..
I dont think they can keep Ullmark & Swayman?
if they want to go after Both UFA from Calgary,
They can pick up a good Backup UFA goaltender on July 1st in the UFA market for $1.M to $1.5M….
that $3.5 can go to signing the UFA’s..?
Boston would be very well sent at #1 Centre and the Top 4 d would be A top defence …🤔
Re Blues:
IF, in fact, Armstrong is “looking to do things in the trade market”, I would hope he’d make a call to the Calgary Flames. However, I have ZERO trust in him at this time!
Maybe Kyrou and Perunovich for Hanifan and Lindholm.
IP