NHL Rumor Mill – December 23, 2023
The holiday roster freeze is in effect through Dec. 27 but that hasn’t stopped the media trade speculation. Check out the latest on Elias Lindholm, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Jake Allen in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
POSSIBLE SUITORS FOR ELIAS LINDHOLM
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports there haven’t been any contract extension talks between Calgary Flames management and Elias Lindholm. However, management hasn’t told the 27-year-old center that they’re moving him and he hasn’t completely shut the door on staying with them.
Nevertheless, LeBrun believes all signs point toward a trade. He listed the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes as potential suitors.
Calgary Flames center Elias Lindholm (NHL Images).
LeBrun suggests it could cost the Bruins their 2025 first-round pick (they traded away their 2024 pick) or they could try to entice the Flame with a young player as part of the deal. If Lindholm were willing to sign an extension with them it would justify the cost.
The Avalanche have their 2024 first-rounder to use as trade bait but it’s too early to know what asking price the Flames will set for Lindholm. If they’re leaning toward a retool rather than a rebuild, they could want young players or prospects closer to helping them. The Avalanche, however, doesn’t want to spend too high a price.
LeBrun thinks the Hurricanes (Lindholm’s former club) have internally discussed the possibility of bringing him back. However, it’ll probably only work if Lindholm signs an extension.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Salary cap space will be a factor but we’ve seen in the recent past that clubs can get creative (use of long-term injury reserve, three-team deals) to get around that hurdle. Still, the club with the most cap flexibility near the trade deadline will have an advantage.
Of the three clubs mentioned by LeBrun, the Hurricanes are the only ones not using LTIR to be cap-compliant. They also have the most projected trade deadline cap space at $9.2 million.
Depth in prospects will be another factor. In August, The Athletic ranked the Hurricanes prospect pipeline 14th among the 32 clubs with the Avalanche 25th and the Bruins 32nd.
The Hurricanes appear to hold the advantage in cap space and prospect depth. Nevertheless, it will come down to which club makes the best offer. Despite their handicaps, the Bruins or Avs could be more willing to meet whatever asking price the Flames set for Lindholm.
MORE SPECULATION OVER EVGENY KUZNETSOV
LeBrun believes Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov looks like he could use a fresh start. However, he doesn’t see much of a market for him before the March 8 trade deadline because he’s signed through next season with a $7.8 million cap hit. The Capitals could have better luck moving him during the draft when teams have more cap space to work with.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The decline in Kuznetsov’s performance since last season will make it difficult to move him. Even with the cap going up for next season, clubs will be leery about taking on a struggling center who turns 32 next May and carries that kind of cap hit even for one season.
INTEREST GROWING IN JAKE ALLEN
LeBrun reports some teams have interest in Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen. They’ve informed the Habs that they’ll circle back next month to restart trade talks.
LeBrun believes the Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils and Edmonton Oilers have chatted with the Canadiens since the start of the season. He isn’t sure if the Hurricanes have decided for sure if they want a goaltender as they wait for sidelined Frederik Andersen to return. Allen, meanwhile, is signed through next season with a $3.85 million cap hit and a seven-team no-trade clause.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens signed Sam Montembeault to a three-year extension last month while young Cayden Primeau’s performance has been improving of late. That appears to make Allen the odd man out.
Still, Habs GM Kent Hughes seems willing to remain patient while waiting for the right offer. This could carry on through to the March 8 trade deadline.
Boston shouldn’t be mortgaging any of their future prospect or draft picks. If Lindholm is available in the off season, have a look then.
Boston needs two players a forward and defenseman that play with grit. The bruins are an easy team to play against.
They have size, Zacha, Coyle, JVr, Frederick, Geekie, Beecher, Carlo, Forbort, Lindholm but they don’t play physical.
The most physical player on the bruins is Charlie McAvoy.
Put the C on Marchand and now he plays a different game.
Agreed! It’s so strange seeing my Bruins be so soft. Sweeney must be aware of it. He brought Looch back for a reason but I don’t think he plays again.
I think Maroon would be a good fit and wouldn’t cost much.
Would have liked Zadarov on the back end, but he’s already been moved. What other physical defensemen are likely available?
Also, Swayman could make the case for being the Bruins most physical player lately. He’s taken to clearing out his own crease when his D-men can’t be bothered to do it.
I never miss a Bruin game they are just an ok team with above average goaltending. When they are playing their best they can beat anyone last night Winnipeg was by far the better team. Pasta needs some skill to play with maybe bring up one of the kids. Agree Caper don’t sell off youth or picks for rentals make your moves next year. Like the three they are using this year Poitras Beecher and Lohrei great futures. Merry Xmas
Re; Bruin Trade….🤔
I thinlk Boston should be patient this year and get both UFA’s from Calgary on July 1st
if the asking Price is to High for them both and they dont send the young guys over to calgary in a trade…?
This years playoffs would give them a good mesureing stick to see what else they need in Boston
Maybe the Bruins could send over DeBrusk and a 2nd round pick (2026) and defencive prospect for Lindholm. as they have No 1st round picks for the 2024 Tyler Bertuzzi Trade & 2025 draft in
At pressent Boston also have No Cap Space this year $50,000 at pressent…😳
all things dont point to a big trade unless they morgage some of the younger d prospects.
Calgary won’t wait around and not get anything for Hanafin, Lindholm or Tanev unless Conroy has lost his mind, so they will be dealt to the highest bidder before or at the TDL.
Agreed and our trading partner isn’t Boston. The Bruins stink and Calgary isn’t dealing with them. They have nothing to offer us.
My new year Flame predictions
Tanev stays
Lindholm and a conditional pick to Bos for
Beacher a first and Mitchell
Hanifin to Eastern US team
One of the goalies traded
Lol Noah.
As a Penguin fan..would love to seeu Noah hanafin to the Penguins for zjake guentzel.
Star renral for star rental.
We need defense..
Guentzel will want clist to $9 million next year..
Blackngold
After seeing how Graves has worked out, I would be leery about bringing in Hanifin. Maybe it’s Sullivan’s system, because the guys that leave here seem to produce more elsewhere!
Sjpp…you may be right about the system..
Graves was successful in Colorado who plays a up tick style and he was good in New Jersey..
Mind boggling hope he turns it around..
But if we get Hanafin Graves can go to the third pair less pressure..
I think Hanifan is better us he played in Carolina which is a up tempo team.
If you had to trade Guentzel for a defenseman who would u trade for.
Earth to Piere LeBrun, Craig Conroy already offered Elias Lindholm 8 years $72,000,000 so yeah an offer had already been made And he turned it down. Lindholm is 100% gone at the trade deadline.