NHL Rumor Mill – December 27, 2023
Four players most likely to be moved before the March trade deadline, the latest on the goalie market and some recent Flyers speculation as we catch up on the NHL Rumor Mill.
FOUR MOST LIKELY TRADE CANDIDATES
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau recently listed Calgary Flames defenseman Chris Tanev, Anaheim Ducks forward Adam Henrique, San Jose Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen and Chicago Blackhawks center Tyler Johnson as the four players most likely to be moved by the March 8 NHL trade deadline.
Calgary Flames defenseman Chris Tanev (NHL Images).
All four are eligible to become unrestricted free agents next July unless they agree to contract extensions with their current clubs.
Tanev has been linked to the Toronto Maple Leafs and New Jersey Devils. Proteau doesn’t rule out the Colorado Avalanche making a pitch.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avs’ current priority is a second-line center which is why they’ve been recently tied to Calgary’s Elias Lindholm. Still, we can’t dismiss the possibility of adding Tanev to shore up their defense if they have enough cap room to do so.
Proteau suggests the New York Islanders as a fit for Henrique.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lou Lamoriello, who drafted Henrique in 2008 while general manager of the New Jersey Devils, is now the GM of the Isles. Lamoriello does at times reunite with some of his former players.
With San Jose mired at the bottom of the standings, there’s no compelling reason for them to hang onto Kahkonen. He could fetch a couple of draft picks or a decent prospect for the rebuilding Sharks. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks could peddle Johnson for long-term help.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of Johnson, Boston Hockey Now’s Jimmy Murphy cited an NHL executive claiming the Blackhawks have let it be known that the 33-year-old center will be available in the trade market. Murphy suggested he could be a more affordable option to the Bruins if they’re unable to pry Elias Lindholm away from the Flames.
LATEST ON THE GOALIE MARKET
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the Toronto Maple Leafs have dipped its toes into the goaltending market as Ilya Samsonov continues to struggle while Joseph Woll remains sidelined until January. He doesn’t think anything’s imminent and the Leafs are hoping a few days away will help Samsonov as they continue to work with him.
Friedman also said that the teams with a surplus in goalies are hoping to work it to their advantage in the trade market. They’re asking for a lot especially if salary retention is involved.
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks doesn’t see any worthwhile goalies on the market who can help the New Jersey Devils between the pipes. He suggested they shore up a blueline that was weakened by the offseason departures of Damon Severson and Ryan Graves and the recent sidelining of Dougie Hamilton for what could be the rest of the regular season.
Brooks thinks Calgary Flames rearguard Noah Hanifin would be a perfect target while Chris Tanev would also be on their list. He wondered if there would be any way for them to acquire Brady Skjei or Brett Pesce from the Carolina Hurricanes or if they’d have any interest in the Nashville Predators’ Tyson Barrie.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: One of those playoff hopefuls in need of goaltending help could cave and meet the high asking price well before March 8, especially if they’re in danger of missing the postseason. Once that happens it could open the floodgates.
However, some of those clubs could share Brooks’ view about the depth in available goaltending talent and opt instead to bolster their bluelines.
Hanifin and Tanev would draw a lot of attention. So would Skjei or Pesce if the Hurricanes decide to become sellers but I don’t think they’re at that stage yet. As for Barrie, he would help teams seeking offense from the blueline but there might not be much of a market for his style of game right now.
LATEST FLYERS SPECULATION
THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz suggested the possibility of the Philadelphia Flyers becoming buyers as well as sellers at this season’s trade deadline because of their improved performance thus far this season.
He believes Flyers GM Daniel Briere could pull the trigger on Sean Walker and/or Nick Seeler if a team were to offer a first-round pick and/or a prospect for either defenseman. Morgan Frost and Rasmus Ristolainen are also on the trade board and it wouldn’t be surprising if they were dealt.
Meanwhile, the Flyers also carry some late-round draft picks that could be used as trade bait to fill the gaps in their roster after dealing away some of their more talented trade bait.
Kurz doesn’t see Briere trading away any of their promising young player or first-round picks for playoff rental players.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Much will depend on how the rest of the Flyers’ season unfolds. Briere will be a seller if they stumble through the second half and fall out of playoff contention. However, as Kurz suggests, if they’re still in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race leading up to the trade deadline, Briere could see what he can do to help his club reach the postseason without giving up too much of his future to do so.
I read a report that claims every GM knows that Noah Hanifin wants to be a Boston Bruin and that why his name isn’t picking up any tracking.
If that’s the case then any team knows he is a true rental and if they believe Hanifin is enough to push them closer to the cup will make offers.
If the article is true, Boston will have McAvoy, Hanifin, Carlo and Lindholm as their top two pair next season. I would imagine Lohrie would be the third guy on the left side.
Boston doesn’t have the cap space or draft picks and little in the cupboards to do anything this season.
I dont think its a sure thing that he wants to go to Boston, just look at PLD. It makes much more sense for him to go to a club like New Jersey who in the long run will have a much better chance at the cup than Boston. And if its for family reasons Boston comes up, NJ isnt that far away from Boston
Agreed. New Jersey, Long Island, and Philadelphia could offer more, and as you said they are all relatively close to Boston.
If the Bruins are not going to sign any of their UFA Why not trade them this year! I can see a situation that they are sellers even if they make the playoffs!This is not a team I feel that has a chance for the cup as they are constructed ! Maybe they will make deals sooner than the deadline! I think Grez,Forbort,Debrusk,JVR,Lucic,Shattenkirk all areUFA S!
Caper
I hope that rumer is true would be hell of a defence for bruins I also do not think they do much at deadline either. I would make sure that either DeBrusk is resigned or traded at deadline. Can’t lose for zip. Cupboard is to bare
Mrbruin4 what do you see Debrusk value at today?
Having a terrible year offensively but solid defensively.
finishings a 2yr $4m per deal. Presently he not worth $4m per season.
He couldn’t handle the pressure of Cassidy and I don’t think he can handle the pressure of a contract year.
My gamble would be 5yrs @ $5m and hope for a relaxed player with better results of the contract out of the way.
If the Bruins are not going to sign any of their UFA Why not trade them this year! I can see a situation that they are sellers even if they make the playoffs!This is not a team I feel that has a chance for the cup as they are constructed ! Maybe they will make deals sooner than the deadline! I think Grez,Forbort,Debrusk,JVR,Lucic,Shattenkirk all areUFA S!
Caper
I would agree that Debrusk is not worth his contract today . But if he ever gets any consistency 5X 5 may work in the Bruins favour . I would offer no more . If he says no I would move him . I am not a Boston fan .
Caper
That would be it if I was Sweeney. If he passes you gotta move him for futures Could have easily got a 1st last year probably a bit more. This year probably a 2nd and maybe a low prospect if more then 1 team interested
That s 2-2.5 million more than Frederick or Geekie! Is he that much better than those 2?
Caper
That would be it if I was Sweeney. If he passes you gotta move him for futures Could have easily got a 1st last year probably a bit more. This year probably a 2nd and maybe a low prospect if more then 1 team interested
Stever
He is a way better player then both of those players
They have not even sniffed 20 goals
4 mil is the average salary per player per team if you divide the cap per player. Not always about offense, but is he average?
Re;The Bruins UFA Gang
Grez, $3.7M —No
Forbort, $3.M –No
Lucic, $1.M —No
JVR, I could see them brining JVR back as a low cost 3rd/4th liner…? $800, to $900,🤔
Shattenkirk I could see them brining back Shattenkirk as a 6th d/man at minimum $🤔
Debrusk,$4.M ….
27 yr old LW/RW, can score with right centre..?
he is probably going to get a show me deal for 1 year at $3.M…? if he wont sign he will be traded before the deadline….❓🤔
I see them going after Both Calgarys UFA
Local boy Hanifin A 26 yr old LD /man to round out there top 4 is exactly what they need $7.5M
Bruins need a First line centre
29 yr old Elias Lindholm… Hanifins good buddy $8.5M
that leaves the bruins $11M to fill gap’s
2 d/men 5 & 6 d/man 1.8M
3 players for the 3rd & 4th lines 2.5M
= $4.3M
$5.7 mil left……..
Debrusk?
and
RFA Goaltender Swayman..?
They may need to move Centre 31yr old
Charlie Coyle @ $5.M…❓
to have enought cash to sign Swayman & Debrusk
Obviously you need depth to make a run in the playoffs. For the Leafs, some of the players can’t hurt acquiring. However, the best move would be to get a coach that could teach the Leafs proper positioning and play in their own zone.
Detroit needs that same kind of coach – desperately !
Just what the Bruins need a 5’8” 180 lb 33 year old center…
Joe
Don’t think you will have to worry about that happening 😎
I’m not sure I see Kakhonen going anywhere, and I don’t think that he’d be worth more than a 4th or 5th rounder if he did. The Sharks stink defensively, but both Blackwood and Reimer before him showed flashes of brilliance while Kaapo is consistently average, at best.