NHL Rumor Mill – December 6, 2023
The latest on Predators defenseman Tyson Barrie, more suggested blueline trade targets for the Leafs, an update on Oilers rearguard Philip Broberg and the Devils need to improve their goaltending in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST ON BARRIE
NASHVILLE HOCKEY NOW: Michael Gallagher cites Predators general manager Barry Trotz expressing his unhappiness with Tyson Barrie during a recent interview with Nashville’s 102.5 The Game.
Trotz was upset that Barrie’s agent leaked the news that the Predators permitted him to speak with other clubs about a trade for his client. He noted that “only four people” knew about that conversation before it was reported, adding that he was 100 percent certain it hadn’t come from the team.
Nashville Predators defenseman Tyson Barrie (NHL Images)
The Predators GM said he wasn’t pleased with the way Barrie handled it, going on to criticize his play during this season. “He has to be a good player for us so he can be a good player for anybody in the league if we do decide to move him.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see how this affects Barrie’s trade value as well as Trotz’s efforts to move him.
THE ATHLETIC: Shayna Goldman looked at five possible trade destinations for Barrie. The Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, Winnipeg Jets, Chicago Blackhawks and Calgary Flames could be in the market for a puck-moving defenseman.
The Stars need to add someone to take some of the workload off Miro Heiskanen. The Devils could use some help with Dougie Hamilton sidelined indefinitely. The Jets and Blackhawks need to bolster their power play while the Flames need some offense.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars, Devils and Jets are possible playoff contenders. They could be the most willing to acquire a rental player like Barrie, who’s eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. The Blackhawks could be more in the market for another forward with Taylor Hall done for the season while the Flames appear to be in sell mode.
MORE SUGGESTED BLUELINE TRADE TARGETS FOR THE LEAFS
THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel looked at possible trade options to improve the Toronto Maple Leafs’ defense corps.
His categorized list includes Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev of the Calgary Flames, David Savard and Mike Matheson of the Montreal Canadiens, Jake Middleton and Jon Merrill of the Minnesota Wild, Jakob Chychrun of the Ottawa Senators, Erik Gudbranson of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Ilya Lyubushkin of the Anaheim Ducks, and Sean Walker of the Philadelphia Flyers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tanev has been linked the most to the Leafs. Lyubushkin and Walker have also been mentioned by others as suggested options for the Leafs but there’s no indication they have a serious interest in either guy. Merrill could become available if the Wild fail to climb back into the playoff race.
The Canadiens could trade Savard to Toronto given his lack of a no-trade clause but I don’t think they’re interested in doing that as they value his experience and leadership. Siegel admits it’s unlikely Middleton, Matheson or Chychrun become available. He doesn’t advocate pursuing Gudbranson but pointed out Leafs GM Brad Treliving likes players with size and has a past connection to him.
OILERS DENY BROBERG TRADE REQUEST RUMOR
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited a report yesterday by Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli saying the Oilers granted permission for Philip Broberg’s camp to seek a trade.
However, Oilers GM Ken Holland said he has not given Broberg’s agent Darren Ferris consent to speak with other clubs. Ferris, meanwhile, replied that this reflects his and his client’s frustration with the Oilers. “I’m actively collaborating with Ken to address and resolve the issue privately.”
TSN’s Ryan Rishaug said the two sides spoke frequently in recent days but things seemed to have boiled over on Tuesday. Staples believes moving Broberg could come back to haunt the Oilers as he thinks they don’t know what they have yet with the young defenseman.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Broberg, 22, spent the last two seasons bouncing between the Oilers and their AHL affiliate in Bakersfield. He’s seen action in just 10 games thus far this season.
I agree there’s a risk here that Broberg could go on to shine with another NHL club. However, it sounds like he and his agent don’t believe he’s going to get his opportunity with the Oilers. If so, Holland might not have much choice but to peddle him for the best possible return, which isn’t likely to be high right now given his difficulties in cracking the lineup.
WILL THE DEVILS PURSUE A GOALIE?
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli believes the New Jersey Devils need to upgrade their goaltending and soon if they hope to be Stanley Cup contenders this season.
Seravalli doesn’t have much confidence in Vitek Vanecek and believes Akira Schmid still has a long way to go. Given the absence of defenseman Dougie Hamilton to a torn pectoral and the blueline’s already inconsistent play this season, he doesn’t think their current goaltenders can bail them out.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald has reportedly been shopping around for a reliable starting goalie since the summer. He was believed to have an interest in Connor Hellebuyck before the latter re-signed with the Winnipeg Jets.
It’s thought Fitzgerald has been eyeing clubs currently carrying three netminders like the Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings. However, there’s no certainty that he’s going to pursue a trade with those teams. The Devils GM could be forced to wait in the hope that better goalie options become available.
“The Ottawa Senators have made a change to their coaching staff — but it’s an addition, not a subtraction. They’ve turned to a familiar face, hiring Jacques Martin as a senior advisor to their coaching staff.”
It seems that Smith’s replacement is now in house, if needed!
Chychrun? Savard? Matheson? trade possibilities to the Leafs?
I don’t know who this Siegel is, but what makes him think Ottawa or Montreal would deal away those three to anyone – let alone Toronto which has absolutely nothing in the way of even reasonably “disposable” assets that would make either team immediately better?
Par for the course when it comes to Leafs pundits. They believe everyone wants to trade to them and that every players wants to play for them and there is magical money and cap space to get it all done…
Par for the course is right. These are not rumors these are dumb lazy suggestions anyone on here can make. Sports writers are sad.
Broberg? Wasn’t he a top ten draft pick? Man the Oilers have an elite front office.
I realize that Broberg is still quite young but it’s still worrisome that he hasn’t been able to crack the oilers shaky defense. I still wouldn’t trade him.
In the same game, he can make a great play followed by a real boneheaded play. There are questions about his hockey IQ as well.
Ian Mitchell for Broberg.
Mitchell is already in the NHL. Broberg might be a bust.
I don’t think he is. Just takes some of the big ones longer to get there.
I don’t know much about Mitchell other than he’s from the Edmonton area and he was a 2nd round pick of the Blackhawks (LOL I just looked him up on Hockeydb).
Howard agreed 100%
this kid is still very young at 22 yrs old and the Oilers Best LD prospect he skates very well fast and smooth but still looks lost out there when you watch him live at games, He is still learning and Paul Coffey will be a Great teacher for young Broberg if he want to learn from a Master …..🤔
Oilers current Top 3 LD are
1st -Elkhom,
2nd -Nurse,
3rd -Kulak
The right side is not as strong as the LD Side
1st Ceci
(needs) to get traded out and get a beter D partner for Nurse
2nd Bouchard
3rd Vincent Desharnais
That leaves young LD Broberg as the 7th d/man❓
Both Elkhom and Kulak can play RD, but both strong sides are LD….
Devils don’t need Barrie, their defensive play is leaky enough. And prospect Simon Nemec has looked just fine in filling in for Hamilton
Devils need a top goalie, John Gibson maybe? Saros?
Boston just brought Mitchell up from Providence to showcase him for a potential trade!
Barrie is not a fit on the Jets either. Jets PP is going to be fine with the in house talent and with Heinola coming off ir soon seeing PP time.
Nate Schmitt has been a healthy scratch a few times lately, don’t see the jets picking up another like him.
Gibson has a 10-team no-trade clause plus a $6.4 million cap hit through 2026-27 that’s difficult to move in a season with a flattened salary cap. As for Saros, Predators GM Barry Trotz has already said he intends to open contract extension talks next summer.
If Nashville does move a goalie it will be Kevin Lankinen. Barry Trotz wants to keep Saros and groom Askarov to be his replacement.
Lankinen is a UFA at the end of this season, so he could be a trade chip at the TDL.
“However, Oilers GM Ken Holland said he has not given Broberg’s agent Darren Ferris consent to speak with other clubs.”
Sure, but why not ask the actual guy in charge and see what Jeff Jackson has to say about it?
This was a rogue agent and Kevin Weeks jumping the gun before doing any fact-checking. You know something isn’t right when Kevin Weeks is the first out with the news.
Agree Mike those should be the 2 targets, perhaps a call to the Bruins as well should be in order