Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – December 3, 2023
Which clubs might target the Predators’ Tyson Barrie? Could the Oilers look into signing Corey Perry? Are the Leafs trying to land a Flames defenseman? What’s the latest on the Sharks? Check out the latest in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
WHICH CLUBS COULD PURSUE TYSON BARRIE?
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported the Nashville Predators have given permission Tyson Barrie and his agent permission to speak with other clubs about a possible trade. The 32-year-old defenseman was a healthy scratch from Saturday’s game against the New York Rangers. He is 10 games away from 800 career contests and is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.
NASHVILLE HOCKEY NOW: Michael Gallagher looked at four clubs who might pursue a trade for Barrie. The blueliner’s former club, the Edmonton Oilers, topped the list as Gallagher believes reacquiring Barrie would improve the defense in front of their struggling goalies.
Nashville Predators defenseman Tyson Barrie (NHL Images)
The New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders could use more offense from the blueline. Another of Barrie’s former teams is the Toronto Maple Leafs, who could use a right-hand shot on their injury-ravaged defense corps with John Klingberg on long-term injury reserve.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Never say never but I doubt the Oilers or Leafs are interested in bringing back Barrie. The Oilers need a skilled shutdown defenseman while Barrie struggled to find chemistry with the Leafs during his only season in Toronto.
The Devils could be an option with Dougie Hamilton sidelined but they could continue trying out promising call-up Simon Nemec. While the Isles could use more production from their defense, they might not be enamored with his defensive game.
COULD THE OILERS LOOK INTO SIGNING COREY PERRY?
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson assumes Oilers general manager Ken Holland is checking in on Corey Perry, whose contract was terminated last week by the Chicago Blackhawks for unacceptable workplace conduct. He also believes the Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers could be doing the same as they need role-player help.
Matheson pointed out that Holland went out on a limb to sign Evander Kane despite his off-ice baggage. That deal turned into a home run for the Oilers.
The Oilers GM will have to wait until Perry’s completed his substance abuse treatment and will fully investigate why the Blackhawks terminated his contract. If it’s not a serious impediment, Matheson thinks Holland could be all-in on signing him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Perry doesn’t face any criminal charges nor is there any indication he broke the law in what was described as an “alcohol-fueled” situation during a gathering of Blackhawks team employees and corporate partners. He’s also under no suspension by the league and can sign with any club if he wants to return to action.
Perry has a long and productive career, garnering a well-earned reputation as a leader and shift disturber who always elevates his play in the postseason. It wouldn’t be surprising if he lands with another NHL club before the March 8 trade deadline.
LEAFS ATTEMPTED TO ACQUIRE ZADOROV AND TANEV
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Toronto Maple Leafs attempted to acquire Nikita Zadorov and Chris Tanev from the Calgary Flames before Zadorov was traded last week to the Vancouver Canucks.
According to Friedman, the potential deal fell apart because the two sides couldn’t agree on what it would cost the Flames to retain up to 50 percent of the salaries of both players. “The two sides couldn’t figure out that compensation, in addition to just the compensation for the players.”
The Leafs are still searching for help on the blueline. Friedman indicated their preference is for a right-handed shot. He believes they could still be in on Tanev but he has a larger cap hit ($4.5 million) than Zadorov.
Earlier yesterday, Friedman’s colleague Luke Fox opined for the Leafs to continue their pursuit of a Toronto homecoming for Tanev, who will likely be more in demand than Zadorov. He’s a right-shot who could skate alongside Morgan Rielly or Jake McCabe and help improve the Leafs’ penalty kill.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs are still awaiting clarification on John Klingberg’s status regarding his hip ailment. He’s currently on long-term injury reserve but there’s no indication yet how long he’ll be sidelined. If he needs season-ending surgery, it’ll ensure they have the cap space for the remainder of this season to acquire someone like Tanev.
LATEST ON THE SHARKS
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the San Jose Sharks have let it be known that they will consider a lot on the blueline in terms of who might be available and what they’re willing to do. He believes teams will be most interested in Mario Ferraro, who has two more seasons left on his contract with a $3.25 million annual cap hit. Friedman doesn’t think he’s off the table at this time.
SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Lizz Child recently noted The Athletic has Sharks winger Anthony Duclair, goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen and forward Alexander Barabanov among their top-25 trade candidates. She also pointed out that Daily Faceoff has wingers Mike Hoffman and Kevin Labanc among their top 20 trade targets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Other than Ferraro, the rest are eligible for UFA status next summer. The Sharks could retain Ferraro and perhaps even Duclair and Kahkonen if those two are willing to stay if their asking price is reasonable. On the other hand, this is a rebuilding club that’s on the lookout for offers of solid returns that will help them build up their long-term future.
According to an article by Garrioch in the Ottawa Sun, the sputtering Senators hierarchy remain committed to coach D. J. Smith, and I suppose that’s understandable from their point of view in light of the fact Ottawa has played – by far – the fewest games to this point (upwards of 6 games with several teams), and players seem to be unanimous in their thinking that such a spread out start between games does nothing for building consistency. To a man they say they’d rather be playing every other night with the prerequisite back-to-backs here and there. We’ll soon see if that holds up because their December schedule is heavy.
A trade is remote and as Garrioch says “teams have called about Batherson but rhe Senators have zero interest in going that route … Staios has been working the phones and there’s a chance unrestricted free agent Dominik Kubalik will be traded before Pinto is signed to a deal in January.”
Finding takers for pending UFAs Kubalik ($2.5 mil) and Tarasenko ($5 mil) … without big cap hits coming back – would certainly free up the necessary funds, but I’m not holding my breath on that happening. Neither has done anything to this stage to make them attractive to anyone.
Right now they have just $148,333 in cap space for a 21-man roster counting Grieg’s ($863,333) and Kastelic’s ($835,000) cap hits, and both due off IR soon.
Could another trade possibility involve goalie Korpisalo, who has 3 years left at $4 mil per but whose start to the season has been just as abysmal as those of Kubalik and Tarasenko? His career stats (234 gp with Columbus, L.A. and Ottawa with a 3.03 gaa and 0.904 save %) aren’t bad considering the teams he’s had in front of him. Would the Oilers have any interest? The problem there, of course, would be who comes back, since the Oilers are as tight against the cap as Ottawa … and there’s NO way Ottawa takes Campbell.
Problems, problems. problems – LOL.
George,
if and its 50-50 if right now …if he Campbell can get his game back.
it looks like the last 3 games have been good for him….lowing his GA, and getting a shout out on tuesday, he probley need a couple more weeks down there in Bako
they think he will be back in Edmonton for the Hawks game on the Dec 12th…🤔..
I dont think the oil have any intrest in Korpisalo at 4.5 years at $4.M…they are trying to move the same Band contract in goaltender JC
Skinner needs a good back up at $1.M range❓
I think the Sens trade Both there UFA players
Kubalik ($2.5 mil and Vladimir Tarasenko $5.M
well before they try to trade Korpisalo
Good luck with that. Talk about needing a turnaround!
Interesting take George on trading Korpisalo. I don’t think they will go that route. I know there was a lot of speculation on Chabot but can’t see them going there with only one more year left after this year for Chychrun.
It really is annoying that Smith appears safe. There seems to be zero accountability on this team and it looks like 5 individuals on the ice all of the time. Zero structure. Also the fact the players seem to “like” Smith is a bit of an issue. Maybe, as a young team, they need someone that challenges them.
Oh well. Like you said … interesting times.
Seems like Brad tried making things toxic in Calgary so the players would follow him.
Barrie to shore up Oilers defence. Had to laugh at that 😂
BBB,
Yes Tyson Barrie is a bit of a Liability in the d/zone
He is Not coming back to Edmonton thats for
sure…😂
But he is a good on the PP specialist
Watching my Bruins play hockey is an absolute honor they give it all they got game after game
Edmonton seems to like Toronto’s leavings, so maybe a three way trade of some kind involving Tanev to Toronto and Brodie (who I like, despite Leafs fans turning on him very quickly) going to Edmonton.
They’d need to satisfy Calgary and the cap for all three teams.