NHL Rumor Mill – January 1, 2024
More on the Leafs’ goaltending situation plus the latest Senators speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHAT NEXT FOR THE LEAFS’ GOALTENDING?
TORONTO STAR: Kevin McGran believes Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving is considering his goaltending options after placing the struggling Ilya Samsonov on waivers yesterday. Martin Jones will fill the starter’s job as the Leafs await the return of sidelined netminder Joseph Woll, who is weeks away.
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov (NHL Images)
Given Samsonov’s difficulties this season, he’s expected to clear waivers and report to the Leafs’ AHL affiliate. It’s expected they’ll continue working with him during his tenure with the Marlies to help him improve his game.
The Leafs could call up Dennis Hildeby or Keith Petruzelli from the Marlies. They could also claim Eric Comrie off waivers from the Buffalo Sabres or fill the void with a trade. The options are few and far between in the trade market. McGran noted that Jake Allen of the Montreal Canadiens and former Leaf James Reimer of the Detroit Red Wings are believed to be available for the right price.
THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel also weighed in on possible goalie trade targets for the Leafs. He pondered whether they could land a “big bet” netminder such as Calgary’s Jacob Markstrom, Columbus’ Elvis Merzlikins or Anaheim’s John Gibson.
In addition to Allen, Comrie and Reimer, Siegel also mentioned such options as San Jose’s Kaapo Kahkonen and Nashville’s Kevin Lankinen, as well as unrestricted free agent Jaroslav Halak.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday that the Leafs are reluctant to acquire a goalie right now as they hope to ride it out with Jones as their starter. They want to work with Samsonov to improve his performance. They could call up Hildeby for one or two games as well.
If the Leafs go the trade route they’ll likely pursue an affordable short-term option. They lack the cap space to land someone such as Markstrom, Merzlikins and Gibson, who each earn over $5 million annually on long-term contracts. Markstrom has a full no-movement clause while the other two have partial no-trade clauses. It’s believed that every Canadian team is on Gibson’s no-trade list.
LATEST ON THE SENATORS
OTTAWA SENATORS: Now that Steve Staios is the full-time general manager of the Senators, Bruce Garrioch believes Staios and his new staff will make plans on what roster moves they might want to make before the March 8 trade deadline. Staios is reportedly looking to add some veteran toughness and leadership to their third and fourth lines.
Garrioch also noted that Staios and his staff have no history with core players such as Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Josh Norris, Drake Batherson, Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot and Shane Pinto. They won’t be afraid to make changes among that group if necessary.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I doubt we’ll see any major shakeup to the Senators’ core by the trade deadline if they decide to become sellers. They’ll move out pending unrestricted free agents such as Vladimir Tarasenko and Dominik Kubalik.
If (and that’s a big “if” at this stage) they shop a core player or two it’ll likely happen during this summer when teams have more cap space and willingness to make big trades. Of that group listed by Garrioch, I think Norris, Chabot and Pinto would be the more likely trade candidates unless any of the others start asking to be moved.
Happy New Year!
Is it me, or is half this league dealing with mediocre or worse goaltending? Is this the result of expanding too fast or offensive skills maturing to the point that goaltending is just going to suffer? Training and equipment seem to be cutting edge. I can’t make sense of it.
I would say all of the above plus some things.
– Equipment changes
– More teams, but that is a minor thing
– Offensive skills from 1st to 4th line, before mainly on top two lines
– Rule changes to promote offence
– Analytics that shows what we new but now proved, this impact plays
– Better sticks and players stronger to use the sticks better
etc etc
Also having watched hockey for the past 70 year or so; the game today is like watching women’s hockeymeven at times women’s hockey has more contact. Today we see cream puffs dancing around weaving though defences without being touched and making spectacular plays…of course they will keep doing doing so and the media make them little god cream puffs
We need more Ryan Reaves in this game and less Connors! Stupid cream puffs ruining hockey. It’s almost like a real sport now that skill is being showcased over brawn.
Teams are not drafting goalies for talent or performance anymore, but for size (height). Acrobatic goaltenders have been downtrending for butterfly lanks and those butterfly lanks are now getting globally exposed.
If teams out there go back to picking talented acrobatic goaltenders, the position will stabilize since it’ll allow for the development of more goaltenders. But I believe this down trend is the result of every team just wanting a “big idiot” back there that shots hit rather than making saves.
Getting to see Jonathan Quick regularly now, speaks to that athleticism, and acrobatics. To me, it is very evident how he patterns himself to Mike Richter. He hurt the RANGERS, big time, in 2014, but I am glad to have him backing up Igor.
If the Jackets trade Elvis, it won’t be anytime soon. There is no one in the system ready to step up to full time starter. Tarasov is getting close, but needs a few more games to show coaches and the front office that he’s ready AND put his injury history behind him. Jet Greaves may be the long term answer, but needs to stay in Cleveland for, at least, this year where he can be The Man and develop.
What’s that saying “New year, new me”!
How about for the Leafs, new year, new coach!
Coaching is the Leafs problem. A fair, but not good, blueline and so-so to Samsonov goaltending is their problem. And will be while they’re spending half their cap space on four forwards. You can thank the Shanaplan.
Goaltending is a concern thourghout the NHL,
lots of poor to mediocre Starters out there and not much on the market for a true #1 available
Lots of Team looking for a #1 Starter.
3 main teams Looking Now….Leafs, NJD, Carolina,
&
looking at draft for 2024/25 season…
Red Wings, CBJ, Chicago, Ottawa,
Value of Tenders is going to go Way Up this year..❓
like Bostons 30 yr old Linus Ullmark who is the Best Goaltender thats going to be avalable in the next 12 months before he becomes a UFA….🤔
What could Boston ask for in a trade for a
#1 Starting Goaltender like him…..⁉️
-A 1st pick & A 2nd pick
-A Top forward Prospect
-A Top Defence Prospect
and Or
-A Top young Goaltening Prospect
thoughts…….
I would think that would narrow down the market to NJ, Carolina, and Edmonton, which might not create as much of a bidding war.
Goalies are a hit/miss position as why the 1A/1B combo’s we see now and no team is that desperate for a unpredictable outcome for that kind of price.
Edmonton has a #1 in Skinner❗️
Oilers are 13 and 2 in the past 15 games….👌
That leaves
Leafs, Carolina, & NJD
All need a starter….. if the want to go anywhere in the playoffs
Hockey is turning soft for sure but the players are bigger stronger faster. Off season in old days they drank beer and spent time at lake now they are in the gym. Personally my favorite era was late 80,s early 90,s they could do it all. Bruins by far have the best goaltending in the league not sure that turns into cup but won’t hurt. Happy New Year everyone