NHL Rumor Mill – January 10, 2024
Could the Ducks trade Trevor Zegras? Will the Senators shop Jakob Chychrun? Could Penguins winger Jake Guentzel hit the trade block? What’s the latest on Sharks forwards Tomas Hertl and Logan Couture? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli updated his NHL Trade Targets list on Tuesday, adding several notable new names.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: You can see the entire list by following the link. I’m not including everyone as most of the names, such as Calgary’s Elias Lindholm, Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin, have already frequently appeared in the rumor mill this season and will likely continue to do so leading up to the March 8 trade deadline. Today, I’m more interested in the new players on Seravalli’s list.
Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras (NHL Images).
In the wake of the Anaheim Ducks shipping Jamie Drysdale to the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday for Cutter Gauthier, Seravalli wondered if Trevor Zegras could be next. He noted that Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek has put together a solid prospect base with Gauthier, Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish, Pavel Mintyukov and Lukas Dostal.
Seravalli had Zegras sitting at No. 4 on his list. He cited sources claiming Verbeek mentioned Zegras in trade discussions this season though it’s unclear how far those talks went. He thinks the 22-year-old center doesn’t mesh with the style of play Verbeek envisions for the Ducks, citing their tough contract talks that saw Zegras miss training camp.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Darren Dreger last night indicated Zegras isn’t being shopped but there had been some level of interest in the young forward. He believes the Ducks will continue to work on improving Zegras’ overall game but suggested this situation could come to a head in the offseason.
Ottawa Senators defenseman Jakob Chychrun sits at No. 10. Less than a year after being acquired from the Arizona Coyotes, Seravalli reports teams have expressed an interest in the 25-year-old defenseman and the Senators haven’t told them that he’s not available. They have a log jam in left-shot defensemen with Chychrun, Thomas Chabot and Jake Sanderson.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chychrun was acquired by former Senators general manager Pierre Dorion. New GM Steve Staios isn’t beholden to any players acquired by his predecessor. He may not be shopping Chychrun but, understandably, he’s willing to at least listen to offers. Despite the Senators’ struggles this season, however, there’s no indication that he wants out of Ottawa.
St. Louis Blues center Kevin Hayes checks in at No. 15. Seravalli believes his improved play could make him enticing in the trade market if the Blues would retain half of the $3.57 million of his $7.14 million cap hit that they’re carrying. He could fetch a decent return from a playoff contender.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues are still in the chase for a Western Conference wild-card berth. I daresay they’ll hang onto Hayes if they’re in a playoff spot by March 8. He’s still carrying a 12-team no-trade clause which could complicate things.
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov is at No. 20. If Joseph Woll regains his early-season form on his return from an ankle injury, the Leafs could move Samsonov to another club that thinks he can reboot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Anything’s possible, I suppose, but the fact Samsonov recently cleared waivers says all we need to know about his potential trade value. No NHL club will touch him unless his performance improves or the Leafs add a lot of sweeteners in the deal.
Sitting at No. 25 is Jake Guentzel of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Seravalli said the 29-year-old pending free-agent left winger isn’t in play yet with the Penguins having clawed their way back into the wild-card race in the Eastern Conference. If they fall out of the chase, however, Guentzel might become available.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Guentzel’s situation could be worth monitoring if the Penguins stumble. As Seravalli pointed out, he could become the most prized rental player in the trade market by March 8.
LATEST ON HERTL AND COUTURE
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports he’s not sure a whole lot will happen with San Jose Sharks forwards Tomas Hertl and Logan Couture by the March 8 trade deadline.
He spoke with Hertl yesterday following the Sharks’ morning skate and he’s focused on helping his team and being a good leader rather than on the trade deadline. Couture, meanwhile, is centered more on returning from an injury than the trade deadline.
LeBrun noted that Hertl has a full no-movement clause. Couture has three more years left on his contract but LeBrun believes he’s the type of leadership player that could have a few teams calling about.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: LeBrun also addressed Hertl and Couture in his column with The Athletic, suggesting any conversation about their futures is more likely to occur in the summer. They’re both carrying term on expensive contracts with no-trade protection. Moving those types of players rarely takes place leading up to the trade deadline.
UPDATES ON THE FLYERS
TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Philadelphia Flyers are hoping to get more interest in defensemen Sean Walker and Nick Seeler. They’re still willing to retain 50 percent of their average annual values.
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey believes more moves are coming for the Flyers following their acquisition of Jamie Drysdale from the Anaheim Ducks. They now have eight defensemen on their roster.
Bailey noted that Walker has been the subject of trade speculation for some time. He pointed out that Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicated Rasmus Ristolainen is a target of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He also cited a recent report by Friedman indicating that at least one team attempted to acquire Walker and Seeler.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flyers GM Daniel Briere remains focused on his rebuilding plans despite his club being in the thick of the playoff chase. Adding Drysdale could make it easier for him to part with Walker or Seeler. Both carry affordable cap hits and if the Flyers are willing to retain half it could make them easier to peddle.
As for Ristolainen, the only way I see him moving is if the Flyers retain half of his $5.1 million AAV through 2027 or they get a player with an equivalent cap hit in return. Otherwise, that’s a move they try to make in the offseason.
Hayes only cost the Blues $3M+ as the Flyers are still on the hook for the other half, still. So if the blues retain more of that salary, Hayes could be rather appealing to someone else. Just keep him away from your unsigned prospects!!!!!! LOL
Can’t skate and plays soft for his size …appealing to whom?
Aren’t you the same guy who called Dylan Larkin a punk? Furthermore didn’t you also say his child dying during birth was karma for his behaviour on ice? I think I’ll take your assessment of Hayes with a huge grain of salt.
He did, Craig. A one semi-sentence guy without sentience.
Yet the feller still gets the reward of people reacting to his comments. Two of them. Dang. Now three!
I’m not an Ed fan either, but he’s right that Hayes has slow feet.
Edmonton Oiler Need to add one of the following positions as Ryan McLeod can slot into both
A 3-C or A 2-RW position
Connor Brown has been a flop as 2- RW
for the 3-C spot
if the Oilers offer something intresting and get the blues to retain some Salary on big centre Kevin Hayes
would be very intresting to see him as 3-c in Edmonton……š¤
They would have to Ship $5.M Jack Campbell and
A 1st pick and a Top Prospect like Dylan Hollaway and
or Centre Xavier Bourgault to get a trade done.. ā
If Philly wants a lesser cap hit then a Holl for Risto could be in order…..Of course this comes with the danger of having a lesser D-man! š
Bruinsā¦. If Lucic is done then the Bruins need to add Nicolas Deslauriers & Ross Johnson ā¦ their top players have no protection
Hey Joe,
Would love to see Nic Deslauriers in Ottawa…š
That would stop young Thachuck from Haveing to Fight Everyone then he could focus more on playing top 6……
Mr.Staios get on it…ā
Been a Nic fan for a while
So the Sens acquire Chychrun for a first and two seconds and get a first pairing 25 year old D with a cap hit of 4.5 million and they are trying to move him less than a year later?
I suppose he’d be expendable because no one is biting on Chabot at 8 million, and if they do the deal will be a low return and retained $. Seems like the Sens stagger from one mistake to another.
and yet fans were all over the Oilers for not acquiring him.
I think you need to re-read the article and Lyle’s blurb. Nowhere did it say “they are trying to move him” it was merely noted that some teams have expressed interest and Lyle added that Staios is not necessarily beholden to any player Dorion was part of.
Chabot would be the one to move before July1 when his NTC kicks in. Maybe they will have a shot in June to do just that!
As a pens fan I can only dream that if they bottom out they trade Jake for a decent haul and do the dream resign him in the offseason move. But for the life of meā¦ maybe you fellows can help me outā¦ how many times has that actually ever happened?
I don’t get to see Senators that often. I don’t understand the talk of moving Chycrun. Watching him when he was with Arizona, seemingly any team would want him; however, his health was always in question. Same thing with Debrincat. Quick to want to move on from these guys despite giving up a lot to get them. What is with Ottawa? Someone enlighten me. George O not around to respond but don’t get that team? Seems like a lot of potential and really good young players. Like the way they play, too but disappointing this year. I thought they would be much better than they are. I was wrong on them and Buffalo. I expected them to rise dramatically.
Ever been to Ottawa? Buffalo? Western Canada? Then you have you’re answer.
You are 20 years old, have the world on a string, make a min of 5 million a year and can play wherever you want – are you choosing Ottawa? Buffalo? Calgary, Edmonton? Same with Detroit or Minnesota – would you go there if you are not from there?
Of course no one would. These players have a shelf life and they are figuring out they dont want to rot on a shelf in Ottawa, Buffalo, most of Canada, Columbus, Minny and crime ridden Detroit for half their careers.
The NHLPA is gonna make sure they get paid whether they play their contract in heaven or hell so why not force their way to where they want to play? Tell me the travel isnt a problem for the west coast canadian teams. Tell me you have ever woken up in a city where it get to -35 on the regular or you have to travel 1000 miles to get to your closest game in February?
If you have a choice you are choosing a locale where there are golf courses and beaches and no taxes and you can drive your convertible daily – every time over at least 8 NHL cities.
Dont blame DeBrincat. Or Chychryn. Blame the agents and NHLPA for getting the players everything while not considering what happens to the outreaches of NHL where they have overpay to make them stay.
Wow, I guess we know how you feel about our country. Could you be anymore obtuse?
Also… can you then explain to me the MANY MANY MANY players that have signed on long term in both Ottawa and Winnipeg?
I also love your hyperbolic “no one signs in those cities” like gtfo with those type of statements.
Cheveldayoff says “hold my beer…”
Scheifele ā
Hellebuyck ā
And everyone says nobody wants to play in Winnipeg. LOL
Gotta ask your question to you LJ14, have you ever been to any of those cities? By your comments I am doubting you have.
Ya, gets cold here in Edmonton sometimes, hit us yesterday for the first time this winter. Minus 30 is rare, get hit for a week or two and it goes away. Most of the time it’s just fine, and yes we spend plenty of time outdoors in the winter here, I dare say more than our neighbors to the south.
It gets a little cold you dress for it, big whoop.
Since I live in EDM I will speak on the Oil. Nurse just signed a long term extension, Hyman chose Edmonton, Ekholm and his wife were thrilled to come here from Nashville, McDavid signed for longer than he had too and I would bet a nut he signs an extension here.
Canada is a great place to live just that simple. Folks who do are happy they do. We’re healthy and happy group up here, hence we live longer. Come on up and check out the Canadian Rockies, winter or summer, you will luv it LJ14. Golf and hike in the summer, ski in the winter.
You might be missing out, depends what you want outta life I guess. I’ll take western Canada all day, every day.
Whatās missing here is the desire to be a big fish in a little pond or a pretty small fish in a big pond. That twenty year old making (elc maximum aināt close to 5 mil buddy) in la? Heās practically a nothing. Same dude in those cities you mentioned is a stud. It comes to personal preference. Canada does have a lot of players putting them on their ntc. But itās probably taxes. Weather. Travel away from family if they are American. Politics.
I like what the kid in Ana now did. He didnāt go public. He allowed Philly to get value. But he knew he had options in a couple years and didnāt have to play for Philly. It would have cost him a year or two of nhl play or a to put it another way a lot of money. So Iām sure he didnāt take it lightly. Plus risk of career ending injury. One of the biggest black eyes the nhl has is that junior players donāt have the same choice. Itās embarrassing. And disgraceful.
Again, nowhere does it say that Ottawa wants to move on from Chychrun. It was merely stated or speculated that teams have interest. Lyle then commented that there is no knowing how loyal Staios is to Dorion’s players.
RE: Debrincat, he made it quite clear he did not want to stay in Ottawa, so Dorion’s big fault there was giving up too much for a guy that had only one year left on a contract before becoming UFA. Dorion HAD to trade to get at least something for him.
Now the why they play like absolute shite? I have no idea anymore. Such a culture of losing there that they seem to have forgotten how to win. They need a new fresh coach and possibly a small shake up in the roster.
My wish is that Chabot could be the one to be moved, but that horrific contract and his subpar play and his injury history makes that a slim possibility.
LJ 14 better take a “chill pill”. I lived and grew up in Rochester NY an definitely lived in those harsh winter conditions. I think if I made $5Mil per year, I could handle it!!! I guess your point is they don’t want to be there? perhaps you are right. The flip side of that is they might be in on something good happening in Ottawa at some point just surprised that they haven’t made strides in that direction? I’d rather be in Ottawa or Buffalo as a hockey player than Arizona where they have to play in band box?
I ll take the co Edās at Arizona State over Ottawa and Buffalo any day!And play in the band box also!
If managing an NHL team was easy there would be fewer teams that go several years without sniffing a cup run. The draft and the cap give huge advantages to teams that lose, so it is fair to say that those that lose consistently have to work at it. Every city with a franchise has virtues; the love the players receive from the fans during a cup run magnifies them.
And in some the virtues are subtle; perhaps the ability to go to go a nice restaurant and not be hounded or face a press corps you can count on you fingers outweigh the benefits of year around golf.
Agree Richard, not all players are the same, just like not all people are. I don’t begrudge any player for wanting to play closer to his family or in his home country. For some it matters, for others not so much. It’s not like it’s for all year, and plus your playing career is over at a relatively young age and you can live wherever you want. IMO you would want to make the most of it by having success and having a great experience. But that’s me.
What I would guess is unanimous for what players “prefer”; Good team on the ice, good organization that values it’s players as people, good culture among the players, close to your team mates.
After that it probably varies from guy to guy.
Out here in the real world the #2 reason people leave their jobs is they don’t think the company they work for will be successful and isn’t making progress.
#1 is their boss is an A-hole.
Would it be smart for the Bruins to look at Corey Perry
Joe
Yes it would be very smart
As for players not wanting to go to Canada and Buffalo etc I have lived in USA and Canada. Canada is simply better place to live and raise a family regardless of the city you live in IMHO