NHL Rumor Mill – January 12, 2024
The latest on Trevor Zegras, Sam Reinhart, Sean Monahan and Corey Perry in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST ON ZEGRAS
THE ATHLETIC: Eric Duhatschek noted how Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale were once expected to be the cornerstones of the rebuilding Anaheim Ducks. With Drysdale traded earlier this week to Philadelphia, Duhatschek wondered about Zegras’ future in Anaheim.
The Ducks now have promising depth at center in Leo Carlsson and Mason McTavish. Zegras, meanwhile, has had a difficult season. He missed training camp due to his contract talks, was sidelined by an injury for 20 games and is now on the shelf for weeks with a broken ankle.
Despite Zegras’ offensive skills and charisma, he’s prone to penalties and undisciplined defensive play, which doesn’t fit into the style of game general manager Pat Verbeek wants his team to play.
Duhatschek suggested that Zegras could have value in a slumping market like San Jose that needs an attraction. “So, it’s easy to imagine a scenario in which the Ducks move on from Zegras, if the right deal came along.”
TVA SPORTS: Jean-Charles Lajoie believes the Montreal Canadiens should get into the Zegras derby if the Ducks decide to peddle him. He cited the 22-year-old’s two 60-plus point campaigns before this season.
Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras (NHL Images).
Lajoie doesn’t think Zegras would fit the profile that Canadiens management is looking for with their rebuilding process. Nevertheless, he thinks they should look into it citing in part the young center’s affordable contract.
The Habs are loaded with promising young defensemen. Lajoie wondered if Verbeek might be interested in an offer with Arber Xhekaj as part of the deal. He suspects the Canadiens’ 2024 first-round pick would have to come under consideration.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier this week, TSN’s Darren Dreger said the Ducks weren’t shopping Zegras and were working with him to improve his overall game. That was before Zegras’ latest injury.
Dreger also mentioned that this situation could be worth monitoring as it could come to a head during the summer. Given how things have gone for Zegras, it wouldn’t be surprising if Verbeek will be willing to entertain offers for an offseason deal.
Canadiens fans desperate for their rebuilding club to bolster its offense will want them to pursue Zegras. As Lajoie pointed out, however, the Habs could prefer adding someone who isn’t a one-dimensional scorer, which is what Zegras is right now in his career. He has plenty of time to develop his overall game but I don’t think he’s the type of player that fits into their program.
REINHART COULD BE NEXT MAJOR UFA RE-SIGNING
TSN: Pierre LeBrun speculates Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart could be the next notable pending UFA to sign a contract extension.
The 28-year-old Reinhart might be worth between $10-$11 million elsewhere. However, LeBrun anticipates he’ll get a deal worth under teammate Matthew Tkachuk’s $9.5 million average annual value because the Panthers play in a market with no state tax.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the start of this season, Reinhart and Panthers general manager Bill Zito expressed their mutual willingness to reach an agreement on an extension. At the time, it sounded as though they would wait until the end of this season to engage in serious talks.
Reinhart’s career has taken off since joining the Panthers and he wants to stay in Florida. His current average annual value is $6.5 million. On pace for a 60-goal season, he could get well over $10 million annually on the open market. However, he could be happy with something between $9 million and $9.4 million annually from the Panthers.
MONAHAN COULD BE IN DEMAND
TSN: Darren Dreger said he wouldn’t be surprised if Sean Monahan is among the first forwards to be moved before the March 8 trade deadline. The 29-year-old Montreal Canadiens center is healthy and having a decent season.
Dreger noted the Canadiens have an agreement with Monahan that they would trade him to a contending team when the time is right or to a club of his choice. Teams that could require a top-two or top-three centerman include the Colorado Avalanche, Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers and Washington Capitals.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was plenty of interest in Monahan in 2022-23 before he suffered a season-ending injury. I daresay he’ll be among the players who’ll draw plenty of attention as the deadline draws near.
Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes has a reputation for being patient in the trade market. He could wait until deadline day itself to find the right return for Monahan.
INTEREST IN PERRY
ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reports several teams are exploring the possibility of signing free-agent Corey Perry. The 38-year-old winger is allowed to speak with other clubs following a recent meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Interested clubs will want to sign Perry before the March 8 trade deadline for him to be eligible to play in the postseason. If he signs after that date, he can only skate in regular-season games.
Jets #1 need is a center capable of second line duty and can play the powerplay. I don’t see any way the Jets don’t pick up a center. Monahan could work, they might even look at signing Parise.
Lowry is a lot of things but he is not a substitute for Schiefele on the #1 powerplay.
Lindholm?
Lindholm would fit, however, its just not Chevy’s style to give up the assets it takes for a top rental player set to be UFA.
He will be looking at the center who is 3rd, 4th, 5th on the list of available centers, and maybe outside the box.
He won’t part with McGroarty, Lambert is likely the top of his price range. I think the 2024 32nd overall draft pick is in play
I have a hard time seeing Detroit making it, team just isn’t good enough. Does that mean Kane will be moved?
Y is contemplating whether to buy or sell. If he waits any longer, it will be sell. This defense is non-existent and cannot help this team to win against the playoff teams.
Interesting that Monahan may have a say in where he goes. Might limit the return if that is the case. And judging from the amount of teams that could use a guy like him, the return could be good.
Count EDM as a team that could use him due to his versatility. Kane was dragging down the #1 line with McDavid, so they played him with Draisaitl, and that line played worse. So they moved McLeod up with Draisaitl, and the line took off for a few games as McLeod can create space with his wheels and the puck on his stick, and get pucks back on the forecheck. Plus he is great defensively, which is not Drai’s strong suite.
Now a hole at 3C when you do that. A guy like Monahan provides flexibility at 3C or in the top 6 on the wing.
Would he go there, he played in AB for years? Sure, WTF not, good a chance as any team at the moment IMO.
Perry probably wants to go to a contender, but I’d love the Sens to grab a player like that. A proven vet, who has an edge to his game. Sens need a lot of things, but a guy liken that and a big solid R handed D are the biggest things this team is lacking.
Bruins need a guy like Perry. They have several rookies and Perry could help them improve by his watching his style of play. He is a force in front of the net.
Perry is 38 what is his runway ? A couple of years including this one tops
I think Zegras is a fit in MTL . If you recall him and Caufield had some real chemistry with the US junior team
The Ducks have the Ont, Quebec and Western Canada defence-man of the year last year. Don’t think that is a position of great need and likely why Drysdale was eventually moved.
Re; Zegras derby….❓
if the Ducks decide to trade the 22-yr old he has 2 60-plus point campaigns before this season.
The Habs have lots young defensemen.
when young 3rd paring d Arber Xhekaj is in the line up they play much better this kids is a tough as Nails and will go with anyone….@ 6ft4 and 238lb…..
with him in the line up they all play much better,
He dose have to work on his d game but he is young…..@22 yrs old 👍