NHL Rumor Mill – January 17, 2024
A look at the goalie market plus the latest on Jake Guentzel and Steven Stamkos in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHAT DOES THE NHL GOALIE MARKET LOOK LIKE?
NHL NETWORK: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman looked at how the goaltender market is shaping up ahead of the March 8 trade deadline.
Friedman noted that it’s now common knowledge that the relationship between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Elvis Merzlikins has gone sideways. He thinks most clubs weren’t surprised by this and probably already knew he was available.
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (NHL Images).
Merzlikin’s contract ($5.4 million average annual value through 2026-27) would be a complicated trade. There’s a price for the goalie as well as a price to convince the Blue Jackets to retain part of his salary.
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports there are no takers for Merzlikins right now. That’s in part because of his contract but he also has to improve his play to reignite his market value before the trade deadline.
THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline acknowledged those factors raised by Friedman and LeBrun. Nevertheless, he listed the New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes, Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks as four potential trade destinations.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols examined the pros and cons of whether Merzlikins would be a good fit with the Devils. However, he cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli expressing his doubts that the Blue Jackets will be able to move the goaltender for the same reasons as noted by Friedman and LeBrun.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch pointed out that not many teams can afford Merzlikin’s contract and it’s unlikely the Blue Jackets will retain any part of it. “We’re told the market is thin because teams with goaltending issues aren’t sure Merzlikins is the answer.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: To be blunt, Merzlikins is not the answer. He’s done nothing over the past two seasons that would make any club want to pony up assets to add him to their roster and salary-cap payroll.
That could change if Merzlikins gets more starts in the coming weeks and performs well. That could prompt a desperate general manager to take a chance. For now, I don’t see a market for his services.
TSN: Pierre LeBrun spoke with Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin about whether they’d consider moving Marc-Andre Fleury if some teams were to call about him. Guerin said his club hasn’t given up on making the playoffs but he acknowledged that he expects teams to call if his club falls out of the race. He’d have to go to Fleury and his agent because he’s got a no-movement clause.
LeBrun noted there are some obvious destinations for Fleury. He cited teams with goalie issues like the Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils and Carolina Hurricanes. He also suggested the Edmonton Oilers as a mentor for Stuart Skinner.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sounds like that could be a conversation for when the All-Star break ends on Feb. 6.
NHL NETWORK: Friedman repeated what he said on Saturday about Calgary Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom. They haven’t gone to him with any trade proposals yet plus they’ve set a high bar with their asking price. Markstrom also has a full no-movement clause.
Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes indicated that he might retain Jake Allen for the remainder of this season. Friedman believes Hughes has set a price on the 33-year-old goaltender and won’t move him until someone meets it.
Friedman also believes that’s the same situation going on with the Anaheim Ducks’ John Gibson. There’s a price for Gibson and a price if an interested club wants the Ducks to retain part of his $6.4 million annual salary.
The Los Angeles Kings could be one of the teams in the market for help between the pipes. They lost backup Pheonix Copley for the season to a knee injury and brought in Aaron Dell on a PTO contract. Friedman also believes the New Jersey Devils have been looking around in the trade market for a netminder. He wonders just how big they want to go.
WHAT NEXT FOR STAMKOS AND THE LIGHTNING
NHL NETWORK: Friedman noted that Tampa Bay Lightning GM Julien BriseBois said yesterday that Steven Stamkos won’t be traded this season. He said that it’s not a secret that Stamkos wants to play out his career in Tampa Bay. Friedman doesn’t think it’s been easy for the Lightning captain to see some of his teammates getting taken care of a year before their contracts expired.
Teams are interested in Stamkos but everyone is operating from the position that he wants to remain with the Lightning.
TSN: Chris Johnston also noted that the Lightning already have over $41 million invested in nine forwards for 2024-25. Even with a rising salary cap, the math will be difficult here. He believes there is a mutual desire to get things done but it’s one of the issues lingering beneath the surface.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The combination of what next season’s salary cap will look like combined with Stamkos’ level of performance at this stage in his career are what I believe are the reasons why he didn’t get a contract extension last year.
It will come down to how much of a pay cut Stamkos is willing to accept to finish his career in Tampa Bay and for how long.
LATEST ON GUENTZEL
NHL NETWORK: Elliotte Friedman believes the determining factor in Jake Guentzel’s contract talks with the Pittsburgh Penguins could be where management thinks the club is going. He thinks GM Kyle Dubas is trying to rebuild a club that doesn’t have a lot of young assets while at the same time trying to satisfy veterans like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.
Friedman thinks the Penguins are reluctant to trade any of their young assets for short-term fixes.
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun doesn’t rule out the possibility of Guentzel getting a contract extension before March 8. However, he wondered if that would be the wise move given the club’s aging core. He thinks trading the winger would be a tougher call but the right one.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Penguins slide out of contention perhaps that decision becomes easier for Dubas. As Friedman and LeBrun pointed out, even if they make the playoffs they lack the depth to contend for the Stanley Cup.
Guentzel will have to weigh carefully that the Penguins’ future could involve a rebuild and if he’s willing to be part of that. Dubas will also have to consider if there is a place for Guentzel in his plans.
I disagree on the Penguins as long as they stay at or close to playoffs on march 8th. If not this year, then when should they try to win with the age of their players. Now if they fall behind its a different story, but if they are in contention they should look at the bargain bin for help. Could a player like Duclair be available on the cheap, what of Pacioretty if the caps fall out of it and he plays decent, and what about Edmundson? On the 8th there will be players on the cheap that are available.
If Calgary looks to miss, then I think they should see what is out there for Markström and if he would be open to a trade with the right team(given that his friend Lindholm is leaving). He has two more years and Calgary have all their retaining cap spots left, now goalies generally dont fetch much so its a fine line to walk.
Nah, trade Jake for Bunting and Drury and a 2nd. It is time to make plans for a future with younger players.
Why would Carolina trade those 2 when they’re 3rd in their division? Once they get a goalie they should be in a position to fight NYR for the top spot in their division.
@ KevJam
Bunting’s TOI has been reduced and Jake’s production is much greater. Drury is middle of the road but Pen’s sorely need bottom 6 players.
Besides Joel Blomqvist do the Penguins have any young prospects in their system?
The last players they drafted that played any games for them were 2019 1st-rounder Samuel Poulin (three games in the 2022/23 season) and 2019 7th-rounder Valtteri Puustinen (17 games this season).
They traded this year’s first-rounder to San Jose in the Karlsson trade. I don’t know if they have the assets needed to compete with other teams at the TDL.
Their last two first rounders are playing well supposedly. But would they move them? If moving Jake then doubtful. If keeping him then maybe
Yes the [Penguins have this years number 1 pick Brendan Yager who should be good, Owen Pickering big defenseman two years ago solid and Joel Bloomqvist a strong goalie prospect that’s about it..
All off limits they will have to make a hockey trade…player for player.
Thats why they need to be patient and try and get a player or two from the bargain bin but could still be helpful, like Duclair for a 3rd
It is hard to envision how the Pens can infuse their line up enough to make them legit cup contenders. IMO it was a foolish to bring in Karlsson and his 10. million cap hit to a an aging team.
Sid: 36;
Gino 37;
Carter: 39;
Letang: 36.
It’s my understanding that ownership felt compelled to give it one more go out of loyalty to Sid and Gino, but one can’t build a winning team on nostalgia. Pens’ management/ownership is merely delaying the overdue rebuild.
LJ, if I had to bet, I think the Pens get in, but it’s going to go down to the wire. Who stays healthy maybe.
I think the Caps and Isles miss for sure and the TB, Pens, Wings and NJ battle it out for the 2 WC spots. Out of those I will go with the Pens and the Devils getting in. But again super flippin’ close.
Karlsson has played well by all accounts and is tradeable if you eat some $$, but not a great contract, we agree. I would rather have that deal vs the Malkin or Letang deals, just because of their age and the term.
Hey maybe they get in and get on a run and win a round or two. They’re getting decent tending. If they are close they don’t move Jake IMO, because that isn’t what teams do, at least hardly ever.
The end is near for the Pens core, just the way it is, but teams always give it another go and wait too long.
I guess technically unless a team wins a cup then immediately dismantles it then they waited too long?
Nah chrisms, at least not what I meant. Teams wait until a year after it seems obvious to most that the team is no longer a contender. I’m referring to teams that were good for a long time, and then age out.
I think that was last year when they missed the playoffs.
Can they squeak in this year and win a round if they get great tending, sure, but that’s as good as it’s gonna get. For the foreseeable future.
Did they owe it to those guys to give it another go this year? I agree with that, and they are, but if they miss again, then they need to be honest with the players and start to think about the team they will have when those guys retire or ask out.
Or it will be like watching SJ. Old guys don’t get better, that is obvious and proven, and the Pens good players are old.
Lj..The Penguins can absolutley go for it this year and next and then start the rebuild. They are in wild card position and three points out of third in the metropolitan, 5 out of second plac.
If Dubas can work some magic we are golden. The Problem is the Penguins can beat anybody…..they have beaten Colorado, Tampa, Seattle, Carolina Boston LA Kings but they can also lose to anybody Chicago buffalo.
Some smart moves at the deadline they will be fine.
they could add youth like winger Nils Hoglander 23 Vancouver or defenseman Adam Boqvist from Columbus 25.
last year Hextall and Burke did nothing.
Crosby is in the hart conversation 26 goals, Malkin is playing better and Letang has been fine. Its the middle six and we need another defender.
Ray. Crosby is on pace to score 50 goals. Only once has he done that before. Malkin is near a point p game player. Letang is still playing like a solid top 3. Goaltending is good. Eventually Father Time hits them. In malkins case it’s started cause he’s not a superstar anymore but he’s not paid like one. Karlson could be better. He’s only just good right now.
But teams should keep going for it also long as there is a chance. Certainly no guarantee of success. But then ask fans of seemingly perpetually rebuilding teams like Ana mont buff ott how successful that route is.
Loyalty Franchise to Player should only mean do you want to retire a Pen or go elsewhere for a run at some more cups. If the writing on the wall for pens window which it looks like it is they needed to hold on to all young prospects and picks mortgage the future for mid-late 30s superstars likely doesn’t end well for Pens
Fair enough chrisms, which is why teams always seem to do what you suggest. Playoff gate helps too.
I guess it depends on what you mean by have a chance. A chance to win a cup? I suppose they can. Vegas had them at just over 50-1 at Xmas time. Seems about right.
Lj,
I think this is there last kick at the cup with the All these old boys with the Pen’s
Next year they will all be 1 year older…. ⁉️
37, 38,40,36,
they only have $18M and need to re-sign and replace 11 players, one of them Guentzel the other one who will want about $4.M range
is Alex Nedeljkovic’ ….. he posted way better number that Jarry there #1 goaltender ❓
if they dont or cant sign Sid’s top winger
Jake Guentzel, and work out a contract with Pittsburgh Penguins,
Guentzel may want to go to a younger team with more potential who need top 6 scoring like these up and coming teams with a much younger core
Ducks, Habs, Cane’s or Stars, Florida or would look good as McDavid winger with the Oil….?
It does ray. But it beats the odds of many other teams whose rebuilds may or may not turn out.
LeafsNet:
Lightning have 41 million comitted to 9 players – salary cap crisis.
Leafs 45 million to 4 players – no problem
Only on LeafsNet.
TB has 10.6 mil in cap space next season with 16 players signed. Signing Stamkos would take most of that space.
Trade Cerilli before his NTC kicks in for a couple of promising NHL ready players. That and take the loss on Tanner Jeannot.
Any rumblings from the Kings camp after their horrible road trip ?
They have a home stand (where they haven’t been great either) coming up. Could a less than sweep of opponents situation (to put room btw them and Oilers – or atleast keep pace) spell changes?
The potential return of Arvidsson mid-Feb will need a roster shuffle.
Blake and McLellan have to be feeling the heat.
Re; LA
In short they are playing Cam Talbot Way to Much….
after 30 game’s he starts to fall apart
at the half way mark this has already started to happen ….
The 3 LA kings Tenders
36 yr old Talbot G,30 GA 2.43 SV%0.915
31 yr old Coplay G,8 GA 3.16 SV%0.870 (Back Up)
31yr old Rittich G, 5 GA 1.61 SV%0.932(Back Up)
they have No Cap space to add a tender so it will have to be a money in & out Trade
The Kings aren’t trading for a tender no FA’s are noticably better than Talbot and Rittich has been good since called up
Pens sign 59, 8×8 limited NTC. Trade him after sid and Geno retire. Satisfies 87 for now
I think if that was the ask he’s signed by now. He’s eyeing up nylander pasta etc. he likely gets double digits.
Steve good idea but Jakes agent said they aren’t going below $ 9 million.
He will be closer to $10.. Look trade him now get some good assets and if you really want him give it ago in the off season…..cap goes up $ 4 million.
Plus giving $ 8 years to a 30 year old eehhhhh risky..like your idea though
Briere would be smart to move away from Carter Hart and bring in Elvis. Could probably get CBJ to eat chunk of salary. Ride Errson and Elvis. Move on from the overhyped Hart who met fetch decent return
SJ should be in on Elvis. Trade Hoffman for Elvis CMB clears long term contract. Sj gets goalie under contract during rebuild
Sj can then offer Blackwood to CAR for an asset since CAR needs a healthy goalie.
Might be one of the most legit proposals you’ve ever posted.
How much of Merzlikin’s decline in his stats is because of the decline of the team in front of him?
Looking at his 5on5 advanced stats in the past 3 seasons (including this season) he isn’t a bad goalie. His GSAA is a respectable 4.37, HDS% is a respectable 0.816, and his HDGSAA is a -0.35 on 733 HGSA, which is the 17th most during that time. This season his HDGSAA is 0.19. Saros, who everyone would agree is a better goalie playing on a better team, has a HDGSAA of -1.07 this season.
We have all seen bad teams make a good goalie look bad. I’m just wondering if this is one of those situations.
Elvis isn’t a bad goalie. But he is a head case, an arrogant S.O.B. and self-centered. Example: While playing in Europe after being drafted, he informed the Jackets that he would not sign a contract until they guaranteed he would not have to play in the AHL and that he would automatically be the Jackets’ starting goalie after he signed.
I agree Kevjam – Elvis is a good goalie having a good season. If Campbell had his same .906 save percentage, things would be rosy in Edmonton, and no one would be complaining about his contract, which is similar to Merzlikins’.
With the loser point, 5 points is equivalent to the old 10.
I don’t recall the goalie issues that we have seen this year. Multiple teams with 3 some with one or none. Injuries at the position feel higher No money to deal with it.
“Elvis has not left the building” and likely won’t anytime soon
Fleury to a legit contender even in a backup role will happen. Unless he has won enough cups
LA is not going to the promised land without adding in net.
Maf started the year saying he didn’t want to move his family again or be away from them. Maybe the record ramps up his compete drive?
$5 says he scores a goal this year.