NHL Rumor Mill – January 2, 2024
Check out the latest on Evgeny Kuznetsov, Jeremy Swayman, Michael McLeod and Kaapo Kahkonen in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: On New Year’s Eve, Sammi Silber reported trade rumors are picking up for Evgeny Kuznetsov with the latest speculation suggesting the 31-year-old center could be moved in the offseason.
Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov (NHL Images).
Kuznetsov is signed through 2024-25 with an average annual value of $7.8 million and a 10-team no-trade list. With the salary cap expected to jump by over $4 million this summer, there could be more of a trade market for him.
The Capitals were reportedly going to move Kuznetsov last summer to the Nashville Predators. However, the deal fell through.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuznetsov’s production has been in decline since reaching 78 points in 2021-22. He managed 55 points in 2022-23. At his current rate of production (11 points in 30 games), he’s on pace for around 30 points this season. That won’t help his value in this summer’s trade market unless the Capitals are willing to retain salary in the deal.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy last week cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman noting that Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman is among several restricted free agents on one-year contract who can be signed to extensions as of Jan. 1.
Given Swayman’s performance, Friedman said he wouldn’t be surprised if the Bruins re-sign the 25-year-old goaltender, who’s eligible for salary arbitration in July. Murphy noted that Swayman repeatedly said he wanted to remain with the Bruins last summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins have over $25 million in projected salary-cap space for next season with 14 active roster players under contract. They can afford to pay Swayman a significant raise over his current $3.475 million.
Murphy wondered if an extension for Swayman could come as early as this week. Whether this week or this summer, I believe the Bruins will get him signed to a lucrative new deal.
After that, expect plenty of speculation over Linus Ullmark’s future in Boston. Swayman’s goalie partner has a year remaining on his contract with a 15-team no-trade clause for next season and an average annual value of $5 million.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols reported on New Year’s Eve that forward Michael McLeod has come up in trade rumors as Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald scours the trade market to bolster his defense and goaltending.
Citing an NHL source, Nichols reported that teams were calling about McLeod and the Devils might be willing to part with the 25-year-old center. He’s on an affordable $1.4 million contract for this season and is slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. With seven goals and 14 points in 35 games, he’s on pace for a career-best performance.
Nichols clarified his report after the Devils denied they were willing to part with McLeod. While his sources insist there is strong interest in the center, it doesn’t necessarily mean the Devils will trade him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hockey News’ Kristy Flannery explains why teams are interested in McLeod. He’s made significant improvement this season thanks to a boost in confidence from his play in the 2023 playoffs. In addition to his current offensive production, he plays a physical game and leads the league in faceoff win percentage. Those traits are also why the Devils prefer to retain him.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Max Miller noted that Kaapo Kahkonen has found his form with the San Jose Sharks. However, the 27-year-old goaltender is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and his value in the trade market is growing.
Miller listed the Toronto Maple Leafs, Minnesota Wild (Kahkonen’s former club) and New Jersey Devils as possible suitors for Kahkonen. The cap-strapped Maple Leafs would likely need to shed salary to take him on. The Wild could need help if Filip Gustavsson should be sidelined long-term. There’s a recent trade history between the Sharks and the Devils.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kahkonen carries a $2.75 million cap hit and lacks no-trade protection. Still, he’d be a difficult acquisition for the Leafs given their cap situation.
Gustavsson is reportedly out for a week so the Wild won’t have to plunge into the trade market for a short-term replacement. The Devils can afford Kahkonen but his lack of playoff experience could send them looking elsewhere.
Can’t help but wonder if samsonov to the sharks would make the odds of the sharks picking first overall plus get a few prospects in the process something to consider. You can make that point with many of the teams looking for help in goal but would it be worth it for the sharks? I would say yes but dependent on the “spare parts” included and how likely they would be a contributor to the team when they are ready to compete.
I agree with this. Allows the leafs to shed some cap and shore up the blueline. I know your thinking Kappo, but I don’t think its a good move. He’s not a proven starter… don’t think it helps the goalie situation, but that’s my opinion.
Re; Leafs Goaltening Merry-go round 🍁
The Leafs Really Need a Proven Starter in Net,
Like a Linus Ullmark❓
They keep trying to get bye half ass on the Goaltending front Every Year
Then Pair that with a Medioce Defence….
=1st Round Exits ✔️
To get Bostons Goaltender LU, it will cost them as he is the Best Proven Starting Goaltender that could be Avalable
They will have to Sign Swayman to an 8 X $8.M,
if not he will get that on the open market All Day…. 25 years old & Great Numbers only getting better…
They the Leafs would have to go up against NJ & Carolina to get him with a best offer……. ❓
The Cost
A- 1st pick and Two prospect listed below and ❓
OR
A- Combpo of both of these two as Bruins need Wingers Minten & Knies and a 3rd pick
A -Matthew Knies
Or
A- RW/C Easton Cowan
Or
Fraser Minten
The leafs would then ask Linus Ullmark to sign an Extention 5 years at $$6.M, ❓
Cap goes up by a significant amount for the first time in years and the first thing the Leafs do is dump half of it on a new deal for Mr 60 and the rest of it theyll blow on resigning MeLander.
How are the Leafs ever going to improve if every available nickel goes to the Flacid Four?
No cap room, no draft picks and no prospects.
Another year of filling out the 3rd and 4th line, the defence and certainly the goaltending with more washed hasbeens and neverweres.
The Shanascam is ridiculous.
Shanny and Keefe need to go.
Now, if not sooner.
Leafs potential moves are so limited yes.
Auston resigned maybe without caring that the D is lacking and they have no legit keeper.
I would trade Mitch(but full NMC…so)becomes Willie for Gibson+Vatrano+ a solid kid forward.
Swayman will be resigned at 7m times 8, or if Boston is more prudent 6m times 5 and Ullmark will be traded this summer.
There’s no way the Bruins go into next season with both Sway & Ullmark as their goaltenders ..as of now they probably can get more in return for Sway( with new contract ) but Ullmark will be the one to leave to a contending team a #1 goalie short
Have to agree Joe, if Swayman gets paid at or near what Mr Nilsson suggests above that is more than they can afford to have invested in goaltending. His guess seems pretty close to what I would guess as well.
Likely at the draft or some other time during off season. Kuemper got a 1st, 3d and Timmins from COL. Something similar but slightly higher is my guess. Kuemper had a solid history at the time, but so does Ullmark plus add in a Vezina and is still playing really well.
Might happen this year if a contender can find the $ due to LTIR or whatever, and the B’s start to struggle in 2nd half and Sweeney doesn’t see them as a contender. Which I personally don’t. Or he gets a crazy good offer.
They will get in as they have a significant lead on who is chasing them and they are too structured with quality tending to collapse. Can’t see Sweeney trading one of their best players if they are solidly in a playoff spot come the TDL. Will make the draft at least a little interesting for us B’s fans!
bruins sign swayman to 8 years at 7.5 per.then bruins trade ullmark and lysell for mcleod and mercer.devils wouls still have plenty of scoring ans a solid goalie for more than one year.bruins get younger and still have plenty of cap space to add in the summer
Interesting idea pete, I think Sweeney would do that. I know I would. I like both of those guys from the Devils.
Would NJ with Ulmark only having a year left after this season?
I agree Boston will move Ullmark next season and sign Sway. Question to Bruins fans how much ?
I see 6 years at 7 ? Tough thing is you have to trade Ullmark for most likely at best a second . For what ever reason goalies don’t get much of anything for a return .
Carolina goalies haven’t been outstanding so do they inquire about Ullmark for Raanta trade?
Better long term option than oft injured Anderson
If Swayman wants to much than extend Linus and trade Jeremy he would bring a boatload. Personally I prefer Swayman but only at a reasonable price like 8×7 million. Having Pasta Charlie and Swayman great young core to build around. Love the young guns this year future looks bright in my opinion. I watched first PWHL game Toronto vs New York wasn’t bad probably watched 65% of it.
i think the only way swayman gets traded is if he is packaged with debrusk poitras and maybe a draft pick for draisitl
How lit would Samson be in SJ ?
Not sure they make that high of SPF
Sharks need to be somewhat competitive and likely have the 32 spot locked anyway
Heard a Rumor I like. Devils go Big Bang and acquire Markstrom and Tanev .
No mention of what would come back . I would like Mcleod and Bahl a conditional first. Flames hold some money both teams throw some lesser picks around .. BYU
Not bad. I’d consider that if I was the flames.