NHL Rumor Mill – January 20, 2024
Could the Canucks pursue Jake Guentzel? Will the Kings attempt to land Jake Allen? Which players could become Blues trade candidates? Find out in the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
COULD THE CANUCKS PURSUE GUENTZEL?
SPORTSNET: During his latest “32 Thoughts” podcast episode, Elliotte Friedman expressed his belief that the Vancouver Canucks would be interested in acquiring Jake Guentzel if the Pittsburgh Penguins winger becomes available before the March 8 trade deadline.
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel (NHL Images)
Friedman noted that Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford knows Guentzel from his days as Penguins general manager. However, he also said a lot of other clubs would be interested in the 29-year-old winger, who’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Penguins GM Kyle Dubas earlier this week dismissed recent trade speculation about Guentzel, saying he hasn’t had discussions about him with other clubs. Dubas also said at some point they’ll evaluate what’s best for Guentzel and the Penguins going forward.
With the Penguins jockeying for a wild-card berth Dubas could hang onto Guentzel as an own rental for the remainder of this season. Perhaps he’s already decided that he’s keeping the winger in the fold and has no plans to move him regardless of where his club sits in the standings.
Rutherford has said he’d like to add a top-six forward before the trade deadline. He’ll probably look into the cost of acquiring Guentzel if he’s available. Whether he’d be willing to pay what could be a steep asking price or can outbid other clubs is another matter.
JAKE ALLEN TO THE KINGS?
TVA SPORTS: cited Friedman also talking about where Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen might end up. He believes the Canadiens’ asking price is a draft pick but that could go higher if an interested club wants the Habs to retain part of his $3.85 million average annual value through 2024-25.
Friedman said at one point earlier in this season he thought the 33-year-old Allen would be headed to the Edmonton Oilers but he’s not convinced of that now. Instead, he suggested the Canadiens goalie could be a trade target for the Los Angeles Kings.
“I think they’re going to acquire a goalie,” said Friedman. “Whether it’s Allen or whoever, I think they will add a goalie.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings were getting good goaltending from aging starter Cam Talbot but he’s had his difficulties in recent games. With Pheonix Copley sidelined for the season by a knee injury, call-up David Rittich has performed well in limited action.
It remains to be seen if Kings management is willing to stick with Rittich as a backup for the rest of the season. They could look for someone with a more reliable record.
WHICH BLUES COULD BECOME TRADE CANDIDATES?
THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford recently looked at which players the St. Louis Blues could attempt to move if they become sellers before the March 8 trade deadline.
Sammy Blais, Oskar Sundqvist, Kasperi Kapanen, Jakub Vrana and Marco Scandella are their notable pending unrestricted free agents. Of these, Rutherford expects Sundqvist might the the only one with a chance of re-signing with the Blues.
Other trade candidates could include Pavel Buchnevich, Jordan Binnington, Justin Faulk, Brandon Saad, Nick Leddy and Torey Krug. They all have term remaining on their respective contracts, making them more likely to be off-season trade candidates.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Krug used his no-trade clause to nix a move to Philadelphia last summer. Unless he has a change of mind or a preferable trade destination, I don’t see him going anywhere. The same goes for Binnington, Saad, Faulk and Leddy as they also possess full no-trade protection.
Buchnevich, meanwhile, has a 12-team no-trade clause while Scandella’s is a seven-team NTC. That makes them easier to move than the others but still limits the number of potential trade partners.
Re; Pen’s Jake Guentzel
if the Canucks with No cap room only $300,k are going after LW/RW Jake Guentzel’s is a UFA $6.M
They will have to Move out Big $6.M UFA d/man Tyler Myers’ salary is $6.M …
Maybe for the pens with a 1st pick and something else like a younger Roster forward and maybe a 3rd pick the get for Myers……❓
The Canucks need more goal scoring after the
1st line ..
But they may need a 2nd line centre before a 2nd line Winger……🤔 thoughts…❓
Sean Monahan might fit the 2nd line Center role, low salary.
I haven’t seen comments from Pengy for some time, is he okay?
I tried reaching Pengy a couple of times several weeks ago but no response. Hopefully he’s ok.
Van needs a 2c?
Send Hertl from SJ to VAN
Send Meyers and who to balance the cap?
VAN also sends a 2024 1st, 2026 1st and a prospect
Adjustments?
Van is not going to take on Hertl’s contract, they have Pettersson to sign after this season.
I doubt the Canucks would give up 2 first round picks and a roster player for a 30 year old with 13 goals and a cap hit of over $8 million for 5 more years. Joel Eriksson-Ek would be a far better target. He’s 26 years old which is in the right age group for the Canucks core, has 18 goals, and has a cap hit of about $3 million less over 5 more years.
Re Gored: Cant see the wild trading Eriksson Ek
I can see what you are saying. Thinking if they trade off Kuzmenko for Hertl they have space to re up Pettersson at is 12.5 and still get Hertl
Boeser will be a UFA the following season so even more cap room again if he falters next season
Still gives them flexibility no?
If they get a winger they can move Pettersson back to C which is much better. That is where he wants to play and you cant have just one line in the playoffs. I would also prefer Buchnevich before Guentzel, bigger and heavier, and he has a year left on a team friendly deal.
I believe Rutherford and Alvin will target Lindholm first.
Of course, Kuzmenko will have to be part of that package (or separate trade) to make the salary cap dollars work.
But trade history and comfort are there with Calgary, with the recent Zadorov trade.
Maybe Tanev is part of the package, with Canucks wanting help on the right side defence position as well.
I love Jake, but he going to command $9-11 mill. Dubas can’t let him go for nothing.
Penguins aren’t making the playoffs, unfortunately…so it’s time to rebuild the prospect pool, I am sure a team could/would over pay for #59….couple of picks and a top prospect.
If the Pens are out of playoff contention come trade deadline day, I agree trade #59. Otherwise, you gotta keep him and use him as a playoff rental.
It’s possible come summer Dubas can work a little magic and get out from under a couple of the more terrible contracts the Pens have. Maybe that frees up enough to sign Jake long term. If Sid then resigns maybe the Pens become a 1 line team for the next several years? Won’t win any stanley cups but it would make for an entertaining rebuild.
PENS4EVER..Black and gold here and i agree with you and disagree with you.
I love Jake Guentzel he has been terrific but his agent has said he will explore the market….Dubas cant ket him walk for nothing that bad assets management.
Our old Rutherford is salivating at the thought of Guentzel and there is a good deal there.
If we really want Jake go after him in the off season..there is loyalty and then there is stupidity.. Dubas isnt dumb
Jake guentzel to Vancouver makes them terrific in top 6
Trade
Guentzel to Canucks
To Pittsburgh
Carson Soucy 6ft 5 top 4 LHD
Nils hoglander young 23 wi ger skill speed grit 12 goals talented kid
Draft pick 2nd
Soucy sound defensively goes with Letang
Peterson with Karlsson settles top 4 D
Hoglander can fit second or third line
Penguins will make the playoffs just a tweak
Maybe add ilya lubhskin from Anaheim for third oair
POJ to Anaheim
Canucks just got out of cap hell and not jumping right back in. They will have to have some idea of what Elias P is looking for and plan from there. Likely a low cost ufa Center – third fourth liner.
Pettersson Has to have a base of at least Nylander at 11.5 but could be more 8-10 million more over 8 years.
You heard it here first;) 3-4 years at 12,5
Talbot is a good goalie but its the same old story for him. Great first half and then he fizzles out as the second half goes. If I were Blake, I would check what the price of Markström is. He is having a bounce back season, only has two years left and really not that much mileage on him considering his age. Get Calgary to retain 2m for 2024 first and a B+ prospect
I agree. Offer 1st and Turcotte
Regarding Blues: I have determined that it is much easier AND shorter to list the Blues players who are NOT trade candidates.
We can probably start with Robert Thomas, Jake Neighbors, Colton Parayko, Joel Hofer……….THE END
IP
I would add to this Buchnevich, Faulk, and Torpchenko.
Perunovich, Kessel, and Tucker probably aren’t moving either.
If Buchnevich, Parayko, or Faulk are moved, a young, talented, proven player with significant team control, a cornerstone prospect, and multiple first round picks are going to be acquired.
These are the wishlists around the league, just keeping things real, they command kings’ ransoms.