NHL Rumor Mill – January 22, 2024
Should the Leafs approach John Tavares about waiving his no-movement clause? What’s the latest on the Capitals’ Evgeny Kuznetsov and the Canadiens’ Sean Monahan? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill
SHOULD THE LEAFS ASK TAVARES TO ACCEPT A TRADE?
TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons observed the decline in John Tavares’ production this season. If the Maple Leafs can expect this from their 33-year-old captain over the remainder of his contract, perhaps the two sides should consider parting ways.
Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares (NHL Images).
Simmons wondered if Tavares, who has one year remaining on his contract with a full no-movement clause, would be willing to “make a most unselfish gesture and waive his no-trade arrangement?” He speculated that question might come before this season ends or in the offseason.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tavares made it very clear that he intends to play out his contract with the Leafs. I’ll be astonished if Leafs management asks him to waive his movement clause and even more shocked if he agrees to accept a trade.
Assuming that unlikely scenario took place, there is no market for a declining center that turns 34 in September carrying an average annual value of $11 million through 2024-25.
Tavares is earning $7.95 million in actual salary per season on the final two years of his contract Nevertheless, I don’t believe any club will take on that contract unless the Leafs are retaining half of his annual cap hit.
Even then, it would still be too expensive for most clubs to carry. Those who could are rebuilding teams whose playoff hopes for next season will be slim at best.
THE LATEST ON KUZNETSOV
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber noted that Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov was moved to the fourth line during Saturday’s game against the St. Louis Blues. Head coach Spencer Carberry said Kuznetsov and Alex Ovechkin were “getting crushed” when playing together this season.
The move was made in part to spark Kuznetsov, who hasn’t shown any consistency or momentum this season. Silber doesn’t see the 31-year-old center getting moved by the March 8 trade deadline because of his $7.8 million AAV and declining trade value. However, she speculated he could become a good draft trade asset.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuznetsov is signed through 2024-25. His performance has significantly eroded this season with just 14 points in 40 games. For that matter, so has that of the 38-year-old Ovechkin with just eight goals and 28 points in 41 contests. However, the Capitals captain is in no danger of becoming a trade candidate.
The combination of Kuznetsov’s contract and performance makes it unlikely that he’ll be moved by deadline day. I also think it will hurt his value in the offseason trade market unless the Capitals retain half of his AAV for the final season of his contract.
SUGGESTED TRADE DESTINATIONS FOR MONAHAN
DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin recently looked at six possible trade destinations for Montreal Canadiens center Sean Monahan. He’s on a one-year deal with an AAV of $1.985 million and lacks no-trade protection.
Canadiens management reportedly has an agreement with the 29-year-old center that they would try to trade him to a contender if they’re out of playoff contention leading up to the March trade deadline.
Larkin listed (in alphabetical order) the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks and Winnipeg Jets as potential landing spots for Monahan.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Monahan would make an affordable and worthwhile “Plan B” for teams that fail to land Calgary’s Elias Lindholm if he becomes available leading up to the deadline.
The Oilers might not make any further additions following their reported signing of Corey Perry. As for the Leafs, defense and goaltending are more urgent priorities.
I remember when Boston missed out on Tavares and I thought that they dodged a bullet. I don’t know why any team would sign a veteran on the wrong side of 30 to a long term expensive contract. I can’t remember when that has worked out well for the team doing it. Except perhaps for the first year or 2 of the contract.
While being overpaid and declining a little the previous two seasons, this is actually the first season there is a steep decline in his play, not just in point but in overall play.
Tavaras still one of the top faceoff men in the NHL, still at the top for winning puck battles in the NHL, still goes into the dirty areas around the net. He may not be scoring as much this year, but there`s more to his game than just goals. Other than Nylander, look who he gets stuck with on his line, a bunch of guys that everybody on this site say are worthless. Priceless, a bunch of guys who probably need help to get off the couch saying Tavaras is on the wrong side of 30. Most of you don`t watch Tavaras play, you see the clip and then comment. I`ve seen Matthews and Marner mail in more games this year than Tavaras has and their on the right side of 30. Just think what they`ll be like in 5 years. Strangely all 32 teams would love to overpay them if they got the chance. Yep priceless and yes I`m on the wrong side of 30 too, but I`m taking everybody with me. Kent how mant Leaf games you actually watch this year,1 maybe 2, to come to your expert analysis
“I don’t know why any team would sign a veteran on the wrong side of 30 to a long term expensive contract. ”
Wow, today I learned that 28 is the “wrong side of 30”.
What an idiotic thing to say.
Captain Pajamas is 33. He is on the wrong side of 30.
Tavares is working well for Toronto
fan and media pressure is why. that and unions won’t allow them to get reasonable performance related contracts like the rest of the world
With Chytil’s lingering concussion issues, I wouldn’t rule out Rangers having interest in Monahan.
Re; The Sen’s
They Played well last night with Shane Pinto back in the line up they looks good So did Matts Soggard they young 22 yr old goaltender…..👍
Another Simmons “rumor” that has no point other than getting him attention. Tavares is going nowhere through the end of his contract. As Lyle correctly points out, even if the Leafs want to trade him and he agrees, the only teams that could afford him, even with retention, are rebuilding teams that have no real need for him and where he would not agree to go.
True that. Does this guy know anything about hockey. Ask your captain to do the right thing and leave.
What should happen is Keefe do the right thing and step aside. Treliving has no ties to this guy. Why is he waiting so long to make a change.
Did the Oilers do a huge overhaul of the roster and that’s why they’ve won over 10 in a row???
Yes Guy, I think the Oilers woke up because the players realized their performance got an excellent coach fired. Can’t be a good feeling.
The players were not happy that Woodcroft got fired, but were happy with the selection to replace him. The underlying #’s always suggested the Oil would turn it around, if they got some saves.
I don’t think any changes to the structure or systems has happened in Edmonton. Coffey has instilled confidence in a couple of the D because he accepts the mistakes more than Manson did. The result has been fewer mistakes.
They are process focused, and the results take care of themselves. Who woulda thunk it?
I don’t think the coach is the issue in TOR, might get a bump, but the roster has serious holes in it. Folks all know what they are.
Oilers top 4 defenceman includes Cody Ceci. Enough said
Agree, those Pajamas don’t lie.
Tavares 0 points in his last 8 games and 1 goal in the last 12
“hey we don’t like how he is playing now, let move him.”
If he was on an expiring contract with a third team involved, yes. But he isn’t and he not going anywhere.
When he starts picking up points again, glad we kept him.
Who would Toronto move into the C position
Hey Caper,
Tavares has a NTC hard to move, they would love to ship him out but its likely the leafs dont make much in the way of moves at the Trade deadline this season,
They have $21.M to spend,
They need to fix the back end first…
-1 Starting Goaltender
-2 Good d/men on top pair RD And 1 @nd LD
– it Looks like they can only afford 1 Top six forward
– Role players & Re-sign RFA some of the tyoung guys…..
They may use the 1st pick and a prospect to get a Really Good Starting Goaltender at the 2024 NHL Draft….❓
UFA d/men there are a few… RD man Brady Skjei
or big flames d/man Zadoroff & flames UFA RD man Chris Taneve….❓
Brady Skjei is a left handed LD.
As a Leaf fan I always accepted that Tavares’ last 2 seasons could be ugly. But I accepted that thinking there might of been a few deep playoff runs to show for it. Well.. Leafs gonna Leaf.
Tavares is close to a point per game in his Toronto era while being a solid 2 way player.
I never understand how he gets criticized for his performance with the Leafs.
What will always be the question is why did the Leafs sign him for that contract when they had the three kids already upfront and they should of saved that cap space for D and depth.
That is why some folks rag on him ds, but in reality until this season he has produced at basically the same rate he always has. MGT knew there was a reasonable chance he would slow down, as that is what happens to players his age. He didn’t sign himself, give the guy a break.
Folks keep forgetting that the Isles offered him more $ than the Leafs and signed in his hometown any way. Now Simmons wants him to waive? I would be surprised.
The Leafs have 8 pending UFA’s on their active roster, 3 more on LTIR.
This team seems like the least likely to have a playoff run of the last few. Still a playoff team due to the high end talent, but more issues than normal.
Good to see Sammy have a good first game back, huge pressure on the guy.
So Leaf fans – Stand pat, spend assets and add at the TDL, or sell even though in a playoff spot? Have some guys who you would get an OK return for.
Not sure you could make a logical argument for being a buyer.
Not Sammy’s 1st game back, he lost to the Wings a bit ago.
2nd game back, but was pretty solid in the Detroit game. The blame goes to the guys in front of him and behind the bench. Not sure he`s completely back yet, but some encouraging signs. That`s why goalies are so hard to judge in trade value, the confidence factor is so huge for them.Look at Joey Daccord spent most of last year in the minors, was on waivers. Now a solid NHL goalie, but 31 NHL teams passed on him
Can’t be buyers this year, Ray, unless things change quickly.
Winnipeg are perfect opponents this week. Leafs were competitive against Edmonton and Vancouver but the better teams won. Let’s see how things go against another top team this week.
Tavares could use a stronger left wing on his line. So could Nylander.
Totally agree. I think at this point they would have had some deep playoff runs and fully expected the last 2 years of taveres contract would not look good. Taveres has given the leafs exactly what they signed him for.
I think the leafs should be sellers at the trade deadline and working on next year. No way are they winning a 7 game series against the best teams in the league.
Let’s be honest they are a .500 team. They have great pieces but just the wrong mix. Trade nylander or marner and fix the D and get some quality depth.
In my opinion trading nylander at the trade deadline is the perfect time. I would target Calgary as they want a retool no re build. Hanafin and weeger for nylander and liljegren or markstrom and weeger.
Tired of leafs being scared to let players walk or trading them. Look at when the islander’s lost taveres. They went on to back to back conference finals. Same with Vancouver trading horvat. Vancouver is 1st in the league. Leaf mgmt need to get some balls a roll the dice. They have great players but not the right mix.
I think in Nylander’s new contract the NMC clause applies to the current year as well. All the Leaf’s big signings have NMC, going to be hard to trade unless someone agrees to be moved.
Why would the Flames trade for that contract when they already suffer from multiple Brad contracts?
Signing Tavares to that anchor deal was a fireable offence.
Send Tavares to AZ where a good amount of future HOFers go to retire 😂
Tavares for Shea Weber 😂
Tavares can center Hossa and Datsyuk
Simmons is one of the worst reporters in sports, imo. If he’s saying something, it holds no weight.
Tavares previously stated he won’t waive his NMC, and because so much of his contract is “bonus”, a buy-out doesn’t even work.
Johnny gets his points, but his defensive play leaves much of his offense wasted. In his 15-year career, he’s a -35, and only had 5 seasons where he wasn’t a minus.
You look at his stats, and then you look at his play, and you have to wonder what you’re missing? His offensive numbers are good, yet he never seems passionate or engaged?
The leafs would be wise to not re-sign him and put the money on the blueline or in net, but that’s not what happens in Toronto. I’m sure they’ll re-sign him for even more big $.
Plus/minus the most useless stat in sports. For years no.1 in winning puck battles in the NHL. You didn`t win many debates did you Pete. Never engaged or passionate,come on watch a few games before you comment
Some of these sports writers should be publicly embarassed for the things they print. It’s as if they can write whatever they want, knowing that it is entirely untrue, without any repercussions. These are people’s lives and careers, and they have families that hear this utter garbage. Even though Tavaras is overpaid, he took less money than what was offered by other teams in order to play close to where he grew up, and to be offered a NTC as part of the deal. The facts are that he was a sought after free ageant, and the Leafs won the sweepstakes by making then offer they made, which includes the ability to place close to home. Now they need to honor the terms of the deal and this Simmons character needs to grow some integrity and back off from making these baseless suggestions which do nothing but stir up termoil for Tavaras, his family, and the Leafs locker room. There needs to be more Tortorella type press conferences where he identifies the writer at a public conference, and takes him to task about writing that garbage about Kevin Hayes. Jimmy Murphy deserves similar criticism on his Bruins coverage, and Bergeron had to just recently make a public announcement that he was not returning to the Bruins, in order to toss water on these baseless rumours started by Murphy, made by him just to be notices and to get hits on his accounts. He needs to be taken to task as well as he was written far too many false stories and are total bs.
The Bergy rumours started by spittin chiclets pod cast. Murphy just tacked on to it as that is what he does
Back in the day, writers had to check the facts of a story before they put them to print, even if they were regurgitating them.
Podcasters aren’t journalists. They can pretty much say what they want with zero repercussions.
Elliotte Friedman was quoted on Twitter (Or X) that he is a “sports gossip artist” so is there really any sports journalists in today’s world?
Here is the link to the Elliotte Friedman quote.
https://twitter.com/taj1944/status/1749466551177322939
I think so KevJam, here in Edmonton Spector would be one IMO. Guys like him who follow the team daily, are at the rink daily, during the season, would qualify.
He does throw in some opinions, agree or disagree with them, but he doesn’t get into the rumor biz. And when he prints something like he did when he reported that Lowe overrode he scouts when drafting Yakupov, he had the backup to support it, or he wouldn’t have printed it.
Rumors or speculation are what they are, if folks treat them as anything more than that, that’s on them.
Coyle/Carlo for Brady TK
LOL
Since the inception of the salary hard cap by Gary Bettman and the greedy owners , the conversations are about how much players make rather than their performance. Was there much conversation about Bobby Holik, a player whose best three years in a career of over 15 years never topped 65 points yet made $9.5 AAV? Don’t denigrate players because they make a lot of money. BTW, Steve Simmons is famous for inane and attention seeking comments and I’m surprised anyone reads that s**t.