NHL Rumor Mill – January 5, 2024
Check out recent speculation on the Flames, Flyers and Rangers in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
CALGARY SUN: Daniel Austin wondered how busy Flames general manager Craig Conroy will be leading up to the March 8 trade deadline.
Trading pending unrestricted free agents such as Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev means Flames fans will be in for a couple of seasons of watching a young, developing team. That could also raise questions over whether veterans Nazem Kadri and Mikael Backlund will want to stick around.
Calgary Flames center Elias Lindholm (NHL Images).
Re-sign those three and the Flames will be making a long-term commitment to a core that has underachieved over the past two seasons.
If one of those three gets traded it could create a domino effect for the other two. With players like Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau on long-term contracts, Conroy could prefer returns of young NHL-ready players rather than loading up on draft picks and prospects.
Austin also wondered if Conroy will listen to calls for backup goalie Dan Vladar. Moving him would create room for promising Dustin Wolf.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I think a roster retool rather than a full-fledged rebuild is in the works for the Flames. Lindholm, Hanifin and Tanev will likely be peddled for young players who can help this club stage a turnaround within the next couple of seasons.
The Flames already have some good young talent in Wolf, Yegor Sharangovich, Connor Zary, Matt Coronato and Jakob Pelletier. Adding some more to that group could give them a crop of youth that could develop into a more reliable core of talent.
THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz listed defensemen Sean Walker, Nick Seeler, Rasmus Ristolainen and Marc Staal and center Morgan Frost as the players most likely to be moved by the Philadelphia Flyers if they become sellers by the March 8 trade deadline. He also thinks Carter Hart, Ryan Poehling and Scott Laughton would be moved only in the right deal.
The Flyers’ better-than-expected performance thus far this season could complicate things. Jettisoning too many players risks upsetting the team culture. Kurz believes Flyers GM Daniel Briere is keeping his eye on the future. However, it would also help the Flyers from a business standpoint if they make the playoffs this season with a young and improving crop of players.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers have played well thus far but are showing signs of wobbling. If they fall out of contention by February, Briere will likely start shopping some of those players mentioned by Kurz. If they’re still in the thick of things, however, he could decide to keep his roster intact to give them a shot at reaching the postseason.
NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker believes a scoring top-six winger could be on the Rangers’ wish list. Blake Wheeler only has four goals while Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko have been sidelined by injuries.
The Rangers’ strong performance thus far proves their depth as a team. However, Walker believes they need reinforcements and upgrades to advance in the postseason.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Options could include Vancouver’s Andrei Kuzmenko, San Jose’s Anthony Duclair, Washington’s Anthony Mantha and St. Louis’ Jakub Vrana. Not the deepest pool of potential scoring wingers that could be available in the trade market. Perhaps it will improve closer to the March 8 trade deadline.
I liked the rumour Lindholm for Bowen Byram and a pick. Seems impossible to believe Colorado would do that, but I like it.
Nah, they will give you Gerard and a 1st.
I think it is safe to say nobody is going to risk trading for Vrana.
If I’m a Flames fan, I have serious doubt that Conroy can make savvy trades. His deals thus far have been underwhelming. He has prime assets to move so I guess we will see what he does. But don’t expect much.
The Sharangovich for Toffoli was a decent trade. Compare their stats, ages and salary and I think Connie won the trade.
IF Vrana is a consideration for the Rangers, I would think the Blues could swing some type of deal!?! Perhaps a 6th round pick, perhaps a young prospect…
IP
Calgary is in a tough spot.
They have Huberdeau underperforming at $10M a season. Likely untradeable. .
They have an older C in Kadri that is not likely interested in being part of a rebuild.
Hannafin has already said he’s not interested in re-signing. Put Lindholm in the same category…
That is 4 very good players to remove from your roster as I’m sure Huberdeau wouldn’t object to a trade…
If you add Weegar to the list Calgary could re-tool very quickly to lower the age of their roster and have more cap flexibility.
Ny needs a shooting / scoring right wing, and a center to replace Chytil.
Vrana doesn’t fit either of those needs. He can’t crack St. Louis lineup that is ranked 25th in scoring.
Plus, he’s another left winger. On a team with too many lw’s already. Cap hit at 5.25 for a guy splitting time in the AHL? Yikes!
No thank you! Certainly not for any prospect and without serious retention.
Captain Obvious
Phil Kessel is a pretty decent RW that’s available right now…for FREE.
I like Phil, but I don’t think he’s the right guy in NYs top 6. Not sure if he’s a top 6 anywhere at this point.
I think Kane or Tarasenko part deux would be a better fit.
But captain, aren’t both Kane and Tarasenko LH ? Vrana plays Theriot side, as does Kane.
Re The Flames
100% they are trading all three of these players
who are unrestricted free agents…if not they Loose them for Nothing,❓
(Top player and return in this order)
1/ Elias Lindholm, A 1st round pick & Top Young Roster forward prospect, and a player making
$3-$4.M salary swap…..❓
2/ Noah Hanifin A Top d/prospect and 1st Or 2nd pick……❓
3/ Chris Tanev ….. A 2nd round pick and a d man player making up to $3-$4.M with term…..❓
Thoughts….🤔
Patience is a Virtue . However, not convinced you get the biggest bang at the TD.
I think dollars drive Lindholm & Nylander. Pay them they will stay.
Flames have to be careful here and need to play their cards right. If they play cards
Huberdeau is an Albatross.