NHL Rumor Mill – February 13, 2024
Check out the latest on Jake Guentzel, Juuse Saros, Chris Tanev, Vladimir Tarasenko and Jake Allen in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
PENGUINS REPORTEDLY SET A HIGH PRICE FOR GUENTZEL
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Nick Horwat cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman speculating the Pittsburgh Penguins will set a high price for Jake Guentzel if they put the 29-year-old winger on the trade block.
Friedman pointed to what the Philadelphia Flyers received from the Florida Panthers two years ago in the Claude Giroux trade. That deal fetched the Flyers a first-round pick in 2024, a third-rounder in 2023 and winger Owen Tippett, who’s blossomed into a scorer in Philadelphia.
Horwat’s colleague Adam Proteau believes the Penguins should move Guentzel if a team is willing to meet their high asking price. Trading him away would hurt in the short term but could prove beneficial over the long run.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Despite Guentzel’s offensive numbers, team captain Sidney Crosby’s stellar play and Tristan Jarry’s solid goaltending, the Penguins are struggling to remain in the chase for a wild card spot.
The Penguins tried to make one more Stanley Cup run by re-signing aging stars Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang two years ago. Under new management last summer, they brought in Erik Karlsson and Reilly Smith.
It’s time to accept reality. The Penguins are not a Stanley Cup contender and haven’t been for several years. They’re not even holding a playoff spot right now. Even if they somehow rally and clinch a berth in the 2024 postseason they’ll probably be eliminated in the first round.
The Penguins don’t have to tear this roster down completely but they must restock with promising young talent for now as well as the future. If someone is willing to overpay for Guentzel, Dubas must pull the trigger.
SAROS RESURFACES IN THE RUMOR MILL
SPORTSNET: During Monday’s “32 Thoughts” podcast, Elliotte Friedman brought up Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros as an intriguing trade target for teams seeking a starting goaltender. He noted the Predators are looking for a top offensive player and Saros could be the kind of guy to fetch that type of return.
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (NHL Images).
The New Jersey Devils are searching for help between the pipes and recently spoke with the Calgary Flames about Jacob Markstrom, who carries a $6 million cap hit. However, the Devils have limited salary-cap space and the Flames could be reluctant to retain salary for a player signed through 2025-26.
Regarding Saros, Friedman noted the name of Los Angeles Kings center Quinton Byfield has been tossed around. However, he doubts Saros would fetch Byfield. The Carolina Hurricanes are another club in need of goaltending. Friedman mentioned Martin Necas could be attractive to the Predators.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Saros, 28, is slated to become a UFA next summer. The Predators aren’t under pressure to move him now.
Predators GM Barry Trotz earlier this season said he intended to speak with Saros’ agent about opening contract extension talks on July 1. Even if that plan has changed, Trotz isn’t likely to trade his starting goalie while his team is battling for a wild-card berth.
Everything I’ve read and heard coming out of Nashville is skeptical of the Predators moving Saros. They point to the trade talk that swirled about him leading up to last year’s deadline but nothing came of it. They don’t expect anything to happen now.
Nashville Hockey Now’s Clay Brewer made a good point when he noted that it’s rare these days for a starting goalie to fetch a big return. He thinks the Predators should consider moving Saros if the return is two top prospects or young NHL players plus two high draft picks. He’s not holding his breath expecting anyone to pitch that type of offer.
FLAMES SEEKING A FIRST-ROUNDER FOR TANEV
CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal spoke yesterday with Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman about Calgary Flames defenseman Chris Tanev. Friedman believes the Flames seek a first-round pick for the 34-year-old Tanev but teams are offering up second-round picks.
Asked if the Vancouver Canucks could do that, Friedman didn’t think so. Nevertheless, he believes the Canucks have a lot of time for Tanev, who began his NHL career in Vancouver.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tanev spent 10 of his 14 NHL seasons with the Canucks before signing with the Flames in 2020. Speaking of the Flames’ asking price, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun suggested it was a second-rounder plus another asset or a first-rounder if teams lacked a second-round pick.
UPDATE ON TARASENKO
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Vladimir Tarasenko isn’t paying any attention to the trade rumors swirling about him as he considers his options with the March 8 trade deadline approaching. The 32-year-old Senators winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and carries a no-trade clause. He has 34 points in 46 games this season.
Tarasenko hasn’t ruled out re-signing with the Senators. He wouldn’t say if he’s spoken with general manager Steve Staios about the situation.
Garrioch noted that Tarasenko recently changed agents again but doubted that it had to do with signing a contract extension with the Senators. He cited an insider claiming the winger made this move to get a contract extension in place with a new club before agreeing to waive his no-trade clause.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: With the Senators mired near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, I’ll be surprised if Tarasenko isn’t moved by the March 8 trade deadline. Whether he can get a contract extension as part of the condition of a trade remains to be seen. Interested clubs could be leery about investing long-term before seeing how well he performs for them first.
UPDATE ON JAKE ALLEN
TVA SPORTS: Tony Marinaro and Jean-Charles Lajoie believe Jake Allen’s recent poor performance will adversely affect the Montreal Canadiens’ goaltender’s value in the trade market.
They believe Allen doesn’t want to leave the Canadiens. They speculate he was likely offered a role with the franchise following his playing career.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Allen’s enduring the worst season of his career with the Canadiens carrying three goalies. He seems like the odd man out with Sam Montembeault becoming their starter while promising Cayden Primeau looking more and more like Montembeault’s backup.
Some general managers could blame Allen’s struggles this season on the Habs three-goalie system. One of them could take the chance on him regaining his form with a change of scenery with a traditional two-goalie system..
Canadiens GM Kent Hughes said he’s comfortable carrying all three goalies for the rest of the season. However, it’s believed he’s still willing to trade Allen.
Some observers think Hughes has set his asking price for Allen and won’t budge from it. He’s signed through next season so Hughes doesn’t have to move him at the trade deadline. He could wait until the offseason for a club to meet his price.
Penguins need to retool?
To Pitts: Kakko, Goodrow, Jones and a 2025 1st and a conditional 2026 2nd that becomes a 1st if NYR wins the cup
To NYR: Crosby (50%retained) and Joseph
Plus when Guentzel is traded they rebuild even faster
Sid gets to stay on the East coast close to home with a playoff contender
Pitts does right by Sid like BOS did by Bourque
Sid may be 36 but NYR has this and two more years with this core as Bread and Trouba will be UFA in 3
😁
More than willing to bet Sid passes on the chance to play with a dirt bag like Trouba.
Never the only worse place for Sid than the Rangers would be the Capitals or the Flyers…although the way he is playing he pushes NY to the top of the east with Boston.
I have no doubt he would do well in New York.
I think ny makes the most sense of east conference qualifying teams
I’m sure Avs would love it but what would they have to give up?
Would he want to go west?
Re Pens,
I think if Sid go’s any where its to Colorado to play with his buddy Nate Dog…..
Pen’s sit in 12th spot today. 7 pts away from 8th spot Wings in the East,
Pen’s looking for a Claude Giroux style deal,
1st and an other pick and a good prospect for JG.
if NJ can get a Starting Goaltender they will male the playoffs like Markstrom, or a Saros
Predators GM Barry Trotz is asking Lots for Saros I dont think they will get that kind of package
to bruins guentzel to penguins 2025 first debrusk loreih and beecher
NJ should consider Ullmark! He and Saro are at 5 million and both are UFA S after next year! Markstrom is at 6 million a year for 2 more years!Everyone is reaching for Goaltending so prices should eventually go up a little bit!
Consider Ullmark for what? He’s got a 16-team no-trade clause and no interest in being traded. Not only that, but the Bruins aren’t breaking up the goalie tandem that’s been largely responsible for them sitting atop the Eastern Conference this season.
Pete
That trade would never happen unless guentzel signs long extension deal at 3 mil. Lol
LA with 2 back up Goaltenders
I don’t think they are going anywhere and with No cap space…..🤔
They are not trading Byfeild they view him as a future captain of the kings and he is starting to play very well🤙
PLD to BOS for DeBrusk and Ullmark?
With regard to Allen possibly having a role with the Habs once he retires, I’m obviously not saying it’ll happen but it brings up an interesting scenario.
Say a veteran player has a year left on his deal with a cap hit of $3m. His play had dropped off and he’s no longer a useful player. So he retires as a player. His team then hires him in a coaching role for $3m. Not necessarily to be paid in the first season. Are there procedures in such a case to penalize the team for cap circumvention? I’d imagine there would be.
Hey Howard. Maybe you are on to something. Gallagher can retire too and become a heart, soul and give it your all coach for $6.5 million. Also can someone please tell me what Hughes thinks he can get for Allen. If he is holding out for a 1st or a blue chip prospect, I think he is dreaming. At this point he would be lucky to unload him and not have to retain salary. If there is a deal out there, trade him and see if Montembeault and Primeau can handle the rest of the season. If not, then part of your off season involves getting a reliable goalie.
If Gallagher officially retires his contact ends. The Canadiens won’t sign him as a coach for the same money. As for what Hughes’s asking price, it’s rumored to involve a draft pick (not a first-rounder) plus another asset. That could be a pick or prospect.
I think he’s looking to trade him without retention cuz the value of that slot is worth more than what he’d get using it on Allen. I can’t see him wanting more than a 3rd or 4th which for a goalie who has decent advanced analytics and a ring really isn’t bad. But he prob wants that with no retention which is a no go for most teams right now
Just fyi Lyle incase you didn’t pick up on it. I was joking about Gallagher. I think that if Hughes is not holding back any of Allen’s contract, he’s dreaming if he thinks he can get 2 pieces for him. Time will tell.
Sneaky, Howard.
Allen stunk against St. Louis but teams will look at both his body of work and the team in front of him. There are many nights (including the rest of this season) where the Habs’ lineup looks like a good AHL team.
The best goalies (Markstrom, Soros) command a bigger price than Allen will. We may not get anything more than a second for him but I’d be surprised if he is with the team next season as there are teams which will need a good back up for the playoffs. One or two may need one to get to the playoffs.
And if he retires before then, I’m sure Lyle will have a gold star for your clever deviousness.
There’s all kinds of pressure on players to support the PA, negotiate for all the dollars and term they can, etc. A player would be strongly dissuaded from helping ownership like this.
Players don’t ever retire with term left. They go on LTIR, accept demotion, etc. Players don’t “retire” until their contracts run out. It’s the way it has to happen to satisfy contracts & labour agreements.
Keith retired and got a backdoor deal with the Oil
I wouldn’t call it a back door deal Johnny. Ya, he’s doing a bit of work for them, but they’re not paying him his $5.5M salary. Which is what I think the issue is, as plenty of players work in the game with former teams.
I think this has come up on here before Howard, and agree there is very likely a rule about that. Because it is exactly that, cap circumvention.
Not sure what Allen would get in a trade? Habs would need to retain 50% for this season and next. Hard to tell when you have a struggling team with lots of young D playing in front of him. Risky for the team acquiring him.
Does MTL even want to do that if the return is like a 3rd and have to retain $? No harm keeping him around to start the year and see if he can get it going and increase his value. As long as Montembeault gets enough starts.
Howard, if Allen retires before his contract expires his contract officially ends on that date of his retirement. And no, the Canadiens won’t hire Allen for a role worth $3 million annually.
Hey Crosby,
PLD seems to be a bit of a winebaby where ever he is…
LA way over payed to get him..
Now LA is caped out $$$ with 3 back ups
habs dodgedna bullet there
Looks like reality is finally starting to set in for Pittsburgh.
Despite Crosby having a great season the Pens are toast.
Pens are circling the drain and this time theres no Lemieux or Crosby coming to save them.
Enjoy the freefall folks,, the crash is going to be spectacular.
Ron.. Not just yet the Penguins have 5 of the next 6 at home and the lone road game is at Chicago (winnable). They also have some games at hand and are only 6 points out of third in the metro. These next 6 games will decide their season for sure…and what Dubas does..
Its now or never.
Blake might as well pack his bags if he trades Byfield for Saros.
1 mistake of Vilardi for PLD is enough.
He has to hope Rittich holds the fort until Talbot regains form (that’s a hope too).
I am absolutely sure Nashville is throwing around Quinton Byfields name in a Saros trade. Byfield and Clarke are non starters for any LA trade. Just because Elliott says it, it MUST be true…..
J.King, so you agree with Elliott? As he said basically the same thing above.
As the standing are today ; in the east Detroit is projected with the last wild card spot at 95pts and a winning percentage of .588
Here what the chasing teams need to play to get to 95pts
NJ .629 presently .549
Pitts .636 presently .541
NYI .650 presently .538
Wash .661 presently .529
In the west St.L projected to finish with 93pts second wild card spot at .569
Nash .616 presently .538
Cal .655 presently .519
Minn .666 presently .510
Sea .683 presently .500
Arz .693 presently . 490
Not to say a team can’t go on a run; being 50 plus games in, I think there is a good indication of where things are heading.
Great stats
Wonder what Historically has been the amount of teams that have overcome
The sens went on a crazy run during the hamburglar year. That must of been close to a record. Be fun to see them do it again this year. They are currently on a 70% win streak in their last 10…we can only dream.
Lmao Penguins think they have Briere at the helm. Get real. Hope nobody trades with that bum ass franchise
Nope. Pretty sure Dubas never tried to help his son cover up bullying and abuse of a handicapped individual.
You must be from Philly. Your envy masked as vitriol is showing.
dam are you calling the Penguins a bum ass franchise ? If you are your simply either jealous, dumb or an A Hole….such hate grow up !!
I can’t stand the Flyers would never call their organization that….wow
Some therapy maybe
you an idiot brah !!
you are a bum ass franchise !!
The way the Pens look is exactly what I expected when Dubas thought acquiring Karlsson was a good idea.
Karlsson’s year last year was an anomaly and any Sens fan knows that. Now that was relied on to pick up slack… he’s not getting that job done. And in typical Dubas fashion, he’s tied most of their money into a handful of players.
This is going to turn into a very long rebuild unless the big stars on the team are willing to go elsewhere for the remainders of their careers. No way they are winning a Cup in Pittsburgh any time soon.
Cue all the Crosby to Toronto rumours all summer…
NJ should consider Ullmark! He and Saro are at 5 million and both are UFA S after next year! Markstrom is at 6 million a year for 2 more years!Everyone is reaching for Goaltending so prices should eventually go up a little bit!
theSaint – re Tarasenko, of the two pending Ottawa UFAs he stands to bring back the best return for a team needing bolstering at RW for the playoffs, and with most of his $5 mil cap hit taken care of and on a pace for a 25g 35a 60 pt season, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him go to a contender for a draft pick or decent prospect.
Kubalik -9g 3a 12 pts in 44 gp and a glaring -21 – won’t bring back a plugged nickel.
Another trade possibility is 28 y/o RD Artem Zub if only to free up another $4.6 mil (3 years to go after this) to go along with the expected $12.5 mil coming from Tarasenko’s and Kubalik’s expiring cap hits and the end of several buyouts/cap retentions. He would bring the best return and this could happen if the team thinks 6″ 3″ 200lb Maxence Guenette – who’s having a nice AHL season with 4g 18a 22 pts in 40gp and is a +10 – is ready for the next step. You have to wonder, too, how long even bigger Tyler Kleven will remain in the AHL.
George. I’m not sure you pull that trigger, as Sens are already short on quality RH defensemen. He’s done very well lately playing with Sanderson. Branstrom wouldn’t fetch the same return, but he’s a LH on the end of his RFA contract, so he’d be my choice on a trade if a d had to go out. Even Hamonic, but he might have a NT. That would give Kleven and Guenette a spot to play in the last part of the year to see what they can do in the NHL.
yes toronto signs an extra 10 players and Tops
$500M mill in payroll!!!
Montreal media frequently are like chicken little with too many of them being talk show fans turned inti shock jocks braying loudly and every now and then getting it right.
Jake Allen had a bad outing last game, OMG his value dropped, if his next game is back to normal does his stock rise?
Allen was signed to be a backup goalie which he’s been very good at, has been mentoring Montembeault successfully and is well liked in the locker room
I’d rather keep Allen as a backup and move Primeau for whatever he brings back.
In any case the Habs are looking for a bridge till one of the goalies in the pipeline break through.
Back to clear thinking about Allen’s value HF30.
But I can’t agree with giving up Primeau for Allen. That gives the Habs only a single season next year to find a reliable back up for Montembeault. None of the goalies in the system will be ready for prime time in such order.
Two years from now (hell, next year) the Habs have to make significant progress. Prolonged losing affects players on the team, and it makes signing UFAs more difficult and expensive.
HF30, Yes, Allen had a bad outing last game. But he is 5-10-3 (59th in the league) has a 3.63 goals against average (58th in the league) and has a .895% save percentage (45th in the league) so it’s going to take more than one good game for his stock to rise. Neither Allen or Primeau will bring back anything significant and I agree with LJ, I rather keep Primeau.
But I’ll give you a stick tap, Montembeault has been more consistent this year.
Another option for Pittsburgh
To EDM: Smith with money retained and Ruhweedel
To Pitt: Lavoie & Broberg
EDM gets top 6 help which I’m sure Smith will bounce back
Pittsburgh gets younger
Smith has another year left, the Oil is not giving up 2 D and they sure as hell do not want Rudy!!
Ralph Lavoie is a forward
And I understand your sentiment on Ruhweedel 😂 just sending a d back to EDM since they sent Broberg in the deal. 😂
You do. To see a fit for Reilly Smith as a top 6 in EDM?
I hate Crosby.
How about this ?
To Edmonton Jake Guentzel and Pierre Oliver Joseph or Chad Rudwhedel..
To Pittsburgh
Center Ryan Mcleod
RHD Evan Bouchard
The money is the same.
Edmonton gets a perennial all star winger ,multiple time 30 goals, 40 goals twice, and you add that to Mc David Draisitell, Nugent Hopkins, Evander Kane they can make a deep run and maybe get Mc David a Cup..
Pittsburgh gets a younger affordable third line center and a top 4 d-man with a cannon for a shot..he can start in the 3rd pair defense
BnG, might want to take a second to consider this from Edmonton’s perspective. May seem a little harsh, but not your best proposal.
Bouchard has more points that both Karlsson and Letang this season, and is significantly younger than both of them. Heck, he only has 7 fewer points than Guentzel? And no he wouldn’t start on your 3rd pair, he would be be your #3 D-man. Depends how Letang is aging, but giving him the benefit of the doubt.
POJ wouldn’t make the starting 6 in Edmonton, and the only reason I know who Ruhwedal is, is because Pengy used to rant about how crappy he is once a week on here. Where is Pengy anyway?
Macleod is 24 and solid 3C, and is already a becoming shutdown guy. Elite wheels. I wouldn’t trade him for a year of Guentzel straight up.
Playoff teams generally don’t trade valuable roster players for rentals because they need them in the playoffs.
If PIT wants to move Ruhwedel, how about a 6th?
BnG
I will take the position that although EDM would love Guentzel, they simply cannot afford to give up a solid young right hand offensive Dman. In addition, the cap for Guentzel would require EDM to move out significant cap no? Particularly to get ready for Leo and McD next contracts along with Bouchard and still net and effective roster.
My mind went to Smith bc he played a fast pace game in Vegas just like McD plays. Pitts plays a slower puck possession game.
Pittsburgh might trade one of the old guys, but it wont be Crosby
Ullmark is the best bet due to being younger than Markström but he isnt going anywhere until this summer you would also only have him for one playoffs. I would go for Markström and try to get Calgary to retain 2m, I would also wait to see what happens to Hanifin. If they resign him, its more likely they retain Markström but if he leaves Markström should be more open to a trade.
Saros is a really good goalie, but he is a small goalie and relies a lot on movement, while a guy like Markström is bigger and doesnt have to move as much.
Hey Kent
I dont think they move Evan Bouchard, he will be there for 9-10 more years more to run the PP
Philip Broberg, Ken Holland the GM said he is not planing on moving Broberg, they view him as part of the oilers future d he could be fulltime next year
Re; Jake Guentzel
The oilers dont have the Cap space for him or assets to get him, unless they can move Jack Campbell out at $5.M…
Anyway the Oilers Need a Scoring RW, and Jake Guentzel is a LW…. So thats Dead…..
I hate Crosby and Ray Bark…I can’t say I disagree with you but if you want Guentzel he makes Edmonton super dangerous.
Yes it is a bit much and maybe the Penguins add something? A noel Acairi or something similar.
If I’m Pittsburgh I’m asking for a lot because Guentzel will be the best player and scorer on the market..he is better than Lindholm who was – 4 last game.
Look you make that trade and maybe go after a Dante Fabbro or a Adam BoQvist a young defenseman…..you’ll be fine.
Because the Kings just shut down the Oilers 4-0 a couple days ago in a playoff style game. Guentzel has been money in the playoffs too..
who would Pittsburgh have to add to make this trade in your mind?
Edmonton current injury list ..zero
Law of averages suggest that will change. They need D depth and a reliable backup not Guentzel
Markstrom looks pretty good right now. But I would not trade him
Apparently 20 scouts at the Flames Rangers game last night
Edmontonians say thanks for the jinx S7.
Agree 100% on Guentzel. Good player, but it sure helps the #’s when you play with Sid most of your career. He will cost way too much. Holland said he wanted to build it to be sustainable, means you need good cheap players. AKA young.
Agree on some D depth, right shot on the cheap side, Broberg is the LD depth.
Backup tender has solidified, so will pass on that. I think they go middle 6 guy. Either a C like Dowd, which allows you to move MacLeod up if you choose, or somebody who brings flexibility and some secondary scoring.
Neither Broberg or Holloway get’s moved for a guy like Guentzel, or some other big ticket. My best guess anyway.
Doesn’t Ruhweedel play RD? 😂
Yep, and he’s cheap!
Just hope they don’t need to use him