NHL Rumor Mill – February 14, 2024
More info on the Devils’ attempt to acquire Jacob Markstrom, Sabres GM Kevyn Adams denies shopping Casey Mittelstadt, Boone Jenner wants to remain with the Blue Jackets, plus the latest on the Flyers and Oilers in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
REPORT CLAIMS DEVILS AND FLAMES WERE CLOSE TO A DEAL ON MARKSTROM
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols cites Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reporting Calgary Flames management recently approached goaltender Jacob Markstrom about waiving his no-movement clause to accept a trade to the New Jersey Devils.
Seravalli doesn’t think there were any issues on Markstrom’s part about joining the Devils. Nichols cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman that the two sides were in agreement on a deal that would’ve worked for both sides, with Devils forward Alexander Holtz believed to be part of the return to the Flames.
Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom (NHL Images).
Friedman indicated the deal fell apart over the issue of the Flames retaining part of Markstrom’s $6 million average annual value through 2025-26. Seravalli doubts the deal can be revived as the Devils are looking elsewhere for goaltending help.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Markstrom were an unrestricted free agent this summer or next perhaps the Flames might’ve been more agreeable to retaining part of his salary cap hit. Having part of his cap hit on their books for the remainder of this season plus the next two wasn’t something they seemed keen to do.
LATEST ON THE SABRES
WGR 550: Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams denied recent speculation claiming he was shopping Casey Mittelstadt.
Appearing Tuesday on “Schopp and the Bulldog”, Adams praised the versatile 25-year-old forward, who leads the Sabres with 43 points this season. He also indicated that he hopes to work toward a contract for Mittelstadt and get him signed.
Mittelstadt is due to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mittelstadt’s contract status plus the fact several of his teammates have already signed long-term contracts sparked speculation he could be shopped because the Sabres didn’t want to sign him.
Adams could be tempted if a rival GM made an enticing pitch for Mittelstadt. However, I’m taking him at face value when he says he wants to re-sign him. Bear in mind that Mittelstadt’s RFA status means his rights still belong to the Sabres so Adams is under no pressure to move him by the March 8 trade deadline.
THE BUFFALO NEWS: Speaking of the Sabres, Lance Lysowski reports Victor Olofsson is remaining patient while awaiting a trade. The 28-year-old winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and has been the subject of trade speculation this season.
Moving Olofsson could be tricky. His production is down this season, he’s been a frequent healthy scratch and he carries a $4.75 million cap hit.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Michael DeRosa cited The Fourth Period claiming the Colorado Avalanche have been linked to Olofsson. They need depth at center but DeRosa thinks they could also use more scoring among their bottom six.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres might have to retain half of Olofsson’s cap hit to move him by the March 8 trade deadline. Even that might not fetch much of a return.
JENNER WANTS TO STAY WITH THE BLUE JACKETS
THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports Columbus Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner has become a wanted man in this season’s trade market. However, the 30-year-old forward made it clear that he doesn’t want to be traded.
Jenner said he wants to be part of the rebuilding roster’s development. He acknowledged there’s a lot of work to be done but believes they can get it done.
A versatile, hardworking forward, Jenner carries an affordable $3.75 million AAV through 2025-26. That contract along with his style of game makes him attractive to playoff contenders. However, Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen said it would take an over-the-top offer before he would consider trading his captain.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jenner also seems keen to spend his entire NHL career with the Blue Jackets. That might change in a couple of years when he becomes eligible for UFA status if the Jackets haven’t improved by then.
If Kekalainen gets replaced at the end of this season a new GM could have designs on trading Jenner, who carries an eight-team no-trade clause. For now, however, it seems unlikely that he’ll be moved by the March 8 trade deadline.
THE LATEST ON SEAN WALKER
THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz reports Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella recently said that his club isn’t shopping defenseman Sean Walker. However, Tortorella thinks they’d be dopes if they didn’t listen to offers, adding they’d move him if it made sense for the organization.
Walker’s been the Flyers most consistent defenseman this season. Moving him would hurt their blueline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers’ acquisition of Jamie Drysdale has heightened anticipation that Walker could be traded. However, Kurz cited Tortorella saying the 21-year-old Drysdale remains a work in progress.
Kurz noted the Flyers have been carrying eight defensemen. One way to address this would be to trade Rasmus Ristolainen while attempting to re-sign Walker and defense partner Nick Seeler. While Ristolainen is on The Athletic’s trade board, any deal would involve the Flyers retaining part of his $5.1 million AAV through 2026-27. Walker, however, is simply more valuable in the trade market.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The decision would be easier for Flyers management if the club was out of playoff contention. However, they’re holding on to third place in the Metropolitan Division. GM Daniel Briere said that wouldn’t affect his decision to make trades for the future but he could be feeling pressure from ownership to keep this group intact for the rest of the season.
I’ll be very surprised if Briere can find a taker for Ristolainen. While his play has improved under Tortorella’s coaching, his cap hit is a significant obstacle in the path to a trade.
UPDATE ON THE OILERS
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli’s recent appearance on “Oilers Now” telling Bob Stauffer that Oilers top prospect Philip Broberg could factor into the club’s plans for the trade deadline.
Seravalli wasn’t talking about the Oilers shopping Broberg, who’s spent most of this season with their AHL affiliate in Bakersfield. Instead, he believes that Brober is now NHL-ready. That could give them the flexibility to move out other players.
Staples speculates blueliner Brett Kulak could be that player. While the Oilers like Kulak, Daily Faceoff pointed out that replacing him with Broberg represents an immediate $2 million in cap savings.
Something just seems off n the Markstrom story. Unless a deal was basically agreed, management should not be asking about waiving contractual rights. How then does the show stopper appear after this. Some one’s facts are off
redmonsters…Tru!
It goes like this:
Hey, would you waive your no movement clause if we can work out a deal with the Devils?
Sure.
Ok, we’ll see if we can make this work…Well, that didn’t go as planned. Sorry.
redmonsters the thing that is off, is someone has a big mouth.
Someone gave the information to the media and was there a purpose to leaking the news? who benefits from it being out there?
as a Ranger fan I do not want to see Markstrom across the river. that forward group is deep
3 team deal:
Avs get Vanicek ($1M retained)
Flames gets Holtz, an NJ 1st, DeSimone, L. O’Conner.
NJ gets Markstrom, Tanev (1/2 salary retained)
Why would the Avalanche give up LOC for Vanicek just to help out the Devils and Flames? Vanicek not all that great and taking on goaltending problems that the Devils have plus we lose LOC, dosen’t make much sense to me? Anyone that watches Avalanche games can tell you that it is the team’s lackadaisical focus with puck management and lack of attention to their defensive responsibilities where the team runs into problems. Often they leave Georgiev out to dry. So, no wonder he is shaky at times. Adding Vanicek to the equation dosen’t solve that issue in my mind!
Vanacek would be your BU to Georgie.
Sorry Lyle i commented on Markstrom in the morning news before i read this page.
No worries, caper.
Anyone else agree with Seravalli, re Broberg is NHL ready? He might be “ready” but a talent like his, you would want a young play to have success, otherwise you run the chance of ruining them especially for young offensive D and goalies. And I don’t think the oil have anyone good enough to partner with him as a sheltered pairing to help the young blue liner. Its a lose lose situation.
Hi Ron, by all accounts locally here, he is ready.
From the coaches in Edmonton & Bakersfield, pundits who watched him down there etc. Playing big minutes in all situations, and has been excellent. But ya, NHL playoffs are different and he only has 10 games if playoff experience, and that was with Woodcroft rolling with 7 D. So Broberg only got 7 minutes a game.
6′ 3″, 200 lbs, with high end wheels and some skills with the puck. Has had some injury issues which slowed things down, and Holland made the right call by sending him down vs 3rd pair minutes and finding time for 7 quality D. He will be in the NHL full time next season, that’s a given.
As far as pairing, him, your right that the Oil’s best D-men are also LD’s, but I have no concerns playing him with either Ceci or Desharnais. Bouchard is more the offensive guy, but also has plenty of experience now, so an option on O-zone starts and with the top line.
I get the theory of folks who say that you can trade Kulak, but you need a minimum of 7 D, preferably 8 come playoff time. The Oil’s D core is a strength, not a weakness, but they need to keep that depth IMO, or they may end up wishing they did.
Hey Ron,
I dont think he Broberg is quite ready for the full time NHL, I seen him live at some game’s last season, 3 times last year,
Broberg is a great skater did a few nice first passes out the Zone and gets back very very quick…
However
he did look lost in every game i went to last year a number of times in each game, The more i watched the more i relised he is still developing and needs more playing time in Bako,
Holland, Oilers GM is right better to over ripening a player than bringing him up to early, in saying that i can see him coming up to the Oilers for the playoff push after bako are done in the AHL this season
Next season I could see him playing with Ekholm as he can play RD/LD, Broberg being a LD that would be good for him, or if the oil trade for a good RD next year 🤔
Paul Coffey would be a Great teacher for the kid….👌
Read some comments referring to Ullmark being moved.
Makes no sense. Boston is a two goalie team, they are in the position they are today because they have two solid goaltenders who share the net Ullmark appeared in 26 games and Swayman 29 games.
I do think Ullmark could be moved at the draft and goaltending prospsect is one area where they seem to have some depth.
I think it will only be depth pieces for the Bruins. The only caveat is what to do with Jake Debrusk who is on pace for 19 goals and 60pts his lowest total in a season of 50 plus games since 19-20 when he play 65 games.
Jake didn’t pick a good year to have a down year.
Caper
Good for bruins to resign JD at fair rate. Big not move him in a pkg for a scorer I also agree Ullmark not going anywhere in season
The question that should be asked is do the Bruins seem to be a team that can win the cup?If they trade Ullmark at the deadline they should be a safe bet to make the playoffs! They can t afford both goalies next year and they can t afford to get nothing in return for their asset!So they should trade Ullmark and even package him with Debrusk for a significant trade! As it is ,JDB can walk next year for nothing!For that matter the team should look at moving all their UFA S and get anything in return that they can get!
George it was interesting that the Bruins only signed Swayman for tow season. Wonder if that was player or GM.
The risk will remain the same next season, if Boston decide that Swayman is the team #1 and move Ullmark. Swayman career high appearances is 41 games but at some point going to have to see if he can handle the work load.
I think the number comes in around 5yrs between $5 and $6 million.
Sr as you are aware Boston is 2nd overall in the NHL, that is no small feat.
They are not in a position to trade players aways for picks and prospects.
I be shocked if Ullmark got moved; the only way Debrusk gets moved if it’s for a player.
Boston strength starts for the net out. Two solid goalies and 3 very good dman in McAvoy, Carlo and Lindholm. Some Bruin fans really like Grzelcyk and point out how well he pairs with McAvoy. I’m not one of them.
Like all teams Boston has some really good players but the depth will be tested.
Kind of weird that although Boston is second overall in the league; not many including some Bruin fans don’t see them as a contender.
Personally I think Florida will catch Boston and the Bruins will play Toronto in the first round and potentially and all Florida first round with the Panthers first and Tampa the second wild card. Won’t that be fun.
Caper,I agree with you on many of your hockey suggestions and analysis! Bruins finishing second is a good thing! This first place team in their division is getting heavy to hang on to!The problem that I see in the playoffs is that if 63 and 88 Don t get on the scoresheet somewhere I Don t see how they go far! Do you think the book is closed on Lucic? They are playing a 4th line of Smurfs,that won t help in playoff series!
caper, the kicker seem to be the fact Swayman is an RFA coming off a cap hit of $3,475,000. He’s likely looking at something in the range of $5 mil – which is exactly what they’re paying Ullmark – so heading into next season when they need to either re-sign – or replace with players of equal ability (and at what cost?) 7 UFAs, do they want to go forward with a goaltending tandem costing $10 mil off their cap?
Swayman will want more. Its 3 years since the Ullmark deal, and he is younger. My guess is that it will be at least 6 on a 4 year deal and 7,5-8 on an eight year deal
Good point Kent – woof – from $11 mil to $12.8 or $13 mil for a goalie tandem!
i agree swayman will want at least 7 million on a 6to7 years contract.why not move ullmark before the trade deadline where i think bruins would get a lot more for him then waiting until next summer when he would only have one year left on his contract. i think he ullmark would approve a trade to the devils as he would prefer to stay in the east.ullmark for dawson and daws.
Re; Swayman
He will be 26 at the end of this year,
i can see him with a 2 or 3 year deal @$ 5.5M to $6M
then he is a UFA Goaltender in Demand at 28 or 29 with the salary cap going up $9 M to $10M
then he will lock in for 7 to 8 yrs bring him upon to 36 to 37 yrs old…..
I agree it makes financial/cap sense to trade a tender this off season. Even with as well as it’s working, as Caper is 100% right, their tending has them in first place.
Ullmark is the likely candidate to be traded, but I wouldn’t assume it is a sure thing that they don’t check the market for both guys.
Sway is younger and under team control longer, so likely worth more in trade. May also demand more $? Also doesn’t have any trade protection, so even the rebuilding teams are an option.
The B’s can’t sign Ullmark until July 1, but they can speak to him and his agent anytime they want can’t they? Same for Sway.
They can also get a real good understanding what each will bring back as a return.
Weigh it all and make the call.
They are both great tenders, and remarkably consistent. I think Ullmark’s best game is better than Swayman’s best game. Good problem to have this year, pretty sure one is gone by next season.
Hey George,
I think they move Ullmark as he has 1 year left at $5.M … But thats after they get Swayman signed up to a long term deal .?
Then trade Ullmark at the NHL draft to free up cash for the UFA players on July 1st then they can go after there Centre…that would give the Bruins $33.M in Cap Space on July 1st..
Step up, NJ, Carolina, they both need starters
maybe Ottawa if the can move a goaltender like Joonas Korpisalo back to LA Kings with a BIG Sweetener as the King’s have No Goaltender signed for next season, all 3 are back ups and UFA …⁉️
Top 3 Starter Ready to move
L. Ullmark, 1 yr left
Juuse Saros 1yr left
J. Markstrom, 2yrs left
If I had to predict one move by Ottawa heading to TD day that would involve Tarasenko going to the Avalanche.
On the surface that might raise the question “why?” since, even with two their top scorers out indefinitely (Nichushkin and Landescog), they still boast the most goals for with 202 – but when you get into the playoffs, history has shown that you simply can’t have too much scoring.
What would be expected back likely won’t be a roster player of note, but rather a pick and perhaps a decent prospect from within their system.
Going to be an interesting couple of weeks just ahead.
George O, good to see that you are back! As far as Tarasenko to the Avalanche, i’m not certain that would work for the Avalanche? Johansen at center is the big issue for the team. Don’t think that is working. He can’t keep up with Avalanche speed in addition to just getting Parise recently?How would they fit Tarasenko in cap wise? Nichushkin likely will be back and possibly Landeskog. I believe the Avalanche may make a hockey trade to either fill the 2C or a backup goaltender. Not that Taresenko’s goal scoring ability wouldn’t be welcome. Perhaps, I am wrong but I don’t see it!!
Is Korpisalo an issue or just poor play in front of him?
Sj will need to hit the floor next year again
Swap for Blackwood then see if Ullmark is available?
That’ll save like 2m
Hard to say definitively, I hate Crosby. He seems to go in stretches of decent goaltending followed by several starts where he’d have trouble stopping a beach ball … so, inconsistency?
Part of the problem might be inconsistency on the part of the skaters in front of him, and the stats seem to bear that out.
When Smith was canned they were 11 – 15 with 88gf and 94ga – averages of 3.4 gf per game and 3.6ga per game. Since Martin took over they have gone 11 – 10 with 81gf and 82ga for averages of 3.9 gf per game and 3.9 ga per game. So, not much difference – suggesting that perhaps the roster – as a whole – simply cannot maintain any consistency regardless of the style of coaching.
The past 10 they’ve enjoyed a good record so we’ll see how it goes the rest of the way.
As for going after Blackwood and Ullmark, first they’d have to find a taker for Korpisalo, who has 4 more seasons to go after this at $4 mil per – Forsberg only has 1 year left – but at $2,750,000 cap hit.
I’ve always kinda felt that was Jakes ballpark number. And looking at his career I think I’m not far off. I’d certainly keep him. Bruins need to add. And add smart. Team chemistry and structure is there.
I was wondering. Did we lose old George? Haven’t seen him in a while. Hope I havent put my foot in my mouth.
The rumours of my demise are as greatly exaggerated as Cup optimism emanating from (fill in the blank) :).
I WAS going to object to “old George” … but then it hit me … “you’re inching closer to 86, idiot” – so there’s nothing to object to …. 🙂
LOL….you’re on the right side of the grass at least. 86 is a good life brother. Sadly people in my family seem to want to join the century club. Quite a few of them on my dad’s side a couple of high 90’s on my mom’s side. At that point everyone interesting will be gone.
I assume the Sens will have won a few cups by then though
LOL. I’d settle for one Cup!
Risto and Laughton to TML for Robertson Beruzzi and first?
TML gets a righty RD signed for few years since they do t have many d mean signed next yr
TML gets another character guy who can help in playoffs since the Bertuzzi experiment isn’t
Philly gets cap relief and can flip Bertuzzi retaining half to AVS or NYR for draft capital
Win for both?
You really need to study the no-trade clauses on the players you propose to trade. It is very unlikely that a player will waive his NTC to move to a team that has hardly no chance to win a cup.
Philly as the same chance for a cup that TML does…if we are being honest
The flip Bertuzzi to Avs
Avs truly have a chance for a cup
No thanks.
Rather keep the 1st than have an inconsistent (Tortorella’s word), 3rd line center and an overpaid, 3rd pairing defenseman.
Leafs can put that 1st round pick to much better use.
Leaf fan!
I can understand that Calgary wants to get “paid” for retaining cap, but the cap is going up and whatever happens they will do a retool and will have less need of that cap space. Given that they trade Hanifin and Tanev and resign Kylington, they should have 21m in cap to work with for next season. (they do need D though)
It’s a game of chicken. I think part of the problem is because of Markstroms all world play, Flames are as close to the wildcard spot in the west as Jersey is. Trading Markstrom now changes that & Conroy wants/needs it to be a homerun trade to ownership.
Conroy can afford to ride Markstrom for a lottery wildcard ticket & that shouldnt impact Markstroms value at the draft in June. Jersey should be making a priority of acquiring Markstrom higher than resigning Tofolli. If Tofolli walks the cost really isnt that bad because it was a player that wasnt fitting & a 3rd rounder. Markstrom will give them #1 goaltending while grooming Schmid.
Considering the leafs are committed with being top heavy. Might as week throw all your eggs in 2 baskets. Forwards and goalies. I would sell the farm for 3 playoffs with Markstrom in net.
Roberstson
Cowan or minten
And the leafs 1st rounder this year.
Not sure if that would interest the flames.
Good goaltending hides alot of holes.
Definitely Minten, not Cowan.
The question is, who goes back to Calgary to cover Markstrom’s $6M dollar cap hit?
Maybe Bertuzzi ($5.5) as he is an expiring contract.
Bruins and the goalie “problem” is one most teams would like to be in.
The Bruins are a middle of the pack team at best but top of the league on account of goaltending.
When they have an off game, the Bruins lose.
The numbers tossed around for the two are in the range of Vasilevskiy, Bobrovsky and as a tandem they bring the goods.
Ya HF30, it’s a tough call.
The way I look at it is the opportunity cost plus Ullmark is a UFA the following season. Then what does it cost for the position? For sure you can’t keep both then. Well you could but, that’s big $$ and 1 guys is on the bench every night.
IMO the B’s likely won’t win a cup until they address other parts of their lineup, and have excellent tending. Only one guy usually plays most of the games in the playoffs.
The opportunity cost is pretty high I think. What would DET give BOS for Swayman? Need to send Husso back for the $ I suppose. Can you get Danielson? Would they throw in a 1st? Jersey could sure use one of them.
I dunno, goalie trades for big returns don’t happen. But top end tenders don’t get traded often either. Roy, but everybody knew he was done, that day, in MTL.
Flames ownership are tight wads. I bet Conroy had the all the boxes checked and then Edwards or whomever nixed because of dollars held. Markstrom approval should have been the last part .
I have maintained all trade season no rush on Markstrom . However his current value is likely at the highest and 34 years old. If you can land a pick a prospect and Holtz pull the trigger and buckle up for a rough ride
Leafs might as well stand pat at the trade deadline. They are going nowhere in the playoffs. Adding one or two defensemen at the expense of mortgaging their future makes no sense. There has been WAYYY
too much of this in the past. They CANNOT win the Stanley cup the way they are constructed.