NHL Rumor Mill – February 15, 2024
Check out the latest on Jacob Markstrom, Noah Hanifin, Jake Guentzel, Adam Henrique and Kevin Labanc plus an update on the Canucks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST ON MARKSTROM AND HANIFIN
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports Calgary Flames management did not ask goaltender Jacob Markstrom to waive his no-movement clause to accept a trade to the New Jersey Devils. He said the two clubs engaged in trade discussions but it never reached the stage where Markstrom’s approval would be required to facilitate the deal.
Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin (NHL Images).
LeBrun indicated the sticking point was salary retention. It’s uncertain if those trade talks between the two clubs are over or not but it’s clear that the Devils still need to upgrade their goaltending.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Salary retention is the one thing all insiders seem to agree on regarding what derailed the Markstrom trade talks between the two clubs. He’s signed through 2025-26 with an average annual value of $6 million.
As I mentioned yesterday, the Flames don’t seem keen to carry dead cap space for the next two seasons. Even with the salary cap projected to significantly increase over that period, they’ll need as much room as possible to re-sign key players and add others to their roster.
ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports the Devils were also kicking tires on Columbus Blue Jackets netminder Elvis Merzlikins.
Speaking of the Flames, they’re still awaiting a decision from Noah Hanifin on whether he’ll re-sign with them. Darren Dreger indicates there’s plenty of interest in the 27-year-old defenseman if he becomes available. The Flames want to re-sign Hanifin but are willing to move him before the March 8 deadline if he’s not interested in a new deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The trade deadline is three weeks away so Hanifin still has plenty of time to decide his future. However, the Flames will want a decision soon to set the wheels in motion for a trade if he’s not willing to stick around.
Sportsnet’s Eric Francis reports Flames general manager Craig Conroy isn’t going to gut his roster so that they tank this season. Conroy pointed out how well young players such as Connor Zary, Martin Pospisil, and others have fit in among the veterans this season, helping to keep the Flames within wild-card contention. Adding Andrei Kuzmenko from Vancouver in the Elias Lindholm deal indicates he’s trying to retool the roster on the fly.
Francis also noted that Conroy is in no hurry to trade Markstrom. However, he’s willing to listen to offers and could pull the trigger for the right return provided the goalie accepts the move.
NO ASKING PRICE SET FOR GUENTZEL
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Pittsburgh Penguins are receiving calls about Jake Guentzel. However, GM Kyle Dubas has not yet set an asking price for the 29-year-old winger. LeBrun claims they’re not at that point yet.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently speculated Dubas would want a return comparable to what the Philadelphia Flyers received from the Florida Panthers in the Claude Giroux trade two years ago. The Flyers received a first-round pick, a third-rounder and young winger Owen Tippett.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited Friedman telling Brenden Escott of Oilers Now that he believes the Oilers will attempt to go big at the upcoming trade deadline. He believes Guentzel is the player they rank the highest on their wish list though he added that he’s not saying that’s going to happen.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Nick Horwat cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli suggesting Guentzel would be a perfect fit with the Colorado Avalanche.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers and Avalanche would need the Penguins to retain half of Guentzel’s $6 million cap hit to make the dollars fit. That would require a significant return to the Penguins.
Speaking of Guentzel, he left last night’s game against the Florida Panthers with an upper-body injury. The severity of that injury could determine whether he gets traded by March 8. Stay tuned.
UPDATE ON ADAM HENRIQUE
THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens believes the Anaheim Ducks won’t have any problem retaining half of Adam Henrique’s $5.825 million cap hit for the remainder of this season to facilitate a trade. He also believes Ducks GM Pat Verbeek will want a first-round pick as part of the return.
Verbeek could also look at upgrading his current roster with a proven player on the same timeline as their young core.
As for potential trade partners, Stephens listed the New York Rangers, Colorado Avalanche and Boston Bruins. All three could use additional depth at center.
LABANC REQUEST A TRADE FROM THE SHARKS
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Max Miller reports agent Mike Curren confirms he’s working with Sharks management to find a new opportunity for client Kevin Labanc. The 28-year-old winger is in the final season of his contract with the Sharks and has recently been a frequent healthy scratch.
Miller indicates there’s no animosity between the two sides. Curren claimed there were clubs interested in Labanc earlier this season but nothing materialized.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The decline in Labanc’s production as well as his $4.725 million cap hit for this season makes him difficult to move. The Sharks could retain half of that cap hit for the remainder of the season but they’ve already used up two of their salary-retention slots.
LATEST ON THE CANUCKS
THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston took note of the Vancouver Canucks inviting Phil Kessel to skate with their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford but he might not be the only player they consider adding to their roster for the playoffs.
Johnston believes they could also look at adding a right-shot defenseman. While they’d love to bring back Chris Tanev from Calgary, they’ll likely have to consider more affordable options that can fit within their system. Possibilities include Seattle’s Justin Schultz, Pittsburgh’s Chad Ruhwedel, Anaheim’s Ilya Lyubushkin or Buffalo’s Erik Johnson.
Jarmo Kekäläinen Fired, Davidson appointed himself Czar of CBJ
Scooby Dubas will likely try to add to his roster in a feeble, likely doomed attempt to make the playoffs.
His track record shows the Pens will mortgage what remains of their picks and prospects to “go for it”.
Rebuild should have started 3 years ago or earlier.
Signing Malkin and LeTurnover to anchor NM deals was beyond reckless and trading for Karlsson was the last thing they should have done.
Dubas will strip the franchise of any future and doom the Pens to a decade of mediocrity.
Sad way for Crosbys career to wind down.
You nailed it. When Pittsburgh made Doobie the GM many predicted he would make ill advised moves for big names and tie a lot of money into ineffective players with very little team build or chemistry…
Then when we saw he was going for Karlsson I knew that prediction was right and I honestly felt the team automatically became worse and they sealed a bad season…
Malkin is so slow even he admits it. Erik is showing again that he can be flashy when it’s needed, but he often becomes incredibly ineffective when it matters.
Sid still plays an amazing game and I wish Dubas would have built around him specifically… now they are stuck with old guys and having to trade away future building blocks to stay under the cap in a year that they will miss the post season when they planned to “one last shot at a Cup”
I’m the only one that thinks Karlsson made sense for this short window to get Sid closer to a cup
Karlsson upgrade over Granlund and Petry.
Challenge was for the coaching staffs playing style to infuse him into the game plan
He isn’t playing great but still an upgrade over Petry and Granlund.
Sad the chemistry almost looks like a brick wall hit it and they don’t talk out there and cover for one another.
But a $10 mil per upgrade? For 3 MORE years???
@ George… that’s the exact point. Add Karlsson for a last shot? Sure. Add him at that much money for that many years?
Dumb move.
George I still contend yes
Crosby has this year and next and Karlsson on the roster this year and next gives them a better winning chance than a combo of Petry and Granlund
We all knew Karlsson was not going to repeat a Norris year but how else were Pittsburgh better utilizing these 2 yrs of that 10m when their main choices were Karlsson or keep a Petry/Granlund combo in hopes Sid would be happy at standing still in the trade market
The extra years is a valid concern but I’d argue management giving Carter a 3m deal this year before Dubas was a bigger gaf and more detrimental due to his reduced speed
Dubas brought in Smith and no one foresaw him not producing. Steal of a trade too
I’d honesty say the error was signing Graves for that much (Dubas) and again Carter for 3m by Pitts management before Dubas
Signing LeTang and Malkin was to appease Sid and also not Dubas fault. It’s a PR thing and to keep Sid happy.
Just my opinion. Not staying I am right or wrong but I’ll take Karlsson over Petry/Granlund any day 365
I go back to coaching and updating style of play to evolve with the league. Have to find ways to incorporate all the talent. Too many slow skaters on their roster and the infamous lack of backchecking from Gino doesn’t help
If the trade Smith and obviously let Carter walk that’ll give them 8m space. In addition 4m in cap bump. That’s 12.
Guentzel makes 6 so let’s say he takes home town 9×8
That leaves 9m to fill bottom pairing D and upgrade bottom 6
Rackell, Carter, Graves, Eller, and Smith all need to step up and the coaching staff has to do better to get the news guys comfy with the old guys
IMO
Boston with no 1st, 2nd or 3rd round pick this year and no 2nd round pick next year.
Yes they have some good prospects but limited.
Sweeney can not give future picks away for pending ufa’s
I think he could potential trade 2025 1st round pick if it’s for a player he can sign to an extension.
Debrusk and Grez and pick for Guentzel and POJ?
Sweeney would do that trade.
I think the Bruins would sign a center or defensemen before the cost of a Guentzel!They already have an 11 million dollar winger!I also think he is starting to become injury prone!
Include Grzelcyk along with DeBrusk and one Providence forward and get Hanifin to agree to a long extension (not Lysell)
You can get him next year for nothing! Use those assets in other trades!
“ Pierre LeBrun reports the Pittsburgh Penguins are receiving calls about Jake Guentzel. However, GM Kyle Dubas has not yet set an asking price for the 29-year-old winger. LeBrun claims they’re not at that point yet.”
What’s it going to take to get to “that point”?
I said with the re-signing of Malkin and Letang what they were doing was the “definition of insanity.”
They haven’t won a playoff round in SIX years!
This is a lot like pulling milk out of the fridge, tasting it and it’s sour , then putting it back to see if it’s better the next day.
Sell! Sell now, and sell whatever you can! Nobody should be untouchable!
This team needed a retool 5 years ago, and needed to be blown up 3 years ago.
Don’t sell why? “You never know if you make it in what can happen”?
Yes, yes we do know what can happen. You’ll be ousted in the 1st round and a year old next year with the same exact rotting core!
Sell what you can now!
Someone will say Crosby needs to finish his career in Pittsburgh. I say why? If you truly love him set him free. Maybe he comes back for a curtain call. Maybe not. Sentimental business is just flat out bad business!
>>>This is a lot like pulling milk out of the fridge, tasting it and it’s sour , then putting it back to see if it’s better the next day.
Thanks for this – one of best lines I’ve seen on here in a long time. A literal LOL from me.
The owner owns the Boston Red Sox! Look at what he has done in Boston in terms of trading stars and cutting payroll! The Penguins are next! If John Henry owned the Penguins earlier they would not of resigned Letang and Malkin or trade for Karlsson! Dubas won t be calling the shots, Henry will!
Yes send SID to NYR for KAkko Goodrow and a 2025 1st. Thank you
I think that’s a bit underwhelming return for Crosby, and a bit overkill for NYs needs.
NY needs a 3rd line center and a top 6 RW.
Goodrow alone in a return will cost a 2nd to get rid of.
Not sure the right 3rd line center for NYs needs exists unless it’s someone off the radar like D. Strome, who could also slide in at 2 if needed.
The more I’ve thought about it over the last couple of weeks, if NY can’t find that guy, why not chase Hanifin? And still add that top 6 RW.
Fox and Hanifin or Trouba and Hanifin looks pretty nice on paper. Especially with Lindgrens constant health issues. I don’t like this defense for a playoff run! Miller alone I think would be a good return, maybe add a pick but certainly not a 1st unless they’re taking Goodrow.
Nice to see that 3rd line clicking lately. Maybe they need to evaluate that need in the next 2-3 weeks before a trade?
Did you just use “set him free” and sentimental business is bad business in the same paragraph?
Absolutely, it’s not a sentimental move to set him free, it’s a smart move.
Holding onto him and letting him and that core rot makes zero sense. That’s sentimental!
You gain nothing by watching him retire a penguin.
Trade him today and he’s bringing back 3 pretty good pieces.
Reading ….Bruins needs at trade deadline for playoffs …Center..middle 6 scorer..4th line tone setter..physical 3rd pairing Dman..don’t think the middle scorer on wing or Center will happen, names mentioned for Dmen were Jacob Middleton..Nick Seeler ( my choice) ..Ilya Syubushkin…Tone setter..Jordan Greenway & Brandon Duhaime all could be doable if they choose to go in those directions
What about cam Atkinson from Philly? 13 goals so far this year. Only signed for 2 yrs and I’m sure Philly can retained a little bit
Say
To BOS: Atkinson 25% retained, Laughton
To PHI: DeBrusk & Forbert and a good pick
Put Atkinson with Marchand and Laughton. That’d be a nice line.
Send Sid to an original 6 franchise to win a cup and retire! We will throw in a North End condo for his family!WelcometoBoston!
Flames ownership not management are gun shy with the Huberdeau 10.5.
approval
Have always been tight wads and it will be very difficult to convince them to hold any money . I mean any.
They have to retain Hanifin and will spend on the player but not holding doe to let him go