NHL Rumor Mill – February 16, 2024
The Devils are still shopping for a goalie such as Jacob Markstrom, Juuse Saros and Jake Allen, the Leafs remain in the market for a defenseman, plus the latest on Jake Guentzel and Marc-Andre Fleury in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
DEVILS STILL SHOPPING FOR A STARTING GOALTENDER
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the New Jersey Devils remain keen on trying to make a trade work with the Calgary Flames for goaltender Jacob Markstrom. Their previous talks broke down in part because the Devils want the Flames to retain part of Markstrom’s $6 million average annual value through 2025-26.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flames general manager Craig Conroy reportedly wants a significant return for Markstrom. His asking price goes up if the Devils insist that his club retain part of Markstrom’s salary. That’s understandable as it would leave the Flames with over two years of up to $3 million annually in dead cap space.
Even with the cap projected to rise significantly over the next two seasons, that would still leave a big hole in the Flames’ payroll. The Devils will have to make it worth their while or look elsewhere. Speaking of which…
LeBrun reports the Devils are also kicking tires on the Anaheim Ducks’ John Gibson, the Montreal Canadiens’ Jake Allen, and the Nashville Predators’ Juuse Saros.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Allen was the subject of a recent rumor claiming he was going to be traded to the Colorado Avalanche. LeBrun’s colleague Darren Dreger shot that down but The Montreal Gazette’s Stu Cowan expects Allen could be moved by the March 8 trade deadline, possibly in a package deal with other players. Whether it’s to the Avalanche or another club remains to be seen.
As for Saros…
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (NHL Images).
PREDATORS LISTENING ON SAROS’ OFFERS
NASHVILLE HOCKEY NOW: Michael Gallagher believes the possibility of the Predators trading goaltender Juuse Saros is greater than we think.
Gallagher cited Predators GM Barry Trotz telling Nashville’s 102.5 The Game on Tuesday that he would consider moving the 28-year-old Saros if he received an offer of an asset that he otherwise wouldn’t envision himself getting, adding he said the same thing to Saros.
Trotz could be thinking about the potentially high cost of re-signing Saros, who has a year left on his contract and is eligible in 2025 to become an unrestricted free agent. Gallagher cites speculation suggesting the Saros camp could seek something similar to the seven-year, $59.5 million contract ($8.5 million AAV) signed by Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebucyk last October.
The Hurricanes, Devils and Los Angeles Kings are among the clubs recently linked to Saros in the rumor mill. Gallagher claims Trotz will set an expensive asking price.
NJ.COM: Ryan Novozinsky reports Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald has contacted Trotz about Saros, which the Predators general manager confirmed during his appearance on 102.5 FM The Game. Trotz continues to insist that it would take a massive offer to tempt him into moving his starting goalie. Novozinsky speculated that the package might have to include Dawson Mercer or Alexander Holtz, prospect Seamus Casey and a first-round pick.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Pierre LeBrun considers Saros the No. 1 goalie on the market. While the Predators may be listening to offers, LeBrun claims they’re not committed to trading him. That’s why they’re setting a high asking price with a good young NHL player as the centerpiece of the return. He indicated that no one has made that offer yet, which is fine for the Preds because they’re happy to keep Saros.
In other words, you can ask Trotz about Saros but you won’t get him unless you make an offer too good to refuse. And right now, the Preds GM has been refusing whatever’s been proposed.
GUENTZEL’S INJURY COULD AFFECT HIS TRADE VALUE
TRIBLIVE.COM: Seth Rorabaugh reports the Pittsburgh Penguins face a major challenge attempting to remain in the playoff race with winger Jake Guentzel sidelined for three to four weeks with an upper-body injury.
The Penguins placed Guentzel on long-term injury reserve, meaning he’ll be sidelined for at least 10 games and 24 days on the calendar, stretching past the March 8 trade deadline. The 29-year-old winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and there’s been frequent speculation over whether the Penguins will re-sign or trade him by the deadline.
Guentzel would fetch a significant return as a trade candidate if healthy. Putting him on LTIR could affect his value.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Teams will undoubtedly call the Penguins about Guentzel if they make him available in the trade market. However, they will want assurances that he’ll be at 100 percent once he’s ready to return to action by mid-March.
UPDATE ON FLEURY
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury recently met with his agent to discuss the March 8 trade deadline. The 39-year-old Fleury doesn’t want to go anywhere right now as he doesn’t want to bail on the Wild while they’re trying to chase down a playoff berth.
Fleury could consider going to two or three teams if the Wild are out of contention by the deadline. Among them could be the Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche and Toronto Maple Leafs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fleury has a full no-movement clause so the final decision rests with him. Wild GM Bill Guerin is a former teammate of Fleury’s as well as a friend and will attempt to accommodate the veteran netminder if he decides to chase a Stanley Cup somewhere else.
LEAFS STILL SHOPPING FOR A DEFENSEMAN
TSN: Chris Johnston reports Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving is still shopping around for a defenseman. Calgary Flames blueliner Chris Tanev likely remains at the top of his list but he’s also been linked to the Philadelphia Flyers’ Sean Walker and the Nashville Predators’ Alexandre Carrier.
Johnston indicates the Leafs don’t want to part with their first-round pick and lack a second-rounder over the next three drafts. They’ve been offering up multiple lower-round picks but aren’t getting any interest.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs will either have to give up their first for a rental defenseman or be prepared to accept lesser-talented blueliners than those noted above.
The only way Allen gets moved along with other players from the Habs is if they throw in one of Barron, Kovachevic or Harris. Otherwise, their prospect pool of forwards is too thin.
Thinking Tanev will cost a 1st… It’s always interesting to see which teams are willing to give up a 1st at the TDL. Some are careless. Some are confident. I would think the teams that consider themselves to be “contenders” but at the same time are unwilling to give up a 1st, lack the confidence in their ability to go all the way – and that might say more about their team than just being stingy with a 1st round pick.
RE; Chris Tanev
I think the most Tanev gets as a UFA is a 2nd pick and Some kind of prospect and NOT a Top Prospect..❓
Most deals this trade deadline will need to have Salary Retained, As the top 16 team’s that could make the playoffs have about $500,000 in cap space left unless there is a player going back the other way to eat that cash or some of that cash,
Expect lots of 3 way deals……🤔❓
I can see Tanev going for a first since he is one of the best D available and he plays right side. I guess it would be with salary retention though
I have no problem with salary retention if it means a better pick. It’s only for a couple of months.
With Washington in mediocrity would NJ try grabbing Keumper? Potentially cheaper to obtain ??
Hey Crosby,
The Cap’s Tender Keumper has never really been that good in the playoffs and now he is 33 yrs old,
Charlie Lindgren is 30 and has better numbers,
looks like the Caps wont make the playoffs this year anyway….🤔
RE; d/men at the dead line this season
and
who could miss the playoffs in the East & West…🤔
i think it all depends on the ask for Tanev as soon as the d/men start to get traded and if he is not moved in the first few deals… I there asking price will come down.
I think the Flames will not do anything untill Hanifin say Yes or No to staying in Calgary,❓
I think he tests out the UFA Market July 1st….
As we are 3 weeks away to the Trade deadline,
these teams all look like they will miss the playoffs
and lots more d/men & player will become avalable👍
The Bottom Six in the East,
the will have to pass NYI, NJ, Wings to get into 8th spot held by the Wings…
But if NJ Can get a Goaltender like 34 yr old Markstroom or 28 yr old Saros Top teams that Need a Starter are NJ & Carolina.
NJ, they could offer a Nice package for Saros $5.M,
NJ have $10.M in Cap Space🤔
A 1st pick,
G, Vitek Vanecek, $3.75M
and top Defence LD d-prospect Daniil Misyul
Or
Top young forward prospect LW Josh Filmon
To help with there re-build in Nashville
The Bottom Six in the East,
Caps,
Pen’s,
Hab’s
Sen’s
Buffalo,
CBJ,
and maybe the NYI, they are to old an to slow they could miss the playoffs again with the same old group!!
The Bottom 6-8 teams in the West
The 8-2 Blues hold 8th spot with a Game or 2 in hand over the teams below, they played great against the oilers last nigh they were relentless and kept going right from the 2nd period to the end of the game….
The Bottom 6-8 teams in the West that could and probly misss the playoffs
Preds,
Wild,
Kraken,
Flames,
AZ,
Ducks,
Sharks,
Hawks,
Thoughts…❓
Fleury, Maroon and Merril to Toronto for whatever warm body makes the cap work, Martin Jones and all three of Toronto’s fifth round picks.
Leafs get some sandpaper, some old mostly reliable goaltending, and a pretty boring but not terrible defender.
Some teams would be more interested in Guentzel if he’s on ltir until the playoffs started. Just saying
With all due respect to Tanev. I’m sure he’s a great teammate. Come on man, this guy is not the going to win or lose you a Stanley cup. Every trade deadline these names get magnified. An aging UFA is all the rage. I haven’t seen Tanev play (Calgary fans please give your evaluations) so I could be wrong.
As for the Leafs. Save your picks and prospects. Trade in the coach and see what happens.
Yes guy, I have watched him on TV when he plays EDM or BOS pretty regularly. Have seen him live maybe only 5 or 6 times. Will see him live on Thursday when BOS is in Calgary. Flames fans can give their take. They of course would like a 1st back!
Solid #4 D-man. Moves OK for an 34 yr old player. Plays with Hanifin most of the time when I watch, which helps him, as Hanifin can wheel and has become a really good player. I think that type of pairing works for him.
Competes hard every night, smart veteran player, knows how to defend, will play hurt. Glue guy.
Does that UFA usually get you a first? Not sure, but seems high. From what I have read it is a sellers market, so maybe. That could change if more teams fail to make up ground and get into a playoff spot at the TDL.
Not a game changer, but if you have a hole, and you want a good defender who will compete when things get tough, you could do a lot worse than Tanev. A 1st is a lot for that type of UFA though, IMO.
Your right tanev wont win you a cup but if leafs are looking for 2 defensmen to sign long term tanev and hanafin wouod be a good trade for both teams. Sign and trade.
My earlier post I guess should have been here? If the Avalanche get Allen or Fleury, that’s great but the obvious issue they have to deal with is their lack of defensive discipline. They consistently leave whoever is in net “out to dry”. So, Annunen did a good job but th team let him down and I believe this is the issue regardless of who is in net? Talk of Makar being the best defenseman on the planet is comical to me. He maybe the best skater and offensive threat but he is certainly not the best defenseman. In addition Rantanen and MacKinnon aren’t very good defensively, only when they want to be. To me, if they are the leaders, they need to show it. This is why Landeskog is so valuable. Reliable and tough. Best Captain in hockey!!!
Wonder if the Pens would trade Jake now for a player that could help them win now to get them in play-off position???
Bunting++ or Kuzmenko ++ or Henrique ++ or Vatrono++, or Zegras
Just a thought if they would do such a thing to save the season………
They weren’t doing well with Guentzel, how would a lesser player help them?
Pittsburgh is beyond a fixer upper, they’re more of a blower upper.
Trading for Zegras only further confuses the direction they should be heading.