NHL Rumor Mill – February 20, 2024
Check out the latest on the Hurricanes, Sharks, Sabres and Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE HURRICANES AREN’T INTERESTED IN RENTAL PLAYERS
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun believes the Carolina Hurricanes will be buyers by the March 8 trade deadline. However, general manager Don Waddell said he’s not interested in adding players on expiring contracts.
“Our first priority, if we’re giving up premium picks or top prospects, we want to make sure that we get a player for more than a few months”, Waddell told LeBrun. He added that they’re aren’t many non-rental players in the market as most trade candidates are slated to become unrestricted free agents this summer.
Contrary to popular belief, Waddell said he’s not looking to add a goaltender. He pointed out that sidelined netminder Frederik Andersen will be returning soon while Pyotr Kochetkov’s performance has been solid this season. He’s also comfortable with his blueline depth.
Carolina Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell (NHL.com).
Waddell would like to add a top-nine forward or two. LeBrun speculates it might be a forward with term remaining on their contract whose name hasn’t yet surfaced in the rumor mill. He suspects that the Hurricanes GM has inquired about winger Travis Konecny but doesn’t think the Philadelphia Flyers intend to move him, especially after recently naming him an alternate captain.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes currently have over $6.6 million in trade deadline cap space so they’ve got the room to add a forward or two. They also have all their picks in this year’s draft along with the Flyers’ second-rounder to draw on for trade bait if necessary.
COULD THE SHARKS ATTEMPT TO TRADE LOGAN COUTURE THIS SUMMER?
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Max Miller noted there is speculation suggesting if the San Jose Sharks are going to trade Logan Couture, it won’t happen until the offseason. Couture, 34, is sidelined week-to-week with a lower-body injury that has plagued him since last summer, limiting him to just six games.
With the Sharks near the bottom of the NHL standings, they are expected to be sellers by the March 8 trade deadline. Couture is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $8 million and a three-team trade list.
Miller cited The Fourth Period’s Dave Pagnotta claiming Couture could be sidelined for the rest of the season. “If a move happens, it’s more likely to occur in the off-season,” he writes.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Couture would be almost impossible to move in-season under normal circumstances because of his contract. If he’s out for the rest of this season there will be a genuine concern that his condition could end his career. That will make it more difficult to trade Couture during this summer.
LATEST ON THE SABRES
THE BUFFALO NEWS: In a recent mailbag segment, Lance Lysowski was asked if the Sabres can expect any changes before the upcoming trade deadline. He believed contenders would ask about pending free agents such as Erik Johnson, Kyle Okposo and Zemgus Girgensons. Lysowski also felt that Sabres GM Kevyn Adams will try to get a head start on finding players for next season like he did last year by acquiring Jordan Greenway from the Minnesota Wild.
If Johnson is traded, Lysowski speculated Adams will try to add another defenseman who could be part of the roster for next season, preferably a top-four blueliner. He also thinks the Sabres GM will open contract extension talks with Casey Mittelstadt’s agent. Lysowski doesn’t see them trading Mittelstadt or forwards Dylan Cozens, Jack Quinn, JJ Peterka, Tage Thompson or Alex Tuch.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mittelstadt recently surfaced as a trade candidate in the rumor mill. However, Adams was insistent in an interview last week that he wasn’t shopping the 25-year-old center and intends to re-sign him.
COULD THE CANADIENS TRADE DAVID SAVARD?
THE ATHLETIC: Arpon Basu noted that Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes recently said he’s not shopping David Savard. However, Basu believes he’s listening to offers. He believes the market for a shot-blocking, right-shot defenseman like Savard will open up once the Calgary Flames trade Chris Tanev.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Savard, 33, is signed through next season with an AAV of $3.5 million. He also lacks no-trade protection.
I don’t doubt that Hughes will listen to trade offers for Savard. As we’ve seen, however, he sets a high price for his players and usually won’t budge until someone meets it. With Savard under contract for next season, he’s under no pressure to trade him now. If no one meets his price, he’ll wait until the summer or next season.
I’m not saying Adam’s is lying but he isn’t going to come out and say ‘yes, we’re shopping Casey Mittelstadt’ either.
My opinion is they need a top 4 RHD with some grit bc none of the D is capable of clearing the front of their own net. It has cost them a ton of goals this season. I’d spend the money there instead of on Mittelstadt bc we have a few centers coming up that can replace Mittelstadt.
Then you take into consideration that they put Mitts on the wing to move Krebs up to center the third line instead of Krebs centering a checking line. If Krebs works out there is that a signal that they will trade Mitts.
The Sabres are to soft to play against, they need to acquire some grit on the team especially on the checking line.
How do they sign Mittelstadt to Cozens money with the salary increases for Power+Dahlen this summer?
Mittelstadt wont be accepting less than Cozens
They have $26M in space as four bad UFA contracts come off the books. Why would they have a tough time re-signing Mitts? And if they are trading their top scorer, wouldn’t that be a big red flag?
Re the Leafs game,
That 21 yr old Matthew Knies big 6.ft3 & 220lb s
I was watching the Jagr highlights from his retirement, then later on some of the Leafs game
That goal Matthew Knies scored at the start of the 2nd period, Well it looked just like a Jagr Power Move,
Please have a look…
I’ve said frequently that I prefer keeping Jake Allen over Cayden Primeau but I don’t think anything of substance would come back.
With that being said, Colorado needs a back up goalie and they have a player they want to get rid of, Ryan Johansen. who is a total bust even with Nashville paying 50% of his contract.
Johansen and a 3rd for Allen.
Allen goes to a contender, Habs get a hail mary 3rd and a centre who can win faceoffs.
Habfan30, I would agree to that proposal. I think it’s reasonable. Allen is a good goaltender! I used to see him when he was on the Blues when I was season ticket holder for the Avalanche. Also, seen him on tv many times with Montreal. The flip side of the coin is the Avalanche need to be more responsible defensively regardless of who is in net. I believe that Georgiev is not supported and perhaps is a reason he is shaky at times? I think Towes was referring to this earlier in the year when he spoke up. GO AVS!!!!
The Avs aren’t taking on Allen at full freight; no way, no how. If they did, they’d be paying him more than their starter! I wouldn’t call Joey a “total bust” but it definitely hasn’t worked out the way they wanted it to; it was always going to be iffy considering the fit.
I honestly believe for the right return, Savard goes at this deadline. If you don’t think Hughes gets a 1st for Savard, just remember they said the same thing about Monahan. The deadline trade market is super thin, so capitalizing on the veterans bounceback year would be optimal.
Craig
Who would you rather give up a 1st for:
A: Tanev
B: Savard
C:Walker
D: none of the above
honestly none are worth a first, but a GM will pay a late first for one or maybe two of them.
D
B
Signed thru next season.
And I like Savard, the guy battled hard during the playoffs whenever I watched him.
Two players the Bruins need to go after Nick Seeler & Brandon Duhaime they would bring the Bruins an edge that they need … if Lindholm is out long term give up the 2025 first rd pick and whatever else is needed to get Hanifin
Sweeney seems to read my stuff … Ho Bruins
Luv it👍
middlestadt, good young center. is he a RFA? avalanche should look into it. Saber fans, what is with olaffson and why isn’t he in the line up: injury or healthy scratches ? i have read where colorado showed some interest in him. i don’t know if there is any truth to it?
Hard to say Tommy Boy, has the flu right now but for the most part a team that is lacking scoring he should have been playing. The fact that he isn’t going to be re-signed you would think they would play him more just to showcase him.
Probably would have been traded if not for Quinn getting injured during the off season. This organization knows how to screw things up.
Ray Bark
I agree.
I might be inclined to pay a 1st for Savard because he’s signed beyond this season.
They’re all likely 2nd pairing guys, maybe even 3rd pairing guys on a deep team.
Is there much difference skill wise between Tanev or Walker compared to Johnson from Buffalo or Lyabushkin in Anaheim?
How about a guy like Conor Murphy in CHI? Signed for a couple more seasons at a reasonable number.
I think Tanev and Savard are the more proven “playoff” type guys. Keep going hard when the games get hard. Savard probably a notch below Tanev if you were to rate them as players.
Haven’t watch much of Murphy or Walker to really have an opinion.
But your probably right, are any of them worth a 1st? Might be better off getting the less expensive option.