NHL Rumor Mill – February 24, 2024
Could the Bruins trade a goalie to address other roster needs? Who could be possible trade targets for the Golden Knights? What’s going on with Marc-Andre Fleury, Casey Mittelstadt and Vladimir Tarasenko? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST BRUINS SPECULATION
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy cited TNT NHL analyst Paul Bissonnette suggesting the Bruins trade one of their goaltenders to address their need for a center. He believes they should move Linus Ullmark or Jeremy Swayman to bring in a top-two center and move Charlie Coyle back to third-line center duty.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman also thinks the Bruins will have to move someone off their roster if they wish to add to their lineup. He thinks people are looking at Ullmark as a trade candidate. He doesn’t think moving the 2023 Vezina Trophy winner is impossible but wondered if it’s a good idea to sacrifice one of their greatest strengths. He felt the only reason to do it is if they can get something so good that they have to do so.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A few things to remember here.
First, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said earlier this season when Ullmark popped up in the rumor mill that it was necessary to keep his goalie tandem intact because they would help keep the Bruins competitive. I don’t doubt that teams might be calling Sweeney about Ullmark or Swayman but that doesn’t mean he’s peddling one of them.
Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (NHL Images).
Second, Ullmark has a 16-team no-trade clause and loves playing in Boston. He also carries a $5 million cap hit through 2024-25 and that’s not easy to move in a season with so many teams carrying limited cap room.
Third, when was the last time you saw a goaltender (even a former Vezina winner) get traded for a first or second-line center in the salary cap era? Goalies rarely fetch big returns in trades.
And finally, which first or second-line center is currently available in the trade market? The depth of talent is so thin that third-liner Adam Henrique is considered by experts and insiders to be the best one on the market. No disrespect to Henrique, but he’s not worth Ullmark or Swayman.
I’ve been doing this long enough to know that sometimes a shocking move can take place that no one saw coming. Maybe the Bruins might be able to find that kind of deal leading up to the March 8 trade deadline. But if you recall what we’ve seen in previous trade deadlines over the years, something of that magnitude hasn’t happened in a long time.
THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa is concerned about what the Bruins will do if it appears that defenseman Hampus Lindholm could be sidelined beyond the trade deadline. Replacing the minute-munching blueliner could prove a big challenge for Sweeney.
Shinzawa believes the Bruins would love to acquire local boy Noah Hanifin from the Calgary Flames. However, he doubts they have sufficient trade assets to tempt the Flames.
The Bruins lack picks in the first three rounds of this year’s draft while promising Matt Poitras is out for the season recovering from shoulder surgery. They also don’t have sufficient cap space to take on Hanifin’s $4.95 million cap hit.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll take some savvy horsetrading on Sweeney’s part to pull off a trade deadline deal for Hanifin. Maybe he can get a third team involved but his lack of tradeable assets makes that scenario seem unlikely.
A LOOK AT SOME POSSIBLE TRADE OPTIONS FOR THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: With captain Mark Stone sidelined for perhaps the rest of the regular season, Ben Gotz looked at several possible trade options to replace the 31-year-old winger before the March 8 trade deadline if they place him on long-term injury reserve.
Among the most notable are St. Louis’ Pavel Buchnevich, Pittsburgh’s Jake Guentzel, and Seattle’s Jordan Eberle.
Others include former Golden Knight Reilly Smith (now with the Penguins), Arizona’s Jason Zucker, San Jose’s Anthony Duclair or Mikael Granlund, Washington’s Anthony Mantha, Ottawa’s Vladimir Tarasenko, and Anaheim’s Frank Vatrano.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Buchnevich or Guentzel are the best options talent-wise. With Stone on LTIR the Golden Knights could afford their cap hits but the asking prices for those guys are probably well out of their reach. They might have to consider more affordable options in terms of return.
FLEURY NOT ASKING FOR A TRADE
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson reports Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is not looking for a trade. He would rather stick with the club while they’re battling for a wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
Fleury has a full no-movement clause. Matheson wondered if Wild GM Bill Guerin would approach him about a trade if a Cup contender like the Colorado Avalanche came calling. However, Fleury already has three Cup rings and would have to discuss any move with his family.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The longer the Wild remain in the playoff chase the less likely Fleury will be traded. He could always change his mind but he seems set on finishing this season in Minnesota.
TEAMS STILL INTERESTED IN MITTELSTADT
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Michael Augello cites Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek discussing Buffalo Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt. They claimed that a lot of teams were watching the 25-year-old Mittelstadt.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Teams might be watching Mittelstadt but Sabres GM Kevyn Adams recently denied rumors that he was shopping his leading scorer. Adams also said he intended to get him signed to a new contract following this season. Unless someone makes the Sabres a mind-blowing offer, Mittelstadt will still be in Buffalo when the trade deadline is over.
UPDATE ON THE SENATORS
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch recently reported the Senators remain interested in Flames defenseman Chris Tanev. However, the Flames need to trade Noah Hanifin before they deal with the 34-year-old Tanev. Garrioch believes if a deal with the Senators for Tanev was possible it would’ve happened by now. He mentions the possibility of signing him as a free agent in July.
Most of the Senators’ trade discussions involve pending free-agent Vladimir Tarasenko. He has a full no-movement clause but it’s thought that four or five teams have expressed interest in the 32-year-old winger. It’s believed the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers could be among the suitors. The Senators could get a better return if they retain part of his $5 million cap hit.
Pending UFA winger Dominik Kubalik has also drawn some interest but he’s been in the market for a couple of months. The Sens might also have to retain some of his $2.5 million cap hit.
Jakob Chychrun’s name has also surfaced in the rumor mill but the asking price is believed to be high. Some wonder if they should move a core player like Josh Norris, who carries a $7.95 million cap hit but has struggled to score in recent games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tarasenko and perhaps Kubalik will be playing elsewhere by March 8. Chychrun and Norris aren’t going anywhere unless someone makes a ridiculous offer for either guy.
As I posted yesterday, I can see Norris being dealt only because the one main source of strength for the team is at C.
Stutzle, Pinto and Greig are more than capable of handling the 1, 2 and 3 slots, and the 4th line C spot could be handled by Kelly – who’s having a decent season with his limited ice time.
Norris, at just under $8 mil per, would need to involve some creative juggling but, as you yourself say above, Lyle, you’ve been around long enough (and me quite a bit longer) to know that “sometimes a shocking move can take place that no one sat coming.”
Moving out Tarasenko would result in a need for an adequate replacement at the wing position and I could see Norris bringing back, from a team in desperate need of a top C, a # 1 pick and a capable winger with term and a cap hit of between $5 and $7 mil.
Not sure I would value Norris at $8 million George. He is on pace for 50 points. I know he had 35 goals a couple of seasons ago and he’s on track for 26 goals this year — not shabby but not an 8 million player IMO.
So yeah, a trade for Norris would likely mean the Sens adding a sweetener, as they say.
Not going to happen LJ. His progress after that 35-goal season has admittedly been stalled by a series of shoulder woes – which – judging by this season – are now a thing of the past. This is a big, physical kid with all kinds of upside playing a position that is annually at the forefront of team “needs” throughout the league.
He’s also very good in the face-off circle
https://www.statmuse.com/nhl/ask/josh-norris-average-faceoff-win-percentage-career
Ottawa has the luxury of having 4 good Cs – they can afford to relinquish one ,,, and they won’t need to sweeten any pots to do so.
I would agree that Sens are stuck with borrows until he can show he can stay healthy and produce and if he does he may as well stay. Greig has shown he can play winger and that always helps when you have a player who is versatile.
What about this hypothetical trade to bruins:
Ullmark to Sens for
Forsberg Tarensenko (half salary retained) and they get back the first Sens got from Detroit.
Obviously ullmark would have to waive his ntc which wouldn’t happen but could be good for both teams
Who’s “borrows”??
Sorry. Auto type. Meant to say Norris
Plain and simple Stutzle is not C…
Somebody better tell Staios and Martin then …
https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/ottawa-senators/line-combinations
Or, are you saying he’s been playing out of position?
This Bruin fan, has now seen Debrusk and Ullmark name come up and mentions of Lohrie and Lysell considered Boston top two prospects.
Moving Debrusk because he’s a ufa? And replacing him with draft picks? Or prospects?
Ullmark, who would have to potentially have to approve a trade. Break us the best tanden and hope Swayman is ready for tye work load?
Lohrie I’ve seen enough of him to put the tag “do not move” on, his poise, shaking is above average be a huge mistake to move him for any rental.
Lysell is committed to his game in Providence and the reports I’ve have read is his game has growing and is using his teammates and not trying to do it all himself.
Charlie Coyle has reached the 20 goal mark for only his second time and has shown he can handle the second line or 1st line center. No he isn’t elite put has has learned how to distribute the puck better, as per before it would be keep the puck on his stick circle the net come out front and be lost.
The Bruins might just have to sit out the trade deadline and play their hand. Add some depth pieces at low cost.
I think Boston is going to have to trade one goalie before next year, so why not do it now if the deal is good?
Ottawa has the young centers to get a trade done, but wonder if Ulmark would agree to go there?
Maybe something with NJ is workable with Holtz or Mercer as starting point.
Hey F7,
I think if there is Not much in the way of starting Goaltender movement before the trade deadline March 8th… these 3 could all be traded at the draft as the 1st 2 are UFA’s at the end of the 2024/2025 season🤔
1/Boston Starter, Ulmark
&
2/Nashville Starter, Saros
&
3/Calgarys Starter, Markstrom
The 4 teams that need Starters are
1–NJ,
2–LA Kings
3–Ottawa,
4–Carolina,?
Agreed Caper!
No way I’m trading Lohrie for a rental or asset I can just sign next offseason.
Anyone who thinks an upgrade over Coyle (who really has been playing excellent two way hockey) is Boston’s biggest need, just plain isn’t paying attention.
I went to a P-Bruins game in Charlotte a couple of weeks ago. Lysell’s game pleasantly surprised me; he was battling much more than I expected. He sniped a beautiful goal too. I’m a bit surprised he hasn’t gotten a chance with the big club yet.
Adding some depth, preferably with some playoff experience and snarl, is the way to go this trade deadline. I wouldn’t mind seeing Tinordi from Chicago head back to Boston, and wouldn’t cost much.
Caper I wouldn t giveJDB away although I hate his game!Could live with letting him walk and add his 4 million to sign free agents this summer!
Nylander and 1st round pick for Norris and taresenko (Ottawa retains 50%) and 2nd round pick.
Toronto saves $3.5m on cap next year.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a trade where a team held 50% for a 4-5-6-7 year term.
Especially, this is paying Nylander 15.5 million for the next 7 years.
I can’t see Ottawa making a deal like this.
Or did you mean just 50% on Tarasenko?
50% taresenko
Essentially, not especially! Lol
Why in Hell would Ottawa need to retain salary in a deal like that?
Ha haha!
Surely you jest.
Nylander alone is worth far more than Norris and Tarasenko.
Nylander’s plus a 1st?
Start with Tkachuk!!!!
Hey George,
I would trade $ 8.M Centre Josh Norris out of these 4 centres,
for the Sen’s biggest need….A Starting Goaltender
To Ottawa,
G Juuse Saros, (Sign & Trade) and maybe an older player..? RD, Luke Schenn or Ryan O’Reilly to even out the money if the need too…..âť“
To Nashville
-C Josh Norris $8.M
-D, Prospect Lassi Thomson
-G, Joonas Korpisalo (Salary Dump) $4.M
&
-To Sweeten the Pot…
The Sen’s 2nd 1st round pick in 2024 coming from Detrot or Bostons 1st pick from the DeBrincat tradeâť“
The Draft.
With the Sen’s 1st pick looks they will pick 5 to10 range, there are some great players avalable,
looking from the outside in…
A Scoring Winger would be 1st choice, then a Big Right d/man
1/RW, Helenius
2/LW, Cole Eiserman
3/RD, Levshunov
If Nashville makes that deal they might as well trade jossi. To be stuck with Korpisalo deal for the next 4 years does not make any sense. I think the Preds want a retool not a rebuild. I like the deal until Korprisalo lol
Hey Jeff
it looks like most deal’s they try to match the Salarys in & out in the Cash straped era
it could be a Saros for Norris trade right up….
Or
A d man Chabot for Saros right up…âť“
-Josh Noriss could be there 1st line centre,
as they dont have much at Centre and not much coming at Centre and centanly Not a 1st line centre
-Lassi Thomson the RD could play there 2nd or 3rd pairing..?
The Preds prospects Top 4 d are All LD-men too!!
The Preds are going into a 5-7 year re-build.. the team is Very Old….
Biz nasty is same guy who said Bergy is coming back. Not credible source. Sweeney would probably move Ullmark if the pkg was good enough now aka more then he would get in off season. I think he would even trade Debrusk if return was a winner so he can flip the assets for other players But in the end I think a player here and there no superstar’s coming this year. Abd as Caper said hard pass on moving Lorhei and Lysell
Looking forward to nuks bruins tonight
Was Bissonette on mushrooms ?
Lohrei Debrusk and a third 2025
Hanifin signed before the trade for 8@ $7 aav
I don’t buy we will just wait 5 months
If you want the player and can use the player now
Naw Boston can keep those guys. We’ll find a team who offers something more substantial.
https://www.nhltraderumor.com/karlsson-senators-reunion-trade-rumors/?fbclid=IwAR3jkwxZAowPm5R2ovEz4lfIkeXW-2pcziTilFHBEmCGdEn9yN4iGHr1Xhg
Hard to say what’s the biggest joke – Ottawa taking on Karlsson’s idiotic cap hit … or giving up a 1st round pick to DumbAss so he can divest himself of a monumental cap albatross of his making.
Ullmark to Anaheim for Henrique and Vatrano. Anaheim can flip Ullmark to a playoff team looking for a goalie for picks and prospects and retain salary. Boston can add a prospect too.
Bruins aren’t trading Ullmark. Sweeney already said he’s going with the tandem rotation for the season. Ullmark has a 16 team no trade list. No contenders have the cap space