NHL Rumor Mill – February 26, 2024
Check out the latest on the Senators, Blue Jackets, Ducks, Predators and Red Wings in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
POTENTIAL SENATORS TRADE CANDIDATES
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch believes the time is coming when Senators winger Vladimir Tarasenko will have to decide if he’ll waive his no-trade clause as the March 8 deadline approaches. The 32-year-old winger isn’t at the top of everybody’s wish list but some teams have reached out to the Senators to express interest.
Senators general manager Steve Staios hasn’t formally asked Tarasenko to waive his NTC yet but it’s expected that could happen in the coming days if they get a suitable offer. It’s believed the club’s asking price could be a second-round pick and a prospect. Garrioch thinks they might get more if they’re willing to retain part of his $5 million cap hit.
Ottawa Senators winger Vladimir Tarasenko (NHL Images).
Garrioch believes the Vegas Golden Knights could come calling with Mark Stone sidelined week-to-week. He also noted the New York Rangers, Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers are among the clubs seeking depth at forward.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers are reportedly looking for a third-line center and are believed to be interested in the Anaheim Ducks’ Adam Henrique. Tarasenko doesn’t fit that need.
THE ATHLETIC: Ian Mendes lists Tarasenko and fellow pending free-agent winger Dominik Kubalik among their players most likely to be traded by the deadline.
Mendes also wondered if the Senators might consider moving a core player or two to shake up their roster. Drake Batherson, Thomas Chabot, Jakob Chychrun and Josh Norris could fall under that category.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given those players’ contracts, finding the type of return that would entice Staios to move one of them probably isn’t possible leading up to the trade deadline. That type of trade is more likely to occur in the offseason when teams have more salary cap room and a greater willingness to add to their rosters.
LATEST ON THE BLUE JACKETS AND DUCKS
THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline looked at which members of the Columbus Blue Jackets could hit the trade block in the coming days.
He considers pending UFA forward Jack Roslovic as likely to be traded. Defensemen Ivan Provorov and Adam Boqvist have surfaced in the rumor mill but Portzline considers them less likely to move.
Other possibilities include Sean Kuraly, Alexandre Texier and Erik Gudbranson.
Goaltender Elvis Merzlkins recently asked for a trade but then withdrew the request. While they’re willing to retain part of his $5.4 million annual cap hit through 2026-27, moving him would still be difficult.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was a report earlier this month that the New Jersey Devils looked into Merzlikins’ availability. However, they seem more intent on landing a more reliable starter such as Calgary’s Jacob Markstrom.
Eric Stephens recently looked at which players the Anaheim Ducks could peddle by the deadline.
Center Adam Henrique is their most attractive asset given the limited depth of quality centers in the trade market. Defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin could also draw interest. Stephens thinks the Ducks should also try to trade goaltender John Gibson if they can but acknowledges that Gibson’s expensive contract is a major obstacle.
Ducks GM Pat Verbeek hasn’t quashed the Trevor Zegras trade rumors but he’s not under pressure to move the young forward, who is signed through 2025-26. Winger Frank Vatrano has a year left on his contract but Stephens thinks he could be available for the right price.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As noted above, the Oilers are rumored to be interested in Henrique. He’s also been linked to the Colorado Avalanche, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers.
UPDATE ON THE PREDATORS GOALIE SITUATION
NASHVILLE HOCKEY NOW: Michael Gallagher noted that promising Predators goaltender Yaroslav Askarov could make the trade deadline interesting for his club. He’s playing very well for their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee but moving him into the Predators lineup is difficult with Juuse Saros and Kevin Lankinen as their current tandem.
GM Barry Trotz recently said he’d like to get Askarov into some meaningful NHL games, “to be around Saros” and to play in a high-pressure environment.
Gallagher noted that the Predators are getting calls about Saros and Lankinen. Given the high asking price set for Saros, Lankinen might be more likely to move if they want to make room for Askarov.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Complicating things is the Predators battling for a wild-card berth in the Western Conference. Trotz could be reluctant to break up his current goaltending tandem right now. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out leading up to the trade deadline.
WILL THE RED WINGS BECOME BUYERS AT THE TRADE DEADLINE?
SPORTSNET: Jeff Marek suspects the Detroit Red Wings could pursue a “defenseman with bite” at the trade deadline. He also thinks they could be looking at adding a forward.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Defensemen with bite could include Anaheim’s Ilya Lyubushkin, Philadelphia’s feisty Sean Walker, or Calgary’s shutdown blueliner Chris Tanev.
Toronto should make a trade with Columbus for right winger olivier. He has a workable contract and a great right hand !
Re Preds Goaltending
Predators goaltender Yaroslav Askarov sounds like he is ready to play in the NHL, He is posting even better numbers that last year in the AHL G,29 GA,2.11 SV% 0.920 in Milwaukee
Current Back up Kevin Lankinen is a UFA
Juuse Saros has 1.3 yrs left then a UFA, but lots of chatter on the trade market,
I think Saros gets moved at the NHL Draft this year❓
The Sen’s and NJ I think will be a t the Top of there list
NJ could offer, for a Trade for Juuse Saros
-1st pick
-Goaltender Vitek Vanecek
-Winger Timo Meier
Sen’s could offer for a Trade for Juuse Saros
1st pick
A Goaltender..?
Josh Norris
Columbus dont need another winger that is expensive and isnt delivering. 0,5 points per game and -24. He has been pretty terrible
Before jumping on the bash Cbus bandwagon you may want to check out the epic beat down Olivier put on some gigantic Ranger’s rookie last night, I believe that’s what crazy canuck was getting at.
I don’t see Timo Meier getting it done .
11g, 13a, 24pts, -24 in 45 games, with 7 more years on his contract at $8.8M per season is definitely not what the Predators are looking for.
I would imagine Holtz or Dawson Mercer would be part of Nashville’s asking price.
Sens should offer Chabot, Norris, and a 1st for Sarros then resign Chychrun who appears to want to stay in Ottawa.
Alan,
I think it could well be the d man Chabott also
As the Sen’s have a log jam at LD, as well as the 3 top centre positions Sen’s really have 4 centres
NJ, i have heard his name lots this past week
Alexander Holtz the young 22 yr old RW who has looked really good this year
one of them will have to go in a Goaltender Trade,
The other Goaltender that both teams ,
Sen’s & NJ will look at is Boston’s UFA Goaltender Ullmark…
They are the best 2 younger goaltenders coming to market 28 & 30 yrs old…👍
There is no way they are giving up chabot, Norris and a first for Saros. That is beyond a fantasy. Only way that kind of return might be remotely possible is if they take Korpisalo and Forsberg along with that kings ransom.
I know this hasn’t shown up in the rumor mill, but I was thinking that Brock Nelson would be a good fit for the Rangers. Would a package of young players such as Adam Sykora, Cannor Mackey and Jake Leschyshyn be good enough to interest the Islanders to trade Nelson to the Rangers?
Lyle, in your observation of the Mendes “thoughts” above you say
“Mendes also wondered if the Senators might consider moving a core player or two to shake up their roster. Drake Batherson, Thomas Chabot, Jakob Chychrun and Josh Norris could fall under that category.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given those players’ contracts, finding the type of return that would entice Staios to move one of them probably isn’t possible leading up to the trade deadline. That type of trade is more likely to occur in the offseason when teams have more salary cap room and a greater willingness to add to their rosters. ”
While cost-controlled young players like Batherson ($4,975,000 per for 3 more years) and Chychrun ($4.6 mil for 1 more year) are worth their weight in gold in a tight fixed cap world and would have teams lining up, I doubt Staios is thinking along those lines for the same reason.
Much different for Chabot and Norris – both long-term at $8 mil per. But do you think there’s a possibility there in a straight one-for-one good old “hockey trade” where the position played is in desperate need by the receiving team and Ottawa gets back a player at a different position more in line with their needs and with a similar cap hit?
Rare, I know, but a helluva lot more plausible than some of the convoluted, multiple-player, multiple-team, portion of cap withheld fantasy-league deals being bandied about.
How about a trade with Stlouis for Buchnevic, given he signs a contract at decent value, like 7-8m?
Kent
He still sign next yr at 5.8✔️
Think send will try to some hockey trade if possible in off season
Er mr bruin: he can sign extension July first before potential trade
Trading Norris. Now would be a mistake.
I believe in the guy.
The guy missed an entire year and training camp. The team was poorly coached up until Martin took over and the schedule was sporadic with lengthy week long periods between games.
All these factors I think may be the cause of Norris not finding his old form.
Psychologically he could be still playing to prevent the shoulder from being injured
He has been playing much better of late. Him and Chabot, the sense current Whipping boys are doing quite well this past run.
I think if the cap situation allows Ottawa should bring Norris back .
A healthy summer and training camp along with a coach putting in a suitable and consistent system may do wonders and could see him back to his 30 goal form.
Trading low is something I’d advise against. I sooner move Batherson, Joseph and Kubalik to make room for changes at forward. Tarasenko controls his own gate so I won’t include him. Do the others have No trade clauses.
As far as D. I am a big Chabot fan. Go Sea Dogs!!!! However I’d be ok moving Chabot as we need to add more variety on our back end. If Chychrun wishes similar money as the 8 million Dorion was fond of giving out and the return is greater move him.
I agree with you. Norris needs at least one more season at good health and a decent coach to show what he’s capable of doing.
Chabot has been much much improved over the past few games. I feel like he’s finally shedding the effects of how DJ ground him into the ground and he’s playing like he did a couple years ago.
I really think Staios needs to let the dead wight go and then build around what is there. Literally they need a solid goalie and some some solid veterans in that lineup with a good coach and things could be VERY different next year.
Something of that nature is more or less what I mean Kent – of course, the always present fly-in-the-ointment that can screw up any otherwise seemingly ideal one-for-one is the plethora of M-NTC clauses throughout the league – and Buchnevic has just such a clause.
Ottawa has less of those than most teams – but Chychrun is one with a M-NTC, while Tarasenko (NTC) and Giroux (NMC) are the only others. And neither Chychrun nor Giroux are going anywhere, while I truly believe Taransenko will waive his for a legitimate shot at the cup.
I agree on your points regarding Giroux and Taresenko but why do you say that Chychrun is going nowhere?
Has term remaining for reasonable Cap hit; good offensively (I do realize he’s second worst on team in +/-) ; and he has no say re being traded to 21 different teams (can nix only 10)
I’m sure there is interest…. Why do you say he is going nowhere?
A trade out is uncertain, I concur….. but a definitely staying ????
I am not an avid follower of Sens and Chychrun, but I do think there is a chance he’s flipped
Because he has a M/NTC and is on record as saying he doesn’t want to go anywhere – all his close family live in the area. This is where he wants to be.
Now, after his $4.6 mil per deal looms closer to UFA status at the end of next season … and Staios shows no sign of getting his name on an extension, he can figuratively thumb his nose at any proposed trade and stay to the end then go for the best UFA offer to come up … leaving Ottawa with zilch.
That’s one extreme possibility. But I believe they like having a 6′ 2″ 210 lb D with some decent offensive capability, while also playing a physical game.
Thanks
Has logic to it and does make sense…. But I do believe the door is open a crack
Staios has to do what is best for Sens…. If the offer is good and fits into the long term mold…. I truly believe he’ll take it
This hypothetical offer can come from 21 different GMs for which Chychrun has no say
Pens offer your former captain @ $7 M Cap hit ($3M more retained by Pens) Accairi, Gruden
For
Tarasenko (50% retained …. So only this year); Chychrun; Hamonic;
Heh. Big NO thanks to Karlsson … he’s burned his bridges leading to back here. And at any cap fee there’ll be no interest in a fading D who’ll be 38 when his deal expires. And I doubt there are any other interested parties. Dubas is stuck with him.
Agreed George,
Calgary is in a pretty weird place already with older players and some ugly contracts.
I don’t see them taking on Carter, Smith, Accari, Rackell etc.
Their roster is so confusing, that I’m not even sure how they fix it. A rebuild seems unlikely, but necessary.
Just doubt they can move some of those contracts easily. I don’t think they’ll want to add to the problem with more players in their late 20s or 30s, or fringe nhl players.
Oddly, these 2 teams seem to be very similar. Caught between a rebuild or trying to work around the inevitable.
Wrong spot!
This was the Hanifin response.
This was meant for the Hanifin/ Pittsburgh trade.
Bruins….A healthy Lindholm for Hanifan straight up
Penguins…. A healthy anybody (or two or 3 anybodies) not named Crosby, Letang, Malkin; Petterson; Guentzel or Jarry for Hanafin
You exclude those and there’ll be all kinds of better offers for Hanafin than a collection of expendable cannon-fodder from a team getting old fast, struggling to make the play offs, and with virtually no prospects of which to speak. That’s why they’re ranked near the bottom by The Hockey Writers when it comes to team rankings.
Lindholm is injury prone and has disappointed. That’s why he was given to Boston for a late one, a couple of 2’s and a couple of toss-ins. Calgary will want and get more future type assets for Hanifin instead of a Lindholm type. I mean they shipped out Adam Fox and Hamilton to get him why only get a Lindholm now. Besides they have Rasmus Anderson already.
I keep reading about what a tough negotiator Pat Verbeek is, yet I look at the transactions he’s made and nothing jumps out at me.
Am I missing something?
I think they meant he was a tough negotiator with Mrs. Verbeek.
thank you pupinabox.
Pen’s kept the playoff hopes alive yesterday beating the Philly 7-6…❗️
But philly had there 3rd string Goaltender
$5.M Cal Petersen in net who played Brutel they got from LA….