Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – February 25, 2024
Teams are calling about Canucks center Elias Pettersson, the latest on the Penguins’ Jake Guentzel and speculation that the Hurricanes could be listening on Martin Necas. Details on these and other trade conjecture on the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
GROWING INTEREST IN PETTERSSON
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported a lot of noise has developed over the past couple of weeks regarding Elias Pettersson. Teams are calling the Vancouver Canucks to ask what’s going on regarding the 25-year-old center’s contract situation and if he’s available.
Pettersson is slated to become a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights. He’s completing a three-year contract with an average annual value of $7.35 million.
Friedman said the Canucks don’t want to comment on this. He added that they’re telling teams they are trying to re-sign Pettersson.
Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given the Canucks position in the standings (first overall) I’ll be amazed if they were to trade Pettersson by the March 8 trade deadline. It’s rumored they’ve tabled a long-term contract with an AAV of $12 million but he prefers to wait until the offseason to discuss a new deal.
Given Pettersson’s RFA status, the Canucks are under no pressure to trade him by March 8. If the two sides can’t reach an agreement on a long-term extension and it appears he’ll head to market by his UFA eligibility in July 2025 they’ll shop him in June, probably leading up to the opening round of the 2024 draft.
LATEST ON THE PENGUINS
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the Vegas Golden Knights, Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers are among the clubs interested in Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Having interest is one thing. Having the cap space to absorb the remainder of Guentzel’s $6 million cap hit as well as the tradeable assets to entice the Penguins is another. It could take some creativity on the part of one of these teams to pull it off, perhaps involving another club acting as a third-party broker.
Friedman also reports teams are inquiring about the Penguins goaltenders. They’ve got Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic at the NHL level and a promising prospect in Joel Blomqvist.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Unless Jarry wants out, the more likely to move is Nedeljkovic. Jarry is the better of the two, leading the league with six shutouts and among the leaders in goals-against average and save percentage. He’s been among the few bright spots for the Penguins this season.
Jarry would fetch a nice return but if general manager Kyle Dubas is looking at retooling the roster rather than rebuilding he’ll want to hang onto his starting goalie. I don’t see him moving Blomqvist as he’s part of that youth movement that Dubas wants for the future.
Friedman also took time to calm the waters about his musing over the possibility of Erik Karlsson returning to Ottawa. “That’s just me spitballing,” he chuckled. “Let’s not get too crazy about that one at this point in time.”
HURRICANES LISTENING ON NECAS?
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports being told that the Carolina Hurricanes could be willing to entertain offers on winger Martin Necas. He also wondered if the Hurricanes would be calling the Calgary Flames about goaltender Jacob Markstrom.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of spitballing, could the Hurricanes package Necas in a deal for Markstrom? Discuss it in the comments section below.
UPDATE ON THE DUCKS
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the Edmonton Oilers are seeking some forward depth. He thinks they’re looking at Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick. He’s not sure if they’re after both players or just one of them.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been mentioned that the Oilers would like to add a third-line center and a gritty checking-line forward. Henrique would handle that center role plus he can also play on left wing while Carrick would bring a more physical presence to their checking lines. Of the two, Carrick would be the more affordable to acquire in terms of return and cap hit.
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports Ducks winger Frank Vatrano remains on the Rangers’ radar.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brooks also took notice of speculation suggesting the Rangers reacquire Pavel Buchnevich from the St. Louis Blues. However, he believes Vatrano is the better former Ranger to bring back into the fold, citing the strong chemistry he had with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider down the stretch in 2022.
TEAMS CALLING THE FLYERS ABOUT SEELER AND WALKER
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes two teams have contacted the Philadelphia Flyers about defensemen Nick Seeler and Sean Walker as a pair. They’ve been a solid defense duo this season and the Flyers have been weighing whether to sign or trade them.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was talk earlier this season that the Toronto Maple Leafs had looked into Seeler and Walker after a failed attempt to acquire Nikita Zadorov and Chris Tanev from the Calgary Flames before Zadorov was traded to Vancouver.
LATEST ON THE LEAFS, STARS, ISLANDERS AND COYOTES
SPORTSNET: Friedman said the Leafs continue to look for a right-shot defenseman. That’s been their focus for most of this season.
The Dallas Stars have been quietly among the more aggressive teams in the trade market. They’re seeking defense and depth.
NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears believes Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello would like to add a more reliable No. 3 goaltender. Of the three they have with their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport, only one has a save percentage over .900.
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reported Friday that Arizona Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong is once again in sell mode leading up to the trade deadline. The obvious trade candidates are rental players such as defenseman Matt Dumba and Jason Zucker.
Armstrong could get calls on players with a year left on their contracts like goaltender Karel Vejmelka and Nick Bjugstad. LeBrun said the Coyotes GM doesn’t sound motivated about Vejmelka and deflected when asked about Bjugstad.
The Coyotes are already well-stocked with draft picks but Armstrong is willing to accept more via trades. He pointed out that some of those picks will be used as trade currency to add established NHL players.
Nhl alert! Any forward with sand paper instincts and veteran third pair defensemen get your agent on the phone!Every team in the playoff hunt is looking to hire you!
Sundays Game,
Just looked at the Score between Tampa & NJ….
4-1 Tampa beat NJ
Tampa had there back up in Goal today
Jonas Johansson
If NJ dont trade for a Starting Goaltender Very Soon, they will Not make the playoffs❗️
Re “Friedman also took time to calm the waters about his musing over the possibility of Erik Karlsson returning to Ottawa.” …. that’s some spitball!
His tongue must have been THROUGH his cheek when he mused about Ottawa giving up a 1st for a fading $10 mil D who” be approaching 38 when his deal ends.
The basis for most trade rumors are usually just bs.
“Hometown boy”
“His uncles brothers cousin played for x team”
“Reunion with former team”
“He was a childhood fan”
“Wants to play with his good buddy x player”
“Change of scenery “
My favorite one : “the money works for both sides”. (Usually that’s all that works)
And yes, there are a few examples of these things happening.
Tavares, Messier, etc. but they are few and far in between.
99% it’s just wishful fan talk, or click bait. Usually to justify a bizarre signing or trade that’s unlikely to ever happen.
Too true, CaptainObvious.
Where we – the great unwashed – are concerned, in terms of those needing shoring up defensively and/or in goal keeping, we can do just as well as Freidman by simply looking at the 10 teams sporting the worst goals-against records to come up with possible destinations for any perceived surplus goalies/d-men on the better teams looking to perhaps dump salaries for picks/prospects etc.
San Jose – 215; Montreal 209; Columbus 208; Chicago 205; Anaheim 203; Tampa 200; NJ 199; NYI 195, Ottawa 193; Minnesota 193
Spot on Captain Obvious…it’s clickbait season when every sentence out Eliotte’s keyboard or mouth begins with “I wouldn’t be surprised….”
What a clever phrase to invent and conjure up innuendo that gets passed around and cited to create artificial groundswell under and to your site, poscast and persona…very self serving indeed.
And when nothing happens he says nothing but actually he didn’t say what he heard it’s that he wouldn’t be surprised….
Next time you’re listening to 32 Thoughts take the over on how many times he uses the colloquial phraseology…
GeorgeO Not sure why he would even muse about that. He must’ve got so much backlash that he needed to quiet it down.
Now to say teams inquiring about EP, yes Vancouver who is presently in first place is going to trade one of their top 3 players.
Is Tarasanko going to get moved? He gets to decide if he wants to.
If I’m an NHL GM I am calling on players I think would fit my team regardless where they are on the pecking order on their team.
If a rival GM thinks Petterson would augment his own team it never hurts to make a call. Perhaps there are underlying issues with signing the player as happened with the Gautier situation in PHI.
Do I think Petterson is available? No. But you have to ask to find out.
Hopefully it will be an exciting TDL with a few moves and we’ll get to see the results of the moves after the SCF.
Caper, he’s on record as saying he’d like to remain with Ottawa … but if a team with a legitimate shot at the cup is interested in a rental who can give them some additional offensive punch (and the guy IS also a +21 so no defensive lightweight), I can see him agreeing to a deal.
As a UFO, if he’s truly interested in staying in Ottawa – and the team sees value in re-signing him – he could be one of those rare UFO’s who sign back with the team he just left. But he does turn 33 next December, so any contract he gets isn’t going to be long-term – anywhere – and he might have to settle for something in the $3.5-$4 mil range for no more than 2 years.
Re, Erik Karlsson
I think Du-ass is stuck with Karlsson 34 yrs old and slowing down he has 3.3 years left at $10.M❗️
in this Cash Straped NHL
Nobody & not even X Sen’s GM Dorian would take that one.
If Philly beat the Pen’s today there playofff hopes are done.
Pen’s are just to old and too slow, 8 of there 12 forwards are in there 30’s…to Late 30’s
They are a re-build team as they have nothing in they systen coming up, they are past being a Re=tool team
Jake Guentzel gets traded for a 1st pick and Very good young forward prospect.
Guentzel gets about $9.M on the open market⁉️
Willie..agreed todays game vs Flyers is a must.
I honestly believe DUBAS this off season can retool with some younger influx of players and prominent free agents
Cap goes up $4 million
Ufas rfas $18 million
If they can move smith or rakell or both thats $10 million
One last kick at the can next year Crosby still elite
Hopefully Malkin retires which he is quietly suggesting he doesn’t have it anymore.
Thats $6 million more
We will see
If Jake won’t resign…Dubas has to trade him and get something in return, hopefully a first-rounder and couple of prospects. just can’t let him walk in July, he could get $8-10 on open market?
Blackngold,
yes worth a try for Sids 2nd last year, but they need more that a Re-tool
Smith at 33 yrs old with 10 goal’s & $5.M for 1.3 more years maybe they move him at the deadline, but he is slowing right down they may get a late round pick
Rickard Rakell with only 5 goals at $5.M for 4.3 more years…..
and Erik Karlsson $10.M for 3.3 more year will kill tham,
it going to be an up hill battle for the pens especially
with the Young teams in the East getting better and all three will piuch for a playoff spot
Ottawa,
Buffalo,
NJ,
The Young Habs will also be a little better but still re-building 2025-2026 season will be there
break out year
Might be wishful thinking but wouldn’t it be nice if Elliotte Friedman took some time off? Cover baseball for a while?
I miss Bob MacKenzie.
Me too. But different networks.
Friedmann is fine though. Well connected. One of the difficulties of trade rumours is that there are so many calls from on GM to another that can span weeks without anything getting close.
There was an article recently that talks between the Habs and the Jets was just one example of that, and did not address the other teams that had checked in on Monahan.
Totally agreel
With regards to EP40….I think he’ll eventually sign with Vancouver. Perhaps he really just wants to concentrate on playing hockey, and money can be worked out in the off season. That said, if he does have ideas of playing somewhere else, perhaps the best thing that can happen to Vancouver s an offer sheet. Let someone cough up 5 first round picks and then use that cap space to sign other players…..use draft picks as trade bate. It would hurt in the short term, but might make Vancouver stronger in the future.
Stone with a lacerated spleen (LTIR) just gave the Knights all the cap room they can use….
Might be a (temporary) spot for Tarasenko.
Spots Doctor say with a lacerated spleen
This takes minimum 2.5 to 3.5 Month’s to heal and get back to some kind normal fitness
The playoffs start in 7 weeks so dont expect Stone back before sometime in 2nd-3rd round of the playoffs thats at the very earliest
Skinny Pete – 12 million.
Buyer beware.
Soft, Charmin Soft, Mitch Marner Soft.
Couldnt find the corner of a rink if you gave him a map and gps cordinates.
You obviously have never seen Petey play. Blocks shots, kills penalties, and is anything but soft….watch a Canucks game once in awhile
I eatch 75-82 Nuck games a year…bump Skinny Pete even just slightly and hes lying on the ice. Getting hit by a shot isnt the same as blocking one.
Soft, Marner Soft.
Right hand defenceman for the Leafs. The better option would be Adam Larsson.
How about Marner “soft” for Crosby” knows where the corners are”
Yes guy
I believe that the Leafs are a long shot for a long run this season.
However, I am of the opinion that they should only trade their top pick/prospects for NHL players that are signed for at least one season beyond this one.
SEA – Larsson is a player that might play well beside Rielly. He is signed for one more year.
MTL – Savard might be a good option as well.
I am or suggesting the Leafs are one player away from a Cup but building a team requires making moves when they’re available.
With the way Matthews, Marner, Nylander, and Rielly are playing you don’t just “punt” until next year.
Rarely if ever do people make note of how a “good player” on a bad team would fair on a good team….taking in consideration of said player’s deployment, ie starts in offensive zone or defensive, quality of teammates or competition as well as ice time might not translate as well when they join their new team especially when they are playing with less quality teammates or pushed into an elevated role. This is partly why some trades work out and many, not so much and why so many rumors or trade speculation on certain players for certain teams make no sense at all. Fit and usage must be considered and if not, you have a potential poor trade.
PS Jull you may have a “type” of player but like many of us, that player is nothing more than an unrealistic fantasy. Still waiting to see something you say that can actually hold water.
Adam Larson (31) and Savard (33) are not too far off being the same age, but Larsson would be a far better partner with Reilly.
If Leafs 2024 – 1st round pick, Topi Niemala and a forward prospect like Voit, Tverberg or Lisowsky would peak Ron Francis’s interest it would allow Brodie to slide down the lineup.
Reilly – Larsson
Brodie – McCabe
Benoit – Liljegren
Is a defense I would be fairly comfortable with going into the playoffs.
Just curious regarding bad teams (not able to qualify for the postseason but has a core set of good players), would they consider splitting up that core? Ottawa comes to mind, though you can include others such as Buffalo but since there are more vocal Ottawa fans here, just wonder what their thoughts are on this. Not that I’m saying this but as an example, trading someone like Zub make sense to do it now since his value is so high and the team is still years away from being true contenders let along playoff bound?
My thinking is, if the Sens are, let’s just say, are about 5 yrs away being serious cup contenders and perennial top 10 team, would having Zub be better in that time or will the haul you get for him today be better in the long run for the team?
The same can be said for contenders as well…is it better for teams to cash in on young talent that is a few seasons from being impactful or better to get someone who can help now?
Ron. You absolutely nailed it. I was thing something similar about the Habs. They’re still 5 years, maybe, from contending. Trade high now on Caufield, Suzuki, WiFi? Unthinkable. Unless you think about it…..
You want the Habs to keep trading their good young players for draft picks and prospects? How, exactly, are they supposed to develop into a contender that way? What you’re suggesting would make them merely a development team for playoff contenders.
No Lyle, it’s more about asset management. Like in Habman’s post, not saying trading all those players but if you trade one of them, someone playing better than you know they will be later when the team’s window opens (which might also might be signed to a higher contract) better to move now while he’s hot than holding on to him. Not saying you trade these guys for another known commodity such as a top prospect especially if that prospect has potential to fill a hole in your team eventually.
Perhaps. Or they could just remain patient with those players he mentioned before peddling them away and watch them shine elsewhere. Those players he mentioned are 24 and younger with some on long-term contracts.
The Leafs need a solid, calming stay-at-home guy in defense. Love Morgan Reilly, but he is lost this year in his own zone. (See collision with Samsonov behind the net vs Colorado on Saturday.)
They need a guy who can play the right side, deliver well-placed shots from the point and clear the zone and slot in their own end.
I don’t know that anybody is offering a guy like that, and if they are, I doubt the Leafs can afford it.
Giordano looks like a guy who will need to rest as much as he plays.
Dumba has been rumoured – but watching him vs TOR last week he was barely noticeable, and certainly didn’t slow down the Leafs much.
I think Treliving goes off the board for a small contract, young guy with size and defensive chops.
I suspect Martin Jones will be dealt rather than try to sneak him down to the AHL.
And with the talent shown recently by McMann, Holmberg, Robertson, Domi, and Bertuzzi, I suspect the Leafs may be looking for a cheap guy with experience and speed who excels at face-offs and penalty killing. (If such a player exists?)
If Necas is a player going to Calgary they need a contract signed first or he is UFA in a year.
My best guess, Pettersson signs a 3-4 year deal.
Q:If someone signed Pettersson to a one year offersheet at 10,7, wouldnt that put Vancouver in a bind? They either accept(which they dont want to) or they cant discuss new contract until jan first 2025 and if I understand it correctly, they cant trade him for one year. Or the offer sheet could just include a NMC.
Just wondering if a player wants to screw his own team
doktordave
I read an article about Josh Brown from ARZ being a target for the Leafs to look into. A Benoit type player.(RHD)
I’m not suggesting they would play him beside Rielly.
They definitely need a proper RHD…that can skate well and handle the puck efficiently.
I highly doubt Carolina will trade for a goalie this season. Waddell has stated that if he adds it will be 1 or 2 forwards. Carolina could use another center. I could see Kotkaniemi being traded.
The only way Necas is being traded is for another goal scorer. He wants to play center but hasn’t shown he can play center. I could see Jarvis being able to play 2nd line center.
Carolina ruined Kotkaniemi’s career by overpaying him in a revenge signing. His game gets unfairly dissected on account of his bloated contract.
He was drafted as the best center in the draft year and he has delivered on that by a country mile except for 1 outlier, 5th round pick Sharangovich who’s numbers are similar but at a much lower cost.
How is Carolina going to move him at $4.82 million?
I’m in a minority of Hab fans who always liked the pick and still like the kid. He’d be a very good 2C in Montreal but that ship has sailed.
Re: Larry Brooks…aka NY Post clickbaiter extraordinaire…do the cap math…know the CBA rules.
He pulled back from Tarasenko after realizing via “X” that page 273 Clause 50.5 that a team can’t reacquire with retained salary a player obtained within 12 calendar months being on active reserve list (roster).
Rangers have 13 NHL players signed for next year with unknown Chytil status and only $15.3M to sign 9-10 players including extensions to Kakko, Lindgren, Schneider, Quick (or other backup) and Gustafsson…
The Vatrano, Buchnevich colloquialisms are utterly fascinating speculation Brooksie…unless the NHL allows teams to play with 19-20 players on the active roster