NHL Rumor Mill – March 21, 2024
The latest on Erik Karlsson, Johnny Gaudreau and the Senators’ goaltending situation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST ON ERIK KARLSSON
THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe and Ian Mendes examined whether a trade involving Erik Karlsson would make sense for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently mused about whether the Senators might contemplate a reunion with Karlsson, who spent his first nine NHL seasons in Ottawa. The 33-year-old Penguins defenseman dismissed the idea when asked about it last week.
Yohe believes the Penguins would consider moving Karlsson as they’ve got too many players over 30 with expensive contracts. Mendes cites Karlsson’s ongoing ties to Ottawa and the Senators need for a right shot among their top-four defensemen. Acquiring the three-time Norris Trophy winner would mean trading Thomas Chabot or Jakob Chychrun.
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images).
The Penguins would want a return that helps them get younger quickly. However, the Senators would want them to retain part of Karlsson’s contract, which would raise the Penguins’ asking price.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ve summarized a detailed examination of a Karlsson-to-Ottawa trade scenario by Yohe and Mendes. Both agree it would be a complicated affair requiring flexibility to ensure a fair deal for both clubs.
I don’t see Karlsson getting traded to the Senators. They’re a different club than the one he was traded from seven years ago. His contract is far too expensive and the Senators likely want a more affordable, defensive-minded blueliner.
COULD THE BLUE JACKETS ATTEMPT TO TRADE JOHNNY GAUDREAU?
BOSTON GLOBE: Kevin Paul Dupont recently noted the ongoing decline in the offensive production of Columbus Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau.
Heading into last weekend, the 30-year-old Gaudreau had just 10 goals and 47 points. He has five seasons remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $9.75 million.
Dupont doesn’t rule out the next Blue Jackets general manager trying to move Gaudreau to a team of the winger’s liking, “albeit with the Jackets retaining, say, one-third of his salary.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ve learned never to say never when moving high-salaried, under-performing players. The projected $4.4 million increase in the salary cap for 2024-25 could increase the odds of the Jackets finding a suitable trade partner for Gaudreau if they made him available in this summer’s trade market.
However, trading Gaudreau would still be a daunting challenge. His declining production hurts his trade value, he carries a full no-movement clause, and an interested club would likely want the Jackets to retain more than one-third of his annual cap hit or include a couple of sweeteners like a draft pick and a quality prospect.
WILL THE SENATORS PURSUE A GOALTENDER?
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch believes the Senators’ goaltending must improve next season or nothing will. As of March 18, they had the worst combined save percentage (.887) and sat 28th with an average goals-against per game of 3.53.
Garrioch believes Senators general manager Steve Staios may have “kicked some tires” on goaltenders before the March 8 trade deadline. He indicated there was speculation one of them was Boston’s Linus Ullmark. The Bruins have to decide on whether to trade Ullmark this summer.
The Senators have starting goalie Joonas Korpisalo under contract for four more years. Garrioch dismissed the notion of a contract buyout. “The hope is that he can come back next season better prepared to play with more consistency.” The Senators could attempt instead to move Anton Forsberg and replace him with a more reliable backup.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ullmark, 30, also carries an average annual value of $5 million next season and is a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. He also carries a 16-team no-trade clause that becomes a 15-team NTC on July 1.
Historically, in my recollection, trading a goalie brings back an underwhelming return. Could this summer be different with a number of teams needing an upgrade? We will see, but GMs jobs depend on getting a goalie. Too early to tell, but Devs appear to have their backup in Allen. But getting the number 1 is most important. A top ten draft pick could be very attractive. Could star a bidding war with others having similar trade capital. Should be an interesting offseason.
I doubt it, mmmnnnn? Market seems a bit flooded. Probably not great returns.
It hasn’t been seven years since Ottawa traded Karlsson. September will make it six years.
Wouldn’t a Karlsson for Chabot trade make sense for both teams?
If Pittsburgh retains $1M!
Chabot is $8M per season and Karlsson $10M
Their salaries would become equal.
Ottawa is overloaded at LHD and gets a RHD it badly needs while Pittsburgh gets a younger defenseman who eats big minutes.
With Karlsson previous relationship to the Ottawa Senators and friendship with Daniel Alfredsson it would be a smooth transition.
Most of the time, trade scenarios lack any real thought or imagination.
Why do we revisit these ridiculous ideas of reunions that seldom happen?
It’s always some bizarre, far fetched dream scenario.
“Home town boy”
“Reunion “
“Change of scenery “
“Former Stanley cup champion “
“Leadership “
“He grew up a fan”
Why on earth would Ottawa want Karlsson back now? Other than “reunion “.
Mindless!
I agree Captain. I liked Doug Wilson a lot, but getting Karlsson was the primary reason for his demise. Now it looks like it lead to the demise of Dubas as well. Absolutely no one is going to rescue the Pens or Dubas from that contract, and Karlsson, once again, will be on a rebuilding team in the very near future.
Hey Rock, you’re a Sharks fan, not sure if you live in the area.
I remember hearing that the SJ ownership really disliked the idea of a rebuild, and years of not being competitive. The concern was fans wouldn’t show up in that market if the team wasn’t competitive.
Do you know anything about that?
Because if true, then it’s not on Wilson, he did what the boss, and the guy who pays him, wanted. Which, in the end, was his job.
It’s shocking that red flags aren’t all over guys having career years at 29-32 years old. Shocking!
Hunerdeau , Karlsson, i cannot explain these type of deals / trades. It’s just crazy!
10 million for an often injured , offensive defenseman? With a contract that takes him to 38 years old?
I’m sure another breakout year is right around the corner.
CO: The Blue Jackets had (have?) struggled to attract “big name” players for years. When he signed with Columbus, Kekalainen said. “He wanted to come here, so you can’t pass up an opportunity like this. That’s basically the main reason.”
I agree that players who have career years on an expiring contract are high risk signings. Gaudreau had had several good years previous to that but IMO his issue is size: 5’9 and 165 pounds. In hockey terms, I call that frail.
Johnny Hockey (retain $2M), Elvis (retain $1M), Juricek for Copp (retain $1M), Husso, Fabbri and a 2025 1st
This clears a 2 big contracts from CBJ and gives them a defensive veteran center, and a middle 6 winger and a goalie that needs a fresh start, the last 2 with only 1 year on their contracts which will give CBJ more cap flexibility. Detroit gets better in net, hopefully a winger that will find his game, and a promising and coveted RD.
I’m holding my sides from laughing so hard. Jiricek is going nowhere, unless someone comes up with a “bowl me over with a feather” offer.
Detroit says no thank you. Although Jiricek would be a nice pick up, he isn’t enough to get me to take on those 2 albatross contracts, even with the noted retention.
Gaudreau and his agent misread the market. His preference was NJ or Philly. When neither of those teams showed interest, and he had already told Calgary he would not return, he had one option. CBJ. He is not happy there, and his play is evidence. Or, is Johnny happy in Columbus because he never wanted the pressure of leading a team. His playoff stats in Calgary prove that he is not “big game” material.
You realize that what you say is wrong and makes no sense whatsoever
Capfriendly displays: NMC () beside his name, so the question is does he have full or no protection from being moved?
Re; Senators
Why would the Sen;s what $10M Eric Karlsson Back? at 34 this summer, His production is Way down almost 50%…..❓
The Sen’s are a young re-building team… Go after a 28-29 year old RD/man who will be good for 6-7 more years at 50% less Salary.
Starting goalie Joonas Korpisalo has been Brutal in his 1st year , 80% of the Back up tenders have better numbers than his, G44 GA,3.37 SV%, 0.887…❗️
Forget Hope,😳 that he or they are better next year
Anton Forsberg Cant replace him as a Starter he cant play that many games Both these Goaltenders are un-reliable backup’s at best
Time to go after a Real Starter, like,
30 yr old Ullmark,
or
the younger 28 yr old Staros would be my choice, both would have to be a sign and tra
The Sen’s 1st pick in the draft is going to be, 5th, or 6th, or 7th pick at worst,
So Why not use it to get the Starting Goaltender
you Really Need more than an other prospect…
⁉️🤔
Gaudreau and his agent misread the market. His preference was NJ or Philly. When neither of those teams showed interest, and he had already told Calgary he would not return, he had one option. CBJ. He is not happy there, and his play is evidence. Or, is Johnny happy in Columbus because he never wanted the pressure of leading a team. His playoff stats in Calgary prove that he is not “big game” material.
Do you have any evidence Johnny Hockey is unhappy in Columbus? Or could his reduced offense be simply due to linemates who don’t compliment his strengths?
That! His problems began when Florida “stole” those two key players from Calgary.
Penguins MUST (as a start) trade Karllson; get younger; bigger, stronger , tougher
Else…. Risk an 87 departure. I for one wouldn’t blame him
Retention on Karllson a must
These are rich owners who need to think big picture and long term
Karlsson even at his currently reduced Cap hit of $10 M will have zero suitors
@$5M (50% MORE retained by Penguins); meaning only 43% of his actual total Cap hit…. Many suitors
Was not a good fit in Pittsburgh; would be a goof fit in many other cities
He’s got an NMC; so his choice
All players want a cup; not happening with Penguins
There ARE viable trades out there for Karlsson at $5M Cap hit
This makes most sense; and I have no doubt owners would support a move to start the youth/size reinvigoration of the Penguins
Will Dubas admit his errors and do this.
Yes, If he does what he is actually paid to do…. His job is to make the team as competitive as possible within the budget provided (hint: ownership has backed max spending).
So far Dubas has failed miserably . Atrociously
He hasn’t even made the most needed firing (no trade needed; no partner needed). That being Reirdon. A power play with that much talent, miring near the bottom of the league in production; is just incomprehensible.
Preparing for family upheaval and move to Denver.