NHL Rumor Mill – March 27, 2024
What will Sidney Crosby’s next contract with the Penguins look like? Have the Bruins set the table for some big moves in the offseason? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHAT WILL CROSBY’S NEXT CONTRACT LOOK LIKE?
THE ATHLETIC: Rob Rossi noted that “a lot of people” have opined that Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby should finish his career with a team like the Colorado Avalanche. However, he shoots down that notion by pointing out that Crosby had publicly and privately indicated he intends to finish his career with the Penguins.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Penguins’ decline into also-ran status has fueled media speculation about Crosby’s future. Some suggested he should orchestrate a trade to join his good friend Nathan MacKinnon in Colorado or sign with the Avalanche next summer as a free agent.
The earliest the Penguins can open contract extension talks with Crosby is July 1. If he’s not signed on that date, Rossi suggests it could be because he’s still on vacation.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The longer it takes for the Penguins and Crosby to reach an agreement the more questions over his future in Pittsburgh will appear in the media. If he’s not signed when training camp opens, the media buzz over his future will continue to increase.
Crosby’s current annual average value is $8.7 million. Rossi speculates a three-year extension at $10 million annually would be fair. He believes Crosby will want to stick around and help shape the next great Penguins team.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: General manager Kyle Dubas has to sell his vision of the club’s future to Crosby. If he can do that, his captain could be up for the challenge of guiding the next group of young Penguins stars.
ARE THE BRUINS PRIMED FOR A BIG OFFSEASON?
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy cited an NHL executive suggesting Bruins general manager Don Sweeney has “set the table” for some big moves in the offseason.
“Look at all the cap space he has, and his two biggest trade targets are still set to become free agents.”
The Bruins have a projected salary-cap space of $21.7 million for 2024-25. With potentially eight roster spots opening up, Murphy speculates they could re-sign Danton Heinen, James van Riemsdyk and perhaps Kevin Shattenkirk on team-friendly contracts. Winger Jake DeBrusk remains a wildcard as he has not heard back from management about a contract extension as of the March 8 trade deadline.
Murphy noted the two trade targets his source referred two are Vancouver Canucks center Elias Lindholm and Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin. Both players were linked to the Bruins in the rumor mill this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins could get more cap space if they trade goaltender Linus Ullmark, who has a year left on his contract with an AAV of $5 million.
Sweeney has his club in a good position cap-wise heading into this summer. I don’t doubt that he’ll look at bolstering his roster with one or two free-agent signings and perhaps through the trade market. Whether he lands Lindholm and/or Hanifin remains to be seen.
Teams like Pittsburgh and Calgary are in cap purgatory. Too many aging / bad players and contracts to really be able to sell, and not good enough to complete.
Realistically, Pittsburgh is going to have to work around some of those aging players. Which will just slow down the process.
Cap purgatory? The flames have 20 million in cap space this summer. Get your facts straight.
The Bruins could set themselves up nicely with the right free agent signings and trades! The core of the team other than Marchand and Coyle have not hit their 30 s yet! Instead of opting for aging veterans it might be the time to bring up their young players on affordable entry level contracts!
The needs haven’t changed for the Bruins ….. a tough Dman would be nice, a McQuaid type …. a true #1 center…. A tough 4th line winger who can play some, a Thornton type …Dman & 4th line player shouldn’t cost much … spend the $$$ on scoring needs
I wonder if the Habs would go after Crosby..
Word is they want a 1st line player to help with there young guys development……❓
Re Linus Ullmark & Saros
I see them ending up in Ottawa & NJ as his prefrence is the East Coast……..
Sens have 2 first round picks…. 1st one will be a 5th, 6th, or 7th pick in the 1st round, they wount trade.
The 2nd pick in the first round
its the Boston Bruins 2024 first-round pick (via DET) (top 10 protected), they could use and a prospect to get Ullmark in a sign & Trade deal
NJ at pressent have 12th to 14th pick ….🤔