NHL Rumor Mill – March 5, 2024
The trade deadline is 3 PM ET on Friday, March 8. Check out the latest on Jake Guentzel, Noah Hanifin, Jacob Markstrom, Pavel Buchnevich, Vladimir Tarasenko, Adam Henrique, and many more trade candidates in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman did a quick summary on Monday of where each club stands leading up to Friday’s trade deadline. Here are the more notable tidbits:
Friedman’s big question regarding Jake Guentzel is whether the Pittsburgh Penguins will grant permission for interested clubs to discuss a contract extension with the 29-year-old winger. They also prefer to receive prospects rather than draft picks as part of the return for Guentzel.
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel (NHL Images)
Interested clubs could include the Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers, and Carolina Hurricanes with the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks seen as longer shots. Other Penguins who could garner trade interest include winger Reilly Smith and goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Pierre LeBrun included the Canucks and Oilers among six-plus suitors for Guentzel.
Turning to the Calgary Flames, Friedman believes defenseman Noah Hanifin remains locked in on joining the Tampa Bay Lightning. He thinks the Lightning are interested in Hanifin but if was that easy it would’ve been done by now.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning’s lack of a first-rounder in the 2024 and 2025 drafts is likely a complicating factor, especially if they’re trying to outbid other teams.
Friedman noted the Boston Bruins are believed to have contacted the Flames about Hanifin. Their limited cap space means they’d have to move a roster player. That’s why goaltender Linus Ullmark has been mentioned in the rumor mill. Ullmark’s 16-team no-trade gives him some control plus the tandem of Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman gives the Bruins their best chance to win the Cup this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reports the New Jersey Devils have looked into Ullmark’s availability if they can’t swing a deal with the Flames for Jacob Markstrom.
Speaking of Jacob Markstrom, his disappointment over how management handled a potential trade to New Jersey hasn’t affected his performance.
The Devils haven’t given up on acquiring Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom. They could revisit that attempt in the offseason if a deal isn’t reached by the trade deadline. Friedman isn’t convinced that the Devils could trade winger Tyler Toffoli.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Calgary Hockey Now’s Trevor Neufeld cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli claiming Flames ownership spiked the deal that would’ve sent Markstrom to the Devils. If so, we can forget about the 34-year-old goaltender going anywhere at the trade deadline. It would also cast doubt over any potential offseason deals unless Markstrom asks to be moved.
St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong has set a very high asking price for winger Pavel Buchnevich. There’s been what Friedman calls “non-stop noise” over winger Jordan Kyrou.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of Kyrou, The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford recently suggested the odds are 50-50 that the Blues trade him before his no-trade clause begins in July 2025. If that move takes place my bet is it’s more likely an offseason trade.
Ottawa Senators winger Vladimir Tarasenko could be a consolation prize for teams that don’t get Jake Guentzel. The Senators could also look into the goalie market.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Score cited the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch claiming the Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers, Vegas Golden Knights, and Edmonton Oilers have kicked tires on Tarasenko. The 32-year-old has a $5 million cap hit and a full no-trade clause but is expected to waive it to join a contender.
Speaking of the Senators, The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reports there is growing interest in defenseman Jakob Chychrun from clubs seeking more than a playoff rental. However, the Senators remain in listening mode and haven’t set an asking price for him yet.
Friedman believes the Florida Panthers could pursue a winger such as Guentzel or Tarasenko. He said he’s heard mixed responses that they might have an interest in Hanifin.
The asking price is high for Anaheim Ducks winger Frank Vatrano. It’s more likely that pending UFAs like Adam Henrique and Sam Carrick will be moved.
With the Vegas Golden Knights placing Mark Stone on LTIR, they will be buyers. Friedman thinks they could pursue one or two wingers, including one of those near the top of the market like Buchnevich and Guentzel.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights always try to make a big splash near the NHL trade deadline. With over $7.3 million in cap flexibility, they will try and land a big fish by the deadline.
Jake Guentzel, Vladimir Tarasenko or Tyler Toffoli (if available) would be perfect fits for the Carolina Hurricanes. They have the prospect depth to make competitive bids. Meanwhile, Friedman believes the Martin Necas situation is coming to a head.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Necas has been floated recently as a trade candidate if the Hurricanes decide to pursue a big-ticket scorer.
It’s believed the Colorado Avalanche remains in the market for a second-line center. They’re looking at short-term options like Adam Henrique and medium-term ones like Arizona’s Nick Bjugstad and Alex Kerfoot.
Defensemen remain a priority for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Friedman believes they’ve been linked to most of the notable trade candidates. He also thinks they’ve looked at adding another forward.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Toronto Sun’s Terry Koshan wonders if Leafs GM Brad Treliving might pursue a center such as Adam Henrique.
The Edmonton Oilers have been looking at adding a defenseman. They have also been linked to Adam Henrique and his teammate Sam Carrick in a rumored “double deal.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of the Oilers, winger Warren Foegele has popped up as a possible trade candidate as the deadline nears.
There was some social media speculation suggesting the New York Islanders might move Brock Nelson. Friedman dismissed it, pointing out among other things that the Isles aren’t giving up on the playoff race.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: No one knows what secretive Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello has in store for his team. Nevertheless, I agree with Friedman’s dismissal of the Nelson trade rumors.
The asking price for Philadelphia Flyers center Scott Laughton is high, creating doubt that they want to move him. Contract talks continue with defensemen Sean Walker and Nick Seeler.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: With the Flyers still in the thick of the playoff race, I don’t see them moving those guys unless someone is willing to overpay for them.
Friedman felt Arizona Coyotes defenseman Matt Dumba might be a good fit with the Toronto Maple Leafs as they looked into him before signing John Klingberg last summer. However, he said he received pushback on that idea.
Teams are assessing whether Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins could benefit from a change of scenery. Meanwhile, Ivan Provorov could become available as the Jackets deal with a blueline backlog.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Merzlikin’s $5.4 million AAV through 2026-27 and inconsistent play will likely keep him in Columbus for the rest of this season. As for Provorov, he has a year left on his contract. The Jackets can wait until the summer to shop him if they don’t get any suitable offers now.
Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams has rebuffed requests from other clubs to discuss winger Alex Tuch. He’s prepared to move pending UFAs such as Erik Johnson. Friedman wondered if team captain Kyle Okposo would be a fit with the New York Rangers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers need a top-six right wing but they’re probably eyeing other options. Meanwhile, The Buffalo News’ Lance Lysowski reports Adams is open to trading notable young players but only if it’s a move that helps the Sabres now. In other words, he’s not interested in a return of draft picks and prospects.
Seattle Kraken defenseman Adam Larsson is coveted in the trade market but Friedman would be shocked if he got traded. There’s been contract extension talk with winger Jordan Eberle. Forward Brandon Tanev could be a trade deadline wild card.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman published this column hours before the Kraken scratched center Alex Wennberg from their game last night against the New York Rangers for trade-related reasons. The 29-year-old Wennberg seems the most likely to be moved out of Seattle.
Speaking of the Rangers, Friedman noted they’ve asked about Anaheim’s Frank Vatrano and Buffalo’s Alex Tuch. He thinks they could also look at Pittsburgh’s Reilly Smith or St. Louis’ Pavel Buchnevich.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Again, this was published before the report about Wennberg becoming a healthy scratch for trade-related reasons amid speculation the Rangers were pursuing him.
Friedman still wonders if Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland might have an interest in Washington Capitals winger Anthony Mantha. Holland knows him from their days with the Detroit Red Wings.
Speaking of Mantha, Friedman thinks he’d be a good fit with the Winnipeg Jets if Gabriel Vilardi should be sidelined longer than expected.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Winnipeg Sun’s Paul Friesen anticipates the Jets will make another move before the deadline. He believes GM Kevin Cheveldayoff would like to add a puck-moving defenseman.
There’s nothing on the front burner for the Montreal Canadiens. Defenseman David Savard wants to stay and they can sit back and say, “Make us consider it.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun said there are some teams interested in acquiring goalie Jake Allen after this season when he’ll have just one year left on his contract with a $3.85 million cap hit. Teams could have the same approach toward Savard. Either way, the Canadiens seem fine with both players remaining on their roster beyond the trade deadline.
Friedman reports the Minnesota Wild are working on a contract extension for defenseman Zach Bogosian.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Chris Johnston believes the Maple Leafs could be interested in Bogosian if he and the Wild fail to agree to an extension by March 8.
The San Jose Sharks have been open for business for a while but it’s been quiet. They’re trying to move as many of their pending UFAs as possible. Friedman noted there’s been talk about players with term left on their contracts like Mario Ferraro and Mikael Granlund but they’re more costly to acquire.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was recently reported the Sharks aren’t shopping Ferraro but could be willing to listen to offers. At this point, I’ll be surprised if he or Granlund are moved.
The Nashville Predators surge up the standings since mid-February has turned them into buyers rather than sellers.
Friedman sees the Detroit Red Wings doing something to secure a playoff berth. He wondered if they’d pursue Jake Guentzel but GM Steve Yzerman isn’t much for signing 30-year-old player to term.
The Los Angeles Kings aren’t expected to do anything major. Forward Arthur Kaliyev has been in and out of the lineup and isn’t guaranteed to move.
After acquiring Chris Tanev from Calgary last week, the Dallas Stars could make one more depth move before the deadline.
The Vancouver Canucks must soon decide if they’ll sign free agent Phil Kessel if they hope to have him for the playoffs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The deadline for signing free agents to be eligible for the postseason is the same as the trade deadline.
Ullmark to NJ for 2024 top 10 protected 1st, Nico Daws, 2025 3rd
Then flip the 2 NJ picks + Wortherspoon and a 2026 4th to the Flames for Hanafin at 1/2 salary.
Everybody’s happy! 😁
you not far off, I have long thought that the only way the Bruins make a trade is a 3 way deal with one of LA, NJ or Carolina involving Ullmark.
I am not sure that Wortherspoon is the player going to cgy but the teams make sense.
To me with everyone keeping their goalies the Bruins value on Ullmark will not be higher and Swayman is the guy moving forward.
What about Ullmark to nj
Picks prospects to cgy
Coleman to Bos
Calgary will need to clear cap and can use picks
I also propose
Markstrom plus 1mil retained to CAR
Necas and kotchetkov to cgy
Markstrom for Necas +?
You’re a fellow Ranger fan. I’m concerned about you drinking this early in the day.
I can be your sponsor if needed. I’m here for you brother!
to devils Ullmark to bruins haniffin and Vladar to flames Holtz Bahl Lysell and bruins 2nd round pick 2025
After I kicked NY on morning coffee, I’ll suggest targets because I’m bored.
Hanifin can’t get him? Seeler
Vatrano can’t get him? Next,
Buchnevich, can’t get him, next. Toffoli can’t get him ? Next, Tarasenko . Can’t get any of them? Skip on Okposo or any other fodder. Move on.
Center. Laughton. Can’t get him? Wennberg, if 2 pieces above are in place. Can’t get him? Move on.
As the Rangers keep kicking tires on Vatrano back to Zib’s wing…why not a decent skating playmaker there who can carry the puck more than Kreider does…. and creates space for Zib and Kreider? Minus the skating Kakko is that player but they are not doing anything as a trio….
they skated two 4th lines last night. not a good look
Who’s that skating playmaker out there?
And Zibanejad needs help hitting the net and shooting a little faster/ passing shooting ratio needs to be smarter / better. A playmaker ain’t helping that. Only Zibanejad can help that. Watching NY pass, pass pass pass pass pass is getting old. A playmaker only makes that worse. They need guy / guys with shoot first mentality.
If Zibanejad is going to have a pass first mentality, they don’t need 2 on one line. They need a sniper.
Wow! Necas + would be an excellent return for Guentzel!
Johnny Z….The Penguins aren’t trading Guentzel anywhere in the East…
It is Vegas, Edmonton or Vancouver…
Why wouldn’t Pittsburgh trade him to an eastern conference team?
Why wouldn’t they maximize the trade of their hands down most valuable piece on the block.
He’s a UFA , and all reports have the leaders (Vancouver and Vegas) as having zero interest in re-signing him to a deal.
Meaning, Dubas would leave a better deal on the table while Pittsburgh is outside of the playoffs, only to have him come back and sign with an eastern conference team next year anyway?
If that is truly Dubas thinking, he probably should be thinking of a different career path!
That is just beyond brutal asset management.
The expectation is that Guentzel will be dealt by the #pens as a rental. It doesn’t sound like potential acquiring teams have shown much interest in trying to work out an extension as part of the trade. https://t.co/rrzm7370lR
Straight from TSN.
Come on Bruins go get Nick Seeler
I can’t see the Avs making any of those trades. Neither Ryan Johansen nor Ross Colton have been able to grab the 2C role, but Bjugstad, Kerfoot, and Henrique don’t seem like a significant upgrade there. It’s too late in the season to try another experiment and hope for some chemistry.
If those are the only options, the Avs are best off sticking with Zach Parise between RyJo and Drouin and maybe looking for some goaltending depth. Canadian teams overpriced this year’s trade market anyway.
are you forgetting that kerfoot has already been an Avalanche and would probably fit in seamlessly with Bednar’s system. I don’t think Chemistry would be that much of an issue? It would solve the drag that Johansen is on that line, he can’t keep up; however, he’s been a little better recently but i would not have a problem having kerfoot back. he’s a really good skater and i think he has matured both in Toronto and Arizona. I’d go with either of those other two guys over Johansen
I like Kerfoot … as a 3C. He regressed a bit in his 2nd year in Denver after Bednar told him to shoot more, though. Kerfoot for RyJo plus a low pick would be interesting, but Kerfoot’s playoff numbers are a bit worse than RyJo’s. And I can’t imagine AZ would make that trade.
Bottom line, he might be a bit of an upgrade over RyJo in a bottom-6 role, but still doesn’t solve the 2C problem.
As a Leaf fan- I am completely perplexed how there are rumours of acquiring another forward after watching this defense play all season. They need another D!- not a borderline waiver wire add like Lybushkin- a real D ..there are no number 1’s I get it. The answer wasn’t Tanev either. Go take your 1st and Minten and Robertson and make something happen!
If Edmonton is in on Taresenko AND the rumour holds that Ottawa is seeking a 2nd AND prospect for Tarasenko @50%:
Ryan, 2nd, one of Savoie or Lavoie for Tarasenko (50%), pay another team a 4th to retain another 25% on Tarasenko,
Late rounder for UFA depth forward add
Bring up Broberg for playoffs as “self add” depth D
Or… go more “in”
Ryan, Ceci, 1st, Savoie or Lavoie; to Washington for Mantha and Aube-Kubel (both at 50%); 4th and remainder of Savoie/Lavoie to another team to retain 25% on both Mantha /Kubel
Late rounder to Arizona for Brown or Stetcher to play 3rd pairing RD; move Deharnais up in place of Ceci; bring up Broberg
Top 6 and D upgrade certainly moves the needle on Edmonton going far
I called that the owner stopped the Markström trade, it was the only thing that made sense. They wouldnt have gone to Markström if they didnt have a deal, but the owner stepped in. Cant imagine Markström being very happy about the situation.
I dont know all the pieces in this trade but Vancouver should trade Lindholm to Avs and get Buchnevich from StLouis. He is a much better fit for what they need, and the Avs need a 2C
Why have a GM if you aren’t going to let him do his job.
It’s almost certain that Staios will be active leading up to – and/or on Trade Deadline Day as he attempts to make deals that will change the “culture” on his badly-confused ream – starting with goaltending.
Meanwhile, it appears Maxence Guenette is going to get a good long look at the NHL level, and joining him at some stage will be Tyler Kleven. They’re not going to make the playoffs so they might as well use what’s left of the season to get a proper perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of their top two D prospects.
Tarasenko should bring back a decent pick along with a bona-fide prospect – likely someone who plays RW
Brannstrom will go to a team seeking puck-moving mobility on the back-end
Kubalik – IF he goes anywhere – won’t bring back much more than a 6th or 7th round pick – plus maybe a veteran AHL-c areer type to bolster Belleville
Chychrun could be the ticket to acquire a goalie – but this one could get tricky since most of the goalies rumoured to be possibly available might have Ottawa on a no-go list – if they have one. In that deal I can see Staios insisting that the receiving team also take on Korpisalo.
It’s going to be an interesting few days as Staios works to show that his thinking on the structure of a functional NHL team differs vastly from that of Dorion.
If Lightning Acquire Hanafin as a non-rental it’s likely
cap does not allow Stamkos re-signing; or Hedman needs traded as Sergy/Hanafin/Cernak anchors D. Still, a D of his quality who wants to be on your team & will be long term is worthwhile;
JBB may well be hunting a #1 somewhere to satisfy CGY, or debating if the organization can manage the loss of both prime prospects which would probably do the trick. When you are near the bottom 5 on 5 D But still 6 pts from 3rd a first pair D non-rental is a hand-in-glove fit. However, looking realistically at the Lightning roster past the core there just isn’t much to tempt CGY. Can you trade a 2030 first rounder?
Necas plus kotchetkov for Markstrom plus 1 mil retained
All to balance cap
Sounds like a win for both sides.
Flames don’t want a goalie in return. They have Vladar and Wolf knocking at the door. Markstrom for Necas, Morrow, or a first, and DeAngelo>????
w ow this trade speculation has everything but the kitchen sink !did anyone notice the pospisol hit on dunn, he got a 5 minute major and player safety review. the leafs lybiushkin boarding was worse or the same at best with no penalty or player safety review.no wonder toronto thinks there is a double standard.
It’s probably because James Dolan owns Gary Bettman.
He just looks the other way and drops amazing draft pics on NY.
Let’s look at the basic difference’s. One of these plays the player getting hit has his back to the hit , face to the boards, the other does not.
Hmmmmm? Conspiracy? Me and my tinfoil hat say yes!!!
Without question Bettman is a Dolan owned robot. Weird that he hasn’t just handed NY a cup yet?
My money says this year! Or Bettman will need a reprogramming before the draft!
I thought we were moving on, CO. Come on man!
You’re right, I fell in the trap.
But the two hits are truly night and day difference.
Glad to see lyubushkin back on the lineup last night!
Does rust and Rackell from Pitts get you Kyrou? Toss in Smith trade assets
Pitts should get max for Guentzel
Try to get max for Riley Smith ( to Vegas?)
See market for Rust and Rackell and trade for max value package (see above) if possible
Carter will be gone in off season and that’ll free up significant cap to get younger and faster
Take assets from deadline to trade for prospects
I hate Crosby … Carter comes off the books Smith, Guentzel and Accari will be moved.
If Guentzel gets moved, if Smith gets moved, carter comes of the books, totaling up their ufa s rfas and the cap going up next year hey will have anywhere from $ 17 million to $ 21 million in the off season.
If Doug Armstrong hates his job and is thinking retirement, yes that trade works. The ink won’t be dry on the deal before he’s chased out of town with pitchforks and torches by a crazed mob lead by ownership.
Rackell and Smith? I’m not taking on either at this point.
Kyrou is younger and better than Rust. Why are they being punished with Rackell and Smith?
Im not sure what “the Necas situation” is. He is going to be an RFA with arbitration rights. Why is that a big deal at the trade deadline? He is playing better than he has all year and he is one of the few natural goal scorers on the team. Carolina will deal with the Necas contract after the playoffs.
Carolina’s real concern is how well Freddy Andersen will play and whether he can be counted on for the rest of the season. Is he going to play at least 1 game before the trade deadline?
Some owners do not believe in payment for services not rendered. This virtually is every salary retained situation.
Calgary is frugal . I prefer to call them tight wads . I guess they need to be asked prior to the player. Who by the way are real people with real lives that include family
Granted $3m is someone’s real money and significant so I get it . Just not in major sports
I think Markstrom moves at the draft but would like to see him in LA or NJD
The Leafs. None of these players will tilt the scale in Leafs favour. Treliving speaks about snot but there ain’t any snot. They play Florida or Boston, it will be the same outcome. I’m a little old school and they need 3rd and 4th line players that can play hockey but also hit, slash, face wash and talk trash. A player you hate but would love to have on your team. In saying this, they’re aren’t too many players like that.
Also I believe the coach’s personality will shine through the team. You take a Torts, BrindAmour, hey how about a Pat Quinn or Pat Burns. The attitude in players comes from the coach. Dubas is done, I think it should be Keefe’s too.
Elliot Friedman knows less about hockey than I thought he did if he truly believes Dumba would be a good fit with the Leafs.
Dumba is a team worst -14 with next to no offensive production.
Leafs are looking for a strong, defensive defenseman to partner with Morgan Reilly.
Dumba’s days of being able to fit that need have long since passed.