NHL Rumor Mill – March 6, 2024
The NHL Trade Deadline is two days away. Check out the latest on Jake Guentzel, Noah Hanifin, Vladimir Tarasenko, Tyler Toffoli, and other notable trade candidates in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
**UPDATE**
The Ottawa Senators trade Vladimir Tarasenko to the Florida Panthers for a 2025 third-round pick and a conditional 2024 fourth-rounder that becomes a third-round pick if the Panthers win the 2024 Stanley Cup. The Senators also retain 50 percent of Tarasenko’s $5 million cap hit.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators reportedly sought a first or second-round pick plus another asset. It appears Tarasenko’s trade value wasn’t as high as rumored.
COULD THE PENGUINS MOVE GUENTZEL IN A THREE-TEAM DEAL WITH THE CANUCKS & BRUINS?
TSN: Chris Johnston reports the Pittsburgh Penguins hope to move Jake Guentzel as early as today. He reports the Vancouver Canucks are interested in the 29-year-old winger. To free up cap room for Guentzel, they’ve had discussions with the Boston Bruins to flip Elias Lindholm to the Bruins. The Canucks acquired the 29-year-old center from the Calgary Flames on Jan. 31.
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel (NHL Images)
Due to the Penguins’ high asking price, Johnston doesn’t put the Canucks at the front of the line for Guentzel. Darren Dreger reports the Penguins are seeking a first-round pick, a young NHL player and a prospect or prospects.
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun believes the Vegas Golden Knights had talks with the Penguins about Guentzel but don’t appear in the mix as much anymore in part because they acquired Anthony Mantha from the Capitals on Tuesday. The Edmonton Oilers have also kept tabs on Guentzel.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy cited an NHL source claiming the Penguins like Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk and rookie center John Beecher. He wondered if they could end up in Pittsburgh if this rumored three-way trade goes down.
THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reports the Florida Panthers are also believed among the suitors for Guentzel.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That proposed three-way deal would become the biggest deal leading up to or including the trade deadline in the salary-cap era. As Johnston noted, however, nothing’s confirmed as there are plenty of moving parts here, not the least of which is making the dollars fit.
THE LATEST ON NOAH HANIFIN
SPORTSNET: Adam Vingan listed the Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins as three potential destinations for Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin. The Lightning are believed to be his preferred destination.
CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson included the Detroit Red Wings among the possible suitors for Hanifin.
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun wonders if the Lightning and Bruins can find suitable assets to acquire Hanifin.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Finding a suitable trade package is the biggest issue for the Lightning and Bruins. The Panthers and Red Wings appear better situated with their depth in young players and prospects to make a competitive bid.
WILL THE BRUINS MOVE LINUS ULLMARK AT THE DEADLINE?
THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa wondered if Tuesday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers might be the last start for Linus Ullmark as a Boston Bruins goaltender. There’s speculation the 30-year-old Ullmark could be moved in a cost-cutting deal to enable the Bruins to address their roster needs. Moving him, however, would weaken their goaltending depth.
The New Jersey Devils are in the market for a goaltender. Ullmark could be their Plan B if they cannot pry Jacob Markstrom away from the Calgary Flames.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ullmark carries a $5 million cap hit through next season and has a 16-team no-trade clause for 2023-24. It’ll be interesting to see if those constraints can be overcome. The Bruins could listen to offers but they could stick with their current goalie tandem if they don’t get anything suitable.
WHERE WILL VLADIMIR TARASENKO LAND?
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators are trying to send Vladimir Tarasenko to a contender. The 32-year-old winger has a $5 million cap hit and a full no-trade clause. He believes the Sens might have to wait to find out what happens to Jake Guentzel before they can move Tarasenko
Garrioch suggests keeping an eye on the Carolina Hurricanes as they were a finalist for Tarasenko last summer before he signed with the Senators. He claims the Florida Panthers are his preferred destination and they’ve looked into it, along with the Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers and Boston Bruins.
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun believes the Senators seek a first-round pick and another asset for Tarasenko. However, that price could drop as it seems to be a buyer’s market for forwards.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Whatever happens to Guentzel will determine the fate of most notable wingers in the trade market. Teams that lose out on the Penguins winger could shift their attention to Tarasenko.
COULD THE DEVILS TRADE TYLER TOFFOLI?
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun cited New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald saying he’s still discussing a potential contract extension with Tyler Toffoli’s camp. Contract term was an issue in those talks.
LeBrun thinks this could go to the trade deadline on March 8. He indicated that Fitzgerald doesn’t want to move Toffoli but he might have to given the high number of teams calling about the 31-year-old winger. LeBrun suggested Toffoli would be a good fit on the Edmonton Oilers second line.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fitzgerald told reporters that he’s not shopping Toffoli but admitted he’s listening to offers. If he does move the winger he’s not going to just give him away. Teams that lose out on Jake Guentzel could look into his availability.
UPDATES ON SEAN WALKER AND NICK SEELER
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports teams are circling back and getting more serious about Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Sean Walker. It’s believed the Flyers seek a first-round pick but LeBrun hasn’t ruled out the possibility of them trying to re-sign him before the trade deadline. He believes it’s more likely than not that Walker gets moved.
LeBrun’s colleague Kevin Kurz reports the Flyers remain engaged in contract talks with Walker and defense partner Nick Seeler. He thinks there’s a chance the two could stay with the Flyers on multi-year deals but this could go down to the wire.
Kurz also noted a report that the Flyers “checked in” on young Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras. However, he doesn’t anticipate they’ll make any blockbuster deadline moves for Zegras or other high-end players.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli also thinks one of those two Flyers defensemen will be traded and considers Walker the most likely candidate.
Speaking of the Flyers, they’re not expected to trade center Scott Laughton.
OILERS PURSUING HENRIQUE
TSN: Chris Johnston believes the Edmonton Oilers’ priority is to acquire versatile forward Adam Henrique from the Anaheim Ducks. Arizona Coyotes winger Jason Zucker appears to be the kind of forward they might like but Johnston said they’re not in on him.
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun also reports the Oilers are in on Henrique. Finding a way to sort out the 33-year-old forward’s $5.825 million cap hit is a sticking point but the Ducks could retain part of it. He also thinks they’ve kept tabs on Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Sean Walker.
COULD THE CAPITALS MOVE MAX PACIORETTY?
TSN: Pierre LeBrun thinks Washington Capitals winger Max Pacioretty could waive his no-movement clause to join a contender. He wondered if the Florida Panthers might be a fit for him.
THE LATEST ON ALEX WENNBERG AND JASON ZUCKER
THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple noted the Seattle Kraken have sat center Alex Wennberg for the past two games for trade-related reasons. He wonders if the New York Rangers could be a fit. The Kraken will have to retain half of Wennberg’s $4.5 million cap hit but that could cost them a first-round pick.
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reported the Rangers are engaged in trade negotiations with the Kraken. He thinks popular Rangers rookie Matt Rempe could be squeezed from the lineup if they acquire Wennberg. It’s also believed the Rangers are in talks with the Anaheim Ducks for winger Frank Vatrano.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Remy Mastey cited Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek listing the Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks, Nashville Predators, Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils and Vegas Golden Knights as having interest in Jason Zucker. The Arizona Coyotes held the 32-year-old winger out of the lineup during Tuesday’s game against Chicago for trade-related reasons.
I still think with all the space and still owning a 1st, that Vegas is still interested and can pull it off
Guentzel AND Smith, both at 50% for Roy, Howden, Korczak, 1st
I will throw this other trade out there. Fitzgerald seems to still be possibly holding out hope for a goalie (the big downfall in New Jersey this year). Edmonton won’t be bringing back (up) Campbell (910 in Bakersfield) this year; would love a top 6 Fwd and depth, have floated around the idea of moving a 1st.
Campbell (30 % retained); Ryan, Lavoie or Savoie, 1st (‘24); for Toffoli and Lazar (BOTH50% retained) ; and Nosek
Edmonton pays a 4th to another team to take on another 25% of Toffoli (cost is about $190,000 in retained cash)
Cap for NJ: Campbell into NJ at $3.5 (replacing one of two current goalies at $850,000, net decrease of annualized cap space of $2.65 M) plus Ryan @ $900,000, means decrease in Cap space of $3.55 M.
Toffoli and Lazar (both 50% retained) and Lazar and Nosek out; means $3.6 M leaving. Basically balanced in annualized Cap.
For Edmonton, they’d bury Nosek (no count on Cap). Campbell was counting $1.15 on Cap, now $1.5 M (decrease of annualized cap space of $350,000). This is offset by Lazar ($500 K in vs Ryan $900 K out); net $50,000 in annualized Cap space
Toffoli joining at $1,062,500 in annualized Cap, so total net annualized cap space lost is $1,012,500. Per CapFriendly Edmonton has only $519,000 in space, so another move would need to happen.
Note for next year and until Campbell’s contract ends; currently $1,150,000 against Cap, just to play in Bakersfield. This deal then really only impacts Edmonton an extra $350,000 for 3 more years and Cap is going up by more than $3M just next year.
Allows much more balance to lines
McDavid Hyman and Kane or Nugent-Hopkins
Draisaitl Toffoli and Kane or Nugent-Hopkins
McCleod Janmark Foegle
Holloway Lazar Perry
Gagner
To make up Cap Shortage….. Ceci to Arizona for Stetcher; move Deharnais up to 2nd pairing, Stetcher 3rd pairing; bring up Broberg in playoffs
If Arizona is the team retaining on Toffoli :
Ceci and 4th for 25% retained on Toffoli and Stetcher
Less complicated move:
Ryan + 1st + Savoie or Lavoie to Devils for Toffoli (50% retained)
Remaining of Savoie or Lavoie and another 4th then on to Arizona for retaining another 25% on Toffoli,
Toffoli (@ 25%) plus Stetcher and Brown and O’Brien (from Arizona) to Edmonton
Edmonton gets Tiffoli and two depth D plus depth grit/“influence” (if ever needed) by only losing 1 roster player (Ryan); 2 mid rounders; 2 middling prospects; and a 1st they were considering using anyway
This of course won’t happen. Setting aside the complexities and impossible logistics; Fitzgerald would be stung up for this
“This of course won’t happen. Setting aside the complexities and impossible logistics; Fitzgerald would be stung up for this”
Then why say it?
Didn’t have any lectures or “available” in-office hours , or anything to mark this morning. So idol time had me maniacally daydreaming and musing
It’s the “festive” season for armchair GMs
Just want max return for Guentzel plus other changes to get Penguins bigger, stronger, younger and free up more space next year
Open to any suggestions
Pengy, no one wants to or will retain salary for any player with term. Why, do you ask? Well, simple. To have anything over $1m in dead cap space for multiple years means a potential player not being on that team because of your retention of cap to facilitate a trade. In short, if you need to retain cap on a player who’s contract extends past the current season, it’s more likely than not that your trade proposal is nothing but a fart in the wind.
Again, Not Pengy; but will respond
Agree retaining on out-years typically not desirable unless there is a deal that makes it worthwhile.
If the only out-year amount that Penguins would need to retain is $2.5 M (Smith) but can with that:
convert: 32 year old Smith (6’1” , 180, and way underperforming Cap);
AND UFA Guentzel (29 , 5’11” , 180; and he’s already going somewhere)
into:
27 year old Roy (6’4” , 205 , 3 years after this year still under contract) ; AND
Howden (25, 6’3”, 200, 1 more year under very reasonable contract; AND
Korczak (23, 6’3”; 200, RFA , very good RD prospect ; AND
a 1st
Then I would do that in a heartbeat.
$2.5 M is nothing to these owners, and that space definitely not needed in 24/25 (Cap going up over $3M, Carter off books; and Penguins won’t be spending to the cap anyway)
I wonder if a 3 way trade could be worked out between BOS, CGY, and NJ with the main components being Ullmark, Hanafin, Markstrom?
If Calgary trades Markstrom they’ll need a goalie. Enter Ullmark from Boston.
Thoughts?
Calgary has Wolf and Vladar so they don’t really need a goalie.
H
Vladar is a career back-up and Wolf an unknown.
If Calgary is re-tooling and not re-building they will need a goalie.
Ullmark for Korpisalo with Sens retaining half the salary.
How about Ullmark for Chycrun or Batherson?
That would be a massive overpay by Ottawa in both cases. Goalies don’t get near the return of a top 2-3 defenseman or young forward with a good contract for multiple seasons.
If Ottawa was to trade Batherson, I’m sure they would want to attach Korpisalo.
Exactly Van. That’s more or less what I postulated yesterday as likely THE one method of moving out Korpisalo – attach that to any deal for Chychrun.
Batherson’s is too good a contract for a top 2 F to deal – unless the offer was over the moon. And I don’t see any team going that route.
As a matter of fact, IF Chychrun is going anywhere it’ll likely be to Tampa – whose back-up goalie Johannson isn’t having a great year with a 3.43 gaa and 0.818 save %.
To work that out, however, and due to their own cap restraints in Tampa, there will almost H AVE to be a salaried player (or two) coming back.
With your record goaltending would be the first place to start! Tarasenko just kissed you and said bye- bye!
Actually, he knew he was being traded and they accommodated him by dealing him to nearer his new home town in Fort Myers where his wife and two kids reside.
Guentzel isn’t worth the ask to begin with, and now he is hurt.
The rumor above of the Oil pursuing Toffoli is a better idea. 200′ player, plenty of playoff experience. Don’t have to worry about his production away from Crosby, plus, most importantly he should cost significantly less.
Sound kinda like exactly what they need? That and a depth, veteran, D man.
Well they got Henrique and Carrick checking off a couple of boxes.
TSN not yet showing the return, or retention amount, so not sure if deal was fair or underpay or overpay
Guentzel’s injury was a broken finger. Once that heals, won’t hamper his play.
Great hands and vision. Yes benefitted from playing with Crosby; but played also well when with Malkin.
Whoever gets him, benefits.
At this point; I’m just hoping for max return.
Penguins need to get younger, bigger, stronger, and reduce commitments
38 games without Crosby. 16 goals, 34 assists and plus 9 rating. Yeah, he sucks without Sid. Another team would be crazy to want to have that paltry production in their lineup.
Typo. 24 assists.
It’s not shocking but is honestly sad these pundits are still trying to get juice out of the Lindholm to Boston stone. Absolutely no way that that happens. Why doesn’t Johnston have him back on his tradeboard if Vancouver are already shopping him after less than 20 games? lol
Ya, seems pretty weird Brock.
If the B’s can get him, along with an extension, for DeBrusk and Beecher, they should do it.
Is Lindholm really the right guy for Boston? Is he really any better than Coyle or Zacha? Why not look at getting the best Wing on the market,and they are cheaper than centers,and there is twice as many of them!
Depends on the price Sr. Who is 1, 2 or 3C, doesn’t really matter to me. Flexibility is nice too.
Coyle is playing well and having a very good offensive year, Zacha is playing well but not producing points and might be better suited in the 3 hole.
Sens trading Tank to panthers per tsn
Wow, 50% retained for for a conditional 4th (becomes a 3rd of panthers win cup. And a 3rd in 2025.
Still think Guentzel is getting a 1st, a good young nhl player and a good prospect anyone?
I don’t!
If Dubas keeps waiting until there is only one bidder left…. Then yes, 1st, roster, prospect will NOT be happening.
Hurry up Dubas!
That is a very low return for Tarasenko. Not a great start for Staios and quite disappointing as a Sens fan.
A 2nd round pick plus a B prospect was speculated by many of the “insiders”. I’m sure the NTC didn’t help, but that is a great deal for Florida.
Low because Tank probably said panthers or no one. Just like Taylor did to buffalo going to Boston
It is at that, Van. As I said here a few days ago, Florida was the best bet for Tarasenko – he has a residence there and his wife is there.
Not bad for a likely 3rd line RW back of Reinhart and Tkachuk.
The return certainly wasn’t “overwhelming” by any stretch, but they are assets that can, perhaps, be bundled down the line in another deal
Mantha return was pretty underwhelming as well.
I think this is just a crappy sellers market.
Maybe desperation sets in at some point. But it doesn’t seem like teams are willing to sell the future for a rental.
Nah, Staios did what he could. If a player has a NTC of any sort, the return will also be low.
Cap space was needed regardless, and this way Staios got something instead of nothing.
George said it, Tank likely said FLA or nowhere so not much anyone can do.
Ottawa is FLUSH with draft picks this coming year and about to have the most cap space they’ve had since probably 2019/20? Steve is setting the team up for the off season.
George O./Saint: I’m sure the NTC had a lot to do with the return. Two mid-round draft picks are certainly better than nothing and the one area that Ottawa has done well is drafting/developing (at least when Dorion didn’t trade away all their picks).
Hindsight on the Debrincat trade is not good now. Basically traded a top ten pick, 2nd and 3rd for a late 1st, 4th, Sebrango and whatever they get for Kubalik. Not a great use of assets unless Sebrango and the 1st this year turn into good NHL players.
I’m fine with the Chychrun trade and they should get a lot back if they move him now or at the draft. Defense hasn’t been Ottawa’s problem – it is nearly all on the goaltenders. I saw an eye-opening stat on TSN yesterday saying the Sens are ~ 3 and 20 with under 0.900 save percentage and well over 0.500 when they get 0.900 save percentage or better. They are in a dog fight for a wild card spot if they had decent goaltending this year, which is obvious to anyone who has watched them play.
I think the three team deal can work in theory. If all three motivated .
I am sure Rutherford wants Guentzel . (The new blonde walking around the corner )
Pit has to get younger . They should be going after Beecher Poitras Lysel types and Debrusk for salary.
Boston gets a player that can play center or wing Pp and Pk and who is defensively responsible & decent on the dot . Not scoring 40 again .Also Boston likely to get more than Lindholm- picks prospects.
Poitras, DeBrusk, 2nd…. Sign me up!
Kevin Weeks …speculation
Guentzel to @Canucks
DeBrusk to @penguins
Lindholm to @NHLBruins
In a potential 3 way deal.