Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – March 3, 2024
Check out the latest on the Flames’ Noah Hanifin and Jacob Markstrom and the Penguins’ Jake Guentzel plus updates on the Hurricanes, Flyers and Sabres in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
HANIFIN FOCUSING ON FLORIDA TEAMS?
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports it’s believed that the Tampa Bay Lightning are the preferred trade destination for Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin. He felt if it were easy to do, it would have been done by now. “Everyone continues to work at it,” he said, adding that it remains to be seen how Hanifin and the Flames proceed if they can’t get a deal done with the Lightning.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A significant hurdle will be landing a suitable return from the Lightning.
They have the cap space ($7.3 million) with Mikhail Sergachev on LTIR for the remainder of the regular season. However, they don’t have any first-round picks in 2024 or 2025 to draw on for trade bait plus they lack second and fourth-rounders in this year’s draft.
Meanwhile, their prospect pipeline is ranked 29th by The Athletic with Isaac Howard and Ethan Gauthier as their top young players. Trading one of them further depletes their prospect pool, which is a concern for an aging roster whose Stanley Cup window has likely closed.
Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin (NHL Images).
ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports he’s been told the Florida Panthers are making a push for Hanifin. He wondered how that could affect core defensemen Brandon Montour and Gustav Forsling. Both of them are slated to become unrestricted free agents this summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Hanifin is willing to join the Panthers (currently in first place in the overall standings) and sign a contract extension it could affect Forsling. Like Hanifin, he’s a left-shot defenseman whereas Montour is a right-shot blueliner.
UPDATE ON MARKSTROM
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman talked about Jacob Markstrom’s remarks on Friday where he said he felt the Flames could’ve handled his situation better regarding a rumored trade to the New Jersey Devils.
Friedman believes Markstrom is upset that Flames management approached him about the possibility of a deal with the Devils. He indicated he would be willing to consider going to New Jersey but then the plans changed and the trade didn’t happen. Then at some point, management informed Markstrom that they preferred to keep him because he’s playing great and the team is doing so well.
The Devils have identified Markstrom as their top target. Friedman has heard they’re prepared to revisit their interest in the Flames goalie this summer if they don’t acquire a goalie with term by the March 8 trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The sticking point in that deal was the Devils wanted the Flames to retain a portion of Markstrom’s $6 million average annual value through 2025-26. It fell apart because the Flames refused.
On Friday, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported that the Devils are now willing to take on Markstrom’s entire cap hit. Whether that prompts a change of heart for Flames GM Craig Conroy remains to be seen, especially with his club continuing to remain in the playoff hunt. If Markstrom is bothered by all of this he’s not letting it affect his performance.
PENGUINS SEEKING PROSPECTS OVER DRAFT PICKS FOR GUENTZEL
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Pittsburgh Penguins have told teams they’re more interested in acquiring two prospects as part of the return for Jake Guentzel over a prospect and a draft pick. If they must take back a contract in the deal, that could change the dynamic.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Penguins GM Kyle Dubas wants his roster to get younger as soon as possible without going into a full-scale rebuild. Prospects could get into the lineup quicker than draft picks.
Speaking of the Penguins, Friedman believes they’ve told sidelined winger Bryan Rust that they won’t ask him to waive his no-movement clause.
LATEST ON THE HURRICANES, FLYERS AND SABRES
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Luke DeCock reports Carolina Hurricanes GM Don Waddell could move one of his four goaltenders once starter Frederik Andersen returns to action. Andersen has been sidelined for most of this season with a blood-clotting issue.
The Hurricanes were once thought to be in the market for a goalie. However, that has quieted with the solid play of rookie Pyotr Kochetkov, Antti Raanta’s recovery from injury and the addition of Spencer Martin off waivers. One could be moved to free up salary cap space for the trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Raanta or Martin seems likely to hit the trade block or get placed on waivers.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Max Miller reports Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella said his team isn’t actively shopping defenseman Nick Seeler. Tortorella praised the 30-year-old Seeler, calling him “one of the true competitors that I’ve ever coached as far as he handles himself.”
THE BUFFALO NEWS: Lance Lysowski reports the Sabres are getting more calls about Erik Johnson as the market for defensemen thins out following Chris Tanev’s trade to Dallas and Toronto’s acquisition of Ilya Lyubushkin.
Like those two, Johnston is a right-shot blueliner. He’s also respected for his penalty-killing, shot-blocking and leadership. He’s also two years removed from winning the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche.
After yesterdays game with Winnepeg, Carolina might be back in the market for a goalie!
Constant line juggling, team not starting on time, undisciplined penalties and constant roster moves. This team when it wins, wins in spite of the coach not because of him. This is all on the coach. Maybe its time for a change. Wake this team up before we throw away another playoff run. Monty’s got to go.
FLA could be just trying to drive up the price on Hannifin so that the Bolts don’t get him or have to give up a key component of their team to get him.
Florida is already a solid team. Imo, they or Boston win the east.( not counting out Tampa if they make a few moves.)
NY needs to jump in the Hanifin race if for no other reason, just to keep him off all 3 above teams!
I haven’t read or heard Hanifin’s name in the same sentence as NY. But they should be kicking the tires !
Keeping Hanifin away from the other eastern teams sounds like a great idea but where exactly would Hanifin slide into the Rangers lineup? They already have Fox and Trouba on the right-hand side. Would they really have him play the 3rd line? Hard to imagine (though it would be nice)
Hanifin is a left handed shot left handed d-man. He doesn’t play the right side. So he’s not interfering with Fox or Trouba.
Honestly, slice up the left side any way you want. Most likely Gustafson is the odd man out / 7th d.
Hanifin / Fox
Hanifin / Trouba
Mix and match Miller and Lindgren any way you like.
Hanifin makes that top 4 a lot nicer.
Hanifin is a left handed d man who I am pretty sure plays on the left side.
Petry or Holl would be an awesome pickup for any team! Please?
lol no…
RE; Erik Johnson & RD-men….
Johnston is a right-shot blueliner and what the Edmonton Oilers need to shore up there Right side.
Good Penalty-killing, shot-blocking and leadership.
The Right the RD side looks like its drying up…
with Philly now sounding like they are trying to re-sign one off these two…? Scott Walker$2.6M and or Nick Seeler $750,000
Philly have 3 of there RD out injured
Ellis, Ristolainen, and young Drysdale
Ellis isnt coming back, ever
Hanafin has limited leverage with an 8 team no trade list — not sure of how and when that has to be submitted. JBB & the Bolts probably think the window is open this year….not based on their performance but based on history saying a hot goalie cam carry a team a long way in the playoffs and Vasy is fresh this year because of his late start.
They could return a young D with some ability to Calgary, and possibly hurt themselves least by adding in the current backup goalie if that helps Calgary’s plans. JBB has not valued out year #1 picks but the next available is way out; he’d peel off two futures to get Hannafin quality IF its not a rental — then one is committed to building defence first next year & losing a fwd salary during the summer. Pointing to the Hegel trade as how much value he’ll give up for a piece he really wants (two players and two #1’s….and worth it IMHO).
RI while Hanafin has limited leverage, the leverage he does have is significant.
A sign and trade will bring Calgary the best return.
A straight up trade will still be decent but the sign and trade adds extra pieces.
Maybe Hanafin wants the warm weather and more significant the tax break.
This is what I have been saying all along if Boston wants Hanifin you had better take him now. He won’t be there in the summer.
Three good assets and the best trio
( or more ) gets him . Not sure a first a must with the right mix.
Good to see Pittsburgh choke again.
Crosbys balling all out while LeTurnover literally gave the game away.
The slide into mediocrity is well under way.
They should have learned from Detroit’s slide after 2014.
Agree
Letang snd Karllson fumbled away that game . Not the first time they have done it. Certainly win’t be the last.
The plus side is that yesterday’s loss with the almost assured loss today forces (finally) Dubas to trade Guentzel.
I’m very sad to see him go, but the “gig is up” now re any thoughts of playoffs this year or probably next year.
Move Guentzel for youth + 1st
If at the same time Dubas can move out others for youth and/or picks, great.
I truly believe that Vegas is the best trade partner
They just put $9.5 M on LTIR; are struggling to keep pace (mostly due to injuries) ; are set in goal and defence
And they have McCrimmon backed by an owner who is an “all-in” type
Smith was very good for Vegas last year and a key contributor in the playoffs
Trade both; retaining 50% on both; to Vegas, get as much back in youth as you can, plus a first
Earlier I proposed, Guentzel, Smith (both with 50% retained), and Accairi, for Roy, Howden , Korcjeck, 1st
I’d also try and move Nedjelkovic for a 2nd , bring up Bloomqwist
With freed up space, then take on a bad UFA contract (or two) from teams trying to free up space, for a prospect (or two)
More of a “re-tool” than rebuild ; but NMCs/NTCs hamper a full on rebuild
Carter is gone next year
With above, we would definitely be younger , stronger, bigger next year; and have a load more space
Just a thought
Ron..I love my Penguins but i must admit after the Penguins blew a 3-1 lead in the last 10 minutes of the game last night 4-3.
Lead by Leturover omg he made two really bad decisions that cost the Penguins the game up 2-0 a guy chipped it past him blew right in zcored.
The up 3-1 kadri kadri beat him outside walked in scored bringing Calgary back to 3-2
Too bad Crosby is having a terrific season
No guentzel no rust shorthanded..uuggjj
Trade deadline off season unload.
Move guentzel Smith rackell
At the deadline..
Carter comes off the books as do many
Penguins will have anywhere from $17-$21 million in off season plus the cap goes up 3-4 -million.
Hopefully and im calling this now Malkin us going to retire he has hinted T it recently that would be another $6 million
Penguins have been just a little avobe average.
I say dubas retools for one last run next year after that rebuild starts
Malkin is on the books until his contract end, it was over 35 contract.
Think Malkin signed a 35+ contract and Penguins are the hook for the entire deal capwise.
I might be totally off on this though, would love to know the actual rule.
Ron.
What is a 35-plus contract?
A contract is designated a 35+ contract if the players age on the first year of the contract is 35 or older (as of June 30 prior to the year of the effective contract).
35+ contracts that are two years in length or longer and:
1. Have a signing bonus in the 2nd or later year, OR
2. Are front-loaded
Will not benefit from a reduced cap hit regardless of the players location of play, termination, retired status, or a buyout. This rule was introduced by the NHL to prevent teams from backloading contracts past when the player was expected to retire. An exception to this rule is that a team will receive a $100,000 cap hit reduction if the player is on the 2nd or later year of the contract and assigned to the minors
Pittsburgh is stuck with Malkins deal regardless of playing or retirement.
Silver…. Agree 100%. …. If the Bruins really want Hanifan they better try to get him yesterday, don’t know what they are waiting for… whoever trades for him will sign him long term … Bruins D is in trouble and needs upgrade
Thats a stupid rule 35+ contract…you stop retire thats it
If we all stop working we dont get paid.
Well if he does play he needs to b moved to third line center..he isnt a # 2 center anymore
The idea is to stop longer contracts to lower cap hit knowing the player won’t finish the contract.