NHL Rumor Mill – April 26, 2024
What’s the latest on Predators goalie Juuse Saros and Flyers winger Joel Farabee? Could Penguins coach Mike Sullivan join the Devils? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WILL THIS POSTSEASON DETERMINE SAROS’ FUTURE WITH THE PREDATORS?
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Rob Couch believes the current playoff series between the Vancouver Canucks and Nashville Predators could determine Juuse Saros’ future.
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (NHL Images).
Entering the first-round series with the Canucks, the 28-year-old Predators starting goaltender hadn’t yet elevated his game to an elite level in the postseason. He has a year left on his contract and becomes eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next summer.
Saros’ future in Nashville was the subject of media speculation leading up to the March 8 trade deadline. His performance in these playoffs could determine whether he gets a contract extension this summer and how long that new deal might be.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Saros allowed three goals on 20 shots in Game 1 against the Canucks (.850 save percentage) but only one goal on 18 shots (.944 SP) in Game 2.
Saros reportedly drew the interest of New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald in February when he was searching for a starting goalie. Fitzgerald could revisit that interest this summer if Saros’ contract talks stall with Predators management.
TRADING FARABEE WOULD BE A MISTAKE FOR THE FLYERS
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey believes the Flyers would be making a huge mistake if they trade Joel Farabee this summer. The 24-year-old winger is the subject of media trade speculation after his offense declined down the stretch.
Flyers general manager Daniel Briere is open to making a “hockey trade” this summer to bolster their depth at center or defense. However, Bailey doesn’t believe Farabee should be used as a trade chip to address one of those needs.
Farabee is the Flyers’ only left-shot winger currently on their roster. He also enjoyed a career-best 50-point performance this season before the wheels fell off for the entire team down the stretch. Bailey considers him a good complimentary winger capable of reaching 30 goals and 70 points in a season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Farabee didn’t sound pleased about moving up and down the Flyers lineup during his end-of-season interview. It’ll be interesting to see if Briere and head coach John Tortorella still see him as a key piece of their rebuild or a trade chip to add depth elsewhere on the roster.
MIKE SULLIVAN TO THE DEVILS?
TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos reports rumors that Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan could leave Pittsburgh to become the New Jersey Devils’ new bench boss. Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald is a close friend of Sullivan’s. “It could simply come down to Sullivan’s lack of confidence in GM (Kyle) Dubas’ ability to contend anytime soon.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: No indication out of Pittsburgh or New Jersey thus far suggesting Sullivan is ready to bolt from the Penguins to join the Devils. There’s also no hint that the Pens intend to fire Sullivan, something that likely would’ve happened by now if there was any unhappiness over his coaching.
Sully to the Devils???? But he was just extended at $5.5M through to Summer of ’27!!!! 3 more years!!!! Can they trade him for a couple of 1st round picks?? 😁
He signed the extension two years ago but yes, it runs through 2026-27. The only way Sullivan moves to the Devils is if he asks Dubas to be let out of his contract or Dubas fires him.
What a blow to the Penns that would be! The only thing worse would be Crosby leaving!
Or hiring Dubas to fix the team.
If Toronto loses to the Bruins there will be a major player and coach shake up.only Matthews will be untouchable.
Not sure why though, since no one really expected them to beat Boston.
Dubas said Sullivan was staying in mid March.
Kypreos frequently makes bizarre claims.
If Sullivan is smart he will get out! The Pittsburgh situation is going to get ugly before it get s better!
The Penguins have traded coaches for draft picks. Dan Bylsma, fired by the Penguins in 2014, was under contract when he was acquired by the Sabres in 2015 for a 2016 third-round draft pick. Then-Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Head Coach John Hynes was acquired by the Devils for a 2016 third-round pick.
If a coach can be traded for draft picks or players, cool.
Re; the Pen’s….🤔
100 % could see that one happing from coments above, The Pen’s are way to old Spending at the Cap.
Re; Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan
could
leave Pittsburgh to become the New Jersey Devils’ new bench boss. Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald is a close friend of Sullivan’s. “It could simply come down to Sullivan’s lack of confidence in GM (Kyle) Dubas’ ability to contend anytime soon.”
Kyle Dubby has made BAD trades & BAD signing… its a MESS…… Will sid Stay…..🤔
-A Poor Starting Goaltender they cant trade
Al-a- Korpisalo in Ottawa same thing, there❗️ Brutal.
-Best goaltender is leaving at a UFA…. Alex Nedeljkovic
-100% Nothing Coming from the AHL Farm Team, maybe 23 yr old Sam Poulin’ for the bottom 6….
-Over payed & Old Defence
-Very Old and slow forward group apart
from Sid
-This has Re-build writen All over it 100%
-Sid will get his wish to be traded at the 2025 deadline when he sees the pens miss the playoffs again…..👌✅
* Dubas had limited control when he was with the Maple Leafs. He has more control to do things with the Penguins.
* Retaining Nedeljkovic for one more season is doable. Jarry needs competition in net. Blomqvist should be ready for 2025-2026.
* Sullivan’s coaching staff undergoing a necessary change could be happening. Todd Reirden has proven he is ineffective coaching defense and power play, and could be in consideration for a head coach gig somewhere. His separation improves the Penguins’ defense and power play greater than 100 percent.
* Crosby is committed to ending his career with the Penguins.
Re; Saros & NJ Goaltending Search
Saros reportedly drew the interest of New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald in February when he was searching for a starting goalie,
I think NJ GM Fitzerald will revist his Goaltender situation at the draft or before in this Order…..
1/ Saros,
2/ Ullmark
3….? dont know who would be the 3rd tender they look at
i dont think it’s 34 yr old Markstrom he is on a downward role now ,
I think this was a media thing that blew up because there was nothing else to talk about ❓
Remember Calgary had a VERY Good d/core over the past few years Also….🤔 and Markstroms number were’s Not that good…..
GP,107, GA 2.85, SV%, 8.98 ❓I would not trade fir him at 34+ years OLD
Dude,
This is Lyle’s blog and your responses are, often, longer than his post.
Hey Paul dude
Im Giving my prospective thoughts on the the above post from Lyle’s blog regarding avalable Goaltending situation….🤔
its my over view on what they need to do and options…..
for the NJ Team Who Really need a good starter in net, it could well be the Sen’s, and LA Kings for sure and maybe a couple more teams that could well be looking at an Up-grade in net.
Paul it up to you if you want to comment on the above post or not & give you thoughts -prospective❓
But i enjoy reading other guest on the site’s coments.
We arte not all going to agree on what we all say and think… But its good banter going back and forward about our teams and coment’s
over to you…..❓
The Devs fanbase has made it clear, rather not have Markstrom unless its a sweetheart deal – and that’s not happening.
The question is, and Fitz needs to save his job here, does he trade his first for a goalie? As good as those two are, not sure its a value trade. But Fitz has to do something. Going to be an interesting offseason.
And yes, Devs would love Sully, but he is employed, so not sure where this came from (Kyprios) or why it would go any further.
It hard to say what Saros/Ullamrk are worth redmonsters. But a first seems like as good a bet as any.
Schneider went for a first, 9th overall, but but he had more than a year left before UFA. Also wasn’t as proven as either of the 2 guys we are talking about.
COL gave up a first plus a bit for Kuemper, a pending UFA at the TDL. Maybe that’s a better starting point. Although he hadn’t won a Vezina like Ullmark has either.
It wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for a new GM to find a coach he hand picks. But I think if Pittsburgh had intentions of moving on, they would have pulled that trigger at the end of the season.
Then again, with Dubas running things who knows?
As far as Markstrom goes, fan bases don’t have any say in day to day decisions. I don’t think Fitz will be putting out a poll on what he should do.
Lots of unpopular moves happen, if they feel Markstrom is their guy, what fans think won’t matter.
Huh???? Markstrom was the Vezina runner up 2 years ago. how was Markstroms numbers not that good???This year he was one of the top goalies for high save percentage. Markstrom with 2 years left is the perfect bridge for a team with a young goalie to bring in while in their contending window. Obviously you cherry picked your numbers from the previous year where Markstrom had a real bad year, most goalies go through those patches.
If Flames didnt just detonate 2/3rds of their core, Markstrom would have been perfect to tandem with Wolf.
Hey Ray & Redmonsters
Agreed…
I think The NJ GM will Trade his first pick (10th) over all for Saros or Ullmark,
i see both team’s
really looking at that deal…..👍
But
100% Not Old Markstrom….👎
Fitz has a young team and some very good young forwards 22 yrs old to 27 in his top 9 and a couple of good older vets to mix well in the 2-3rd lines
There d is also Very good & young d core with two 20 year olds,
Luke Hughes A LD, & Simon Nemec A Rd
and 2 older d
@26 yrs old Siegenthaler & Marino,
they may need to add an older 29-31 year old d-man on a 2-3 year contract to balance out the d core a bit more….
and add a couple more vets for the bottom
six ….❓
I know Fitzgerald wants to go “big game hunting” for a goaltender, but if I were him (and probably good for the Devils I am not him), if it costs too much, I would go “mid-size Sedan game hunting”.
Most of all, though, I would keep the 2024 1st round pick. If Boston wants a 1st round pick for Ullmark, offer them your 2025 1st rounder plus a prospect or something like that. The opportunity for New Jersey to add another impact forward that will slide nicely into the lineup as Ondrej Palat slides out could be too much to pass over. It could very well be that Tij Iginla (not likely if he’s available when Calgary picks), Cole Eiserman or Liam Greentree are available for them.
In that scenario, a player like Alexander Holtz, and even Dawson Mercer, can be given another couple of years to show that they are developing and improving, and if they aren’t up to Fitzgerald’s standard, one or both can be moved then as a project player for another young team.
All this is to say, should the big game guys cost too much, why not go for a cheaper option in Alex Nedeljkovic to tandem with Jake Allen for a year or two until one of Daws or Schmid becomes ready. A little bit of cap savings there could allow them to hit the UFA market more effectively to plug other holes.
Augustus,
I agree 100%, that the NJD should keep their 2024 1st rounder(it’s a top 10 pick)
And most teams use that as a tool to protect a 1st rounder(top 10 protected).
I am ok with giving up a 2025 1st because the NJD and Fitzgerald, should be giving up a mid to late 20 something pick, next year, hopefully.
You could make the argument for more patience Augustus. Maybe 22/23 was the outlier and NJ is closer to the team that missed the playoffs 9 of the previous 10 years than the one that finished 1st and beat the Rags in the playoffs.
But they sure were good that year. With Hamilton playing full time, some more growth from some of the young guys, and a quality tender, I think they’re a playoff team again.
Not a believer in Nedeljkovic, just as many crappy years than good ones.
There aren’t many tenders that are consistently good for 5 years plus. Less than 10 in the NHL I would suggest. 2 of them are rumored to be available in Saros and Ullmark.
Has to be worth something decent I would think? If Ullmark, who is most likely to be available, I would think they want the2024 1st RD pick since they don’t have one.
We’ll see what they get.
I think they’re somewhere in-between. I’m tempted to believe that after such a strong season in 2022-23, that this season for them was one of those “natural regression” seasons. It probably hit them harder because of shaky goaltending, and had they had it, they would have been in the playoffs instead of Washington.
Just personally, public and ownership pressure notwithstanding, some teams try and speed up their process too quickly and don’t get the right pieces in place at the right pace.
I also like the example Jim Nill has set, not trading guys like Stankoven, Mavrik Bourque and Lian Bichsel for short term veterans. Plus, the Devils wouldn’t have to play Vegas in the first round!