NHL Rumor Mill – April 27, 2024
Is there a deal that could work for the Flyers and Ducks? Could the Wild trade Filip Gustavsson and Marco Rossi this summer? Who are the potential candidates to become the next head coach of the Senators? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WILL THE DUCKS AND FLYERS MAKE ANOTHER BIG TRADE THIS YEAR?
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey noted the recent remarks by Anaheim Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek indicating he’s in the market for a right-shot top-six forward or a right-shot top-four defenseman.
Philadelphia Flyers winger Travis Konecny (NHL Images)
The two clubs made a big move in January when the Ducks sent defenseman Jamie Drysdale to the Flyers in exchange for promising winger Cutter Gauthier. Bailey wondered if the two clubs might swing another move that works for both sides.
Bailey noted the Flyers have plenty of wingers but lack depth at center while it’s the opposite for the Ducks. He suggested Trevor Zegras or Mason McTavish might be available for the Flyers. Meanwhile, Flyers winger Travis Konecny will be due for a big-money extension and is already in his playing prime.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bailey is just musing about what each club has that could help the other. Still, the two teams have that recent trade history so we can’t rule out another deal between them this summer.
I doubt the Flyers will part with Konecny unless he prices himself out of their comfort zone in contract talks. If they offered him to the Ducks, they’d likely want McTavish in return. He would adapt better under Flyers coach John Tortorella’s system than the free-wheeling Zegras.
COULD GUSTAVSSON AND ROSSI HIT THE TRADE BLOCK?
THE ATHLETIC: In their recent mailbag segment, Michael Russo and Joe Smith were asked what Filip Gustavsson might fetch for the Minnesota Wild.
The signing of Marc-Andre Fleury to a one-year contract indicated the 25-year-old goaltender could hit the trade block this summer. There’s no guarantee he’ll be moved but the Wild would like to make room for up-and-comer Jesper Wallstedt.
Moving Gustavsson’s $3.75 million cap hit for next season and replacing him with Wallstedt’s $925K would save the cap-strapped Wild $2.825 million. That’s assuming they move him for a high draft pick and/or a prospect.
Gustavsson struggled this season following a fine performance in 2022-23 plus there will be a lot of goaltenders in this summer’s trade market. Still, the volatility of the position around the league suggests a team could bet on unlocking his full potential.
Gustavsson could fetch a second-round pick for the Wild but they could prefer a middle-six winger. They could also use him as a trade chip to move up in the first-round draft order.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gustavsson could be pursued by teams that lose out in the bidding for big-name netminders like Calgary’s Jacob Markstrom or Boston’s Linus Ullmark this summer. He could also be a tempting target for clubs in the market for more affordable goaltending.
Russo and Smith also think there’s a good chance the Wild trade Marco Rossi this summer if they can get the same level of high-end prospect who’s bigger and faster. They were interested in Cutter Gauthier before the Philadelphia Flyers traded him to the Anaheim Ducks in January. That’s the type of player they might consider for Rossi.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chosen ninth overall in the 2020 draft, Rossi’s progress was stalled when he contracted COVID-19 in 2020, sidelining him for all but one game with Switzerland’s ZSC Lions the following season. He had one point in 19 games with the Wild in 2022-23 but put up 51 points in 53 games that season with their AHL affiliate in Iowa.
The 22-year-old center finished this season sitting second among NHL rookies with 21 goals and fifth in points with 40. He could draw plenty of interest if the Wild put him on the trade block but they might not get the type of player described by Russo and Smith. Rossi will likely remain with the Wild when next season begins.
LATEST ON THE SENATORS SEARCH FOR A NEW COACH
TSN: recently cited the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch reporting Senators GM Steve Staios has already had meetings or plans to meet with three coaching candidates.
They include former Minnesota Wild bench boss Dean Evason and former St. Louis Blues head coach Craig Berube. It’s also believed (but unconfirmed) that Staios has spoken with former Los Angeles Kings coach Todd McLellan.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was speculated that Toronto Marlies coach John Gruden and Philadelphia Flyers assistant coach Brad Shaw would also be candidates. However, it appears Staios seeks someone with plenty of NHL head-coaching experience for this job.
McTavish went from sure fire next captain of the Ducks to tradebait for veteran wingers in the blink of an eye apparently, yeeesh.
Re; A Trade..
Could the Wild trade Filip Gustavsson and Marco Rossi this summer?
Wild have just over $5.M in cap space
I wonder is the Sen’s and Wild could do a trade….❓
A couple of thoughts hear
Gustavsson & Rossi for a Chabot one of there top LD D/man they need to move out and a 2nd round pick to make it all work out…
or
Centre 24 yr old Josh Norris and a 2nd round pick & prospect RD man Lassi Thomson who is the sent 9th d/man and will not make the team…..🤔
Wild get A young top 6 Centre Or good top pairing d/man
Sen’s get an Up-grade in Goal they Really need,
Looks like there are lots goaltenders in this summer’s trade market after the top 2 tenders Saros & Ullmark
its a Win Win for both teams Wild & Sen’s ❗️👍
To me its a win for Minnesota and not the Senators.
The Sens have already better goaltending than Gustavssen can offer plus they already had him on their roster…i say no Chabot gets you one of Minnesota’s top three forwards
You are significantly overvaluing chabot
Cant see the money work in Chabot going to the Wild, they want to shed salary, not add 3,5m. Maybe if its Chyckrun, but even then its a difficult trade because the Sens are surely wanting to trade Forsberg out if another goalie comes in and the Wild wont want another goalie
Wild can’t take any money back. I’d take Rossi and give Gutavsson (now matured) another shot in Ottawa. they can have the Sens 2nd rounder and the Bruins 1st round pick held by Ottawa.
For me it should be Berube. I’d also take Sullivan off the Penguins hands. He just signed a five year deal. Fine. The Sens will take him at that price.
Minn. better find someone to play with Kaprizov!If he walks they will be in trouble!They have problems at center! Not sure if Rossi is the problem!
SR,
Sen’s Centre 24 yr old Josh Norris👍 Win Win..
I would be concerned about Norris shoulder issues! Hurt to often,damaged goods?
Wouldn’t it be nice if some just took a minute to think about their post, and then realizing it sounds dumb on so many levels and decide not post it but rather post something with substance instead, if only for once?
WillieW, until Norris demonstrates that he can play a full – or close to a full for some other reason than his shoulder – Ottawa is stuck with him and that $7.950,000 cap hit which runs to 2029-30.
Maybe you shoulda taken two minutes Ron.
Chris I knew you’ll figure out I was mainly talking about you. Good for you to figure that one out.
BTW thank you for demonstrating my point.
Try three minutes then? Actually take all the time you need. Like… all the time. Nobody and I mean nobody on this site will begrudge you the time it takes to post something worthwhile.
Re Sen’s Coaching search 👀
Sound’s like its down to former Wild bench boss Dean Evason & former St. Louis Blues head coach Craig Berube.
if thats what Steve Staios is saying he wants an expernced guy…
Well he better get on it as Berube is sounding like a Very Hot Commodity …⁉️👍
If it comes down to Berube having several choices it well be somewhat revealing what he thinks about the quality and potential of the team he chooses … not to mention the teams he rejects.
^^this^^
We’ll end up with the ugly chick at the ball. And not the coach we want.
Gerrard Gallant or something
I want more Ron and Chrisms….!
Re Sullivan supposedly out of Pittsburgh, he’d be a good signing for TML to replace Keefe.
Can Minnesota take on money ? They are still paying out the decade and a half contracts with Parise and Suter That is why they want to move Gustafson in the first place. I think a $8m salary would be tough to take on.
I would be asking about Boldy all day long
Minnesota is looking to show Kaprizov more offense besides his own one man show.
To Minnesota Wild: Marner ($10.9), Liljegren ($1.4)
To Leafs: Spurgeon ($7.575), Gustavsson ($3.75), Rossi ($863,000), 2024 – 2nd round pick
Rossi had 21 goals and 40 points in his first full year in the NHL.
With his play in this years playoffs Samsonov
(SV% .895) is not likely to return.
Gustavsson at only 26 years of age would be a good replacement to partner with Woll.
Spurgeon is a RHD with one more year under contract. He is 35 years of age but Leafs only make a one year commitment.