NHL Rumor Mill – April 9, 2024
Which clubs could target Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom this summer? Could the Blues attempt to move Jordan Binnington in the offseason? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHICH CLUBS COULD TARGET MARKSTROM?
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson considers it a foregone conclusion that the Calgary Flames will trade Jacob Markstrom. The 34-year-old goaltender has two years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $6.4 million and a full no-movement clause.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As Matheson observed, Markstrom holds all the cards here. It’s his decision if he’ll accept a trade and to which clubs he’d find acceptable destinations. It’s believed a deal with the New Jersey Devils fell through two months ago.
Matheson observed that the Ottawa Senators need a goalie. He claimed the Flames really like center Shane Pinto.
Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: You know who else really likes Pinto? The Senators. They intend on signing the restricted free agent this summer. Pinto told The Athletic’s Ian Mendes he wants to stay in Ottawa and hopes to get a new deal done soon.
The Senators probably aren’t on Markstrom’s list of preferred trade destinations. He’s probably not interested in joining a rebuilding club at this stage in his career.
The Los Angeles Kings could search for a new netminder in the offseason.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings are a more realistic destination for Markstrom. They’re a playoff contender looking to take the next step toward Stanley Cup contention. The Kings reportedly attempted to acquire Linus Ullmark but the Boston Bruins goalie is said to have refused to waive his no-trade clause.
The Devils have veteran Jake Allen and that’s about it.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: After the trade deadline, Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald stated that he’s going “big-game hunting” for a goaltender in the offseason. Markstrom is probably at the top of his list.
COULD THE BLUES SHOP BINNINGTON IN THE OFFSEASON?
SPORTSNET: During Monday’s “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman wondered if St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong will make any major changes to his club in the offseason.
Friedman and Jeff Marek pointed out that goaltender Jordan Binnington is having a really good year for the Blues. He has a full no-trade clause that reverts to an 18-team no-trade list for next season. Friedman is curious if Armstrong might attempt to move the 30-year-old goaltender, who has value in the trade market.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Everything I’ve read and heard regarding the Blues suggested Armstrong might try to move one of his high-salaried defensemen. Still, we can’t dismiss the possibility he gauges Binnington’s value in the trade market.
Binnington’s improvement this season was partly because he reined in his fiery temper. Still, that aspect of his personality could make some clubs leery about acquiring him. His no-trade next season limits the Blues to just 14 trade partners, though Armstrong could ask him to widen his list of destinations. His $6 million cap hit through 2026-27 could also be a sticking point.
Promising goalie Joel Hofer has the makings of a future starter for the Blues. If Armstrong moves Binnington this summer, he must bring in a reliable veteran to back up Hofer.
Is Kähkönen fully intent on hitting FA? Seems like he has upped his game since joining NJ and would be cheaper and much younger than Markstrom.
The Devils acquire Kahkonen from the Sharks to clear Vanecek from their books. Fitzgerald stated his intention to shop for a starter this summer with Allen returning as backup.
Thanks Lyle. It does not seem that Fitz has much faith in Kähkönen. Do you think that Fitz’s stance was a public cry for Kähkönen to up his game?
Seems that a bird in hand…….. well you get it.
Fitz”s cateer depends on finding the right coach and goalie. If he messes either up he is done. Markstrom’s age aND cap hit should be red flags to him. I hopehe does not go down that path. If you are going to give up some prime assets, get a younger 1a goalie option.
I think part of the idea with Markstrom is to maximize their current competitive window before several of their ELC’s need new (expensive) contracts. The 2 years left for Marky also provides a decent timeline for mentoring and growing Schmid as the future starter.
Re; Old Goaltenders
Markstrom is 34 and has two good years left in him……then he will be close to 37 at that Age 99% of Goaltender’s become Very Expencive
back ups….
if i was NJ, i would be looking at 30 yr old Ullmark or 28 yr old Saros they are much younger and could grow with the team…❓
if 30 yr old Jordan Binnington hits the market it could make things intresting along with his old Coach CB……
NJ could sort things out quite quick…..🤔
Not only is Ottawa out of the equation insofar as Markstrom’s concerned, a 34-year-old goalie costing $6.5 mil off an already tight cap for two more seasons is most definitely not of any interest to Ottawa.
Staios will likely stick with Korpisalo – who’s been playing very well over the past month and a bit despite being forced to face a barrage of shots game-in game-out, many of them great scoring chances – thanks to a loosey-goosie defensive game in front of him.
What Staios will go after is a steadier, veteran type back-up goalie to replace Forsberg. The kid – Sogaard – is not quite ready yet for prime time.
As for Pinto, of course Calgary likes him … so do, probably, a host of other teams. But, being a cost-controlled pending RFA 6′ 3″ 200lb Center with speed to burn coming off an ELC of $775,000 and who potted 20 goals last season in his rookie year (and has done reasonably well this season after serving a half-season suspension). he’s not going anywhere unless Staios got a mind-blowing offer. Not going to happen.
Indeed, the uncertainty over Norris – another C – makes it imperative that Pinto is re-signed – likely to a 2-year reasonable bridge deal in the $2.5 to $3 mil range.
Mote pt, but CapFreindly has Marky at $6M per
True. But still too expensive for a 34-year-old goalie who’ll turn 36 midway through his final season.
Ya Markstrom doesn’t make cap sense for OTT George. Yesterday there was the discussion about locking up young guys you want to bet on to long term deals.
Pinto seems like that guy, but I don’t think they have the space to do it without big dollars heading out. Chabot? Is he really playing that bad that he isn’t tradable without eating a bunch or a big sweetener?
The Norris shoulder problems must be concerning, shoulder is the new knee. Seems like players who have those problems often keep having them. Hope they get better at fixing it. Norris is a good player when healthy, big hole if he can’t get back to 100%, or at least 90%.
Ray, counting UFAs who won’t be back (Kubalik, Smejkal, Imama, Highmore), expiring buyouts/withheld cap and the $4/5 mil rise in the cap, Staios will have just over $2 1 mil with which to flesh out his roster.
He’s committed to 17 – 9F (Stutzle, Tkachuk, Giroux, Norris, Batherson, Joseph, Greig, Kastelic, MacEwen) – 6D (Chabot, Chychrun, Zub, Hamonic, Sanderson, Bernard-Docker; and 2G Korpisalo and Forsberg
Among the F we might see Kastelic and MacEwen either dealt or waived – among the D, Hamonic might be a cheap buyout (or dealt in a minor-league type swap) an goalied Forsberg is likely finished here.
He has 5 RFAs to consider, led by Pinto who, considering his ill-advised foray into gambling that cost him half a season, will like;ly be happy to settle for a 2-year bridge in the $3 mil range.
Some – or all – of the other RFAs (Crookshank, Kelly, Katchouk, Brannstrom) could be dealt or allowed to walk with no offer – although I do believe Kelly is safe.
George, if you could sign Pinto to a quality 3C type of long term deal, say 6 yrs at $5M, would you do it?
If he and his agent agreed to that …. Hell ya!
Depending on how these playoffs go, the one achilles heal of the Av’s is goaltending. Markstrom probably would fit amazing in Colorado while they break in that new kid Anunan(sp?). I have Georgiev in my hockey pool & the guy cant win a game for crying out loud. I can see Markstrom waiving to go to Colorado.
Ray, above you wonder if Chabot could be moved, ostensibly to free up cap space and I forgot to respond to that aspect of your post.
Ideally, the way things are shaping up on the D going forward (including a permanent spot for big Tyler Kleven and, perhaps, Maxence Guenette, as well as maybe signing a UFA or a separate deal for a stay-at-home solid veteran) finding a taker for Chabot would be great.
But really, at $8 mil per for 3 more seasons after this for a guy who can’t seem to stay in the line-up and always for a different reasons (shades of Matt Murray!), I can’t see too many takers unless Staios really sweetened the pot – including holding back a hefty chunk of the cap hit ($2 mil?).
When he’s healthy and playing his game he can be an effective offensive contributor but needs a Mark Methot type on-ice partner to cover for his gaffes.
Bottom line, I think Chabot will still be in Ottawa come next September.
George, I don’t watch OTT enough to know Chabot’s game well. We know he can drive offense, but not at an elite level. Not small at 6’2″. Plays big minutes, probably too many. Gets the choice assignments, plenty of o-zone starts and less time against the best players than Sanderson, Chychrun, Zub and Hamonic. $8M is a big ticket for that. Not like a brutal contract but not good either.
He might be tough to deal straight up and not take something less than ideal back or eat.
Pinto – 6 yrs at $6?
You’re right, likely a bridge. Plus he seems like a guy that doesn’t mind betting…. on himself.
Whenever I have watched the Sens of late, he stands out.
RE; Shane Pinto
There is No Way the Sen’s Trade Pinto for a old $6.M goaltender like Markstrom…….🤮❗️
Pinto will be the Sen’s 2nd line centre in the next year or so after they Trade Josh Norris.
i think George is right, Korpisalo stays they give him one more year to see if he can be much better…, and get a solid back up in for 1 year to replace Forsberg, like the leafs Martin jones..?
I was hoping they would bring up young Sogaard to play him 50% of the remaning games to see what he has but that did not happen….. an other full year in the AHL will not hurt him
williew, I agree the 6′ 7″ 200 lb Sogaard will get the benefit of another full season in the AHL.
Ottawa does have several other young goalies in their system, one of whom might one day play himself into the NHL – but that’s WAY down the line.
21 y/o 6″ 2″ 160 lb (skinny??) Leevi Merilainen, drafted in the 3rd rd 71st overall in 2020 has played 21 games with Belleville with a 2.87 gaa and 0.906 save % and 13 games with Allen Americans in the ECHL with a 2.97 gaa and 0.926 save %.
6′ 5″ 200lb 23 y/o Kevin Mandolese, taken in the 6th rid 157th overall in 2018 has played 22 games in Belleville with a 2.94gaa and ).906 save %.
They also have 6′ 6″ 200 lb Swede Kevin Reidler at Dubuque in the USHL, taken in rd 5 151st overall in 2022, and 6′ 4″ 204lb Vladimir Nikitin from Khasakstan playing with Chilliwack in the ECHL.
I dont see Ottawa as a destination for Markström, and his salary is 6 and nothing else. For better or worse they are stuck with Korpisalo
I like the idea about Markström in NJ, two years left, get Calgary to retain 2m. Then he can mentor Schmid and after the two years split or Schmid takes the rein as number one if he pans out. The problem with Saros and Ullmark is that you have to commit to either one this summer or risk losing them next year, and both will cost more than 6 on a new contract, probably north of 7 and for more years than 2, more like 6-7. And I would be weary of Saros lasting that long given he is a smaller goalie. I also think both will cost a lot more than Markström will
LA for either goalie is also an option since Talbot just isnt a 1A any longer. Detroit is a dark horse for either goalie and Markström might be a dark horse for teams like Buffalo(even if Luukonen has been good lately), Avs, Leafs, Canes or Columbus if Elvis leaves the building
Thinking out loud…
I wonder if there could be a 4 way deal with the Sen’s, Flames, Preds & NJ
with
the following all moving
-Sens send Chabot to the Pred’s
-Calgary send Markstrom to NJ
-Preds send Ryan O’Reiley to the Sen’s
-Sen’s there 2nd rd pick to Calgary & NJ Sends 2nd pick an couple of AHL prospects from there young AHL d/men 22-23 yr old d/men to Calgary
Ottawa gets O’Reilly for Chabot and a second to Calgary….no way this favours Ottawa
Not sure about Detroit being a dark horse from Markstom. It is tough to evaluate goalies here now with the substandard team defense Detroit plays. I think changes are quite possible. It’s assumed that Edvinsson is full time in 24/25. It’s up to Yzerman to upgrade the rest of the defense talent, and up to Lalonde/Boughner to improve the team D.
Sens should stick with Korpi because he’s one of those goalies who flips between great and meh every other season. Decent chance he’ll be a Vezina candidate next season given how this season has gone.
Lol. I’d take that Brock
There nothing to get excited about in Ottawa!
Same old same old.
I had them pegged for a playoff spot this season
Next year I’ll wait until they show their maturity and start producing wins at a regular pace.
Agree Caper. My eyes will be on Staios and what he does over the summer (including at the draft) to shore up the bottom 6 F complement and a D-man (or two if they decide Kleven and Guenette need a bit more seasoning in the assessment, not to mention a more reliable, proven back-up goalie to spell Korpisalo who will be the # 1 starter again.
I can’t see the point of retaining Brannstrom and Hamonic on D, Forsberg in goal, and forwards like Kastelic, MacEwen or any of the recent call-ups like Smejkal, Imama and Crookshank. They need a proven veteran 3rd/4th line type (or two) to help Giroux mentor the young, inconsistent players.
I like Kelly and what he brings and on a 3rd/4th line with one of those “proven” veterans, he could be very effective. Not sure what to think of Katchouk, who’s an RFA. Haven’t seen enough of him to form an opinion one way or another. The assessment at year’s end will tell and if he’s not offered a contract we’ll know the results of that.