NHL Rumor Mill – May 17, 2024
Offseason changes could be coming for the Hurricanes plus the latest Golden Knights speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHAT NEXT FOR THE HURRICANES?
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Luke DeCock believes changes are coming for the Carolina Hurricanes following another disappointing postseason. He pointed out that they have several pending unrestricted free agents and head coach Rod Brind’Amour remains unsigned for next season.
“It’s the end of this group, the one that was on the ice Thursday night,” wrote DeCock. “Change is coming. The Hurricanes will almost certainly still be contenders, but not these contenders. That’s over.”
THE ATHLETIC: Mark Lazerus predicts a stormy future for the Hurricanes. He anticipates “a roster reckoning” could be coming with or without Brind’Amour behind the bench.
Unrestricted free agents include forwards Jake Guentzel, Teuvo Teravainen, Jordan Martinook and Stefan Noesen and defensemen Brady Skjei, Brett Pesce, Tony DeAngelo and Jalen Chatfield. Goaltenders Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov remain under contract for next season.
Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour (NHL Images).
Lazerus believes Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell will have sufficient salary-cap space, trade bait and roster flexibility to pursue a No. 1 goaltender, re-sign Guentzel, and/or pursue another top forward if he chooses.
ESPN.COM: Kristen Shilton believes the Hurricanes’ priority should be re-signing Guentzel. He had 25 points in 17 games for them following his trade from Pittsburgh and was a point-per-game performer in the playoffs. She also believes they should invest in a starting goaltender.
TORONTO SUN: Lance Hornby believes teams that need a new coach will want to know Brind’Amour’s plans. He thinks the Toronto Maple Leafs are among them.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Glenn Dreyfuss thinks the Seattle Kraken would be among Brind’Amour’s suitors if he doesn’t re-sign with the Hurricanes.
BLEACHER REPORT: The Leafs and Kraken are on Lyle Fitzsimmons’ list of landing spots for Brind’Amour. He also sees him staying in Carolina.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brind’Amour’s future was a hot topic of speculation earlier this month following a report claiming the Hurricanes had pulled their recent contract offer. All sides downplayed the matter, insisting negotiations were ongoing and a deal was close.
Following another disappointing postseason, Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon could feel the need for a change behind the bench. GM Don Waddell could share that view. We’ll find out soon enough.
One of those pending UFAs may have played his last for the Hurricanes. Shortly after last night’s game, Pesce’s father shared a now-deleted post on “X” thanking Hurricanes’ fans for their support over the years.
LATEST GOLDEN KNIGHTS SPECULATION
THE ATHLETIC: Jesse Granger recently looked at who stays and who goes among the Vegas Golden Knights this summer.
Jonathan Marchessault is slated to become a UFA on July 1. He and GM Kelly McCrimmon were publicly optimistic that an agreement on a new contract could be reached. However, there is limited cap space for him and the remainder of the roster.
A cap-clearing trade will be necessary if Marchessault is re-signed.
Granger speculated Zach Whitecloud could be a trade candidate if McCrimmon needs to make a minor subtraction. The 27-year-old defenseman has four years left on his contract with an average annual value of $2.75 million.
Shea Theodore could be shopped if McCrimmon needs to make a bigger change. He’s signed through next season with an AAV of $5.2 million and will be eligible for UFA status next summer. Recently acquired Noah Hanifin plays a similar style to Theodore and carries a $7.35 million cap hit on his new contract.
VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Kevin Allen believes freeing up cap space will be a priority for McCrimmon if he intends to re-sign Marchessault and other UFAs. Theodore or goaltender Adin Hill ($4.9 million AAV) could become trade options. He could also try to move a couple of lower-salaried players like Brayden McNabb ($2.85 million) or Nicolas Hague ($2.29 million million
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I was initially dismissive of the Golden Knights using Theodore as a cost-cutting candidate. Giving it more thought, however, it seems the best course of action given his UFA status next summer and the addition of Hanifin.
Theodore would draw considerable interest if McCrimmon put him on the trade block. The puck-moving blueliner has a five-team no-trade list but he should still attract a lot of suitors. He could fetch an affordable return that would help to replenish the Golden Knights’ prospect pipeline or add a promising youngster to their lineup.
McCrimmon could have other plans to clear cap space for Marchessault that don’t involve moving Theodore. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out.
Rod imho gets the most out of his players. Running out a pair of Skjei and a 39 year Burns with the season on the line to tie the game highlights their backend weakness and playoff powerplay woes. their top 6 were productive.
and yes the Rangers have Igor.
I say Rod moves on
Pesce gets paid
Skjei , Pesce, Slavin (if Slavin played in Toronto, NY, Montreal etc. he’d be a household name). Orlov is backend weakness? If Pesce was healthy this series may have gone very different.
I also thought Burns played pretty well for 39. Defense was their last issue.
Orlov was good yes.
my point was they needed a qb and coach didnt let tony be it. burns was slow and needed to do his 240lb crosscheck trick to play D.
brady skjei on the ice to tie the game?
orlov and slavin were good.
burns was not the powerplay solution
will anyone sign deangelo? his feet and hands are elite…. but
I’ll also add Deangelo to that mix. If that guy could control himself and not come unglued at the drop of the hat, another solid guy.
Re: “Lazerus believes Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell will have sufficient salary-cap space, trade bait and roster flexibility to pursue a No. 1 goaltender, re-sign Guentzel, and/or pursue another top forward if he chooses.”
Sounds easier than it might be. Capfriendly shows them with $60,350,833 committed to these 17 players:
9 Fs: Aho, Svechnikov, Kotkaniemi, Kuznetsov, Staal, Fast, Blake, Nadeau, Lemieux – 5 D: Orlov, Slavin, Burns, Morrow, Seeley – and 3 G: Andersen, Kochetkov, Martin
That leaves $27,349,167 with which to sign 6, and while that seems like plenty to go after a # 1 G, re-sign Guentzel and/or go after “another top F” and still flesh out the roster to a full 23, that will NOT happen without some major decisions.
Right now Capfriendly shows them with 6 RFAs coming off a combined expiring cap hit of $7,307,500. Three of them (Comtois – $775,000), Suzuki – $863,333, and Coughlan – $850,000) are probably ticketed for the AHL and so not a factor, meaning they are looking at something like 9 to be signed to bring the major roster up to 23.
But they also have Drury – $925,000 – 8g 19a 27 pts +4 in 74gp; Jarvis – $894,167 – 33g 34a 67 pts +23 in 81gp; and Necas – $3,000,000 – 24g 29a 53 pts -9 in 77gp. That expiring $4,819,167 will likely be closer to $7,500,000 combined if all 3 remain in their plans, dropping the reserve to around $14.5 mil, and still 6 players to sign.
Guentzel is coming off an expiring $6 mil contract and his combined stats (Pittsburgh & Carolina) were 30g 47a 77 pts +25 in 67 gp. He’s looking at a hefty raise in the range of $8.5 to $9 mil. Now they’re down to around $6 mil with which to find that elusive # 1 G plus 4 players to bring them up to a full 23.
And with UFAs Martinook ($1.8 mil – 14g 18a 32pts -1 in 82gp; Teravainen ($5,400,000 – 25g 28a 53 pts +15 in 76 gp; RD Chatfield ($762,500 – 8g 14a 22 pts +15 in 72 gp; RD DeAngelo ($5 mil – 3g 8a 11 pts -7 in 31gp; RD Pesce ($4,025,000 – 3g 10a 13 pts +10 in 70gp; and LD Skjei – $5,250,000 – 13g 34a 47 pts +15 in 80gp.
It’s fine to say they’ll just let most of those guys walk. but if some of them are not re-upped they still have to find replacements as experienced and as good with just $6 mil to spend.
My guesses, George, for the 8 UFA’s.
Goodbye to: Teravainen, DeAngelo, and one of Skjei/Pesce.
On the fence: Guentzel. Probably depends more on if he wants to stay or not. I think they can make his ~$9M cap work, but it won’t be easy.
Likely staying: Martinook, Noesen, Chatfield
WhalerCane, we keep hearing here in Ottawa that one of their targets in the off-season will be a veteran RD with some size – I wouldn’t mind seeing either Pesce or Skjei in an Ottawa jersey to play alongside Chabot
Their top pairing will likely be Sanderson – Zub and if they could lure either Pesce or Skjei to Ottawa to cover for Chabot, who likes to handle the puck – a LOT – in that second pairing, their top 4 would be vastly improved.
Gone would be Chychrun, Brannstrom and Hamonic, with the 3rd pairing likely being Bernard-Docker – Kleven (or either another veteran 3rd pairing type plucked off the UFA heap or acquired in the deals for Chychrun and Brannstrom).
Hey George, Skjei is a left side guy. Not sure that helps Ottawa.
Oops. Overlooked that – thanks CaptainObvious. Pesce it is then 🙂 – IF he’s not re-signed or sees a better deal elsewhere.
By the way, what were your thoughts last night at the end of the 2nd? I thought sure they’d be headed back to NY for a toss-up game 7.
I thought after 2 periods that Game 7 was likely. But a tip of the cap to the Rangers, who were no. 1 for a reason.
That said, the Rangers 2nd goal is simply one that can’t happen. An experienced professional goalie can’t allow that. Heck, a reasonably-experienced 15 year old goalie can’t allow that.
Should a team be able to overcome that? – yes. Did they – no. And that’s on everybody, not just Andersen.
George, i was about to turn that game off. I started the 3rd, and said to my wife, yeah I’m done watching this. Stepped outside for a couple of minutes and Kreider made it 3-2. So I figured I’d watch and see.
Kreider must be nursing a sore back this morning from carrying that team!
I fully expected them to lose game 4. Two series sweeps back to back don’t really happen. Last time was The Oilers in 85? Hard to match that desperation / intensity of a team on the brink.
Game 5? Bit of a surprise. I fully believe if they lost last night they’d lose the series. Which would be the 3rd consecutive year of taking a dominant series lead only to blow it in 7.
Brind’amour has successfully coached the Canes to solid regular season records only to fail to take the next step in the playoffs. Is he really what the Leafs need?
Good question, Howard.
I have no idea why coaches who “fail” with one – or three – teams keep getting rehired and seem to finally do well. Maurice quit while head coach of the Jets, and now he has the Panthers playing very well. Same with Laviolette, who coached 5 previous teams and now has the Rangers playing well.
It helps, too, when a team consisting of veterans play well and do what they have to do, in spite of the guy behind the bench -e.g., those Detroit teams under Babcock, the Mighty Ducks under Carlyle.
Walman and Berggren for Theodore, would help both sides!
Johnny, there are quite a few teams that will offer more then that for Theodore. JMO
The goal for Vegas is to clear cap space, that deal would clear 1,8 million in cap space.
Berggren, soon to be 24 years old, is looking more and more like a guy that is not going to stick in the NHL.
Berggen is NHL material. But OK with the rest of your statement.
Knights will have plenty of cap room once Stone goes on LTIR in November …. again.
Let s start trading! Canes get their first string goalie in Ullmark, Boston gets a top six young forward in Necas!Or Ullmark and Lohrei to Vegas for Theodore and Karlsson!
Sorry not a Boston fan but Lohrei isn’t going anywhere
THAT’S for sure! That big kid has been impressive since being thrust into the grind.
If this was a Canadian market, Brind’amour would be gone. Yes he consistently gets his team to the playoffs only to bow out shortly after.
I think it’s Brind’amour coaching style that held back the Canes. He doesn’t allow his star players to be star players. It’s 100% forecheck 100% of the time.
I don’t think his style of coaching will mesh well with a player like Matthews. My bold prediction would be if Brind’amour coaches Toronto you will see a drop off in Matthews goal production.
A team like Seattle is much more suited for a Brind’amour style coach.
Berube was in Winnipeg last week, haven’t heard much on it. He would definitely be a more demanding coach, kind of a Paul Maurice style. Not sure if Nic Ehlers or Kyle Connor can handle that type of coach.
Berbube was in Winnipeg? His interview was apparently conducted via teleconferencing, seems like a disconnect there. He’s just interviewing with the Jets to leverage more term and $s from a bigger club regardless.
Brock you are correct it was a zoom call, he didn’t come to the city.
I suspect he’ll go after the big bucks in Toronto.
In other words, the Second Coming of Mike Babcock (hey, he won a cup therefore he MUST be the answer we’re looking for! -It’s In The Book!)
Caper, I think KFC could handle a Paul Maurice type coach considering Paul Maurice himself infamously admitted never coaching Connor on defense with video review.
Kentucy Fried Chicken????
I think Rod (along with the retention of Domi, Bert, and additions on defence and goal) could be a guy to take the Leafs over the top. The issue I have is that his teams are skill-based, like the Leafs, but I’d prefer to see more physicality.
I think Berube could also take them over the top (same conditions), but I have less faith in him because the thing everyone points to in his favour is his championship. I argue that the championship was won on the back of an over-performing, and outstanding performance, by a goaltender. Goaltending wins championships. To prove me wrong, how has he done I you remove that half-year? Remember, that team was in the basement before Binnington took over the league for the remainder of that season + playoffs.
McLelland, I don’t want the Leafs going with him. He could never get anywhere in the playoffs with a stacked San Jose team, and did nothing with Edmonton. I don’t see him succeeding with Toronto.
I agree with Rosehill that Quinnville is the best choice, but it’s not likely the league will reinstate him in time, if at all. Also, I’m not sure what exactly his role was in the Kyle Beach affair, but I’m sure even if it was very minor MLSE is FAR too woke to sign him.
If Torts was available, he could likely take them to the promised land. The Leafs need a coach that will hold the players responsible and reward hard work. They need to learn skill alone won’t do it. They need to work hard. Maybe stop coasting to the bench at the end of every shift and keep they feet moving.
Rod the Bod to Leafs works for this Pens’ fan as it leaves Berube available.
Sullivan as Devils head coach; Rod the Bod to coach Leafs; leaves Berube open for us. Berube is just what the Dr. ordered for Pens
Re space and potential D exit(s) for Knights; what is the asking price for Hague OR Whitecloud?
They each would look excellent in a Pens jersey
The only thing that could help the Pens is a time machine.
Most of their players are getting ready for Medicare!!
Sadly you just may be right.
Hoping beyond all hope that this is not the case
A time machine for sure has ridiculous signings and lost trades not made.
These CAN be nullified/rectified via trades (most) and buyouts (1 or 2)
New owners are rich; actual $ cost to rectify is not of concern to them if moves end up with Pens IN playoffs next year
Changes are mandatory
Sullivan was a great coach; IS a great guy. However, he HAS lost his way. He will do well elsewhere; but will not get anymore success here
On to Devils and he will succeed
Current roster not cutting it
In control by owners (they have the purse strings and CAN direct Dumkoff Dubas:
Sullivan out; sign Berube
Accairi; Eller; Smith; Nieto OUT replaced (UFA, trade, RFA offer sheet, internally) with younger, bigger, stronger; grittier forwards
That’s in Pens control
Those moves get Pens in playoffs next year AND year after
As at now (keeping Sullivan; and tweaks)…. Pens muss again; land in limbo-land; picking 13th-16th
Change is mandatory
Sr
Agree sadly
See my response above to Brock
Don’t want Dubas repeating his numerous mistakes ; effectively encouraging Crosby to move on to a “real” contender and end up
retiring not in our beautiful city
“The new owners are rich”
You do understand that owners of a business operate off business $$$’s not their own $$$’s right?
Outside of the initial investment, owners of any company usually aren’t pouring their own money into the business. And if they are, they’re not being advised very well!
“
Accairi; Eller; Smith; Nieto OUT ”
That’s a tall order, don’t expect many teams to be lining up for their services and cap hits. It sounds simple, trade bad players / bad contracts for better players on better contracts and poof , problem solved.
The reality is, moving one would be an accomplishment. With your current GM, I’d expect the exact opposite of good things coming.
After all, his first orders of business were trading for Karlsson and signing / trading for every player you mentioned.
I’ll be surprised if Keefe isn’t coaching the Pens next year.
That’s s surprise that would give us all here a heart attack; and just might get Crosby asking for a trade
Only one worse option (than Keefe) at coach for Pens; and I’m very happy (as a Pens fan) to see that he’s already under contract and already succeeding at completely destroying confidence to our cross-state rivals.
Re; the Canes
A year of change
Rod Brind’Amour is Gone they dont re-sign him,🤔
Canes UFA d/men will All test the UFA market July 1st
1- 30 yr old Brady Skjei
2- 29 yr old Brett Pesce,
3-28 yr old Jalen Chatfield,
4- 28 yr old Tony Deangelo,
UFA Forwards,
1- Guentzel,
2- Teräväinen
3- Martinook
Could All test the UFA market on July 1st….
They go into a re-tool,& 24 yr old Pyotr Kochetkovd
Becomes the starter in net
There was some talk about St. Louis in discussion with Carolina at the TDL, centered around Binnington, Faulk, and Buch to Carolina, and the rumored names coming back included Necas, Morrow, and Skjei.I have it from a pretty good source that the Blues where doing some advance metric research on that deal.
Rumor – Penguins offered Guentzel 8.33 million per season (50 million for 6 years). Guentzel turned down this offer. Heard Guentzel wants his new contract worth at least 10 million per season. Believe because Guentzel’s injury history and being small forward Guentzel’s new contract won’t be worth the money.
Brian, I’m not sure why St. Louis would have needed to do “advance metric research” on that deal.
Hi Speed Kills
Heard the same re Guentzel and $50 M/6 year but had not heard that he was looking for $10M
From what I understand , he was looking (from Pens) only a tad more AAV but wanted 8 years/$70 M ($8.75 M per)
Now that’s with Pens and staying s Pen for life
Now as UFA it’ll inly be 7 years; and hr won’t get $10 M
Dubas got seriously kicked in the nether region by Wadell on the trade
It was Guentzel for Bunting (plus effectively space freed up for a couple of years); plus prospects that are most assuredly not going to play in the NHL plus a crap-shoot 2nd that “may” play some NHL hockey, starting in 26/27
Hi Speed Kills
Heard the same re Guentzel and $50 M/6 year but had not heard that he was looking for $10M
From what I understand , he was looking (from Pens) only a tad more AAV but wanted 8 years/$70 M ($8.75 M per)
Now that’s with Pens and staying s Pen for life
Now as UFA it’ll inly be 7 years; and hr won’t get $10 M
Dubas got seriously kicked in the nether region by Wadell on the trade
It was Guentzel for Bunting (plus effectively space freed up for a couple of years); plus prospects that are most assuredly not going to play in the NHL plus a crap-shoot 2nd that “may” play some NHL hockey, starting in 26/27
Canes hit two posts and Aho missed on a breakaway. All with the 3-1 lead.
I thought at the time it was going to come back to haunt them. Poor to brutal second goal by Andersson
Rangers did not deserve that win. Fine line at this stage of the season.
Canes are not far off.
Didn’t deserve to win? This has been NY’s thing for 2 years now. Get outshot, and win games after trailing. I believe about 30-32 times this year alone. Full disclosure, I’m not a fan of it. I’d prefer the decisively win games going into the 3rd.
Deserve is a strong word. Carolina took their foot off the gas, blinked and the game turned around. Anderson can’t be the scape goat here.
Can’t remember which goal, Orlov had a brutal turnover that was unforgettable.
Damn, what does NY have to do to have a win, series win without a thousand disclaimers?
Kreider put this team on his back last night.
First to clinch a playoff berth.
President’s trophy
First to close out the first round with a sweep.
First to close out second round.
But still, zero respect. But a thousand disclaimers.
who is closer to contending next season canes or leafs? neither set in net.
does rod take torontos challenge?
rod to seattle imho over leaf
Who is better than Brind’Amour to coach the Hurricanes than himself?
A head coach who has coached his team to the postseason in each season behind the bench has earned an extension. A two-year extension should be enough with the challenge to finish in the Eastern Conference finals or better. Eastern Conference first round exits or worse could not guarantee another extension.
Don Waddell has an opportunity to keep the Hurricanes competitive while reloading with younger proven talent and addressing positional needs.
JZ, it’s a Wpg thing… KFC is Kyle Effin Connor!