NHL Rumor Mill – May 25, 2024
Will the Senators offer up Jakob Chychrun to the Bruins for Linus Ullmark? Which forwards could the Bruins pursue this summer? What’s the latest on Martin Necas? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
ULLMARK FOR CHYCHRUN?
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators general manager Steve Staios made a failed bid to acquire Linus Ullmark from the Boston Bruins before the March trade deadline. It’s expected Staios will make another pitch for the 30-year-old goaltender before the NHL Draft (June 28-29) in Las Vegas.
The Senators, Los Angeles Kings and New Jersey Devils were among several clubs attempting to acquire Ullmark before the deadline. It’s believed he declined to change his 15-team no-trade list, potentially scuttling a trade to the Devils. (Note: Cap Friendly indicates it’s a 16-team NTC until July 1, when it drops to a 15-team NTC).
It’s believed the Senators offered up Joonas Korpisalo as part of their original pitch for Ullmark but the Bruins declined it. Garrioch cited a league executive suggesting the Senators would have to offer up defenseman Jakob Chychrun and a first-round pick plus another selection to land Ullmark, provided he’s willing to go to Ottawa. The Bruins might be willing to take back Senators goalie Anton Forsberg and his $2.75 million cap hit as a short-term backup option for Swayman.
Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (NHL Images).
Garrioch expects the Devils could revisit their interest in Ullmark
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy offered his take on the Chychrun proposal. Bruins GM Don Sweeney might be reluctant to trade Ullmark to a division rival but it wouldn’t matter if he got that offer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sweeney would do everything he could to convince Ullmark to accept a trade to Ottawa if Staios offered up Chychrun, a first-rounder and another draft pick. The Senators need a reliable starting goaltender but this would be a big overpayment by Staios.
Ullmark is a Vezina Trophy winner but goaltenders in the salary cap era rarely fetch a big return.
Swapping him for Chychrun or a first-rounder is more realistic. Staios will also want assurances that Ullmark will agree to a contract extension before pulling the trigger on that deal.
WHICH FORWARDS WILL THE BRUINS TARGET THIS SUMMER?
THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa doesn’t see the Bruins pursuing Sam Reinhart, Jake Guentzel or Steven Stamkos in this summer’s free-agent market. GM Don Sweeney indicated he’s seeking secondary scoring.
Possible candidates include former Bruin Tyler Bertuzzi, Anthony Duclair, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Marchessault and Vladimir Tarasenko.
NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Nick Goss wondered if the Bruins will pursue Elias Lindholm to upgrade their depth at center. He cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman anticipating they’ll be in on the 29-year-old Vancouver Canucks center if he hits the open market on July 1. Friedman also thinks they could pursue Chandler Stephenson of the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Bruins were reportedly interested in Lindholm leading up to the March trade deadline. He’s a more talented and complete player than Stephenson.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy cited NYI Hockey Now’s Russell Macias discussing the pros and cons of the Islanders trading Brock Nelson or Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Murphy believes the Bruins should pursue Nelson if he becomes available. He has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $6 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins have a projected cap space of $23.5 million for 2024-25 with 14 active roster players under contract. They could free up another $5 million if they trade Ullmark this summer. Sweeney is expected to use those dollars to bolster his roster through trades and free-agent signings in the coming weeks.
Given their previous interest in Lindholm, it wouldn’t be surprising if they signed him on July 1. Bertuzzi could be back for the right price based on his solid performance during his short tenure with the Bruins last season.
Nelson would be a good addition but turns 33 this fall and could be an expensive short-term pickup.
CANUCKS INTERESTED IN NECAS
THE JEFF MAREK SHOW: Elliotte Friedman said the Vancouver Canucks could be among the teams interested in acquiring Martin Necas if the Carolina Hurricanes put him on the trade block. The 25-year-old forward is a restricted free agent on July 1 with arbitration rights.
Friedman said the Canucks like Necas. He cited what Vancouver GM Patrik Allvin was talking about in his end-of-season press conference regarding his need to find a top-six winger.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Province’s Patrick Johnston pointed out the Canucks attempted to acquire Jake Guentzel and Tyler Toffoli before the March trade deadline.
It’s believed Necas wants a top-line role, which ticks a box for the Canucks. However, it’s said that he wants to be a center, not a winger. With Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller as their top two centers, they won’t move one of them to the wing to accommodate Necas. He’d have to be comfortable staying as a winger for this to work for the Canucks.
Always a great read! Not to be snarky but this did not read right;
Garrioch expects the Devils could revisit their interest in Garrioch.
Lyle re: “SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sweeney would do everything he could to convince Ullmark to accept a trade to Ottawa if Staios offered up Chychrun, a first-rounder and another draft pick. The Senators need a reliable starting goaltender but this would be a big overpayment by Staios.”
Not only a HUGE overpayment, but unless Staios could move Korpisalo before that trade went down, as hashed out yesterday he’d be in a bind in finding someone to take Korpisalo off his hands without adding in even more roster-depleting “sweeteners.”
If Sweeney wants Chychrun. then it’s even up – Chychrun for Ullmark. Otherwise, find another sucker.
I agree George. If Sweeney were to obtain Chychrun (or equivalent), plus a first and another player for Ullmark, he will have fleeced someone to a degree that PT Barnum would be envious of.
Having already done the same to the Sabres for signing LU as a free agent.
In the dictionary under “fleeced” it says “what Waddell did to Dubas”
So yes… Chychrun, 1st, and another player for Ulmark… fleeced!!
If Sweeney was offered that, he should’ve paid Ullmark $2m on the side to go to Ottawa.
Reading Toronto and Domi are talking and the $$ could be between $5m – $6m for 5yrs. As a bruins fan, yes Toronto please get it done.
The article says Domi had a slight decrease in his goal total scored 9 goals this season, after scoring 20 goals the previous season.
Domi coming off a season scoring 20 goals and 56pts in 80gp signed in Toronto for one season at $3m
This season he scored 9 goals and 47pts in 80gp
So Toronto is going to reward him with a $5m to $6m offer over 5yrs.
I don’t think that happens.
Anyone signing Domi at 5-6 million is an idiot
Even at one for one no to Chychrun for Ullmark no no no Ottawa does not need Ullmark; its like Toronto running after goaltenders for the past 10 years..can certainly get better value for Chychrun if they want to move him
Ullmark is a consistent, talented netminder with great character, and an affordable contract, winning the Vezina was no fluke. Starting out a young, talented roster with a stud like Linus would be a great building block for any up and coming team. Unfortunately the days of building a team from the goaltender out have gone on the wayside recently. He may not fetch what he’s worth but he should, Sweeney will hold out for a decent return.
Re the Sen’s & Goaltenders, and draft
The 3 Top Priorities for GM Steve Staios
Goaltending,
#1.
Trade For 30 yr old Ullmark, I would try to do it right up Swap its what both teams need fora 25 yr old top 4 LD man Chychrun…..❓
Or
If its a biggar trade…..Sen’s add in a Goaltender dont think Boston take 4X$4.M Korpasalo,
But Back up 1X$2.75M Anton Forsberg and a 2nd
or a 3rd pick..
#1B
if the Sen’s Go after the Preds Starter 28 yr old Saros,
Chychrun & there 2nd 1st round pick and
A Goaltender, back up Anton Forsberg
or Korpisalo @ 1.M retained by the Sen’s that would leave the bruins 4X$3.M
#2.
Sign Shane Pinto to a 2 year $3.M Bridge Deal, could well be the Sen’s 2nd line centre in the next year or two
#3
With the 7th over all Pick in the june draft
Sen’s really neeed a Offencive RD man for the top 4
what they have in there sysem right now is nobody that can fill this role, yes they maybe a year or two away … but the Sen’s are a few years a way also
Zayne Parekh RD/man could be the best RD man point getter in the draft 6ft 175lb had 33 G and
63 Assists this year in 66 games ……. He Reminds me of
Avs Cale Makar who played his JR hockey hear in Alberta….. He had 24 G and 51 assists in 54 games…..❗️🤔
Or
RD/man from Calgary hitmen Carter Yakemchuk 6.ft3 & 195lb, has a a wicked shot, offencive and tough.. He’s an high-end offensive defenceman
Sen’s need to fix the offencive Hole on RD…
williew. Staios is on record as saying his draft philosophy with his first pick will always be “take the best player available.”
Assuming he keeps the 7th pick, the consensus draft rankings have 6′ 2″ 204lb LD Sam Dickinson of the London Knights in the 7th slot (68gp 18g 52a 70 pts – and a mean streak).
As I mentioned yesterday, that could change if RD Zane Parekh drops from his current ranking of # 5 to # 7 … but I think he’ll be gone before Ottawa picks.
RD Carter Yekemchuk is listed at # 11 but there’s nothing on him that suggests he’d be anywhere near ready to step into the NHL for at least 2 years. And the Senators have two RD in their system who already have the better part of a full AHL season in the bag – and with pretty good stats considering Belleville wasn’t exactly noted as a “defensive-oriented” team.
Undrafted Finnish free agent signing Nikola Matinpalo, a 6′ 3″ 207lb RD played 67 games with 4g 10a 14 pts and was a +15, while RD 6′ 1″ 185 lb Maxence Guenette. taken at # 187 in Round 7 in 2019, played 58 games with 7g 27a 34 pts and was a +5. Both were up for short spells this past season as injury replacements and didn’t look out of place.
Necas wants a first line role. Really? Don’t you earn that? He had 53 points last year. Yes, he played behind Aho, but most would.
Surely this puts the Necas to Montreal chatter to rest. He won’t be playing first line with them.
LJ,
Nick Suzuki, 373 gp, 108G, 178A 286 pt playing 1st line the past 2 yrs. av 21 toi
Necas, 362 gp, 98G, 146A 243 pt. playing 3rd and 4th line. av 18m toi
Not saying he could replace Suzuki, but it would make for a great 1A and 1B. Habs would be strong down the middle for the first time in decades.
Late to reply HF30, but what becomes of Dach?
And remember that it is reported that Necas wants to be on the first line. Would he be content as a 2C on a rebuilding team?
In the last few days I have read several comments that Necas is playing on the 3rd & 4th line, a natural center, a physical big hitter, is severely underpaid and being held back by BrindAmour or his system. I have watched almost every game Necas has played since he started playing in the NHL and the following is my opinion of Necas.
Necas may be the most skilled and fastest skater on Carolina’s roster. He has the potential to be an elite NHL player but he is not one yet. Given his talent, having played 362 NHL games, and being 25 years old, he should be further along in his development. That’s on him. No one else.
Necas is not playing center because the current weakness of his game are the strengths of most NHL centers. He has the worst turn over to take away ratio of any hurricane player. He doesn’t play a consistent 200 ft game. He is not consistently strong on the puck and tough in front of either net. He has Jordan Staal and Rod BrindAmour as mentors yet he can’t seem to put in the work to get better in the face-off circle. Necas won 34.1% of his face offs this season. Of the 10 Carolina forwards that took 90 or more face-offs Necas had the worst face-off win percentage. Necas wants to play center and the hurricanes need a #2 right handed center. It’s been there for the taking but Necas hasn’t stepped up his game enough to be given that responsibility. I would not describe him as a natural NHL center.
Necas averaged 17:21 minutes of ice time per game last year. Aho, Jarvis and Guentzel were the only forwards with more ice time. Guentzel only played 9 seconds per game more than Necas. Necas led all Carolina forwards in even strength ice time per game. The idea that BrindAmour or his system is holding back Necas from taking the next step in his development is not an accurate assumption.
Carolina typically doesn’t give up on young players during their development. I would be surprised if they were trying to trade him unless he requested to be traded. Martys dad reportedly stated that Martin didn’t want to play in Carolina anymore and as Lyle stated, he wanted to play on the first line and first power play unit. Waddell and BrindAmour were asked about this in a recent exit interview.
Waddell’s response was the following:
“Marty is an exceptionally skilled player that in my opinion has a lot more to give. I don’t have enough toes or fingers to tell you how many players have walked into my office to ask about being traded. We’re not opposed to trading players, but you have to look at the value of what you’re getting back. Marty is an exceptionally skilled guy that you’re not just going to give up on, that’s for sure. We’ll deal with it as the summer progresses.”
Attached is a link to the interview. The discussion is at the 9:30 mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzYFumW4L_g
Note that Waddell also said Carolina is looking to add a right handed center this offseason.
Thanks, GP, for the enlightenment.
A report has Don Waddell taking over as president of hockey operations for the Jackets with John Davidson retiring.