NHL Rumor Mill – June 14, 2024
Check out the latest on Patrik Laine, Mitch Marner, Martin Necas and Tanner Jeannot plus updates on the Canucks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST ON THE BLUE JACKETS AND PATRIK LAINE
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Columbus Blue Jackets had been working on trading Patrik Laine since early last season. He believes there’s interest in the 26-year-old winger as a player but his contract complicates things.
Laine has two years remaining on his deal with an average annual value of $8.7 million. He also carries a 10-team no-trade list.
Friedman believes it comes down to what the Blue Jackets seek in return and if they’re willing to retain part of Laine’s cap hit. He also believes the winger’s injury history makes him riskier.

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine (NHL Images).
Jeff Marek observed that the Utah Hockey Club wants to add veteran players on short-term contracts. He thinks their young player might benefit from having a proven goal scorer in their midst.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets will want to move the entirety of Laine’s contract from their books. They won’t get much in return to do that. The Jackets might have to take back an expensive struggling veteran in the deal.
THE LATEST ON MITCH MARNER
Friedman believes Mitch Marner’s contract will make it difficult for the Toronto Maple Leafs to trade him. He noted that the type of contract Marner would seek once his current deal expires next summer is one factor while another is his no-movement clause. Friedman also pointed out that Marner’s agent prefers to go to free agency.
This saga could carry over into next season unless the Leafs can sell Marner on a trade. “I think people are underestimating just how complicated this whole thing is,” said Friedman.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: No, Elliotte, Marner’s critics in Leafs Nation are willfully ignoring those complications. They want the scapegoat for their club’s playoff woes traded immediately for a big return and won’t accept no for an answer.
RED WINGS FOLLOWING MARTIN NECAS
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sam Stockton cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli claiming the Detroit Red Wings is among seven clubs closely following Martin Necas’ trade status.
Stockton pointed out that Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is determined to add a top-fix forward this summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes reportedly seek “star power” in return. If they’re unable to get it, perhaps they’d be interested in what the Red Wings could offer in terms of draft picks and prospects.
COULD THE CANUCKS TRADE HRONEK AND MIKHAYEV?
THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston believes Filip Hronek fits the Vancouver Canucks perfectly but that doesn’t mean he’s staying around long-term. They’ve been trying to re-sign the 26-year-old restricted free-agent defenseman but haven’t gained much traction.
Johnston suggests there might be more value in trading Hronek rather than signing him to a deal that is above what Canucks management wants to pay him. He noted that the blueliner played well alongside Quinn Hughes but not in limited minutes away from the Canucks captain.
Meanwhile, Johnston cited sources confirming the Canucks are trying to trade Ilya Mikheyev. The 29-year-old winger has two years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $4.75 million.
Mikheyev has struggled with injuries and consistency in his NHL career. They’d like to move him out to free up cap space for other needs. It could cost them a draft pick to move him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hronek would have more value in the trade market than Mikheyev. However, the blueliner is reportedly seeking a multi-year deal worth $8 million annually, which is more than Hughes is making as the Canucks’ top defenseman. His salary demands and unimpressive numbers away from Hughes could dampen his value in the trade market.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Evan Doerfler cited CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal reporting Dakota Joshua is drawing plenty of interest. The 29-year-old Canucks forward is a UFA coming off a two-year deal with an AAV of $825K. Dhaliwal believes the Toronto Maple Leafs could be among the clubs interested in Joshua.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Joshua enjoyed a breakout performance this season with 18 goals and 32 points, bringing a gritty presence to the Canucks’ checking lines. He won’t be lacking for suitors willing to pay him over $3 million annually on a multi-year deal if he tests the free-agent market on July 1.
SHARKS, BLACKHAWKS INTERESTED IN TANNER JEANNOT?
TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos believes a young team like the San Jose Sharks or Chicago Blackhawks would be interested in Tanner Jeannot. The 27-year-old Tampa Bay Lightning forward has a year remaining on his contract with an AAV of $2.6 million.
Kypreos thinks Jeannot would make more sense for a young team than a contender with only a fourth-line position.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Jeannot plays well with a young club they can try to re-sign him. They can also flip him to a contender at the trade deadline.
I would think Ottawa is another that would be interested in Jeannot as Staios looks to strengthen his 3rd/4th lines. That’s the type of player he has to focus on this summer.
GeorgeO I think I know what is wrong with Ottawa.
According to the fourth Period, Ottawa is speaking to New Jersey about Markstrom.
As a fan of Ottawa this news must be very discouraging.
Apologies Caper, but why would Sens be talking to NJ about Markstrom who is on Flames? What am I missing?
Why would Ottawa be speaking to New Jersey about Markstrom? Has NJ acquired him from Calgary?
Ottawa does not need Markstrom.
In Boston Press … lots are saying the Ott is very interested in Ullmark .. first Ullmark will have to want to go there 2nd how much they want to give up to get him
Redmonster GeorgeO
They wouldn’t be, it’s a typo in the fourth period article.
I was having some fun with it; Hence this should be discouraging since Ottawa doesn’t know what team Markstrom is on.
My joke didn’t go very well.
OK, NOW I get it – lol
The flames Marksrom is a quick fix for 2 years then he will be 36/37 and done….
Ottawa dont need him now they need a Starting Goaltender for 5-7 years, Both the Sen’s young 23 yr old goaltender’s are a couple of years away from the NHL, we seen that this year….
Ullmark for 2nd paring d/man Chychrun, & a goaltender ( Anton Forsberg ) & A 3rd or 4th pick…..
So, assuming Ullmark would even be interested in coming to Ottawa, we’d have to relinquish assets that would include Chychrun and a 34d/4th round pick for a goalie who turns 31 in July, is a pending UFA coming off a $5 mil per cap hit and would be seeking a hefty increase for a career-ending deal ($6.5 to $7 mil???) … and we still have Korpisalo and his $4 mil cap hit which which to either deal (with the prerequisite sweeteners) or retain, meaning we could be spending upwards of $10.5 to $11 mil off the cap on 2 goalies?
No thanks.
On Mitch Marner. Leaf fans aren’t looking for a scapegoat. We want to escape from the definition of insanity. Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. The core group has to be broken up. The Leafs are not a deep playoff team. The core has proven that. I’d actually trade Auston Matthews. We would get a boatload. I love his regular season play. He’s amazing to watch. But he has prove he’s not a playoff performer. And I’d buyout Tavares.
Jeannot should be an easy get for low draft picks as the cap space is a need for TB, and they have a bare draft cupboard and other easy options to fill the Jeannot slot. A radical thought is, with McDonough returning, convert Raddysh back to Fwd–might fit wiht a team the will be more D oriented this season and a coach who likes to dress 7 D anyhow.
Darren Raddysh never played forward, that was his brother Taylor who also played for Tampa. He was part of the Hagel deal.
believe he was a forward young, both F & D first year in Jr before switching to Defence full time.
Chychrun would be perfect for the Bruins because they need another offensive defenseman who can move the puck up to their forwards and who can also score goals. It is anyone’s guess if Sweeney can pull off a trade to acquire him but if the Bruins can convince Ullmark to go to Ottawa (assuming he is not on his 16 team no-trade ) it would be a major coup for Sweeney.
No sir, he’s always been a d-man.
Also he’s a right side guy, Mcdonagh can play the the right side, but he’s better at left.
George,
i think we will have to aggree to disagree on this goaltending situation
if Ottawa is not intrested in Ullmark, and Saros cost is Way to Much …. they need to look to the 2nd teir of Goaltenders
The top 2 that are Not to old and passed it…
like UFA’s 27 yr old Samsonov & 28 yr old Alex Nedeljkovic if they have to keep $4.M Korpisalo they need someone who can play 40-50 games in a tandem
Some how i think they try to move $4.M Korpisalo out with the 25th 1st round pick they have and a player or Prospect …. but the prospect cuboard is bare also….❓
They buy out Or move Anton Forsberg $2.75.M out with a 3rd or 4th pick or something
Laine and Mikheyev swap makes sense. Not sure about the pieces since the argument could go both ways. M is coming of major surgery but the normal healing time is ine year so in a perfect world he would be back to being a fast 20 goal/40 points pace good on the PK, then again its no sure thing with just 1 goal in his last 60 games. Laine on the other hand has a small rep as kind of a whiner who is bad in his own zone and who doesnt bring much else but goalscoring and the cap hit is kind of big if you dont score so there is a large risk involved, he is also currently on the assistance program. On the other hand he has had a good C to play with for a long time and if he bounces back could hit 40 goals and hopefully has matured a bit, he is after all only 26. So its difficult to know who benefits. M has a higher floor because he wont hurt you but Laine has the bigger upside
The canucks need cap space. So i don’t think they trade a $4.75 million cap hit for $8.6 million cap hit.
They have to replace/re-sign Zadorov, Hronek, Joshua….
I prefer Dakota Joshua over Jeannot, who seems to have been a one-hit rookie wonder, and more like a 4th liner since.Joshua is the ultimate grinder who can score a big SGH. Leafs won’t be able to afford him but he’s the type of player they would want
GeorgeO I think I know what is wrong with Ottawa.
According to the fourth Period, Ottawa is speaking to New Jersey about Markstrom.
As a fan of Ottawa this news must be very discouraging.
For what it’s worth, and using CapFriendly while it exists in the interest of zeroing in on potential trade partners, here is their latest list of teams and their “projected” cap space, also showing # of players committed to and pending RFAs and UFAs. From top to bottom in terms of projected cap space:
Utah – $43,564,524 – 11 – 4 RFAs 4 UFAs
San Jose – $36,370,833 – 17 – 7 RFAs 7 UFAs
Anaheim – $33,305,833 – 17 – 7 RFAs 2 UFAs
Chicago – $32,940,000 – 16 – 4 RFAs 5 UFAs
Detroit – $29,367,360 – 13 – 3 RFAs 6 UFAs
Nashville – $26,345,801 – 15 – 1 RFA 6 UFAs
Vancouver – $24,078,333 – 16 – 2 RFAs 9 UFAs
Carolina – $23,874,167 – 18 – 5 RFAs 7 UFAs
Columbus – $23,775,000 – 17 – 7 RFAs 1 UFA
Buffalo – $23,518,930 – 13 – 5 RFAs 5 UFAs
Seattle – $23,424,167 = 15 – 3 RFAs 3 UFAs
Boston – $21,209,166 – 18 – 3 RFAs 9 UFAs
Los Angeles – $20,200,000 – 13 – 5 RFAs 5 UFAs
Calgary – $20,124,167 – 19 – 2 RFAs 3 UFAs
Florida – $20,016,666 – 14 – 2 RFAs 11 UFAs
New Jersey – $19,123,603 – 15 – 4 RFAs 5 UFAs
Toronto – $18,830,333 – 16 – 4 RFAs 10 UFAs
Dallas – $16,246,259 – 13 – 4 RFAs 8 UFAs
Colorado – $16,216,250 – 14 – 1 RFA 8 UFAs
St. Louis – $15,942,738 – 17 – 2 RFAs 4 UFAs
Winnipeg – $13,652,976 – 17 – 3 RFAs 7 UFAs
Pittsburgh – $13,245,658 – 16 – 2 RFAs 2 UFAs
Ottawa – $12,465,953 – 17 – 4 RFAs 1 UFA
Edmonton – $10,033,333 – 14 – 2 RFAs 10 UFAs
Montreal – $9,413,750 – 20 – 2 RFAs 3 UFAs
NYR – $9,206,809 – 19 – 2 RFAs 5 UFAs
Washington – $6,985,000 – 17 – 2 RFAs 2 UFAs
NYI – $6,587,500 – 18 – 5 RFAs 8 UFAs
Minnesota – $6,256,412 – 20 – 1 RFA 3 UFAs
Tampa – $5,335,000 – 18 – 1 RFA 7 UFAs
Vegas – $1,197,516 – 20 – 1 RFA 7 UFAs
Philadelphia – $803,572 – 21 – 2 RFAs 3 UFAs
In total there are 102 RFAs needing new deals and 176 potential UFAs. As usual, most of the RFAs will see modest increases while some will not even be qualified, thereby adding to the UFA list. But there will still be RFAs here and there looking at significant increases (for example, Utah’s 3 good young D (Durzi, Moser and Valimaki, coming off a combined $3,586,667 cap hit and likely costing something much closer to $12 mil combined). And, there will also be a few pending UFAs who teams will wish to retain.
Leafs: They don’t need to give up assets for Markstrom, Ullmark, or any other goalie.
Brossiot is a good option requiring no assets. If they get desperate, Riemer is a solid average goaltender, or Jones did a fantastic job for a good stretch this season before he appeared to get tired.
The third string should be Murray, if he doesn’t get a better offer.
With Marner likely staying, and the Tavares cap not lifting till next season, this might be a year to take a few chances, imo.
Hope for a healthy Woll. Sign Brossiot as tandem. Sign Murray on a 1-year show-me deal. Hope to strike gold with at least one of these.
Sign Klingberg on a 1-year show-me deal and start him with the Marlies. Fill out the D with free agents, retaining assets.
All signings the Leafs make from now till 2025-26 should consider the possibility of McDavid being available in the summer of 2026. They should be sure they’ll be able to clear space without having to pay for it should that happen.
Ottawa: Do they have any good goaltending prospects in the pipeline, or are they looking for a long-term goaltending solution via trade or UFA market?
WestBrantKid, Ottawa’s best goalie prospect is the giant (6′ 7″ 200 lb) “Great” Dane Mads Sogaard. in 32gp at Belleville he posted a 2.45gaa and 0/916 save % and in the playoffs a 2.46gaa and 0.910 save %. So, pretty consistent.
But the consensus is he’s at least another season away -perhaps 2 – although with a different cast of goaltending coaches ready to take over it’ll be interesting to see how his season develops at Belleville.
I truly believe, from feedback we’ve been hearing in the past few days, that they will go again with Korpisalo in the hope he can attain the same level of play he displayed the year before in getting L.A. into the playoffs AND i his better years in Columbus with the targeted improvement in their overall defensive “system” and improved pk through the addition of seasoned 3rd/4th line Fs and at least one veteran D – possibly 2.
Neither Markstrom nor Ullmark are coming to Ottawa, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see Staios add a good veteran back-up goalie, either through trade or off the UFA list.
George O.
What would it take to get Chychrun or Chabot from Ottawa to Pittsburgh ? I keep hearing Ottawa needs some pros in their line up to balance things…..true? If so
To Pittsburgh What About
Jakob Chrvchrun $4.6
Joonas Korpasalo $4.0
$8.6 million
To Ottawa
Reilly Smith $5.0 Million
Tristan Jarry $5.3 Million
$10.3 Million
Ottawa gets a good pro third line Stanley cup winning player in Reilly Smith on a expiring contract and a better goalie. Jarry is a two time all star lead the league in shutouts last year and a .903 save % which is about league average. You have cap space to absorb
$ 1.7 million
You need to move one of Chabot or Chychrun your loaded left side..i am assuming you want to keep Chabot..
Pittsburgh gets Chychrun who than can plug in to their top 4 and Korpasalo who isn’t quite as bad as people make him out to be he was terrific here in Los Angeles for the Kings. He is solid when on his game….both goalies need a change of scenery..
Thoughts yes no adds subtractions
I may not love Korpisalo, but I would keep him over Jarry any day. Especially having to pay an extra 1.5 million?
No thanks.
Could not agree more. Don’t need Matt Murray Part Deux!
Lol to be clear Spec- we just want him dealt and want to use the capspace saved. Return is secondary. Good player just not worth the raise he will insist on.
He has a full NMC and he negotiated that, just think it would be silly for him not to listen, he would be basically be starting UFA early AND get a max 8 year deal out of it- win-win.
If, as you say, Marner is indeed not worth the raise he will insist on, who – in their right mind – will deal for him now and then sign him to the raise he’ll allegedly seek, for EIGHT frikken years??? Name one team that would do that!
Maybe a team like Nashville would be interested. No income tax and may be they can re-sign him for less money after aquiring him?
Imo he won’t wave his NTC.
George I think one thing to remember about the cap is it’s projected to continue to rise but not in a small steps. What I heard (sports radio/podcasts) the cap is expected to rise about +$4m/year over the next several years. So if that projection is correct, UFAs this year will expect to be paid more due to this projection. But besides that, if Marner wants a +$90m contract, it could fit into a lot of teams’ cap structure without hand cuffing them. Is the Leafs one of those teams? Maybe. I don’t know other than having good players on your team makes your team better. 😀
GeorgeO, plenty of teams will at free agency, a few would now for the right cost.
Sam speaks his opinion. My opinion is that he is worth the cost, but on any team not already employing 3 other forwards at that same cost. Chicago would be a perfect fit.
Let’s be clear, guys, my post directly above was based upon Sam’s statement “Good player just not worth the raise he will insist on” – to say IF that is the correct analysis it has to be obvious that other organizations would see it the same way.
I don’t, for a New York Minute – believe that to be true. Any player that can accrue 91 points a season over 576 career games (an 82-game average of 28g 63a while making some of the neatest passes you’ll ever see, is worth what he’s getting now for sure, and perhaps a bit more into the $11.5 range.
That’s just my opinion.
U didn’t answer the question..i also asked what it would take to hey chychrun because your leaded lhd Sanderson chabot chychrun klein.
Part deaux isnt your thoughts on getting chychrun to Pittsburgh
Did you take your vitamins..?? Lol
Never monf u are the ottawa guy
Shove your “old” jokes where your proctologist does his best work. You’ll get NO answers from me if you keep that crap up.
Jeannot had one decent year ..he’s a 4th line player making almost 3 million per
Let’s compare the production of the “top 4” in Toronto in terms of cap hit, seasonal stats and 82-game seasonal averages, and playoff stats
Matthews – $13,250,000
Seasonal – 562gp 368g 281a – 82-game averages of 54g 41a 95 pts
Playoffs – 55gp 23g 25a 48 pts
Marner – $10,903,000
Seasonal – 576gp 194g 445a – 82-game averages of 28g 63a 91 pts
Playoffs – 57gp 11g 39a 50 pts
Nylander – $11,500,000
Seasonal – 603gp 217g 311a – 82-game averages of 30g 42a 72 pts
Playoffs – 54gp 20g 23a 43 pts
Tavares – $11,000,000
Seasonal – 1109gp 456g 584a – 82-game averages of 34g 43a 77 pts
Playoffs – 62gp 23g 23a 46 pts
Now, explain why you think Marner is not worth what each of the other 3 is making
Austin Matthews is center and not winger. Centers by far more important position than wingers. Matthews by far scored most points between the four players. Opinion of all these contracts Matthews contract is the best value.
John Tavares – while center too because of his age is in different situation than the other three players.
William Nylander vs Mitch Marner comparison as both are wingers. Can’t compare every regular season between both players, compare what have you done for the team lately. The last two regular seasons with goals scored:
William Nylander 40 and 40
Mitch Marner 30 and 26
Lately with regular season goals scored clear advantage William Nylander.
Compare playoff production between both wingers – Enough Said, clear advantage William Nylander!
Intangibles – voices saying Mitch Marner regarded as “Soft” player, clear advantage William Nylander!
Hearing Mitch Marner wants new contract average salary worth more than William Nylander average contract, clear advantage William Nylander!
Just a thought compare Mitch Marner to Sydney Crosby…
@Speed Kills
So… you assign value to goals only?
Marner, besides outscoring Willy by a large margin in points per game is also killing penalties, quarterbacking the PP, and is a year younger. He’s also far more consistent. He’s outscored Nylander in the playoffs while facing the opposition’s best defensive units and playing more defensive minutes on the PK.
Also note that your “What have you done for me lately” view favours Nylander in a contract year, notoriously a players best years, while Marner was injured for 13 games and still scored 85 points in 69 games.
Thats fine George have a sense of humor brother.. wow
Look no biggie i wasnt getting your honest opinion or answers anyway so..
No problem..
You dont obviously like anyone who has a different opinion than you..and you dont gave a sense of humor so…later 4 ever
lots of comments about no income tax. that only applies to state income tax,they must still pay federal income tax which is much higher than state tax. Marner appears to be sensitive to criticism so he might take a trade in case he has a bad next year that would lower his value, yes, I know the opposite is also true. I wonder how his situation will finally play out.
Laine to Detroit would be good for the redwings trying to take the next step
Give them a more well rounded top 6 with a guy who shoots
2nd like with Copp
What’s a reasonable swap for both clubs?
Laine to the Habs for Dvorak and Harris.
Craig. Done!
No thanks
Why no thanks HF30? Dvorak will not resigned by Montreal and likely will be a deadline deal for a 2nd or 3rd round pick if he can stay healthy. Harris is certainly expendable given all the young promising defenders we have. In return you get Laine who is a question mark but at 26 still has lots to give if he can get his head back into the game. I would ask the Blue Jackets to retain $2million. We need scoring and I would take the risk. At the end of the day it’s only a 2 year commitment.
Habman67,
When Dvorak is healthy he has performed well , top faceoff man, has a solid 200 ft game and is on a good contract.
Harris is a good young D who is marketable in a trade as the only reason he’s available is the glut of LD on the team.
Laine would be the highest paid Hab, with spotty production, questionable attitude and not the character player we need in Montreal.
HF30. I can’t disagree with anything you said. When Dvorak is healthy he has played well but he has missed significant stretches as a Hab and makes little contribution while on LTIR. Again, he won’t be resigned and you will lose him for either nothing if he walks as a UFA or you’ll get a 2nd or 3rd round pick and you know the chances of that pick becoming a regular NHLer aren’t great. So if we keep Dvorak until the trade deadline, we’ll likely lose him for nothing. We seem to agree that Harris is tradeable, with minimal effect on the roster, so that getting Laine back with $2million retained (so in essence he is not the highest paid Hab) is a risk, IMO , that is worth taking. IF healthy, physically and mentally, he is likely the best player Montreal would have. If not then it’s only a 2 year commitment. I would do that trade in a heartbeat. I’m just not so sure Columbus would.
I don’t think Liane is the example you want on a young team. I haven’t followed him closely, but I get the impression he isn’t a hard worker, relatively speaking. Am I wrong?
I like to think I’m a level-headed Leafs fan. My opinion as such: I’m not opposed to a Marner trade for cap reasons. They need to balance the budget between defence and forward. I hold no ill-will toward Marner for playoff failure. He’ll figure it out, I’m sure of that.
Ideally, for me, the Leafs retain Marner and extend him at the same current cap hit over 8 years. Then when JT is UFA, I’d spend his money on D, and only resign him if it’s on a very team-friendly deal, say 3×8. His money can be made spread over years allowing for a small cap hit, rather than a higher 3 year deal followed by a lower 2 year deal, then league Min (which will be higher than it is now) for a year at a time till he can no long contribute. His last year could be spent on Robidas Island as he retires a Leaf, hopefully with a cup or two.
That makes more sense than most of the “solutions” I’ve seen in here in recent weeks. Why wouldn’t he agree to stay where he likes to be for 8 years at his current cap hit?
Who couldn’t live out the rest of their lives with $87,224,0000?
Leafs might be well advised to start by offering Marner the same $11.5 million dollar contract that they offered Nylander.
Allow Marner to choose the term; anywhere from the 4 years that Matthews signed for to the 8 years Nylander signed for.
If Marner says no, then he is indicating that being a “Leaf For Life” is not a priority for him, money is.
At that point Leafs should feel free to ask if there are any teams he would consider a trade to.
If he refuses a trade to a team of his choice allow him to play out his contract then accrue the $10,9 million dollars in cap space.
At the same time it could be leaked that Marner refused both the same contract as Nylander and as well, refused to waive his NTC.
The negativity that Marner would be confronted with from Leaf Nation and the Toronto sports media would be so overwhelming that by Christmas Marner will be begging the Leafs to trade him!
So, bully him into agreement.
Agree Jackets are being pressured to move Laine and would want all of him off of their books.
Financially Jackets are a lower cash budget team; and Laine is still owed $18.2 M including a $2M signing bonus due in less than 3 weeks
IF All is coming off of their books; then for sure, crap is coming back
Some smart GM should at the very least make a call with a lowball offer
Trades within a Division are rare but DO happen (look no further than Guentzel trade)
Dubas has lost every trade and every acquisition deal as the Pens GM
Dubas and Pens are due (big time) for a trade win
Our owners have deep pockets
Take Laine at full tilt pre July 1st (signing bonus)
For Eller, Accairi, Smith, Gruden
Columbus saves at total of $7.4 M in cash; moves on from a player they’ve already decided to move on from; nets 4 players for 1 (who is currently on LTIR)
Pens have instant top 6 boost and net $800 K in Cap space; get bigger; younger; and rid under-performers Accairi; Smith, Eller; at the expense of just one prospect (Gruden)
Crosby Laine Rackell
Malkin Rust Bunting
That is a certainly better top 6 than Pens had since the Trade Deadline;
And if you are comparing Pens top 6 starting 23/24 (Crosby, Guntzel, Rackell, Rust, Malkin, Smith) with above then that is better (overall) as well:
Laine is in no way is Guentzel; BUT Laine/Bunting overall is better than Guentzel/Smith; AND Pens are younger and bigger for the top 6; AND get rid of aging and underperforming Accairi and Eller; so get younger still overall.
Pens could then look for an RFA/UFA mid late 20’s 3rd line Center that is taller and bigger than league average (instead of the consistent Pens new adds being smaller/shorter)
The downside to Pens in the above deal is small. They rid aging and underperforming AND net space; and even if Laine performs at ½ the level he can; it’s a big win. If he stays on LTIR; insurance pays; nothing of Laine’s Cap is on big roster; and Pens have rid Accairi, Eller, Smith.
Will Dubas (the perennial loser of deals) get something like this done. Mmmmm…. sadly, Me no think so
@ 8787 Black N Gold here.
I do disagree with you on some things and others things you are on to something.
I disagree
1. Dubas has not lost every deal he won the Jake G deal big time.
1. Jake isn’t resigning with Carolina
2.. Bunting has fit in very well in Pittsburgh19 goals 55 points and he will surely improve on that with a full season in Pittsburgh. net front presence win win
3. Ponmarev is young skilled winger and will easily be in the line up next year in the bottom 6..
4. Koivunen is 20 and tearing up the Swedish league in scoring
5. Jake will want $ 9 million plus
6. we got three good assists for a guy who isn’t even staying in Carolina.
Lars Eller deal worked out great he was a strong two way third line center 15 goals 32 points not bad at all dependable.
Erik Karlsson solid 56 points + 11 not the 101 before but good
I agree..Accari Nieto were busts, I agreed Graves was good in Colorado and New Jersey not sure what happened year 1 in Pittsburgh. but a bust.
Reilly Smith was a good idea started off great and fizzled but eeeehhhhhhhhhhhhh
You also must give Dubas some time to undo TWO years of absolute team destruction, debacle and in competence due to Ron Hextall and Brian Burke two losers who f*****ed up royally.
I think Penguins will be a lot better next year.
blackngold – excellent comment with Jake Guentzel trade and in addition Penguins acquired 2nd round draft pick and another young prospect. I’m hearing Koivenun is extremely fast winger and when he’s ready good chance plays in the Top 6 !
The Guentzel deal may be a slight bust for canes if he doesn’t sign back with them; and because they didn’t even make the final 4
Dubas got suckered and spanked big time
In the week up to trade deadline, the media experts expected a 1st, roster, and good prospect
During that same week it was reported that Dubas was expecting more than that
Ended up with a 2nd (instead of a first). This pick should have been automatically a first (but top 10 protected)
Roster…, he got that in Bunting
For the prospect component of the trade; Dubas had to give up Ty Smith (a good NHL prospect AND far better than the two Canes gave us; who was playing in WBS only because Sullivan didn’t like him) to get two prospects who per most in media , will not play in the NHL, and rights to another player who won’t sign with Pens
The fact that Guentzel may not re up with Canes is irrelevant to weighing the return Dubas got. Completely irrelevant.
He was supposed to get a 1st, roster, and good prospect and according to the media; as many as 8 teams were interested at that price point
He got his Roster player
But only got a measily late 2nd instead of a first; and
Had to give up a fair prospect just to get negligible in prospect back
Smith deal…. Stuck with $5m still … lost that
As you agree…. Accairi and Nieto should never have been signed; and they were signed for way over market, AND for term
Graves; don’t get me started
Eller; ok for 1 year; but slowing down; OK for a 4th line Center; but a little weak for a 3rd line center and we have him for one more year and he’s already 35. The bust IMHO, on this deal was the term; not cap hit
Bemstrom for Nylander; bad deal
Not buying out Granlund just because Dubas had pride in not doing buyouts…. Stupid move
Then we get to the biggie. Landing Karllsson in and of itself is not the issue
It’s landing Karlson st $10 Cap AND at the same time having to retain on Petry; and giving up a back up anc a prospect
Grier publicly stated that “I might have to retain as much as 1/3rd)”
When a GM says that; his line in the sand for retention; is higher than that
Instead Grier only retained a mere 13%; and only because Dubas refused to buy out Granlund and made Grier eat that $11 M hit and take on Rutta. Dubas also lost his back up and a prospect in the deal
He overpaid and got the player at a much higher Cap hit than he should have
Dubas has literally lost all his Pens’ deals
Yes he was stuck with a mess; but losing EVERY single deal!!!’ That’s bad
He absolutely needs to get us a win
He MUST move Accairi, Smith, Eller…. Replaced by younger , stronger, bigger
He should move Graves but that won’t happen
Canes: Ehlers
Habs: Necas
Jets: 27th overall, Barron & Armia
I feel the Jets would want a little bit more for Ehlers.
Maybe the Canes and Habs add in a 3 rd or 4 th rd pick for the proven 25 goal scorer
I thought moving Ehlers was about freeing up cap space the Jets???
Uwey, why would Winnipeg do that? Armia is an ex jet and Barron, because his brother plays in Winnipeg? no thanks.
Winnpeg be better skipping Montreal, go directly to Carolina and get Necas.
Uwey. Done!
If Kypreos thinks Tampa is still a contender then he took more hits to the head than in remember, I think he took a lot of them.
Jets need to resign Monahan badly. If not then Chevy has very few options to fill the C2 spot. Ehlers plus for Necas makes sense for the Jets but I don’t see that helping from the Canes side. An Ehlers for Pulock/NYI might work for both teams. Gonna be a fun couple weeks for free agent/ draft/ trade geeks like us!!