NHL Rumor Mill – July 12, 2024
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, we look at some of the notable trade and free agent rumors facing some Eastern Conference teams.
SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon recently examined the lingering offseason questions for each team in the Eastern Conference.
He wondered if the Carolina Hurricanes would sign Martin Necas to a new contract or trade the 25-year-old forward. Given Jake Guentzel’s departure, the Hurricanes could circle back and attempt to mend fences with Necas.
Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Reports emerged this spring claiming Necas was unhappy with his role as a third-line winger, preferring a move to center and taking on more responsibilities. His filing for salary arbitration last Friday adds some intrigue to his situation.
Necas was linked to the Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, Utah Hockey Club and Vancouver Canucks at one point or another. So far, there’s no indication he’s on the verge of getting traded.
Dixon also wondered who would become the next head coach of the Blue Jackets. It appeared former Kings bench boss Todd McLellan was the favorite. However, he still has a year on his contract with the Kings and the two clubs couldn’t work out an agreement.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Former Edmonton Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft and former Minnesota Wild coach Dean Evason appear to be the frontrunners.
The Montreal Canadiens still must address their need to add another scoring forward. However, they could still find a way to do so during this offseason. Dixon pointed out that they carry a glut of promising young defensemen who represent possible trade chips.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes has been involved in notable summer trades over the last two years. He acquired Sean Monahan from Calgary in Aug. 2022 and was part of the three-team deal that sent Erik Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins last August.
The Canadiens also have plenty of draft picks to draw on for trade bait. They have two first-round picks, two second-rounders, three third-round selections, and two fourth-rounders in next year’s draft and two fourth-rounders in 2026.
Dixon noted the New York Rangers’ attempt to trade defenseman Jacob Trouba and his efforts to block that move. The 30-year-old Rangers captain doesn’t want to uproot his family but GM Chris Drury could prefer moving his $8 million cap hit, which runs through 2025-26.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s believed Drury initially tried to move Trouba before the start of free agency on July 1 to clear room to sign a UFA or two. Dixon suggested Drury could now prefer peddling him to free up space to re-sign RFA defensemen Ryan Lindgren and Braden Schneider this summer, and to re-sign Igor Shesterkin before his UFA eligibility next July.
Trouba now has a 15-team no-trade list. The problem is many of the teams not on that list could lack the cap space, trade assets or both to acquire him.
Philadelphia Flyers center Morgan Frost was a frequent subject of trade chatter last season. Dixon wondered if another club might circle back with the dust having settled in the free-agent market.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Frost hasn’t been mentioned much in the rumor mill. That doesn’t mean he won’t be traded this summer. He’s had back-to-back 40-plus point seasons and carries a reasonable $2.1 million cap hit for this season.
Sidney Crosby’s contract extension remains the offseason story for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A report earlier this week claimed the two sides are getting closer to an agreement. As Dixon noted, however, the chatter won’t stop until Crosby finally puts pen to paper.
Speculation over Mitch Marner’s future with the Toronto Maple Leafs has died away. Dixon pointed out the 27-year-old winger has full control over his future with his no-movement clause and expects he’ll still be with the Leafs when training camp opens in September.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That seems to be the case. It will then become a question of whether they’ll sign Marner to a contract extension or risk losing him next summer to free agency.
Still not sure why Marner is the odd man out. If Tavares and Marner both have their contacts ending at the end of next year, why wouldn’t Marner be the one to keep? Yes, he’ll expect a pay raise, but he’s earned it. And Tavares’ 11 million is gone. Are there really people in Toronto that want to keep Tavares over Marner?
The whole situation makes little to no sense. Most of that $11m will be gone next year with raises. As the cap increases we all will see all teams be able to improve their rosters even the lower seed teams stuck in no man’s land.
Taveras sleeps with his Leafs gear every night. Marner does not he should be gone. Sign Jt 8 years 14 million a year the greatest leaf ever.He has done soooo much for the team.My captain.
JT is good in the playoffs but he’s 33 and his best years are behind him. I agree on keeping him if he does a team friendly contract. The amount your suggesting is crazy.
14 a year? You’re either a troll or you’re drunk.
This is the exact reason, or this logic at least if employed, would lead to a further cup drought in Toronto. That could only be best described as poor asset management on their behalf.
Pete, are you in possession of “the ONE ring?”
Is Tavares your “precious” as well as your captain?
Awesome post Pete! LGI
😆😂🤣
How the hell is Maner worth praise..He has been overpaid the duration of his contract. As much as Draisaitl has been underpaid Marner is way over paid at 11 m already.
I have to agree with Ron, Starsfan.
It is a false assumption that the Leafs have to choose one or the other given the for sure cap increase for the coming season, and the fact that Tavares’ 11 million comes off the books after this season. As I’ve said before, the Leafs window for the Cup with Marner, Nylander and Matthews remains open for a few more years.
It all pivots on what Tavares wants to re up – and if the Leafs want him. If he is willing to sign for 7 million (as an example) that is a cap swing of $4million, plus any cap increase next year on top of this year. Suddenly the Leafs can sign a top flight goalie.
As for Marner’s worth, that’s a market driven evaluation. Someone will give him a raise.
$7 million for a Tavares extension is ridiculous!
Stamkos only received $4.5 from Nashville!!!!!!!
Tavares is little more than a 3rd line center (or will be at 34) and should be paid accordingly
$3.5 – $4 x 3 years should be enough for Tavares if he loves the Leafs as much as he says he does.
He has already made $77 million dollars from the Leafs over the past 7 years and won nothing!
If he is looking for more I am sure there is another broken down GM in the league who will pay him.
Both players have been ragged over by the team, fans and local media. Not a good showing for attracting players to come to the Buds.
The reason Marner is out is because they have to many high priced forwards. He is a really good player. But he doesn’t fair well in the playoffs. \he is small and has no grit. Again to many forwards with high dollars. One has to go, he is up next and he held the feet to the fire last time so that doesn’t help either.
Yes Why is everyone inlove with a player that cant produce in the playoffs. BRAD MARCHAND WHOMENI HATE IS WAy BETTER oF A HOCKEY PLAyer and makes 4 millon less and actually produces and makes an impact when needed most. We dont want no more regular season of mitch looking like a studd then when someone plays hard againys him he disappear s
In his article Dixon has this to say about Ottawa: “Are they waiting for just the right moment to talk turkey with Linus Ullmark? Acquiring the 2023 Vezina winner was a coup for the Sens. The only hitch, of course, is he’s entering the final year of his contract and the Swede wasn’t about to rush into a long-term commitment with his new club. Maybe once he has a month or two in the organization, Ullmark and the Sens will enter into talks on a new deal.”
I suppose, if he was trying to find something to write about of the 32 teams, that the Ullmark situation was front and centre. But that wasn’t an immediate concern for Ullmark himself who, in a late June remote chat with the local media from his home in Sweden, talked about his new teammates and conversations with Forsberg and Alfredsson, giving every indication that he looks forward to becoming a fixture as the # 1 goalie in town and emphasizing, by the way, that Ottawa was never on his 14-team no-trade list.
“My biggest concern right now is finding a place for my family to live, schools for my kids and getting to know the people in Ottawa and with the Senators. The whole contract situation, and the talks, is something that my agent and Steve will deal with off to the side. Once there’s something that needs to be discussed, he can always reach me because being the player, I’m the one signing it. That’s the situation right now and I try not to look too far ahead. I try to stay in the moment and not about what may be or could in the future.”
I bet he’ll be signed before training camp opens.
yes, everything in his statements gives all indication that he wanted to come to Ottawa and he will likely be trying to stay.
I also get the impression that Staios had some form of confirmation that Ullmark would stay if traded to Ottawa.
We will see, but I have a feeling you are right George.
What is he supposed to say! He will go where the money leads him! His last big chance for another contract!If Bostonand Swayman run into a snag,Don t rule out Ullmark going back to Boston!Tell me which D group would you rather play behind, Boston or Ottawa?
We’ll see … and if you’re correct you can remind me … because I will sure as Hell remind you when he does sign with Ottawa.
Rangers – what a terrible relationship to have with your team captain for the upcoming season.
Flyers fan here, I can’t see the Flyers trading Frost unless it’s for another center in return. The team is in dire need of true No.1 center (hence the drafting of Luchanko). Presently their centers are Couturier, Frost, Poehling and Laughton. The team doesn’t have a legitimate center prospect at the AHL level either.
Tavares should not be resigned, unless it’s for $1Million or less. He’s never been fast, and the game is passing him by literally. Stop signing old guys. Sign more youth!!! It’s a young mans game. Can Marner play Center??? Sign him to the same contract as Nylander or less…not a penny more. Play him at 2nd line C and get some wingers. If not, trade him this season and get some capital in return. Don’t let him walk for nothing. I agree that he’s been overpaid his entire career, but you can’t change that now.
If all else fails, let them both walk. Sign younger and cheaper guys. Re-focus that money on more D, and YOUTH!!!
He’s not going to be taking anything less than $4Mil on his next deal. even that is a stretch.
Tavares 1m retained for Trouba and Kakko? 😂
I saw his instagram real from the Sens where he arrives at Canadian Tire Center. Looks like a fun genuinely nice dude. I’m happy he’s here. But – from both sides of this….his and ours. I wouldn’t sign a deal now. Lets see how the team responds to the personel and especially to the coaching changes. If they’re still crap defensively – a goalie tandem of Marty Brodeur and Dom Hassic couldn’t save them.
If they come out of the gates hot, seem to have a good system that works. Then have that inevitable lull around February…before pushing for the playoffs. Fine. Sign him. No more than 5 years.
Sidney Crosby sign on his birthday August 7. New 2 year contract amount $11,878,787
Sid should be resigned. But the Pens have 3.5 million in cap space and the raise you are suggesting will eat it all.
For that amount he will spend the next two years golfing starting May.
Crosby’s new deal won’t start until 2025/2026 season, and won’t effect cap hit until next season.
Mtl looking for forwards to score
To MTL: Huberdeau and a 6th
To CGY: Dvorak, Anderson and a 1st?
Hubby with Suzuki and Caudill day would be fun to watch
Slavkovsky dach and someone else on line 2
Huberdeau has said he didn’t want to go to Montreal.
Otherwise, might be a good trade.
I haven’t heard of Huberdeau saying that he won’t go to Montreal. But I wouldn’t touch him now. He’s 31, his game is declining and he’s got 7 years left on a huge contract that’ll only get worse. Anderson and Dvorak’s contracts are far from ideal but they’ll be done in 3 and 1 years,
Huberdeau for scraps again…must be a habs thing!!!!!Suzuki and a first maybe Calgary will answer the phone.
Don you can’t be serious. Calgary will answer the phone on anything just to get rid of his contract.
A lot of cap space to play with. Albeit Real money. The only way Huberdeau moves is a third team maybe even a forth team involved . I believe he is now a 40 point player that can play some PP . Seems to skate well enough and stays healthy but 82 points never again. It will cost Calgary two draft picks and money held.
Trouba to Buffalo. Add Kakko for
Tuck and Krebs
Toronto is going to have to retain 4-5 million on JT and not expect too much back, maybe a draft pick and secondary prospects. Then concentrate on MM NEW DEAL.. I DON’T THINK there is a market right now to receive equal compensation