NHL Rumor Mill – July 13, 2024
Check out the latest on the Canadiens’ possible trade targets and the Golden Knights’ goaltending in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE ATHLETIC: Eric Duhatschek was asked by a reader which would be best suited to play a second-line role with the Montreal Canadiens, referring to Anaheim’s Trevor Zegras, Carolina’s Martin Necas, Columbus’ Kent Johnson or the New York Rangers’ Kaapo Kakko.
Duhatschek believes Johnson has the highest draft pedigree. He’s also the youngest of the four and scored 40 points in 2022-23 as a 20-year-old during a dismal season for the Blue Jackets. Johnson could have the best upside and could be a better fit for the rebuilding Canadiens.
Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas (NHL Images).
Johnson and Zegras still have a runaway for improvement. Kakko probably won’t ever be a top-six winger while Necas has had just one notable season.
As for which player would be the more realistic acquisition, Duhatschek thinks it would be Kakko, but only if their scouts see something in him that several Rangers coaches have not. He doesn’t see the new Blue Jackets management giving up on Johnson and cites the high asking prices for Necas and Zegras.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That could explain why Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes hasn’t acquired a scoring forward this summer. Then again, he could be zeroing in on other options. Maybe Hughes doesn’t like the current market and will wait and see what shakes out during training camp and preseason.
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: A reader asked Danny Webster who will be the Golden Knights starting goaltender in 2025-26. They currently have Adin Hill and the recently acquired Ilya Samsonov on expiring contracts.
The oft-injured Hill must prove he can stay healthy for an entire season. Meanwhile, Samsonov must prove he can bounce back from his poor showing in Toronto last season.
If Hill doesn’t play well enough this season to merit an extension, the Golden Knights will have to seek a replacement next summer. They could hope the New York Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin or Ottawa’s Linus Ullmark will hit the open market next July.
Webster also doesn’t rule out a trade this season. Ullmark could be available if the Senators struggle. Another option could be Anaheim’s John Gibson. Ultimately, he feels their best hope is for Hill and Samsonov to perform well this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers will make Shesterkin the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history. He’s not going anywhere.
I agreed with Webster that Ullmark could be available via trade or free agency if the Senators flounder again. However, the Golden Knights would face competition for his services.
Gibson surfacing in the rumor mill has become an annual summer tradition. Maybe he and the Ducks will be ready to part ways in 2025.
John Gibson is been a fragile average goalie for year, mainly due to his frequent injuries. Why any team would trade picks or prospects for him is anyone’s guess, but we always see his name in the rumor mills but nothing happens. Probably because the GM’s are smart enough to see that he is damaged goods
lol why would Shesterkin hit the open market?
If, and its a big if, the Rangers are trying for a hometown discount, and Shesterkin is not interested/insulted, there is that remote possibility. The Rangers are in a position next year when they have a few players to sign and cap room gets tight, leaving them unable to upgrade in other areas. All this assumes Trouba is still on the payroll…
Kakko is one year away from 18 goals during a season he jumped around with assignments. He has some great possession games but lacks the push when it comes to just taking the puck to the net. still has some potential
Trouba Kakko for Tuch and Krebs.
Clifton for Trouba somehow seems to be the only possible path?
Tuch is a local Buffalo kid. would love him on the Rangers.
the hope is Trouba changes his mind about Detroit IF Buffalo was not on the list and he prefers Detroit in the end
The reason Trouba wanted to be in New York is because his wife was a medical student at the time and now has one year left on her residency program. He is committed to his wife finishing her residency and then probably would be open for a change…that is all I know for his reason to be in New York
The Sabres still need one more top 6 F, so no way they are subtracting one in Tuch. Trouba would have to be traded for one of either Clifton or Jokiharju, plus maybe Krebs.
The earliest Trouba would be moved would be next summer or just after the playoffs. His wife is finishing her last year of residency at the hospital.
I would suggest a possible “:goalie sleeper” that could become available during the season is Jordan Binnington. As the Blues continue their “retool” (whatever the heck that is), IF Joel Hofer continues to develop and progress and IF the Blues are not contending for playoffs, I would think that Armstrong would entertain offers for Binnington. Thoughts?
I live in St. Louis and have been suggesting this to Blues fans all summer. (And then they get pissy)…The Blues are at least 2-3 years from pushing for anything but a Wildcard spot and probably 4-5 years before becoming a contender for the cup. Binnington will not be part of that 5 year plan, so why not trade Binnington while he’s coming off a great season and get a haul for him.
Don’t be shocked when Igor Shesterkin leaves NY because Chris Drury is still the Rangers GM
Drury should be fired for destroying the Rangers team chemistry.
After the underhanded Goodrow and Trouba moves, nobody is going to want to play for this guy. His lack of respect for his veterans and team Captain will make Igor, Lafreniere and many others think twice about being loyal to the organization. And with Drury in charge, the Rangers can forget about attracting any future UFA’s.
Fire Drury today!
Drury is not the attraction to NYR, the city, the promotional fees, and a competitive team out weigh those concerns. That is why trade clauses are written in contracts to make the Chris Drry’s of the league tolerable!
Trouba could get bought out when they finish the Lindgren deal
I think the damage is done
The NYC tax situation doesn’t help
Thx Vinny…I agree, i still don’t understand why these jocks with no education(I mean in admin studies or relevant education are suddenly GMs running and making decisions for a professional team.) Just because you have played the game doesn’t mean you are capable and adept at taking on these high profile jobs. Very few have the ability to take that step unless they surround themselves with competent people
From what I have read, Habs management plan involves looking at cap implications 5 years out. Therefore I doubt Zegras, who had a difficult bargaining session with the Ducks, projects well into their cap structure.
HF30, you suggested Johnson. Could be a deal there as CBJ’s D is not strong.
Funny you mention Ottawa and Ullmark! Yesterday in your column Staios was saying that he thinks Ullmark wants to stay and settle in Ottawa! Let s see how his season goes behind a very average defensive corps! Sin City might look a little more appealing and not for just the warm winters!
I can’t believe everyone is debating 25-26? Don’t we have to get through 24-25 first? The Ranger fans are so quick to want to replace Kakko? They said the same things about Lafrieneirre, now they know how good he is. It takes time for these guys to develop!! When I tuned into Ranger games, it was obvious to me their best line was Lafrieneirre, Chytil and Kakko outside of their big guys? Wouldn’t be so hell bent on getting rid of guys just to make trades. The Big guys didn’t do enough in the playoffs because the other teams aren’t stupid, they zero in on those guys. I don’t know, you have to be patient. Shesterkin going elsewhere, a little ahead of ourselves, I think? ………..
Binnington needs to focus on stopping the puck IP. All that other stuff, he has no business getting involved in!!