NHL Rumor Mill – July 18, 2024
A look at some notable trade and free-agent rumors facing several Western Conference clubs in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon recently examined lingering offseason questions facing the NHL’s Western Conference teams. Among them were some notable trade and free-agent speculation.
Dixon wondered if the Anaheim Ducks would trade Trevor Zegras. Trade speculation started last fall during their contentious contract negotiations. The 23-year-old was limited to 31 games by injuries last season. He’s an imperfect player but his offensive skills continue to draw interest.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek has consistently denied the trade rumors, claiming he hasn’t shopped Zegras nor received any trade offers. He’s under no pressure to move the young winger, who has two seasons remaining on his contract. Zegras will remain with the Ducks this season.
The Calgary Flames are now rebuilding their roster. Dixon wondered if they might take on a bloated contract or two from a cap-strapped club in return for a draft pick or a prospect.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: With over $20 million in cap space and 22 active roster players under contract, the Flames are well-positioned to make that type of deal. Whether they want to is another matter. The earliest we could see such a move is in September or early October as teams with limited cap space or over the $88 million cap look to shed salary before the start of the season.
Colorado Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen is a year away from becoming an unrestricted free agent. Dixon wonders if the two sides will hammer out a contract extension this summer.
Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been quiet on the Rantanen front. The Avalanche faces some short and long-term salary cap uncertainty given Gabriel Landeskog’s attempt at a comeback from knee injuries and Valeri Nichushkin’s returning to the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. Both are on long-term contracts. The Avs could be waiting for cap clarification before opening extension talks with Rantanen.
Dixon wondered if the Dallas Stars might scour the trade market for a defenseman.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Keep an eye on this situation. The depth among the Stars’ right-shot defensemen drops sharply behind Miro Heiskanen with free-agent additions Ilya Lyubushkin and Matt Dumba signed to fill those gaps.
Arthur Kaliyev’s future with the Los Angeles Kings could be coming to an end. He’s been on the outs with the club and is a restricted free agent.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kaliyev is coming off an entry-level contract and has been the subject of frequent trade speculation. Don’t be surprised if he ends up traded before the start of the season.
Goaltender Filip Gustavsson could be a trade candidate after the Minnesota Wild re-signed Marc-Andre Fleury and promising Jesper Wallstedt waiting in the wings.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gustavsson surfaced in the rumor mill during the spring but trade speculation about him dried up weeks ago. The Wild could retain him for another season and send Wallstedt back to the minors.
Dixon pondered the possibility of the Nashville Predators trading goalie Yaroslav Askarov after they signed Juuse Saros to a contract extension and signed free-agent backup Scott Wedgewood.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Predators GM Barry Trotz will set a high asking price for Askarov, who has potential as an NHL starter. Trotz can afford to be patient as he waits for a club seeking goaltending depth to come calling, which could lead to Askarov starting this season with their AHL affiliate.
The Utah Hockey Club made some significant additions to their blueline by acquiring Mikhail Sergachev, John Marino and Ian Cole. Flush with cap space, draft picks and prospects, they might not be done making additions.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Utah GM Bill Armstrong prioritized improving his defense corps this summer. Having addressed that issue, he could shift his focus to other roster areas. Still, he could also keep his powder dry and see what unfolds during this season.
Dixon also wondered if the Vancouver Canucks will work out an extension with winger Brock Boeser.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Boeser made it clear he wants to play for the Canucks despite being the subject of trade rumors leading up to last season. He’s the only core player due for a new contract by next summer.
The Canucks have over $12 million in projected cap space based on a cap of $88 million, but it’s projected it could rise to $92 million for 2025-26. That will give them plenty of room to re-sign Boeser. However, his injury history could have management adopt a wait-and-see approach to this season.
The Vegas Golden Knights have limited cap space for 2024-25. Nevertheless, Dixon wonders if they might have a crafty move up their sleeve to bolster their roster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vegas’ depth chart took a beating this summer with the departures of Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson, Logan Thompson, Alec Martinez, William Carrier, Michael Amadio and Anthony Mantha. They brought in Victor Olofsson, Alexander Holtz, Ilya Samsonov and Akira Schmid.
The Golden Knights are over the cap by $3.6 million but they’ll get cap relief with Robin Lehner and his $5 million cap hit on long-term injury reserve. They lack room to make a significant addition unless they ship out a salaried player in return.
Recent trade history indicates sleeping on the Golden Knights isn’t wise. However, they will struggle to pull off a major deal this summer.
Dixon concludes by wondering when the Winnipeg Jets intend to trade winger Nikolaj Ehlers and prospect forward Rutger McGroarty. They still have some roster holes to fill and either player could fetch a suitable return.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ehlers has a year left on his contract while the Jets still hold McGroarty’s rights. They won’t be in any rush to move either player this summer but one or both could be moved as we get closer to the start of the season.
Re “The Calgary Flames are now rebuilding their roster. Dixon wondered if they might take on a bloated contract or two from a cap-strapped club in return for a draft pick or a prospect.”
Penguins will gladly give them Hayes and a 2nd (Blues) for future considerations
You might. The Penguins won’t. Remember, Dubas traded for Hayes to replace Jeff Carter. You’re stuck with him.
Oh I painfully remember that
We all do here
All the reason to get rid of him
Dubas MUST by now see the errors in his ways
Penguins in no way traded for Hayes to replace Carter
Army saw a sitting duck/vulnerable GM (viewing from afar how other GMs dominated him with trades) and dumped the Hayes contract on us for a measly 2nd
Hayes per most reports , as at now; Dubas has earmarking him as 3rd line C (which was Eller) ; effectively moving Eller onto 4th line C
$6 M on the bottom two C’s is too much
IF in fact Dubas is even more brain dead and has Hayes marked for 4th line C (to replace Carter) …. $3.6 M on a very slow , very poor defensively, 4th line C; is way too much
Regardless of where Hayes slots (3rd/4th C); he came in ; Carter left
Hayes much more expensive and 2 years
Hayes way slower
Hayes lighter
Hayes weaker (physical strength)
Hayes much weaker defensively
Hayes lacks the grit/moxy Carter had
Hayes basically plays blue-line out; Carter much more a 200’ guy
Only things Hayes has on Carter
Younger (but doesn’t play like it)
Taller (2”) but doesn’t use it
Offence (but he had much better set ups and line mates than Carter did last year)
Best for Pens; find another sucker to take Hayes; use that space (the total would be $7M then) wisely
I’m positive that Crosby is very peeved at the surrounding cast he has right now as well as all the ill advised moves Dubas has made
The only reason Crosby is considering staying (I’m hoping he does) is his heart
No (zip , zero) logical reason to stay
None
Dubas traded for Hayes to get the 2nd round draft pick.
Hi Christopher
Technically Dubas didn’t trade to “get” the 2nd
Army called him and offered the 2nd to dump Hayes on us
The net effect is the same but Dubas didn’t seek out to trade to gain a pick from Army; he was called with an offer; and rather than declining or asking for further retention and/or more in return; he woefully accepted
$3.6 M for Hayes for 2 years is absolutely NOT what Pens need. Not by sny stretch.
The 2nd (likely in the 45th-55th spot) may or may not ever play in the NHL; and definitely won’t play at all before 27/28
It was a costly move (just like his others) by Dubas
As at now, roster this fall (compared to roster game 1 last year) is actually older (close but slightly older); is shorter (again slightly, but is shorter) and the already light team is in average 1 lb lighter
Its also weaker (physical strength) ; less gritty; and much less on projected (based on last year) performance
For the gain of pittance in picks (none of which are guaranteed to play and any that do are a minimum 3 years down the road and will be depth players); Dubas has made mives that has this team (already missing consecutive playoffs) much worse
We will literally be blessed by Crosby re-upping with the roster he has before him
Nothing logically is enticing him to sign
It id only out of the goodness of his heart that he’d considering it
Time and space is still available
Sprong should be called; and signed
We only have 2 RHDs and Letang might have to get an operation
Something must be done!!
P8E7N8G7Y, got a question on this portion of your post.
“Army called him and offered the 2nd to dump Hayes on us
The net effect is the same but Dubas didn’t seek out to trade to gain a pick from Army; he was called with an offer; and rather than declining or asking for further retention and/or more in return; he woefully accepted”
Kinda reminds me of what Socrates said when debating Aristotle – “Now your just saying sh*t”
Ray, he certainly seems to freely subscribe to the theory that “all’s fair” when zeroing in on an individual he sees as THE detriment to his team of choice … as he did with Jack Johnson and Chad Ruhwedel … among others.
Boeser had an outstanding season however it’s an outlier when you look at past years, both in production and injury wise. The prudent approach is to wait at least into 2025 before starting any kind of contract discussions.
Could a Mcgroarty – Lekkerimäki swap make sense? Drafted about the same but McGroarty is a little bit ahead and better fits with that in mind as well as being a little bit bigger
Not a chance…Winnipeg will do a lot better with their entitled player. Some team will come up with a great offer and waiting is the best option for the Jets
Agreed.
It wasn’t long ago fans were calling him Broke Boessser.
Recent-cy bias is a thing
Pengy, oh excuse us all, 8787, your Canada is showing again. American=offense. Canadian= offence (as you posted).
Second regarding “I’m positive that Crosby is very peeved at the surrounding cast he has right now as well as all the ill advised moves Dubas has made “, I have to ask…when did you crawl inside Crosby’s noggin and poke around?
george, o too much, that is funny!!!!! 8787 you have to give these guys a break. the Penguins are a great organization. they will do what they have to do to get it done but you probably won’t like it? Kevin Hayes, Matt Nieto, Jack Johnson’s of the world won’t be your superstars but they are very good hockey players and hopefully Hayes will do good in Pittsburgh. i don’t know why you have such a beef against these guys but wherever they have played they have been very successful. Johnson and Nieto were very good on the Avalanche and were big contributors in different ways for those teams. Hayes, a lot going on with the guys family? So, perhaps he bounces back in Pittsburgh? got a good shot and maybe Sullivan is what he needs to get going?
@8787
I know you are not a dubas fan a d predict doom for the penguins.
While they arent winning the Cup…rhey can make the playoffs..
Look Lizotte Beauviller Grzelyuk is an upgrade over Smith who didnt want to be in Pittsburgh and jeff skate in circles carter..
One year not sure this or last half of his goals where empty netters or off skates.i digress.
Past couple days ago just got back from Pittsburgh and attended the 5 day penguins development camp.
No the whole farm system overall is weak but there top 5 or 6 prospects where standing out
including this 20 year old Russian goalie Sergei Mushsharev who was outstanding..turning heads.
Joel Blomquist 20
Villie Koivunen 20
Vasiely Ponomarev
Tristan Broz 21
Tanner howe 18 great camp invited to team Canada camp
A couple will push for a spot in the Fall..
If we could unload Jarry and graves LOL
u
B&G, I’m with you on Jarry. He can go if they can unload him. The team is no better off with him on the roster and that 5.5ish million could be put to better use. Grave just might have a bounce back season in him. Hayes in for Carter is a wash. Reilly out is a good thing if he truly didn’t feel like playing for the team. Guentzel was not going to sign in Pittsburgh for the money they threw at him in Tampa, so Dubas did well getting something for him instead of him walking like he did with Carolina anyway.
Overall, their chances to make the playoffs aren’t really any better or worse than last year. If they make it, great. If they don’t…well, I don’t think that’ll be a shock to anyone.
To be honest, the real culprit of their current position is still Hextall. Dubas’ test will be what the team looks like for the 25-26 season, after he has had a chance to un-kerfuffle them (or not).
Agree 100 % with your post Same Ild Guy
Fair accurate..
Take a look at what Dubas did to the Leafs!
No draft picks, no prospects, no post season success.
The Marner mess.
The Tavares mess.
Leaf fans are glad he is in Pittsburgh not Toronto.
Avalanche certainly have to lock up Rantannen, that goes without saying, he is a force. however, needs to be better defensively? looked uninterested at times during the year and playoffs. don’t know if he was dealing with an injury the whole year and Colorado would never tell you but he needs to amp up his game big time if the Avalanche have any dreams about winning another Cup again