NHL Rumor Mill – July 25, 2024
Check out the latest on the Penguins, Canucks and Sharks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill
LATEST ON THE PENGUINS
PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Matt Vensel looks at four ways the Penguins can use their leftover $3.5 million in salary-cap space.
One way could be adding another winger but they’d be hard-pressed to find better options than they currently have. There are no impact forwards left in the free-agent market and it’s difficult to see them trading for someone like Columbus’ Patrik Laine now.
Another option would be taking on a player from a cap-strapped team packaged with a draft pick. The Penguins’ recent acquisition of Kevin Hayes also netted them a second-round pick.
They could also consider pursuing an affordable young player like Arthur Kaliyev from the Los Angeles Kings or Nick Robertson from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Vensel considers both to represent a bet on untapped potential.
The Penguins could also sit tight with that cap space and work it to their advantage during the regular season. They could use those dollars to add to their roster or to become a third-party broker near the trade deadline to add more future assets.
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The latter two options seem the most sensible. Kaliyev or Robertson could be affordable pickups who would benefit from a change of scenery. On the other hand, hanging onto that cap space could help them during the season if they want to add a player who helps them clinch a playoff berth or bring in assets to help them rebuild.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski shoots down a recent rumor suggesting Tristan Jarry could be traded based on speculative pieces about the 29-year-old Penguins goaltender.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jarry has occasionally surfaced in the rumor mill as a trade candidate. However, his inconsistent play and the four years remaining on his contract with its $5.375 million annual cap hit and 12-team no-trade clause ensure he’ll be starting this season in Pittsburgh.
UPDATE ON THE CANUCKS
THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston wonders what the future holds for forward Vasily Podkolzin following the Vancouver Canucks recent signing of winger Daniel Sprong. This move ensures the 23-year-old winger isn’t a lock to make their lineup this season.
Podkolzin, 23, is a former first-round pick who should be fighting for a spot on the Canucks’ top line, not battling to hang onto a fourth-line role. He could end up playing on another team if he doesn’t find a way to improve his game.
SEKERES & PRICE: Discuss whether acquiring Sprong could set up moving someone like Nils Hoglander for a defenseman.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Podkolzin had a promising debut in 2021-22 with 14 goals and 26 points in 76 games. However, he’s struggled to stick with the Canucks, spending time over the past two years with their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford.
Hoglander was a second-round pick by the Canucks in the 2019 draft. He had a career-high 24 goals last season but only two points in 11 playoff games. Still, he could be a more tempting trade chip than Podkolzin for the Canucks.
COULD THE SHARKS REUNITE WITH MARTIN JONES?
THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka reported San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier indicated earlier this month that he would address his club’s need for a No. 3 goaltender at some point during the offseason.
Pashelka suggested bringing back Martin Jones. The 34-year-old free agent was the Sharks’ starter from 2015-16 to 2020-21. He performed well last season as a No. 3 netminder with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks bought out Jones’ contract in 2021, making him an unrestricted free agent. That buyout ($1.666 million annually) remains on their books until 2027. However, they can bring him back if they want to take up Pashelka’s suggestion.
Oh joy! Yet another round of Pittsburgh Penguins chatter, inviting yet another series of 50+ line tomes as to how Dubas can either screw things up further or, if he’d only listen to “you-know-who,” he could right the ship.
Lol.
George O ,Pittsburgh is lucky to be playing in the Metropolitan Division! The only team that will be better than last year is NJ.!That division is going to struggle to get a wild card team in the playoffs!
Looks that way Sr, although I wouldn’t count out Detroit and Tampa.
Wow… Tell us how you really feel George.
We don’t post this spectors does.
What would you like to talk about ?
Clearly I was poking innocent fun at one in particular … if you can’t figure out who that is … well, in the final analysis, who the Hell cares?
At least it’s not Leafs chatter
Robertson is an intriguing option, if not for the Pens, then maybe the Habs?
I don’t watch the Leafs but I note he averaged a half point for game when he played this last season.
It’s curious that on a Leafs team that doesn’t have bottom 6 depth he can’t seem to stick.
Any Leaf fans have an opinion on him?
LJ, this blog – Maple Leafs Daily – may answer some of your questions re Nick Robertson, with this paragraph likely singling out why he gets so little ice-time, relatively speaking
“Robertson’s only knock against him is his size, as he sits at the modest height of 5’9 and Berube is known for playing bigger and stronger players, rather than small and skilled forwards. So with that in mind, there’s still some potential doubts about Robertson’s standing with the team.”
https://www.mapleleafsdaily.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/why-nicholas-robertson-could-thrive-under-a-new-coach
I don’t know whose genes he got in his family, but whereas Jason is 6′ 3″ 202 lbs, Nicholas comes in at 5′ 8″ 178 lbs.
Oops – 5′ 9″
I watch all 82 Leafs games every year (yes, it’s hard). Watching Nick Robertson play, I would think he’s bigger than Marner. This isn’t to knock Marner. I believe Marner is 6′, but he plays with zero contact (but effectively in the regular season). Nick looks thicker and more solid than Marner, and occasionally initiates contact.
People say Nick’s skating is a knock, but I find he skates pretty good, and has decent speed.
I think the reason he has “struggled” with the Leafs is because he was injured in each of his first three seasons, taking him out for significant periods of time, which slowed his development. This is the first season he stayed healthy, and I think I speak for most Leafs fans when I say, it’s frustrating that a guy with a GREAT shot doesn’t get more than an occasional shift on a top line, specifically with a guy like Marner who can set him up. Nick – Mitch – JT would be a good start since Mitch and JT are both defensively sound.
Robertson is a top six player. He needs 10 games to build chemistry. But Keefe wasn’t willing to give him the opportunity. For that reason I can see why he wants out of Toronto, but I think his timing is bad because a new coach is as good as a new team for opportunity.
WestBrantKid, good analogy where you say “a new coach is as good as a new team ….” Never thought of it like that, but it makes perfect sense.
The only kicker is that paragraph cited above from Maple Leafs Daily where the writer says “Berube is known for playing bigger and stronger players, rather than small and skilled forwards.”
Now, I’m not sure where the writer gleaned that fact, but I assume he did a bit of research as to Berube’s preferences when it comes to size.
Another team is going to steal Robertson give him top 6 minutes with top power play time and he’s going to light it up. His entire career at every level he’s been a better player then his brother Jason. He was injured to star his NHL career and for whatever reason Keefe never gave him a shot in the top 6. He’s a goal scorer and a great one at that. Goal scorers need to be given top power play time and a chance to play more than 3rd line minutes with 3rd line players. Reminds me of Caufield in almost every way. It’s a trade that will look bad on the leafs. This kid can shoot the puck
What the heck, while I’m not about to dispute your contention that Nicholas could wind up being acquired by some team – maybe “for a song” as these things go – and there blossom into an offensive force, I’m not so sure re your belief that he was a better player than his brother at all levels.
Jason, taken 39th overall in Rod 2 in 2017, played 252 regular-season games in the OHL where he scored 149 goals and 168 assists for 317 pts – or 0.6 gpg, 0.7 apg 1,3 ppg, and in 45 playoff games added 14g 24a 38 pts.
Nick, taken 53rd overall in Rd 2 in 2019, played 162 OHL games scoring 97 goals 77 assists 174 pts – or 0.6 gpg, 0.5 apg 1.1 ppg and in 10 playoff games had 1 goal 0 assists 1 pt.
Nothing to indicate Nick was a better player than Jason at that level – and so far he’s not even close at the NHL level.
That COULD start to change in a different scenario … but until it does, Jason comes out ahead.
George, I understand your point, and my memory is not great, and I’m working so can’t verify this, but I’m pretty sure Alex Steen was a big part of the cup win, and he isn’t what a would consider a large physical player. I sure Berube likes the big physical guys, but I’m also sure he uses others effectively as well. Nick has no control over where he might get traded, if he gets traded, so I personally think he might be getting bad advice.
I know your joking
Thats why i asked you what do you want to talk about..
Lighten up..lol
LJ you wouldn’t play him in the bottom six unless you use one of those lines as a sheltered scoring line that you give offensive zone face-offs to, line up against weaker opponents, etc. a guy you can run and gun with. Not terribly defensive but could be better, stronger, smarter all which he looks to be developing since he’s still 23 and I don’t think has played 100-200 games yet.
Here we go with the Marner thing again. Maybe there’s “no contact” because he has the puck and the other guys can’t get it back.
Save the snide comments for guys who can’t play.
Lj just what Montreal needs a small injury prone winger to add to all the other forwards they can t get rid of!
Alex Nylander , I was watching on social media squatting – “8” 45 kg plates , benching sets of 10 or over 200 lbs , with William spotting him
Alex had 11 goals in 23 games last year , I think is fairly accurate and NOT signed ?!?
What is the negative on Alex
Probably sign for a league minimum and no one is on board ?
I also hope the Leafs can reason with Nick Robertson
Ken, a potential cloud hanging over the inking of Robertson could be the Jani Hakanpaa situation, as described here
https://www.mapleleafsdaily.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/jani-hakanpaa-officially-removed-from-maple-leafs-puckpedia-page
If he’s ultimately cleared to report to training camp, and his cap is then factored back into the Puckpedia page, they will be over the cap and so will need to option someone (or two?) in order to get whatever Robertson signs for back into the equation.
Of course, if the knee problem persists for Hakanpaa, then their problem is trying to get Robertson to sign for something under what they currently have in cap reserve – $1.25 mil – and I doubt that happens. So, even then – someone will need to be optioned.
@Ken what surprises me, is that Toronto hasn’t given Alex a shot. Considering Willie, you’d think what ever is the problem Alex has, Willie would help sort it out. As far as Robertson goes, his problem is away from the puck. Nick will chase the puck, he frequently gets caught out of position because of it. The kid can shoot and he’s a good enough skater, but his lack of disappline is his downfall. Injures have really slowed his development
Thanks George
Back to you again George / aka Dick Beddoes
Your thoughts on Alex Nylander ??
Ken, Alex Nylander seems to be one of those players who keeps falling through the cracks, despite indications he could be a very useful bottom 6 F.
At just 26 y/o and 6′ 1″ 192 lbs, he can’t be described as particularly fast (but he’s definitely not a “plodder” out there) – maybe the best way to describe him is “elusive” – and he does possess a wicked wrist shot.
When taken in Round 1 – 8th overall – by Buffalo in 2016 he had just finished his only season in the OHL with Mississauga where he potted eye-opening stats of 28g 47a 75 pts in just 57gp.
Since then he has played 330 games in the AHL, scoring 94g 116a 210 pts, with his infrequent elevations to the NHL producing 121 gp 25g 24a 49 pts. The most games he has played at the NHL level in one season came with Chicago in 2018-19 when he played 65, scoring 10 goals 16 assists 26 pts and a decent -2 for an overall weak team. This past season, in Columbus – at just $775,000 – he played 23 games with 11 goals 4 assists and 15 pts – or 82-game averages of 39g 14a 53 pts and -1. And they apparently decided he wasn’t worth a contract offer.
Unlike Daniel Sprong he doesn’t appear to have an “attitude” nor a reluctance/inability to look after his defensive responsibilities. His career NHL minus 11 has been accumulated while playing on some defensively-challenged teams.
Quite frankly, if the summer drags on without a contract offer I wouldn’t mind seeing Staios offer him a 2-way deal with first call-up conditions as a LW depth player.
As a Penguins fan, there are some things I wouldn’t be mad about, but aren’t likely to happen:
1) Trading Jarry
2) Acquiring Laine (if he would somehow fit in the CAP as a result of said deal)
3)Acquiring Robertson
4) Not reacquiring Nylander
5) Not seeing a 57 line diatribe against Dubas and the fantasy deals he should have done versus what he, in reality, could and did do.
Careful, Some Old Guy, or you could be berated by blackngold …
Goneozkin
Pit should take him on. If nothing else a younger player
A one is never done