NHL Rumor Mill – July 26, 2024
The latest on the Blue Jackets, Panthers, and Islanders in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST ON THE BLUE JACKETS
TSN: Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said his club will continue to explore potential trades for Patrik Laine but a move isn’t guaranteed.
Laine has been in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program since January. Waddell indicated he’s heard the 26-year-old winger is making positive progress but the team isn’t getting much information from the program’s doctors. Most of the info he’s received has come from Laine’s agent.
The Jackets GM said Laine made it clear last month that he’d like a fresh start someplace else. He stated he’d look at all the options, including the possibility of Laine returning with the Jackets if a deal that makes sense fails to materialize.
Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Waddell has said teams remain interested in Laine but wanted to speak with him before making trade offers. However, they’re not allowed until he’s been released from the program. Until that happens, his trade status remains in limbo.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jason Newland reports Waddell gave an update on contract negotiations with Kirill Marchenko. The 24-year-old winger filed for salary arbitration on July 5 and his hearing is scheduled for July 31.
Waddell said he’s had daily discussions with the Marchenko camp with both sides aiming for an agreement before July 31. He believes a two-year deal makes the most sense for both sides.
THE PANTHERS WILL FACE CAP CRUNCH NEXT YEAR
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: George Richards noted that salary-cap constraints could make it difficult for the Panthers to retain Aaron Ekblad, Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett next summer. Both players are eligible to become unrestricted free agents next July.
Puckpedia indicates the Panthers will have $22.5 million in projected cap space under the current $88 million cap.
Ekblad carries a $7.5 million cap hit for this season but Richards believes it can be argued that number is now too high as his play has leveled off. He speculates Ekblad might accept a pay cut to stay in Florida.
Rumors claim Panthers GM Bill Zito is shopping Ekblad but Richards doubts he’ll be moved given the departures of Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Verhaeghe ($4.166 million) and Bennett ($4.425 million) have been underpaid on their current contracts. Richards believes they’ll earn more in free agency than the Panthers can afford.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers can’t afford to keep those three even with the cap expected to rise to $92 million for 2025-26. At least one of them is playing their final season with the Panthers unless Zito can free up sufficient cap room.
COULD THE ISLANDERS TRADE WAHLSTROM DESPITE HIS NEW CONTRACT?
NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears suggests Oliver Wahlstrom’s future with the Islanders remains doubtful despite signing a one-year, $1-million contract on Thursday.
The signing put the Isles over the $88 million salary cap. GM Lou Lamoriello acknowledged the team was seeking trade partners during the NHL Draft last month.
Lamoriello pointed out Wahlstrom’s hard work recovering from an ACL injury in 2022-23 that hampered his performance last season. He’s hoping to give the young forward an opportunity to remain on the roster but indicated he wouldn’t just give him away.
Sears suggests this signing allows Wahlstrom to earn a roster spot during training camp. They could also use that time to showcase him for a trade. He could also end up on waivers and be demoted.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I noted in today’s Morning Coffee Headlines a report suggesting the Isles could demote Maxim Tsyplakov as he’s waiver-exempt.
Bennett is a playoff performer . Can’t pay him for his regular season . Not worth much more that his current salary overall . Ekblad has turned into a defensive defence-man. Again a modest raise. Verhaegie on the other hand will cost them some big dollars.
Islanders will make a move. They have some options at the forward position . There would be lots of interest in Varlamov .
Fla. has 14.5 million tied up in their goalies! That s where they should try to cut first!
I like Wahlstrom. He’ll be a decent middle six player once he figures it out. Maximum effort is required on every play, on every shift, every game.
Shoreorrpark, your post could be repeated with Daniel Sprong in place of Wahlstrom … what is it with these guys? They have all the ability needed to get to the highest pinnacle of the sport … and then proceed to ignore aspects necessary to keep th em there.
In their minds they figure it’s OK to sell out for offense if they get the desired results.
In fact it isn’t ok because we play systematic hockey, and you need to be in your place on the ice or shadowing your man.
You feel great if it works, but everyone sees when it doesn’t.
I think those guys should just pull a Danny Cleary/Darren Helm and find a job in the middle six that way.
Those spots are desired jobs, and someone else will take them if they’re not contested with urgency.
Ego is a fierce competitor.
True that SOP, those are desired jobs. And valuable players.
Even a guy like Foegele who just signed in LA. He played primarily 3rd line minutes, battled for every puck, was reliable defensively, could skate, and always chipped in offence. 10-13 goals a year. Last year was his 6th full season, got some limited top 6 minutes here and there, but mainly 3rd line, popped for 20 goals.
He will likely earn between $25M and $30M in his career, depending on his next contract. Play a long NHL career if he stays reasonable healthy. Pretty darn desirable from where I’m sitting.
Oil will miss him.
Its being reported that Laine has been released from the player assistance program
So, now teams can talk to him with regards to a possible deal?
Yes.
Congrats to him. Those programs can be life savers. But they also can be draconian and opportunistic. Good on him for working on himself and for working successfully with the program
Laine needs to go to a low stress environment where neither he nor the hockey club are one of the premier sports venue in that city.
Something like San Jose and the chance to play with Cellibrini would be a good landing spot.
Anaheim with all of the football, baseball and basketball teams in the area to distract from the Ducks might be another suitable destination.
Anaheim has 3 top young centers in Carlsson, MacTavish and Zegras to pair Laine with.
A lot will depend on whether CBJs are willing to retain money on his $8.7 million dollar contract and how much that number might be.
I have read that Blue Jackets are interested in picks and prospects more than current players though they might accept an expiring contract.
Columbus will have to take some money back or a third team in the mix. Even if It is SanJose or Calgary or any team with space $. Anaheim has Gibson and Dostal who looked real good by eye test at least . Laine for Gibson . Rearrange some deck chairs to make everyone happy .