NHL Rumor Mill – August 1, 2024
Proposed trade destinations for Patrik Laine plus the latest on the Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
PROPOSED DESTINATIONS FOR PATRIK LAINE
THE SCORE: Josh Wegman listed what he believes are the five best fits as trade destinations for Patrik Laine.
The 26-year-old Columbus Blue Jackets winger requested a trade two months ago. Interested teams can speak with him directly since his recent exit from the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. He carries an $8.7 million average annual value through 2025-26 with a 10-team no-trade list.
Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine (NHL Images).
Wegman considers the Pittsburgh Penguins the best fit for Laine to rejuvenate his career. They need someone with his scoring touch on their power play. They carry $3.5 million in cap space and could create more room by adding a depth forward like Lars Eller or Noel Acciari in the deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wegman pointed out this is the type of deal general manager Kyle Dubas must make to give his aging club one last chance at a playoff run. Whether Dubas believes that’s the case remains to be seen. His attitude seems to have changed since his big acquisition of Erik Karlsson last summer failed to provide the expected big boost to their roster.
The Colorado Avalanche could be a good fit if wingers Gabriel Landeskog (knee surgery) and Valeri Nichushkin (serving a six-month suspension as part of Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program) fail to return this season. He could slot in alongside center Casey Mittelstadt and fellow Finn Artturi Lehkonen on their second line.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avs will need more clarity on the status of Landeskog and Nichushkin before pulling the trigger. Even then, Laine could prove too expensive for them to acquire.
The Vegas Golden Knights are known as big-game hunters in the trade market. They have limited cap space but sending someone like Nicolas Roy and/or Brett Howden in the deal might make it work.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: We can’t rule anything out with the Golden Knights. However, they’re facing a serious cap crunch, sitting above the $88 million cap by over $3.6 million. That’ll be offset by placing permanently sidelined goaltender Robin Lehner and his $5 million cap hit on long-term injury reserve. Nevertheless, it could prove too expensive for the cap-strapped Golden Knights to pull off.
The Seattle Kraken could use someone with Laine’s game-breaking offensive ability. They have over $6.4 million in cap space but most of it will be used to re-sign Matty Beniers. They possess plenty of mid-size contracts that they could presumably move out for Laine.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It would be a bold move by Kraken GM Ron Francis but he already made his big addition up front by signing Chandler Stephenson on July 1.
The Buffalo Sabres possess plenty of promising young wingers but none of them have Laine’s goal-scoring upside. GM Kevyn Adams has shown a willingness to draw from his prospect pool for trade bait to improve his roster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wegman wondered how well Laine would perform under Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff. The Sabres could also be on his 10-team no-trade list.
LATEST ON THE CANADIENS
RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports sources suggesting the Montreal Canadiens could be well-positioned to shop for a scorer after re-signing their restricted free agents.
The Canadiens have $5.4 million in cap space and if needed could get an additional $10.5 million by placing permanently sidelined netminder Carey Price on LTIR. Should GM Kent Hughes seek to pursue a top-six forward like Patrik Laine or the Winnipeg Jets’ Nikolaj Ehlers, Price’s contract will be of utmost importance.
D’Amico’s source said the Canadiens are attempting to weaponize their cap space by calling teams looking to shed salary. They indicate GM Kent Hughes is “looking to do something, but not at the expense of next summer or the coming years.”
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: D’Amico also pointed out that the Canadiens have two first-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft. In addition to their own, they have the Calgary Flames’ first-rounder. If the Flames struggle this season, the Habs could use that pick as a trade chip to land a more proven asset.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Keep an eye on the Canadiens for the rest of the offseason. I have a feeling that Hughes isn’t done tinkering with his roster.
D’Amico pointed out Hughes has made some surprising moves over the past two summers. In August 2022, he acquired Sean Monahan from the Calgary Flames and last summer was part of the three-team deal that saw Erik Karlsson land with the Penguins.
Rumor – next season will be Evgeni Malkin’s last season playing for the Penguins and playing in the NHL.
Speed Kills, can you post a link with regard to that rumour ?
In this July 30 article in Sports Illustrated by Jacob Punturi, Malkin is quoted as saying
“It’s hard to make plans about a return,” he said. “I still have two years left on my contract with Pittsburgh. I need to play these two years and see how it goes. The main thing is no injuries, and if, as Pavel Datsyuk says, there’s a fire burning, you can’t go out and do the number without it.”
Sounds more like he plans to play out his contract.
George, yesterday hearing Malkin was unhappy with his production last season, and unless he returns being dominant player – rumor – this upcoming season will be Malkin’s last NHL season and he plans play in Russia the following season. Rumor depends on how productive Malkin plays next season.
George, over the past few years I’ve introduced rumors here which did come true. One rumor Penguins wanted trade for one of the former Senators centers. Another rumor knew Jake Guentzel’s injury was caused from broken/dislocated finger and he’ll be out around four weeks. Guentzel returned around four weeks later.
FYI, Penguins top prospect center Brayden Yager knocking on door being Penguins top two line center. He already processes great NHL shot. Brayden requires fill his body (gain muscle mass). Could it be possible the Penguins want make room for Yager play top two line center?
Speed Kills, when I posted above it came literally about an hour after I read that very recent Sports Illustrated article where Malkin indicates he plans to play out his last seasons, which is why I wondered where the rumour you mention originated. I wasn’t questioning your post – just curious as to where it emerged as it clearly contradicts what he said to the Sports Illustrated journalists.
As for young Yager, that’s one helluva jump from Major Junior to 2nd line NHL C for someone taken 14th overall, despite his renowned shot and hefty Major Junior stats last season. He’s clearly a good young prospect F but nowhere have I seen him compared to automatic MJ to the NHL types like the top picks over the past decade – certainly not any taken at # 14.
And while his points totals are impressive, if you scan the history of the WHL you will see dozens of Fs with far greater seasonal production who never made it to the NHL.
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I hope for his sake he does … but that kind of expectancy can lead to major disappointment.
If Laine was heading to the Avalanche that would mean Landeskog/or Nichushkin are not coming back? I think the Avalanche really don’t know what the scoop is with Landeskog or if they do, they are not saying? I think they should move Nichushkin out but
the way I understand it is they can’t do anything until his suspension is complete in November!
I had read recently that Nichukskin’s suspension/rehab stint was up in November. If that’s the case, the Avs would need the cap space to add him back to the roster. I believe the Avs could trade his rights, but would any team risk taking on a player with his recent personal history (last couple of years) ?
Landeskog was training to be ready for camp, so the Avs probably won’t know if he’ll be on their roster until the season is starting. Doubt teams would take him considering his injury struggles, unless it’s for a team to acquire his contract to get to the cap floor. Doubt Avs go that route, isn’t he still their captain?
Laine living half the season in Vegas is probably not a smart move for his mental health
Seattle could use the shot on the powerplay…
Avs seem logical
The Penguins could make a deal for Laine if Jarry is a piece going the other way. Does Columbus need or want him though?
Not sure why Columbus would want 29 y/o Jarry -$5,375,000 per for 4 more seasons – when they have 30 y.o Merzlikins at $5,400,000 for 3 more tears
They wouldn’t. Wishful thinking.
Not sure Laine is a Lindy player.
Any draft picks involved should be tied to games played for Laine. Especially Laine
Pens could use him ( replacing Guentzel) . Not sure what goes the other way that is not Jarry .
If I were a betting man Landeskog is done.
Laine will most likely end up in Carolina.
Sounds like they’re working on a deal.
Laine will end up in Vegas as we all know Stone will be on the IR until the playoffs. Again.
Just to be clear … the above isn’t me … I don’t think … hey, I’m 86 … but having said that, I can see the logic expressed above. Vegas has cornered the market on cap diddling.