NHL Rumor Mill – August 12, 2024

by | Aug 12, 2024 | Rumors | 25 comments

The latest Penguins speculation plus a look at Andrei Kuzmenko’s future with the Flames in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON THE PENGUINS

TRIBLIVE.COM: Mark Madden acknowledged the expectation that Sidney Crosby will sign a contract extension with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Nevertheless, he played the “what if” game in case Crosby hasn’t signed when training camp opens or the regular season begins. He also raised the “nuclear option” of the Penguins trading Crosby if he wasn’t signed by the trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Any of those options could happen but seem unlikely. Barring an unexpected change by one side or the other, Crosby will sign his extension with the Penguins before training camp opens next month.

POSTGAZETTE.COM: During a recent live chat, Matt Vensel was asked if there’s any chance the Penguins would trade goaltender Tristan Jarry before the start of training camp.

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (NHL Images).

Vensel believes the odds of that happening are pretty slim. He indicated the Penguins were open to moving Jarry during the 2024 NHL Draft but he doesn’t have much trade value at the moment.

The Penguins will keep Jarry around and try to get him back on track. If that happens, it’ll improve his trade value.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jarry’s contract will remain a difficult hurdle. He carries an average annual value of $5.375 million throughout 2027-28 with a 12-team no-trade list.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski included Lars Eller among his three perplexing Penguins storylines for this season. The 35-year-old center seems expendable with Noel Acciari and offseason acquisition Blake Lizotte capable of centering the Penguins’ fourth line.

Eller is in the final season of his contract with an AAV of $2.45 million. Trading him, or even Kevin Hayes, would free up space for younger players while adding more draft picks to the Penguins’ stockpile.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kingerski was surprised by the lack of trade chatter about Eller. It’s probably due to his age and the fact most teams don’t need to add a veteran checking-line center right now. Those who did earlier in the offseason did so for less than Eller’s AAV.

Hayes was recently acquired and isn’t going anywhere. Eller’s value could improve throughout the season, especially near the trade deadline.

DOES ANDREI KUZMENKO FIT WITHIN THE FLAMES’ LONG-TERM PLANS?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jim Parsons pondered winger Andrei Kuzmenko’s future with the rebuilding Calgary Flames.

Kuzmenko, 28, made an impressive NHL debut in 2022-23 with the Vancouver Canucks, tallying 39 goals and 74 points. He struggled through 43 games with the Canucks last season with eight goals and 21 points. Traded to the Flames in January, he regained his scoring touch with 14 goals and 25 points in 29 games.

Parson noted that Kuzmenko remains a one-dimensional player. While the Flames will remain patient with him, he must round out his game to have a long-term future in Calgary.

Kuzmenko is in the final season of his two-year contract with an AAV of $5.5 million. If he sustains his scoring ability he could get a long-term extension. He could also become an appealing option for other clubs if he hits the open market next summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuzmenko will be interesting to follow this season. A strong performance could ensure his long-term future in Calgary if he wants to stay or make him an invaluable trade chip.







25 Comments

  1. “Parson noted that Kuzmenko remains a one-dimensional player. While the Flames will remain patient with him, he must round out his game to have a long-term future in Calgary.” is the cookie cutter approach that the league became when there wasn’t enough talent to go round and defensive systems were installed to grind the game to a halt.

    Scoring is a skill you can’t teach, you have a nose for the net at the NHL level or you don’t and there isn’t exactly an abundance of them.

    Let the guy play his game.

    • as the playoffs bear out year after year, defense and solid goaltending wins championships. Flashy offense wins you free drinks at the bar and contraft extensions from GMs who use emotions over logic.

      • One player doesn’t make for “flashy offense” and last I looked , the team scoring more in the playoff game. wins and drinks the champagne.

    • if a team has the luxury of shielding a Kuzmenko on the 3rd line for a lower cap hit and he can pot in 20 goals sure. but you cant play him top 6 minutes. he avoids contact and his forecheck is still perimeter. he is smart enough to know when to take advantage of a matchup.

    • oops meant to add…
      he gets 5.5 which is a too high. 4mil on 3rd line sure

  2. A goalie with a 12 team no trade list isn’t getting traded without his consent. When are there ever more than 12 teams in need of a starting goalie?

    • Hi Howard

      Trade Jarry? Should never at all be considered.

      People are not really following Penguins if they think Jarry should be traded. He was leading the league in shutouts and up there in first half of the season. Then Pens went on a huge defensive slide where Jarry was left to basically try and steal games while pucks were taking multiple bounces and going past him and his own D were screening and/or bumping into him.

      So much has been made of Nedjelkovic and Pens stretch run and that it was because of Nedjelkovic.

      ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE

      In fact his numbers were NOT good by any standard through that stretch. Since Feb 20 his save percentage was only .88 (59 goals against in 506 shots)

      His Last 18 games:

      13 of 18 with save percentage of .89 or less .

      7 of those .84 or less.

      4 of those .81 or les;

      2 in the 700’s

      Jarry is a far better goalie.

      Bloomquist should be the back up. Bigger, 6 years younger, excellent AHL year last year; 1/3rd Cap hit of Nedjelkovic

      • Jarry was in net 14 times when the Penguins gave up 4 or more goals, including (2) 6 goal games and (3) 5 goal games, to go along with “leading the league in shutouts”.

        That’s not all on the defense (just in case that’s your counterpoint).

      • Jarry has the potential to be supplanted by two rising prospects in the relatively near future. You’d have to consider moving him in the right circumstances. And the 12 trade ntc for a goalie could be problematic if the goalie in question didn’t want to move. Jarry might prefer a better shot at a cup than the pens will offer.

      • Jarry is the better goalie, plain and simple.

        If you remember the 3 game stretch (just before Sully went with Nedjelkovic) games where a total of 15 goals were scored ; but he was screened on 6, 2 breakaway goals (plus 4 breakaways he stopped) ; 2 2on1 goals, and 3 multi bounce goals…. Only 2 of the 15 he actually had a reasonable chance at

        We are already non playoff contenders. Move Jarry and that dusts even more standing points

        Blomquist id the future starter; he’s ready now. He’s better bigger younger and a third of the Cap than Nedjelkovic

        Our goalies are in no way our make or break on this roster

        We have major issues with the skaters

        Only 5 true top 6 players

        Currently slotted with an albatross contract for an extremely slow; passive, weak; and only 100’ player at 3C

        The roster as is , on starting day this year will actually be older than the starting day roster of last year; not by much; but actually older. It is also lighter and shorter than last years.

        The total Expected GF is less than that of last years roster.

        We are a very slow team

        https://pittsburghhockeynow.com/pittsburgh-penguins-stats-ranking-roster-speed-by-mph-what-it-means/

        We only have 2 Right Ds

        Our bottom 6 is a bust

        Unless Graves has a big turnaround year (I actually believe he will) then we only have 3 top 4 Dmen (with absolutely no one else on team that can play top 4 effectively)

        The roster is a mess

        Something MUST be done

  3. I’m hoping and praying that Crosby re-ups but almost more so that he is effectively holding out (forcing) for Dubas to assemble a competitive roster and not one closer to a top 5 pick than a team destined for playoffs

    Re Kingerski perplexed re Lars Eller because we have Accairi and Lizotte? Wake up Kingerski, Eller is far superior to those two. Far far far superior.

    The big mistake was getting Hayes dumped on us for a mere 2nd. Army laughing all the way. Very slow, doesn’t play gritty, doesn’t play in his own end; doesn’t use his size; had spiked offensive stats relative to Carter (our 4th line Center, playing limited minutes and with non productive line-mates) who he is supposedly replacing

    If we didn’t have Hayes, we’d have over $7 M in space and could take on Laine (Accairi going over to Jackets as well) at full hit and pay much less in return than another team taking him at 50% retention.

    We also still only have 2 RDs(Letang and Karllsson)

    Crosby contract parameters can’t be the delay. Signing on his birthday; come and gone.

    I can’t possibly fathom that Crosby would have delayed signing if there was a playoff type roster surrounding him. We don’t have a playoff bound team….. yet.

    • 8787..jarty has been inconsistent and injury prone for 4 years now..thats a fact

      Talented yes shaky yes inconsistent yesbad defense in front of him yes injury prone yes.

      Look bloomquist and mushsharev are both young studs and arent far off.

      Bottom six will b better lizotte 26 Beauviller 27 ponomarev is young Koivunen 20 was special i development camp Tristan broz 22 coming yaeger 19 not too far.
      Hayes will come in with a chio on his shoulder he will b better.

      graves scares me

      Carter gone Reilly smith gone

      John Gibson would help us big time..talk about s**t defense..i live in la see all king duck games.
      He keeps thesh***y ducks in 90 % 0f the games stands on his head..the ducks usually take dumb penalty third period goal empty netter ducks lose 3-1 lol

  4. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Crosby traded. Sabres have cap room and a ton of young talent, players that would help the Pens now and in the future. A trade would help both teams.

    Sabres are desperate to improve, they need a leader like Crosby. Would he agree to such a trade? Turning the Sabres would be a challenge that a leader like Crosby just might embrace.

    • My guess is that if he were moved, it would probably be to a team in the West so that Pitt wouldn’t have to face him that often as a “visitor”.
      With Pavelski retiring, I’d be making calls to Pitt if I were Dallas.

      Buff does have plenty of young assets to get a deal done though! That could really help kickstart a youth rebuild for Pitt that is desperately needed.

      • A trade to Buffalo would work for both teams. Sabres have depth at most positions, especially center. Three young players for Crosby, a center, winger and defenseman. An immediate youth injection.

        The only issue, as you have stated is seeing him more often as a visitor.

        Utah would be idea in the west, if they are as desperate as Buffalo would be to part with assets to make the deal.

      • Toronto St Pats and Foleyd7

        Not to mince words but Crosby will never be “moved”

        He might (and I wouldn’t blame him) ASK to be traded to a team of his choosing. It’s 100% his choice. Zero chance Dubas approaches him.

        He might also choose to decline any re-up offers and sign with a contender next July

        Regardless, if Crosby doesn’t finish his career here; he will only play for a true contender.

        He won’t leave here to complete hid career on a rebuild team and/or team that may make playoffs this year but id for sure at least 3 years away from any deep playoff run

        I can (sadly) envision him as an Av, as a Star, or Knight; even an Oiler (no way they could fit him in).

        The absolute only non contender (outside of us) I could see him playing for is Habs

        Re trade fit Sabres/Pens. Of course a massive add for Sabres AND Sabres do have assets to make it work, But Crosby won’t ask to go to Sabres and won’t sign there next July as a UFA

      • I think BUF has a bright future, and may even take a big step this year. They have amassed a whole bunch of young talent.

        But they seem too young to actually have sustained playoff success, meaning winning 4 rounds against experienced playoff teams.

        If history has taught us anything about playoff hockey, it is you have to lose in the playoffs, usually more than 1 season, before you win in the playoffs. Even the most talented teams have to learn the difficult lessons. Crosby likely thinks that as well.

        If Crosby asks for a trade, he will also choose where he goes. I would bet on a more veteran team. The Dallas suggestion seems like the type of team he would choose. They’re close.

        That also means the return will not match what he brings to the new organization. PIT may be negotiating with one team.

        So if folks are thinking the likes of Robertson or Johnston from Dallas, methinks you are mistaken.

      • 8787 – you just never know what he is going to do here. I bet there has been alotta conversation between 87 and Pens’ management about what to do. I think he will eventually finish his career in PIT and that would be OK.

        If he were to leave Pittsburgh –

        Moving to an established team would be a safe bet, but why not try and take an excellent young team to the promise land? Only adding to his legacy.

        Something to think about.

      • Ray and Torinto St Pats

        Agree Buffalo has good strong team on the upswing

        Agree…. We don’t know for sure what Crosby will do

        If you asked me this spring my thoughts on whether he’d retire a Pen ; I’d be almost certain he would

        With the head scratching and ludicrous moves by Dubas thud summer; That confidence (in him retiring a Pen) has dropped

        I’m thinking now 15% chance he goes to a contender

        If Dubas finally does make a couple of moves to become a potential playoff team, then confidence climbs to nigh certainty (of him retiring a Pen) again

  5. I was thinking Crosby to Utah would be a match, team with a new location getting Crosby and resigning him for 3 years would be perfect for there franchise.

    Plus they have the picks and prospects to jump start a rebuild. Cooley,Kelller,Crouse would be off the table but anyone else would have to be an option.

    • Hi MP

      See mu resppnse above to Toronto St Pats and Foleyd7.

      For the same reasons , Crosby won’t be going to Utah

      They have the assets; he would certainly be s boost to Utah. He just won’t be asking for s trade there and won’t sign there as a UFA next July

  6. Funny thing about goalies, the Habs have been blessed with superior goaltending for a long time and while Carey Price was drafted as a stud, most “next ones” were duds and the great ones came out of nowhere,
    Rogatien Vachon, Tony Esposito, Ken Dryden, Patrick Roy.

    All this to say that counting on a hot prospect and going by AHL record is very risky and I doubt that GMs and coaches get hyped like fans.

  7. Rogie Vachon … one of the great stories from the past.

    Before the Leafs-Habs finals in 1967 Punch Imlach tried to rattle him saying “Tell that Junior B goaltender that he won’t be facing New York Ranger peashooters when he plays against the Leafs.”

    Punch was fair, though, saying – after the Habs opened the series with a 6-2 win – he’s still Junior B but he’s the best Junior B in the country.

    In the end, the Leafs did win the cup 4 -2, outscoring the Habs 17 – 16

  8. Hey George, great story,but I always thought it was Gump Worsley.

    • Heh, no Andy. By the time Gump got to Montreal after a lengthy stretch with the NYR, no one was referring to him as a Junior B goalie.