NHL Rumor Mill – August 17, 2024
What’s the latest on Patrik Laine? What’s going on with Mikko Rantanen’s contract extension? Who are the top centers and goalies remaining in the UFA market? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST ON LAINE
TSN: Bryan Hayes and Dave Feschuk talked with Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell regarding his efforts to honor Patrik Laine’s trade request.

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine (NHL Images).
Waddell noted that the 26-year-old winger was vocal about a trade way before he took over as GM, indicating there were “a lot of things going on in the locker room”. He admitted it would be harder to bring Laine back knowing the situation but that might be the option if a deal cannot be found.
“We’re into the summer, he’s got a high cap hit for two years, you know,” said Waddell. “I’m talking to teams every day, I got two or three teams engaged right now, and we’ll see where it goes.”
Waddell said he told Laine’s agent that, at the end of the day, if a deal can’t be made, the winger will have to come back to the Jackets’ training camp. He added that they’ll welcome him back and try to make the best of the situation.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laine’s $8.7 million average annual value through 2025-26 plus his on-ice struggles, injury history, and a recent stint in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program addressing his mental health are significant obstacles.
His contract is the biggest to overcome. A trade is unlikely to happen unless the Blue Jackets retain some salary.
UPDATE ON RANTANEN’S CONTRACT EXTENSION
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Evan Rawal recently cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting there’s growing optimism that the Colorado Avalanche and forward Mikko Rantanen can agree to a contract extension.
Rantanen, 27, is in the final season of his contract with a cap hit of $9.25 million. He’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.
Friedman said he’d spoken with some teams that believe the Avalanche and Rantanen can get something done. Many of them have taken Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl off their UFA boards for next summer because they know that deal will get done. They don’t have any reason to believe that Rantanen’s deal with the Avs will be difficult to get done.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rantanen’s in line for a big raise, perhaps exceeding teammate Nathan MacKinnon’s $12.6 million AAV.
Assuming the 2025-26 salary cap is $92 million, the Avalanche will have $21.3 million in cap space with 14 active roster players under contract. They’ll have room to sign Rantanen but it won’t leave much to fill out the rest of the roster.
TOP REMAINING UFA CENTERS AND GOALTENDERS
DAILY FACEOFF: Hunter Crowther recently listed the top five centers and the top three goaltenders remaining in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market.
Nick Cousins tops the list of available centers, followed by Chris Tierney, Rem Pitlick, and Sam Gagner.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Colin White was also on Crowther’s list published on Aug 11. Two days later, however, he signed an AHL contract with the San Jose Barracuda.
Kevin Lankinen, Antti Raanta, and Martin Jones are the top remaining netminders.
From reading the past couple of days posts, I have come to the conclusion that many do not understand how the trading of a LTIR contract works.
The suggestion by several that trading Price’s contract to Edmonton would be cap relief to the Oilers is completely false.
The Oilers would have to add Price’s contract dollars to their already over budget cap dollars, then subtract it at the beginning of the season, leaving them with a total of $0 in relief on their cap they have at present.
this is because it takes math, effort, and logic (critical thinking) skills to understand. These are things no longer taught in the world of participation trophies, insta-everything, and pills for the issue of the day societies like the US and Canada.
I think I saw some kids on your lawn! Better go chase those hooligans off az!
The Avalanche need to leave room for filling out the rest of the roster IMHO? Mikko deserves a good raise but I don’t believe it should exceed MacKinnon’s. 11.5 -12 AAV. Both Nate & Mikko need to improve defensively this year. If these guys would just adhere to Coach Bednar’s system, the Avalanche would be much more dangerous to deal with
tommy boy, while it would be – on the surface – poor cap management to give Rantanen as much as – or more – that MacKinnon’s $12.5, the big RW (6′ 4″ 215 lbs) – currently costing $9,250,000 off the cap – will certainly be able to get close to that somewhere if he has another season – or better – than last: 42g 62a 104 pts and a +19 (so, hardly “horrible” defensively), adding 4g 10a 14 pts in 11 playoff games.
Adding to Sakic’s busy off season next year will be the 7 other pending UFAs either needing to be retained – or replaced. Two of those – unless they have much improved seasons coming up – don’t project to be significant raises – RW Chris Wagner 13gp 1g 1a 2 pts +3 and LW Joel Kivirenta 56gp 3g 6a 9 pts -1, whose expiring deals are both $775,000, and the same will aplly to their only two RFAs – Nikolai Kovalenko (expiring $896,250_ and Eric Brannstrom (expiring $900,000).
But RFA Jonathan Drouin – who has appeared to have found his niche – should he repeat or better this past season’s 79gp 19g 37a 56 pts +12 – will certainly be looking for a good bump up from his expiring $2,500,000. The same could apply to LW Logan O’Connor if there’s an improvement in his 52gp 13g 12a 25 pts +13 and his expiring #1,050,000.
Then there are the recently signed LDs Oliver Kylington ($1,050,000) and Calvin de Haan ($800,000) – are they one-and-done or, if turning in good seasons, will they too be big decisions for Sakic?
And last, but not least, is goalie Alexander Georgiev and his expiring $3.4 mil cap hit. Do they have an adequate replacement should the decision be to let him walk after this coming seasons?
Of course, any of the pending UFAs could also become trade deadline fodder. Interesting year ahead for Joe.
Let’s call it being “more responsible” then? i didn’t say they were horrible or that Mikko is horrible but watching Avalanche games for many years, both guys as great as they are can be absent minded, careless, irresponsible, whatever adjective fits with puck management and awareness with what is going on on the ice @ critical times. to me that is defensive lapses even though they have the puck because it generates dangerous opportunities for the other team when it is not necessary? that’s all i am saying? i’d like to see a little more attention to those details as an avalanche fan. nevertheless, i recognize that the team is not going nowhere without those guys but we can always improve no matter who we are , right? i don’t begrudge them getting the “big bucks” because they obviously have earned it but don’t be complaining about calls you don’t get from the ref in the middle of a shift/ or pay attention to who your man is on the ice? i think about guys like bergeron/ or barkov who do an excellent job of being aware of what is going on. Landeskog? those guys need to sharpen their mental approach IMHO.
Shifting focus, i am just a fan and i know nothing about nothing, but you make good points about the remaining roster and the job ahead for the Avalanche. we will have to see how the season shakes out , i guess to determine who will remain/who won’t? The bottom line is, they better save some coin to fill out other parts of the roster. Don’t want to end up where like toronto fans are always complaining about all the money goes to 4 guys and nothing for the rest? but i think the maple leafs have done a better job over the summer in acquiring guys they need to get it done. we will see how everyone does soon. looking forward to another year.
Re Laine and
“A trade is unlikely to happen unless the Blue Jackets retain some salary.”
Agree with “unlikely” but definitely not impossible
No tram would gain better from a Laine addition than Pens
They only have 5 top 6 forwards; and current opening night ‘24 rooster is older, slower; shorter; lighter; weaker than opening night roster last year
This current roster ensures missing playoffs. Crosby yet to re-up
Crosby feeding Laine with the exits (see below) makes this team a playoff team
Laine traded at full Cap hit will require much less in trade than at 50.% retained
Realistically the addition of Hayes is the major stumbling block preventing Pens from acquiring Laine
If he were not on Pens; we’d have $4.6 M in space
Any deal between Jackets would have Accairi and Lizotte going the other way anway
At that point we’re just over the $1M mark over the Cap (after trade)
IF (this should be done) Hayes was moved ;will cost what we got for him plus a prospect kicker (Gruden);
Then what extra is needed to flip Accairi and Lizotte for Laine (all 3 at full Cap)??
Again, huge longshot as this requires Hayes to be moved
This would be the right move if you want to make the playoffs this year and expedite Crosby signing
If Dubas does not wish to make playoffs; stay status Quo
Perhaps Dubas is just setting us up for huge falls this year and next in the hopes of landing Bedard’s cousin in ‘26
A few questions here.
#1 is there ever an UFA , RFA, player rumored to be traded you DON’T see as a good fit for Pittsburgh? Seriously, it seems like a shiny object (in some cases matte object) seem to make their way into a convoluted trade to Pittsburgh. Reality says, not every player could possibly be a good fit . Even all 3 at full hit, this ain’t happening.
#2 Do you really see Laine, a guy who over the last 4 seasons has played a total of 175 games as the piece that convinces Crosby to ink tomorrow? I don’t! This fixes one line , possibly two. Pittsburghs issues run much deeper than that.
# Lizotte and Accari? Huh? The two combined make nearly 4 per. Columbus certainly wouldn’t be holding a dime. Now they’re going to basically pay these two bottom 6 forwards 6-7-8 per by holding retention? Not a chance. Columbus could do much better without much effort.
If Crosby is holding out over roster concerns, I don’t see Laine as the guy that convinces him Pittsburgh is going in the right direction. They’re screaming toward a rebuild. Adding Laine only further delays the reality that this team simply isn’t good enough anymore. The only ones they’re fooling are themselves and the small portion of fans who still honestly believe this team can compete.
Laine is a risk for any team acquiring him. With the right retention/ return of could see why he may actually be a risk worth taking. But I don’t see that team being Pittsburgh, and I don’t see that return being viable.
Hayes and Lizotte have yet to play a single game for Pittsburgh. I don’t believe either player was acquired to flip (at least before mid season / deadline) you’re giving way too much credit to Dubas here.
Captain Obvious, you’ve made some very fair points
Re # 1….most UFAs I don’t see as a fit for us. I certainly did not, don’t, nor will never agree with the Hayes trade. A 2nd for that pain is not worth it AND seriously crimps our Cap flex.
Re # 2…. It’s not just the Laine add that makes a big difference. It’s Accairi, Lizotte, and Hayes off roster; Laine in
you are bang on re issues deeper than having a top line; but in addition to making a very good top line (with Laine on it); it shifts someone (who would have been on 1st line) down to 2nd line ; making that line better; and subsequently a 2nd liner gets bumped to 3rd strengthening that line
replacing Accairi, Lizotte, Hayes on roster with players already in the organization; makes the bottom 6 younger, faster, stronger, and much much better
Yes we still are short at least 1 rightie D (St Ivany just not ready yet) ….. but there are options for 3rd line RD at or near League min
No hyperbole here, I absolutely believe a Laine in; with corresponding exits of Accairi, Hayes and Lizotte ensures a playoff spot. I really do
Re Wadell taking on Accairi and Lizotte and no way…. I wholeheatedly disagree. Any deal is looked upon as a whole
It’s what extra Dubas has to give up to get the deal done
If the deal was Accairi and Lizotte plus 2 1sts and Broz for Laine (zero retention on any player)..,,, then Wadell would take it in a heartbeat
If it was Accairi and Lizotte plus a 7th in ‘27 for Laine (zero retention on any player); Wadell doesn’t even take the call
So, there is a deal somewhere between a 7th in ‘27 and 2 1st plus Broz
An equitable deal is not the issue; it’s getting Dubas to move off the runaway train philosophy.
Do I think Crosby’s delay in re-upping is tied to the current roster and obvious (without changes) successive 3rd year missing playoffs? Yes I do. Many in the media here are starting to post in that mindset as well: Wasnick Tuesday, Ottstot Wednesday; Yohe Wednesday :“And people wonder why Crosby hasn’t signed yet”
Re Lizotte and Hayes acquisitions done not to be flipped before TDL:
Here I fully and completely agree with you. I’m sure as at acquisition time Dubas had zero intention of looking to trade pre TDL
That said; both moves were bad.
and re me giving too much Credit to Dubas. Woah…. I’ve been very consistent on my criticism of him. He’s done an abysmal job for us
I am in full belief that he as Pens GM; has only actually won two trades (see below) , one of which was not even his idea.; and that he’s failed at all UFA acquisitions with possibly the exception of Eller (at a B graded move at best)
Winning trades:
The pick swaps with Army was a gain for Pens but instigated by Army as he needed his 2nd back to do the offer sheet. The net gain was minimal but still doesn’t make up for the big underpayment for Pens taking on Hayes
The Glass deal was good. Gain assets; gain a player (even though recently well underperforming) much younger; bigger; stronger, far superior to Accairi ; at just $500 K more per.
You and I are in synch re acknowledging that in no way this team as is; is playoff bound. Nope!
You and I agree that Accairi and Lizotte are poor players that Columbus doesn’t want
However Wadell does wish to move on from Laine. Wadell definitely will accept a lower return if someone takes Laine’s full cap hit; than from a team that needs 50% retention on him
We disagree on Laine’s expected production this fall
If he stays on Jackets; yes; things won’t go well
A change of scenery and line-mates; I truly believe he has a fair uptick (from recent)
If that line mate is Crosby, I truly believe Laine has not just a fair uptick; but a substantial one
He’s been cleared to return; so the risk of returning to LTIR for mental health reasons has been lowered (not eliminated but lowered) substantially
Will Dubas give Wadell a call on Laine. Probably not
SHOULD he not only call but actually put a package offer together. Absolutely
We also agree on another point; I am a bitter and depressed Penguins fan
UFA adds by Dubas…. Lizotte, Grzlyk; Hinisrozza, Graves, Accairi, Nietto …. I wholeheartedly disagreed with either just for acquiring them bug at the very least the big overpayment for all of them
UFA “low risk steals” Dubas missed out on at LEAGUE MIN.; min:Jost ;Laggerson ; Zach Astin Reece; Barret-Boulet; Kirventa ; Pouliot; Bokvist; Phillipe Meyers; Mahura; Hayden Fluery, Shaw;
Other “steals he missed out on”:
Spring ($975 K); Taylir Radfysh ($1M) ; Steel ($1.2 M); Josh Brown ($1M);; deHasn ($800 K); Leason ($1.05 M); Kylington ($1.05 M)
Note: all above missed opportunities carried zero Cap risk as all could be waived to WBS with zero remaining against Pen’d Cap
The biggest bonehead move… PO-J (better, faster, bigger; 7 years younger than Grzlyk) signed for $950 K (less than his required QO and about 1/3rd of Grzlyk)
I truly believe the following line up not only makes playoffs but is positioned reasonably (that’s reasonably and not guaranteed) to win a round at least:
Crosby Rakell Laine
Malkin Rust Bunting
Glass O’Connor Beaulivier
Poulin Pulljarvi and one of Puustinen, Bemstrom , or Pimorinov
Letang/Pettersson
Karllson/Graves (I’m expecting an uptick from both)
?? / Pickering or Ludvig
4th Pairing:
St Ivany/Pickering or Ludvig
Jarry/Blomquist
@8787
The Penguins are getting younger and collecting draft picks.
The bottom sixwill b much improved and that was a big problem last year.
Cody glass 25 has hit 15 goals two year ago
Blake lizotte 26 had 22 goals two year ago fast plays hard with and edge
Anthony Beauviller 27 a good goal scorer with the islanders yes off year and a half back in the metropolitan. Division 15 goals from each of rhem easily doable..
Ponomarev 22 will craxk the line up..
Our only question is goal and graves
Missee the playoffs by 3 points with no power play no bottom six that will change
..smith gone carter gone hinestrova gone noeto gone trade acciari
Younger faster deeper better cup no playoffs yes
The roster as is , as at game one in October is actually older (0.2 years on average) than starting roster last year. Not a joke. It is. It is also lighter and shorter. Not by much but it is.
We have only 5 top 6 forwards
The bottom 6, as at now, has Sully dressing Accairi, Hayes, Nietto, Lizotte, Not good at all
We have only 2 Rightie D-men (St Ivany is not ready for full time NHL job. He had 3 good games down the stretch in very sheltered minutes)
Graves is only an issue in that he is overpaid Cap-wise (he was 3rd best +/- on our D; and 4th best +/- on the entire team at *10. Even with that ; I am anticipating an even better year.
Gryzlyk in at almost 3 times cap hit to that of P-O J (5” taller; 14 lbs heavier; 5 1/2 years younger; is stronger, faster, better) was a huge mistake. Huge
Jarry is definitely not the issue.
People keep harping on about Pens run down the stretch with Nedjelkovic in net. It certainly was not him that got us close. Not at all:
Since Feb 20 his save percentage was only .88 (59 goals against in 506 shots)
Hid Last 18 games
13 of those 18 with save percentage of .89 or less .
7 of those .84 or less.
4 of those .81 or less;
2 in the 700’s
Nedjelkovic is 28, is small for a goalie (only 6’) and 2 years at $2.5 M; and finished off last season at a “run” of only 0.88 since last week of Feb!!!
Blomquist (6’2”, 0nly 22, on less than $890 K Cap hit; an excellent season in AHL last year; and on the rise)
If Dubas hadn’t acquired Hayes; Lizotte; Gryzlyk; or re-upped Nedjelkovic and had kept P-O J; brought up Blomquist and any two of Poulin, Pulljarvi (currently showing below the line on puckpedia) Yaeger, or Ponomarov:
Then We’d be way younger, much much stronger, faster and better and more importantly we’d have $8.8 M in space and the only difference lost in future assets would be a 3rd rounder!
The roster as is; is far worse than last year (2nd straight year of missing playoffs) and we will miss again with this roster
We need changes
Tristan Jarry is available by trade.
It’s getting close to when the Oilers need to make a decision on the offer sheets – I think by Tuesday?
One former GM and now top player agent – Brian Lawton – is firm in his belief that they MUST match the Broberg $4.6 mil offer, saying “I played the game. I was a forward. People always ask, ‘Why do you care so much about defence?’ Especially a team like Edmonton that is so high-powered, but at the end of the day you’ve got to have good ‘D’ to control the game. If you don’t, you’re dead in the water.”
https://ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/i-would-never-let-him-go-former-nhl-gm-says-edmonton-oilers-should-keep-philip-broberg
The league has always been D and Center . Waddell a veteran will not give him away. Can’t .
At least multiple teams interested. Might have to show up at camp.
Aug 20 we will see with the Oil.
They are allowed 10% over . Why is Kane not having surgery now? I believe they were about to pull a Vegas. Those plans have now changed
No rush on Kane surgery fot Kane
Surgery just prior to game 1 is most brneficial to Oilers…. Hid 10-12 weeks on LTIR begins then
Surgery now and he could br back end of October
Surgery just before start of season; then LTIR; buys Oilers time … probably not back until beginning of ‘25
Kane on LTIR , move Ceci; and Oilers can match both OS and be cap compliant through the end of ‘24
Send trade decisions (if need be) down the road
A sweetener of a 3rd for moving Ceci ; just may be enough
Lots of long winded comments here today!
LOL odo – as the late, great Al Jolson used to say “you ain’t seen nothin’ yet”