NHL Rumor Mill – August 2, 2024
Check out the latest on Patrik Laine, Sidney Crosby, Igor Shesterkin and Artemi Panarin in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Brian Hedger reported earlier this week that Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said it’s been a slow trade market thus far for Patrik Laine.
According to Waddell, only one team had reached out to express an interest in the 26-year-old winger. He’s not surprised given this stage of the offseason, suggesting this could play out for a while.
Laine requested a trade this spring. He emerged a week ago from the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. That allowed Waddell to speak directly with the winger about his preferred trade destinations. Laine and his agent were also permitted to contact other teams.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laine’s contract is a major stumbling block. He carries an average annual value of $8 million through 2025-26 and a 10-team no-trade list. Many teams invested much of their cap space in the trade and free-agent markets once he emerged from the player assistance program.
Laine’s health is likely another concern. It was reported he was rehabbing a shoulder injury he suffered last season.
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).
The lack of interest thus far won’t stop the speculation about potential destinations. The Hockey News’ Remy Mastey cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli recently suggesting the New York Rangers as a possibility.
THE ATHLETIC: Rob Rossi provided an update on the status of Sidney Crosby’s contract extension talks with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Rossi reported a month ago that multiple sources indicated the two sides were closing in on a deal with both sides confident it would be completed soon. It was speculated the deal would be three years with an AAV of $10 million.
So far, that extension has yet to materialize. Rossi followed up with his sources, indicating both sides were comfortable with where the negotiations stood and that everyone felt comfortable going about their summer plans and taking some downtime.
Rossi noted that Crosby was born on Aug. 7, 1987. The superstitious Penguins captain honors that date by wearing No. 87 and earning an AAV of $8.7 million on his current contract. “Read into that last sentence what you will.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It wouldn’t be surprising if Crosby’s new contract is announced next Wednesday. Stay tuned…
THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh was asked if New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin would accept a “hometown discount” to help the club when Alexis Lafreniere and K’Andre Miller are restricted free agents next summer.
Baugh cited colleague Arthur Staple speculated recently that Shesterkin’s starting point in negotiations could be 14 percent of the salary cap, which would be $12.94 million annually. While he might not necessarily get that much, it’s hard to see him accepting a hometown discount.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is Shesterkin’s opportunity to cash in big as an unrestricted free agent. He’s established himself among the league’s elite netminders and is crucial to the Rangers’ hopes for a Stanley Cup. They have to pay him top dollar. If the Blueshirts balk, he’ll get it from another club on the open market.
Another reader asked Baugh about the possibility of trading Artemi Panarin, pointing out that his offensive game doesn’t translate in the playoffs.
Baugh noted that Panarin has a full no-movement clause giving him complete control. Even if he agreed to a trade, the Rangers won’t get equal “win-now” value in return. His production would be almost impossible to replace.
Igor is good but not $13m good. That would be a mistake. Hellybuck contract is a comparable. Saros recent deal. What about Bob.
Sid might just sign for $8.7 on a longer term.
An 8.7 year contract at 8.7 million signed on 8-7. 😁
I wonder what team has expressed interest in Laine. Likely Carolina with Waddell’s GM seat still warm
Wasn’t able to read yesterday’s items and posts until this morning
Re:”Wegman considers the Pittsburgh Penguins the best fit for Laine to rejuvenate his career.
Fully agree
Re “could create more room by adding a depth forward like Lars Eller or Noel Acciari in the deal.”
Accari yes; not Eller…. Jackets have 10 players on roster or in system that are Centers. No Center is coming over in deal
The poor decision of acquiring Hayes is a key block (as at now) for the ability to get this done
No Hayes…. Pens would have had $7.1 M in space; could then have taken on Laine at full Cap hit (so less assets given up in trade [vs retention]) if Accairi part of deal
Jackets won’t take Hayes
Pens got a 2nd to get dumped with Hayes. Of course that wasn’t enough; so to find another sucker to take on Hayes; flip that second and a prospect (Gruden ??) and cross your fingers
Now with $7.1 in space, flip Accairi plus assets to get Laine
What are the assets (remember we’re dumping Accairi in them BUT we’re also saving Jackets $13 M in commitments) .
I would also ask that they take Grzylyk as well
How about this (after Hayes is moved) :
Accairi and Grzylyk
Plus
Shea
Broz
Rangers 2nd (‘27)
Sharks 3rd (‘26)
Rangers 4th (‘27)
For Laine
Hoo boy 8787, you may not be Pengy as you claim, but you’re a carbon-copy of his convoluted, multi-asset trade scenarios, the likes of which we have NEVER seen in the cap era.
Definitely not Pengy, but like all Pens fans we just want a better team. This team as is will miss playoffs for a 3rd year in a row. This team (as is) will start next season as older than the squad that started last season, will be shorter; lighter, weaker, slower, worse.
Re “ convoluted, multi-asset trade scenarios, the likes of which we have NEVER seen in the cap era.”
It HAS happened and more than once , including twice with the same player (who happens to be a Pen now)
Sens/Sharks trade was 2 assets for 6 assets (8 total)
Sharks/Habs/Pens was 3 team trade WITH RETENTION and 12 assets moving places
Above trade is ZERO retention… 7 for 1 swap (8 total)
Will this happen? Unlikely as Dubas seems to want to nix any shot of playoffs for 5 or more years (7 in a row total) in the hopes of building a playoff contender 6-10 years down the road
Can this happen. Yes. Dubas has already proved he does these consulted multi-player moves.
Should this happen?
Absolutely it should. The gain this year certainly over-rides the “maybe” assets of the future
Crosby Laine Rackell
Malkin Rust Bunting
Eller O’Connor Beauvillier
Poulin Puustinen Puulijarvi
That line up has at least 5 times a better chance than current line up
No matter what, Dubas MUST do something
Not true George. I had to apologize to pengy after the karlson trade.
OK, but remind me never to ask you for the time of day … I don’t want to hear a detailed description as to how to best build a watch.
Chrisms, heh, yeah Karlsson seems to have been either the exception to the rule or a graphic warning (to San Jose and Pittsburgh) to avoid getting involved in multi-player deals for a perceived shiny bauble that has lost most of its shine.
And although there were multiple players involved, three (Pitlick, Hamaliuk and Legare) were nothing more than minor league additions and Hoffman a colossal mistake.
I’m still ok with the ek trade. Only asset lost was a 1st round pick in the teens. Cap space too I guess. He didn’t norrris it up but was still a good d man. I still consider that trade a win for Pittsburgh. Albeit not a home run.
Chrisms, nowhere do I say Karlsson isn’t a good player at this stage of his career … what I AM saying is, he is nowhere near a $10 million D. And wasn’t half-way through his San Jose days.
Didn’t he win the Norris or be runner up in his last San Jose season?
Mmmm – ok – grant you that – he did finish with 101 pts that season and was, in fact, the Norris winner … but as he also sported a minus 26, the award was controversial. And while it could be argued that he was worth $9 mil that year, did Dubas – or any Pittsburgh fan – believe it was going to happen again at age 34? Or anywhere near that and be worth $9 mil as he turns 35, 36 and 37 over the course of his final 3 years of that deal?
https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/erik-karlssons-100-points-should-not-make-him-a-norris-trophy-shoo-in
And I should add, he was the Norris winner playing on a team that finished 29th out of 32 in the overall standings and second last in the Pacific – well out of the playoffs while giving up 323 goals – while another nominee, Fox of the Rangers, had a pretty good personal year himself, with a plus rating for a team that racked up 107 pts and in the playoffs.
Nope. Obviously the goal was to try to take one more crack at the playoffs with Crosby’s prime sunsetting. Didn’t work to say the least. I do t think anyone expected him to repeat those stats even if he played as well as he was gonna compete with letang for prime ice time. Didn’t quite work out but I’m still ok with the deal. I like having ek on the team. He eventually gets flipped with more salary retention for assets down the line.
Well, he might get flipped with cap held back … but it won’t be to Ottawa (mind you, this from someone who once definitively said, in these very pages that there was no way in Hell Toronto was trading Phaneuf to Ottawa. Didn’t take long to shoot that one down – about 2 hours I think).
Probably not George. It’ll be to a cup contender in a couple years. Could that be Ottawa? Maybe. Odds are it’s a Vegas or Florida team.
Hayes isn’t moving. He’s taking over from the departed Jeff Carter.
Grzelcyk isn’t moving. He was just signed last month.
Why would the Blue Jackets be remotely interested in that offer? I realize they want to move Laine but Waddell wants the best return possible. If that’s all he’s getting he’s better off sticking with Laine and waiting for better options.
Hi Lyle
Hayes is not actually Carter’s replacement.
Carter was 4th line Center. Dubas is putting Hayes as 3rd line Center (replacing Eller) and moving Eller to 4th line Center
The Hayes dump on us for a measly 2nd was a very bad move. He’s actually lighter than Carter, definitely not as strong, has no grit, definitely slower, and basically plays Center-line out vs Carter’s more 200’ game. Hayes better offensively (but had better surrounding line mates than Carter had, and Carter was playing on 4th line). Hayes costing more (even at 50% retained).
You’re probably right re Grzlyk not moving as Dubas will unlikely admit his mistake on paying that much for the small 3rd pairing LD (while simultaneously not having any 3rd pairing or 4th pairing RD). I Was throwing him in the trade to free up more space.
Re Waddell wanting best return possible. Set aside the Gryzlyk dump; I can’t see any other team taking Laine on at anything less than 20% retained
The trade proposal I provided had ALL of Laine’s contract coming over; and 2 prospects and 3picks going over
Nix Gryzlyk in the deal; and that trade proposal is more than Waddell will get anywhere on a zero retention deal
Again, Hayes isn’t going anyway, at least not this summer or at the start of the season. He was brought in to fill a gap at center follow Carter’s departure. Third line, fourth line, doesn’t matter. It’s Eller being mentioned as the more likely summer trade candidate, especially in the media speculation linking Laine to the Penguins.
https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/3044800/5-best-trade-fits-for-patrik-laine
As for pursuing Laine, I’m not so sure that’s something Dubas wants to do after last summer’s major acquisition of Karlsson failed to turn the aging Penguins back into a contender. His focus has been primarily on adding younger players to the roster or making moves to acquire a veteran (like Hayes) if it comes with a decent draft picks included because he wants to replenish the Penguins’ depleted prospect pool.
What you’re suggesting is Waddell accepting a package of middling draft picks when when already got plenty of those with two fourths and two sixth rounders in 2026 and two third-rounders in 2027.
Sure, if Waddell gets desperate he might accept something like that. However, he’s made clear his preference is getting a regular roster player who can make a difference right away. He can afford to wait for better proposals, especially if Laine tears it up and enhances his trade value.
Dubas conversation with Crosby “Sid we would like to offer you three years at $10m per season.” Sid “Thanks Kyle; however i can’t accept more than $8.7m per season” and “I will sign it on August the 7th, at 1:17 pm the day and time of my birth.”
Lolol. That was awesome, Caper.
What if Crosby doesn’t sign on his birthday?
What, then?
Does he ask for a trade?
Play out the year, miss the playoffs and wait for UFA day?
I realize it’s a business, but I really like the romance of playing an entire career in one city.
I know holding on to an aging superstar it isn’t always the smartest business decision, but I think it holds a different kind of value.
There are lots of examples on both sides of star players moving on or staying forever.
Some of the guys that stay forever end up with some pretty nice jobs after hanging up the skates.
I think he stays in Pittsburgh, but he’s more than welcome to pull on the Bruins silks if he wants.
I’d have to gouge out my own eyes like the Jurassic park dude in Event Horizon.
You and I can hold hands as we take a dual swanny off the top off the UPMC building
The Pens should go back to the baby blues and quit using our colors.
We could go Black and Blue (Dubas’ colours after every trade)
Well played SOP! Because it’s 100% true.
I get the Bruin envy, but at least try to hide it Penguins, your supposed to compete with them. Even expansion teams can come up with something their own. Copy cats.
Come on over Sid, we know you want to. We’ll make room.
Black n gold is the city of pittsburghs colors pal! Maybe they were stolen originally but until the Sox and pats were black n gold as well Pittsburgh got the claim.
The Steelers don’t play in the NHL Chrisms? So who cares what colors their uni’s are?
It’s interesting they have Bruin envy too. This runs deeper than I thought!
Try as you might… there is no spinning it ray. Pittsburgh owns those colors now. It’s not about any individual sport but the identity of a city. Boston fans can make a case when the Celtics and Sox and pats all wear black n gold.
It’s ok though. We will continue to not charge the bruins rent for the colors. Wouldn’t want to come off as jagoffs. 😁😉
Chrisms, you seem struggling with the whole they are in the same league, so if you take another teams existing colors you are a copy cat theory?
Pats, I don’t cheer for them in the NFL, and never will. To quote Kevin Hart – F U Tom Brady. If you haven’t watched the roast, must see TV.
The reason they will never go with black and gold, is because the Steelers have it already, and they are in the same league.
Makes perfect sense, simple concept.
What was wrong with the baby blues anyway? I get it, the Bruins Jersey is the best in the NHL, so wanting to be the same is understandable. But sheesh…
Cause black and gold is a cultural symbol of symbol in the burgh. Baby blue when they wear it is a traitorous act. I guess we arn’t on the same page. It does matter what league the team is in. It’s Pittsburgh black n gold.
And I happen to think all the original 6 teams need to move on from their logos. Major yawn alert. I like Minnesotas logo. It’s pretty neat. Current jets one is pretty sweet too.
Nah, Ray, when it comes to the most recognizable team jerseys I gotta go with the bleu-blanc-rouge and stylized CHC crest (Club de Hockey Canadien).
I would agree it is the most recognizable George, my reaction when I see it is immediate disdain.
Ya, Chrisms we should move on, milked this one dry. I was just riding SOP’s coat tails for kicks.
B’s do have the best jersey’s though. And yes it is a classic, and the classics are good, hence classic. The old North Star jerseys were fantastic, better than the Wild’s IMO. Can’t use them though.
That is a classic sign of Cup envy, Ray. Only cure is more Cups.
Or in the alternative, more cow bell …
Sid may not be superstitious, but judging from these taken from the Web he’s at least a little stitious
“With his sticks, each must be cut to a specific length and taped in a specific way. Once they are taped, no one can touch them, and if they do, Crosby is forced to fully re-tape the stick, feeling that the stick will not perform as it should unless handled by him alone.”
“Crosby’s other superstition is not calling his mother on game days. The three times he has done so have resulted in three significant injuries; a dislocated shoulder, broken foot, and shattered teeth.
Rick Tocchet relates this one: “I bought a brand-new $1,800 blue suit for the playoffs when we won the Cup,” Tocchet said. “Halfway through, Sid pulls me off the bus. He goes ‘Tocc, you know that blue suit you’ve been wearing? You’re 0-2 with it. Please put it in the closet.’ Never wore it again.”
So, maybe he decides to try and finish his career with the favorite team of his youth to fulfill some convoluted deep-rooted stition – The Montreal Canadiens. I’d love to see that play out.
Dream on George Sid is a Penguin not a Montreal Canadian
.stranger things have happened but if he were ever to leave it would b Colorado Toronto..
On Shesterkin and the possibility of a near 13 million ask. Go ahead and ask.
With so many teams tight agains the cap, who has the $ to sign him? And what legit contenders would risk altering their team to add one 13 million goaltender? Making room at that price means good talent elsewhere goes out the door.
No question he is a good, perhaps great goalie, and not it isn’t all on him. But the Rangers have won 4 playoff series total in three years.
So maybe closer to 10.
I got roasted in the Flames fans facebook group for this, but I’d consider Laine and Kent Johnson in Calgary in exchange for Coleman, Pelletier and one of our 2025 1sts (controversial given the Flames are rebuilding, but if its NJD 1st, then I think it’ll be in the later half of the round… if Johnson blossoms, huge win. If Laine is a good partner to snipe Huberdeau’s passes, he becomes excellent trade bait in his contract year.
Laine (26, 2nd overall) and Kent Johnson (21, 5th overall) in exchange for Coleman (32 -33 in November) and Pelletier (tiny – 5’9”, 160lbs) plus a mid to later, 1st round pick seems like a terrible deal for the Blue Jackets.
I think Waddell is far too experienced to make such a deal.
Perhaps remove Kent Johnson from the deal and insert a “B” prospect
Regardless of where he was selected, Laine is not a hot commodity at $8.7m per season, and with his injury and recent history with thr player assistance program. His value in the market right now is not that high. Waddell shouldn’t give him up for peanuts, but he is essentially a cap move where they should probably be happy with a prospect and pick if he is traded alone. Coleman has familiarity with Gaudreau at least, maybe a little with Monahan? (I don’t remember), either way he is a solid player.