NHL Rumor Mill – August 8, 2024

by | Aug 8, 2024 | Rumors | 27 comments

Check out the latest on Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Patrik Laine in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

UPDATES ON CROSBY AND MALKIN

THE ATHLETIC: Rob Rossi reports multiple sources said Sidney Crosby’s birthday (Aug. 7) was never a target date for the new contract that and the Pittsburgh Penguins are working on. Both sides remain confident of agreeing to a new deal.

Crosby has told close friends that he intends to re-sign with the Penguins and that his camp and general manager Kyle Dubas remain largely aligned about the details of his new contract. His focus right now is training for the upcoming season. A league source also said there are no issues between Crosby and the Penguins.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

Both sides agree that a delay in finalizing the deal will generate speculation. There’s also some concern on the Penguins’ business side that it could affect sponsorship deals and season ticket sales.

A team source said the actual money isn’t an issue. Because Crosby’s next contract is a 35-plus deal, there are strict limitations on signing bonuses (none beyond the first year of a multiyear deal) plus the year-to-year salary cannot decrease. The player’s full cap hit will continue to apply should he retire before the end of his contract.

Rossi cites a source close to Crosby claiming he’s unsure how long he wants to keep playing and wants to avoid putting the Penguins in a difficult spot if he retires early.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Term seems to be the issue. It’s been speculated the 37-year-old Penguins captain could sign a three-year deal.

I guessed that Crosby might sign on his birthday because of his superstitious attachment to No. 87. However, I’m not surprised yesterday passed without a deal.

Plenty of time exists for Crosby to sign his extension with the Penguins. It’s important to him and the team that they get this right. It’s garnered so much attention because of who he is and the lack of real hockey news during the dog days of the offseason.

It will get done, either before the start of training camp or soon afterward. I don’t see this dragging on into this season becoming an unnecessary distraction for Crosby and the team.

Rossi also reports Evgeni Malkin intends to honor the remaining two years of his contract. It was rumored he would retire at the end of this season. “Not true,” said Malkin.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Malkin made it clear he intended to play out the full term of his contract when he signed it. So did Kris Letang when he signed his deal. Malkin might return to Russia at the end of his deal and finish his playing career there, but he and Letang want to finish their NHL careers together with Crosby in Pittsburgh.

THE LATEST ON PATRIK LAINE

WINNIPEG SUN: In a recent mailbag segment, Scott Billeck was asked whether the Jets might bring back Patrik Laine. The Jets traded him to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Pierre-Luc Dubois in January 2021.

Billeck doesn’t see a fit for Laine with the Jets. He pointed out they lack the cap space to make it work even if the Blue Jackets retained half of his $8.7 million cap hit without shipping out someone. The Jets’ top-six forward lines are more or less set, with head coach Scott Arniel planning to give more playing time to Cole Perfetti.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Billeck suggested moving Nikolai Ehlers and his $6 million cap hit but pointing out Arniel likes the Danish winger. Laine returning to Winnipeg seems unlikely to me.

TVA SPORTS: cited Sportsnet’s Eric Engels dismissing the notion of the Montreal Canadiens acquiring Laine. Appearing on “The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro”, he said it made him laugh to see posts on X.com claiming the Canadiens were the front-runners.

I would say the interest is pretty minimal,” said Engels. He pointed out that Laine’s game isn’t up to par in every aspect that excludes goal scoring. It’s unlikely that Laine will want to go to the lion’s den that is the Montreal market after exiting the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laine went into the program seeking help for his mental health. Facing the unrelenting pressure of Montreal’s hockey hothouse is probably not high on his “to-do” list.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Anthony Larocco thinks Laine could be a good fit with the Carolina Hurricanes as a replacement for the departed Teuvo Teravainen. He would improve their depth on the wings, helping them further solidify their chances of contending for first place in the Metropolitan Division.

Turning to the Washington Capitals, Sammi Silber believes a trade for Laine doesn’t make sense for them right now. Laine’s contract and the Capitals’ limited cap space makes it difficult to pull off that deal. Finding a suitable spot on their roster is another factor.







27 Comments

  1. Re; Sid & Gino/

    If Sid Signs with the Pens….? I think its a 2 year deal and then him and Evgeni Malkin call it a day….

    Sid takes a year off and then moves into a position with the pens front office
    Not sure What Gino will do….

    The only team i see Sid going to at 2025 /26
    trade deadline is the Avs to take a Run at the Cup with his buddy Nate….. and that would be at Sids Request…..❓🤔

    • I think he just retires a Pen. He won 3 cups, and everything else. He doesn’t need to chase another.

    • The concept that Crosby would leave the Pens for a shot at the cup with the avs is in contrast to everything we have thus seen to his character and loyalty to the Pens and Pittsburgh. He has won everything already and i think his legacy in pitts is more inviting/means more to him than hopping ship for 1 extra cup. He will get a couple of chances to play with his buddy for team canada

    • Well said Willie spot on I think Crosby does 3 years @ $10 million…so he gets to 2,000 points.

      Geno who knows he beats to a weird drum..

  2. Based on what Brindamour historically demands from his forwards defensively, I don’t see Laine as a fit in Carolina.

    Though I do think Brindamour will have to adjust his style a bit this year and lean heavier on the top 2 offensive lines to do more work. They don’t have the depth of years past to roll 3 to 4 lines almost equally.

    • I agree with all your points Foley.

      The only way I could see Laine in CAR is as some sort of “Powerplay Specialist”. But I can’t see any team, let alone this one, tying up ~$4M in cap space for what would be considered a luxury item.

      I’m guessing Laine starts the season in CLB, and once other teams can assess what he has (or doesn’t have), then maybe the offers will start coming in.

      It would take a giant leap of faith to work a deal for him now. I can’t see any GM doing that. At $1M, maybe. At ~$4M, no chance.

    • I agree that Laine is not a fit with Carolina and BrindAmour. If Carolina couldn’t afford a quality 200 foot forward like Teravainen why would they want Laine at his cap? Carolina’s defense will be weaker defensively this year so the forwards jobs are not getting any easier.

  3. Very few can play the game at its highest level at age 40.
    I think Sid can if mentally he is still driven. I am sure he would not mind another shot at Olympic gold.

    Not sure where Laine ends up. This is a situation where you can weaponize cap space. Waddell has proven he can make a deal so I am sure one will get done.

  4. I don’t see Laine ending up with Mtl. I don’t think he fits with the group there. But I think there’s a real possibility that the team could be a third party in an exchange where the Habs would take a part of his salary and a compensation.

  5. It’s funny, RE: aging stars these days.

    It used to be that rumours of their retirement were spread with dismay, but now it often feels like there is a tinge of HOPE that they will retire.

    When Gino said “no truth the rumours” I could almost feel parts of the Penguins fandom being deflated and disappointed.

    This is PURELY because of the salary cap of course. The players are beloved, but the money required to retain players out of a sense of obligation can really hogtie a team

    I think going forward, we will see more teams like Tampa Bay that just say “sorry, we love you but it’s just not conducive to the team’s future to keep you on the payroll.”

    The allure of teams that have the exact OPPOSITE of loyalty to players like Vegas does could also affect these “played a whole career with one team” stories.

    Time will tell I think, but I feel like fans would not be THAT upset if Letang or Karlsson suddenly retired. Maybe a little upset if Gino did. Sid is the only outlier in my theory because is one of the GOAT.

    • I think if Malkin or letang retire their cap hit still lingers.

      • Letang doesn’t have signing bonuses beyond the first year. The cap hit will not remain in full if he retires.

  6. Re Crosby nog signed yet….we’re concerned now. 8/7 signing date passed.

    He claims he wants to stay s Pen; terms per most, basically already hashed out!

    Re”Both sides agree that a delay in finalizing the deal will generate speculation. There’s also some concern on the Penguins’ business side that it could affect sponsorship deals and season ticket sales.”…. Ya think?

    Perhaps (I’m actually hoping for this) Crosby or his agent , has told Dubas that they’ll sign as soon as Dubas has a competitive roster (adding Laine perhaps????)

    Pins and needles until Crosby signs

    If he’s moving on, sellout for his return game here…. Very long tribute video

    Sad, but we can’t blame him if this happens

    • Pengy’s 87’s, I think what was written above quoting a close source, sounds reasonable doesn’t it?

      Rossi cites a source close to Crosby claiming he’s unsure how long he wants to keep playing and wants to avoid putting the Penguins in a difficult spot if he retires early.

      Kinda sounds like my Bruins when Bergy and Krecji got to the same age. They took their time, wanted to be fair to the team, themselves and families, so were honest with the team.

      That’s all this is, veteran guy who has had success, doesn’t need the money, contemplating his future. Kinda what most people do when they get close to retirement age and can afford to do so.

      If he actually is contemplating retirement, then why would he sign anything now vs waiting until the off season?

      If I had to guess, he plays after this season as well, assuming good health, in Pittsburgh. The guy can still play, and obviously luvs the game or he wouldn’t be so darn good at it. But that’s how I think about things, doesn’t mean he does.

      • There’s more to this than what they’re saying. Sid’s not sure when he wants to retire, simple, one year deals 8.7 per. Solutions easy as pie, so something else is there

      • If he’s getting close to thinking about retirement, why not sign a 1 year deal with performance clauses which may be able to help cap? Then sign another one next year if he wants to continue. It would also give him flexibility to walk away if the team crashes/burns.
        Sure he’s giving up future guaranteed dollars, but I’m sure he walks into some mgmt positoin with Pitt as soon as he retires.

    • 8787..He will sign it is a matter or whether he plays 2 years or 3…I’m thinking 3 years @ $10 million.

      I know he wants to play his whole career in Pittsburgh and 2,000 points is important to him..

      Geno please go now..LOL

  7. Sid.Gino,Letang and Karlsson are actually retired now! That team is not closed to being competitive!The surrounding cast is extremely limited,old and slow!

  8. Is the door still open for Laine to return to the Blue Jackets?

    • If they can’t find a suitable trade offer, yes.

      • Don was the right hire for the Jackets. He will be able to smooth things over, should a trade not be available.

  9. Boldest move ever – trade Sid to a young team with some cap space and let him lead that team to the next level. Pens could reload with young talent, while giving Sid the chance to conquer another franchise.

    Unlikely, but cool to think about

    • There are very few teams that are close to a Cup AND have young prospects to send to Pitt to make a Crosby deal work.
      IF Crosby were to go somewhere, I’ve thought the best place for him to go is Dallas. Good team, good goalie, and they have the young prospects that could get the deal done to help Pitt reload.
      While Colorado often comes up for him to play with MacKinnon, I don’t think Colorado has the prospects to give away and actually get a deal done.

      • I was thinking a place he could lend his leadership to, like the Sabres. They have prospects and cap space. Maybe Utah as well.

  10. Silly season rumors include Crosby “coming home” to Montreal and there’s a narrative to support it.

    Cosby could retire as a Beliveau mentor to Suzuki, leading a young team to a Stanley Cup to top off a career with his father’s team.

    Funny how people can always spin an unknown into a narrative or conspiracy.

    Wherever Crosby signs it’ll be good for hockey and himself.

  11. Well said Willie spot on I think Crosby does 3 years @ $10 million…so he gets to 2,000 points.

    Geno who knows he beats to a weird drum..