NHL Rumor Mill – September 11, 2024

by | Sep 11, 2024 | Rumors | 13 comments

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: some suggested trade destinations for Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler and the latest on Rangers winger Kaapo Kakko

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Patrick Present cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman’s recent report indicating the Anaheim Ducks and defenseman Cam Fowler are discussing his future.

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler (NHL Images)

The 32-year-old Fowler is believed willing to expand his four-team trade list. He carries an average annual value of $6.5 million through 2025-26.

Present listed the Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, and Florida Panthers as three clubs in “win-now” mode who could benefit from adding Fowler to their defense corps.

Their limited cap space would be an issue for those clubs, meaning there would have to be salary retention by the Ducks or salaried players sent to the Ducks to offset his cap hit. The Oilers also don’t have a shallow prospect pool to draw from for trade bait.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Present noted that Fowler is unlikely to be moved before the start of this season. However, injuries could open up some cap space on one of those clubs at some point. That could make Fowler a tempting target.

THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh wondered if Kaapo Kakko would still be on the New York Rangers’ roster by the end of this season. He believes he will be, but acknowledged the trade rumors that dogged the 22-year-old winger during the offseason.

Baugh believes Rangers GM Chris Drury will attempt to add to his roster at this season’s trade deadline. Kakko could be part of a “win-now” deal, but the best-case scenario could be the young winger returning to his 2022-23 production when he tallied 40 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s assumed Kakko wasn’t traded this summer because his value was low. If he doesn’t improve this season, bundling him as part of a larger return for a skilled player might be the only way to move him in a trade.







13 Comments

  1. I’m wondering what George might think of Fowler landing in Ottawa??? Never thought they should’ve traded Chykrun. Fowler in Ottawa would give them a solid top 4. Also think Edmonton should get Fowler. D is a bit weaker than last year.

    • Sens have their top 4 Lefties in Chabot and Sanderson. Fowler is not better than either, and he’s too expensive to play on the third pairing. I think at this point they’d love for Kleven to be ready for the role, but after that the depth falls off. I’d be more worried about the third line R D if I were the Sens brass. Very thin in that position.

      • The other D who played any appreciable time:
        Sanderson +8
        Zub +5
        Brannstrom +5 (now gone)
        Chabot -3 (with a bad wrist)
        Bernard-Docker -7
        Hamonic -10

        The have RD Calen Addison coming to camp on a pto, likely to push Bernard-Docker to better efforts. It’s almost assured Kleven will be on the left side on the 3rd pairing, but if he falters in camp or the early going, Hamonic will step in there until they can find something better.

        Not ideal for sure, but far better than paying a LD $6.5 mil to play on the 3rd pairing … even assuming his expanded 4-team trade list would even include Ottawa

      • LOL. Some of that reply above got lost in the shuffle. It began by saying ” What Owen said.” then went on to say “Chychrun, on a team with a collective -26, was personally -30!” then the post above.

  2. Once you get passed the lofty expectations of a 2nd overall pick, fans have come to grips with fact that Kakko is a decent NHL player that maybe will never put up huge offensive numbers. Will be interesting to see if he gets time again on top line after NY added Smith. He seems comfortable on 3rd line and could thrive playing with a healthy Chytil. He’s not breaking bank cap wise and I don’t see him traded for a rental.

    • Yeah agree. Kakko scored 18 as a 21 year old while being shuffled around lines. his own zone play is good. if was the #12 pick not #2….that will always bite him.

      • ds, Kakko is building up to be either an easy … or a decidedly difficult … decision for the Rangers.

        In 300 gp – mostly on the bottom lines and with limited ice time – he has 82-game average of 16g 16a 32 pts and, except for his rookie season when he was a glaring minus 26, he has been on the plus side ever since, so that aspect of his game has levelled off nicely.

        If they continue to play him the same way and he’s on pace for an average season at the trade deadline they’ll likely try to deal him at that point for the best return possible.

        If, on the other hand, he works … and scores … his way into more ice time, perhaps even some pp time, they’ll have some tough decisions to make should be still be there by the end of the season. I say that because, coming off a $2.4 mil cap hit and headed for RFA status he’ll be joined there by RFAs Lafrenière, Edstrom, Cuyle, Rempe, Miller and Jones along with UFAs Smith, Vesey, Lindgren, Ruhwedel, Quick … and Shesterkin!

        Any cap reserve is going to disappear fast once they get through those negotiations … or sign others to replace some of them. Kakko could get lost in the shuffle there … unless he REALLY breaks out, then he becomes part of a huge problem for Rangers management.

      • George I would love for Kakko’s success to be a problem next summer but yes they will have to lose some pieces in july 2025 with those new deals needed for so many.

  3. Saw someone proposing a Trouba for Hubredeau trade. No idea what the cap retention would have to be to make it make sense, but send Trouba and Kakko to Cowtown and see if Hub’s can regain some of his confidence on a team with an actual chance to win. Yes – his $10.5M is ridiculous, but roll the dice and try to get him at $6.5? Gotta be risk on both sides right?

    • There’s no way that trade is happening. Trouba has a NMC and would never go back to a canadian market.

      • I am sure Trouba did some strategic unexpected teams because they might have cap space or semi interest.
        But Huber makes no sense as a LW and overpaid coming to the Rangers. They already turned Laf into a RW and have Othmann behind Panarin, Kreider and for now Cuylle.

        Back to Kakko ….. he or another kid gonna be a sweetener for Trouba to be dealt

      • Trouba HAD a nmc. I believe since July 1, he can be traded to 1/2 the league.

  4. He didn’t like Winnipeg. Calgary is just a little more west warmer winter Manisnowba. Trouba would most certainly would not waive . Maybe a Toronto for Canada but I am betting the eastern time zone only.
    Fowler maybe at the trade deadline.