NHL Rumor Mill – October 22, 2024
Check out the latest on the Flames plus an update on Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST ON THE FLAMES
SPORTSNET: Eric Francis reports Calgary Flames general manager Craig Conroy said he’s been in the market for a center since trading Elias Lindholm in January.
“When we lost Lindholm, a right-hand center in your top-six, that’s kind of something you’d want to find,” said Conroy. “Is it an easy thing to find? Probably not.”
Calgary Flames general manager Craig Conroy (NHL.com).
The Flames are using Martin Pospisil at center. While the results have been good so far, Conroy’s plan of finding a center between 23 and 25 with NHL experience hasn’t changed.
Francis cited Kirby Dach of the Montreal Canadiens as an example. He was a costly acquisition for the Canadiens, who gave up a first- and a third-rounder to Chicago.
Conroy said he’d be open to parting with a first-round pick for a right-shot center who would be a long-term acquisition for the Flames.
CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson acknowledged Conroy is shopping for a center. However, he doesn’t believe the Flames GM is abandoning or accelerating his club’s long-term plan or trading assets for a quick fix.
Sean Austin believes it would take a significant offer by Conroy to acquire a center that would move the needle for the Flames.
FLAMES NATION: Robert Munnich suggested Utah Hockey Club’s Barrett Hayton, Martin Necas or Jesperi Kotkaniemi of the Carolina Hurricanes, or Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks.
He also suggested Dach, Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild, Peyton Krebs of the Buffalo Sabres, and Joe Veleno of the Detroit Red Wings as honorable mentions.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: All but Necas and Dach are left-hand shots. The Hurricanes signed Necas to a two-year contract this summer while Dach is in the third year of a four-year contract. They’re unlikely to be available by the March 7 trade deadline.
As for the lefties, Hayton and Rossi aren’t moving. Zegras surfaced in trade rumors and he’s being used as a winger by the Ducks. However, they’re hoping he has a bounce-back performance this season.
Kotkaniemi is signed through 2029-30 with an annual average value of $4.82 million. He’s struggled with consistency throughout his career.
Krebs and Veleno could be available if their respective clubs become sellers. A change of scenery might improve their performances.
SHOULD THE BLUE JACKETS AND PENGUINS SWAP STARTERS?
THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline noted the Pittsburgh Penguins have a struggling goaltender, Tristan Jarry, signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $5.375 million. He also pointed out the Columbus Blue Jackets have a struggling starter, Elvis Merzlikins, pulling in $5.4 million annually through 2026-27.
Portzline wondered if the two clubs should swap starters hoping a change of scenery might improve their performances. They’re both around the same age and carry almost identical cap hits.
Jarry has a 12-team no-trade clause while Merzlikins has a 10-team list. It’s unclear which teams are on those lists.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Portzline is just musing out loud here, folks. He’s not saying the two sides are discussing his proposed swap.
Portzline’s suggested deal isn’t a bad idea. Stranger things have happened in the NHL trade market. Nevertheless, it probably won’t happen because it’s unlikely either goalie would improve with their new clubs.
Elvis is looking more and more like a candidate to be bought out.
I cannot resist !
ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING!
CBJ
they will keep Elvis as a goaltender, they need to stay above the cap & continue there rebuild that could well go for an other 4-5 years
Right now they only have 3 firsts picks and one 2nd pick in the next 3 years….❗️
they have a couple of UFA this year up front
Sean Kuraly, may get them a 2nd pick… and the same with ivan provalov he may get them a 2nd pick…
they really need to add to there young d core and
a couple more young star’s up front
Given that they have built a long time they should have more picks and better prospects, at least further along
For about the thousandth time, the bit about the Habs giving up a first for Dach, while it may be technically correct, is a distortion of the truth. They gave up Alex Romanov in a three team deal in which the Hawks received the Isles first rounder. And no, they’re not about to trade Dach.
Howard, perhaps it stems from this blurb in Wikipedia
“On July 7, 2022, during the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Dach was traded by the Blackhawks to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for the 13th overall pick and a third-round selection. The Canadiens had in turn traded defenceman Alexander Romanov to the New York Islanders to acquire the 13th overall pick in order to make the trade, as general manager Kent Hughes said that he believed Dach could live up to his potential despite his struggles in preceding seasons.”
That’s Habs trading Romanov (former 2nd rounder) and a third to get Dach isn’t it?
I read it as Howard has conveyed it; 3 team trade with Habs giving up Romanov and a 3rd to net Dach
What am I missing?
“Dach was traded by the Blackhawks to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for the 13th overall pick and a third-round selection.”
Many reading that will conclude that, since the 13th overall pick comes in the 1st round, that the Habs gave up a 1st round pick.
I can see how some reading it quickly or just glancing at it without seeing the whole trade could get confused.
It falls into the category of an “out of context”/“not full picture” type of statement.
However, Before the trade they had Romanov and a 3rd
After the trade they had Dach
Sorry, I read the full trade as Howard does
Romanov and a 3rd for Dach
“The Canadiens had in turn traded defenceman Alexander Romanov to the New York Islanders to acquire the 13th overall pick in order to make the trade, as general manager Kent Hughes said that he believed Dach could live up to his potential despite his struggles in preceding seasons.”
So, prior to trading for Dach, Montreal dealt Romanov to the NYI in order to have the 1st round pick necessary to acquire Dach. In the final analysis, they then gave Chicago, in effect, a 1st round pick (13th overall) and a 3rd round pick.
\
How, exactly, is that NOT relinquishing a 1st round pick?
Is it too much to ask that the Habs traded Romanov for a 1st round pick, the 13th pick overall, then USED that 1st round pick plus a 3rd round pick for Dach? I guess it’s too hard to realize the price for Dach was a first round pick and Montreal wasn’t about to use their own so the smartly obtained a first from the islanders to get Dach. That’s what’s called a tidy bit of business.
Exactly, Ron. That year they owned the 1st overall (used to take Slafkovsky) as well as the 26th, obtained in another deal, which they used to take Filip Mesar.
They weren’t about to give up that 1st overall – especially since the draft was in Montreal – and Chicago probably thought the 26th was too low … hence the deal.
But no matter how you cut it, and for however briefly, they also owned the 13th overall, and in the end sent that to Chicago for Dach, along with a 3rd.
For the umpteenth time; Penguins are not where they are because of goaltending
It’s the 18 skaters in front of them that are playing without a single defensive brain between them
For the shots so far this season they could actually see and/or had at least a bare minimum chance of actually saving :
Blomquist : 121/126 (960 save %’age)
Jarry: 58/63 (921)
Nedjelkovic : 30/33 (909)
Barely 3 W 4 L and 22nd in winning percentage is on the overall Pens defensive play.
For those saying Nedjelkovic was the answer over Jarry last spring (the “run”); no , that was on a big uptick in team offense
Here is what Nedjelkovic actually did from Feb 20 to end of last year: save percentage was only .88 (59 goals against in 506 shots)
Last 18 games
13 of 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
Penguins’ issues run far deeper than goaltending; and in no way is flipping Elvis/Jarry (even if partial NTC’s allowed it) going to right the ship.
Maybe Dubas really thinks he can land McKenna in ‘26 and Dupont in ‘27. Doh!
Jarry gives up 3 goals on five shots to start the game. Team has little to no chance to of overcoming that. Ned stops all 11 (or was it 12, or 13) to start the game, giving the team a fighting chance from the outset, (which, of course, they did not capitalize on). There’s a difference…
Well said Same Old Guy… 8787 did you hear that?
Read (not heard) it b
Jarry did not “give up” those goals. One was a multiple deflection; one was a full eclipse screen. All were miserably defended.
Shesterkin is not stopping either of those
Nedjelkovic did stop first 10 shots but literally saw ALL of them (and lets not forget the post and crossbar early in that game)
For shots they can see and/or have a fair shot at stopping (so discounting/removing the 2 on Ohs, 3 on ohs; multiple bounce/deflection shots) so far this season:
Jarry: 58/63 (921)
Nedjelkovic : 30/33 (909)
Yes, very small sample size and Nedjelkovic has only played one game; but those are the numbers
Jarry’s stats were better than Nedjelkovics last year; and I’ve posted above, the poor numbers Nedjelkovic actually had late last year during “his run”
Lets also not forget that Jarry was leading league in shutouts a fair bit into last season
The key point; it’s NOT the goalies causing this poor Pens showing. It literally is the entire team’s apathetic defensive showing in the games
I’m hoping Sully has been giving them bag skates at practice
Canes take Calgarys 1st for Kotkaniemi ? probably….
Shane Pinto for Rasmus Anderson and Calgary’s 2nd round pick in 2025.
Proven center with tons of up side and cost control, shoots right.
Proven Right D slightly older and a pick because the Center has more potential.
Interesting proposal. The Senators, however, would have to be absolutely sure that Norris’ shoulder woes are behind him.
and that could always be in doubt. I’d be very hesistant giving up Pinto. That line of him, Perron and Gregor/Amadio has been really good. It’s been pretty fun watching a team with 3 strong centres. I’d say that even the fourth line has been good.
By the way, Dark G, now Ottawa may be back in the hunt for a goaltender, with Sogaard going down in an AHL game. Other than Merilainen they don ‘t have much in the minors. May they give Tokarski a contract – he did spend almost all of the training camp with them.
https://ottawasun.com/ottawa-senators/senators-may-need-to-seek-goaltending-help-with-mads-sogaard-injured
And today it’s reported on TSB 1200 Ottawa Reports that Ottawa has called up Merilainen from AHL Belleville to serve as the backup against the Utah Hockey Club, TSN 1200 Ottawa reports.
Nothing on Forsberg … unless it has nothing to do with him – and he’s starting – since maybe Ullmark aggravated that mysterious “strain” getting out of bed.
Dark G,
Dont tink Pinto is going anywhere…..😂
next year RD/man Carter Yakemchuk will make the team, he will be 20 yrs old and 6.ft3 & 205lb now more like 210.lb next season +
he was the leading point getter in the pre season for the Sen’s
Boston s Connor Geekie,has struggled so far this year,had 17 goals for Boston last year as a RW,C! Playing for 2 million this year and is a UFA at the end of the year! Cheap alternative for Calgary and Boston needs a 3rd pick in next years draft!
Correction – Morgan Geekie
We’ll give Boston a 2nd (‘26) and Broz for Geekie; but Bruins must also take Accari
Broz?You are stuck with all those Boston retreads! Enjoy!
Broz? You can keep those Boston Retreads!