NHL Rumor Mill – October 23, 2024
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, an update on the Rangers’ contract talks with Alexis Lafreniere, the latest on Tyler Johnson, the Blue Jackets’ trade plans, and the Islanders’ limited options to replace Anthony Duclair.
UPDATE ON LAFRENIERE’S CONTRACT TALKS WITH THE RANGERS
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports there have been contract discussions between the New York Rangers and winger Alexis Lafreniere.
New York Rangers winger Alexis Lafreniere (NHL Images).
Both sides hoped to get a contract extension done before the start of the season. Discussions are ongoing but it remains to be seen if they can get a deal done before the end of the season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lafreniere is in the final season of a two-year contract with an average annual value of $2.325 million. He enjoyed a breakout performance in 2023-24 with 28 goals and 57 points in 82 games and has six points in as many games to open this season.
Lafreniere is a key part of the Rangers core and their future with aging stars like Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad approaching the end of their current contracts.
It’s rumored the two sides discussed an eight-year deal worth $8 million annually. That offer could still happen depending on the cost of re-signing goaltender Igor Shesterkin.
TYLER JOHNSON WAITING ON THE BRUINS
TSN: Chris Johnston reports unrestricted free agent Tyler Johnson is patiently waiting for a contract with the Boston Bruins. The 34-year-old forward had a good training camp with the Bruins but they currently lack salary-cap space to sign him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Johnston suggests the Bruins could make room by placing a player on waivers or making a cost-cutting trade. He also mentioned an injury could free up some space.
LATEST ON THE BLUE JACKETS
RG.ORG: Jimmy Murphy reports Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell won’t allow injuries to several of his players to force him into making any knee-jerk reactions in the trade market.
Waddell admits he’s speaking with other teams every day. However, he said giving up an asset to fill a position for the rest of the year won’t make a huge difference for a young team like the Blue Jackets. However, it would be a different story if it’s a young player who’ll be with the club beyond this season.
The Blue Jackets GM indicated he wouldn’t shy away from the trade market in the future as talks between teams increase. Given how many teams are currently underperforming, he thinks there could be an uptick in discussions around the 15-20 game mark.
Murphy noted the Blue Jackets have over $20 million in cap space this season. He thinks they could be a cap broker if the right deal came along.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Waddell is clear about what he’s looking for in the trade market. He’s not interested in another team’s problem contracts or aging talent. He could become a third-party broker in a three-team trade if it’ll fetch a young asset or a decent draft pick.
HOW WILL THE ISLANDERS REPLACE DUCLAIR?
THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple reports the New York Islanders have few options to replace Anthony Duclair. The 29-year-old winger is sidelined indefinitely with an injured leg but isn’t expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Simon Holmstrom skated on the Isles’ top line with Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal. They could also recall Hudson Fasching.
Staple speculates Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello could look at making a move but they only have Duclair’s $3.5 million cap hit to work with if he’s placed on long-term injury reserve. They’d have to clear cap space for Duclair’s eventual return if he’s not out for the season.
CBJ is surprising some teams this year after all the tragedy they have endured the past few years. Waddell has a good handle on the situation and the players seem for the most part have risen to the challenge. It is good to see such a team come together!
It’s not just Waddell. Evason and his coaching staff have convinced the entire team to buy into Evason’s system and team mentality. Regardless of where they end up in the standings, the Jackets will decide who gets in the playoffs in the East. Teams underestimate them at their own risk.
Couldn’t agree more Johnny Z – pulling for them all the way. Impressed by their play so far, especially guys like Chinakov, Monahan and Marchenko, and Werenski looks to be back to his old self.
They do, however, need to hope Merzlikins can either improve – or find some way to replace him.
If Tarasov keeps playing as he has, so far, Elvis will become a $5MM back up and get bought out next summer. (IMO he already should have been bought out.)
With goaltending uncertainty so widespread throughout the league, Paul, a trade might not be out of the question, albeit with Columbus holding back a chunk of that $5.4 mil cap hit which runs through to the end of 2026-27.
He is just 30 y/o, good size at 6′ 3″ 190 lbs and his overall body of work isn’t bad – 193gp with 10 SO a 3.21gaa and 0.904 save %.
It could be that he’s one among many who simply needs a change of scenery. Withholding $2.4 mil might be a cheaper option than a buyout, and $3 mil per could be seen as gamble worth taking by a team seeking either a quasi-starter or a pure back-up.
Elvis @ $3M for Georgie and a minor pick???
The Avs might go for this……
Johnny Z,
The Jackets won’t. Why take someone else’s problem goalie when they have Jet Greaves in Cleveland. All Greaves has done is be the Jackets’ best goalie in the last two pre seasons, all last year and had the best season of any Jackets minor league goalie in franchise history. If Waddell convinces another GM to be stupid and take Elvis off his hands, he won’t be taking back a goalie.
And with Georgiev a UFA at season’s end, Columbus might be enticed as well. Keeping $2.4 mil back and taking on Georgiev’s $3.4 mil only bumps their cap up by $400,000 …. and they have lots of room there.
Guess it would all boil down to whether or not both sides are as fed up with the 2 goalies in question as are their fans.
OUCH!!
Robert Thomas=broken ankle!!
HARD to replace!
IP