NHL Rumor Mill – October 4, 2024
Check out the latest on the Stars, Sabres and Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Lia Assimakopoulos reported earlier this week that Stars captain Jamie Benn won’t be signing a contract extension this season.

Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn (NHL Images).
Stars general manager Jim Nill said the 35-year-old Benn wants to focus on winning this season and decide from there. “He’s all in with the team,” said Nill, saying his captain wants to wait and see what the club’s needs are after this season and how he can help.
“My plan, as long as I’m the GM here, he’s going to be a Dallas Star,” said Nill. “He’s earned that right. I think the first thing is are they still performing at the level they should be? And Jamie’s done that.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Benn is past his playing prime but remains a productive part of the Stars’ roster core. It’ll be surprising if he ends up going to market next summer.
THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn wondered if the Buffalo Sabres would swing a big in-season trade. He indicated they have over $7 million in salary-cap space and plenty of prospects to draw on for trade bait.
The Sabres were poking around the trade market this summer for a top-six forward. He believes GM Kevyn Adams could make a move near the March 7 trade deadline if the Sabres are in playoff contention.
Fairburn also pointed out that the Sabres have several roster players in the final seasons of their contracts (notably Jordan Greenway), who could be attractive trade chips if Adams decides to shake up the roster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some of that speculation had the Sabres interested in Philadelphia Flyers forward Joel Farabee. That could be something to keep an eye on depending on the fortunes of both clubs as the season progresses.
RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico cited sources claiming the Montreal Canadiens don’t appear to be in the trade market for a quick fix to address their recent injury issues. They would instead prefer long-term upgrades to their roster.
D’Amico cited a well-placed Canadiens source claiming the club will look to within, saying management is considering keeping promising forward Oliver Kapanen on their roster rather than returning him to his Swedish club. Forward Joshua Roy could also get an opportunity for more playing time.
I wonder if Dallas gives the same deal to Seguin!
Won’t know that for two seasons after this.
“Benn is past his playing prime…” so, is he a has-Benn?
Heh. Let’s see now … past his prime perhaps age-wise … but in 82gp last season he scored 21g 39a 60 pts and was a +8.
In fact, he’s played in all 82 for each of the past 3 seasons, 52 of 56gp in 1920-21 and 69 of 69 in 2019-20, scoring 102g 156a 258 pts and was a cumulative +27 for 82-game averages of 23g 35a 58 pts.
There are a LOT of NHLers who’d give their eye-teeth for stats like that.
I’m thinking he and many NHLers have given up their teeth for whatever stats they earned. And Benn looks pretty young for someone that played 52 games in the 1920-21 season.
Yeah, it’s a slow day…
RD Ethan Bear has been placed on waivers by Washington.
He just Bearly missed making the final roster.
Penguins put Samuel Poulin on waivers today as well. I think a frequent, and prolific poster on this site was really Pouilin for him to make the team this year.
If you’re partial to a pun, o my lad
Here is one you’ll admit’s pretty bad
Know what’s sitting in a salad
While indulging in a ballad?
Elvis Parsley… Well I told you t’was rad