Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 27, 2024
Are the Bruins close to a contract extension with Brad Marchand? What’s the latest on the Canadiens? Are the Leafs any closer to moving Timothy Liljegren? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
LATEST ON MARCHAND’S CONTRACT TALKS WITH THE BRUINS
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman claims the Boston Bruins are closing in on a contract extension with captain Brad Marchand. The 36-year-old forward is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July. He carries an annual cap hit of $6.125 million on his current contract.
Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand (NHL Images).
Friedman said the word is the two sides were getting close to a three-year deal.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Asked about Friedman’s report, Marchand said it was false and wouldn’t make any further comment about his contract situation.
“Elliotte likes talking about me this week,” said the Bruins captain. “I’m not going to talk about contract stuff in the media. That report from Elliotte is false. If I was going to sign a three-year extension, it would be signed. Clearly, Elliotte is just wrong here.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: An emphatic denial from Marchand. Nevertheless, the two sides have held contract talks. Boston Hockey Now’s Andrew Fantucchio referred to comments by Bruins general manager Don Sweeney on Sept. 30 indicating they’ve had “plenty of discussions”.
Marchand has spent his entire 16-season NHL career with the Bruins. He’s been very loyal to the franchise but he’s also been underpaid on his current contract. Because of his age, he’s unlikely to get a significant raise on his next deal. Still, he might not be interested in a big pay cut to stay in Boston.
The two sides might not be close to a deal right now but it wouldn’t be surprising if Marchand ends up staying in Boston on a short-term contract.
CANADIENS SHOPPING FOR A FORWARD
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman pointed out the Montreal Canadiens were in the market for a defenseman. He indicates they’re also considering adding a forward who plays with an edge. However, they’re telling teams they won’t do anything that interferes with their long-term plans.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: They’re not moving their young core players or top prospects. There is speculation suggesting defenseman Arber Xhekaj could be available but there’s no indication he’s being shopped or if the Habs are entertaining offers.
AN UPDATE ON LILJEGREN
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman said he’s been asked on social media what’s going on with Timothy Liljegren. The 25-year-old defenseman was the subject of media trade chatter earlier this month.
Friedman believes it’s something the Leafs continue to work on.
THE ATHLETIC: Harman Dayal and James Mirtle recently listed several teams they believed to be potential destinations for Liljegren. They include the Utah Hockey Club, San Jose Sharks, and Los Angeles Kings.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Utah and LA need some experienced depth for their injury-depleted bluelines while the rebuilding Sharks need all the help they can get. So far, however, they don’t seem interested in Liljegren.
Liljegren’s been a healthy scratch from eight of the Leafs’ nine games this season. That won’t improve his value in the trade market.
I am surprised that Utah is not interested in Liljegren. Well Edmonton can trade Josh Brown and his 3 million dollar contract to Utah. Did not Josh play for Arizona ( Utah) before?
Maybe they knew something when they dealt him/let him walk
Surely Not ! Are you saying the Oilers brain trust made a bad signing? Au contraire. How could that be possible? JJ and unlikable Stan are respected by everybody,
Penguins could use Liljegren
ANY change in the lineup would be welcome
The Penguins are old, slow and are spending money on the wrong players. A total rebuild is required, but it won’t happen until their aging core retires and leaves Dubas no other options.
Sadly Paul, I agree with your projected/guessed timeline for a turnaround
Penguins looked brutal in both Edmonton and Vancouver.
Sad end to Crosbys career.
Malkin, Letang and Karlsson all with unmoveable anchor deals, let alone resigning 3rd string supersieve Jarry to a ludicrous deal.
Malkin has actually been playing well, so I wouldn’t consider him unmovable.
Crosby has looked very poor by comparison.
Letang and karlsson as well have looked terrible. Letangs skating is slowing big time, and it’s constantly leading to him getting beat. His foot speed and edge work used to be great and could help make up for mistakes. Not anymore.
Malkin may be technically movable but he’s not going anywhere. The core will retire with the pens. Plenty of time for a rebuild after. 3-5 cups in current fans lifetimes allow for plenty of patience
He also has a NMC in addition to this season and next at $6.1 mil per off the cap and will be 39 y/o at the start of next season.
Not just in those two cities
Too much angst/blame is placed on Jarry
All 3 goalies are suffering from extremely poor defensive play (all 18 skaters dressed) in front of them
The main blame is fully on Dubas. Losing every trade; and completely insane UFA signings
Sully needs to shoulder some blame as well. No coach should be rewarding a defenseman with almost 20 minutes a game when he’s recently on for 42 % of the goals against. He should sit him and put in someone else
Jarry was sent for reconditioning. Lets try that on a defenseman.
His line and D-pairing juggling is also not working
Would air on the side of caution before giving Marchand any type of contract! Using Stamkos and Tampa Bay as a comparable!If Marchand plays in the 4 nations tourney evaluate him there!
Sr
Marchy will be a Bruin for life he will not be holding team hostage. Looking for extra term etc. he will retire life long Bruin and have his 63 in rafters beside his buddy 37. He will be making similar $$ as he currently does IMHO
Don t disagree,but would rather a year at a time like Bergeron and Krecji!
“Air on the side of caution” – LOL, good one.
Isn’t it err on the side of caution?
Heir on the side of caution?
Liljegren can’t crack the Leafs defence corps lineup. If he cant get on the ice for one of the worst defences in the league why would anyone not named Dubas surrender anything of value for him?
More middle of the pack, Ron, if you look at the average goals allowed per game in the early stages of the season, as shown below. Early yet – but there are some clear indications which teams need to shore up in goal and/or on defense:
Goals Allowed Average Per Game
Dallas – 9gp 1.89
Winnipeg – 8gp 2.00
NYR – 8gp 2.00
Carolina – 7gp 2.29
Anaheim – 7gp 2.57
Minnesota – 8gp 2.63
St. Louis – 9gp 2.89
Calgary – 8gp 3.00
NYI – 8gp 3.00
Tampa – 8gp 3.00
Vancouver – 7gp 3.00
Washington – 7gp 3.00
Seattle – 9gp 3.11
Toronto – 9gp 3.11
Vegas – 9gp 3.11
Detroit – 8gp 3.13
Los Angeles – 9gp 3.22
Florida – 10gp 3.30
New Jersey – 11gp 3.36
Edmonton – 8gp 3.38
Columbus 7gp 3.43
Chicago – 9gp 3.44
Nashville – 8gp 3.50
Utah – 9gp 3.56
Boston – 9gp 3.56
Buffalo – 9gp 3.56
Ottawa – 7gp 3.57
Montreal – 8gp 3.75
Colorado – 8gp 4.00
Pittsburgh – 10gp 4.30
San Jose – 9gp 4.33
Philadelphia – 8gp 4.50
Surprises would include Anaheim being in the top 16 (half) …. and Colorado, Boston, Nashville, Edmonton and Florida not!
In case you were wondering how the offense compares
Goals Scored Average Per Game
Vegas – 9gp 4.67
Winnipeg – 8gp 4.50
NYR – 8gp 4.25
Columbus – 7gp 3.88
Tampa – 8gp 3.88
Ottawa – 7gp 3.71
Washington – 7gp 3.71
Calgary – 8gp 3.63
Minnesota – 8gp 3.63
Colorado – 8gp 3.63
New Jersey – 11gp 3.46
Vancouver – 7gp 24 3.43
Buffalo – 9gp 3.33
Florida – 10gp 3.30
Carolina – 7gp 3.29
Dallas – 9gp 3.22
Los Angeles – 9gp 3.11
Seattle – 9gp 3.11
Philadelphia – 8gp 3.00
Boston – 9gp 3.00
Pittsburgh – 10gp 3.00
Toronto – 9gp 2.89
St. Louis 9gp 2.89
Detroit – 8gp 2.86
Montreal – 8gp 2.86
Utah – 9gp 2.78
Nashville – 8gp 2.63
NYI – 8gp 2.63
Chicago – 9gp 2.44
Anaheim – 7gp 2.29
Edmonton – 8gp 2.25
San Jose – 9gp 2.00
Surprises in the goals scored top 10 would be Columbus and Ottawa in the group and Edmonton, Nashville, Toronto, Boston, Dallas, Carolina and Florida – not!
Where the Leafs are concerned, their average goals allowed per game is 0.54 per away from being in the top 5 – over 82 games that works out to 44 less goals … not out of the question, certainly.
If you compare that to, say, Boston’s 3.56, they’d need to lower their goals allowed per game by 1.00 to get into the top 5, and over 82 games that works out to exactly 82 goals less … a different kettle of fish.
Check your data Ron before making silly statements!
63 will re sign with bruins regardless if 3. 2 or 1 yr he will make similar to what he makes now IMHO. He will retire a life long bruins and one day hang next to his buddy Bergy in the rafters
Would you give him 6.25 a year?
Ya I would. Look at others getting 5- 6 in nhl Ex. Killorn. Cousins, Kuzmeko, Hall,Bertuzzi. Mittelstadt. Monahan seguin benn both over 9
I take 63 over all those guys