NHL Rumor Mill – November 21, 2024
Check out some of the notable names considered to be early-season trade candidates in today’s NHL Rumor Mill
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli published his first Trade Targets board for 2024-25.
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson, Seattle Kraken center Yanni Gourde, and Philadelphia Flyers blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen hold the top three positions, with Columbus Blue Jackets rearguard Ivan Provorov and Anaheim Ducks winger Frank Vatrano rounding out the top five.
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ristolainen is the only one not slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July. All but Vatrano have frequently surfaced in the rumor mill recently. Vatrano did pop up in media speculation leading up to last season’s trade deadline.
All these players are skating for clubs that aren’t considered playoff contenders, making them among the most likely to be moved by the March 7 trade deadline.
It’s rumored the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks are interested in Pettersson. There is no word as to which clubs are calling about the others.
Flyers winger Joel Farabee, Kraken winger Brandon Tanev, Blue Jackets defenseman David Jiricek, Montreal Canadiens blueliner Mike Matheson and Ducks winger Trevor Zegras fill slots six through 10 on Seravalli’s list.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tanev is a pending UFA while Farabee has three seasons left on his contract. Jiricek, Matheson, and Zegras each have a year left on their deals. Jiricek is on an entry-level contract, Matheson will be UFA-eligible in July 2026 and Zegras is on a bridge deal and will have arbitration rights.
Farabee was occasionally mentioned as a trade candidate during the offseason. His contract (with an average annual value of $5 million) remains a sticking point.
It was thought Tanev might become available because the Kraken had a surplus of forwards. So far, however, they don’t seem to be in any rush to move one.
The emergence of promising defenseman Lane Hutson has some in Montreal suggesting Matheson could become expendable. However, Canadiens GM Kent Hughes could be reluctant to rush the 20-year-old Hutson into the No. 1 defense role this early in his career.
Jiricek was sent to the minors yesterday, sparking rumors that he could become a trade candidate. The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline reports Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell admitted other teams are calling about the 20-year-old defenseman and he’s willing to listen to trade offers.
However, it doesn’t appear Waddell’s in a hurry to ship out Jiricek, who still projects as a top-four, all-around defenseman. He and head coach Dean Evason want the youngster to treat the demotion as an opportunity to work his way back into the Blue Jackets lineup.
Zegras has constantly popped up in trade chatter since January. He’s offensively off to a slow start this season but his production has picked up recently. Nevertheless, his $5.75 million cap hit and one-dimensional offensive game are stumbling blocks in the path toward a trade.
Calgary Flames goaltender Dan Vladar, Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler, San Jose Sharks blueliner Mario Ferraro, Nashville Predators rearguard Alexandre Carrier, and Blue Jackets winger Mathieu Olivier round out the remainder of Seravalli’s list.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vladar and Olivier are the pending UFAs in that group. Seravalli suggested the play of rookie goalie Dustin Wolf and promising Devin Cooley in their system could make Vladar expendable. He could hit the trade block if the Flames are out of playoff contention by March 7.
Fowler spoke with Ducks management in September about his future with the club, including a trade if he helps him and the Ducks. He’s signed through 2025-26 with an AAV of $6.5 million and carries a three-team trade list, though he’s said to be willing to expand it to double digits. Playoff contenders seeking more than a rental blueliner could come calling about Fowler by the trade deadline.
Ferraro and Carrier popped up at times in the rumor mill last season. With the Sharks rebuilding, Ferraro might become a trade candidate this season. Like Fowler, he’s got a year left on his contract but at a more affordable $3.25 million.
Carrier is in the first season of a three-year contract but the Predators’ stumbling performance has raised questions about the club’s direction. General manager Barry Trotz remains a buyer but that could change if his club doesn’t improve soon.
If Mathieu Olivier is available , nice addition
Rugged winger , (tied)leading the team with 6 goals , with an average of 12 minutes of ice time every night
His cap hit is only 1.1 million and he also leads the team in penalty minutes .
Berubes type of player , he can player either side on the wing , Leafs injury list grows longer , although the 2 Marlie additions played very well last night , in 1 of the most entertaining Leaf games I have seen in a long time , as I was at the game !
He is not. Just throwing stuff against the wall.
All the reasons listed are all the reasons he won’t be moved, plus dude can throw when needed. Youtube his beatdown of the very scary Rempke.
Olivier + Jirisek for Reeves +’25 2nd +Ben Danford +’26 3rd
Reaves is a cap dump at this point. I doubt you get Jiricek let alone Olivier for what you listed.
I would be very , very surprised, if Kent Hughes traded Mike Matheson.
Yes, the requirement to continually push out content, and the more controversial the better, but Severalli states how thin the Habs blue line is, how they don’t need more draft picks, and says of Matheson:
“He moves the puck, is comfortable playing the right side, and actually defends better than he’s given credit for when proper expectations are set.”
Then on what basis is he a trade candidate, Frank?
Olivier might be available come the trade deadline, but I doubt Jiricek is going anywhere. IMO, the “rumor” that he is a trade candidate was probably started by some basement dwelling internet nerd thinking his favorite team can con Waddell into accepting a lowball offer.
Ok Boston GM too many ifs blame the coach all you want he lead your team and you choked before letting him hang
Detroit GM love Stevy but maybe hes being pushed upstairs to get a cup. Maybe its time for a change at GM.
Oilers GM mess OMG ownership needs t hold the direcion of his leadership accountble they lost a great youg defense men in Borg to StLouis because they fired the GM. Come on its not Kennys fault the defense is a mess. Its the new leadership
Toronto let Sammy go look at them know they are playing well you could Matthews to get to good defense men and OMG you have a chance to win a cup. But you wont and the Marnier stupidness has gotten out of hand. Sign him already he is one of the best players to help you reach the playoffs. Whats that others guys name Nylander what has he done! Like slbad contract because he got hot omg
Pittsburgh this GM really has no cle how to manage his tream you traded for Karlson a washed up laying the pushed Burns out of San Jose. Burns was a better defense man hands down.
Now Ottawa better defense brings better offense I feel sorry for Brady this kid wants his name on cup and this team has sign some good and bad contracts over the years. Help him now please
What???????????
For Habs fans, saw article below
Good near term outlook
Take a gander at who is hovering near the basement of the NHL:
https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/montreal-canadiens-are-no-1-in-tsn-s-annual-nhl-team-ranking-of-u-24-players-1.2207606
2 in top 10
3 in top 25
5 in top 50
https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/jumpin-jack-flash-hughes-tops-tsn-s-top-50-under-24-players-1.2208009
If you think that is solace for Habs fans now, 8787, remember Popeye’s friend Wimpy: “I’d gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.”
Good one LJ 🤓
“No counting chickens before they hatch”
However, to me that shows at least that Habs have a better chance (than most teams) for developing non NHLers currently in their system; into eventual NHL players.
Nothing is guaranteed; but chances are nice for them
Put another way, Habs next few years look much brighter than Pens or Sharks etc
Jets could use some toughness and dman with upside, would Jackets bite on Perfetti and Stanley for Olivier and Jiricek?? Easier to make trades when you’re hot than not.
No.