NHL Rumor Mill – November 23, 2024
The latest on Marco Rossi, Taylor Hall, and John Gibson plus updates on the Bruins and speculation involving the Canadiens and Penguins in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
COULD THE WILD TRADE MARCO ROSSI?
THE ATHLETIC (subscription required): Chris Johnston recently published his updated NHL 2024-25 trade board.
Minnesota Wild forward Marco Rossi (NHL Images)
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link provided to see the full list if you have a subscription. Many of the names like Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson, Anaheim Ducks winger Trevor Zegras, and Philadelphia Flyers blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen have frequently surfaced in the rumor mill in recent weeks and have been duly noted on this site.
Minnesota Wild forward Marco Rossi was on that list. Johnston indicated the Wild aren’t facing pressure to trade the 23-year-old forward, he’s slated to become a restricted free agent next summer. He believes management must decide if they’ll commit long-term “to a diminutive winger with elite offensive instincts and playmaking abilities.” Johnston believes Rossi is a candidate “to be included in a player-for-player swap.”
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey cited Johnston’s colleague Michael Russo telling the “Worst Seats In The House” podcast that he still believes the Wild will trade Rossi. “I don’t know when. I don’t know if it’s imminent, by the deadline, or next summer,” said Russo. “I just think that they do not feel he’s the player to commit to long-term”.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rossi had 21 goals and 40 points in 82 games as a rookie last season. He has five goals and 15 points in 19 games thus far in his sophomore campaign, putting him on pace to reach 60 points. The Austrian forward has yet to hit his playing prime and should continue to improve.
Rossi will be coming off his entry-level contract and lacks arbitration rights. The only leverage he’ll have is the threat of an offer sheet from a rival club. Missing training camp or the start of next season won’t do his performance any good through 2025-26.
The Wild will have $19.5 million in cap space for 2025-26 if the cap rises as projected to $92.4 million with 15 active roster players under contract. They’ll have plenty of room to re-sign Rossi to a bridge deal or to match an offer from a rival team. However, they must maintain sufficient long-term cap room to re-sign superstar Kirill Kaprizov, who is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status in July 2026 and could cost $14 million annually to re-sign.
Rossi would be a valuable trade chip if he doesn’t fit into the Wild’s long-term plans. It’s a move that likely occurs next summer but a trade for another good young player is possible before the March 7 deadline.
COULD TAYLOR HALL BECOME A TRADE CANDIDATE?
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Rob Couch pointed out Taylor Hall was a healthy scratch from a recent Chicago Blackhawks game. He thinks the struggling 33-year-old winger could become a trade candidate. He’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July.
Adam Proteau suggested four possible trade destinations for Hall. One is his former club, the Boston Bruins. Others include the New York Islanders, Seattle Kraken, and St. Louis Blues. All four are low-scoring clubs in need of an offensive boost.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Proteau noted that Hall carries a $6 million cap hit, suggesting the Blackhawks must retain salary for some of these teams to acquire him. Those clubs listed by Proteau might not be buyers if their fortunes haven’t reversed by then.
Given his UFA status next summer, Hall will be a trade chip this season for the rebuilding Blackhawks. He’s struggled to regain his form following the knee surgery that ended his 2023-24 campaign. It could hurt Hall’s trade value if he doesn’t improve by the deadline.
WOULD JOHN GIBSON ACCEPT A TRADE TO THE OILERS?
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Caleb Kerney cited The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun recently suggesting the Edmonton Oilers as a dark horse candidate to acquire Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson before the trade deadline.
LeBrun pointed out that Gibson has a modified no-trade clause. However, it’s his understanding that the veteran netminder could consider the Oilers, who came up one win short of winning the Stanley Cup last season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The erratic play of goalies Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard could have the Oilers seeking help between the pipes before the trade deadline. However, the cap-strapped club would have to shed some salary and get the Ducks to agree to part of Gibson’s $6.4 million cap hit to make it work.
WHAT NEXT FOR THE BRUINS?
RG.ORG: James Murphy reports some NHL executives and scouts were surprised the Bruins made an internal hire replacing fired head coach Jim Montgomery with Joe Sacco. They noted that former NHL coaches Joel Quenneville and Darryl Sutter have better resumes than Sacco.
Murphy also cited one source speculating general manager Don Sweeney could be next on the chopping block if the Bruins fail to improve under Sacco.
THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa speculated which Bruins players could follow their former coach out the door if the club doesn’t turn things around. Possibilities include Brandon Carlo, Charlie Coyle, and pending UFA Brad Marchand.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchand is the Bruins captain and has been a heart-and-soul player for them throughout his 16 NHL seasons. Nevertheless, they could part ways if the ownership decides to go in a different direction. I still believe they want to keep Marchand but the club’s performance thus far and the decline in his play could make his future in Boston murkier.
IS A TRADE COMING SOON BETWEEN THE CANADIENS AND PENGUINS?
TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Pittsburgh Penguins have been heavily scouting the Montreal Canadiens recently. He noted the Penguins have “some interesting pieces” at forward. Meanwhile, the Canadiens have certain needs and there have to be long-term benefits.
“If you don’t see the long-term benefits of a player and Pittsburgh has an interest in that player, maybe you take back an expiring contract,” said Dreger. “The Pittsburgh Penguins have some expiring contracts that aren’t going to hurt you for the rest of the year. Maybe you get a sweetener where it makes some sense.”
Dreger said there’s nothing imminent but noted the Canadiens face a roster crunch when Patrik Laine and Rafael Harvey-Pinard return from injuries.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Penguins forwards on expiring contracts include Anthony Beauvillier, Drew O’Connor, Jesse Puljujarvi and Matt Nieto. The Habs could take one of them if they got a nice draft pick or prospect in return but they could have other options in mind with other clubs.
With the pending return of Laine and RHP, I suspect Habs will be looking to shed a forward rather than obtain a forward from the Penguins on an expiring contract. Unless anyone considers one of those forwards to play with “edge”. It’s more likely that the Habs will try to swap a forward for defence. Maybe there’s another trade coming with the Blue Jackets…
With expensive foward contracts comming to an end at the end of the year, I wonder if Hughes will continue the experience with high first rounders that haven’t bloomed yet (or never will) at low cost with Jesse Puljujarvi. Only 26 yo 6’4”. I like the idea of low risk, high reward players like that while he is building with his draft picks. Some of them will surely succeed. I would go for him
Perhaps reuniting Laine and Puljujarvi could reinvigorate both players’ careers?
Puljujarvi may be the worst player I’ve seen play all season.
Mike and Daryl: not a crazy suggestion in theory. It worked for Drouin when he was reunited with MacKinnon.
Still, the only way a trade with Pittsburg works is if the Habs do take a player on an expiring contract, for a nice draft pick. They have Roy and Beck doing well in the AHL, and Demidov coming next year.
Ummm. Pittsburgh has no need to pay sweeteners to unload players. They are looking potentially to do the opposite. O’Conner and bulvillier will be traded for picks. Doubt you could get much for the other two. But pens arnt adding sweeteners when Dubas has made it his goal to stockpile picks in the next three drafts.
Why would people be surprised at the Boston hiring!The owner was never going to bring an outsider in and have to spend money! Sweeney s job depends on what the team does the rest of the year,so Sacco s performance is paramount! Shifting gears when Sidney Crosby ends up fighting,that s a sad testament to how far Pittsburgh has slipped!
A shift battle over boiled with Crosby Connor. I also think a good thing. Their “tale of the tape” is similar. Not much of a tilt.
I don’t think the Oilers can’t afford anything let alone Gibson.
I can’t imagine Pittsburgh trading draft picks considering how poor things are going there. The writing is on the wall and if they keep “going for it” instead of restocking the cupboard, they’re going to be bad for even longer
The Penguins are screwed for many, many years unless Crosby and maybe Malkin agree to a trade. Karlsson is probably un-tradeable unless they retain a big chunk of salary.
Does anyone want to guess what Crosby would be worth in a trade? I assume he will end up in some kind of management position in Pittsburgh after retirement, so agreeing to a trade would help the team down the road.
I see McGroarty, who thought he should be guaranteed an NHL roster spot, has one goal, three points and a team leading worst -5 after 12 games.
Whatever Crosby’s worth is, it’s declining by the minute. (Kinda like Crosby himself).
Pittsburgh should have thought about that trade 2-3 years ago.
And now, more than likely would have to retain salary given his drop off, or take a chunk of salary back.
Yeah at the rate of his decline , it`s down to 31 other teams that want Sid. Guys like Mackinnon, McDavid, Matthews would never want to play with Sid now.
You’re missing the point. he’s almost making 9 million per for this year and 2 more.
Currently 37 on pace for 70-74 points if he stays healthy. What does that mean next year? The year after?
How does Edmonton, Colorado, Toronto make room for that 9 million? Oh, that’s right, they pretty much can’t with retaining salary and sending a money contract back!
31 teams aren’t lining up for a guy in his late 30s and on decline costing almost 9 per… stop!!! Certainly not at the cost (which was what I was pointing to) of young good players!
He’s a human, not a bottle of bourbon. He’s not getting better!
Plus I’m sure the bottom feeders are looking to add Crosby as well. Maybe Leo Carlson, Zegras and Mctavish to the pens for Crosby and Malkin? 😁
Perhaps Bedard ?
Maybe a fit in Detroit for Larkin, Raymond , Seider?
Ottawa? Tkachuk, Stutzle?
Maybe he waives to San Jose to finish 29th overall instead of 26th to cap out his career? Seems likely!
lol, yeah. 31 other teams hardly seems like a hyperbole!
Reality? 3-4maybe as high as 6? And again, none of the 6 could take him on full hit.
Which was EXACTLY my point.
You obviously miss the point!!! Sid`s averaging almost 1 point a game pace playing on one of the crappiest teams. What would his pace be playing next to Mackinnon ???? 1.5 points a game, on a good team Sid`s 9 mill would still be a bargain. If Sid were to become available, Colorado, Edmonton, Toronto and a lot of other teams would move heaven and earth trying to fit Sid in and he would improve every one of those teams. You don`t like Sid that`s your problem, but saying Sid`s not worth his contract on a good team, that`s laughable
“You don’t like Sid” = you’re right and I’m losing this conversation! Lmao.
Ridiculous. Beyond ridiculous.
Crosby would be a great fit on a few teams at this point in his career. He’s in decline no matter how you slice it. He’s becoming a “complimentary “ player. Not a player you throw away futures for.
Who is Edmonton, Toronto or Colorado trading to make that room? I’ll solve the mystery, they’re not sending Draisaitl, Makar, Mathews , Marner etc. (money guys) out the door?
Does Pittsburgh want Nurse? Tavares? Yeah, that fits right into a rebuild model!!!!
Again, retention and a decent size contract would be necessary to make that move . The other involved team probably throws in ++ (pick / prospects)
I hate Sid so much I think he’d be a good fit for NY, but again… Pittsburgh want Zibanejad or Trocheck in return? Because that’s the ONLY way that’s happening.
Boston, another good fit.
31 teams? I think you hate reality!
Montreal, San Jose, Columbus, Anaheim, Detroit, Chicago? Yeah, they’re lining up for a 37yo! Fits right into their rebuild plans like a glove!
And cap? Hmmmm yep, my only answer is you hate reality!
The reality is, there are 5-6 teams TOPS that could afford him (not comfortably I may add) and also would have the assets that would make sense going to Pittsburgh.
Again, a tremendous player. 10 years ago at 27 and capable of 100+ points every team comes crawling. Today? 6
Human, not bourbon.
The idea he puts up 30% more points with Mackinnon? Well, there’s no way of actually knowing that without being god or Nostradamus.
He’s getting old, much like the “hater” bs . Again, reality!
Now you`re starting to add everything but the kitchen sink into your argument. If you want reality, then Sid`s not leaving Pittsburgh, so your trade scenarios are mute. 31 teams wanting Sid and trading for him are two different things. Would Dubas take a contract and picks back, maybe, depends on the contract and the team. Most deals would take place in the summer, but you seem to be intent to put timelines in. In reality the only way Sid gets traded midseason, is if Sid demands a trade. Then Dubas has 2 choices, 1 Dubas says no trade and 2 he gets fleeced bad. That NMC in Sid`s contract ties Dubas`s hands big time and Sid wanting out would be Dubas`s worst nightmare.No different than Marner in Toronto. You seem to think the return for Sid will be great, the only way that happens is if Sid says he`ll go anywhere and that will never happen in any reality. Not even yours, unless there`s no NMC`s in your world
Excuse my horrible math.
“The idea he puts up 30% more points with Mackinnon?”
That should actually be 67%.