NHL Rumor Mill – November 27, 2024
Check out the latest on the Rangers, Blue Jackets, Flyers and Hurricanes in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
UPDATE ON THE RECENT RANGERS TRADE SPECULATION
TSN: Chris Johnston reports New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury has informed his peers around the league that he’s willing to move veteran players like Jacob Trouba and Chris Kreider under the right circumstances.
New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).
Johnston noted both players have 15-team no-trade clauses. He thinks there could be a situation where the Rangers would have to work with one of those players to get a deal done. He also speculates that letting it be known those players are available could be a strategy to get them to waive their clauses.
NEW YORK POST: Jared Schwartz reports Trouba claims he’s unconcerned about the report of the Rangers potentially shopping him. “It doesn’t really matter,” he said. “I’m happy to be here. I’m focused on playing hockey.” The 30-year-old defenseman said it was something he learned over the summer that he can’t control, alluding to similar rumors linking him to the Detroit Red Wings during the offseason.
Trouba said he hadn’t spoken with Drury about the report. “I think it’s part of the business,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s real or not, I don’t know. My job is to play hockey and that’s what I’m focused on.”
Larry Brooks believes trading Kreider would send the wrong kind of message to the Rangers. He also doubts that the 33-year-old winger would fetch a return that would provide immediate help in their quest to win the Stanley Cup this season.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Remy Mastey cited USA Today’s Vince Z. Mercogliano claiming there is “definite unrest” within the Rangers organization, “with concerns from the top down about this core plateauing and increasing unease from players/employees.” Mercogoliano also cited sources reminding us of the rarity and difficulty of making big trades at this time of year.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Whether Drury intends to trade Trouba or Kreider or is merely trying to motivate his players to improve remains to be seen. His rumored actions have definitely caught the attention of pundits and fans.
Both players’ contracts are significant obstacles in the path toward a trade. There aren’t many teams that can afford to take them on right now and even fewer that can send the type of return to the Rangers that helps them now and in the future.
ARE THE BLUE JACKETS CLOSE TO TRADING DAVID JIRICEK?
TSN: Chris Johnston believes the Columbus Blue Jackets are committed to trading David Jiricek. He reports they’ve adjusted their asking price for the 20-year-old defenseman to complete a deal and are willing to listen on draft-pick packages or even a depth defenseman rather than a comparable prospect.
Johnston claims the Jackets have recently had a number of trade discussions with other clubs and are trying to sort out the best offers. He said there is “sizable interest” in Jiricek.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Aaron Portzline believes a Jiricek trade could happen if Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell gets the right offer. He reports the Jackets told clubs last week they wanted a prospect-for-prospect return. Portzline also reported Waddell could consider a package offer that would start with a first-round pick but also include a depth defenseman.
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli claimed the Blue Jackets had “five or six concrete offers” for Jiricek. Seravalli named the Philadelphia Flyers, Minnesota Wild and Pittsburgh Penguins as frontrunners but also included the San Jose Sharks and Buffalo Sabres.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The possibility of a Jiricek trade is growing and appears likely to happen soon, perhaps by the end of this week. It’s not surprising most clubs linked to Jiricek are those in rebuild mode seeking promising talent. The Flyers and Sharks have plenty of depth in young players to make competitive offers.
THE LATEST ON THE FLYERS
TSN: Darren Dreger reports Philadelphia Flyers GM Daniel Briere has been taking a lot of calls. There’s plenty of interest in veteran Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, who has a couple of years left on his contract. Scott Laughton is also drawing attention in the trade market but the Flyers aren’t in a hurry to move him.
DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco wondered when the Flyers will bring in some help at the center position. He cited OnPattison.com’s Anthony San Filippo reports they spoke with the Minnesota Wild about a forward swap but those discussions went nowhere and have been shelved for now.
Frank Seravalli mentioned earlier this week that Ottawa Senators center Josh Norris is believed to be available. However, Di Marco doesn’t think he’s a player the Flyers are interested in given his contract ($7.95 million annually through 2029-30) and injury history. He believes they’d be more intrigued by Senators centers Ridly Greig and Shane Pinto.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Reports out of Ottawa suggest the Senators could look at shaking things up if they don’t improve soon. However, Greig and Pinto are promising players they don’t want to move.
Di Marco also reported Joel Farabee is a player the Flyers could be open to moving. He hasn’t excelled under head coach John Tortorella and has three years left on his contract with an average annual value of $5 million. He wondered if the New Jersey Devils could be a trade destination for Farabee.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Farabee surfaced regularly in last season’s rumor mill. Time will tell if he gets shopped before this season’s trade deadline. He has enticing skills but his cap hit could be difficult to move during the season.
Di Marco also believes the Flyers have kicked tires on Blue Jackets defenseman David Jiricek. He claims they’re open to moving any roster player not named Matvei Michkov in a deal for Jiricek.
HURRICANES SEEKING A GOALTENDER
ESPN: Kevin Weekes reports sources tell him Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov is making positive progress in his recovery from a concussion. Nevertheless, they’re actively exploring goalie options in the trade market.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes were rumored to be concerned about their goalie depth after veteran starter Frederik Andersen underwent knee surgery last week that sidelines him for eight to 12 weeks. Pickings seem slim in the goalie market right now. It could take weeks until they find a suitable option.
No more Jirecek rumours to Edmonton? As I said before if the Oilers had signed their OWN player Broberg they wouldn’t have to trade for Jirecek.
Oilers won’t be able to match other team’s offers for Jiricek, even if they offer Savoie+
they’ll probably need to search for another team’s young dman with a lower cost/return
MikeP
I think you’re right, don’t see them moving Savoie
to get him …
Maybe 1st pick next year
And a young d prospect
To get him
Jiricek may need time in the AHL so who ever gets him can evaluate him
And figure out if he is ready for the NHL…..❓
It doesnt make sense. The Oilers did not want to pay Broberg but will lose assets to find another top four defensemen when they had one already.
Rob Rossi reports in The Athletic that Dubas “simply loves” the Columbus Blue Jackets newest trade candidate David Jiricek, and that he has offered McGroarty as trade bait in his attempt to try to land the 6’4″, 200-pound defenseman.
A couple of you weighed in on this late yesterday. But this could be a very legitimate offer. McGroarty is not “failed” and neither is Jirisek. But because RD might be a more coveted position, it would take a little more than Mcgrorty.
Hi Johnny
I literally was about to post re Wadell “wanted a prospect-for-prospect return” that a McGroarty/Jiricek swap is ideal
Then I read your post
Fully concur
Dubas lost in the McGroarty trade; I posted several times on this but iit seems maybe (LOL) Kingerski was reading my posts:
Kingerski yesterday:
“Dubas overpaid for Rutger McGroarty in August by giving up 2023 first-round pick Brayden Yager. Winnipeg was able to dictate the terms for a player whom they were going to eventually lose for nothing. McGroarty’s struggles to score in the pro game and skating issues do not make the trade look better in hindsight.”
Can’t reverse trade (even though we’d love to)
McGroarty not performing anywhere near expectations. Ditto Jiricek
Flip them
We badly need a 3rd pairing
I agree with the majority of the Pens reporters, St. Ivany has struggled and it’s been worse when Sully has tried to put lefties Shea ir Gryzelzyk at 3 RD
Jiricek in at 3rd pairing RD certainly can’t be worse
Dubas has only won one trade (Tomasino) and this flip would be a “draw”, but we do need a 3rd pairing RD. Jiricek has size, youth, and needs to prove himself
Make the deal Dubas
Yes it would take McGroarty and more maybe a first to land a young 20 year old right handed defencemen with size
After all the drama with McGroarty this past summer, I don’t CBJ as an ideal landing spot. They’re pretty loaded with good, young forwards.
Yes, they are and Waddell won’t take someone else’s problem child without a hell of a sweetener. That is, if the Jackets are intent on trading Jiricek. Nothing Waddell has said indicates that he’s eager to trade Jiricek. All the noise and speculation is coming from outside the team. Jiricek hadn’t even driven to Cleveland before the first “rumor” that the Jackets intended to trade him hit the Internet. A “rumor” that started in St. Louis!!!!
Your right Paul, pretty risky to move a young talented 20 yr old. Seems to me that folks expect too much too soon out of these young players. Especially D-men.
Jiricek has all the physical tools to be a quality NHL D-man with offensive upside, even a PP guy. But he isn’t ready for the NHL and Waddell is experienced enough to know you can’t hand a roster spot to a player who hasn’t earned it.
It’s better for the player as well. He needs to play big minutes in all situations and get the mistakes out of his game, as that appears to be his issue. Will he get it and be reliable defensively? We don’t know and the place for him to learn is not the NHL. It’s why there is an AHL.
8787, “McGroarty isn’t playing anywhere near expectations.”
Whose expectations? The player’s? The team’s? Or yours?
There was zero reason to expect he would contribute to an NHL team coming out of college at 20 yrs old. 3 NHL games to go along with 12 in AHL, maybe, just maybe, we should wait more than 15 pro games to evaluate him as a player. He needs to learn the game, mature physically, and work on it. We’ll see if he does.
We don’t know what Yager will be either. He’s a 19 yr old kid playing in Moose Jaw. Racking up the points, just like McGroarty did in NCAA.
Hi Ray
I’ve only seen McGroarty play a few times but the comment re disappointment and failed expectations is by several Pens writers including Kingerski and Yohe that have seen a load more of him
The McGroarty/Yager comparison will only be properly rationalized/examined/weighed in on down the road 2-3 years)
They key point I’ve made all along is that Chevy clearly won the deal. He had an asset literally worth zero to him as McGroarty made it clear he would not sign with Jets. He had zero power in negotiations yet called Dubas (not the other way around) and swapped for a younger player drafted in the identical same spot
Kingerski concurs. From yesterday:
“Dubas overpaid for Rutger McGroarty in August by giving up 2023 first-round pick Brayden Yager. Winnipeg was able to dictate the terms for a player whom they were going to eventually lose for nothing. McGroarty’s struggles to score in the pro game and skating issues do not make the trade look better in hindsight.”
Waddell was looking for a prospect for prospect swap
Pens need a 3rd pairing RD
Waddell, per many in media, is looking to move on from Jiricek
Why not try and call Waddell and offer up McGroarty see if he bites
If he makes s counter offer; the negotiations have then started
McGroarty has 3 points in 12 games for WBS and is -5 (worst on team)
No one is saying that they expected him to immediately slot in top 6 on the big team and do well; but absolutely no one expected him to have but 3 points in 12 games and be team worst in +/- for WBS
don’t know how Kreider is an issue for the Rangers. Trouba had a bad playoff because of his injury, but they will really miss his physical play once he’s gone. Kreider is a leader in their room with a voice, not sure who would fill that if he and Trouba were traded. Don’t see Panarin as that rah-rah guy in the room
they should be trading Zibenajad, KeAndre Miller to get worthwhile prospects. Doubt Ryan Lindgren will be kept beyond this year. Shesterkin is holding them in games but having him and Panarin taking up the majority of the cap space starting next season should be a concern (even with the cap bump). Chytil’s concussion history is a major concern and they have no centers among their prospects who can replace him in the near future. they are overloaded on wing, maybe deal Otherman for a young center?
they don’t really any other blue chippers in the AHL to help them.
Kreider possesses all the skills and can take advantage of his opportunities.
But he glides and gives partial effort too often. Watch game 7 vs the Devils from 2023-yes he scored almost every goal for the Rangers in that series but he was steps away from almost every goal against in that game. also not sure on the Rangers leadership right now. this core is not getting to the Cup. Igor and Panarin are the reason the teams record is as good as it is.
you need to move Kreider or Mika(not happening with that contract and full nmc)
So the rumor seems to be that Drury put it out there that he’s open for business. I think press jumped to conclusions. Zib/Panarin/Trochek all have nmc’s. IMO, Kreider not going anywhere unless it’s a return that makes them instantly better. Trouba was and is the most likely. With only 1 more year left on his deal after this season,I think Rangers would be more than willing to retain salary to move him. There’s no drop off by replacing him with Mancini. Would love to know when exactly his wife’s residency is done.
“Rob Rossi reports in The Athletic that Dubas “simply loves” the Columbus Blue Jackets newest trade candidate David Jiricek, and that he has offered McGroarty as trade bait in his attempt to try to land the 6’4″, 200-pound defenseman.”
Here’s what Rossi actually wrote:
“No Penguins prospect is off limits as part of the package, the sources said, including McGroarty. A Penguins source said Dubas hasn’t soured on McGroarty. Rather, that source said, Dubas simply loves Jiříček, a right-shot defenseman.”
Agree Lyle re good opportunity and need of Jiricek
But Dubas
“hasn’t soured on McGroarty”
That has to be what he publicly says but it would be a huge stretch to think that he is not disappointed in McGroarty so far
It has also been reported that Dubas has not relayed any disappointment in Sully. That is the public Dubas inference but it would literally be insane to think Dubas is not very disappointed in Sullivan
Sullivan needs to be let go but it appears that Dubas is afraid to make that logical move
Barring that, he’s got to show that he’s (Dubas) doing something
McGroarty for Joricek would be a move in the right direction
But the Jackets are overloaded with forwards and forward prospects. Now, a goalie who can who would make Merzlikins expendable……
8787, you write “That has to be what he publicly says but it would be a huge stretch to think that he is not disappointed in McGroarty so far”
So, by extension, what makes you believe Columbus would be any more enamored with McGroarty to the point where they’d be wiling to take a suspected malcontent F taken 14th overall in 2022 and give up a big 6′ 4″ 204 lb RD taken 6th overall that same year?
Especially since it’s been well established over the years that the two positions where players take longer to develop for the daily grind of the NHL are goaltending and defense.
And defense is what they need to acquire/develop more than offense where, in their Division, their 3.5 goal for average is better than the NYR (3.4), Philadelphia (2.9). NYI (2.6) and Pittsburgh (2.6).
And, in terms of a WC race, their average goals for of 3.5 is also better than these Atlantic Division teams: Florida (3.4), Buffalo (3.3), Ottawa (3.1), Toronto (3.0), Montreal (2.8), Detroit (2.5), and Boston (2.2), and isn’t that far back of Tampa (3.8).
A project “offensive” type prospect isn’t what they need.
So I read somewhere that Jiricek skating isn’t all that great. And it’s worse since an acl tear? Big and skilled though.
Paul
Valid point re forwards
George,
My take is that both Waddell and Dubas are public saying things they should; but neither is happy with the performance of Jiricik (Waddel) anc McGroarty (Dubas)
Both first rounders same draft
Why not seek out an equitable trade
Because … as I have indicated and Paul Bowles, who follows them closely says – an offensive project is not what they need. Their offense is doing much better than anyone expected after Gaudreau’s death and Jenner’s injury. What they NEED is an upgrade in goal (and no, not Jarry) and D, and Jiricek as a project has was more potential upside for them than does a budding malcontent, egomaniac F. Regardless of where he was picked. Hell, Puljujarvi, another struggling Penguin, was picked 10 spots higher. Clearly, where they’re picked isn’t the ultimate indicator of success.
if the Rangers to trade Trouba to free up space, maybe a 3-way trade with DET and CBJ to acquire Jiricek might be a worthy deal (at least for NYR)
The Rangers seem to think that they can get something of value for a Trouba or Kreider; and maybe for Kreider they can with 3 seasons of over 35 goals. But he has 9G 0A for 9P over 19 games; he’s 33, injured, and is a big red-flag option given his pre-Panarin / Zibanejad stats.
As a Flames fan, I was super interested in the thought of Norris or Pinto until I looked into their stats and realized Norris is making just under 8M and his best season was 21-22 (55pts in 66 games) with a long injury history and Pinto is now 24 (prime for offensive players) and hasn’t recaptured his ‘high’ of 35pts in 82 games. I wouldn’t be giving up a top-4 RHD for either right now.
I would argue that Pinto’s “high” was the 27pts in 41 games last season…
Fair enough, would put him at 18G and 54P for 82 games.
3 points in 13 games so far, missing half a season for a gambling suspension (BS as that may or may not have been) and lack of any indication of being a game breaker still doesn’t make him worth a top-4 defender right now though.
More or less have to agree SCJ.
As things now stand. given injury history and inconsistent production, Ottawa is more or less in a position of having to stick with both Norris and Pinto and hope for the best.
Their next 3 games are in San Jose, L.A. and Anaheim, mirroring a 3-game road trip last season where they lost all 3 – by 1 goal each. Both Norris and Pinto have to factors in a least 2 wins out of the 3.
On the flip-side, one or both could – and do have the talent to – break out and become what was expected of them when drafted/dealt for – and if that happens, those teams that could have obtained them could wind up regretting their caution. That’s happened fairly frequently over the years.
Seeing as many here will be either traveling to or doing full prep hosting for( we’ll have 32 at our place !Ouch!) the big meal and not posting tomorrow :
Wish an early:
“Happy Thanksgiving”
Let the belt/waistband expansion begin
🦃 🥦 🥗 🥘🥮 🥧
Gobble Gobble
happy thanksgiving to you Americans. We Canadians will be around cause we had ours a month ago 😛
Lot s of games to report on theSaint! NFL football and food take precident tomorrow!
Belated happy thanksgiving to you and all of those North of us.
Dubas apparently a scout and has a say with player personnel for team Canada in the 4 Nations Cup -yikes. Armstrong final say
Waddell will make a trade . Certainly has proven not shy pulling a trigger . And it will be a good one.
I maintain it is Provorov generating the calls. Tough trading that high of a draft pick and still only 20 in Jiricek . Might not be any good for another 3-4 years.