NHL Rumor Mill – December 14, 2024
Check out the latest on the Rangers, Oilers and Penguins in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST RANGERS SPECULATION
THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple recently listed several players who could trade targets for the New York Rangers. He noted that general manager Chris Drury has some prospects, his 2025 and 2026 first-round picks, and some players on his current roster to use as trade bait.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staple assured us tongue-in-cheek that no tampering went into the compilation of his list, a none-too-subtle dig at Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer. In case you missed it, Andlauer made a recent insinuation about “soft tampering” involving the Rangers’ rumored interest in Senators captain Brady Tkachuk. The league is not investigating the allegation.
Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (NHL Images).
Speaking of Tkachuk, he appears on this list. Staple acknowledged the Senators’ vehement denials that their captain was available and acknowledged the asking price would be high, starting with winger Alexis Lafreniere. Staple also included Tkachuk’s teammate Thomas Chabot.
Other notable names on Staple’s wish list included Buffalo Sabres forwards Dylan Cozens and Alex Tuch, Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin, and Vancouver Canucks center (and former Ranger) J.T. Miller.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most of the players on this list (following the link if you have a subscription) are very unlikely to end up with the Rangers, including those mentioned above.
Drury could become a seller instead of a buyer if the Rangers’ fortunes don’t improve soon. Look for the lists of Blueshirts trade candidates to appear in February if they’re out of playoff contention by then.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Remy Mastey cited ESPN’s Emily Kaplan speculating Drury could attempt to sign a big-name unrestricted free agent this summer. She believes he could pursue Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner or Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen if they test the market next July.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the cap rises by $4.4 million as projected, the Rangers will have over $20 million in cap space for 2025-26 with 14 roster players under contract. Drury could afford a big-ticket signing but it will take up most of that cap space, leaving little to flesh out the roster unless he intends on shedding more salary first.
OILERS COULD TARGET A DEFENSEMAN AT THE TRADE DEADLINE
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports Edmonton Oilers CEO and president of hockey operations Jeff Jackson likes how his club’s defense corps has played and has no issues with them this season.
LeBrun believes they could bolster their blueline by the March 7 trade deadline. Jackson maintained they’re happy with their defense but are open to opportunities.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples recently cited Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer suggesting the Oilers seek a right-side defenseman. Staples suggested Cam Fowler of the Anaheim Ducks, Rasmus Ristolainen of the Philadelphia Flyers, Ben Chiarot of the Detroit Red Wings or Nick Jensen of the Ottawa Senators as potential trade targets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cap space will determine if the Oilers pursue a defenseman and how big of a splash they might make in the trade pool by March 7. They have just under $3.5 million in projected trade-deadline cap room. The Oilers will have to shed salary or get one of those teams to agree to retain some salary to take on one of those defensemen.
ARE THE PENGUINS INTERESTED IN CANUCKS FORWARD NILS HOGLANDER?
THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe recently cited rumors linking the Pittsburgh Penguins to Nils Hoglander. The 23-year-old Vancouver Canucks winger has seen reduced playing time of late.
Yohe noted that Hoglander has fallen out of favor with Canucks coach Rick Tocchet, who was an assistant coach with the Penguins several years ago under Mike Sullivan. If Hoglander’s out of favor with Tocchet, Yohe doubted that Sullivan would want him in the Penguins lineup.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hoglander trade rumors have cooled off lately. He could end up peddled before the trade deadline, perhaps for a right-side defenseman. Based on Yohe’s observation, the Penguins might not be a trade partner.
Is there a fight going on between JJ and Bob Stauffer? Bob is the unofficial spokesperson of the Oil and is on their radio broadcast. One says they are happy with the defence and the other says the opposite. Who is in charge?
Stauffer is just stirring up the gravy that is to lather his spuds & turkey. The boy is withering away having only 4 chins now
When people like Stauffer toss out speculation as to potential RD targets for the Oilers like Nick Jensen of the Senators, it would help lend some credibility to his musings if he included why he thinks Ottawa would even remotely consider such a move, and exactly what he thinks Edmonton might relinquish in order to get him!
I mean, really … Ottawa just got Jensen in a deal that cost them Chychrun and all he has done, in 29gp, is add 2g11a 13 pts and is a plus 15 while at the same time helping Chabot return to the steady form he was a few seasons ago.
Not only that, but it’s been well established that, going through their early-season defensive inconsistencies, Ottawa has also been searching around for a RD to replace Hamonic on the first pairing with Sanderson, whose game has been suffering since being paired with Hamonic on a nightly basis.
Edmonton certainly doesn’t have anything on the right side – other than low prospects of which Ottawa has plenty of their own – that they could offer in a deal, so what would Ottawa do then – scramble about for not one but TWO RDs? Get real.
Besides, it’s not as if Edmonton is miles ahead of the Senators in terms of records.
They’ve both played 29 games with the Oilers sitting with a 17 10 2 36 pts scoring 91 while giving up 81.
Ottawa, meanwhile, has a 14 13 2 30 pts record with 90 goals – 1 less- for, and 87 – just 6 more – against.
Hell, I could follow suit with Stauffer by simply suggesting Ottawa should pursue RD Weegar – an Ottawa native – to solve their first-pairing issues, without suggesting who they might have to give up in order to get him. And I don’t get paid to toss out such stupidity.
Agreed. The Sens aren’t trading Jensen given their lack of depth on the right side and his team friendly contract through next year. Jensen has been a great partner for Chabot, who’s also played very well this year.
Please find a replacement for Hamonic. Bernard-Docker has improved this year, but isn’t a top 4 quality defenceman yet.
George, agreed,
When Stauffer oppens his big mouth…. most of the time its rubshish, he just says thing to get his name out there 90% of the time…..🤮
Stauffer toss out speculation like potential RD targets for the Oilers… like the Sen’s Nick Jensen,
if had done his Research he should
The Sen’s are look to add1 more RD as Zub is out Hurt on ir for 2-3 months…..🤔⁉️
When Brady gets traded in 4 seasons all of the rumour mongers will be all, “Told you so!”.
Being reported that the Blues are trading for Cam Fowler no details yet although Perinovich is being speculated as part of the deal.
Looks to be a done deal Snold 49 – Fowler and a 4th round pick for a 2nd round pick ands an AHL prospect
Good deal for St.Louis and Anaheim retains 2.5 million!
its time the league maybe starts to put muzzels on “reporters” when they start stories about players on other teams it is tampering, maybe not by the team but the beat writer of what 2 decades something smells, I am not a sens fan but if the guy is with the team and talks to management then its tampering if he is putting to paper
its time the league maybe starts to put muzzels on “reporters” when they start stories about players on other teams
If you muzzle everyone, then where will we get rumors from? Not sure Rangers would be interested in replacing Trouba 8 mil cap hit with Chabots. They have 4 LD that all need new contracts. I can see maybe having interest in Batherson. Scoring RW still top priority.
Legitimate rumours, based upon feedback from a “trusted source” are one thing …. journalist scanning of other team’s rosters and picking out specific positions for the needs of the team they follow and cover, and then speculating as to how they’d fill a need, is quite something else.
Re; Sen’s Roumer’s
An other Name has popped up Sen’s rumour today….
Drake) Batherson’s……..⁉️ Why oh Why would they Even think of trading this 26 yr old RW who has scored 60+ points over the past 2 seasons…..and
32 point’s in 30 games this season he is on pace for his best year ever…….78-82 point’s and has not missed a game in 3 seasons…….❓
Trades, it one of these two at the Draft or at the deadline….. thats only if the Sen’s are not in the Race at the deadline….❓
❓1st Move
Thomas Chabot the 28 yr old LD /man who has 2.5 more years at $8.M left i think will be traded ……
If traded for A top 8 pick in this draft 2025 and a
Very good 21 to 23 yr old prospect
❓2nd, move maybe
25 yr old centre Josh Norris, has 5.5 years left at $8.M per,
If traded for A top 5-6 pick in this draft 2025 and a
Very Top prospect 19 to 22 yr old prospect and a LD/man on the team
Possible
Re-Building & Re-tooling Teams they would want to deal with🤔,❓
all these guys need a good top4 d,
Sharks,CBJ, Flames..?, Ducks, Wings,Pred’s, Buffalo.
CBJ, Flames..?, Ducks, Wings, Pred’s,
they need both,
Flames Really Really need a top centre young❗️