NHL Rumor Mill – December 17, 2024
Check out the latest on the Rangers, Sabres and Predators in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
SHOULD THE SABRES TRADE KAKKO?
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks believes it’s time for the Rangers and Kaapo Kakko to part ways after the 23-year-old winger was a healthy scratch from Sunday’s game against the St. Louis Blues. He suggested offering Kakko to the Buffalo Sabres for rugged winger Jordan Greenway.
New York Rangers winger Kaapo Kakko (NHL Images).
Brooks also confidently states that the Rangers don’t intend to sacrifice promising youngsters like Will Cuylle, Gabe Perreault, Brennan Othmann or EJ Emery for a patchwork fix that enables the club to win a playoff round or two. He also dismissed the notion of parting with a first-round pick for a playoff rental like Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov.
THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh reports chatter about Kakko is reverberating around the league. He wondered if Rangers general manager Chris Drury expects to receive a return like a second-round pick or a package of a later pick and a pending unrestricted free agent. He doubted that another club would value Kakko enough to make a bigger offer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Rangers are entertaining offers for Kakko they’re doing so from a position of weakness. He’s got 14 points in 29 games, which is an improvement over last season’s 19-point output in an injury-shortened season, but that’s not indicative that he’s going to become a reliable top-six forward.
Maybe Kakko finally blossom into a scoring forward one day but it seems unlikely to happen in New York. With his trade value low, Drury could be fortunate to get a serviceable NHL player in return.
THE LATEST ON THE SABRES
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli reports big changes aren’t coming for the struggling Buffalo Sabres following a team meeting with owner Terry Pegula in Montreal. Pegula told the players he remains confident they can find the solution for their current woes from within.
Pegula also told the players he stands by general manager Kevyn Adams and head coach Lindy Ruff, adding they shouldn’t expect a big trade.
SPORTSNET: Eric Engels wondered what the Sabres fallback position is if Pegula’s vote of confidence doesn’t inspire his players to improve.
Engels acknowledged the Sabres have premium pieces at every position, but wondered why so many of them (including Dylan Cozens, Zach Benson, Peyton Krebs and Jack Quinn) are floundering. He also pointed out several notable former Sabres (Jack Eichel, Ryan O’Reilly, Sam Reinhart, Evan Rodrigues and Brandon Montour) who went on to Stanley Cup glory with other clubs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Buffalo is a terrific hockey town. Their fans deserve better than what they’ve seen over the past 13 years.
The Sabres’ problems are longstanding and ingrained within the organization. It starts from the top with Pegula, leading to several management changes, a revolving door of coaches, and players who seem liberated whenever they move on to other clubs. If this version of the Sabres fails to improve, Pegula could make another change in the front office and behind the bench.
UPDATE ON THE PREDATORS
RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports the Nashville Predators are eyeing the trade market to find some help before the upcoming NHL holiday roster freeze. A source told D’Amico that they’ve spoken to the Sabres and one of the players they like is Dylan Cozens.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Terry Pegula’s remarks to the Sabres are anything to go by, Cozens isn’t going anywhere, at least for now.
The Predators probably aren’t the only club interested in Cozens, who has recently surfaced in trade rumors. He’s struggled this season but had a career-high 31 goals and 68 points in 2022-23, earning a seven-year contract with an AAV of $7.1 million.
D’Amico reports the Predators are seeking depth at center and on the blueline. There’s been some speculation that other clubs might see whether the Preds and Steven Stamkos are having any second thoughts about the four-year contract they agreed to during the summer. However, there is no indication Stamkos is thinking twice about his new team.
I hope the the Rangers do not trade Kakko. The kid tries and gives 100% effort every shift. He is also cheap.
If Kakko is putting in the effort and not producing, then the Rangers have a problem on their end. If the Rangers have better players than Kakko coming up and making differences, then the time is coming for the player and team to succeed in separate directions.
Could Kaapo Kakko be traded to the Sabres?
The Sabres have a need for a top six forward, specifically a winger, who scores goals. The void has been unfilled since Jeff Skinner was bought out in the offseason. (Skinner joined the Edmonton Oilers on a one-year deal.)
Kakko could be a scoring forward. He is not scoring to prove he is a top six forward. He will be a restricted free agent when his one-year term with the Ranger ends at the end of the season.
Kakko is worth a minimum return. If he was producing more, then his cost could involve more assets.
It is usually a bad sign when the team owner meets with his floundering team on a road trip. The team owner could hold the team accountable for losing and expect better. He can follow up with his vote of confidence in everyone to break the funk and trend upward.
The Sabres do not need a big shakeup or a big trade to trend upward. They need to do what winning teams do, and avoid what losing teams do. Winning teams start playing with skill, intensity, discipline, and urgency. They win games often and consistently. The front office addresses positions of need. Losing teams are the opposite and produce negative results.
I would like to see the Sabres rebound from the ten-game skid and team meeting with a win against the Canadiens.
While I’m sure Brooks – like journalists who cover 30 other teams – would love to see 6′ 6″ 231;b LW Jordan Greenway on their home town team, I doubt the Sabres would consider his Greenway for Kakko proposal.
Not that I don’t believe Kakko will never get into a consistent groove with more ice time and, perhaps, different linemates, but rather that that isn’t what they need right now. As a team, they’ve scored 92 goals which more or less matches top echelon teams like Toronto, L.A., Vancouver, Dallas – but I’d bet they’re among the league leaders in 1-goal losses (discounting empty-netters). My calculation, scanning through their season so far, is that 11 of their 16 losses have been by one goal, with 6 empty-netters, which show up in their total of 104 goals allowed. So, in effect, their goals for and allowed is more accurately 92 – 98.
Bringing in an inconsistent Kakko when they already have a couple of their own needing to get untracked (e.g., Cozens) isn’t the answer.
From my vantage point they are very much like Ottawa in that, as Pegula sees it, the answers will come from within.
Although NJ is showing no ill effects of starting the season overseas with 2 wins over Buffalo, unfortunately the Sabres are – and if you go back over the years since this was first implemented, more often than not the teams involved experienced inconsistencies. Some came out of it at some point, but not all. I think the Sabres can.
They’ve shown flashes of that capability with wins so far over Dallas, NYR, Calgary and L.A. (a 1 – 0 SO), while losing 1-goal games to the Wild (a 1-0 loss), 3-2 to the Jets and Washington, 4-3 to Toronto.
Re; Buffalo
To meney young d/men all at once, Top 4 are
22.5 yrs old…….and nobody on the Ice to help them during the game, š¤
They need to add two Vet d/men both RD, put one on the 1st and 2nd parings…
Sabres do have premium pieces at every position, but wondered why so many of them (including Dylan Cozens, Zach Benson, Peyton Krebs and Jack Quinn) are Struggling same as the d… to many young forwards all at once the need 3 New Vets up front
A Trade Suggestion….ā
Buffalo send a 2025 1st pick & Centre Dylan Cozens
to
Sen’s for Centre Josh Norris after the season or
befor the draft,… Both players need a change of teams and Norris is a good Centre just what Buffalo need’s….ā
Buffalo have 1 good Centre Tage Thompson and a struggling again Dylan Cozens as #2 Centre
they have a good 3rd line Centre Who if not very offensive more of a Defensive Style Centre.
Willie, I don’t disagree that a first pair RD and a 2nd pair RD would help Buffalo, it would also help a lot of teams.
It ain’t happening. Demand is a mile higher than supply. Hence teams don’t trade those guys if they have them, unless you want to grab an older one who is a pending UFA from a crappy team. 2nd pair guy with term maybe, but even then you will pay. But agree it is a need they have to address, so will likely have too in the off season.
Trading for a pending UFA this season – If you were that player would you sign an extension in Buffalo when they have sucked for 13 years, and starting to look like 14? Bad idea IMO.
I get it, selling patience after 13 years of suck is tough, but giving up young guys who are struggling, like Cozens, for a guy with the dreaded “shoulder problems” would be a major mistake IMO.
Ruff is right, its up to him to get them playing the right way. And they really need their best player, Dahlin, back in the lineup.
I think he will get it done eventually, but it takes time with young D and C’s. They give up way too many scoring chances, especially the high danger variety.
They can be better than they are, the question is why aren’t they. Panic moves can cripple a team long term.
Ray,
They may have to go the UFA Route for 1 RD-man
and a Trade for a other RD-man
I dont think Trading for a RD-man pending UFA this season is the way to go as they will finish somewherein the bottom 5…ā
maybe thats the pick the trade for a RD….??
Ruff is Right but thats what the last 4 coachs thought also time to make BIG changes….starting in the off season before the draft…ā
A first and Cozens for oft injured Josh Norris?? You a Sensā fan?
Buffalo need a good centre
And sounds like He is available via a good trade
There will be lots of interesting teams that want a good 25 yr old Centre with 4.5 years left
The ONLY talk about Norris being available through trade comes from pundits looking for subject matter to meet their column requirements – none of which originated in Ottawa.
There has NEVER been a hint of Staios suggesting he’d even listen to offers.
What gives you the impression Norris needs a change of scenery? He’s having a pretty good year so far. He’s a solid 2 way player, scores goals, and since he’s been back, he’s showing a lot of grit on the forecheck and back check. He’s also good buddies with a bunch of his teammates. If you’re the Sens, you don’t change anything with the exception of trying to get an upgrade on a RD. If I were the Sens, I’d say trade Greig and Zub for Andersen in Calgary.
Just wondering, could the Rangers problem be that the hockey gods have decided that they’re only allowed to win the Cup every 50 years?
As long as the Bills are prospering, Pegula will keep the heat off the Sabres!Whatever happened to Connor Clifton?He was a serviceable 3 rd pair D in Boston?
I think Kakko is getting scratched again tonight. Iād say itās nothing to do with his play. My guess is a trade is coming. A guy like Greenway does nothing for Rangers. Can just bring up Rempe. Kakko on his own or part of a package (Miller or Lindgren)for players that might be available. Tuch or Cozens from Buf. Frederic from Bās. Zegras?
Hoglander? Batherson?
Gorton drafted Kakko in NY. If the Habs show no interest in him, I’d say he’s worth no more than a late 2nd for anyone else. That being said, if the Habs are interested, he’s worth no more than that late 2nd anyway. Can’t be any worse that the Dach and Barron experiments…..even a broken clock is right twice a day………..
Slick and Ranger fans, what kind of player is Kakko when he isn’t scoring? What else does he do to bring value to the team? He’s a good size, and I assume getting drafted 2nd overall means he can skate.
I look at Podkolzin in Edmonton who is a reclamation project from VCR. He ain’t producing goals and assists for himself, but he is helping them win games. He skates, blocks shots, hits, digs out pucks like a champ, and moves the puck smartly. He is just struggling to finish. Knoblach has even been giving him minutes with Draisaitl pretty consistently. That doesn’t happen unless Draisaitl likes playing with him and has told the coach that. His team mates seem to have a real appreciation for the kid.
Is or can Kakko be that guy? If so, he’s worth taking a chance on in a trade.
Kakko is an excellent 2 way player. Not a big hitter but uses his size well to keep possession. Heās skilled but just hasnāt been the point producer they expected from # 2 overall pick. Has serious confidence issues.
Leafs are without Stolly the goalie for 4-6 weeks aftr a procedure on his knee. OH MY!!š±
Ottawa might have some Division competition finding a good, consistent back-up.
Like Ullmark, Woll is having a decent season with a 2.24gaa and 0.918 save %, but going for any length with Hildeby as the back-up might present some problems. His record in the AHL this season is certainly sub-par with a 3.68gaa and 0.875 save %.
George there are a couple out there
Eric Comrie, 30.
Andā¦
Just forgot the others guys name that would be good for the Sensā¦ā¦
Larkin from the Canucks is going to get a starter job somewhereā¦š¤š¤
George there are a couple out there, any one of these 3 would be goodā¦.š¤
Eric Comrie, 30.
Charlie Lindgren 31
Ilya Samsonov 28
Kevin Lankinen The
30 yr old from the Canucks is going to get a starter job somewhereā¦š¤
Larkin does not play for the Nucks, it is Lankinen! Correct your auto correct, you have done this one too many times. š
By the way, where’s Yogi these days?
Hey johnny,
its not auto spell is called getting Old….āļø
Im thinking dylan Larkin, ( Wing’s)
when Im mean Goaltender Kevin Lankinen Canucks
i think most fokes know what i meant…
Kakko at practice didnāt hide his disappointment. Nobody from coaching staff has talked to him. Kids not sure what heās done wrong. Thereās at least 5 other guys Iād scratch before him. If itās not trade related Iād be really pissed off.
Something weird going on in NY it seems, from the outside anyway.
The whole Trouba thing, the GM floating him and Kreider out there publicly, or what he had to know would become public. Is Kakko just easier to bench than the others?
Drury seems like he trying hard to shake these guys up, but might be accomplishing the opposite of what he wants. Or is this Dolan, doesn’t he have a rep of being a little volatile?
I dunno, but this black cloud over the team might be self inflicted. They’re still in it, and have been consistently high performing team, not sure the freak out is warranted. Perhaps they just need to work their way out of it vs full on panic mode by the GM/Owner. Confident veteran teams don’t usually act this way.
Messier is the only guy that can get this group back to working together. I dunno in what capacity but he could do it. Some kind of special assistant in charge of getting your collective poop together”.
Omg, stop with Messier. He has zero experience, zero.
NY fans call his name every time a coach or GM change is mentioned. Why?
Messier as an NHL coach is laughable. They’d be far better off — for the short term anyway – with Bruce Boudreau ir Gallant.!
Hire Messier, when things get messy, eh?
NYR,
need to hire a Stanley Cup Wining Coach to can get them going Like Joel Quinnville who has been there done that he will whip them into shape…..ā
High expectations ,Presidentās Trophy runner up and best goalie . I think their slide is a self full filled prophecy generated by their fan base and local media pressures . Something is rotten in Manhattan . Watch out for the Igor money bags syndrome . They will be in seriousness trouble if that happens.
Kakko should get something more than a second . I think multiple picks and a suspect prospect
With all the teams performing under expectations There has to be a blockbuster on the horizon