NHL Rumor Mill – December 18, 2024
The latest on John Tavares and Ivan Provorov plus updates on the Islanders, Sabres and Canucks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHAT ARE POSSIBLE COMPARABLE CONTRACTS FOR JOHN TAVARES?
TSN: Darren Dreger said there is ongoing dialogue between the Toronto Maple Leafs and John Tavares regarding a contract extension. The 34-year-old center is completing a seven-year deal with an average annual value of $11 million.
Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (NHL Images).
Dreger mentioned the contracts of Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar (two years, $7 million AAV) and Ottawa Senators forward Claude Giroux (three years, $6.5 million AAV) have been brought up as comparables in those discussions.
The Tavares camp hasn’t brought up Steven Stamkos’ four-year deal ($8 million AAV) with the Nashville Predators. Dreger believes the Leafs center aims to be lower than that if this gets done with the Leafs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs would prefer something closer to Giroux’s contract. Everything will depend on how high the salary cap is set for next season. Original projections have it rising to $92.5 million but there’s speculation it could reach up to $96 million.
WILL THE ISLANDERS SELL AT THE TRADE DEADLINE?
NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears believes the Islanders core is running out of time to prevent some of them from hitting the block by the March 7 trade deadline. He feels there’s no point in keeping it intact if they’re going to be a .500 club and be in the mix for an underwhelming wild-card race in the Eastern Conference.
Sears noted this is the fourth straight season that general manager Lou Lamoriello has stubbornly stuck with a roster core that hasn’t won a playoff series since 2021. He doesn’t expect Lamoriello to be a seller if the Isles are in the playoff race, speculating the Isles GM could become a buyer by the deadline.
Nevertheless, Sears believes it would “amount to malpractice” if Lamoriello hung onto aging UFA-eligible forwards Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri if the Isles are only going to get bounced from the first round again.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Isles keep sputtering along as they have thus far they’ll make it easy for Lamoriello to become a seller. They’re overdue for a roster shakeup and Nelson and Palmieri could fetch returns that provide for the future.
LATEST ON IVAN PROVOROV
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports agent Mark Gandler said his client Ivan Provorov would be open to contract extension talks with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 27-year-old defenseman is due to become an unrestricted free agent next July.
Gandler said Provorov and his family spend a lot of time in Columbus and love it there. LeBrun suggests something that could sway the blueliner is his 16-year-old brother is committed to Ohio State University, though Gandler said that is two separate business decisions.
LeBrun said extension talks between the two sides haven’t started yet but he speculates it could happen sometime in the New Year.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Much will depend on how much of a raise Provorov seeks over his current average annual value of $6.75 million and whether Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell believes he fits into the club’s long-term plans.
SABRES STILL IN THE TRADE MARKET
TSN: Chris Johnston reports the Buffalo Sabres remain in the trade market despite their owner’s recent meeting with the players to express support for them and clear the air regarding the rumors swirling around the club.
Johnston claims the Sabres have been pretty active in having discussions with other clubs. He said they’re telling teams if they want one of their best players the Sabres want one of theirs back.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sabres owner Terry Pegula told his players not to expect a big trade. That was before they got spanked 6-1 by the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday. If they’re not doing a big trade, perhaps a change in management is coming. Stay tuned…
CANUCKS SEEK A DEFENSEMAN AND A WINGER
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Vancouver Canucks remain in the market for a top-four defenseman. They’re also looking to add a winger.
The defenseman is the priority. LeBrun indicates the Canucks haven’t been the same since Filip Hronek was sidelined by a lower-body injury. He underwent a procedure earlier this month and is expected to miss at least eight weeks.
CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal reported on “X” that Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman clarified his recent remarks suggesting a trade that would see the Canucks ship Elias Pettersson to the Sabres for Dylan Cozens and Bowen Byram.
Friedman said he was merely spitballing but said the two teams have talked. He added that he can see the Canucks having an interest in Cozens and Byram and the Sabres being interested in Pettersson.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman’s spitballing created a buzz on social media among Canucks and Sabres fans. However, the Sabres probably aren’t keen to add a player carrying an $11.6 million AAV, especially one as streaky as Pettersson.
32 Comments
From a Hab perspective the only Sabre that interests me is Henri Jokiharju, RHD UFA reasonable contracts in the past with no reason to want to stay in Buffalo.
From a hockey point of view there are about 10 players better than most of the Hab players. What buffalo needs is an administration that is proactive is building a winning culture.
The players they have are not the problem change the culture and hire winners not the old boys club
does it become “hard tampering” if the salaries are more and the players are bigger names? asking for a friend.
From a Hab perspective the only Sabre that interests me is Henri Jokiharju, RHD UFA reasonable contracts in the past with no reason to want to stay in Buffalo.
post in moderation was caused by my typo
Tavares is having a great season in the final year of his contract. Like most players when they become UFAs in the summer. I think Johnny is a fanatic 3rd line center. Grinder type that can score. A 3rd line center at the age of 34 that is on a Stanley cup runner up team. Adam Henrique, and he makes $3 million. I think that’s a fair deal.
Tavares will likely be looking for at least 8 million. Let’s not forget he still has the CRA case hanging over his head does he not? Can’t see him taking less than the top offer out there. At 34 the stakmkos deal seams reasonable expectation wise for both the player and any team looking to retain or sign him and there will be suitors.
If he wants the cash, I’d let him go. Maybe he can follow in his uncle’s footsteps and sign in Buffalo.
If Tavares signs for $3M in Toronto they should build a statue for him outside the rink.
Ya, I think he likes living there and playing there, and will play for less than he could get on the open market. But $3M is likely less than half of what he could get elsewhere.
That is a big ask, and if the Leafs took a hard stance on that, it might be the only way he doesn’t sign there.
I think MB4 is likely in the ballpark at 7, depends on the term.
So Yes Guy, if the Leafs walk from him at $7M, who are you going to replace him with for that amount that will still pot more than 30 goals? Win huge amount of faceoffs, team first guy who is team mates respect as a leader.
IMO low balling him would be a mistake, and I doubt Treliving would do that. Pretty sure OTT would luv to have him for $7M down the highway.
No way JT signs for 3. Maybe Giroux 6.5. But more like 7
The more term the less the $$
Tavares will be looking for a payday. He likely won’t get his 11 million…but I think Stamkos comp is likely more in line than Giroux. Let’s also keep in mind he still has that CRA case hanging over his head does he not? I cannot see him signing a team friendly deal unless that is dealt with first and in this regard it would be hard to blame him.
And teams will be knocking on his door.
I disagree. JT has had his paydays. Leafs are trying to win the cup, and if he wants to be a part of it he should be taking a home town discount…a big one! I would offer 2 years at 3 – 3.5 max! If he doesn’t want it, let him walk and sign somewhere else to be someone else’s mistake. He was never fast and it’s not going to be getting better with age. Let’s start getting younger. It’s a young man’s game
CB name me 1 player that you can sign that remotely comes close to what Tavares does for that money
@Yes guy, I think you just made Tavares`s argument for 8 per. Adam Henique 3 per gets you 2 goals 7 assists. Yep keep flapping those lips, the Tavares camp loves ya
Hey, now. Easy on the dementia jokes … there is absolutely nothing funny about the effects of that insidious disease.
I know it’s a touchy subject for you George. But at his age ot doesn’t have to be dementia… just good old age related memory loss.
@Chrisms it`s a touchy subject for everybody as they get older, not just George. Nothing good about one`s memory loss at any age. I guess you just forgot what it`s like to be human
I don’t think Vancouver would trade Pettersson but if I remember correctly he has average about 90 points 30 goals the last 3 seasons while Cozens had 30 goals and 60 points 2 years ago and hasn’t come close since and byram while good has been injured a lot including concussion issues. So if those 2 gets you Pettersson make the deal.
Pettersson will be the perfect Sabre. Young, physically and mentally weak, and doesn’t show up when the going gets tough. Sounds like a great idea for perpetuating the endless swirl into the abyss going on there for the past 14 years.
Garbage in, garbage out.
As long as Lou is around, he will make bad decisions. He is way past his prime and will never trade away assets. He is playing to win now and that is impossible with this old ageing team. He needs to go now and bring in new blood with the attitude to build for the future. The owners are to blame they have done nothing but let this team go downhill. An empty arena is coming why pay big money to watch this dumpster fire. Fire Lou now.
Pete remember you did once have Mike Milbury as your GM! OUCH!
Well, Well, Well.. where is 8787 when I need him. He has been ripping Dubas and the Penguins all year and well lookkee now they have climbed to 14-14-5 and they are in wild card position.
I told you they aren’t as bad as everyone says they are and the death of the Penguins has been greatly exaggerated.
Beating a good LA Kings team in OT last night was solid and they will be looking to make some deals. The Penguins continue to get younger with players like Tomasino, Pickering Lizotte Clueman and more are coming.
If Dubas makes one or two smart moves/trades like a Hoglander a Robertson or others they can easily be a playoff team.
I never said they would win the Stanley Cup but they can easily make the playoffs.
Buffalo Detroit Islanders all struggling they have caught the Flyers….we will see !!
They are trending in the right direction.
From a hockey point of view there are about 10 players better than most of the Hab players. What buffalo needs is an administration that is proactive is building a winning culture.
The players they have are not the problem change the culture and hire winners not the old boys club
Which 10 are you talking about?
to be fair, blackngold, he at least appears regardless of how they’re doing, whereas you were conspicuous by your absence when they struggled badly at the start
Well happy holidays to you to George… I don’t live on this site but my opinions have always been have been consistent….unlike many others on here.
If you have read some of my early post which I’m sure you haven’t I was ripping on Letang and Karlsson and Jarry big time but I never lost faith in them or the team or Dubas unlike 8787.
They do have a great coach, they have 87, 71, and 58 who has especially who stepped up lately. I also said consistently supported Dubas who has done a good job. I never waivered from that he has accumulated picks, gotten the younger and made some nice little under the radar moves.
I am on here just not like you are. I have asked you about Karlsson and Ottawa..i do try to get on as much as I can but too busy. I’m not really one of you buddies per say so you don’t usually respond so hence i don’t go on here much anymore.
But my opinions are good and valid the death of the Penguins by you and overborne else have ben greatly exaggerated.
They have a shot at the playoffs…that’s all I’m saying
Dislike me all you want, my opinions have been consistent, and happy holidays to all.
Hi BlackNGold
We agree on some things; disagree on others
We WERE in a playoff spot for 2 hours last night (but have played more games than others around us); Sens won, now we are down looking up again
Yes Tomasino was a good move
Having Pickering up and playing; good move
Lizotte if he can stay healthy; is a firebug
All checkmarks
This current streak is great; but it’s hard to rationalize that this kind of play will last
Of the next 6 games only Devils are in a playoff spot
That said; Penguins in recent years have had trouble with Wings, Flyers, and Ilse (back to back)
We’ll see on New Years day where they stand
Changes are needed
First and foremost we only have 2 RDs.
Deharnais trade would be very welcome but that’s a trade; not fully in control on that (and Dubas has only won 2 trades ; Tomasino and Glass; and lost badly on all others).
Coghlan is certainly not a Knight in shining armor ; not by any stretch; but he is an RD with size; is 26 and only gets League min.
He is on waivers; so nothing given up to get him
If he doesn’t work out; put him back on waivers; at least we’d be able go dress a third rightie on D
Dubas must put in the call on Coghlan; it’s a no-lose move
Yes a couple of tweaks would benefit; but they have to be simultaneous with sitting or letting go one or two of the slow and defensively brutal players already on the team
Youth is the right goal in acquisitions
But; in no way (NO WAY) should Dubas go after the likes of Robertson and Hoglander
We are already a small team that gets pushed around
These two are 5’ 8 1/2” and 5’9”
One is 175 lbs; the other is 182
These are definitely not who we should be looking at
I would love to see Pens make the playoffs; but I have to temper expectations with reality
Looking long term; hoping and praying for first overall picks in ‘26 (McKenna) and ‘27 (DuPont)
I agree with you on desharnais. That would be a good fit.
Ur boy uugghh p o joseph is back reacquired from st louis.
Ok dubas why reacquire this guy..
Hoglander would be an ideal fit with Malkin and tomasino
Why is Stamkos contract more in line? Is it not 100% not in line based on Stamkos performance this year. Overpaid aging veteran!
Kakko traded for nothing to Seattle.
Okay, I’m gonna jump on the fire Drury bandwagon. This is becoming an absolute dumpster fire!
Gave up early on Kakko. Second overall gets you a third sixth and Will Borgen ?
I don’t see a spot for Kakko in Seattle that already has 13-14 third liners . Maybe he can connect with Wright.
Or take his roster spot .
Kakko is the blueprint for a Krakken…. 200ft player who is neither dynamic or a constant threat but solid.
Shocked didnt get a 2nd….. Kakko might still be a 20-20 guy but the Rangers treated him weird
Kakko was still a young developing power forward. They usually blossom a little later. A great possession player (which NY is already grossly lacking) who was definitely playing better than most on that roster.
Way too early to give up on this guy. The most important thing to remember on both Trouba and Kakko trades? NY is not a better team for either .
Maybe NY has a bigger trade in mind where that available cap space is used? Maybe? But today NY is a ya worse team than they were yesterday.
Down to 2 possession players in that roster. Both smaller players. Can’t wait to see them spend yet even more time pinned in their own zone!
Hopefully Borgen can block 20 shots a game?