NHL Rumor Mill – December 23, 2024
The holiday roster freeze remains in effect until Dec. 27 but that hasn’t stopped the trade and free-agent speculation. Check out the latest on the Canucks, Sabres and Sharks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
MILLER DENIES RIFT WITH PETTERSSON
THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma reports Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller denies any rift with teammate Elias Pettersson, blaming the media for the speculation.
Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller (NHL Images)
“You guys in a sense of that outer world have created this thing,” said Miller. “This isn’t a thing. So, am I bothered? No. But you guys are just wasting your time. I don’t care. You can ask me all you want.”
Miller volunteered to bring in Pettersson so they could do the interview together if it would please the media. He said his focus was on improving his game.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This story picked up last week, reaching the point where the media is questioning both players, their teammates and head coach Rick Tocchet.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Saturday that the front office hopes the two players can resolve their differences but suggested the clock was ticking. Some observers suggest Miller or Pettersson could be traded if this continues.
The gossip about a rift between the Canucks’ top two centers coincides with the club struggling to meet expectations raised by last season’s 109-point performance. Instead of building on that, they’re clinging to a wild-card spot in the Western Conference, with Miller and Pettersson playing well below their respective pay grades.
Improvement by the two players in question and the Canucks as a whole would bring the gossip to an end. Otherwise, it’ll continue to be an unnecessary distraction that could have consequences for the club’s playoff hopes and the futures of Miller or Pettersson in Vancouver.
THE LATEST ON THE SABRES
THE BUFFALO NEWS: Mike Harrington noted recent reports claiming Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams unsuccessfully pursued Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas in last summer’s trade market.
An NHL source told Harrington that Necas “never had a deal to ponder with Buffalo,” adding that his most likely destinations out of Carolina would’ve been Columbus or Winnipeg. The 25-year-old forward instead signed a two-year contract with the Hurricanes.
Harrington wondered if Adams attempted to acquire Andrew Mangiapane before the Calgary Flames traded him to the Washington Capitals or Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers. He also indicated that his sources said the Sabres may have pursued Flames forward Yegor Sharangovich.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ehlers and Mangiapane are eligible to become unrestricted free agents in July. Whether they’d want to sign with the struggling Sabres is another matter.
Sharangovich’s 31-goal, 59-point performance last season earned him a five-year contract with an average annual value of $5.75 million starting this season. However, he has only six goals this season. The Flames might be open to offers but his new contract makes him a risky trade option for any club.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sam Carchidi suggests the Philadelphia Flyers should aggressively pursue Sabres center Dylan Cozens.
Despite the 25-year-old forward’s struggles this season, Carchidi believes he can regain his scoring touch if he played at his natural position at center rather than the wing where he’s spent much of this season. He thinks Cozens could become a high-scoring center, something the Flyers lack.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cozens has been a fixture in the rumor mill as the Sabres continue to flounder in the standings. Mired in a 13-game winless skid (0-10-3), some sort of shakeup has to be coming for this team despite their owner’s assurances of patience.
Cozens could be part of that change but they’ll want a good young player in return.
SHARKS OPEN CONTRACT TALKS WITH ZETTERLUND
SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sheng Peng recently reported Fabian Zetterlund wants to remain with the Sharks and the team is interested in keeping him. The two sides have reportedly started contract discussions.
Zetterlund will become a restricted free agent next July. The 25-year-old winger has emerged among the rebuilding Sharks’ best players. He’s in the final season of a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1.45 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zetterlund led the Sharks last season with 24 goals and was third in points with 44. He’s tied for second in goals this season (11) with Mikael Granlund and Macklin Celebrini and is fifth with 23 points.
Miller to Toronto for Reilly
I wonder why Leafs can’t position that ideal partner with Reilly
Miller could be the sequel to Gary Robert’s in Toronto
Reilly is from Vancouver , he may wave his no trade clause
As a Leaf fan I would love JT Miller in Toronto he is exactly the type of presence they need. Actual front line rugged talent as opposed to depth players. Losing Rielly, would be tough, his minutes would be hard to replace and has a full NMC. Players like Miller being available are exactly why I am against rushing to sign John Tavares. You cant have JT signed at 6 or 7 – extend Knies and 6 or 7 and have room for a Miller.
Tough situation for Vancouver to be in.
How about Frederic and Lohrei for Boeser!
Adams should be lucky he didnt get Sharangovich since when he doesnt score he doesnt do much and Mangiapane is either great or terrible so is overpaid. Ehlers is a really good piece, but he is still a complementary piece. If Adams deal Cozens he needs a C back and both Pettersson and Miller fits that bill, however Miller is soon 32 so is a risk given that.
If Vancouver get a D that can pass the puck things might just work itself out, otherwise there could be a trade in february of one of Miller/EP if things dont improve soon. I can see Tocchet wanting Miller while Allvin wanting Pettersson to stay
does kreider from rangers have any no movement clause or certain teams he cant be traded to. i noticed he was scratched from tonights game andstevenson from blue jackets has been scratched from tonights game. is there a possible trade going down between these 2 teams as soon as the freeze is lifted.
Norman d crum, Kreider has a modified no trade clause – 15 team “no trade” list -which likely includes all 7 Canadian sites, but I don’t knpw that for certain – neither does anyone else besides Kreider and the GM
Kreider might prefer being on the ice up here over sitting in the press box down there.
New York will probably scratch the coach next.
J.T. to the Rangers. Who are sitting Kreider this afternoon …and keep losing.
Not saying he is on the move. Maybe it’s Zibanejad
Something has to happen. Coach ?? After all he got dumb over the summer😜
Buffalo has to shake it up .
thats severson from jackets sorry about that
My Guess is that
Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams get Fired in January Or February,they need to fix it on ice…. ⁉️
and Adams is not the guy…
Terry Pegula is not going to let him Screw it up any more,
it looks like they will get a TOP 3 pick the way things are going,
Top Candadates who is ready to be a NHL GM……???
with Lots of Very Good team Experience
1–Mathieu Darche, Tampa Bay Ass Manager
2–Jason Botterill, Seattle Kraken Ass Manager
3–Eric Tulsky, Carolina Hurricanes Ass Manager
You do realize Botterill was fired from Buffalo once already. Buffalo NEEDS A POHO before they need another GM
Eric Tulsky is already the GM in Carolina.
Zetterlund looks great as a Shark, as does Granlund. I hope both decide to stay and see what the Sharks might become. I praise Mike Grier highly for focusing on building up the prospects pool as well. They may still be low in the rankings, but they’re making the games entertaining. If they could just get rid of that third period letdown. But I’ll take the improvement for now. Being near the bottom does pay dividends if they draft right.