NHL Rumor Mill – December 3, 2024
Check out the latest on the Oilers, Panthers and Hurricanes in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
HOW WILL THE OILERS IMPROVE THEIR BLUELINE?
THE ATHLETIC: Allan Mitchell cited Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman saying he’d like to add a defenseman later this season during a recent interview with Daniel Nugent-Bowman.
Mitchell suggested Henri Jokiharju of the Buffalo Sabres and J.J. Moser of the Tampa Bay Lightning as trade options.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jokiharju might be available if the Sabres are out of playoff contention at the March 7 trade deadline. He’s eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in July.
Moser isn’t going anywhere. He’s signed through next season with an average annual value of $3.375 million and currently skates alongside Victor Hedman on the Lightning’s top defense pairing.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: A reader asked Jim Matheson if there was anything to the speculation suggesting Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard could land with the Oilers by the trade deadline.
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson (NHL Images).
Matheson believes the Oilers would prefer Savard’s teammate Mike Matheson, provided the Canadiens retained part of his $4.875 million AAV because he’s a better puckmover.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matheson has surfaced in the rumor mill as the Canadiens are once again among the bottom feeders in the standings. Habs GM Kent Hughes will want a a first-round pick or a top prospect as part of a package deal, especially if the inquiring team wants him to retain part of Matheson’s salary.
DAILY FACEOFF: Jason Gregor noted that Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen has frequently popped up in trade rumors. However, he’s torn on the big Finn because of his consistency with his decision-making. Gregor also mentioned Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames, but considers the odds of the Oilers landing him are “pretty much zero.”
UPDATES ON THE PANTHERS AND HURRICANES
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the Florida Panthers have had internal discussions about tweaking their blueline between now and the March 7 trade deadline. “They don’t have much cap space, so they’ll have to be creative.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Puckpedia shows the Panthers with $1.69 million in current cap space but could have over $5.4 million by March 7. That should provide sufficient wiggle room for GM Bill Zito to get creative in the trade market.
LeBrun reports the Carolina Hurricanes signing Dustin Tokarski on Monday doesn’t take them out of the goalie market. He believes they could act at any time if a goalie becomes available who slots ahead of Spencer Martin and Tokarski. They’ll also want to see how Frederik Andersen performs when he returns from his recent knee procedure.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There aren’t many options currently available which explains the signing of Tokarski. They’re fine with Pyotr Kochetkov as their starter but want to ensure they’ve got sufficient depth in case injuries strike again.
Re; Oilers and d/men
The top choices are for 2nd pairing are the following
1-Connor Murphy, Hawks,has term 1.6 years left RD
2-Mike Matheson, Habs has term 1.6 yrs left
3-Marcus Pettersson, 6 months left at $4.M Pens,
Mike Matheson over Savard…… as Savard is Slower & is 34-35 years old and no term from the Habs.
The top 2 d have term 1 more year after this, if they can trade for the above 2 that would be better,
Pettersson is some one you could Extend as it a big Hole for the Oilers…
Dont be Surprised if the Oilers do something bye Early to mid January…❗️👍
Maybe its a 1st Pick or a 2nd pick and a Jeff Skinner going the other way @$3.M & 7th d/man Dermott @ $750,00 going the other way in a
money in money out Trade …..🤔
Skinner has a no movement clause so he would have to agree. He is also a pending UFA.
GP,
i know that he has a NMC ( Stupid idea )
But they tried him on the 1st, 2nd and now on the 3rd line….🤔
So when the other two forwards come back, Hyman & Viktor Arvidsson come back he may end up in the press box…..
Im sure the oilers GM is working the phones…
So who else need a 2nd Or 3rd line centre…❓
part from the Preds…
The Oilers have Today $4,520,780 in Cap Space
Hey Sjpp,
I would do
Pettersson and 3rd pick for young d/man Wanner and J. Skinner…..❓
How about Pettersson and prospect/pick for Arviddson and Wanner?
I dont see how the Oilers can acquire any Dman before the deadline. They have little cap space, very little on the roster they can move and those they can, have very little allure or value. They only have a couple of higher end propsects and with broberg, holloway and lavoie lost all for naught more or less, cannot really afford to move them.
So all in all, what is left are draft picks and if you hav an asset to move, i doubt you are jumping at anything the Oilers are selling right now.
But that is just my musings
How about those curious World Juniors omissions from the invite list. I guess being a top ten pick or a projected top ten pick doesn’t mean what it used to.
Big night in Calgary tonight They will honor Johnny Hockey and his brother before the game against the Blue Jackets. They will do it right they always do. I will see it because I have FanDuel because it sure as hell will not be televised.
Williew
Would take that deal. Pens defense is in shambles!
Hey Sjpp
I hope the Oil do this sooner than latter…👍
if they dont want J.Skinner ?
im sure they could move him for a 2.nd or 3rd pick
Carolina needs a reliable back up goalie. Andersen is out until late February and Carolina can’t count on him staying healthy once he does return. Carolina has 11 back to backs remaining, including a back to back with New Jersey in December.
Is Tokarski reliable enough? I’m leaning ‘yes’, though I admit that it could go sour in a hurry.
But if you think it’s ‘no’, then the problem becomes “how much do you give up for what will ultimately be your 3rd-string G?” Unless you’re factoring in Martin as the 3rd, then what are you paying for a 4th G?
I wouldn’t pay much of anything, and would try to run the clock out until Andersen is back. Tokarski, hopefully, can provide enough. Or Martin, but he’s looked shaky, at best.
Vladar for Kotkaniemi? Extra cap space Canes get may be of value this year as well.