NHL Rumor Mill – December 5, 2024
Check out the latest on Canucks center J.T. Miller, Penguins center Evgeni Malkin and Rangers center Mika Zibanejad in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
CANUCKS PRESIDENT WANTS RUMORS ABOUT J.T. MILLER TO STOP
THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports Vancouver Canucks president Jim Rutherford wants the baseless rumors swirling around J.T. Miller to stop.
Miller’s been on an indefinite leave of absence from the Canucks since Nov. 19. Johnston indicates he’s “looking to get himself right”, focussing on getting himself mentally back to where he was.
Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller (NHL Images)
However, the lack of details over Miller’s absence has prompted speculation suggesting he clashed with head coach Rick Tocchet or doesn’t see eye-to-eye with teammate Elias Pettersson. Some wonder if Miller could be traded to the Boston Bruins or New York Rangers.
Rutherford, however, shot down that speculation. “Don’t start making stuff up on someone in this situation. That’s disrespectful,” he said. He also said that he’s not trading Miller. “We stand by him.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s natural to speculate when a player is absent for no specified reason. Nevertheless, those who did could’ve saved themselves the trouble if they had done a bit of research. On Nov. 19, Johnston reported that Miller was trying to play through an injury but the emotional weight of doing so overwhelmed him.
The good news is Miller could return to action soon. He has a roster spot on Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in February.
NO TRUTH TO RUMOR LINKING MALKIN TO THE STARS
THE ATHLETIC’s Rob Rossi took to social media on Wednesday to address a rumor linking Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin to the Dallas Stars. In short, “It’s never happening.”
Rossi writes it felt like he spent “25 percent” of his time shooting down Sidney Crosby trade rumors. “Anyway, take what I said about Crosby – it’s never happening – and apply it to Evgeni Malkin.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Shades of “Malkin to the Kings” 16 years ago. The originator of the current Malkin rumor acknowledged the 38-year-old center would have to waive his no-movement clause. As Rossi pointed out, he would have no interest in doing that.
RANGERS GAUGING ZIBANEJAD’S TRADE VALUE
RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico cited an NHL source claiming the New York Rangers are willing to entertain offers for Mika Zibanejad.
Reports emerged last week indicating the Rangers could also entertain offers for veterans like Jacob Trouba and Chris Kreider. D’Amico’s source said Zibanejad is “out there for sure”, claiming the Rangers had discussions with a Western Conference team. “They discussed him but I’m not sure there’s a match there. I think it was more the Rangers continuing to gauge his value on the market.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It stands to reason that Zibanejad would’ve been on the Rangers list of veterans who could become trade candidates. His offensive difficulties this season have factored into the club’s recent struggles.
Zibanejad seems the least likely of that trio to be traded based on his contract alone. He’s signed through 2029-30 with a full no-movement clause and an $8.5 million annual average value. Trouba has a year left on his contract ($8 million AAV) and Kreider two years ($6.5 million AAV), with both players carrying 15-team no-trade clauses.
Zibanejad would be a difficult guy to trade. His overall game right now is a bit more concerning than his downturn in offense. This guy looks lost.
They should just move him to left wing. And slot Kakko in the middle of Zibanejad and Kreider on the right side.
Kakko has looked much better at center than I would have anticipated
At this point, I’d try about anything to turn this team around!
I don’t see a trade out there due to nmcs, ntcs and lack of the type of players they’re missing on the market.
Speculation sez Mika to Dallas trade…..I would rather speculate a Kadri to Dallas trade would be better for Dallas. Kadri has less salary, 1 yr less on his contract, more reported willingness to be traded to a contender, and a better suited “playoff guy” then Mika. I am thinking if Dallas takes the whole salary that the trade could only be something like Borque and a 2nd. But Borque and a 1st would have the Flames retaining at least a million or slightly more.
JohnnyZ: “more reported willingness to be traded to a contender”? Every report I’ve seen and heard out of Calgary about Kadri is he’s happy there and isn’t interested in getting traded.
Lyle:
“Kadri, now in the third year of a seven-year, $49 million deal with Calgary, has reportedly been open to the idea of returning to Toronto or even Colorado, according to insiders.
While the Flames are not actively shopping him, Eric Francis of The FAN Hockey Show noted that they could consider moving Kadri for the right offer.”
I have seen other sources as well
Nowhere do those “insiders” say Kadri wants out, Johnny. He denied that speculation during the offseason. Furthermore, Francis isn’t saying he wants out.
You claimed he did. Big difference between idle speculation from “insiders” and actual reports he’d welcome a trade or that the Flames are in fact shopping him.
Zibenijads game is clearly slipping. He’ll be 32 at seasons end and has a big money contract taking him to 37. He’s not being traded without a sweetener and a retention which the Rangers won’t do.
If he were to be traded, I don’t think retention and a sweetener would be necessary.
I don’t like his overall game at the moment, but if NY shaved 2 million off that cap hit putting him at 6.5 o don’t think they’d be adding to it.
He’s still on pace for 60+ points and he’s a notorious slow starter every season.
Much like I was saying about kreider in the other thread, this entire team is not playing well collectively.
I’m not putting the blame on any 1 player.
True. It just won’t be Malkin.
Other than Florida and maybe Rangers, I would guess Malkin would just retire than report to a different team.
Watched Bruins Hawks last night I wasn’t real impressed with Bertuzzi and I was a fan when he was in Detroit and Boston. He seemed slow and made many mistakes I see they fired their coach not sure they have the roster to win. Bert’s contract may be a big anchor going forward.
Slow skating, low IceQ, not a good player for any team to overpay.