NHL Rumor Mill – December 6, 2024
Speculation has started over how the Dallas Stars will replace sidelined center Tyler Seguin, plus the latest on Jacob Trouba, Chris Kreider, J.T. Miller and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
HOW WILL THE STARS REPLACE TYLER SEGUIN?
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Dallas Stars will look within their organization to replace sidelined forward Tyler Seguin. The 32-year-old underwent hip surgery this week and will be sidelined for the next four to six months.
Nevertheless, LeBrun also believes the Stars could place Seguin on long-term injury reserve and use the salary-cap savings to acquire an experienced forward.
New York Islanders center Brock Nelson (NHL Images).
LeBrun suggests Brock Nelson of the New York Islanders could be a target target, adding the Minnesota Wild could also be interested in the 33-year-old center. However, he’s doubtful Nelson could be available as Isles general manager Lou Lamoriello won’t move him if they’re in the playoff chase and doesn’t always move his pending unrestricted free agents.
SPORTSNET: In his latest “32 Thoughts” column, Elliotte Friedman claims the Stars’ Western Conference opponents believe they’ll take advantage of the LTIR space at the trade deadline and aim for Seguin to return for the playoffs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seguin’s average annual value is $9.875 million. The Stars haven’t placed him on LTIR yet. They currently have over $2 million in cap space and $6.5 million in projected trade-deadline space.
GM Jim Nill might not have to put Seguin on LTIR to acquire a forward by the deadline. However, he’ll have that option if he wants to make a couple of big splashes in the trade market before the deadline.
RUMOR TIDBITS FROM ELLIOTTE FRIEDMAN’S LATEST “32 THOUGHTS” COLUMN
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports New York Rangers GM Chris Drury is trying to figure out what he can do throughout his roster to improve it. Contracts with full or limited trade protection are a hurdle. He believes Drury has spoken with the Ottawa Senators.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators must shore up their defense, especially the right side among their top-four blueliners. The Rangers aren’t parting with Adam Fox or Braden Schneider but are trying to move Jacob Trouba. However, the Senators are likely on his 15-team no-trade list.
Speaking of Trouba, Friedman wonders how interested someone will be in acquiring him if he’s unhappy with a trade before next season. He also indicated the reaction to the Rangers making Chris Kreider available was one of puzzlement. “Why would they want to trade this guy?”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kreider is the longest-serving player on the Rangers and a heart-and-soul leader. Perhaps Drury believes the 33-year-old winger’s best years are behind him and hopes to make the most of his trade value before it declines.
**UPDATE: The New York Post and The Athletic report Trouba has been held out of the lineup for Friday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins for the purpose of “roster management.” The decision could be a prelude to a trade or placing him on waivers.
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports the Rangers have multiple offers on the table for Trouba but they need him to waive his no-trade clause. Stay tuned***
Friedman doesn’t believe J.T. Miller has requested a trade from the Vancouver Canucks. The 31-year-old center is on an indefinite leave of absence for personal reasons.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: His inclusion on Team USA’s roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off in February suggests Miller could be close to returning to the Canucks.
Speaking of the Canucks, Friedman believes the Pittsburgh Penguins are interested in winger Nils Hoglander. He also indicated the Penguins “have shoppers for Drew O’Connor.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hoglander for O’Connor, who says no? Discuss in the comments section below.
Teams interested in gritty two-way forward Trent Frederic wonder how serious the Boston Bruins are about signing him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Frederic, 26, is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next summer. He recently became the subject of trade speculation. The Bruins won’t trade him as long as they remain in playoff contention but could consider it if they slide out of the postseason picture by the March 7 trade deadline.
Nashville Predators rugged defenseman Jeremy Lauzon is drawing interest despite being sidelined by an injury. Meanwhile, Friedman believes little-used Predators center Juuso Parssinen could reach the point where he’ll want a change of scenery.
The Florida Panthers will look to add a right-shot defenseman at some point.
Kreider is 33 years old and appears to be in decline. There’s an old saying that it’s better to trade a player a year too early than a year too late. It’s obvious that Drury thinks this team is not good enough to win the Cup and he wants to retool. That’s why he’d want to trade him.
Kreider is 2nd on team in goals with 10. That projects to somewhere between 30-40 for season. He’s still the fastest skaters in league at his size. His off season workouts have been well documented. Add all of that to fact his career numbers make him a sure bet to have his jersey hanging in rafters at MSG.
The Rangers may well hang Kreider’s jersey in the rafters. But the Rangers aren’t as competitive as they want to be with him, so trading him is a legitimate option.
Trouba is looking like he’s a goner.
Out of the lineup for “roster management “ tonight
C o Trouba for J t Miller is that happening ? Or Kreider for Miller?
You hear anything?
No, and No.
TRADE – Ducks acquire Trouba for Vaakanainen.
Wow didn’t see that coming the Ducks? Didn’t he have a no move claus why would he approve Anaheim…..nice place they aren’t winning soon..puzzling
Is U2 playing in Vegas?
The Athletic is reporting Trouba is not in the lineup tonight for “roster management reasons” meaning there’s a potential trade happening. First Goodrow and now Trouba…who’s left to throw the body and play with grit with the rest of the Ice Capaders? Trade Drury
Höglander for O´Connor seems fair, Höglander the better player but O´connor is bigger which suits Tocchet better. However, Vancouver doesnt need wingers, they need RD, preferably a top four. Anyone has one of those to spare?
Agree, Canucks are looking a number 3 and 4 defensemen to push Myers and Soucy down on ice time, but mind you so is 80% of the league, so I’m guess it will cost Hoglander and a few high draft picks to get that
Wow. So looking at Trouba rumors, it looks messy. Reports some teams interested but Trouba will use ntc to squash. Also talks he could get waived like Goodrow did in summer after blocking trade. Could be an agreement in place for a team to claim him. Rumors it could be CBJ. Either way, there’s no going back now.
Trouba had a full NTC last year and up to the new season. He only has a 15 team NTC now.
He might also be pressured to waive some of those 15 teams (like Detroit) or risk ending up even further away from the East Coast.
And those 15 teams had to be defined before this season started, so they are locked in for the year now.
Frederic is an interesting case! One of the few players that Boston can trade if they want to make a deal! Other possibilities are Geekie,Zacha,Peake.Poitras,Lysell,Merkulov,Wotherspoon! Not a whole lot of substance there!
From Mercogliano: “The Trouba situation is shaping up like this: #NYR have tried to line up trade destinations and let him have a say in where he goes. If he doesn’t agree to any of those options, the threat is that they’ll put him on waivers at 2pm, at which point any team can claim him.“
Lamoriello won’t move him if they’re in the playoff chase and doesn’t always move his pending unrestricted free agents
That strategy is poor asset management. Time to retire me thinks
If that’s true any fa of note including their own would and should demand full nmc to even consider playing for drury.
Trent Frederic would look great in a Devils uniform, but I don’t see Bruins dumping players at the deadline, they seemed to have turned things around under Sacco
Mike P,who would NJ give up to get Frederic?
@George
R U giving B.Tkachuk a ride to the airport , as per his new destination in New York
Madison Square !!!
He will be well 🤗 welcomed !!
Dallas is all set up to use the LTIR clause to win the cup this year! Contact Tampa Bay and Vegas to see how it is used!
People are starting to report that Trouba is going to Anahiem. No details yet.
Puckpedia says – Urho Vaakanainen and conditional 2025 4th Round Pick
They have Rangers with 8.57 million cap space!
No salary retained by NYR either.
Kind of crazy that they also get a 4th rounders. You would think they’d have to give a pick to Ana without salary retention.
I’m assuming that Ana will flip Gudas or Trouba before the deadline. Ana can also retain 50% of Troubas contract to drive up the return.
Trouba to ducks it seems.
Trouba traded to Ducks for Urho Vaakanaian and a fourth round pick no salary retention reported…..yet. if not this is massive for NYR!!
Can you get any further away than Anaheim ? Only 3 hours time difference
Looks like he left himself open and Drury took advantage . Detroit looking better now Mr. Trouba ?
Ana was on his 15 team no trade list. He waived it to go there. Supposedly he wouldn’t waive his clause to go to Columbus who also had a trade lined up.
Igor signed extension. 8 years 11.5 per. Guess he waited to see if Trouba traded 1st.