NHL Rumor Mill – January 14, 2025
What type of player could the Leafs target at the trade deadline? Are the Kraken ready to become sellers in the trade market? What’s the latest on Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LEAFS SEEKING DEPTH AT CENTER
TORONTO STAR: Kevin McGran reports Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said his club would like to improve their depth at the center position.
“We, probably along with 15 or 18 other teams, are looking at center depth,” said Treliving, calling it “the position du jour” around the league this season.
The Leafs are using Max Domi as their third-line center but he’s better suited for the wing. They’ve also tried Pontus Holmberg, David Kampf and Fraser Minten at that position.
Could the Toronto Maple Leafs target Philadelphia Flyers forward Scott Laughton in the trade market? (NHL Images).
McGran speculated possible trade targets could include Scott Laughton of the Philadelphia Flyers, Ryan O’Reilly of the Nashville Predators, Ryan Strome of the Anaheim Ducks, and Nick Bjugstad of the Utah Hockey Club. He also said Treliving doesn’t sound keen to move a prospect like Minten or Easton Cowan to address that need.
THE ATHLETIC: Joshua Kloke also included Laughton, O’Reilly and Bjugstad among his list of possible Leafs trade targets. He also mentioned Yanni Gourde of the Seattle Kraken.
Kloke observed the Leafs lack a first-round pick in his year’s draft to use as trade barter. They have their second-rounder in this year’s draft plus their first-rounders for 2026 and 2027. He agrees that Minten and Cowan probably aren’t going anywhere.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs are in “win-now” mode but not at the expense of the youngsters within their system. Treliving could part with his second-rounders and his future firsts for the right center, preferably one with term remaining on their contract.
KRAKEN COULD BECOME TRADE-DEADLINE SELLERS
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman speculates the Seattle Kraken could make some roster changes by the trade deadline as the losses mount. That could include moving some players other than their pending UFAs by the deadline.
Friedman said he’s heard forwards Andre Burakovsky and Oliver Bjorkstrand are “out there” in the trade market. The 29-year-old Burakovsky is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $5.5 million. Bjorkstrand (also 29) is signed through 2025-26 with an AAV of $5.4 million. Both players have 10-team no-trade lists.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman mentioned the Kraken’s prospect pool isn’t deep enough because the franchise hasn’t been around long enough. They could seek draft picks and prospects if they move Burakovsky and Bjorkstrand.
ANDERSSON WANTS TO REMAIN WITH THE FLAMES
CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson reports Rasmus Andersson has been the subject of debate among Flames fans. Some believe the 28-year-old defenseman is a key piece of the club’s future while others think he could command a significant return in this season’s trade market.
Andersson said he hopes he stays in Calgary. He acknowledged he has little say apart from his six-team no-trade list. However, no one in management has indicated yet that he won’t be with the club after March 7.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andersson would draw plenty of attention if he becomes available in the trade market.
Flames GM Craig Conroy showed a willingness last season to make bold moves even if it cost his club a playoff berth. He’s also proven willing to retain players who want to stay and be part of the club’s future.
Conroy could listen if a rival GM makes an incredible offer, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he keeps Andersson and signs him to a contract extension in July.
‘McGran speculated possible trade targets could include Scott Laughton of the Philadelphia Flyers, Ryan O’Reilly of the Nashville Predators, Ryan Strome of the Anaheim Ducks, and Nick Bjugstad of the Utah Hockey Club”
Great , in return for what?
2 prospects are off the table.
Draft cupboard is empty.
I can understand not naming names but at least say what pieces could/would be available/
Otherwise its just slop on the wall/
‘
Exactly. This guy is like Mirtle … it’s one thing to suggest a “target” but to make the article at least remotely realistic, and if either ever reads the comments in this site, please also state who you think might GET the target that the team WOULD be prepared to relinquish. And a distant 1st or even a low 2nd rounder at this year’s draft isn’t going to cut it for any of the 4 mentioned.
George, I don`t know if you had seen my post from the other day about Stolarz. He`s suppose to start skating this week, but seems to be a couple of weeks away at best
Hey, assuming you fellas didn’t actually read the article, I don’t like the Star writers but this wasn’t how he wrote it. He interviewed the GM who said they wouldn’t be giving up those prospects and then wrote who the top centres on the trade market were, never implied the Leafs would make an offer to land any of them, said he wouldn’t even expect them to make a pitch to Philly. Sometimes context gets lost when things are summarized.
The comments came from Trelivings post practice interview. Treliving was asked what or if any changes he might make before the trade deadline. He admitted Toronto was in need of centre depth along with most of the other clubs. All Treliving said was, we`ll see what`s available and go from there. There were no hints or even what his priorities were. Anything else was made up by the media
What do you mean the draft cupboard is empty, just because they don`t have a 1st in 25. They still have a 2nd & 3rd this year and most of their picks in 26. They`re not trading for McDavid for crying out loud. Plus Cowan and Minten aren`t the only prospects they have even though I`d want to avoid trading Grebenkin at this point
It’s true the Leafs have almost all of their late round picks for the next two years ie in rounds 5 – 7.
Also true that they have traded 1/2 of their draft picks in rounds 1 – 4 in the next two years.
That leaves them with one first, one second, and two third round picks over the next two years. Not exactly a lot of options when it comes to including any draft picks in a trade – if they want to have any meaningful picks in the next two seasons that is.
Given that the Leafs are interested in impact centers, which are always in demand, I don’t see a lot of options for Treliving.
LJ aside from common sense that every team is interested in an impact centreman. Show me where Treliving says he`s going after such a player. One of his few comments on the matter he says he would like to add to the teams centre depth, which basically tells you nothing. While true Toronto doesn`t have the assets to trade for McDavid without giving up Matthews, neither does Montreal. So, please show me where you read or a link to an interview where you heard that Treliving was going after an impact centre. Think Laughton, Bjugstad, not Petterssen or McDavid, then make a comment and no Toronto has no interest in Cousins
Yogi, I am well past tired of your angry, chippy, and sh**ty responses.
Comments here are for fun and to kick around different points of view. Except for you, apparently. Yesterday you popped off and claimed someone’s point of view told you what kind of person they are? Oh, really? So in addition to being a hockey genius you are a behavioural profiler as well?
All I said was that Toronto had few early round draft picks to offer in any trade, in the context of Treliving saying he was interested in a center. That simple statement of fact has set you off barking and snarling. Bizarre and incomprehensible.
You manage to drag in comments about Montreal, which have had nothing to do with my comments. It’s like you are insulted and have to respond with a dig at my team, as if that will get my goat. Relevance? Not necessary, apparently. Just irrational anger.
Grow up or shut up. If you had any dignity you’d be embarrassed at the way you respond to posters here.
LJ you made a comment that Toronto was going after an impact centremen, which is news to me. Now I asked you where you heard or saw that statement. Now instead of providing a link or where you read that you`re getting snarly, so I`ll take that as there`s no link. Pointing to you that Toronto hasn`t got the assets to trade for McDavid type player without giving giving up a Matthews in return and neither can Montreal. Don`t see how that`s an insult you or Montreal, that just shows how much it would take to make such a trade. Especially since you`re the one who says you`ll only consider what a player has done more than once I might had, not what a player can do in the future
Keep Ras to guide our young dmen. The Flames have good ones coming.
Re; Flames Rasmus Andersson
Has made it very clear he hope to have a New contract with the flames done in July & Stay in Calgary for the next 8 seasons.
Canucks & Sabers
I thought by today if Buffalo was going to trade with the Canucks for Elias Pettersson it would be done for today….. looks like they Cant make a Deal.. 🤔
JT Millar preferded location is NYR…
However now he would look at S.C. Contender
East Playoff Race
for the last 2 spots… have played 42 games apart from boston who have played 45. Games
Boston is in tough with poor goal scoring against good teams
The East, could well be any one of these 5 team’s,
7th,Boston,
8th, CBJ,
9th, Sen’s
10th, Wings
11th, Hab’s
Philly 44 G, and 43pts
The Pen’s 45 G and 44 pts
and both now plating Very Inconsistant
I read on another site that the coach is the problem in Seattle and it is time for a change. The change worked well for Detroit. Could it not work the same magic in Seattle.
I’m not so sure it’s the coach as much as it is the mediocre play of back-up goalie Grubauer. As I posted a couple of days ago, when Daccord starts in net they have a record of 13 9 2 28pts and a very decent .636 points % thanks to his 2.49gaa and .912 save %.
But he can’t start every game and when they have to insert Grubauer, that’s when things go south. With him in nets they are 5-14 0 10 pts – a pathetic .263 pts % pace.
I forgot to add – re Grubauer – “thanks to his 3.76gaa and .870 save %.”
Grubauer will be bought out this summer at this cap hit for the next 4 yrs:
$1,983,333
$3,083,333
$1,683,333
$1,683,333
Seattle is full of middle 6 forwards. Beniers was better as a rookie somehow? and McCann had that career year. They need a game breaker. better historically than the average expansion team but Vegas set the new bar high
they do no have an elite forward or a real first line. Francis needs to move assets to get one even if that player is aging
So how do you account for the fact that their 128 goals scored so far is better than Nashville, San Jose, Chicago, Anaheim, Utah, St, Louis, Vancouver, Calgary and L.A., just 4 less than Minnesota, and 8 less than Dallas?
So, their offense – while perhaps not containing a scorer who ranks in the top echelon of the league, is well-distributed throughout the line-up and not necessarily a major issue.
It’s the 144 goals against — that’s the kicker, and as I mention elsewhere, with Daccord in goal they rank right there with the best with a .636 points % pace.
It’s when they have to go with the back-ups – mainly Grubauer – that the wheels fall of, sinking to a points % pace of .263!
@George
You are correct but they also need those players to put them over the top. and a consistent threat.
Beniers or Wright i dont see turning into a legit #1 line guy…i would take Beniers all day on my team though
Since their inception, Seattle seems to roll 4 lines pretty equally because they are chock full of middle-six players and they don’t have any high end game breakers who can put the team on their shoulders and carry them for a stretch.
The coach seems to be playing the hand he was dealt.
To me Seattle’s middle-six roster is more about drafting/scouting/trading and is on the GM to get creative and create a true top line.
That sums it up pretty well.
Yogi, re your post above about Stolarz – I missed that for some reason but, again, it sounds like Ottawa and Toronto are facing the same issue with their top goalies.
Both are, or soon will be, skating again, but no one seems ready to offer any indication as to a realistic time-frame for their return.
Ryan O’Reilly would fit in perfectly for the NJ Devils, they don’t have any center help in the AHL and their top 2 centers are known to get hurt a bit.
I think its time to accept the fact that Francis has failed in Seattle. They are old, slow and the prospects are only ok. They should sell veterans and at least retool for 2 years
The Kraken have been in the league since the 2021-22 season. A little early to call them a bust, don’t you think? The Sabres and the Canucks have been in the league since 1970.
NY Rangers have only won 1 cup since those teams entered the league, I’d call them a bust as well
How many does Toronto have I. That time frame?
How many does NY have in that time frame? Kaapo Kakko sure looks pretty good in Seattle I must say
Yogi,
I believe Mike P covered that already. Lmao.
Is it time for me to remind you about the reminder I put up about Toronto? I mean it’s two replies up!
And every player Toronto trades looks better elsewhere!
Kadri, Hyman, Anderson , Kessel on and off the and on.
Stop being so sensitive!
Quit your feeble attempts to troll, we have put up with you. Mike has nothing to do with Toronto, so why bring up Toronto. You`re the one whose being overly sensitive because you`re the one who reacts first not me and Mike doesn`t speak for me
lol, troll, hater …wake us all up when there is something to hate about.
I was pretty sure he was a Toronto fan. He’s not? Either way was pointing out other teams have long droughts.
Either way, Toronto hasn’t won a cup in most peoples lifetimes. And have made it out of the 1st round 1 time in 19 – 20 years? WOW! I could see why ANYONE would be a “hater”. So jealous of that success!!!!
You don’t really have anything to talk about. Like at all.
Unlike you, I don’t take offense to criticism. I’ve been more critical than most about Ny here. It’s called being realistic.
When people go into Ny issues, I gladly join in and discuss it like an adult realistic fan, not a pom pom waiving fan offended by certain truths.
You should try reading your own posts, you go ballistic just like you`re doing now. You love to bug people but you hate it when they respond in kind. From your last comments I can just picture you climbing the walls. You were quick to troll Toronto fans even though they had nothing to do with Mike`s comment and you were wrong. So instead of just walking away you chose to try to escalate by going into a tirade. You have a sensible conversation with your temper, I doubt that very much. Do yourself a favour take a valium try to relax
Lmao. You’re kinda funny.
I have no idea what tirades you’re talking about. Please point one out. Any one you can find at all.
What I do know, if you’re always over sensitive to ANY type of criticism of Toronto. Again, I thought Mike was a Toronto fan, couldn’t understand how ANY Toronto fan would want to throw shade at ANY fan base so I made a somewhat (minor ) sarcastic remark about Toronto having had it even worse than NY.
And again, I can point out multiple times I’ve commented on NY’s play and have been critical over the last 3 years of their play. Can you do the same?
I’ll be waiting to see my “tirades” that don’t exist. Can’t find a tirade? Hmmmm. That’s because they don’t exist. And certainly not when some other contributor makes a comment on NY!
Seriously, at least come up with something that actually exists other than in your mind!
I would agree, they are destined to be in the mushy middle for years to come.
Seattle looks similar to the Canes before Aho came into his own. Good team system and 200ft players.
Beniers and Wright evolve into first lines and they grab a dynamic scoring winger…this team looks closer to the Wild
Kent, with an average age of 27.7 they rank somewhere in the middle of the pack, just 2.3 years on average older than the youngest.
https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/the-columbus-blue-jackets-are-currently-one-of-the-youngest-teams-in-the-nhl
cant disagree
is there a limit to trading future draft picks?
Like good Toronto trade their 2029 1st?
For sure. I think Rasmus A would do wonders for the Leafs power play. Send Calgary a 1st, a 2nd, Robertson, Cowan, Minten it doesn’t matter. If Marner and Tavares leave those guys aren’t going to replace them.
But why would Calgary do that? He’s on a cap-friendly $4.55 mil deal with one season to go after this. is just 28 y/o and a coveted (by just about every other team in the league) RD. In addition, they have a TON of cap space and are in the thick of a playoff race out West.
They don’t need picks and prospects.
Ryan O’Reilly + Berube = “reunited and it feels so good “! BUT it will cost a PICK and PROSPECT
IP
Iowaprince,Don t think Nashville is looking for prospects or draft picks! They have 6 in the first 3 rounds this year including 3 first round picks!I think they are targeting young players with term!
Right! Minton and Jarnkrok (salary) and a 3rd for O’Reilly
Jets should do trade with SJ for Granlund and a D-man. Give them a 2nd next year and a prospect.
I just read on the Score that they believe the Leafs, Oilers, and Senators are in a race to sign John Klingberg… and I am flummoxed.
Can anyone tell me why?
Because someone’s boss told them they had a deadline to write something?
Must be,,, I mean even when they added his stats before his season ending hip resurfacing I am just… at a total loss.
I think Staios is much smarter than this…
Up to $1.25 dollars can still be buried if he does not work out!
er, $1.25M !
Anyone signing Klinger at $1.15 M (annual rate) or less has ZERO Cap risk
If he fails; waive him and up to $1.15 M cap is buried
Sign him for more than that; foolish
Give him$340 K as s signing bonus to win the bid; Sal @ League min
Financial commitment of $725 K (balance of year)( Cap hit $1.15 M
Waive him if his performance does not turn out better than your weakest RD
What’s the risk?
I’d love Dubas to make the above offer. We only have 2 RDs
I’m convinced that Leafs need Matt Grzylcyk
Well, IF Klingberg is signed, I would think whichever team whose offer he accepts – and since it doesn’t figure to be a huge deal – will, at the very least, be a clear indication as to how one veteran nearing the end of his career sees the chances of that team.
Things sliding in Boston! Mcavoy on IR, Lindholm on LTIR,Kastellac onIR. Injuries mounting in Beantown!
Yogi….I hear you Captain Obvious used to attack and dog me too….when I was on this site regularity he used to try to antagonize me but i gave it back to him…LOL
Dorothy kind of left but she’s back… LOL 🙂
Would you like me to pull up some of those conversations black and gold? Maybe get a few outside perspectives from other contributors?
You’re almost the same exact type of fan. If anyone says anything relatively hinting at criticism, you both lose your minds.
Seriously, stay in your lane. I avoid you like the plague because your inability to debate / argue without slinging personal insults. It’s just a waste of time.
Captain Obvious….She is back welcome Happy New year I see you irritating Yogi now.
Never said I didn’t fire back at you in fact I was happy to put you in your place. You are the one who always claims everyone is after you and you are innocent. Hypocrite bro !!
My Penguins are wildly inconsistent but your Rangers are sucking worse..wohoo…
Not on here much anymore great to hear from an old friend like you what did Yogi call you oh yeah a Troll.
Happy New years to you….moving forward not on here much anymore
Lmao. You love nesting comments.
So NY has 3 games in hand and are exactly 1 point behind Pittsburgh. It’s funny how you only see through those black and gold glasses! Inconsistent/ sucking ? Lmfao! Well read! You seriously couldn’t have screwed that analysis worse than you just did.
And again, unlike you (who disappears when thing are bad and show up every 2-3 game winning streak ) to boast about how “right “ you were, I actually can criticize and listen to criticism of NY without throwing a temper tantrum! Much like another poster here.
We all enjoy the break of you not being here. I mean, your contributions are usually pretty irrelevant anyway!