NHL Rumor Mill – February 14, 2025
What’s the latest Bruins buzz? Could the Canucks or Capitals pursue Kraken winger Jared McCann? Check it out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST ON THE BRUINS
NHL.COM: Amalie Benjamin reports Brad Marchand doesn’t expect to be moved by the March 7 trade deadline. The 37-year-old Boston Bruins winger and captain is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1 unless he signs a new contract with the Bruins.
Marchand indicated he has a close relationship with Bruins management going back to when he was a prospect and general manager Don Sweeney was in player development. “At the end of the day, if they wanted to trade me, that’s obviously well within their right,” he said. “But I feel like that’s something that we would have a conversation about. I don’t think that’s something they would do on a whim.”
Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: All reports I’ve seen or heard about Marchand indicate the Bruins aren’t shopping him or entertaining calls about his availability. That could change before the March 7 trade deadline but there’s a sense that the two sides will work out a new deal that enables him to finish his career in Boston.
WEEI.COM’s Scott McLaughlin recently cited ESPN’s Emily Kaplan saying the Bruins are “listening a lot right now, both adding and subtracting”. She said other teams don’t believe they’ll trade Marchand, but they’re getting “a bunch of calls” about Trent Frederic, Morgan Geekie and Brandon Carlo.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Frederic is slated to become a UFA on July 1. Geekie is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights while Carlo is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $4.1 million and a 10-team no-trade list.
If the Bruins fail to improve in the standings by March 7, Frederic is the most likely to be moved by the trade deadline. Geekie could also go if the Bruins think they face an arbitration fight with him. Carlo’s contract could make it difficult to move him at the deadline, making him a more likely off-season trade candidate.
COULD THE CANUCKS OR CAPITALS PURSUE JARED MCCANN?
THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma reports Jared McCann is reportedly available and there are several suitors. The 28-year-old Seattle Kraken winger is signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $5 million.
McCann’s goal output is down this season (14 in 57 games)but Kuzma thinks he’d draw interest from clubs who think that drop is an anomaly rather than an aging concern. He began his NHL career with the Canucks in 2015-16 but was traded to the Florida Panthers in May 2016.
Kuzma suggests McCann would bring cost certainty. A lot would be tied to the roster fit and salary cap space. There’s also uncertainty over whether the Canucks can re-sign UFA-eligible winger Brock Boeser.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber suggests McCann could be an interesting name for the Capitals to pursue leading up to the trade deadline.
The Capitals are reportedly searching for middle-six forwards to bolster their five-on-five offense and bring stability to their third line. Their power-play could also use some help.
McCann could address those issues for the Capitals but he won’t be cheap. In addition to his contract, the Kraken could set a high price such as prospect defensemen or up-and-coming forwards.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kraken appears to be entertaining offers for McCann but won’t give him away. They’re not under pressure to move him at the trade deadline. If they don’t get suitable offers by March 7, they can wait and try again during the offseason.
McCann also has a 10-team no-trade list. That could complicate efforts to move him to a team that will provide a suitable return to the Kraken.
Senators could use someone like a Boeser, Carlo, Frederick, McCann would all be great additions for Ottawa.
McCann would be a good fit with Ottawa……🤙🤙
If they could move the $4.M David Peron to free. Up cap cash is the only way….❗️❓❓
Williew – I was looking up McCanns stats. wouldbe a solid player for the Sens to snatch up
I read an article last night saying that the Sens should go after Jason Robertson. There was nothing behind that, besides some journalist spitballing….saying the return could be a combination of Batherson and Pinto.
Not sure how I feel about that, but I’d be shocked if it were to happen.
Bathersons contract is an absolute steal and the Sens would not be wise to part with him. Pinto is the also one they would instantly regret trading.
Who’s snotty loogy spitballing was that?!! Why on the greenest of green earths would Dallas do that?
None of those too cause that would just be way too much for that guy. Both of these two are very young and have big potential going forward. We have to be like a second round pick and some kind of prospect.❓❓🤙
Scott,who are you willing to give up for those players?
SR, I think it is the ultimate question.
I feel Ottawa could probably get Carlo, Frederick or McCann far far cheaper than it cost them to acquire Boeser.
Carlo – I would offer Zub, 2nd rounder, and Perron
Frederick – I would offer a Perron and a 2nd
McCann – I would offer a 1st and a prospect
Boeser – Woud be expensive and most likely an off season move. If it were to happen in the offseason I would offer up Norris, 1st and prospect
What do people feel these guys are worth?
Am I close ? Way far out ? Smoking something ?
Why would Boston take a 36 year old Perron (@$4M rest of this year and next) in any of these moves?
Looking, not at the trade deadline, but the coming off-season, shows how difficult negotiating the cap crunch will be for the Senators … without adding to it 3 months in advance.
They are currently committed to these 14 players to the tune of $76,835,714, including the loss of $1,625,000 in dead cap space (buyouts/withheld cap):
9F: Stutzle, Tkachuk, Norris, Pinto, Batherson, Perron, Amadio, Greig, Ostapchuk
4D: Sanderson, Chabot, Zub, Jensen
1G: Ullmark $8,250,000.
With the cap rising to $92,400,000, that gives Staios $13,919,286 with which to sign 9.
He has 6 pending UFAs: Giroux – coming off $6,500,000; Cousins – $800,000; Highmore – $775,000; Gaudette – $775,000; Hamonic – $1,100,000; Forsberg – $2,750,000.
I doubt they re-up Cousins, Gaudette, Hamonic, Highmore or Forsberg. Giroux will likely be offered something like 2 years at $4 mil per.
There are also 5 RFAsL Gregor – coming off $850,000; Kleven – $916,667; Bernard-Docker – $805,000; Matinpalo – $775,000; Merilainen – $820,000.
Several bridge deals likely in the offing with Gregor offered $1.1 mil; Kleven $2.5 mil; Bernard-Docker $1,250,000; Matinpalo $1 mil and Merilainen $2.5 mil.
Counting in the 6 returning players at those cap hits would leave Staios with just over $1.5 mil in cap space with which to sign 3. Can’t be done comfortably, even using ELC call-ups.
SO, somewhere along the way, someone off the 14 committed to will need to be dealt, and I seriously doubt it would be Perron and his $4 mil cap hit. First because getting someone to take that for one more season, combined with his age and injury issue, would require too much of a sweetener. Besides, I still think he will become much more of a factor down the stretch this season.
That leaves someone like Zub and his $4.6 mil or one of Pinto ($3,750,000 for 1 more season, or Norris ($7,950,000 for 3 more seasons). And none of those would be considered until the off-season, especially if they’re still in contention at the deadline date.
Scott – the reason Boeser might become available is that he’s UFA after this seasons. So if the Canucks (or some other team that trades for him) don’t sign him, he’ll be available without giving up assets.
If he doesn’t re-sign with Vancouver, though, I think he’ll first talk to Minnesota. He has roots there.
East Van Fan, a Nucks reporter was on Edmonton radio and stated the Nucks weren’t thrilled with what he would cost in relation to what he brings.
He has a great skill, shooting the puck and scoring goals, some years way more so that others, but is lacking elsewhere in his game. Big long term investment if that’s how they feel about the player.
Van has the team to overtake Calgary pretty handily IMO, so if they are in a WC spot what do they do if they don’t want to resign him?
Plenty of drama already this year, definitely want to get into the playoffs and put it behind them one would think.
Looking at the UFA class of 2025 there are a few pieces at the top that might be interesting but after the top 4-5 the pickings get slim whatever position we talk about.
Hey George
They may have to trade David Peron & his $4.M Contract
for 1.2 more years….this maybe the only way ?
With A 3rd pick or a 4th pick & prospect…. Or
To move him to A Rebuilding team who want Lots picks like the BlackHawks Or Sharks
to give the Sen’s much needed
salary cap space could well be the only Way…..❓❓🤔