NHL Rumor Mill – February 21, 2025
Check out the latest on Seth Jones, Nick Robertson, and potential Rangers trade-deadline targets in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli took note of the news out of Chicago indicating Seth Jones and his agent were discussing trade possibilities with Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson. The 30-year-old defenseman hasn’t requested a trade but appears open to moving to a winner if the right opportunity arises.
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones (NHL Images).
Seravalli doesn’t believe Davidson’s phone is ringing off the hook with calls about Jones. He also pointed out the blueliner’s contract is difficult to move. He’s signed through 2029-30 with an average annual value of $9.5 million and a full no-movement clause.
The biggest question for interested teams is how much of Jones’ cap hit would the Blackhawks retain. Jones must present Davidson with a list of trade destinations. Since he wants to go to a winner, those teams usually have the most salary-cap issues.
Seravalli believes the Blackhawks could afford to carry half of Jones’ cap hit over the next five seasons if it’ll fetch them a significant return.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The significant projected increases in the salary cap over the next three seasons could make it easier for the Blackhawks to retain part of Jones’ cap hit. PuckPedia shows them carrying over $36 million of cap space for 2025-26 with 17 roster players under contract. There’s enough room to retain $4.75 million annually going forward.
The Blackhawks could find a trade partner for Jones by the March 7 deadline but it might take a three-team swap to pull it off. They should have better luck in the offseason when more clubs are flush with cap room.
THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, James Mirtle was asked about Nick Robertson’s trade value. The 23-year-old forward is on a one-year, $875K contract and becomes a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights.
Mirtle observed that Robertson is a small offensive winger with 12 points in 47 games seeing sheltered minutes. He could become a salary-cap casualty at the trade deadline to create room if the Leafs attempt to add players at the trade deadline. Mirtle doesn’t see him fetching more than a fourth-rounder in return.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson was a hot topic for trade speculation last summer when he tried to force a trade by refusing to sign with the Leafs. He eventually inked his current deal before training camp opened last fall.
THE ATHLETIC: A reader asked Arthur Staple if he thinks the New York Rangers will try to add a third-line center or top-six winger by the March 7 trade deadline.
Staple doesn’t see Rangers GM Chris Drury going after a rental player like Ryan Donato. However, he thinks Drury would prefer adding a player who can be part of their future beyond this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staple mentioned Ryan McLeod of the Buffalo Sabres as an example if he becomes available. The 25-year-old center is a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights carrying an AAV of $2.1 million on his current contract. He could also see the Rangers GM adding a pending UFA like Boston’s Trent Frederic if he can re-sign him.
I’ll put it out there … Brady Tkachuk will be a Panthers or a Bruin before the start of next season
Who knows, Joe, but were I the Panthers I would be putting the $ towards improving the D. They have a decision to make on Ekblad and the rest of the D are in the “who’s he?” category.
Besides, who would the Panthers have that would be good enough to assuage the Sens fans outrage of trading Tkachuk? Sens fans are already an unhappy group, and have been for some time.
Thanks for the laughs Joe
Re Brady Tkachuk
I thought more about this ..
Harry O nailed it in a comment below !
It could be Matthew Tkachuk Deja by all over again …
Come on now, don’t be crazy. A) Brady is under contract for a few more years. B) He is a proud canadian, but half Canadian. C) The Sens are essentially half American. He plays with all his american buddies. Why would he leave? He’s a passionate guy, but to think he’s that unprofessional is a little sad.
Nick Robertson trade value = 0.
Cant skate, doesnt check, zero physicality, doesnt score.
Why would anyone give up anything of value for an AHLer?
A report that surfaced on Wednesday:
‘Insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period says that Yes, the Canes are willing to come up with the money… But no, Rantanen is not likely to take it.’
“In the chatter over the last few days around 4 Nations, there’s a lot of talk surrounding (Rantanen’s) future, and it’s not likely being in Raleigh…
It is important to note that money won’t be the factor here. Carolina is willing to give him the big bucks that he’s looking for, in that $14 million per year range. So that’s not an issue.
It really is going to come down to Mikko Rantanen and his being comfortable staying there long-term. And there are a lot of people around the league, there’s a lot of chatter among teams that they’re doubting that’s the case. ”
Just wondered how creditable this is.
It seems like speculation. BUT, If I am Rantanen, and I have the chance to choose where I go, as nice as Raleigh is, I could see the big lights of Manhattan, Chicago calling; or if he likes warm weather, then the Ducks look pretty good. All of those teams have the salary cap and their GMs would love to sign him.
The question is, who is going to be able and willing to pay Rantanen what he wants for the long term? Will there be concerns over whether he can maintain the numbers without playing with MacKinnon?
@Joe
As per Brady Tkachuk
What do you know that we don’t know ?!?!
I agree , he would make a perfect Bruin
How would you get Ottawa to part with him
The only way he leaves or the chatter about him leaving starts up again…is if the Sens continue to stink. He wants what his brother has. He was a motivated beast in this tournament.
Go Sens Go, he aint going anywhere.
Ken, Dark G,
Ottawa may have no choice. I seem to recall that Matthew was happy in Calgary – until he wasn’t. Didn’t want to commit to Calgary long term. The same could happen with Brady. You hate to think your captain would look for greener pastures but you can’t assume he wouldn’t try. In todays NHL the players have pretty much all the leverage.
Let’s cross that bridge if and when we come to it.
He signed for 3 more years after this one. Why would Ottawa trade him until then?
Ken….maybe the question people should be asking is…what can Ottawa give up to acquire Matthew Tkachuk? We saw how happy those guys were playing together…and let’s face it, neither Florida nor Boston would have the assets to pull off acquiring Brady, so, it the Tkachuk boys want to play together, the easiest way for them to engineer that trade might be Matthew going to Ottawa. They have prospects, picks and roster players that could make it compelling for the Panthers to at least explore…..
Hawks don’t have to hold 50% on S Jones. Hanifin is a good money comparable. Pietrangelo another .
A team can send a salaried player or two back with Chicago holding more like 15%. Maybe a third team gets involved
Players with that pedigree are not “available” that often . I don’t blame him for wanting to participate in the playoffs at some point in his career
Pedigree?.. Jones has been in the league for years now and has played on losing teams his entire career. When he entered the league, yes, he had that high end pedigree, but I would think that his value has deminished, significantly, never having the ability to make those losing teams better. I do agree that he could be a superstar if he spent his entire career with Colorado or Florida or Tampa, but that’s just not what happened. I hope he does land somewhere he can thrive (like Dallas…haha)
Holding salary or agreeing to absorb cap hit is all good and fine for a year or two depending on where your team is but anything more than that isn’t smart management.
He’s still owed $41 M after this year
3rd party/team of extra retention is not viable
@ just 5% retention that $2.05 M cash outlay
In previous years TDLs , UFA retentions of $200 K to $300 K were getting 3rd rounders (teams willing to buy a 3rd for a couple hundred thousand)
Over $2M; that’s got to buy waay more than a 3rd
The only way another team takes on $2M is if they unload close to that in a garbage contract
So maybe a 3rd team sends Chicago a garbage contract (1 year remaining) of $1.5 M (which Chicago sends to AHL) ; assumes 5% of Jones ($2 M, effectively costing a net $500 K) and gets a 2nd for doing it.
The net effect at best is Jones to final team at 45% (so at $4.3 M cap hit) for 5 more years
That team has to already pay 3rd team a 2nd (for 5% retention)
What then does Chicago want back for $20.5 M (amount in cash they are retaining); and carrying $4.75 M in cap hit for 5 years; and their loss of Jones services???
Is it 2 * 1sts, good young NHL D, and a prospect?
Off-season there is more Cap room and more possibilities
No-one is taking Jones st TDL for anything less than at 60% Cap hit; and at best maybe 1 or 2 viable teams
I suppose Jones is regretting leaving Columbus. Too bad. We neither want nor need him.
He was traded? He didn’t demand out of Columbus.
And why would he regret it? He’s getting paid pretty nicely and neither team has been in the playoffs for 4 years and counting.
Am I missing something here?
Yes he was traded after he told the Jackets he would not re-sign with them
I don’t recall Jones wanting out. But either way, I can’t really see why he’d regret that trade today.
Neither team has made the playoffs since the trade. And Jones is paid like Makar, Fox and more than Q Hughes. Elite pay day for a not so elite player.
I’m not picking on Columbus or Chicago, but I can’t see one reason he’d regret that trade today.
Seth Jones contract will be reasonable as it’s locked for 5 more years during cap increases.
His contract will be surpassed by many next year and in the coming number if past is prologue.
The last few years saw the top players get richer with young players on ELCs joining earlier than in the past to make dollars work.
This off season will be interesting as we see the GMs handle the new playing field and game it to advantage.
HB30 true but if he’s underperforming his contract, it will only be worse as he/it ages. Sure it will occupy a smaller percentage of the cap space the team has but it still isn’t great especially if you have guys that can replace what Seth brings for less money and/or you’re forced to move them because you can’t move him.
But if there was no cap, I think he can be effective on certain teams for years to come. It’s just at that hit, it’s just too much of a hole for me.
RM,
Is he underperforming?
He plays 24-25 min a night, 4-5 min more than the closest other D.
He has more pts than any other, he’s second on hits.
His game hasn’t fallen off, he’s playing on a poor team that is about to turn the corner.
Blackhawks have a pretty strong prospect pool to either ride into the NHL or use in trades.
They have a lot of round 1 and 2 picks in the next two years.
They have lots of cap space.
Only reason to trade him is for something substantial, eg a high $ forward that has offense and needs defense.
Your TML just might fit the bill for example.
I tend to side with HF30 on Jones. But honestly don’t know as I don’t watch the Hawks much.
When you’re on the ice for 25 minutes on that team you’re going spend a bunch of time defending in your own end. With young guys or castoffs throughout the line up with some good players mixed in.
He was a good player in CLB, then CLB had to reboot, and his #’s weren’t the same.
How would he do on a contender is one question, and is he worth $9M is the other.
Oilers could do it for this season and they need a RD, and could move a guy like Arvidsson. Next year would be a big problem as they need to sign Bouchard at RD.
But they also aren’t thrilled with Bouchard’s play this year, to many mistakes, and not enough urgency. He stepped up in the playoffs last year, but hasn’t carried over. And he will ask for big $$.
Can’t see the Oil moving him in the offseason, but sounds like they also don’t think he is worth what he will ask for.
Jones could likely be had for low asset cost due to cap hit and NMC. Maybe somebody goes for it.
HF30 Marner can wear 93 in a Hawks sweater. 😂
Re; Trades,
Over the next 13 to 14 days…
There are some very intresting teams looking to make trades 🤔
Some high end UFA and some players like MM from the leafs who wants big $$… if they can’t a deal for Compleat Max $11.5.m to $12.M Tops then trade him out,✔️
The maple Leafs William Nylander @ $11.5 M played Way better then Leafs MM
M.Rantinin may not stay in Carolina…❓….
Hawks would be dumb to trade Jones. They got nothing useful for Hagel, who was just starting to enter his prime. The Hawks should be surrounding Bedard with more talent, not subtracting and replacing with players on the wrong side of their career. You want Bedard to flourish, especially before he enters his next (expensive) contract.
If Hawks trade Jones they’ll have to not only eat a lot of cap space but take back a meager return. Hawks have enough #1 picks and prospects.
Meanwhile Bedard is surrounded by a barely NHL-level roster, no wonder the kid is dejected.
Hawks need to get a GM who knows how to move the team forward, and hire an experienced coach who could move the team forward
A little rant about the 4nations…
What a tourney! Great hockey, and what a final!
A lot of UFA’s have really helped their cases for their next contract.
Bennet, Marchand, and Marner especially. I’d hate to be the leafs and panthers and think I may have to lose these guys. That Bennet and Marchand line was the toughest line in the tourney after the chucky and eichel line. They are gamers. I’m a sens fan, but Marner really showed up in the biggest moment last night. Hats off to you.
Cooper had a huge impact on Canada winning too. To keep with Binnington took guts. He stuck with his man and he was a difference maker.
Also, to move Marner up with Mcdavid and Point was also a difference maker. Well done Cooper, looks like the players really like playing for him.
Congrats on team USA and specifically the Chucky brothers. They brought it in a big way and really made the games competitive. Too bad Mathews got injured, but his Brady was a force. Can’t wait to see him get into the playoffs with the Sens. Him and Sanderson had a solid night.
So people think Brady will be playing state side because of his passion playing the USA in the 4 Nations?
By that logic, Crosby, Mackinnon and Stone will all be playing for Canadian teams next year I guess.
SMH
Re; d:men, ( Right shot )
It Looks about the right d-men that are looking for a trade at out of The current teams
Seth Jones the 30 year old Chicago right D/man
$9.5 million a year or six +more years❗️❗️
Chicago Blackhawks would have to hold back at least 1.5 to $2 million to move a contract like that so it’s more approachable like a seven or 7 1/2 million dollars a year by then he’s goning to be 38 yrs olds ,…🔥
The other RD man is Not Happy as New York Islanders 25 year-old no Dobson who is an RFA right now currently makes $3.8 million.
Put a nice package together for him.
He sees a 6-8 year Re- build coming ….❗️🙁
What would a package look like for Noah Dobson..❓❓
For the Rd man, , Edmonton Oilers are interested in him for there 2nd Pairing RD…..🤔
In the next 2-3 drafts
-A First pick in the draft
-A second pic in the draft
-A $3 to $4 million roster player And
some type of Prospect.❓
Sign him to a 7-8 yr contract
At $6.M to $6.5M deal
Then he has the chance to win a Stanley Cup…..🤙🤙🤙
I’ll put it out there ..
Seth Jones or Mikko Rantanen becomes a Leaf prior to the trade deadline
Could Rantanen be traded again? If he wants to test free agency how does Carolina hang on to him or lose him like Guentzel??
And who will trade a ton for him if they know he will test free agency and you don’t have to give up anything?
Interesting is there something in the water in Carolina?? LOL
Marner for Rantenan? who says no?
Jones is doable for the Leafs but they have to include a third team. Chicago needs to get to the cap floor so they keep $4.75m then the third team keeps $2.37.5.
The Leafs give up the 2026 1st or Danforth, Kokkonen or Neimela, Timmins, Jarnkrok or Kampf, and another prospect and also receive a 2026 2nd back.
The third team needs a good prospect or Marlie, and Robertson.
Then they go to Seatle for McCann and Tanev.
Re Tachuck potentially moving in from Sens
Anything is possible these days but I said unlikely
Perhaps if a chance to play with his brother came along with a huge offer; then maybe
He’s 25 and heart and soul of Sens; under contract for very reasonable $8.2 M for 3 more years
Full NMC in July 1st; so it would have to be HIS OK after that; and I’ve seen nowhere where he is hinting anything re moving on
So, if there is a wowzer offer come TDL or at/before draft day; maybe
The only one that I see as a possible at TDL is Panthers (them seeing the dual Tkachuck threat advantage) but space and agreeable assets would be the issue and Sens would need to be blown away
Call it maybe 5% max chance
I’m s
The Sabres overpaid for McCloud, but he is having a good season. Rags will have to overpay if they plan on going after him.
I doubt he’s available.
As a non Canadian, I have over the years always cheered for the other team. The reason for this is simple, in International play the Canadians get the small advantages like best locker room, best training venue, best training times, small advantages from the refs(non NHL refs), has to change game venue less, best schedule etc etc, this all due to the clout of Hockey Canada. But for the first time I cheered for Canada yesterday, congrats!
Nick Robertson lacks size and a regular spot, but his shot is excellent and his speed pretty good. Injuries have tagged him too often, but he is still young enough to grow into a regular top 6/pp guy. He has shown flashes last year and this year, but the Leafs have too many talented wingers to stop shuffling their third line or give him a real second line chance.
I see Treliving getting him extra ice-time for the next 2 weeks, then extending him cheap and possibly trading him at the deadline.
Could see him in Nashville, St. Louis, or Seattle…or a California team. He is right now, where Trevor Moore was before the Leafs sent him to LA…only with a better shot and less checking skill. Seen him used very well on the back-check and fore-check at times, and his reaction time is great.
Just needs a team looking for a trigger-man. I think, somebody gets a bargain for next year.