NHL Rumor Mill – February 3, 2025
Check out the latest on the Flyers, Hurricanes, Oilers and Senators in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
ARE MORE MOVES IN STORE FOR THE FLYERS?
THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz suggests bottoming out this season could be the Philadelphia Flyers’ best path forward. He believes their recent trade of Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee to Calgary last week indicated management has acknowledged that they won’t make the playoffs this season.
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (NHL Images).
Trading Farabee removed his $5 million average annual value through 2027-28 from the Flyers’ books. Kurz speculates they could free up more by moving Rasmus Ristolainen and his $5.1 million AAV through 2026-27 by the trade deadline or the offseason. With the cap expected to rise significantly for next season, it’ll give the Flyers more flexibility to make a major addition to their roster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ristolainen’s been a fixture in the rumor mill since the fall. General manager Daniel Briere recently said he’s not in any hurry to trade the 30-year-old defenseman because of his value to their blueline. Nevertheless, we can’t rule out that possibility with the trade deadline on the horizon.
COULD THE HURRICANES OR OILERS SHOP FOR GOALTENDING DEPTH?
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli and Carter Hutton recently discussed the goaltending depth of the Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers.
Hutton believes the goaltending of both teams is an area of concern. He cited Frederik Andersen’s health and Pyotr Kochetkov’s inconsistency with the Hurricanes as well as the previous consistency issues of Oilers starter Stuart Skinner.
Hutton wondered if one or both clubs might shop for a rental goalie at the trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes were reportedly in the market for a goalie when Andersen was sidelined last fall. However, one of TSN’s insiders claimed that’s not a pressing issue with Andersen’s return. Most of the speculation out of Edmonton suggests the Oilers need to shore up their blueline or add another forward.
THE LATEST ON THE SENATORS
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators general manager Steve Staios has been scouring the trade market for another forward and depth on defense. However, he hasn’t found the right fit or is unwilling to pay the high asking prices.
The need for another forward could be addressed if winger David Perron gets back to speed after missing 27 games with a back injury. It’s believed the Senators are interested in Ryan Donato of the Chicago Blackhawks and Brandon Tanev of the Seattle Kraken.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staios could be a buyer if his club remains in a playoff spot by the March 7 trade deadline.
Sens are doing a great job this year.
Could see them as buyers; but PuckPedia lists Sens with just a projected $105 K in deadline Cap space
So someone has to go if they are adding.
Sens fans,
Who are the likely exit candidates?
They also show them with $1,370,715 in the LTIR pool with Gregor and Bernard-Docker both just placed there, and Cousins likely to follow shortly.
In addition, if they were to get someone like Donato ($2,000,000 cap hit) from Chicago, one of Ostapchuk, Highmore or Reinhardt – each in the $800,000 range – would be relegated to the AHL. Then, of course, there’s who they’d give up to get Donato if a salaried player is part of the package.
I can see Staios making one – perhaps two – moves if they’re still in contention as we approach trade deadline day.
Having just placed RD Bernard-Docker on LTIR, and with RD Nick Jensen gimpy and designated day-to-day, he might try to shore u p there, although he won’t be the only GM looking for RD help. However, the surprisingly-effective play of call-up Nikolas Matinpalo, and the very steady play of Hamonic at that position helps relieve the need to make that move any time soon.
It’s up front among the bottom 6 where he’ll likely concentrate with both Noah Gregor and Nick Cousins out long-term, although call-up Cole Reinhardt, just re-activated from IR, will help in the meantime.
Optioning rookie goalie Merilainen to Belleville was the right move, with Ullmark back and Forsberg backing (who would almost certainly have been claimed had they tried to option him instead). Those two will handle the games remaining before the 4 Nations break, and it’s far better to have Merilainen staying sharp by playing in Belleville rather than sitting around. And it’s also better if Ullmark plays for Sweden, also to stay sharp after being out for so long. Yes, he could aggravate his back issues …. but that can happen anywhere. The team HAS to know he’s put that behind him heading down the stretch.
Re; Ottawa and the Race in the Tight Race East…
Looks like its going to be Very Very Tight Race,
Sen’s need to do a trade much Sooner than Later
Sen’s could do with A RD man like a Big Pred’s
Luke Schenn… A Stay at home d/man… 1.3 more years at $2.75 for maybe a 3rd round pick,,,,,❓
maybe the send a prospect back the withere way with goaltender Anton Forsberg $2.75M for the next 3 months to make the moneys work….
Preds are out of the playoffs 17 point’s behind the Flames in 8th Spot and 15 points behind the Canucks in 9th Spot,
The Sen;s could put the Fnal nail in the coffin tonight with a Win, When the play them🤔
Sen’s could also do with a Scoring forward, & move David Peron @ $4.M for $1.3 more years out Who has 1 Assist in 14 Games this year……
Move Him and a 2nd pick in 2025 for a Scoring UFA forward…..❓ like a…Ryan O’Reilly but the Sen’s would have to make the moneys works as they are tight with Cap space…..$6.75 in Cap Space the need,
Moving out Peron and Forsberg that could work,
The Sen’s may need to move the pick it Up to a 1st round pick instead of a 2nd & 3rd pick To make this deal work….❓🤔
that would help up font on The 3rd line and on d, would also add more Leadership in Both Areas….
As thats where they need help for all there young kids solid Big big player’s …..👍
Williew,the Sens should look at Boston s Andrew Peeke! Young,under contract at 2.75 for one more year!Could probably get him for a 2 rd pick,or a young prospect!
I think you just need to be careful if you’re the sens, as you don’t want to mess with the vibe going on. You can tell the Sens are playing hard for each other now, and all the call ups so far have been great. I like the peeke idea more than trading away Forsberg or Perron. I think Perron has played well even though the points aren’t there and he’s been a good fit with batherson and norris. Has Levi shown he’s good enough to trade Forsberg…you hope so, but with Ulli’s back, I’d hold tight there. If I’m Staois, I’m trading a pick for help. I think Ostapachuk is looking too good right now to give up for a rental. Highmore has been good, but doubt you’ll get much for him.
Owen, Highmore and a pick could land Donato.
I agree, George. That might work. Would be great if we could get him for one of our next year’s thirds….probably dreaming.
Norris – whatever his injury is – won’t be on this 4-game swing through Tennessee and Florida. They’re not giving out any details, but the fact he was limping slightly as he walked up the corridor suggest it has nothing to do with his shoulder. I hope!
At least he now gets this week off, followed by the 2-week 4 Nations break.
Stutzle, Pinto and Greig can handle lines 1 to 3 while Ostapchuk is decent as the # 4 C. For now.
Just announced that the Norris injury is “mid-body” – your guess is as goof as mine, but at least that doesn’t include shoulders. The time off should be enough with no NHL games for 2 weeks starting early next week.
8787,
I have a trade for you, Oilers and Pen’s
To the Oilers
Kris Letang $6.1M for 2.3 more years
Bryan Rust $5.125. for 2.3 more years
Total $$11.25 M
Pen’s would need to hold back $2.5 M….❓
To the Pens,
-Viktor Arvidsson $4.M 1.3 years
-Paul Fischer, the young Team USA LD man 19yr old
-A 2nd & 3rd round pick over the next 3 Drafts
-John Klingberg $1.75M 3 months
-Maybe a Jeff Skinner or a Adam Henrique $3.M
Total $8.75M
To make the Moneys work
PS.
Both of these players are Tradeable
Derek Ryan has more trade value than letang. 8787 is a dubas alias?
lol
who is derek ryan ?
u a Canes fan?
Maybe they should just trade their entire rosters to each other?
Peron for Holl?
But the Wings probably need another D for depth before this happens.
Just noticed in today’s NHL Transactions – “Elias Pettersson was sent down to AHL Abbotsford on Monday.”
?
Hah. Another Elias Pettersson. Same confusion as two named Sebastian Aho. What are they – like John Smith or something?
Yeah, one is pronounced E-li-as, the other El-e-as. The younger, sent down, is a dman