NHL Rumor Mill – March 28, 2025
Check out the latest on the Oilers and Flames and a look at some potential new coaches for the Flyers in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
OILERS
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples recently cited NHL insider Brian Lawton speculating over what the next contract for Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard might look like.
Lawton mentioned some observers believe the eight-year, $72-million contract extension that Jakob Chychrun signed this week with the Washington Capitals could be a comparable. The average annual value is $9 million.
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard (NHL Images).
According to Lawton, Bouchard ranks ahead of Chychrun. Given the huge points the Oilers blueliner has put him, he could gravitate toward the $11 million AAV of Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin.
Staple cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli suggesting last year that Bouchard could come in at $10 million annually. He thinks that number could still hold up.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bouchard’s production is down from last season’s 82-point career high but he’s still on pace for 60 points. He’s unlikely to get a deal similar to Dahlin because the latter is a better all-around defenseman and is in a leadership role.
The Oilers could use Chychrun as a comparable to keep the cost closer to $9 million annually. It’ll likely be around $10 million once the dust settles.
RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico cites sources claiming the Oilers attempted to acquire versatile two-way center Jean-Gabriel Pageau from the New York Islanders before the March 7 trade deadline.
Oilers general manager Stan Bowman wanted to shore up his club’s depth at center with someone who would be more than a playoff rental player. Pageau, 33, has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $5 million.
The Islanders had two reasons for rejecting the trade. They didn’t want to retain salary and weren’t interested in a return of draft picks.
FLAMES
CALGARY SUN: Kent Wilson believes Flames GM Craig Conroy faces a crossroads in his rebuilding project.
The Flames have exceeded expectations this season partly because of the strong performance of rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf. His presence makes it difficult for Conroy to collect futures by leveraging veterans on expiring contracts in the trade market. By making them competitive in the short term, it could be tempting to pursue some short-term help via trades and free agency.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Conroy has stressed that he’s trying to retool the Flames roster and remain competitive rather than tearing it down and rebuilding. He’ll likely stick with that plan going forward. I doubt he’ll go chasing after aging talent.
Conroy’s next moves could be similar to his acquisitions this season of Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost, players in their mid-twenties who can fit into the Flames’ long-term plans.
SPORTSNET: A reader asked Pat Steinberg if the Flames will keep pending free-agent backup Dan Vladar or go with promising Devin Cooley as Wolf’s backup next season.
Steinberg believes Vladar’s solid performance in the second half of this season as Wolf’s understudy has contributed to keeping the Flames in the playoff chase. He thinks they’ll retain Vladar if he’s comfortable filling the backup role.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 27-year-old Vladar is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The market is thin for goalies this summer, which could work to his advantage if he wants a larger role with a bigger paycheck, something he’ll likely find with another club.
FLYERS COACHING OPTIONS
TSN: Pierre LeBrun proposed several options for the Philadelphia Flyers to replace John Tortorella, who was fired as head coach on Thursday. Brad Shaw is filling the role on an interim basis.
LeBrun pointed out that Rick Tocchet of the Vancouver Canucks is the only coach on an expiring contract. The Canucks do have an option year on his contract. Tocchet recently indicated he’s waiting until the end of this season before discussing an extension.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before Tortorella was fired, Ben Kuzma of The Province suggested Tocchet could use the Flyers’ coaching job as leverage if it became available.
LeBrun also mentioned Shaw, former NHL coach Joel Quenneville, and University of Colorado bench boss David Carle as potential candidates.
Bouchard. I do not like the idea of him getting 9 plus at all but that is where the market is. He is young enough his defensive game can continue to improve.
But I am losing my voice screaming at my TV after his bone head plays this season.
Can you maybe pkg him and Skinner for a more well rounded D if not so offensive and an upgrade in goal? IDK.
Agreed.
Jensen is working out fine in Ottawa. Chychrun or Chabot hat to go. To balance it out. It’s worked out for Chychrun quite well.
Bouchard is much better than Nurse so I doubt the Oilers can get away with paying him less than Nurse’s $9.25 million per year (for 3 more years!). He’s not like Hughes and Makar who control the game when they’re on the ice so my guess is his ceiling is $10 million/year.
The argument is being made this season that he is not even as good as nurse.
Nurse has been very solid this season…and the oilers best oved all dman..a complete 360 turnaround from the mess he was much of last season
I would take Nurse over Bouchard, all day. His points would go up if he was on the #1 PP. Not Bouchard levels, but still very good. McDavid and Draisaitl make that tick.
If Bouchard doesn’t quit making the brutal mistakes, and doesn’t start getting on his horse to retrieve chip ins and dump ins, the Oil will be put in a difficult spot come negotiations.
He did it on the playoffs last year, was great, and needs to again, but would better for Oiler fans if he got started on that RFN.
He’s a difficult player to understand and why sometimes its there, and other times he looks lost and even like he isn’t into it. Strange.
Perfectly put Ray Bark!
Bouchard is a liability in his own zone. Yes, he will be overpaid by someone this summer. The question is by how much and by whom ?
Not to throw salt in the wound, but there are comments last season about Holloway and Broberg’s next contracts and Oil fans discussing contracts at roughly half, that they received from St. Louis. Oilers let Bro and Holloway go because they knew the cap crunch they where going to face summer of 25 and 26.
IMO it comes down to to points,
1. The Oilers are going to have 28-30 million tied up in McDavid and Dait, after next summer.
2. There is no other RHD that is going to be available that the Oilers can replace Bouchard with.
As a Blues fan, they have a massive hole in their organization for a Top 4 RHD. They have salary coming off the books over the next 2 years, i.e. Krug, Leddy, Faulk.
I would have zero issue if the Blues sent another offer sheet this summer in the 10.5-11.4 million range. They would need to trade for their 2026 2nd, that Pitt acquired, however they did the same thing last year when they sent the offer to Broberg and Holloway.
*Devin Cooley is the Flames prospect goaltender. They WISH they had Logan Cooley!
Whoops! Good catch, Jesse, I’ve fixed it. Cheers!
Depending, of course – and to a considerable degree – on how the Senators fare over the final 11 games and, IF they get into the playoffs, their performance in each game there, we could see Staios busy in the off-season trade market. He has already shown no reluctance to move any of his top players (e.g., Norris), or any of his second-tier roster (e.g. Gregor and RD Bernard-Docker) if he feels that will improve his team.
Now, while barring some mind-blowing return, I doubt that would include any among Stutzle, Batherson, Tkachuk, Sanderson, Cozens, Perron (NOW do those wanting to deal him away earlier see his true value?), Chabot, Kleven, Ullmark or Merilainen, even if there was a collapse over the final 11 games, or a blow-out in Round 1 of the playoffs should they get there, not so secure are C Shane Pinto, C Ridley Greig and RD Artyum Zub and their involvement in deals would not surprise me in those circumstances.
George,
I can see Pinto being moved for a good return and while it may be in my head but it seems the organization has mixed feelings about him and many teams are looking for centres, I’d love him in Montreal and we have a surplus of D at equal progression to him.
Perron could go but not for much, niche player that bounces around a lot.
The core of Stutzle, Batherson, Tkachuk, Sanderson, Cozens aren’t going anywhere, neither are the goalies that position was solidified and is why Sens are 1st wc.
The caveat about Cozens is to see how he plays from here on in as some guys have a real bump on arriving to a new team while some just can’t get out of first gear.
As a Blues Fan, I always liked Perron, but there is a reason he has been on 6-7 Teams in the last 10 seasons.
The problem with Perron is that, other than Ullmark, he was the best Senator on the ice yesterday.
Can the Oilers afford to overpay 2 defencemen?
That’s my view too, Ron. Signing Bouchard even at 10 million would leave the Oil with the two highest paid D pairing in the league – but by no means the best. Given the $ tied up in McDavid and Draisatl it would impair their roster in between.
Were I the Oil I’d be dong a lot of thinking about what else I would get for 10 million.
That’s the question Ron! And personally, I just can’t see it.
Nurse is, for the most part, earning his money this year while Bouchard gives the impression that he’s just watching his paycheques roll in while he coughs up another goal.
I can understand wanting a “Bouch Bomb” from the point on the PP with 2 of the most offensive men in the league up front. But I’d rather have someone making defensive plays for the kind of money Bouchard is going to ask for.
Let McDavid and Drai handle the offense. They’re quite capable!
I’d love to see the Oil trade him for as many assets as possible. Hell, I’d wouldn’t care if he got offer sheeted! Either way, the assets that could be brought in would give Bowman an excellent opportunity to fill the bleeding holes that were created by letting Holloway and Bromberg go! (Yes…I’m extremely bitter about that! Lol!)
The only way they can afford Boosh is if McDavid or Drai want out. Trade him for a good RD with term or is an RFA and more assets. NJ is overflowing with RDs, the Blues Parayko has said he would wave for the Oil. Weegar+?
I would LOVE to see them get Parayko! Even straight up for Bouchard!
THAT isn’t going to happen
Agreed George O! Let a guy dream though! How about Brady for Bouch? 😜
I threw that trade out there prior to deadline when the Blues were lower in standings, and considered by some to be sellers.
After how well the Blues are playing now, and with Parayko playing a big part, that ship has sailed, if it was even at the dock.
Add in the 4 Nations, ya, not happening.
Another young guy with an Edmonton connection playing well in St Louis is ex Oil King, Neighbors.
Heh Artsy19 – keep dreamin’ buddy!
Bouchard Did not make team Canada in the 4 Nations. Can’t be paid like he did !
Maybe he takes a shorter deal ?
He has to use the Bonn more often and more aggressive in his own end Not convinced he worth $10m long term
This Post is for Ray
Do you still think I’m wrong in my assessment of Grzylcyck?
Tuesday: on for 4 of 6 goals against
Last night: on for 5 of 7
That’s on for 9 of last 13
And…. a post and two spectacular saves by Nedjelkovic on Tuesday; and 2 spectacular saves from Jarry last night; were the only things preventing Grzylyck being on for 14 of the last 18 goals against
Now Sullivan has to accept some of the blame:
After Grzylcyck’s nightmare game Tuesday ; where he played 3rd most D minutes (only 14 seconds more than 4th) at 20 minutes; and was on for 4 of 6;
instead of sitting him last night; or benching him a few shifts last night; Sully actually allowed Grzylcyck to play 2nd most D minutes (only 1 second shy of most) ; with over 23 minutes last night. AND Pens dressed 7 D!!!!!
He just can’t be re-upped AND Pens make playoffs next year. Both can’t happen
Grzelcyk was -3 last night … so was Letang, while Rakell and Tomasino were -2
The other night against Tampa, Grzelcyk was -2, as were Karlsson, Letang and Timmins while up front Dewar was -3 and Crosby -2
Against Buffalo the goalies were .833 save % (Nedeljkovic) and ,667 (Jarry) while in the Tampa game they were ,900 (Nedeljkovic) and .429 (Jarry)
And somehow you think it’s fair to routinely single out Grzelcyk? Almost like you were saying that, without him taking up ice time, the Penguins would be battling Toronto for top spot. Give it up, will you for God’s sake. No one connected to the Penguins even knows you exist.
Here are links to the box scores
https://www.espn.com/nhl/boxscore/_/gameId/401688742
https://www.espn.com/nhl/boxscore/_/gameId/401688730
Hi George
You need to watch the Pens’ games
you are only showing his plus/minus
when he is on for a PK goal, it doesn’t affect +/-
If he is on for a goal for; then a minus comes off the board
He WAS on for 9 of the 13 goals in the last 2 games.
He directly impacted 7 of them; directly caused 5 of them.
That’s actual numbers.
The post and 4 spectacular saves (2 by each goalie) saved another 5; which would have put him on for 14 of 18 in last 2 games; impacting 12 of the 18; directly causing 10 of the 18.
If you watched those two games you will have seen that the goals against and effective save percentages were NOT at all reflective of the goalies.
Defense let them down and very very badly. All played bad defensively. Grzylcyck was the absolute worst out there defensively.
The above is only regarding how bad he played defending against opponents; and defending on shots on goal and defending against opponents passes.
This does not take into account the awful efforts he had in trying to clear the zone; the very bad giving and receiving passes (both games) that nulified good breakouts and stymied sustained offense on the opponents.
If you can get a chance to see those two games in full; I have zero doubt that you will agree with my assessment of Gryzlycyk of those two games.
These were, quite literally, his worst two games of the season. AND that includes the fact that he got assists during the games.
87, not exactly sure what your assessment of Grz is as far as attributes?
I’ll take a stab at it generally, from what I can tell from this post and others; he is the worst player on the Penguins roster, and perhaps one of the worst players in the NHL. And Sully, for some reason, keeps playing him over 20 minutes a night (coaches in BOS played him 18 + but they had a better D core) even though he is brutal.
Sound about right?
And since we’re talking about goals against, of all the Pens D who have played at least half the games, he is 2nd best at – 8. Petterson is better at – 2. Karlsson – 24, Letang – 17, Graves – 14.
Grz is what he is. He skates well, handles the puck well, good passer, battles his butt off. Character guy, wore the C at BU.
Downside is he is 5’9″ 174 lbs, he loses puck battles to bigger forwards and that gets amplified in the playoffs.
He has had a solid NHL career, playing 519 games and averaging over 18 minutes, and I don’t think he is done playing yet whether or not it is with Pittsburgh.
Hi Ray
See my response to George above
My post today was regarding the last two games.
Yes, he was by far the worst out there. I’ve obviously not watched all NHL games this year. I have seen ALL Pens games.
but I challenge you to find anybody in the NHL that was on for 9 of 123 against over 2 games and a hair shy of being on for 14 of 18 (what it would have been except for a post and 4 literally spectacular saves).
Re: “He skates well, handles the puck well, good passer, battles his butt off. ”
Skating: concur
Handles puck well— NOT in Pens end. Yes in offensive zone.
Good passer— in offensive zone; not so much in D zone. Awful passer as a whole either end for these last two games
Battles his butt off— Here there is absolutely no way I can disagree more. That is exactly what he does NOT do. A lot of it (unfortunately for him) is his size; but he is caught so often just staring at opponents and not covering his man infront of the net
We are never every going to agree on our assessment of Gryzylcyk. I have confidence that you saw him do those things when he was playing for Bruins.
As I said to George. If you can somehow see the full Pens games from Tuesday and last night; there is zero chance you will see him (again only referring to those two games) as being anything but a blunder player.
Again, I stress, my post focused on the last two games.
There have been games that he has played very well. He does get points. His offence is very good.
My contention, overall, is that he is that bad defensively.
Part of the reason, perhaps, is that he is also surrounded by slugs – if not, they wouldn’t be in danger of falling below Buffalo – who have 3 games in hand. Or, as I asked elsewhere, are you saying the Penguins would be in the thick of things if he wasn’t there? Because, if that’s your take, then we’re just wasting each other’s time here.
I have seen enough of the Penguins to recognize a team headed for a long, long period of mediocrity that NO amount of “tinkering” is going to resolve. Comparing their situation that of Washington last season (and I know that wasn’t you) is just ludicrous. Washington had – by a country mile – a vastly superior core with which to tinker than that of the Penguins.
Hi George
No challenge from me that there are quite a few slugs on the team.
Collectively Pens are a defensive nightmare (this includes forwards)
I’ve been bitter re the team make-up from the Dubas era beginning
Yes he inherited a bad collection from previous GMs, but he had options
He swung big and missed with Karllsson
More and more bad moves followed
I get there is a learning curve with a new org, new team (roster); new dynamics
He had room and certainly had options after last season; and the options were irrelevant of any financial crimping (if any) ownership imposed on him
He could have done waaaaay better with the same bank account
The team certainly did way worse than it could have this year
In no way am I saying they could have been structured to DEFINITELY get into the playoffs this year
For sure they could have been structured far better than a -57 (that’s so far) goal differential
Overall the team was old, slow, small, and defensively atrocious this year
Waaaay to much burden and blame has been put on the goaltending
Their numbers are very bad but mostly a product of the defense (non-defense???!!!) in front of them
I fully agree with you that the Caps’ situation last year and changes made to this year is in NO way a viable path and/or expectation for Pens next year
Caps just getting in last year and on the cusp of President’s trophy this year has many contributing factors (Cap room from LTIR and new acquisitions playing well beyond expectations to name but two) that Pend don’t and likely won’t have
However re Pens and “long period of mediocrity that NO amount of “tinkering” is going to resolve. ”
Here I disagree
I firmly believe there is a very good opportunity to get Pens in playoffs next year:
Not re-upping certain players (like Grzylcyck)
Re-upping the 5 RFAs
Trading out aging and detrimental players (e.g. Hayes and Accairi)
At least 2 big trades (of Karllsson, Rust, Rackell) to be replaced by 2 up and coming young (already in NHL); and a couple of NHL ready prospects
Sign no older UFAs
Go to the Armstrong playbook of offer sheets
Those moves can definitely have the team much much better defensively
WILL have the team younger and faster
And can be geared to avoid acquiring any more small players
I would not call the above “tinkering” per se as there are several moves
BUT these moves are each “tinkers”
No requirement to go out and get a Marner
Fingers crossed on Dubas doing the right thing
NOT holding my breath
No way Tocchet signs with Flyers, he wants a chance at a cup. However what if Lavioletter is let go in NY? There I can see him go in a heartbeat. Or does he want to be the hero in Anaheim or Buffalo who are up and coming(they just have to)
Don t sleep on Boston!Tocchet that is.