NHL Rumor Mill – April 9, 2025
Check out the latest on the Canucks and Sabres in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST CANUCKS SPECULATION
TSN: Darren Dreger believes acquiring a second-line center will be among the Vancouver Canucks’ priorities this summer.
The free-agent market is thin for such players. However, the Canucks aren’t afraid to spend some draft capital or prospects in the trade market.
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (NHL Images).
Starting goaltender Thatcher Demko has a year left on his contract. Dreger wondered what a contract extension might look like. He also thinks a trade could be an option.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: When healthy, Demko’s among the best goalies in the league. His stellar play last season made him a finalist for the Vezina Trophy and played a big role in the Canucks’ 109-point performance.
However, Demko’s absences due to injury create uncertainty about his effectiveness as a starter. The Canucks have also received solid goaltending from Kevin Lankinen, who signed a five-year extension in February.
Despite Demko’s injury history, the lack of quality goalies in the trade and free-agent markets could make him an enticing trade chip for the Canucks if the two sides fail to agree to terms for an extension.
THE ATHLETIC: A reader asked Thomas Drance what his top center trade targets would be for the Canucks this summer.
One option could be pursuing an older center on a risky contract like Steven Stamkos. Drance acknowledged the 34-year-old Stamkos’ no-movement clause but noted that he’s had a rough season with the Nashville Predators.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks will probably have to look elsewhere for that type of center. Besides, Stamkos is more effective at left wing at this stage in his career.
Another option would be a promising young center who hasn’t broken out yet like Connor McMichael of the Washington Capitals or Cole Perfetti of the Winnipeg Jets. Drance admits both would be expensive to acquire, but if the Canucks intend to make a big swing in this summer’s trade market, those would be the two to pursue.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: McMichael has become part of the Capitals’ core this season with a 55-point performance. He’s signed through next season with an average annual value of $2.1 million. He’s not going anywhere.
Drance observed Perfetti had an acrimonious negotiation with the Jets last summer before agreeing to a two-year deal (at an AAV of $3.25 million). Perfetti would be the most likely to be available, but that doesn’t mean the Jets will move him.
The final option is a reliable veteran in his prime with some term left on his contract. Pavel Zacha of the Boston Bruins and Jesperi Kotkaniemi of the Carolina Hurricanes fall into that category. Drance pointed out that the Bruins are rebuilding, which could make Zacha available. He also noted the Canucks were linked to Kotkaniemi in the past.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zacha is the better of the two. He had a career-high 59 points last season and has 45 points this season. However, he might not be available if the Bruins are retooling for a quick turnaround rather than staging a rebuild.
The 24-year-old Kotkaniemi is younger than Zacha and has more contract certainty with five years remaining. However, he’s been inconsistent during his tenure with the Hurricanes and usually sees third-line center duty.
MORE CHANGE IN STORE FOR THE SABRES?
THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn examined why the Buffalo Sabres missed the playoff for the 14th straight season, and what might be in store during the offseason.
Fairburn noted the Sabres trading Dylan Cozens to the Ottawa Senators at the trade deadline. He believes more changes could be coming this season, citing their goals-against (fourth highest in the league) and woeful special-teams play (25th-ranked power play, 23rd-ranked penalty kill).
General manager Kevyn Adams and head coach Lindy Ruff each have a year left on their contracts. Fairburn wondered if team owner Terry Pegula would make more changes in the front office and behind the bench.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres’ woes begin with Pegula. He’s provided the financial stability that ensures this club won’t be moved, but as Fairburn observes, the constant losing is taking a toll on its fanbase.
If Adams remains as general manager he’ll emphasize improving the Sabres goaltending and defensive game.
Maybe Demko to the Sabers for McLeod and Levi
Van gets a C and Buffalo gets a very good but injury-plagued goalie.
Well if Adams survives the end of this season, if he made that trade this summer, it would for sure be over for him.
I wouldn’t trade either guy for Demko. Even when he has played he hasn’t been good, but bottom line is he isn’t healthy and until he proves he is and can play at an NHL level during the season, his worth is next to zero when you add in his cap hit.
Macleod is a good player, Levi might be some day.
That trade would be more ammunition for the Sabres to fire Kevyn Adams.
The Sabres’ goaltending is not the problem. The defense has been a problem. Coaching a “no defense” defense should cost assistant coach Marty Wilford his job in eight days.
While pointing out Buffalo’s low position when it comes to goals allowed, it should also be noted that their 256 goals scored ranks them 3rd in the Eastern Conference, behind only Washington (277) and Tampa (276) and 6th in the overall standings, including Dallas (269), Colorado (268) and Winnipeg (265) – and not THAT far behind any of them.
The trick will be to shore up the goalkeeping/defensive aspects of their game, along with the woeful specialty-team functions without detracting from that potent offense.
Aside from perhaps acquiring a player through trade – using draft pick(s) to tat end – that would include being busy – and very selective – on the UFA front.
I believe good offence comes from good defense. But it doesn’t seem the Sabres think so. It will take some doing to re-program players from a run and gun style of play to a D first system.
Bear in mind that Ruff is behind the bench, and he is a highly experienced coach. If he hasn’t been able to make the change …
As with Lamoriello in the GM field, I think today’s game has passed Ruff by a while back.
Now that Ottawa has ended their 7 year drought – and Montreal is about to end their short one – the ongoing absences are – counting this season –
Buffalo 14; Detroit 9; Anaheim 7; San Jose 6; Arizona-Utah, Chicago, Columbus & Philadelphia 5 each; Pittsburgh 3
Todays coaches are more of salesman than anything. Whether it`s Ruff or Torts or Arniel, they all know how to coach, they all have systems that should work. The difference in todays game is the ability of the coach is to get the players to buy into their system. Defence is a team sport and all the players have to buy in to make it work properly, since players basically play with everybody during the season. Berube for instance, he`s always selling the need for that 200 ft commitment. Coaches no longer can demand, they have to sell commitments to the players. Buffalo with all the changes they`ve made over the past few years may need to clean house to change that dressing room culture now. Doesn`t mean the players are no good, just the culture they have right now runs that deep. Tough to change that by just trading 1 or 2 players
Vegas Golden Knights 260
Zacha. Would be made available if the return was good for bruins. What would an offer from nuks look like in a deal would be the issue
Yep, that’s always the key MB4. Given the lack of available supply and high demand for C’s, I would think he has very good value. Good player, good contract for 2 more years.
Should bring back more than Carlo, which was a 1st and a good prospect that is likely less than a year away from full time NHL duty, if he keeps progressing.
So just to throw something out there – A first this year or next, and Lekkerimaki. Or if they really want Zacha; Willander instead of Lekkerimaki.
Ray come on, Zacha a 3rd line centre playing 1st line minutes, 14 goals 45pts., that`s 3rd line production. Who`s gonna give up that much for him?? Oh wait Treliving gave up a 1st and a good prospect for Laughton, Never mind Ray
Demko is a basketball player. Load management. He’s an excellent goalie that requires an excellent back up for a solid tandem system. Also, as much as I cannot stand the guy from an Isles fan perspective. If I was the Canucks I’d target Tavares in the off season. He makes everyone around him better. And when the scoring dries up, he picks up the slack.
I’m not sure Drury will be around this summer but if he is I can see him trying to trade Zibanejad. I think Vancouver would be somewhere he’d waive his nmc for. I don’t think he can mentally handle the heat from fanbase that’ll get worse before it gets better. Would be a good fit as 2c and would be a good influence on Petey.
Rumour has it he wouldn`t waive it in a trade for J.T. Miller
Mika loves it in NY, he isn’t waiving his NMC for basically anything