NHL Rumor Mill – December 10, 2021
Should the Rangers attempt to acquire Patrick Kane? Is it time for the Bruins to move on from Patrice Bergeron? Will the Blackhawks find a market for Marc-Andre Fleury? Check out the latest in today’s NHL rumor mill.
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks asks if the Rangers should attempt to acquire Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane if they could get a third team involved to make the salary-cap dollars work. Kane, 33, has a year remaining on his contract with a $10.5 million annual cap hit.
Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane (NHL Images).
“Would you get Kane if it cost you Kaapo Kakko (but not Alexis Lafreniere), Nils Lundkvist (or Zac Jones or Matthew Robertson but not Braden Schneider), Vitali Kravtsov (but not Will Cuyelle or Brennan Othmann) and a 2022 first-rounder?”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s an interesting flight of fancy by Brooks, who envisions Kane being on a “Super Line” with old teammate Artemi Panarin and center Ryan Strome through next season to bring the Stanley Cup to Broadway for the first time since 1994. He reminds us that former Rangers general managers Emile Francis, Neil Smith and Glen Sather used to make blockbuster deals like this in pursuit of the Stanley Cup.
The Blackhawks, however, have yet to name a full-time replacement for departed GM Stan Bowman. Moving Kane, who has a full no-movement clause, might not be something they’re willing to consider leading up to the March trade deadline. Besides, a deal of that magnitude might have to take place in the offseason when teams have more cap dollars to work with and a willingness to spend.
So what do you think, dear readers? Should the Rangers go all-in and try to pry Kane away from the Blackhawks on deadline day? Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Joe Haggerty cites NHL analyst Mike Milbury suggesting the Bruins need to move on from captain Patrice Bergeron during a recent appearance on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show”.
Milbury believes they should consider shopping aging assets like Bergeron (and perhaps even Brad Marchand) and rebuild their bare prospect cupboard if they’re not going to push into the playoffs this season.
Bergeron is due to become a UFA next summer. If he wants to go anywhere, Milbury believes it’ll be to a Stanley Cup contender.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t think the Bruins front office intends to peddle Bergeron or Marchand or any of their core players this season even if they should be in danger of missing the playoffs by the March trade deadline. They’ll let Bergeron decide what he wants to do once his contract expires.
They’ll try to re-sign him, of course, but that might not be a slam dunk. Much will depend on what type of deal he’ll want and the direction of the Bruins in the coming years. Still, I wouldn’t be surprised if he finishes his career as a Bruin.
ESPN.COM: Emily Kaplan reports Blackhawks interim general manager Kyle Davidson and his staff are still evaluating their club and haven’t yet decided on their plan for the team. That includes goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.
After talking with some league sources, Kaplan believes the Blackhawks could be open to any trade proposals for Fleury. However, the 36-year-old goaltender has a 10-team no-trade clause. There are also family considerations after he moved them to Chicago following his trade last summer by the Vegas Golden Knights.
It’s also uncertain what the market for Fleury will be. They were only able to get a second-round pick for Robin Lehner two years ago because the goalie market was more limited than they thought. Kaplan said two sources speculated Fleury could be a good fit with the Edmonton Oilers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fleury got off to a rocky start with the Blackhawks but since early November he’s regained the form that garnered him the Vezina Trophy last season. He was 6-2-0 heading into last night’s game against Montreal with a 1.74 GAA and .944 SP during that period. He picked up a 2-0 shutout against the Canadiens for his 500th career win.
The Blackhawks could get at least a first-round pick for Fleury if he maintains his current level of performance. There should be some playoff contenders keen to bolster their goaltending leading up to the March 21 trade deadline. Whether the Oilers will be among them remains to be seen. That could depend upon Mike Smith’s health over the course of the season.
Once again, Brooks is off his meds. The Hawks will not trade Kane. Maybe he’s getting his Kanes confused. As for Milbury, even meds won’t help him.
Brooks is the comedic gift that keeps on giving. If there is a star player that can be had for Ranger pittance he sees it as possible. He is much more a fan and a mouthpiece for management when they want it then an independent reporter. His articles are must read for their entertainment value (definitely not source material).
Brooks confirms his idiocy.
Bergeron won’t be traded; the simple fact is Boston will be fighting for a wc spot and i don’t see them dropping out of that race.
If the Bruins are out of a playoff race it would be prudent for Sweeney to check in with Bergeron to see if and where he would like to be moved.
Bergeron is easily the player who’s game i respect the most over the past decade +. and i am not a Bruins fan…
The Bruins should of explored moving him to Vegas and bringing in Eichel. they could of resigned Bergeron in the off season and had 2 centers for next season…….and Eichel for a decade. not sure was explored or even cap possible
Any trade proposal for a superstar that includes the language “but not” is doomed to fail. Only exception to that in this case is if Kane wanted moved and used his nmc to say only the rangers. Then they could get him for their mid tier players and prospects.
Chrisms
Perfectly said. Similar. To what. Taylor Hall did to sabres last deadline
And where the hell has Taylor Hall been is he still in the league…LOL
Only need Kane to offer up 2 teams to raise the price
Milbury yah that’s someone who has a great track record and someone to take advice from
Remember Milbury trade Chara for Alexi Yashen.How did that trade for out for him?
And the pick that became Jason Spezza as well. Sadly, far from his worst trade.
On Kane to the Rangers… NO NO NO NO NO!!! *plugging ears* la la la la la la la… As a lifelong Rangers fan, I want no part of that!
Ahem… they said Patrick, not Evander..
Oh, I know… Too many cooks spoil the broth, and too many egos ruin a team.
Ya I think Brooks likes to stoke the fire of trade deadline action. And in viewing the potential people for possible moves you have a “who’s who” of B list NHL celebrities. IF that. Covid resurgence, Arizona not paying bills on time…I pray NHL gm’s play it smart and cheap this year at the trade deadline and collectively do nothing.
Sorry Lyle not really good for business…
Not concerned at all, Dark G. I doubt you’re going to see NHL GMs do nothing at the 2022 March trade deadline if last season’s deadline is anything to go by:
https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2021/04/18/prohockeytalks-2020-21-nhl-trade-tracker/
As an Avalanche fan from afar, I hope the Rangers don’t do anything like that. They have some really good young players and I think it would be foolish to throw them away on one superstar? That to me is a sure way of going backwards, the Rangers are going to be a team to be reckoned with if not this year, very soon. GO AVS!!!!!!!
Sweeney do not pick up Del zotto.
Brooks can wish, but at the same time, Chicago isnt going anywhere this year and I dont see them as contender next, so is it prudent to at least see what they can get for Kane who still is a viable asset.
Lets say Chicago ate 50% of the cap, This season is no problem but NYR would have problem next season so what could they do about that. If Lindgren goes the other way and they dont resign Georgiev, that equals Kanes salary.
So Lindgren, Kacko, first 22, and a conditional first 23(conf final), else a 2nd. Is that enough? Is it to much?
If Kane limited his team to the rangers or just a few teams including the rangers maybe. Not sure his actual salary but unless it’s super front loaded the hawks would be eating millions of dollars this and next year and giving up a still superstar. If he has a multiple teams? Not enough
Any Words that follow “ Milbury believes” have zero credibility
I’m waiting for a Brooksie-Milbury podcast …. Pure entertainment
at podcast break they can have Monty Pythonesque music and art-work (a la Terry Gilliam)
First interview MUST be Mike Tyson on ice, full hockey equipment (including cage)
Wait, is this the same Milbury who drove the Islanders into the ground as their GM?
While Bowman was in charge he asked all of the Cup Core (Seabrook, Keith, Kane and Toews) if there latest Retool was affecting their staying and did they want to go.
I don’t why there wouldn’t be a conversation unless the subject has been discussed and closed. respective players left the ice
So, Artemi and Kaner played pass the puck as their teams left the ice from pregame. I think Kaner will let them know if he is unhappy with the treatment he has / is receiving there. Maybe eventually he decides that, but I am not so sure his Father (who drives to Chicago from Buffalo b/c he hates planes ) will be gungho to drive into Manhattan.
There’s zero chance Rangers, or any team, would give up more for 33 year old Kane than Vegas paid for Eichel. Of course any team would be interested, but price of acquiring a 33 year old with that salary would be considerably lower.