NHL Rumor Mill – January 30, 2020

by | Jan 30, 2020

NHL Rumor Mill – January 30, 2020

The Leafs linked to the Wild’s Matt Dumba, plus updates on the Rangers, Jets, and Canadiens in today’s NHL rumor mill.

LEAFS LOOKING AT DUMBA

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Toronto Maple Leafs have looked into Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba. He believes the club’s fortunes in the coming weeks will determine if they pursue a right-handed blueliner or test the trade market on their pending unrestricted free agents. Friedman cites one league executive saying the Leafs are investigating every good defenseman on the market.

Would Matt Dumba be a good fit with the Toronto Maple Leafs? (Photo via NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs reportedly aren’t interested in acquiring a rental player. As Friedman points out, Dumba has three years remaining on his contract. He’s the type of rearguard the Leafs would want, but finding room for his $6-million salary-cap hit would be difficult. I don’t believe the Wild would pick up part of his annual average value if they were to shop Dumba.

RANGERS’ POTENTIAL TRADE CANDIDATES

NEW YORK POST: Brett Cyrgalis reviewed several possible Rangers’ trade candidates, what they could fetch on the market, and the clubs that could pursue them.

Winger Chris Kreider could fetch a first-round pick and perhaps more. Boston, Colorado, Arizona, and Vegas could be in the mix.

The Maple Leafs make sense for pending restricted free agent goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, but Cyrgalis wonders what return would make sense for the Rangers. Colorado, San Jose, and Florida could use depth between the pipes.

Defenseman Tony DeAngelo is a pending RFA with arbitration rights. While he has defensive deficiencies, his puck-moving skills would draw attention in the trade market. Cyrgalis suggests Toronto (perhaps packaged with Georgiev?), Winnipeg or Carolina as trade partners.

Pending UFA winger Jesper Fast would be a solid bottom-six addition for Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, St. Louis or Dallas. Versatile RFA forward Ryan Strome might be a fit with Vancouver, Calgary or Arizona.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’ll find out soon enough how many of his pending free agents Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton intends to trade. Georgiev and DeAngelo might be enticing for the Leafs, but the asking price for that package could include a young, affordable forward like Kasperi Kapanen, Andreas Johnsson, or Alexander Kerfoot.

Penguins GM Jim Rutherford indicated he’s open to acquiring a top-six winger. I don’t see Fast as a fit in Pittsburgh.

BLUELINE TRADE TARGETS FOR THE JETS

THE ATHLETIC: With the Winnipeg Jets reportedly in the market for a top-four defenseman, Ken Wiebe wondered if they might revisit their earlier interest in Buffalo Sabres blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen. He also listed Ristolainen’s teammate Colin Miller, Los Angeles’ Alec Martinez, Ottawa’s Dylan DeMelo, and New Jersey’s Damon Severson.

Wiebe suggested Jets forward Jack Roslovic might make the most sense as a trade chip. He also pointed out Dustin Byfuglien’s situation could have salary-cap implications. If he returns to the lineup before the end of this season, they’ll have to ensure they’ve got sufficient room for his $7.6-million annual average salary.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Winnipeg Sun’s Scott Billeck believes adding a top-four defenseman would prove too costly, forcing them to give up a top-six forward or a first-round pick and one of their top prospects. “Teams want talent for talent. They want Nikolaj Ehlers, not Luca Sbisa. Kyle Connor, not Nick Shore,” he said. Billeck feels there’s not much to work with in this season’s trade market. He suggests looking to the future by dipping into this summer’s UFA market.

I agree with Billeck. Don’t sacrifice the future for a quick fix. I’m not saying they shouldn’t look at picking up a depth player or two, but not at the cost of a good player, high draft picks or quality prospects.

UPDATE ON THE CANADIENS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Montreal Canadiens aren’t interested in acquiring rental players. He suspects they won’t do much at the trade deadline. With an eye on reaching the playoffs in 2021, they don’t want to part with players who can help them next year like Tomas Tatar and Jeff Petry.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Montreal Gazette’s Stu Cowan also believes the Canadiens shouldn’t move Tatar. The 29-year-old winger is a consistent 20-goal scorer who has a year remaining on his contract. Considering how difficult it is for the Habs to attract UFA talent, Cowan feels they should keep a player like Tatar, who loves playing in Montreal. You can probably make the same case for the underrated Petry. Unless the Canadiens get mind-blowing offers for either guy, they’re better off retaining them.

 










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 30, 2020

by | Jan 30, 2020

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 30, 2020

Alex Ovechkin reaches another goal-scoring milestone, the Leafs set a team scoring record, the Oilers re-sign Zack Kassian, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

NHL.COM: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin tallied his 693rd career goal, but it wasn’t enough to prevent his club falling 5-4 to the Nashville Predators. The Capitals capitalized on three Predators’ blunders to take a 4-3 lead into the third period, but goals by Ryan Johansen and Yannick Weber sealed the deal for the Preds. Ovechkin moved past Steve Yzerman for ninth on the all-time goals list, one goal behind Mark Messier.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is ninth on the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring list (Photo via NHL Images).

Fists were flying as the Calgary Flames picked up a 4-3 shootout victory over the Edmonton Oilers in the latest round of the Battle of Alberta. Oilers winger Zack Kassian and Flames winger Matthew Tkachuk squared off for the second time in as many games, while the most surprising bout featured Calgary center Sean Monahan and Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Andrew Mangiapane scored twice in regulation for the Flames while Monahan potted the only shootout goal. Speaking of Kassian, he signed a four-year, $12.8-million contract extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kassian’s critics will claim his new deal is too much for too long. It’s actually right around where a winger of his skills would be. The $3.2 million salary-cap hit isn’t that bad, nor is a four-year deal for a 29-year-old physical forward with decent offensive ability.

The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Dallas Stars 5-3, setting a club record with four-or-more goals (discounting shootouts) in eight straight road games. Auston Matthews and Tyson Barrie each had a goal and an assist for the Leafs. Alexander Radulov tallied twice for the Stars, who learned earlier in the day that winger Roope Hintz is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Quinn Hughes and Tanner Pearson had a goal and an assist as the Vancouver Canucks picked up their fourth straight win by downing the San Jose Sharks 5-2. The Canucks (62 points) maintain a three-point lead over the Flames for first place in the Pacific Division.

The Tampa Bay Lightning overcame a 2-0 deficit to double up the Los Angeles Kings 4-2. Steven Stamkos led the way with two goals and an assist. Kings defenseman Drew Doughty’s ironman streak ended at 460 games as he sat out this contest with an undisclosed injury.

Adam Henrique scored twice to give the Anaheim Ducks a 4-2 victory over the Arizona Coyotes, who are 1-5-1 in their last seven contests.

WGR 550: Buffalo Sabres goaltender Linus Ullmark will miss three-to-four weeks with a lower-body injury.

STLTODAY.COM: St. Louis Blues forward Oskar Sundqvist is on injured reserve with a lower-body injury.










The Post All-Star Break NHL Trade Rumor Roundup

by | Jan 30, 2020

The Post All-Star Break NHL Trade Rumor Roundup

 










NHL at the Halfway Mark: Central Division

by | Jan 29, 2020

NHL at the Halfway Mark: Central Division

 










NHL Rumor Mill – January 29, 2020

by | Jan 29, 2020

NHL Rumor Mill – January 29, 2020

Should the Canadiens ship Max Domi to Toronto for Kasperi Kapanen? Are the Bruins eyeing a Ducks winger? Is interest growing in Brenden Dillon? Check out the latest in today’s NHL rumor mill.

DOMI FOR KAPANEN?

TVA SPORTS: Jean-Charles Lajoie believes the decline in Max Domi’s production in his contract year should concern Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin. Taking note of the 24-year-old winger’s streaky scoring, he thinks they can’t build a champion team with Domi.

Nevertheless, Lajoie believes Domi is among several Canadiens who would be attractive to other clubs before the Feb. 24 trade deadline. He suggests shipping Domi to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Kaspari Kapanen, who could have great chemistry with fellow Finns Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Joel Armia, while Domi would return to the city where his father was a star.

Should the Montreal Canadiens offer Max Domi to Toronto for Kasperi Kapanen (Photo via NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Could Bergevin listen to trade offers for Domi? I wouldn’t rule it out. Will he get one that entices him to trade Domi before the deadline? Probably not. Will the Leafs swap Kapanen for Domi? No. They need to bolster their blueline depth. Trading Kapanen for Domi won’t address that issue.

BRUINS PURSUING KASE?

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy cites an NHL source suggesting the Bruins could be looking at Anaheim Ducks winger Ondrej Kase. The Ducks are open for business and let it be known the 24-year-old Kase could be available for the right price.

Sweeney’s source claims Bruins general manager Don Sweeney and Ducks GM Bob Murray have discussed what that price could be. No word on what Murray could seek, but with his club set to rebuild, the asking price could be draft picks and/or prospects.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t think it’s a certainty the Ducks move Kase, but I don’t rule it out. Several pundits reported Murray wasn’t going to engage in a total roster teardown, but he’s willing to listen on certain players. Kase could be among them. Given his injury history, however, I don’t think he’s the winger to bolster the Bruins’ second-line scoring punch.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM TSN’S LATEST “INSIDER TRADING” SEGMENT

TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Winnipeg Jets are in the market for a specific top-four defenseman. It could be a rental player or one with term on his contract. Complicating things is Dustin Byfuglien’s situation hasn’t been resolved plus injuries to Adam Lowry and Bryan Little. If the latter comes back into the mix, Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff might have to move a current roster player to add that top-four blueliner.

Pierre LeBrun believes San Jose Sharks rearguard Brenden Dillon could be among the Jets’ trade targets. He said half-a-dozen teams have expressed interest in Dillon, including the Bruins and the Carolina Hurricanes. He suspects the asking price will be a second-round pick and perhaps a prospect.

LeBrun also reported there haven’t been any contract discussions between the Ottawa Senators and pending UFA Jean-Gabriel Pageau. He doubts the Senators can get a first-round pick for Pageau if he’s put on the trade block, but suggested perhaps a conditional second-rounder that becomes a first if Pageau re-signs with the acquiring club.

The Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers and maybe the Calgary Flames could pursue Pageau. None of those clubs are guaranteed to make the playoffs, so they’ll be leery about overpaying for a rental player. 

LATEST ON THE DEVILS

THE ATHLETIC: Corey Masisak reports Travis Zajac and Andy Greene recently met with New Jersey Devils interim GM Tom Fitzgerald to discuss their respective futures. Zajac has a year remaining on his contract while Green is an unrestricted free agent. Both have no-trade clauses. Zajac confirmed he rejected a recent trade opportunity, adding he wants to remain with the Devils.

Masisak also explored the trade market for pending UFA defenseman Sami Vatanen. The Devils could get a second-round pick and perhaps another asset in return. He speculates the Vegas Golden Knights and Nashville Predators could be suitors.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vatanen lacks no-trade protection and will be the easiest of the three to move if he’s not re-signed before the trade deadline. If Zajac and Greene don’t want to leave, there’s nothing Fitzgerald can do unless he tells them they won’t be re-signed. Even that might not sway them.

SABRES STILL SHOPPING

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Lance Lysowski reports Buffalo Sabres GM Jason Botterill will push to add to his roster ahead of the trade deadline if his club gains ground in the standings over the next three weeks. He said he’s still trying to add to his roster, hoping to add a forward with speed.

Doing so won’t be easy, as the Sabres have limited salary-cap space. They also haven’t found any takers for defenseman Zach Bogosian and forward Evan Rodrigues, who’ve both requested a trade.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 29, 2020

by | Jan 29, 2020

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 29, 2020

Game recaps, the Penguins re-sign Marcus Pettersson, Hall-of-Famer Ed Belfour arrested in Kentucky, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines

NHL.COM: David Perron scored in regulation and the deciding goal in the shootout as the St. Louis Blues edged the Calgary Flames 5-4. Alex Pietrangelo and Zach Sanford each had two points. Blues forward Sammy Blais returned to action for the first time since suffering a wrist injury on Nov. 19, but winger Oskar Sundqvist left the game in the second period with a lower-body injury. Sean Monahan scored twice for the Flames.

David Perron’s shootout goal gave the St. Louis Blues a 5-4 win over the Calgary Flames (Photo via NHL Images).

Three goals in the third period lifted the Ottawa Senators to a 5-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Tyler Ennis and Mike Reilly each had a goal and an assist. Sabres goaltender Linus Ullmark left the game in the third period with an apparent knee injury. Sabres captain Jack Eichel tallied his career-best 29th goal of the season.

TRIBLIVE.COM: The Pittsburgh Penguins re-signed defenseman Marcus Pettersson to a five-year contract extension worth an annual average value of $4.025 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Acquired from the Anaheim Ducks in 2018, the 23-year-old Pettersson has established himself among the Penguins’ top-four defensemen. Should he continue to improve, this contract will be a most economical signing by Pittsburgh general manager Jim Rutherford.

Pettersson’s contract means the Penguins have over $62.7 million invested in 12 players for 2020-21. Their notable remaining free agents include goalies Matt Murray and Tristan Jarry, defenseman Justin Schultz, and forwards Alex Galchenyuk, Dominik Kahun and Jared McCann.

TSN: Hall-of-Fame goaltender Ed Belfour was arrested on Tuesday morning in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on mischief and intoxication charges.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is Belfour’s third brush with the law related to alcohol-fueled incidents. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in October 2000 and was charged with disorderly intoxication in April 2007.

WINNIPEG SUN: True North Sports and Entertainment, owners of the Winnipeg Jets and the MTS Centre, announced they’ll be implementing a plan to reduce prices on popular concession items such as beer, soda, bottled water, pizza, and popcorn. Over $9 million in venue improvements have been planned for this summer. Ticket prices will rise by 2.1 percent for 2020-21, the lowest increase in six years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The bloom seems to be off the rose a little for the Jets in Winnipeg. Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press pointed out the club’s eight-year sellout streak ended in October. There have been several games announced as sellouts where there were empty seats.

McIntyre also indicated ticket-sharing partnerships have fallen apart due to rising costs and lack of interest, while the waiting list for tickets has shrunk. He acknowledged part of the problem is the Jets are on pace for their worst home record since the franchise moved to Winnipeg in 2011.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: The Golden Knights hired Steve Spott as an assistant coach.