NHL Rumor Mill – July 10, 2024

by | Jul 10, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 10, 2024

Check out the ongoing speculation that the Panthers might trade Aaron Ekblad, an update on Jacob Trouba, and nine possible offer-sheet candidates in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON EKBLAD AND TROUBA

TSN: Jay Onrait spoke with ESPN’s Emily Kaplan on Tuesday regarding speculation the Florida Panthers could trade Aaron Ekblad to free up some salary-cap space.

Kaplan said it will be difficult for the Panthers to maintain their roster despite being a destination franchise. Nevertheless, their front office isn’t afraid to make hard decisions. She can’t confirm that Ekblad’s on the trade block but wouldn’t be surprised if the Panthers explored that possibility.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ekblad trade rumors stretch back to June 2 when the Toronto Sun’s Steve Simmons speculated they could move him to free up cap room to re-sign Brandon Montour, who has since signed with the Seattle Kraken.

Ekblad has a year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $7.5 million and a 12-team no-trade list for 2024-25.

New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (NHL Images).

The Panthers are above the $88 million cap by over $933K. They can easily become cap-compliant before their season opener in October by demoting a lower-salaried player rather than moving a high-salaried core player like Ekblad. Montour’s departure could make the Panthers less likely to move him if they intend on staging a successful defense of their Stanley Cup title.

Onrait and Kaplan also discussed the recent trade rumors swirling around New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba. The Rangers reportedly had a deal on the table with the Detroit Red Wings. However, the 30-year-old defenseman didn’t want to do it with his wife still finishing her residency as a medical doctor.

Kaplan believes Trouba will be in the Rangers lineup when they start the season in October even though it was a really uncomfortable process over the last days and weeks. She noted Trouba used his no-trade protection in his contract to nix the deal with the Red Wings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rangers general manager Chris Drury attempted an aggressive move to trade Trouba in the week leading up to the start of free agency. He hoped to shed most of his captain’s $8 million cap hit to Detroit to free up room for a foray or two into the UFA market.

Trouba used his no-trade protection to reject the deal as was his contractual right. He now has a 15-team no-trade list. Drury could peddle him to any club not on that list but it’s pointless to do so at this stage with all the top free-agent talent now gone from the market. Trouba isn’t moving unless Drury finds a return that improves the Rangers right away.

POSSIBLE OFFER SHEET CANDIDATES

SPORTSNET: Emily Sadler looked at nine restricted free agents who could become offer sheet targets this summer. She acknowledged the rarity of offer sheets, noting the last one occurred in 2021 when the Carolina Hurricanes successfully signed away Jesperi Kotkaniemi from the Montreal Canadiens.

The longer Jeremy Swayman goes without a new contract with the Boston Bruins sows another small seed of doubt about this deal and how soon it’ll get done.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Someone could pitch an offer sheet to Swayman but that depends on his willingness to sign one. The same goes for every restricted free agent. It’s pointless to attempt if they’re not interested.

Swayman knows he’s got the Bruins’ starting goalie sewn up. He loves being a Bruins and playing in Boston. He also opted not to go to arbitration when he had the chance. That should tell us all we need to know about his interest in an offer sheet.

His negotiations could take time but that’s common. Most RFA contract talks can take most of the summer before a resolution is reached. It’s doubtful there’s any real concern here.

The Canadiens could make a “revenge play” against the Hurricanes by targeting Seth Jarvis.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens could make that move if Marc Bergevin was still their general manager. His attempt at signing Sebastian Aho in 2019 prompted the retaliatory Kotkaniemi signing two years later. The current Habs management probably isn’t interested in going down that road.

Swimming in cap space, the Detroit Red Wings can match any offer for Moritz Seider and/or Lucas Raymond. Whether someone attempts to set the market for them is the bigger question.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s doubtful that any club will attempt it. That move will only succeed in pissing off every general manager around the league for setting the market value for comparable players.

A rival club could attempt to squeeze the cap-strapped Edmonton Oilers by pitching an offer sheet to Dylan Holloway or Philip Broberg.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Possible but unlikely. Holloway and Broberg are in the early stages of their NHL careers. They might not pan out as hoped.

Sadler also suggested Quinton Byfield of the Los Angeles Kings, Cole Perfetti of the Winnipeg Jets and Dawson Mercer of the New Jersey Devils. An offer sheet to any one of them could mess up their team’s plans to sign them to an affordable bridge contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Another possibility but only if the player is willing to entertain offer-sheet proposals. Those three might not be interested in such deals.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 10, 2024

by | Jul 10, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 10, 2024

Jonathan Huberdeau weighs in on the Panthers winning the Stanley Cup, the Penguins hire the Leafs’ scouting director, Matt Savoie is excited about joining the Oilers, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines

CALGARY SUN: It was bittersweet for Flames winger Jonathan Huberdeau watching the Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup last month. Huberdeau spent the first 10 seasons of his NHL career with the Panthers until he was traded to the Flames two years ago, a move that sent Matthew Tkachuk to Florida.

Huberdeau signed an eight-year contract extension with the Flames following the trade. He’s struggled to regain the offensive form he had with the Panthers, including a career-high 115-point performance in 2021-22.

Calgary Flames winger Jonathan Huberdeau (NHL Images).

The 31-year-old Huberdeau admits it’s difficult at this stage of his career to go through a roster rebuild in Calgary. He also acknowledged his expensive contract and the recent decline in his production will make him difficult to trade.

Huberdeau didn’t criticize the Flames management. He said he fully accepts his role with the club, believing the club can be better than some expect.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Huberdeau endured a miserable 2023-24 with 52 points, his lowest total in a full NHL season since 2014-15. Nevertheless, he will be expected to play a leadership role for the Flames’ younger players during their current roster transition. A bounce-back effort on his part will be crucial.

TORONTO SUN/PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins hired Wes Clark as vice president of player personnel. Clark spent the past six seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was their director of amateur scouting from 2021 to 2024.

Despite the Leafs carrying low first-round picks during his tenure, Clark was responsible for their selections of Matthew Knies, Easten Cowan, Fraser Minten, and their 2024 pick, Ben Danford.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Clark is well-regarded around the league for his work at the Leafs’ draft table. This was a savvy move by Kyle Dubas, the Penguins president of hockey operations and general manager. He knows Clark well from his tenure as Leafs GM.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Matt Savoie is happy to be joining his hometown Oilers. They acquired the promising prospect center from the Buffalo Sabres last week. “When I heard the news I was really excited, an Edmonton kid, always coming to games with my parents,” he said.

Savoie bears the Sabres no ill will for trading him. “They have a ton of young prospects kind of on the cusp of making the league and they had to move a couple of guys out to make the team better, getting some older players. I understood it.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Savoie will face a challenge cracking the Oilers’ current roster. Salary cap constraints could ensure he spends this season with their AHL affiliate in Bakersfield.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers signed defenseman Adam Boqvist to a one-year contract. The move comes a week after signing his older brother Jesper Boqvist to a one-year deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Boqvist brothers will each earn $775K for 2024-25.

DAILY FACEOFF: Boqvist’s signing removes one player from the list of notable unrestricted free agents. Winger James van Riemsdyk, defenseman Ryan Suter and winger Max Pacioretty are the biggest names still available, along with winger Daniel Sprong, blueliner Tyson Barrie, and rearguard Oliver Kylington.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 9, 2024

by | Jul 9, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 9, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor Roundup, the Oilers could make another cost-cutting move and three proposed trade destinations for Leafs forward Nick Robertson.

ANOTHER COST-CUTTING MOVE COULD BE COMING FOR THE OILERS

THE ATHLETIC: Allan Mitchell believes the Edmonton Oilers aren’t done making cost-cutting during this offseason. They shipped Ryan McLeod last week to the Buffalo Sabres. Still, new contracts for restricted free agents Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg could push them over the $88 million cap by $3 million.

Edmonton Oilers winger Evander Kane (NHL Images).

The Oilers could put Evander Kane on long-term injury reserve to start the 2024-25 season. The winger was hampered by a sports hernia last season and interim general manager Jeff Jackson mentioned hip issues. They could place Kane on LTIR if he requires surgery or a long recovery from his injury.

If Kane doesn’t go on LTIR, another cost-cutting trade will be necessary before their season opener in October. They could also demote some players but that would leave them starting the season with a 20-man roster.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli suggesting Cody Ceci as a cost-cutting trade candidate. Seravalli believes there’s a market for the 30-year-old defenseman and his $3.25 million cap hit. Staples noted that Ceci was among the few Oilers who raised their level of play in the playoffs compared to the regular season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some Oilers followers prefer Kane become the trade candidate. His contract and injury status will likely ensure he remains in Edmonton. The winger carries a $5.125 million cap hit through 2025-26 and a full no-movement clause until March 1, 2025, when it becomes a 16-team trade list.

If Kane ends up on LTIR he could return before the end of the 2024-25 season. The Oilers could wait until then and peddle Ceci or another player before the trade deadline. Otherwise, they’ll have to dump another salary in the trade market before their season opener.

THREE PROPOSED TRADE DESTINATIONS FOR NICK ROBERTSON

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau noted reports last week indicating Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson requested a trade. If he and the Leafs fail to mend their relations, Proteau suggested the San Jose Sharks, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Vegas Golden Knights as destinations for the 22-year-old left winger.

Robertson would garner more playing time and a chance to get his career back on track with the rebuilding Sharks and Blue Jackets. He could also be an affordable middle-six forward for the Golden Knights as they attempt to regain the Stanley Cup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs aren’t in any hurry to move Robertson. He’s a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract and lacks arbitration rights, giving him little leverage. Still, the Leafs could consider trading him for the right offer.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 9, 2024

by | Jul 9, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 9, 2024

A look at the most interesting salary arbitration cases, the Capitals make a notable front-office change, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon looked at some of the more interesting potential salary arbitration cases worth watching. Fourteen players filed for arbitration by the July 5 deadline. There were no club-elected arbitration cases.

Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas (NHL Images).

Topping the list is Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas. The 25-year-old has featured prominently in the rumor mill as reports emerged about his unhappiness skating as a third-line winger. There’s also been a management change as Eric Tulsky took over as general manager from Don Waddell.

Other notable cases that could be worth monitoring include New York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren, Buffalo Sabres starting goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Tampa Bay Lightning blueliner J.J. Moser, and Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Moser’s could be interesting because he was recently acquired from the Utah Hockey Club. The Lightning sees him as a replacement for Mikhail Sergachev, who was swapped for Moser, prospect center Conor Geekie, and two draft picks.

The Bolts won’t pay Moser as much as Sergachev ($8.5 million annually) but the 24-year-old Swiss blueliner will seek a significant raise coming off his entry-level contract.

Most of these cases are settled well before their scheduled arbitration hearings between July 20 and Aug. 4. Sometimes, one or two end up going before an arbitrator. 

TSN: The Washington Capitals named Chris Patrick as their new general manager while long-time GM Brian MacLellan remains as president of hockey operations. Patrick, 48, has worked in various roles with the Capitals, spending the past three seasons as assistant GM.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The report indicates this follows a recent trend around the league where an established general manager moves upstairs and cedes day-to-day operations. MacLellan will still maintain oversight over any significant roster decisions. He’d served as GM since 2014 and helped them win their first Stanley Cup in 2018.

MacLellan improved the Capitals roster in recent weeks, swapping goalie Darcy Kuemper for center Pierre-Luc Dubois, acquiring defenseman Jakob Chychrun from the Ottawa Senators, winger Andrew Mangiapane from the Calgary Flames, and netminder Logan Thompson from the Vegas Golden Knights. He also signed top-four defenseman Matt Roy.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin discussed the “Seattle Incident” during the 2023 playoffs with a Russian interviewer. His comments were made before he was placed in stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program on May 14 and suspended for six months.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nichushkin left the Avalanche during their 2023 first-round series with the Seattle Kraken after a team doctor discovered an intoxicated woman in the winger’s Seattle hotel room, and called an ambulance to take her to a hospital. The club did not acknowledge the police report or indicate if Nichushkin was punished. The league indicated it was satisfied with how the situation was handled.

Nichushkin said he was receiving treatments for a shoulder injury at the time that required injections. He claimed he wasn’t scheduled to play for the remainder of the series against the Kraken, saying he hung out with some friends that night and then flew back to Denver. Nichushkin stated the girl in his hotel room had nothing to do with him. He also said the team told him not to comment about the incident at the time, something he now claims was a mistake.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It remains to be seen if Nichushkin faces any repercussions for these comments.

TSN: The Utah Hockey Club re-signed forward Barrett Hayton to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $2.65 million.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Former Flyers goaltender Carter Hart could sign with a KHL team. He is among five players charged in the 2018 Hockey Canada sexual assault case and is currently awaiting trial. The Flyers opted not to qualify Hart’s rights on July 1, making him an unrestricted free agent.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Former Calgary Flames winger Dillon Dube is among those five players. He signed a one-year contract with KHL club HC Dinamo Minsk. The report stated it’s unclear if extraneous circumstances allowed Dube to leave Canada before facing trial.

BUFFALO HOCKEY NOW: The Sabres signed 2024 first-round pick Konsta Helenius to a three-year entry-level contract. The 18-year-old center was chosen 14th overall.

KUKLA’S KORNER: The Dallas Stars entered into a seven-year agreement with A Parent Media Co. Inc. (APMC) to stream all their regional games free of charge. Starting this season, the games will be broadcast on the newly formed VICTORY+, a free direct-to-consumer streaming service created for fans by APMC with the Dallas Stars.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: The Carolina Hurricanes named Doug Warf their new team president. He will oversee the club’s business operations and the operation of PNC Arena. He succeeds Don Waddell, who recently stepped down to join the Columbus Blue Jackets.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 8, 2024

by | Jul 8, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 8, 2024

Will the Canadiens pursue a scoring forward? Will the Blue Jackets try to acquire Predators goalie Yaroslav Askarov? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan was asked by a reader how many seasons he thinks it’ll take for the Canadiens to make the playoffs and win a round or two.

He replied that the current roster will have a difficult time making the playoffs in 2024-25. He believes they lack sufficient offense from their forwards. Promising prospect winger Ivan Demidov is at least a year away from joining the Canadiens as he completes his KHL contract.

Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes (NHL.com).

Cowan believes Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes will make a trade to bring in a top-six forward before the start of the regular season. He noted Hughes’ discussions with unrestricted free agent winger Jonathan Marchessault but he was unwilling to give the veteran forward a long-term contract.

Hughes could make a trade for a younger top-six forward or one with the potential to become one, or a veteran forward with two or three years remaining on his contract.

Cowan believes adding a scoring forward could help the Canadiens make the playoffs next season. However, he thinks management’s long-term goal is more focused on that happening in the following season (2025-26).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens have been linked to Carolina’s Martin Necas, Anaheim’s Trevor Zegras, and Columbus’ Patrik Laine in the rumor mill. Whether Hughes attempted to acquire one of them is anyone’s guess.

The Canadiens have depth in draft picks and promising young defensemen to draw on for trade bait. Whoever Hughes pursues, he won’t overpay to get them if his previous acquisitions are anything to go by.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jason Newland observed that Nashville Predators goaltender Yaroslav Askarov might be available. Questions arose about the 22-year-old’s future after the Predators signed Juuse Saros to an eight-year contract extension and signed free-agent backup Scott Wedgewood.

It’s rumored Askarov might be available. During the draft, a trade for a top-five pick couldn’t be worked out. It’s believed the asking price was an “established NHL player, or a prospect with a high ceiling.”

Newland wondered if Predators GM Barry Trotz would entertain an offer from the Columbus Blue Jackets of winger Kent Johnston and goalie Daniil Tarasov.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s no indication from the Askarov camp that the promising netminder wants a trade. As things stand, he could start the season with the Predators’ AHL affiliate in Milwaukee, though the argument can be made that he’s got nothing further to gain from playing there.

We don’t know if Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell would pursue Askarov. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t hurt to explore the possibility. Other clubs will certainly be interested.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 8, 2024

by | Jul 8, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 8, 2024

Sidney Crosby and the Penguins could be close to a contract extension, plus the latest on the Leafs, Red Wings, Lightning and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE ATHLETIC: Rob Rossi cites sources claiming Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are closing in on a contract extension. Both sides are confident a deal will be agreed upon and formalized soon.

Crosby, who turns 37 in August, remains intent on finishing his career with the Penguins, despite missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

The full details of Crosby’s new contract are unknown. Previous reports suggested it could be a three-year deal with an average annual value of $10 million. It will require a “35-plus” designation, which prevents a team from front-loading a contract that is at least two years in length or delaying a signing bonus to or after the second season.

Crosby’s current average annual value is $8.7 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Confirmation of Crosby’s new contract could come this week, maybe as early as today. Some observers raised eyebrows last week when July 1 came and went with no sign of a deal. Sometimes, reaching an agreement on a new contract takes a little longer than expected.

The “35-plus” designation also means the Penguins won’t garner any cap relief if they were to buy out that new contract.

TORONTO STAR: Bruce Arthur and Dave Feschuk examine what’s gone wrong for the Maple Leafs under team president Brendan Shanahan. “The Shanaplan” invested heavily in the “Core Four” of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander.

The Leafs’ regular season record is exemplary, boasting a .636 win percentage since 2016-17 which is the NHL’s third-highest. No team has scored more goals (2,117) and they have the third-best power play percentage (24.1) over that time.

It’s a different in the playoffs. They ranked last in goals (150) among 16 playoff teams that have played over 40 postseason games during that period. They’re 15th among those clubs in power-play percentage (16.9).

No one doubts the individual skills of the “Core Four”, it’s the combination that has been less than the sum of its parts. Their defenders point to the Leafs’ lack of a true starting goaltender or a proven No. 1 defenseman or depth scoring. The counterpoint is those four could’ve taken a little less money, leaving more to address those issues.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Of all those signings, the Tavares deal is the one that hurt the most. Again, I’m not making Tavares the scapegoat. The Leafs pursued him and offered him $11 million annually for seven years. He didn’t force them to sign him to that contract and I don’t blame him for taking the opportunity to play for his hometown club.

The Leafs were coming off a season (2017-18) with the third-best regular-season offense (3.29 goals per game) in the league when they signed Tavares. There was no reason to pursue a scoring center when their pressing needs at the time were right-side blueline depth and reliable playoff goaltending.

That $11 million could’ve and should’ve been put toward addressing those needs. I said it before and after they signed Tavares. That contract handcuffed their efforts to bolster their depth elsewhere in the lineup.

TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons wonders what happened to Steve Yzerman’s golden touch that built the Tampa Bay Lightning into a Stanley Cup champion. Since becoming general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, that club has missed the playoffs five straight years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ve been wondering about that as well. Granted, Yzerman took over a mess in Detroit. He faced a similar scenario when he became the Lightning’s GM but he had Hall-of-Famer Martin St. Louis and future Hall-of-Famers Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman to build around.

Nevertheless, Yzerman drafted or acquired most of the players who formed the core of the Lightning’s back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021. So far, he hasn’t had the same level of success with the Red Wings.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Eduardo A. Encina believes Lightning GM Julien BriseBois’ recent difficult decisions make the Lightning his team and could define his legacy. They include letting franchise player Steven Stamkos depart as a free agent and trading defenseman Mikhail Sergachev.

BriseBois inherited the roster core that went on to win Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021 from former GM Steve Yzerman, even though he was Yzerman’s right-hand man. Salary-cap constraints forced him to make tough choices that will shape the direction of this team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: BriseBois and the Lightning benefited from the lack of a state tax in retaining many of those core players. Nevertheless, a flattened salary cap over the previous four seasons forced him to trade or cut loose some complementary players important to the Bolts’ success.

Encina points out that BriseBois is banking on Jake Guentzel replacing Stamkos, J.J. Moser filling Sergachev’s skates on the blueline and promising center Conor Geekie meeting expectations. If those gambles pan out, he’ll look like a genius. If not, they could eventually lead to his dismissal.

THE SCORE: Speaking of Mikhail Sergachev, he said he was in shock when he learned the Lightning had traded him to the Utah Hockey Club. However, he’s looking forward to a leadership role with an up-and-coming franchise.

“Talking to my agent, talking to some players, and talking to (Utah forward Clayton) Keller, everybody said great things about Utah and the new franchise,” said Sergachev. “It’s pretty amazing, honestly. “The whole setup, the city. I’m very excited. It’s a big opportunity for me to prove myself, be a leader. I’m looking forward to it.”

THE TENNESSEAN: Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi is focusing more on the mental side of the game as part of his offseason training. He still works out five days a week, but his primary focus is mental exercise and meditation.

“The more you take care of your mental side, the better you are as a person and as a hockey player,” said Josi.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Flyers signed defenseman Egor Zamula to a two-year with an AAV of $1.7 million.