NHL Rumor Mill – August 18, 2023

by | Aug 18, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – August 18, 2023

What will the Jets do with Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele? Could the Penguins trade Jeff Carter to make room for Tomas Tatar? Could the Rangers reacquire Mats Zuccarello by the trade deadline? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT WILL THE JETS DO WITH HELLEBUYCK AND SCHEIFELE?

WINNIPEG SUN: Scott Billeck wonders what Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff will do with goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and center Mark Scheifele. Both are slated to become unrestricted free agents at the end of this season and there’s no indication they’re going to sign contract extensions.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

Billeck believes the Jets can ill-afford to hold onto those two assets for the coming season and forego any sort of return for them. Retaining them for this season risks one or both suffering injuries that could hurt their trade value.

As he did with the Pierre-Luc Dubois trade, Cheveldayoff must find return assets for Hellebuyck and Scheifele that come with team control. However, the Jets GM could face a difficult decision if Hellebuyck and Scheifele are still on the team at the trade deadline and the club is sitting in a high playoff berth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Billeck mentioned the possibility of Cheveldayoff getting an offer that makes sense before training camp opens. However, there have been reports since mid-July suggesting the Jets could be willing to start the season with both players on the roster and see how things turn out.

Given the high number of teams with limited cap space for this season, finding a deal that makes sense won’t be easy. Cheveldayoff may have to take the risk by carrying both players for the season, hoping that they stay healthy and play well, and hope for better offers when the trade deadline rolls around.

COULD THE PENGUINS TRADE CARTER TO MAKE ROOM FOR TATAR?

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski noted the Penguins have been linked to free-agent Tomas Tatar in the rumor mill. While the 32-year-old winger could be a good fit, finding sufficient cap room to sign him could be challenging unless he’s willing to accept less than $1 million for this season.

Kingerski suggested trading Jeff Carter would be the logical choice to clear cap room for Tatar. He comes with a $3.125 million cap hit for this season. However, the 38-year-old Carter also has complete control with a full no-movement clause. Even if he retired today, the Penguins wouldn’t get cap relief because he’s on a 35-plus contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kingerski considers a Carter trade to be unlikely. Hypothetically, it’s possible but I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for it.

COULD ZUCCARELLO REUNITE WITH THE RANGERS?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Matthew Mugno noted that Mats Zuccarello is in the final year of his contract with the Minnesota Wild. He suggested that the 35-year-old winger might end up getting moved by the trade deadline if the Wild have a mediocre season.

If so, Mugno believes the New York Rangers would be the one club that could pry Zuccarello from re-signing with the Wild. He began his NHL career with the Rangers, spending almost nine seasons there until traded to Dallas before the 2019 deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild could shop Zuccarello if they’re out of playoff contention by the March trade deadline. Perhaps the Rangers would make a pitch for him.

Nevertheless, I think the Wild will be a playoff club again this season, especially if Zuccarello remains productive skating alongside superstar linemate Kirill Kaprizov. They won’t break up that tandem if they’re in the postseason hunt.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 18, 2023

by | Aug 18, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 18, 2023

Jonathan Toews to take some time away from hockey, updates on Panthers defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour, and long-time Sabres broadcaster Rick Jeanneret passes away. Details and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Toews issued a statement yesterday regarding his plans for the future. The former Blackhawks captain indicated that he is not fully retiring but is taking some time away from the game of hockey.

Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews (NHL Images).

Toews cited the health issues he suffered through long-COVID and chronic immune response syndrome that sidelined him in 2020-21 and hampered his performance over the past two seasons.

The 35-year-old center became an unrestricted free agent on July 1, bringing to an end his 15 NHL seasons with the Blackhawks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As per Toews’ statement, he intends to spend the coming season “to fully heal and enjoy life to the fullest once again”. However, he also seems to be leaving the door open to a possible NHL comeback.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito provided an update on Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour. Both defensemen are recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.

Zito said both players are healing and on schedule with their respective recoveries. “It’ll be a month or two. Is it four (months)? Probably not Is it one (month)? Probably not. That’s as well as I could get, but every time I check in, I’m told (they’re) on schedule.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A month or two would put both players within range of returning during training camp or the start of the regular season.

BUFFALO HOCKEY NOW: Long-time Sabres broadcaster Rick Jeanneret passed on Thursday at age 81 from multi-organ failures. The iconic voice of the Sabres began broadcasting their games in 1971 until his retirement at the end of the 2021-22 season.

Jeanneret received the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Foster Hewitt Award in 2012 for broadcasting. He was also a member of the Sabres Hall of Fame.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tributes to Jeanneret are widespread on traditional and social media. He was one of hockey’s greatest broadcasters. His call of Brad May’s series-winning overtime goal against the Boston Bruins in the 1993 playoffs (“May Day!”) ranks among the best in sports history. It still gives me goosebumps whenever I hear it.

DAILY FACEOFF: Mathieu Schneider and the NHL Players Association are parting ways after 12 years. He began working with the PA after his playing career ended, going on to become second-in-command to former executive director Donald Fehr. The move comes several months after Marty Walsh took over from Fehr.

NBC SPORTS CHICAGO: Blackhawks top prospect Connor Bedard isn’t the only member of his family to skate for the club. His great-great uncle, James Bedard, played 22 games as a defenseman for the Hawks from 1949 to 1951.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 17, 2023

by | Aug 17, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – August 17, 2023

Should the Predators pursue the Flames’ Noah Hanifin? Can the Avalanche afford Devon Toews? Who could be the odd man out on the Sabres blueline? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SHOULD THE PREDATORS PURSUE NOAH HANIFIN?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ann Kimmel recently mused over whether the Nashville Predators should pursue Noah Hanifin.

Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin (NHL Images).

The 26-year-old defenseman is a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility and has informed the Calgary Flames that he’s not interested in a contract extension. The Predators, meanwhile, have blueliners like Dante Fabbro, Jeremy Lauzon and Alexandre Carrier facing “prove it” seasons approaching 2023-24.

With the Predators carrying almost $8 million in cap space, they’re among the few clubs that can afford to take on Hanifin’s $4.95 million cap hit for this season.

The addition of Hanifin would give the Predators a solid top-four left-shot defenseman. If he’s unwilling to re-sign with them, he could be peddled for assets at the trade deadline. However, general manager Barry Trotz could be hesitant about parting with any of his most appealing prospects without another season to fully evaluate them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trotz hasn’t been the Predators GM for long but he’s already shown a willingness for bold moves like signing Ryan O’Reilly, Gustav Nyquist and Luke Schenn as well as trading Ryan Johansen.

We don’t know if he’s eyeing Hanifin but the Flames blueliner could be a solid addition to the Predators. This might be something worth monitoring in the coming weeks with training camp approaching.

CAN THE AVALANCHE AFFORD DEVON TOEWS?

THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh believes Devon Toews will get a substantial raise on his next contract. The 29-year-old Colorado Avalanche defenseman is in the final season of a four-year deal with an average annual value of $4.1 million.

Baugh cites Evolving-Hockey projecting a contract extension for Toews with the Avalanche could be eight years with an AAV of just over $8 million. While the salary cap is projected to significantly rise over the next two seasons, the Avs must also re-sign Alexandar Georgiev, Mikko Rantanen and Bowen Byram in 2025.

The Avalanche tend to be careful over who they sign to long-term contracts, especially those who will be over 30 for most of the contract. Baugh believes they’ll face difficult decisions on who they can afford to keep.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Toews could prove difficult to replace if he departs as a free agent next summer. He usually pairs with Avs superstar Cale Makar on the top line.

I don’t expect the Avalanche to trade Toews this season as they’ll be pushing for Stanley Cup contention. If they do re-sign him, they’ll have to ship out someone else before the summer of 2025 to make room for those new contracts for Rantanen, Byram and Georgiev.

LATEST ON THE SABRES

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Lance Lysowki noted the Sabres are carrying nine defensemen under NHL contracts for 2023-24. They won’t be able to carry them all and that could force GM Kevyn Adams to move one of them to create more salary-cap flexibility for the trade deadline later in the season.

Lysowski considers Jacob Bryson as the most likely to be moved. He carries a $1.85 million cap hit and might interest a non-contender seeking younger defensemen.

Ilya Lyubushkin’s physical style could interest clubs but he carries a $2.75 million cap hit. Riley Stillman and Henri Jokiharju could also become trade candidates.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 17, 2023

by | Aug 17, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 17, 2023

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin talks about teammate Evgeny Kuznetsov, Flyers forward Joel Farabee is looking forward to a better season, the Oilers sign Brandon Sutter to a PTO contract, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: recently cited an interview given by Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin to a Russian news outlet addressing the trade rumors swirling around teammate and friend Evgeny Kuznetsov.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (NHL Images).

“How would I react to a trade? This is the business of hockey,” said Ovechkin. “Today you’re here, tomorrow there, the day after tomorrow on another team. I hope it doesn’t happen.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin acknowledged that the decision isn’t up to him. However, he could get his wish. Kuznetsov’s inconsistent play in recent years and his $7.8 million annual salary cap hit through 2024-25 have hurt his value in this summer’s trade market.

NHL.COM: Joel Farabee hopes a full offseason will lead to a better performance this season. The Philadelphia Flyers forward spent part of last summer recovering from artificial disk replacement surgery in his neck.

Farabee, 23, enjoyed a career-best 39-point effort in 2022-23. He believes he’ll be able to contribute more in 2023-24 following a full offseason of training.

CAP FRIENDLY: indicates the Edmonton Oilers have signed free-agent forward Brandon Sutter to a professional tryout offer. The 34-year-old center’s last NHL season was 2020-21 with the Vancouver Canucks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sutter is hoping to stage an NHL comeback after being sidelined for two seasons by long-COVID.

DAILY FACEOFF: recently published an updated list of the top remaining unrestricted free agents. Patrick Kane, Max Comtois and Tomas Tatar hold the top-three spots, followed by Jonathan Toews, Noah Gregor, Jaroslav Halak, Paul Stastny and Phil Kessel.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane isn’t expected to sign with a team until December when he’s fully recovered from an offseason hip surfacing procedure. Tatar has been linked to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Toews is believed to be mulling retirement. Kessel said he intended to continue his long NHL career after winning his third Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights.

THE ATHLETIC: Former NHL defenseman Jamie Rivers has been named as the St. Louis Blues’ new TV color analyst on Bally Sports Midwest. He previously worked with Fox Sports Midwest and ESPN.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rivers acknowledged he’s got big shoes to fill. He replaces the popular Darren Pang, who has moved on to become the top color commentator for the Chicago Blackhawks and the No. 2 color commentator on TNT.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins have unveiled their centennial plans for the coming season. Among the highlights will be the Heritage Homecoming Week on Oct. 10-13 as the club welcomes over 50 alumni as honored guests.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 16, 2023

by | Aug 16, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – August 16, 2023

The Canadiens might not be done making trades after shipping Jeff Petry plus the latest on UFA winger Tomas Tatar in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

MORE TRADES COMING FOR THE CANADIENS?

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont recently cited TVA Sports’ Anthony Martineau claiming the Canadiens are “open for business” regarding their goaltending.

The Canadiens currently have Sam Montembeault, Jake Allen and Casey DeSmith on the roster. Martineau claimed they’re listening to offers in the hope of getting the biggest return for their assets.

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Casey DeSmith (NHL Images).

Dumont doubted the Canadiens will get more than a very late-round draft pick or future considerations even in this summer’s tepid goalie market. Montembeault, Allen and DeSmith are far from being considered prospects.

Montembeault has put up decent NHL numbers but is far from an established starter. Allen and DeSmith have been relegated to backup roles.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I realize that the impressive trade record of Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes has made some Habs followers believe he’s going to hit a home run on almost every deal.

Hughes is very good but even he’s at the mercy of the market. If you were disappointed in the Petry return without looking at the larger picture, don’t get your hopes up that he’ll get something better for one of his three NHL goalies.

THE ATHLETIC: Arpon Basu noted the Canadiens remain over the $83.5 million salary cap for this season following their recent cost-cutting moves.

During his media availability discussing Tuesday’s Jeff Petry trade, general manager Kent Hughes hinted at more moves to come to clear up cap space without putting permanently sidelined goalie Carey Price on offseason long-term injury reserve.

Trading DeSmith could be one option. “I told Casey to be patient,” said Hughes. “The idea is not to bury him in the AHL, so we’ll continue looking at opportunities to either trade him or maybe changes a few things, but it might take some time because the goalie market doesn’t move very quickly.”

Basu also noted the Canadiens could use their six waiver-exempt players (Juraj Slafkovsky, Rafael Harvey-Pinard, Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, Justin Barron and Jordan Harris) to send some of them to the AHL as a paper transaction to be cap compliant to start the season, then recall them once Price is placed on LTIR.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Basu points out that it’s about garnering salary-cap flexibility. He noted that the Petry trade allows the Canadiens to start the regular season with Price on their books and then place him on LTIR when the roster deadline has passed.

Basu goes on to explain that offseason LTIR means the Canadiens get locked into a cap number leaving them with zero cap space. In-season LTIR means the closer they are to the cap as possible, the more cap flexibility they’ll have once they place Price on it.

LATEST ON TOMAS TATAR

TSN: Travis Yost looked at how free agent Tomas Tatar could help an NHL club. He noted that the 32-year-old winger has been a reliable middle-six point producer, including his 20 goals and 48 points last season with the New Jersey Devils.

Yost believes a team that plays a similar up-tempo attacking style like the Devils could benefit from Tatar’s speed and scoring abilities. The Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres and Winnipeg Jets could be possible destinations. It could take training camp to open up more possibilities for Tatar.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dave Molinari noted the recent rumors linking the Penguins to Tatar. He examined whether he was worth adding to the roster.

Molinari believes the Penguins should pursue Tatar if sidelined winger Jake Guentzel is out longer than anticipated and if he’ll accept a team-friendly contract. The downside, however, is his addition would complicate their salary-cap flexibility, costing them a valuable role player.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tatar recently admitted he’s had talks with the Penguins but didn’t indicate whether they’re close to a deal. Penguins GM Kyle Dubas last week said Guentzel might only miss the opening five games of the regular season. That could alleviate the need to find a short-term replacement for him.

It’s believed Tatar could be seeking a guaranteed contract longer than one season. The Penguins might only be interested in signing him to a PTO deal and see how he performs in training camp and preseason play.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 16, 2023

by | Aug 16, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 16, 2023

Analysis of the Canadiens trading Jeff Petry to the Red Wings plus the latest on Mark Stone, Artemi Panarin, David Krejci and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: Nine days after reacquiring Jeff Petry from the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Canadiens traded the 35-year-old defenseman to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for defenseman Gustav Lindstrom and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.

The Penguins had retained 25 percent ($1.56 million) of Petry’s $6.25 million average annual value through 2024-25. The Canadiens retain half of the remainder, meaning the Wings’ share of his cap hit is $2.34 million.

Montreal Canadiens trade defenseman Jeff Petry to the Detroit Red Wings(NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The initial reaction from a majority of Canadiens fans on social media was disappointment that Habs general manager Kent Hughes didn’t get a better return for Petry. However, Montreal Hockey Now’s Marc Dumont believes this shows the market for the veteran blueliner was rather mediocre at best.

Dumont also points out that moving Petry completed a series of deals completed by Hughes that started when he initially traded the rearguard to the Penguins last summer for Mike Matheson. That includes moving Mike Hoffman to San Jose and adding goalie Casey DeSmith, three draft picks and gaining more salary-cap flexibility.

Lindstrom, 24, struggled to earn a regular roster spot with the Red Wings. Dumont believes he’s likely bound for the Canadiens AHL affiliate in Laval this season but the Canadiens are in a position where they can afford to give Lindstrom an opportunity.

This was also a classy move by Hughes. A Michigan native, Petry’s family now lives there year-round. He won’t have to uproot his family or spend most of the regular season apart from them as he did last season.

Petry’s production has waned over the past couple of seasons but he brings veteran skill and experience to the rebuilding Red Wings blueline, especially with promising Simon Edvinsson undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. This move should buy time for Edvinsson to fully recover and improve his game.

TSN: Speaking of the Canadiens, Hughes indicated that Paul Byron is expected to announce his retirement before the start of the upcoming season. The 34-year-old forward missed all of last season and played just 27 games in 2021-22 due to an ongoing hip injury. Byron will meet with management next month to discuss a position with the club.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Claimed off waivers in 2015 from the Calgary Flames, Byron’s energetic two-way play quickly made him a fan favorite in Montreal. In 521 regular-season games over 12 seasons with the Canadiens, Flames and Buffalo Sabres, he had 98 goals and 208 points along with 11 points in 38 playoff contests.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: During a recent appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show”, Golden Knights captain Mark Stone revealed that he suffered a fractured wrist during the first period of his club’s 9-3 series-clinching victory over the Florida Panthers in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final. Stone tallied a hat trick in that match, scoring twice after he was injured.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It takes a lot to sideline a player who’s on the verge of winning hockey’s holy grail.

TSN: David Krejci has left the door open on playing in Europe and representing Czechia at the 2024 World Championships. Earlier this week, the 37-year-old center announced his NHL retirement, bringing his 16-season career with the Boston Bruins to an end.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: A report out of Russia claims Artemi Panarin was fined by Novgorod police for firing a weapon inside a non-designated area on July 6. The report states the 31-year-old New York Rangers winger fired several shots and that it was his first offense. His weapon was also confiscated.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No details were provided as to why Panarin was discharging his weapon. Perhaps he’ll shed more light on that when he reports to Rangers training camp next month.

CAROLINA HOCKEY NOW: The Hurricanes have agreed to a 20-year lease with PNC Arena.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: PNC Arena has been the Hurricanes’ home since it was opened in 1999. The area surrounding the arena is currently being renovated to include a sports and entertainment district.

TSN: Former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Bobby Baun passed away on Monday at age 86. A 17-season NHL veteran from 1956-67 to 1972-73, Baun spent nearly 14 of those seasons with the Leafs, along with over three seasons with the Oakland Seals and Detroit Red Wings.

Baun earned a reputation as a hard-hitting blueliner, helping the Leafs win four Stanley Cups in the 1960s. He gained legendary status when he scored the series-tying overtime goal against the Red Wings in Game 6 of the 1964 Stanley Cup Final while playing on a broken ankle. He also played in the Cup-clinching Game 7 at Maple Leaf Gardens two nights later.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m old enough to remember watching Baun’s second tenure with the Leafs in the early-1970s. He was a master of the hip check, played a solid defensive game and never shied away from anyone who challenged him. My condolences to his family, friends and former teammates.