NHL Rumor Mill – July 29, 2023

by | Jul 29, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – July 29, 2023

A look at five centers the Bruins could target to replace Patrice Bergeron, possible cost-cutting trade options for the Senators, and more speculation over whether the Blues will trade a defenseman in today’s NHL Rumor Mill

MORE TRADE SUGGESTIONS FOR THE BRUINS TO REPLACE BERGERON

THE SCORE: Josh Wegman listed five possible trade options for the Boston Bruins to replace recently-retired first-line center Patrice Bergeron.

Topping his list is Elias Lindholm of the Calgary Flames and Mark Scheifele of the Winnipeg Jets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ve noted previous suggestions linking the Bruins to Lindholm and Scheifele. Lindholm is younger, more affordable and has better all-around skills than Scheifele. However, both players will be expensive to acquire right now, perhaps too expensive for the Bruins to acquire. Boston Hockey Now’s Jimmy Murphy cited a source suggesting the Bruins would have to part with Jake DeBrusk as part of the return to land Lindholm.

San Jose Sharks captain Logan Couture (NHL Images)

Wegman also suggested San Jose Sharks captain Logan Couture. He acknowledged a number of obstacles, such as the 34-year-old Couture’s age, expensive contract and three-team trade clause. Nevertheless, he remains productive and would be worth looking into.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It wouldn’t hurt to check but I don’t see Couture ending up in Boston. His contract is simply too complicated to move.

Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov is available.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Too many red flags around Kuznetsov right now with the biggest being his inconsistent play and $7.8 million average annual value through 2024-25.

Wegman rounds out his list with Montreal Canadiens center Christian Dvorak if the Bruins decide to replace Bergeron by committee along with Charlie Coyole and Pavel Zacha.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ll admit anything’s possible and the Bruins could consider that option if there’s nothing more suitable available in the trade market.

However, I expect they’ll likely start the season with Coyle and Zacha and see how things shake out. If they need an upgrade at center, better options could become available near the March trade deadline.

HOW WILL THE SENATORS SHED CAP SPACE AFTER SIGNING TARASENKO

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch pointed out the Senators will have to make a cost-cutting trade after signing Vladimir Tarasenko on Thursday to a one-year, $5 million contract. They have roughly $900K in cap room with restricted free agents Shane Pinto and Egor Sokolov to re-sign.

According to Garrioch, the most likely scenario sees the Senators shopping forward Mathieu Joseph before the regular season opens in October. He carries an AAV of $2.95 million through 2025-26.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Steve Warne also considers Joseph the most likely cost-cutting candidate, though he believes the Senators might have to include a sweetener in the deal.

Defenseman Erik Brannstrom ($2 million) is another option but the Senators might prefer retaining him given how many injuries they had on their blueline last season. Warne also speculated they could play hardball with Pinto and sign him to a one-year, $1 million contract and then ink him to a long-term in the new year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Better off to move Joseph than to deplete the blueline depth or get into a contract pissing contest with the promising Pinto.

LATEST SPECULATION REGARDING THE BLUES DEFENSE CORPS

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford was recently asked by a reader how the St. Louis Blues intend to address their logjam on the blueline. He noted that general manager Doug Armstrong has said he intends to start the season with eight defensemen on the roster, which means they could send Scott Perunovich to the minors as he’s the only one who’s waiver-exempt.

Rutherford wouldn’t be surprised if Armstrong attempts to pull off a trade before training camp. However, he noted the difficulty the Blues GM had in trying to trade Torey Krug to the Philadelphia Flyers as he invoked his no-trade clause to block that attempt. Armstrong would also likely have to sweeten the pot to move someone like Marco Scandella.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Armstrong is in a mess of his own making with his top-four defensemen (Krug, Justin Faulk, Colton Parayko and Nick Leddy) all carrying full no-trade clauses.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 29, 2023

by | Jul 29, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 29, 2023

The Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman and the Coyotes’ Jack McBain could be heading to arbitration. Details and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

BOSTON HERALD: The Bruins and goaltender Jeremy Swayman are $2.8 million apart as their scheduled arbitration hearing on Sunday approaches. In their pre-filings on Friday, the Bruins offered $2 million while the Swayman camp seeks $4.8 million.

GOPHNX.COM: cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting that the Arizona Coyotes and Jack McBain could also be heading to arbitration on Sunday. The Coyotes are offering up two years at $1.2 million while McBain seeks one year at $2.25 million.

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The two sides in both cases can still negotiate up until their hearing commences. After that, negotiations cease and they await the arbiter’s decision, which will likely settle somewhere in the middle.

CAPFRIENDLY: The remainder of the arbitration schedule is as follows:

Trent Frederic, Boston Bruins: Aug. 1

Troy Terry, Anaheim Ducks: Aug. 2

Filip Gustavsson, Minnesota Wild; Ryan McLeod, Edmonton Oilers; Drew O’Connor, Pittsburgh Penguins; Brandon Scanlin, New York Rangers: Aug. 4.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: The Sabres signed 2023 first-round pick Zach Benson to a three-year entry-level contract. The 18-year-old winger was chosen 13th overall.

TSN: Veteran defenseman Patrik Nemeth has signed a two-year contract with SC Bern of Switzerland’s National League. Nemeth, 31, spent 10 seasons in the NHL, netting 70 points in 504 games with the Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers and Arizona Coyotes.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 28, 2023

by | Jul 28, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – July 28, 2023

Should the Bruins and Capitals keep an eye on Flames center Elias Lindholm? What’s the latest on Leafs winger William Nylander? How will the Senators free up cap space after signing Vladimir Tarasenko? Check it out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SHOULD THE BRUINS AND CAPITALS PURSUE ELIAS LINDHOLM?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Randy Sportak considers the Boston Bruins as a strong potential trade partner for the Calgary Flames, who must unload several of their 2024 potential unrestricted free agents.

He considers Noah Hanifin as the most obvious player to depart the Stampede City for Beantown but believes it makes more sense for the two clubs to discuss a swap of Elias Lindholm. The Bruins need a replacement for now-retired center Patrice Bergeron and the 28-year-old Lindholm could fit the bill with his two-way play.

Calgary Flames center Elias Lindholm (NHL Images).

As for the potential return to the Flames, Sportak believes it would have to include more than just one player, draft pick or prospect. He suggested defenseman Mason Lohrei should be at the top of the list. Other prospect options include winger Fabian Lysell and center Matthew Poitras

Meanwhile, Sportak’s colleague Sammi Silber suggested the Washington Capitals should keep an eye on Lindholm. She cited his two-way play and leadership as enticing traits for a club seeking a reliable top-six center.

However, Silber noted that it would be difficult for the Capitals to land Lindholm. They have Evgeny Kuznetsov and Anthony Mantha as trade chips but they’re unlikely to be enough to pry Lindholm away from the Flames. The cost of his next contract and the Capitals’ future after the Alex Ovechkin era is over could make it tough to convince him to sign a long-term deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Of the two teams the Bruins might have the best chance to land Lindholm, Nevertheless, it won’t be easy for either club to get him.

Unless they’re the only two clubs in the bidding, the Bruins and Capitals lack depth in sufficient trade bait to tempt the Flames. Other clubs with more tradeable assets could outbid them once the Flames put Lindholm on the trade block.

LATEST ON WILLIAM NYLANDER

TORONTO STAR: Damien Cox believes William Nylander is going to get between $10 million and $11 million annually on his next contract. It might be with the Leafs or with another club as an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Cox considers it a fantasy to think that the 27-year-old winger is going to accept less money to stay in Toronto. He’s got all the leverage he needs with UFA eligibility approaching next summer.

The Leafs could try to trade Nylander but Cox doubts they’ll get value in any return given the state of the trade market under a flattened salary cap. Most teams can’t afford his current contract right now ($6.962 million cap hit) and none will want to acquire him without an agreement on a long-term extension.

Cox thinks the best course of action for the Leafs is to let Nylander play out his final season with them. They can use the money they would’ve invested in him on pursuing a top-flight goaltender or a top defenseman.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: More pundits are realizing that the Leafs won’t get anything close to equal value for Nylander if they trade him. That could change if another club gets desperate but it doesn’t appear as though anyone’s beating down the Leafs door willing to make that deal.

I was of the opinion that the Leafs should trade him. I felt that general manager Brad Treliving doesn’t want to go through another scenario watching a star depart as a free agent as he did in Calgary last summer with Johnny Gaudreau. Nylander’s uncertain future could also become an unnecessary distraction for the club.

Nevertheless, the Leafs are still a playoff contender hoping to compete for the Stanley Cup this season. Their chances of doing so are better with Nylander in the lineup unless a club steps up with an offer that would make them a better club. So far, that offer doesn’t seem to be out there.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE SENATORS AFTER SIGNING TARASENKO?

THE ATHLETIC: Ian Mendes wondered what the Ottawa Senators will do to free up salary-cap space after signing Vladimir Tarasenko to a one-year, $5 million contract. They’re bumping up against the $83.5 million salary cap with restricted free agent Shane Pinto to re-sign.

Mendes expects Pinto’s salary request will exceed the $900K that the Senators have to play with. He anticipates they’ll have to ship someone out. There aren’t many logical trade candidates and they won’t want to move a core player.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Perhaps they attempt to move winger Mathieu Joseph ($2.95 million through 2024-25) or defenseman Erik Brannstrom ($2 million). They could also shop Dominik Kubalik but they recently acquired him from the Red Wings. 










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 28, 2023

by | Jul 28, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 28, 2023

The Senators sign Vladimir Tarasenko, the Bruins intend to retire Patrice Bergeron’s number, the Coyotes sign top prospect Logan Cooley and the Panthers prepare to celebrate their 30th anniversary season in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators signed free agent Vladimir Tarasenko to a one-year, $5 million contract. It’s expected the 31-year-old scoring winger will skate among the Senators’ top-six forwards.

Ottawa Senators sign Vladimir Tarasenko (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tarasenko was the biggest name remaining in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market. He’s a six-time 30-goal scorer who should provide a boost to the Senators’ offense this season.

Tarasenko reportedly rejected an earlier bid from the Senators along with others from several other clubs before replacing his agent with new representation in early July. This season’s flattened salary cap hampered his chances of landing a lucrative long-term deal after coming off an eight-year contract worth an average annual value of $7.5 million.

Forced to accept a shorter term for less money, Tarasenko is betting that he’ll have a productive season with the Senators. Another 30-goal campaign could help him land a better contract via next summer’s free-agent market when the salary cap is projected to rise by at least $4 million.

As for the Senators, this move leaves them with around $784K in cap space with restricted free agents Shane Pinto, Egor Sokolov and Alex Formenton to re-sign. A cost-cutting trade could be in the works.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Bruins team president Cam Neely confirmed the club will retire Patrice Bergeron’s No. 37 at some point in the near future. Bergeron announced his retirement earlier this week after 19 NHL seasons, all of them with the Bruins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Proper thing. Bergeron is one of the greatest players in Bruins history. Whether that happens this season or perhaps when he’s officially inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in three years’ time remains to be seen.

ARIZONA SPORTS: The Coyotes signed top prospect Logan Cooley on Thursday to a three-year entry-level contract. Cooley, 19, was chosen third overall in the 2022 NHL Draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cooley had originally planned to return to the University of Minnesota this season. However, the lure of playing in the NHL proved too strong.

Cooley is perhaps the most highly-touted prospect in Coyotes’ history. He’ll face considerable pressure to play up to lofty expectations. How well he does will affect the rebuilding Coyotes’ plans of becoming a playoff contender in the near future.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers will be celebrating their 30th anniversary in 2023-24. The club unveiled its anniversary logo and there are plans to bring back former players, coaches and personalities who were part of the franchise during those three decades.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 27, 2023

by | Jul 27, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – July 27, 2023

The Sharks are having difficulty moving Erik Karlsson plus the latest on the Capitals in today’s NHL Rumor mill.

SHARKS HAVING DIFFICULTY MOVING ERIK KARLSSON

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli recently reported that the San Jose Sharks are still looking for a significant return for Erik Karlsson in the trade market. However, they haven’t found a team willing to pay anywhere close to what they want for the 33-year-old defenseman.

San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images).

Seravalli claims the interested clubs are sitting back and waiting for the Sharks to call them back when they’re ready to resume discussions. They aren’t willing to pay anything significant for Karlsson.

The Sharks believe they need to get a return for Karlsson. They don’t want to get nothing and retain 20 percent of his remaining cap hit just to get him off their books. Seravalli thinks they’re not properly valuing the salary-cap space, the freedom and flexibility from getting off an $11.5 million player.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Karlsson recently confirmed he’s spoken with several clubs including the Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes, Seattle Kraken and Toronto Maple Leafs.

I discount the Leafs because they’re already over the cap ceiling and still have to get cap compliant after putting goaltender Matt Murray on long-term injury reserve. The Hurricanes’ recent signing of defenseman Tony DeAngelo likely takes them out of the bidding.

The Penguins are the club most often linked to Karlsson and reportedly remain the most confident in landing him. We’ve heard nothing from the Kraken. That doesn’t mean they aren’t interested but I think they’re content to stick with their current roster-building program.

My theory about the Penguins is they could be waiting until after Drew O’Connor’s arbitration situation has been resolved.

The Sharks will have to retain part of Karlsson’s hefty cap hit whether it’s a trade with just one team or a three-team deal to spread his cap hit around. As Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman pointed out earlier this month, how much they’re willing to retain will determine the quality of the return.

LATEST CAPITALS SPECULATION

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Remy Mastey noted a recent report indicating Evgeny Kuznetsov had requested a trade from the Washington Capitals earlier this year. He believes the Arizona Coyotes should look into acquiring the 31-year-old center.

Mastey believes the Coyotes need to add a bonafide top-six center. He thinks Kuznetsov could address that need, pointing to his playoff experience which he can use to mentor younger Coyotes such as Clayton Keller, Matias Maccelli and Barrett Hayton.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuznetsov carries an average annual value of $7.8 million through 2024-25 along with a 10-team no-trade clause. While he might welcome a trade he might not have rebuilding teams like the Coyotes on his radar.

Besides, Kuznetsov might not be the type of player that fits into general manager Bill Armstrong’s rebuilding plans. He’s a talented playmaker and the Coyotes can afford his salary but he’s been inconsistent in recent years and has had some off-ice issues in the past.

WASHINGTON HOCKEY NOW: Jared Sarre recently listed four players the Capitals should target to improve their top-six forward depth. He listed the Toronto Maple Leafs’ William Nylander, the Philadelphia Flyers’ Travis Konecny and the San Jose Sharks’ Kevin Labanc as trade options and winger Tomas Tatar as a free-agent target.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tatar is the easiest option of the bunch. However, they can’t afford to add a free agent without shedding some salary via trade or demotion.

The Leafs aren’t in any hurry to move Nylander and the same goes for the Flyers with Konecny. They aren’t available right now unless the Capitals are willing to pony up a significant return for either guy.

Labanc would be much more affordable in terms of return and the Sharks would probably entertain an offer for him. However, Washington’s limited cap space means the Sharks would have to retain part of his $4.725 million cap hit. Considering they’re facing that scenario with Karlsson they’re unlikely to be receptive toward doing the same for Labanc even if it is just for this season.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 27, 2023

by | Jul 27, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 27, 2023

Patrice Bergeron explains why he retired, the Hurricanes re-sign Sebastian Aho, the Leafs place Matt Murray on LTIR, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines

DAILY FACEOFF/BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Patrice Bergeron met yesterday with reporters and explained his decision to retire after 19 seasons with the Boston Bruins.

Bergeron, 38, said that he felt it was best to leave while still at the top of his game. He also wants to spend more time with his family.

The former Bruins captain also cited the physical toll that two decades of NHL action has taken on his body, though he indicated that he had no major issues. “It’s time to let that heal and move on,” he said.

As for his future, Bergeron indicated that he doesn’t believe joining the NHL coaching ranks is in the cards. “Never say never, but for now, I don’t have a want or will to coach.”

Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most pro athletes tend to hang on too long, often becoming shadows of their former greatness late in their careers. Bergeron was that rare player still capable of playing at a high level at an age when most are in decline. He made the wise choice to trust his instincts and recognize the best time to leave the game.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: The Carolina Hurricanes yesterday signed Sebastian Aho to an eight-year, $78 million contract extension effective July 1, 2024. The 26-year-old center will earn an average annual value of $9.75 million plus his deal comes with a full no-movement clause throughout and a modified no-trade clause (15-team no-trade list) in the final season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No surprise that the Hurricanes locked up their first-line center on a long-term extension. Aho’s been their best forward since his 2017-18 sophomore season and a key reason why they’re a Stanley Cup contender. His new AAV is a reasonable raise over his current annual cap hit of $8.46 million. Aho probably would’ve gotten more in next summer’s open market but opted for the long-term security of staying with the only NHL club he’s ever played for.

General manager Don Waddell also indicated that he’s not close to re-signing other Hurricanes eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next summer. They include defensemen Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei and winger Teuvo Teravainen.

TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs announced goaltender Matt Murray is sidelined indefinitely and has been placed on long-term injury reserve.

The designation, however, comes two months after Murray was considered fully recovered from a late-season concussion and was well enough to be considered for a start against the Florida Panthers during the Leafs’ second-round series.

This report also came without any details as to the nature of Murray’s injury. The league reserves the right to have an independent doctor assess to determine if the LTIR designation is justified.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This move prompted speculation on social media accusing the Leafs of circumventing the salary cap. It’s my understanding that the approval of the team doctor is required before a player is placed on LTIR. I believe that Murray must also report to training camp and undergo a physical. If he fails that, he will remain on LTIR for the 2023-24 season until such time that he’s physically able to return to action, which might not happen given his injury history.

Murray and his $4.687 million cap hit join sidelined defenseman Jake Muzzin and his $5.625 million on LTIR giving the Leafs some $10.3 million in cap relief. However, they remain above the $83.5 million cap by just over $2 million. That means they’ll have to shed salary via trade or demotion or end up icing a 20-man roster for the coming season.

THE ATHLETIC: Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski has returned to the ice in semi-competitive play for the first time since his season-ending shoulder injury last November. He’s participating in a no-contact summer league as he looks toward returning to NHL action for 2023-24 with the Jackets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Werenski’s absence was among the factors that contributed to the Blue Jackets missing the playoffs last season. They’ve bolstered their blueline this summer by adding Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson but a healthy and productive Werenski will be crucial to their hopes of postseason contention.

TVA SPORTS: Maxime Comtois revealed it was a mutual decision between himself and the Anaheim Ducks to part ways this summer. The Ducks didn’t send him a qualifying offer, making the 24-year-old forward an unrestricted free agent.

Comtois said he’s getting calls from interested clubs though none have turned into a concrete offer yet. After playing several years with the rebuilding Ducks, he said he wants to play for a winning team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Comtois also said that he’d be interested in joining the Montreal Canadiens but he has not received a call from them. The Habs are rebuilding their roster with an eye on making room for their promising young prospects.

SPORTSNET: Logan Cooley is having second thoughts about returning to the University of Minnesota for another season and could sign his entry-level contract with the Arizona Coyotes. Cooley, 19, was taken third overall in the 2022 NHL Draft by the Coyotes.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: The Avalanche re-signed forward Ben Meyers to a one-year, $775K contract.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames signed 2023 first-round pick Samuel Honzek to a three-year entry-level contract. The 18-year-old left winger was chosen 16th overall.