NHL Rumor Mill – August 2, 2022

by | Aug 2, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – August 2, 2022

A look at how the Islanders could clear cap space to sign Nazem Kadri and a potential cost-cutting trade candidate for the Bruins in today’s NHL rumor mill.

HOW WOULD THE ISLANDERS CLEAR CAP SPACE FOR KADRI?

NYI HOCKEY NOW: Stefen Rosner cited a source who told him over the weekend that Nazem Kadri could be joining the New York Islanders. However, the hold-up is the Isles need to clear out some salary-cap space.

New York Islanders winger Josh Bailey (NHL Images).

Rosner had no details about Kadri’s rumored deal with the Islanders. However, he believes it could be worth around $7 million annually. With the club currently carrying around $11 million in cap space, Kadri’s anticipated cap hit wouldn’t leave much to re-sign restricted free agent defensemen Noah Dobson and Alexander Romanov.

Under the collective bargaining agreement, teams are allowed to exceed the salary cap by 10 percent during the offseason but must be cap compliant when the regular season begins. Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello could find it difficult to dump salary with teams knowing it’s to make room for Kadri.

Rosner reports the Islanders are shopping Josh Bailey. The 32-year-old winger carries a $5 million annual cap hit through 2023-24. Rosner suggests his veteran presence could do wonders for rebuilding clubs with cap space such as the Arizona Coyotes or Chicago Blackhawks.

However, Lamoriello would have to add a couple of draft picks or a prospect in the deal to move Bailey. Winger Anthony Beauvillier and goaltender Semyon Varlamov have also appeared in trade rumors but Rosner believes they’re staying put.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rosner isn’t the only person to tie Kadri to the Islanders in recent days. There’s speculation the two sides already have an agreement in place but are waiting to announce it once Lamoriello frees up sufficient salary-cap space. Until then, however, it’s still just speculation at this point.

Bailey’s age and contract are sticking points but he did put up a respectable 44 points with the Islanders last season. He also lacks no-trade protection, giving Lamoriello plenty of potential trade partners. I agree with Rosner that the Isles GM will have to include a sweetener or two in the deal as an enticement.

Potential trade partners could also squeeze Lamoriello to part with Beauvillier or Varlamov rather than Bailey.

COULD THE BRUINS SHOP CRAIG SMITH?

THE BOSTON GLOBE: Kevin Paul Dupont recently pondered how the Bruins will free up salary-cap space for their efforts to sign Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci and Pavel Zacha. They have around $4.8 million in salary-cap space.

Dupont points out the Bruins will get some early-season wiggle room by placing Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy on long-term injury reserve until they return from offseason surgeries around Dec. 1. However, he’ll have to shed some salary once those players return to the lineup.

Craig Smith could be the likeliest to go. He carries a $3.1 million cap hit for the coming season and becomes a UFA next summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Smith, 32, is a former four-time 20-plus goal scorer who had 16 goals and 36 points last season. He lacks no-trade protection and could interest clubs seeking an experienced middle-six winger. However, the Bruins might have to include a draft pick or prospect as a sweetener in the deal.

Speculation earlier in the offseason suggested Matt Grzelcyk could become a trade candidate. He’s signed through 2023-24 with a $3.67 million AAV.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 2, 2022

by | Aug 2, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 2, 2022

Kirill Kaprizov returns to the United States, Jesper Bratt and the Devils make their respective arbitration filings, the latest on the Flames and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo reports multiple sources said Kirill Kaprizov has returned to the United States from Russia. The 25-year-old Minnesota Wild winger was reportedly under investigation in his native country for allegedly purchasing a fake military ID but that has apparently been refuted.

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (NHL Images).

Kaprizov is said to have departed Russia late last week by way of Turkey and arrived in New York City over the weekend. He is scheduled to fly to Minnesota on Tuesday to resume his offseason training.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild and their fans are undoubtedly relieved to see the Kaprizov intrigue come to an end. There were concerns this situation might drag on for weeks or months.

DAILY FACEOFF: The New Jersey Devils and Jesper Bratt have made their respective filings with the arbitrator ahead of his scheduled August 3 hearing. The Devils filed for a $4.15 million salary while Bratt seeks $6.5 million coming off a career-best 73-point performance last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bratt made an average annual value of $2.75 million for two seasons on his previous contract. Both sides could reach an agreement on a new contract before his hearing on Wednesday.

RDS.CA: Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving recently met with Jonathan Huberdeau in Montreal, according to the winger’s agent. The Flames acquired the 29-year-old Huberdeau from the Florida Panthers on July 22 as part of the return for Matthew Tkachuk.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Treliving reportedly wanted to meet with Huberdeau as soon as possible following the trade. The playmaking winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

No word yet if Treliving has met with MacKenzie Weegar, who was also part of the return in the Tkachuk deal. Like Huberdeau, the 28-year-old defenseman is due to become a UFA next summer. Weegar and Huberdeau indicated they’re not ruling out signing long-term contracts with the Flames.

CALGARY HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of the Flames, Andrew Mangiapane’s arbitration hearing is scheduled for Friday, August 5. Steve Macfarlane wonders if the two sides will reach an agreement on a new contract before then.

The 26-year-old winger is coming off a two-year contract with an annual average value of $2.425 million. He scored a career-best 35 goals and 55 points last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: One way or another, Mangiapane’s going to get a significant raise. For how long has yet to be determined.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Former Stars executive Tom Holy is the San Jose Sharks’ new assistant general manager.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 1, 2022

by | Aug 1, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – August 1, 2022

Could the Avalanche consider Jonathan Toews as a potential replacement for Nazem Kadri? Are the Wild in the market for a forward? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD TOEWS MAKE A GOOD REPLACEMENT FOR KADRI ON AVS SECOND LINE?

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Adrian Dater recently mused over whether the Colorado Avalanche might consider Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews as a potential replacement for Nazem Kadri.

Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews (NHL Images).

Dater noted Toews’ comments last week about how he doesn’t consider the prospect of a lengthy rebuild with the Blackhawks to be very appealing. He also lamented the turnover of players on their roster over the past few years.

Toews’s contract would be a sticking point. He carries a $10.5 million cap hit for the coming season with a full no-movement clause. The Blackhawks would have to retain half of that cap hit, perhaps in a three-team deal.

The long-time Blackhawks captain is now 34 and his best seasons are behind him. However, Dater suggested that he could have a fine year playing on a good team, citing his faceoff skills, playoff experience and leadership.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dater said he’s heard nothing that would indicate this could or will happen. Still, it’s an interesting suggestion. It’s anticipated Toews and long-time teammate Patrick Kane could be moved before the 2023 trade deadline. Both would likely prefer moving to a playoff contender.

Toews could be interested if the defending Stanley Cup champions came calling. Whether they will, however, is another matter. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman last month said the Avs had looked into Kane’s availability leading up to last season’s trade deadline. He wondered if they might revisit their interest this season.

WILD SHOPPING FOR A FORWARD

THE ATHLETIC’s Michael Russo recently tweeted that Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin continues to explore the trade market for a forward. If that doesn’t work out, he could turn to free agency. He’s also open to keeping that spot open for internal competition in training camp but doesn’t want a young forward being the 12th or 13th forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild have $4.3 million in cap space with 20 players under contract for the coming season. Free-agent options that might fit within their limited room include Sonny Milano, Evan Rodrigues, Tyler Motte or Zach Aston-Reese.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 1, 2022

by | Aug 1, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 1, 2022

A former NHL scout claims Nazem Kadri is heading to the Islanders, a list of the coming season’s cap-crunched teams, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Adrian Dater cited a tweet by the Barrie Colts director of player personnel claiming free agent center Nazem Kadri is heading to the New York Islanders.

Former Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).

Mark Seidel, a former NHL scout with the Minnesota Wild, tweeted Sunday that he believes Kadri has a deal done with the Islanders. “They have to clear out some cap room & then it’ll be announced,” wrote Seidel. “I’m FAR from an Insider but I’m very confident it’s done.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No confirmation yet of this anywhere else. As Dater observes, Seidel’s an experienced hockey man so I doubt he’s posting this up just for laughs. Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello has reportedly been in the market for a scoring forward this summer. Nevertheless, this remains speculation until the Isles announce that a deal with Kadri is done.

Cap Friendly shows the Islanders with $11.1 million in cap room with restricted free agents Noah Dobson and Alexander Romanov to re-sign. Adding Kadri will drive them over the cap even if Dobson and Romanov get affordable short-term bridge contracts. Lamoriello will have to make a cost-cutting trade to ensure he’s cap compliant when the regular season begins in October.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ian Kennedy recently listed several NHL teams that are already facing a salary-cap crunch before the season begins in October.

The Vegas Golden Knights are already over the cap with just two-thirds of their roster signed. The Philadelphia Flyers could be forced to move a player such as James van Riemsdyk to get under the cap. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings could bury some of their promising waiver-exempt players in the minors to free up room to sign their remaining restricted free agents.

Other clubs that could face shedding some salary include the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning and the Islanders if they add a scorer like Kadri.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kennedy observed that some of the clubs on his list, such as the Edmonton Oilers, could put players on long-term injury reserve to be under the cap when the season begins. Still, we could see some of them attempt to dump some salaries through the trade market by the time October rolls around.

SI.COM: Speaking of the Leafs, David Alter believes they don’t have to make a trade to become cap compliant for 2022-23.

They could decide to carry 20 players on their roster to start the season. A player put on waivers for the purpose of sending him to the minors could be claimed by another club. A player injured in training camp or preseason could be placed on long-term injury reserve if the injury is serious enough to sideline him for a lengthy period of time.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leafs GM Kyle Dubas doesn’t have to rush into anything right now. Teams are allowed to sit above the cap by 10 percent during the offseason but must be under it when the regular season begins in October. That provides him with sufficient time to evaluate his options.

SPORTSNET’s Elliotte Friedman took to Twitter on Sunday to report on the arbitration filings for Nashville Predators forward Yakov Trenin. The team is seeking a two-year deal at $1.35 million annually while the Trenin camp seeks $2.4 million on a one-year deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trenin’s arbitration hearing is slated for Tuesday, Aug. 2.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 31, 2022

by | Jul 31, 2022

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 31, 2022

In this edition of the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup: another J.T. Miller trade proposal, musings about Phil Kessel signing with the Oilers, and examining the possibility of Jesse Puljujarvi getting traded to the Islanders.

ANOTHER J.T. MILLER TRADE PROPOSAL

THE SCORE: Josh Wegman recently wondered if trading Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller to the New Jersey Devils for a package including defenseman Damon Severson would work for both teams.

Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller (NHL Images).

Wegman thinks it would make sense for the Devils given Severson’s eligibility for unrestricted free agent status next summer and their recent acquisition of John Marino. They struck out in the Johnny Gaudreau sweepstakes and could use another veteran star forward to complement Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier. They also possess the cap space to re-sign Miller before his UFA eligibility next summer.

As for the Canucks, extending Miller could be tricky given Bo Horvat’s UFA eligibility next summer and Elias Pettersson will be due for a new contract in 2024. They would be better off investing to address other needs. Severson would be a massive upgrade to the right side of the Canucks blueline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks would like to re-sign Miller but they could shop before the trade deadline if he proves too expensive. We don’t know if the Devils would pursue Miller at some point before the 2023 trade deadline and if they’d part with Severson. 

I wouldn’t rule out the Devils having an interest in Miller if he becomes available. Wegman acknowledged their addition of Ondrej Palat but he also noted their need for a true top-line veteran scorer. They could also be in a position to make a competitive offer for him.

SHOULD THE OILERS SIGN KESSEL?

32 THOUGHTS PODCAST: Jeff Marek recently wondered if Phil Kessel might end up with the Edmonton Oilers. Elliotte Friedman considered it “an interesting idea”. Marek believes there’s no denying the 34-year-old right wing would score there.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kessel’s star faded after getting traded to the low-scoring Arizona Coyotes in 2019. He struggled during his first season with the Coyotes, managing just 38 points in 70 games. However, he bounced back the following year with a team-leading 20 goals and 43 points in 56 games and was third among Coyotes scorers last season with 52 points in 82 contests.

Put Kessel on a line with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl and his stats will improve. However, he might prefer a less intense hockey market at this stage of his career. Besides, the Oilers might have other right wing options in mind.

SHOULD THE ISLANDERS PURSUE PULJUJARVI?

NYI HOCKEY NOW: Stefen Rosner suggests Jesse Puljujarvi might be a more affordable option for the Islanders in their quest to add a forward this season. The 24-year-old winger recently agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with the Oilers.

Rosner cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently reporting the Oilers wanted to move Puljujarvi for a draft pick. However, interested teams have limited salary-cap space and prefer the Oilers take a player in return. Rosner suggested the Isles offer up Kieffer Bellows and a third-round pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers could retain Puljujarvi for one more season to see if he’ll finally have his long-awaited breakout campaign. However, they could be waiting to see how much it’ll cost to re-sign winger Kailer Yamamoto before peddling Puljujarvi. Yamamoto has an arbitration hearing scheduled for Aug. 7 but he and the Oilers could reach an agreement on a new contract before then.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 31, 2022

by | Jul 31, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 31, 2022

P.K. Subban is still seeking a new contract, the latest on Kailer Yamamoto, and family and friends recently gathered to say goodbye to the late Bryan Marchment. Details and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan reports that P.K. Subban still wants to play in the NHL, according to his long-time agent, Don Meehan. “But I think at this stage of his career, he would want to play somewhere that would provide a good opportunity for him.”

Former New Jersey Devils defenseman P.K. Subban (NHL Images)

Subban, 33, tallied 22 points in 77 games last season with the New Jersey Devils. He’s coming off an eight-year contract that paid him an average annual value of $9 million. Over that period, he was traded by the Montreal Canadiens in 2016 to the Nashville Predators, followed by a trade three years later to the Devils.

Meehan acknowledged his client isn’t the All-Star defenseman he once was but believes he can still contribute to a club on a positive basis.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some Subban fans hope that he’ll return with the Canadiens to bring his career full circle. Given the club’s current rebuild under new management, however, Cowan considers that to be an unlikely scenario. He could end up on a playoff contender on a one- or two-year deal for an annual cap hit of around $3 million.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Derek Van Diest reports the clock is ticking on Oilers general manager Ken Holland and Kailer Yamamoto to reach an agreement on a new contract. The 23-year-old winger’s arbitration hearing is scheduled for Aug. 7. Yamamoto earned $1.175 million on a one-year deal last season, scoring 20 goals and 41 points in 81 games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Holland avoided arbitration with Jesse Puljujarvi with a one-year, $3 million contract. He was coming off a two-year deal with a cap hit similar to Yamamoto’s. Perhaps a one-year for around the same cap hit as Puljujarvi is in the cards for him.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Bryan Marchment’s family and friends recently gathered in Oshawa to say goodbye to the former NHL defenseman. Among those in attendance were Dion Phaneuf, Louie DeBrusk, Mike Ricci and Scott Thornton.

Marchment, 53, died of natural causes on July 6 in Montreal the day before the 2022 NHL Draft. Since 2007-08, he’d been part of the San Jose Sharks organization as a developmental coach and a scout.

NEW YORK POST: The New York Islanders recently bought 25,000 tickets for the July 29 $1.28 billion Mega Millions lottery.

Had the Isles won, they would’ve shared the winnings with full-season ticket holders and suite holders. Another share of the winnings would go to staff members and the children’s foundation Islanders Group.

TSN: The New Jersey Devils named Ryan McGill as their new assistant coach. He’d spent the past five seasons as an assistant coach with the Vegas Golden Knights.