NHL Rumor Mill – July 26, 2024

by | Jul 26, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 26, 2024

The latest on the Blue Jackets, Panthers, and Islanders in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON THE BLUE JACKETS

TSN: Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said his club will continue to explore potential trades for Patrik Laine but a move isn’t guaranteed.

Laine has been in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program since January. Waddell indicated he’s heard the 26-year-old winger is making positive progress but the team isn’t getting much information from the program’s doctors. Most of the info he’s received has come from Laine’s agent.

The Jackets GM said Laine made it clear last month that he’d like a fresh start someplace else. He stated he’d look at all the options, including the possibility of Laine returning with the Jackets if a deal that makes sense fails to materialize.

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Waddell has said teams remain interested in Laine but wanted to speak with him before making trade offers. However, they’re not allowed until he’s been released from the program. Until that happens, his trade status remains in limbo.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jason Newland reports Waddell gave an update on contract negotiations with Kirill Marchenko. The 24-year-old winger filed for salary arbitration on July 5 and his hearing is scheduled for July 31.

Waddell said he’s had daily discussions with the Marchenko camp with both sides aiming for an agreement before July 31. He believes a two-year deal makes the most sense for both sides.

THE PANTHERS WILL FACE CAP CRUNCH NEXT YEAR

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: George Richards noted that salary-cap constraints could make it difficult for the Panthers to retain Aaron Ekblad, Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett next summer. Both players are eligible to become unrestricted free agents next July.

Puckpedia indicates the Panthers will have $22.5 million in projected cap space under the current $88 million cap.

Ekblad carries a $7.5 million cap hit for this season but Richards believes it can be argued that number is now too high as his play has leveled off. He speculates Ekblad might accept a pay cut to stay in Florida.

Rumors claim Panthers GM Bill Zito is shopping Ekblad but Richards doubts he’ll be moved given the departures of Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

Verhaeghe ($4.166 million) and Bennett ($4.425 million) have been underpaid on their current contracts. Richards believes they’ll earn more in free agency than the Panthers can afford.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers can’t afford to keep those three even with the cap expected to rise to $92 million for 2025-26. At least one of them is playing their final season with the Panthers unless Zito can free up sufficient cap room.

COULD THE ISLANDERS TRADE WAHLSTROM DESPITE HIS NEW CONTRACT?

NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears suggests Oliver Wahlstrom’s future with the Islanders remains doubtful despite signing a one-year, $1-million contract on Thursday.

The signing put the Isles over the $88 million salary cap. GM Lou Lamoriello acknowledged the team was seeking trade partners during the NHL Draft last month.

Lamoriello pointed out Wahlstrom’s hard work recovering from an ACL injury in 2022-23 that hampered his performance last season. He’s hoping to give the young forward an opportunity to remain on the roster but indicated he wouldn’t just give him away.

Sears suggests this signing allows Wahlstrom to earn a roster spot during training camp. They could also use that time to showcase him for a trade. He could also end up on waivers and be demoted.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I noted in today’s Morning Coffee Headlines a report suggesting the Isles could demote Maxim Tsyplakov as he’s waiver-exempt.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 25, 2024

by | Jul 25, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 25, 2024

Check out the latest on the Penguins, Canucks and Sharks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill

LATEST ON THE PENGUINS

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Matt Vensel looks at four ways the Penguins can use their leftover $3.5 million in salary-cap space.

One way could be adding another winger but they’d be hard-pressed to find better options than they currently have. There are no impact forwards left in the free-agent market and it’s difficult to see them trading for someone like Columbus’ Patrik Laine now.

Another option would be taking on a player from a cap-strapped team packaged with a draft pick. The Penguins’ recent acquisition of Kevin Hayes also netted them a second-round pick.

They could also consider pursuing an affordable young player like Arthur Kaliyev from the Los Angeles Kings or Nick Robertson from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Vensel considers both to represent a bet on untapped potential.

The Penguins could also sit tight with that cap space and work it to their advantage during the regular season. They could use those dollars to add to their roster or to become a third-party broker near the trade deadline to add more future assets.

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The latter two options seem the most sensible. Kaliyev or Robertson could be affordable pickups who would benefit from a change of scenery. On the other hand, hanging onto that cap space could help them during the season if they want to add a player who helps them clinch a playoff berth or bring in assets to help them rebuild.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski shoots down a recent rumor suggesting Tristan Jarry could be traded based on speculative pieces about the 29-year-old Penguins goaltender.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jarry has occasionally surfaced in the rumor mill as a trade candidate. However, his inconsistent play and the four years remaining on his contract with its $5.375 million annual cap hit and 12-team no-trade clause ensure he’ll be starting this season in Pittsburgh.

UPDATE ON THE CANUCKS

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston wonders what the future holds for forward Vasily Podkolzin following the Vancouver Canucks recent signing of winger Daniel Sprong. This move ensures the 23-year-old winger isn’t a lock to make their lineup this season.

Podkolzin, 23, is a former first-round pick who should be fighting for a spot on the Canucks’ top line, not battling to hang onto a fourth-line role. He could end up playing on another team if he doesn’t find a way to improve his game.

SEKERES & PRICE: Discuss whether acquiring Sprong could set up moving someone like Nils Hoglander for a defenseman.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Podkolzin had a promising debut in 2021-22 with 14 goals and 26 points in 76 games. However, he’s struggled to stick with the Canucks, spending time over the past two years with their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford.

Hoglander was a second-round pick by the Canucks in the 2019 draft. He had a career-high 24 goals last season but only two points in 11 playoff games. Still, he could be a more tempting trade chip than Podkolzin for the Canucks.

COULD THE SHARKS REUNITE WITH MARTIN JONES?

THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka reported San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier indicated earlier this month that he would address his club’s need for a No. 3 goaltender at some point during the offseason.

Pashelka suggested bringing back Martin Jones. The 34-year-old free agent was the Sharks’ starter from 2015-16 to 2020-21. He performed well last season as a No. 3 netminder with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks bought out Jones’ contract in 2021, making him an unrestricted free agent. That buyout ($1.666 million annually) remains on their books until 2027. However, they can bring him back if they want to take up Pashelka’s suggestion.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 24, 2024

by | Jul 24, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 24, 2024

Check out the latest on Igor Shesterkin, Jeremy Swayman, Patrik Laine, Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Kirill Marchenko in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

NHL.COM: In his latest mailbag, Dan Rosen was asked about the odds of the New York Rangers and goaltender Igor Shesterkin failing to agree to a new contract, forcing them to trade him.

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (NHL Images).

Rosen dismissed that possibility, citing Shesterkin’s value to the Rangers. He also noted the 28-year-old netminder has plenty of years left in his playing prime. Shesterkin will seek market value on his next contract and Rosen expects a deal will be in place before his UFA eligibility next July.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Shesterkin will receive the most expensive contract for a goaltender in NHL history. It’ll be between seven and eight years and could come in around $12 million annually.

One reader asked Rosen what Jeremy Swayman’s new contract with the Boston Bruins would look like. He anticipates it could come in around $9 million annually depending on the length of the deal. It could dip below $9 million if the 25-year-old goalie seeks an eight-year contract, or jump to the $10 million range if he wants a five-year deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That could explain why the Bruins and Swayman haven’t yet hammered out an agreement. The two sides could still be negotiating the term and dollars. Plenty of time remains for them to get it done before training camp opens in September.

Another reader noted the Washington Capitals got $3.9 million back due to the termination of Evgeny Kuznetsov’s contract and wondered if they might pursue someone like Patrik Laine. Rosen thinks they could be in the mix for Laine once he’s cleared to resume his playing career. He believes the Capitals have sufficient cap space to add another forward via trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: PuckPedia shows the Capitals sitting over $10.2 million above the $88 million salary cap. However, they’ll get $9.2 million in cap relief with Nicklas Backstrom on long-term injury reserve. The Caps could also get an additional $5.75 million if T.J. Oshie joins Backstrom on the LTIR list. Factor in Kuznetsov’s buyout and they could have sufficient room to make another addition, be it Laine or another forward.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Speaking of Kuznetsov, Sammi Silber reports his agent, Shumi Babayev, said there is interest from 15 NHL teams in the 32-year-old center. The former Hurricane and Capital is also believed weighing offers from KHL teams.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuznetsov probably didn’t expect to hear from other NHL teams following the termination of his contract. Those clubs could attempt to sign him to a low-cost one-year deal worth around $2.5 million.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey noted a recent report indicating Kirill Marchenko hadn’t received a worthy offer from the Columbus Blue Jackets and had yet to speak with new general manager Don Waddell. Bailey suggested this could be an opportunity for the Flyers to attempt to acquire the 24-year-old forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchenko also indicated he believed he would hear from Waddell this week and would likely get a better offer from him then. His arbitration hearing is slated for July 31 but he’s likely to end up settling with the Jackets before then. It’s unlikely he’ll be available for the Flyers or anyone else to acquire.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 23, 2024

by | Jul 23, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 23, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: burning questions about Mitch Marner’s future in Toronto, Jacob Trouba and Kaapo Kakko’s futures with the Rangers, and Sidney Crosby’s contract extension with the Penguins.

NHL NETWORK: Mitch Marner’s future with the Toronto Maple Leafs was among the five burning offseason questions recently discussed by Jamison Coyle and Mike Rupp.

Rupp doesn’t see the Maple Leafs moving away from Marner this summer. He cited the 27-year-old winger’s play as well as the final year of his contract containing a full no-movement clause. Marner could play out that year and depart next summer as an unrestricted free agent.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’ve gone from the expectation that Marner could be traded this summer to the reality that he holds all the cards and won’t accept a trade. The narrative has shifted to whether he and the Leafs will agree to a contract extension. However, recent reports suggest the Marner camp intends to let this season unfold and see where they are once it’s over.

A team could emerge this summer that makes a lucrative trade offer that Marner would accept but I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for it. Expect him to be in their opening-night lineup in October.

Jacob Trouba and Kaapo Kakko have featured regularly in this summer’s rumor mill. However, Rupp expects they’ll still be with the New York Rangers when this season begins in October.

Rupp acknowledged the recent trade speculation regarding management’s attempt to move Trouba and the 30-year-old defenseman using his no-movement clause to block the trade. He knows that Trouba is well-liked by his teammates and doesn’t anticipate the attempted trade will be an issue for the blueliner this season. Nevertheless, he wonders what the future holds for Trouba.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trouba now has a 15-team no-trade list but recent reports claim the Rangers have no plans to move him this summer. This season, however, could be his last with the Blueshirts. They could try to move him next summer to shed his $8 million cap hit for 2025-26.

Regarding Kaako, Rupp believes the 23-year-old winger is worth keeping. He expects Kakko is due for a breakout performance, pointing out Alexis Lafreniere’s emergence last season following a difficult 2022-23 which made him the subject of trade rumors.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kakko’s one-year, $2.4 million contract makes him an affordable gamble for Rangers management. If he had that breakout performance, they’d have him on a very cheap deal this season. If he struggles again, it’ll be easier to move to another team willing to take the chance.

Rupp doesn’t think Pittsburgh Penguins fans should be concerned that Sidney Crosby hasn’t signed his contract extension yet. He anticipates the long-time Pittsburgh captain will finish his career as a Penguin.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: On July 8, The Athletic’s Rob Rossi cited sources claiming Crosby and the Penguins were closing in on an extension. It could be a three-year deal worth an average annual value of $10 million.

The superstitious Crosby will probably sign on August 7. That’s his birthday and his jersey number (87). I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve already hammered out the details.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 22, 2024

by | Jul 22, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 22, 2024

A look ahead at the UFA class of 2025 in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon looked ahead at next summer’s class of unrestricted free agents.

He excluded Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl, Colorado Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen, Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand, and New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin, assuming they’ll sign contract extensions with their current clubs.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner tops Dixon’s list. He notes the 27-year-old winger holds all the cards with his full no-movement clause this season. Marner could play out this season with the Leafs and see what free agency holds next summer. The Leafs could try to re-sign him but Dixon doesn’t expect they’ll come up with a sufficiently high number that’s entice Marner to forego free agency.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner could re-sign with the Leafs if the average annual value is between William Nylander’s $11.5 million and Auston Matthews’ $13.25 million, preferably closer to the latter. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he tests the market.

Dixon also pondered the possibility of the Leafs bringing back captain John Tavares for half his current $11 million AAV.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leafs Nation could prefer Tavares accept much less than that. He could get half of his current AAV on the open market. That’ll depend on his performance this season. The decline in his production in 2023-24 was noticeable. A further drop means he won’t get anything close to $5.5 million annually on his next contract from the Leafs or on the open market.

The Ottawa Senators will be keen to sign Linus Ullmark to an extension if his goaltending sparks a turnaround in their fortunes. However, the 30-year-old netminder could wait and see how things unfold this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ullmark will likely stay patient and wait until the end of the season before making a decision.

Dixon noted the Vegas Golden Knights are always up against the salary cap, which could affect efforts to re-sign Shea Theodore. He noted they signed Noah Hanifin to an eight-year contract with an AAV of $7.4 million and wondered if a similar deal could get it done for Theodore.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Theodore seems destined to follow Jonathan Marchessault and Chandler Stephenson out of Vegas via free agency. They have Hanifin and Alex Pietrangelo carrying AAVs of over $7 million. They can’t afford a third blueliner with that cap hit.

Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser enjoyed a career-best 40-goal performance last season. A strong start in 2024-25 could see him and the club hammer out an in-season agreement.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Boeser will be an expensive re-signing. His current AAV is $6.65 million and he could seek over $9 million on his next deal.

Philadelphia Flyers winger Travis Konecny’s robust play will draw lots of interest if he goes to market next summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Konecny loves being a Flyer and management thinks highly of him. Nevertheless, his future in Philadelphia will depend on the club’s performance this season. If they falter, they could move him at the trade deadline for pieces that will help them rebuild.

It’s believed the Winnipeg Jets could trade Nikolaj Ehlers this summer. However, the Jets surprised us before by re-signing Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele last summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hellebuyck and Scheifele are the Jets’ franchise players. Ehlers is a complementary winger. If they don’t trade him this summer, he could be moved at the March trade deadline if they’re out of playoff contention by then. Otherwise, they’ll hang onto Ehlers if they’re in the thick of the playoff race and watch him walk next summer.

The Florida Panthers have Sam Bennett, Carter Verhaeghe and Aaron Ekblad eligible for UFA status next summer. It’s unlikely they’ll be able to retain all three of them. They could part ways with Ekblad, but that could further weaken their defense corps.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers general manager Bill Zito has shown he can make bold moves to improve his club. For example, he could be proactive before free agency begins on July 1 by acquiring a replacement for Ekblad.

Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill could be the top goalie in next summer’s UFA market if he has a strong performance this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I think that honor will belong to Ullmark. Hill plays well when healthy but he’s battled lower-body injuries for several seasons.

Dixon believes Jamie Benn could accept a contract with a lower cap figure to remain with the Dallas Stars.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t see the 35-year-old Benn leaving a Cup contender to chase another lucrative deal. He’s made his big money with his current deal paying him an AAV of $9.5 million. He could accept half that on a short-term deal to stay put.

A strong start to this season might prompt Patrick Kane and the Detroit Red Wings to discuss an extension.

Claude Giroux could stay in Ottawa if the Senators improve this season.

Jakob Chychrun could be anxious to get a long-term deal and plant roots with one team after bouncing among three clubs since 2022. Whether it’s with the Washington Capitals or another club remains to be seen.

The other notables include the Stars’ Esa Lindell, Brock Nelson of the New York Islanders, Gustav Nyquist of the Nashville Predators, Adam Larsson of the Seattle Kraken, Neal Pionk of the Jets, Frank Vatrano of the Anaheim Ducks, Dmitry Orlov of the Carolina Hurricanes, Vladislav Gavrikov of the Los Angeles Kings, Ivan Provorov of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Taylor Hall of the Chicago Blackhawks.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 21, 2024

by | Jul 21, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 21, 2024

Check out the latest on the Kings and Sharks in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens is asked by a reader if the Los Angeles Kings might break down their roster if they’re floundering by the 2025 trade deadline.

Defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov would be the most natural trade candidate as he’s in the final season of a two-year contract. He also carries a full no-movement clause. The 28-year-old defenseman would have value as a minute-munching shutdown blueliner. Recently acquired forward Tanner Jeannot could also become a trade candidate.

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (NHL Images).

Stephens believes captain Anze Kopitar intends to finish his career as a King. He wondered if management would gauge whether Drew Doughty and Phillip Danault would prefer finishing their contracts with teams closer to Stanley Cup contention.

The rising salary cap might make Danault easier to trade. Doughty’s $11 million average annual value through 2026-27 would be difficult to move in any trade scenario.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings went sideways last season after two promising years where they seemed poised to break out as a contender. This season could determine the club’s direction under general manager Rob Blake.

Players eligible to become unrestricted free agents next summer (Gavrikov, Jeannot) will be shopped if the Kings are out of playoff contention by the March trade deadline. Moves involving aging players like Doughty or Danault would likely occur in the offseason.

Those moves could signal the Kings intend to rebuild around younger talent like Quinton Byfield and Brandt Clarke. That could also mean they’ll consider moving players in their late twenties like Kevin Fiala (if he’ll waive his no-movement clause) and Adrian Kempe.

NBC SPORTS BAY AREA: Sheng Peng cited multiple sources claiming the San Jose Sharks could seek a right-handed defenseman.

Options in the free-agent market include Tyson Barrie, John Klingberg, Justin Schultz and Kevin Shattenkirk.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All four are now past their prime. Klingberg only played 14 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs before undergoing season-ending hip surgery.

Trade possibilities include Cody Ceci of the Edmonton Oilers, Trevor van Riemsdyk of the Washington Capitals, Zach Whitecloud of the Vegas Golden Knights, and Aaron Ekblad of the Florida Panthers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ekblad’s been floated in the rumor mill recently but Peng acknowledged it’s unlikely that he’s available. He noted that the Panthers blueliner has a 12-team no-trade list and there’s no reason to believe he’d accept a trade to the rebuilding Sharks.

Peng noted the Golden Knights don’t need to move Whitecloud and his $2.75 million cap hit right now. However, he pointed out that they always seem in need of shedding cap space. I wouldn’t rule out Whitecloud being available later this season if the Golden Knights go on another shopping spree to bolster their roster for the playoffs.

Ceci and van Riemsdyk are more likely to be available this summer as cost-cutting candidates. Peng suggests there’s less urgency now for the Capitals to shed salary following Evgeny Kuznetsov’s contract termination, freeing up $3.9 million in cap space.