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 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.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 7, 2024

by | Jul 7, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 7, 2024

The Hurricanes are said to be interested in Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers plus an update on Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup

HURRICANES REPORTEDLY PURSUING NIKOLAJ EHLERS

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Stefen Rosner reported on Friday that the Carolina Hurricanes were “pushing heavily” on Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers. He believes it makes a lot of sense after the Hurricanes were forced to trade pending free agent Jake Guentzel to Tampa Bay last week.

Ehlers, 28, has a year remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $6 million. He’s rumored to be unwilling to sign an extension with the Jets. It was expected the Jets would try and move him at the 2024 NHL draft but they may have set too high of an asking price.

Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers (NHL Images).

Rosner suggested that the Jets could be hoping that clubs that missed out in free agency might start a bidding war for Ehlers. He thinks the Hurricanes could win that war if they offer up Martin Necas, but the Jets would have to include more than Ehlers in the deal as Necas has more value.

The New York Islanders were also rumored to be interested in Ehlers. Rosner speculates they still could be even after signing Anthony Duclair but wasn’t sure.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff praised Ehlers following the draft, calling him an important piece of their lineup. We’ll soon find out if that’s the case. He won’t trade the winger simply for the sake of doing so and could prefer a younger player in return.

A one-for-one swap for Ehlers would make sense for the Hurricanes if there’s no contract resolution with Necas. The 25-year-old winger hasn’t generated much buzz lately in the rumor mill, leading some to suggest the Canes could reconsider trading him after losing Guentzel.

Necas filed for contract arbitration on Friday. That could be his way of setting a deadline to hammer out a new deal with the Hurricanes or another indicator that he has a short-term future in Carolina.

THE LATEST ON PATRIK LAINE

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports the Columbus Blue Jackets are still waiting for word that Patrik Laine has been cleared by the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program to resume his playing career. The 26-year-old winger has been in the program since January.

The Jackets’ efforts to accommodate Laine’s trade request may have taken a big hit going this deep into the offseason. They can trade him while he’s in the program but GM Don Waddell said the clubs interested in Laine want to speak with him before making trade offers.

Teams that may have considered Laine probably already made moves to address their roster needs. The Carolina Hurricanes reportedly were among those teams and made an offer during the recent NHL Draft. They have over $11 million in cap space and plenty of room to take on Laine’s $8.7 million annual cap hit through 2025-26.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laine could still be traded this summer. However, as Portzline indicated, his cap hit and uncertainty over when he’ll be out of the player assistance program will make it difficult for the Blue Jackets to find a suitable trade partner.

The Hurricanes could be out of the bidding for Laine if they’re attempting to acquire Nikolaj Ehlers from the Winnipeg Jets. They carry sufficient cap room for Laine’s contract, but Necas, Seth Jarvis, and Jack Drury are seeking new contracts as restricted free agents. Jarvis alone could get a pay raise of over $5 million annually, which would eat up almost half of that cap room.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 6, 2024

by | Jul 6, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 6, 2024

Check out the recent Canadiens and Ducks speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Eric Engels reports the free-agent market is thinning for the Montreal Canadiens if they intend to go that route to add a scoring forward. Daniel Sprong (18 goals) and Tyler Johnson (17 goals) are the highest-scoring players in the market.

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

Engels believes the Canadiens could go the trade route if they’re seeking immediate help or a player who can help them now and in the future.

The Canadiens have lots of draft capital to use as trade bait. General manager Kent Hughes said they can use it to trade for an existing player or to move up in the draft. They hold two first-rounders in the 2025 draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Engels noted it’s a long summer and expects something will shake loose that makes sense for Hughes. The Canadiens GM has a history of making significant moves later in the offseason. He was involved in the three-team trade that sent Erik Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Aug. 6, 2023. Hughes also acquired Sean Monahan on Aug. 18, 2022.

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens wondered if Anaheim Ducks GM Pat Verbeek has a big move up his sleeve following a quiet start to the free-agent period.

Sources told him they made big offers to Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault before they signed with the Nashville Predators. Stephens believes years of losing have prevented Anaheim from being a destination of choice for UFA talent.

Stephens believes the rebuilding Ducks must add a difference-maker to take the club higher, like Toronto’s Mitch Marner or Carolina’s Martin Necas. They can afford to pull off a seismic trade, possessing plenty of salary-cap space, a solid stable of promising youngsters, and roster players who can help teams win now.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks acquired winger Robby Fabbri from the Detroit Red Wings and defenseman Brian Dumoulin from the Seattle Kraken since Stephens’ article was published on July 1. Neither player will significantly improve this club next season or beyond. It remains to be seen if Verbeek is planning a major acquisition to accelerate the rebuild.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 5, 2024

by | Jul 5, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 5, 2024

Check out the recent Rangers and Sabres speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

RANGERS STILL LACK CAP FLEXIBILITY AFTER FAILING TO TRADE TROUBA

NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker suggests Rangers general manager Chris Drury could be looking at running it back next season with more of his roster’s core group than expected.

New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (NHL Images).

The Rangers have little salary-cap flexibility after failing to move Jacob Trouba in a cost-cutting trade. That was a touchy subject that played itself out in the media. It’s also left them with limited cap room and restricted free agents Ryan Lindgren and Braden Schneider to re-sign.

Meanwhile, winger Kaapo Kakko remains a Ranger after signing a one-year, team-friendly contract at his qualifying offer price of $2.4 million.

Despite acquiring winger Reilly Smith from Pittsburgh and signing forward Sam Carrick, the Rangers don’t look very different.

Walker noted any additional roster-shifting moves haven’t happened yet and might not occur this summer.

THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh observed Trouba became the subject of criticism among some Rangers fans for putting his family’s needs above the team’s.

Baugh defended Trouba for exercising his contractual rights by not providing his 15-team no-trade list a week before his no-movement clause became a modified no-trade clause on July 1. That may have prevented the Rangers from making moves but none of it falls on Trouba.

“The 30-year-old captain never once violated the deal he negotiated,” wrote Baugh. “He is exercising the rights in the contract to do what’s best for himself and his family, and that’s beyond acceptable”.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s not Trouba’s fault that Drury painted himself into this corner. He reportedly had a deal in place to send the defenseman to the Detroit Red Wings before July 1. That might not be on the table anymore following the Wings’ recent forays in the free-agent market.

The Rangers GM could try to move Trouba to one of the teams not on his no-trade list. However, that could be difficult with many clubs using most of their cap space in the free-agent market.

Drury could try and peddle Kakko but he won’t provide much cap relief and there might not be much of a market for him.

ARE MORE MOVES IN STORE FOR THE SABRES?

THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn observed Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams acquired winger Jason Zucker and signed free-agent checking-line forwards Sam Lafferty and Nicolas Aube-Kubel on July 1 However, he wonders if Adams has anything else up his sleeve.

The Sabres GM seemed open to adding a top-six forward but he doesn’t appear to consider it urgent. Fairburn expects they’ll have plenty of salary-cap space after re-signing Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Henri Jokiharju, Peyton Krebs and Beck Malenstyn.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Adams could see what’s available in the trade market later this summer or during training camp and preseason. It wouldn’t be surprising if he banks that cap space to use during the season, perhaps in the lead-up to the 2025 trade deadline.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 4, 2024

by | Jul 4, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 4, 2024

Check out the latest on Sidney Crosby, Evander Kane and Martin Necas plus some recent Flyers speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT’S THE LATEST ON CROSBY’S CONTRACT EXTENSION?

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski wondered what’s happening with contract extension talks between the Penguins and captain Sidney Crosby. He noted that Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas and Crosby have stated those discussions would be kept private, but neither side has yet used the phrase, “optimistic”.

Kingerski speculates the direction of the team might account for why Crosby hasn’t re-signed yet. Perhaps the Penguins captain sees Dubas’ recent signings and wonders if sticking around is worthwhile.

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos noted that “eyebrows were raised” when the Penguins didn’t announce a new contract for Crosby on July 1. He wrote that conversations are ongoing but there’s no rush on Crosby’s side. “Read into that however you want.”

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s not surprising Crosby hasn’t signed yet. Sometimes, these things take time. The direction of the team could be a factor. Dollars and terms still have to be sorted out.

They’ve got the entire summer and training camp in September to sort this out. Start worrying if he hasn’t inked an extension by the season opener in October.

COULD THE OILERS ATTEMPT TO TRADE EVANDER KANE?

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer weighing in on speculation the Oilers could try to move winger Evander Kane in a cost-cutting trade.

Kane, 32, has two years left on his contract with an AAV of $5.125 million. He also carries a full no-movement clause until Feb. 28, when it becomes a 15-team no-trade list. The Oilers must free up $2.5 million to become cap-compliant before their season opener in October.

“You just can’t snap your fingers and move out Evander Kane,” said Stauffer. Staples noted TSN’s Ryan Rishaug reporting on Monday that the Oilers haven’t approached the winger about waiving his NMC.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Kane is willing to waive his clause now it will only be for a limited number of clubs. Those teams could be unwilling to take him on due to his reputation as a troublemaker or his cap hit.

The Oilers will have to consider other options to shed salary before October. Cody Ceci, Brett Kulak and Ryan McLeod have been mentioned as trade candidates.

HURRICANES WERE CLOSE TO MOVING MARTIN NECAS TO COLUMBUS

THE HOCKEY WRITERS’ Mark Scheig recently cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli claiming the Carolina Hurricanes had a potential deal that would’ve sent Martin Necas to the Columbus Blue Jackets during the recent NHL Draft. However, the 25-year-old winger wouldn’t sign a contract extension with the Jackets. “The deal died right there and I think it involved the number four pick”, said Seravalli.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets used that pick to select promising center Cayden Lindstrom. It’s not surprising the Jackets and Hurricanes discussed a Necas deal. Jackets general manager Don Waddell was the Hurricanes GM until stepping down in late May to take on his current job.

FLYERS NOT DONE MAKING MOVES?

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz reports the Philadelphia Flyers could still make some moves this summer after signing Matvei Michkov to his entry-level contract.

Flyers GM Daniel Briere left open the possibility of a trade or two. He’s had discussions with several teams “on a few different things.” If nothing happens in the next week, Briere suggests the current roster will be what we see in training camp in September.