NHL Rumor Mill – January 4, 2025

by | Jan 4, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – January 4, 2025

Are the Canucks planning to trade Elias Pettersson or J.T. Miller? Could the Rangers, Islanders or Blackhawks get involved? What’s the latest on former Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST PETTERSSON AND MILLER TRADE SPECULATION

SPORTSNET: During Friday’s “32 Thoughts: The Podcast” episode, Elliotte Friedman mused over the trade rumors swirling around Vancouver Canucks centers Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller.

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

Friedman pointed out Vancouver general manager Patrik Allvin didn’t rule out trading Pettersson during a year-end interview with Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre. He wondered if the Canucks are serious about moving the 26-year-old center. He thinks they’ve spoken with other teams about Pettersson and Miller but believes they prefer to keep both players.

Noting the Miller speculation, Friedman believes he’s a player the Chicago Blackhawks should pursue. He also thinks the New York Rangers are interested in bringing back Miller but doesn’t think that will be easy to pull off.

CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal said the Canucks have spoken with the New York Rangers during his Friday appearance on Sportsnet’s 650’s Halford and Brough Show. He claimed the two sides spoke about “a lot of things, not just Miller.” Dhaliwal said the Canucks have been interested in Rangers winger Alexis Lafreniere and defenseman Braden Schneider for some time.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Miller has a full no-movement clause. The 31-year-old center might not waive it to join a rebuilding team. He also doesn’t make sense for Chicago given his age. Miller will be past his prime by the time the Blackhawks are contenders.

Miller began his NHL career with the Rangers. He’d provide a short-term boost to the Blueshirts, especially if they were in Stanley Cup contention. However, their stunning collapse this season indicates they need more than quick fixes.

Over the long haul, Miller’s value to the Rangers would decline. They already carry aging, expensive assets like 33-year-old forwards Chris Kreider, Artemi Panarin and 31-year-old Mika Zibanejad. Adding another makes no sense for them right now.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Stefen Rosner wondered if there was a way for the Islanders to acquire Pettersson and reunite him with former Canucks captain Bo Horvat. He cited industry sources claiming Isles defenseman Noah Dobson is high on the Canucks list. They would also be interested in Islanders center Brock Nelson if the pending free agent would sign a contract extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks and Islanders have done business before, swinging a multi-player trade two years ago that sent Horvat to Long Island.

Rosner believes the deal’s framework would be Dobson, prospect Danny Nelson, and a first-round pick. The Islanders must also take on Pettersson’s $11.6 million cap hit.

Pettersson’s no-movement clause begins on July 1. A trade to the Isles would have to happen before then to ensure he doesn’t block it. That’s assuming the Canucks are ready to give up on him, which doesn’t seem likely. Allvin didn’t rule out trading Pettersson but he still believes he can become a dominant center for the Canucks.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston replied to several readers’ questions about the recent rumors regarding Pettersson and Miller. He considers it unlikely that they’ll move either player.

Johnson believes Miller would interest the Rangers but doubts they’ll part with young players like Lafreniere and Schneider to get him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That seems the most sensible take thus far. Anything can happen and we can’t dismiss the possibility of a trade. However, the Canucks would need to get significant value for Miller (provided he’s willing to waive his NMC) or Pettersson.

The biggest issue facing the Canucks isn’t Miller and Pettersson supposedly clashing, it’s their lack of blueline depth which became even shallower with Quinn Hughes and Filip Hronek sidelined by injuries.

UPDATE ON JONATHAN TOEWS

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Servalli claims there is no shortage of interest in Jonathan Toews after the former Chicago Blackhawks captain indicated he could stage a comeback. The 36-year-old center last played in 2022-23, when his career was derailed by health issues.

Seravalli believes the Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, and Colorado Avalanche are three teams to watch if Toews makes a comeback bid.

TORONTO STAR: Kevin McGran cites a source saying it’s “too premature” to speculate on Toews, adding that his camp is “far from exploring deals” with teams.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 3, 2025

by | Jan 3, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – January 3, 2025

Check out the latest on the Flames and Islanders in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

CALGARY SUN: Kent Wilson examined whether Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens would be a good fit for the Flames. They’ve been in the market for a big center with a right-handed shot.

The 6’3”, 210-pound Cozens seems to fit the bill. He’s two years removed from a career-best 31-goal, 68-point performance. The 23-year-old has been the frequent subject of recent trade speculation.

Buffalo Sabres forward Dylan Cozens (NHL Images).

With a growing pool of draft picks and prospects, the Flames could part with some of them to acquire Cozens. He could help them accelerate their rebuild.

However, Wilson also points out the decline in his production over the past two seasons, adding that he doesn’t drive the play or defend well. He’s employed as a second-line center against other teams’ second and third-liners.

Wilson also believes Cozens would be expensive to acquire and retain. He’s in the second season of a seven-year deal with an average annual value of $7.1 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres are reportedly looking to add to their roster rather than subtract. If they were to trade Cozens (and that remains a big “if” right now) they’ll want a good young player who can provide immediate help in return, not draft picks and prospects. That’s what they got for Casey Mittelstadt last season, swapping him to Colorado for Bowen Bryam.

SPORTSNET: Eric Francis reports Flames goaltender Dan Vladar wants to sign a contract extension. The 27-year-old has evenly split the goalie duties with promising rookie Dustin Wolf but he’s also drawn the bulk of the starts against difficult opponents.

Vladar is earning an annual salary-cap hit of $2.2 million. He is due to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll depend on how much Vladar seeks on his next contract and for how long. The Flames won’t want to invest in a big raise on a long-term deal when Wolf is considered their future between the pipes. However, finding a suitable replacement for Vladar could be difficult.

THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple believes the struggling New York Islanders face a reckoning this season as they hobble into the New Year. He believes the core group are good players, many of whom played key roles in the club’s “delightful run” from 2018 to 2021, “but it is so very over.”

Islanders center Brock Nelson is near the top of most NHL trade boards. However, Staple reports teams that are currently buyers are hearing that Isles general manager Lou Lamoriello isn’t interested in selling. Lamoriello has often said the team’s performance will dictate what he’ll do at the trade deadline. Staple believes the team is “sending a neon message to him now.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lamoriello has been running it back since 2021-22, hoping his core can regain the form that carried the Isles to consecutive conference finals in 2020 and 2021. Since then, however, they missed the 2022 postseason and were bounced from the first round over the following two seasons.

Islanders fans are calling for change, that it’s time for at least a roster retool. The team must take that opportunity to rebuild while their supporters are open to it.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 2, 2025

by | Jan 2, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – January 2, 2025

Could the Canucks trade Elias Pettersson or J.T. Miller? What’s the latest Leafs speculation? Could the Penguins attempt to trade Jesse Puljujarvi? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE CANUCKS FACE A CHOICE BETWEEN PETTERSSON AND MILLER?

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston observed Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin’s recent comments about Elias Pettersson during his year-end interview with Sportsnet.

Allvin said he believes Pettersson has the tools to become a No. 1 center but needs more maturity and accountability. He also didn’t dismiss the possibility of a trade.

Johnston suggests Allvin could be trying to encourage improvement from Pettersson, or perhaps signal to his team that everyone must be held accountable. Another option could be trying to re-set the trade market for Pettersson, whose hefty contract and recent struggles could be difficult to move.

“Will they trade (Pettersson)? Almost certainly not,” writes Johnston. “But that doesn’t mean they won’t”.

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos believes Canucks management is leaning closer toward making a major roster change, citing the feud between Pettersson and J.T. Miller. “Don’t be surprised if we start hearing the Canucks are willing to take calls on Miller,” writes Kypreos.

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

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In the middle of this speculation came recent remarks by former Canucks forward Brad Richardson regarding Miller’s interactions with Pettersson.

Richardson said he loves Miller but felt the veteran center was being too hard on Pettersson. “Listen, J.T., he’s the man. But there is a lot of tension. And something’s gonna give. I’m not saying you’re going to love every guy on your team – it helps – but something’s gonna give here. We’ll see.”

Johnston believes Richardson’s remarks jibe with what others have said about the relationship between Miller and Pettersson. He considers both players demanding and exacting but Miller’s brash, outspoken personality hasn’t sat well at times with the introverted Pettersson.

Both players recently denied a rumored rift. However, Allvin’s and Richardson’s remarks add fuel to the fire. It could come down to Allvin and president of hockey ops Jim Rutherford having to choose between them.

THE LATEST ON THE MAPLE LEAFS

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos took note of Auston Matthews’ nagging upper-body injury and its potential effect on the remainder of the season for the Maple Leafs captain.

If the setbacks continue, Kypreos speculates the Leafs could place him on long-term injury reserve before the March 7 trade deadline to help him get healthy for the playoffs. They could use the salary-cap savings ($13.25 million) to trade for another top center and give them a healthy boost when Matthews returned for the postseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Putting Matthews on LTIR for the remainder of the regular season would enable Leafs management to add more than a center. They could also buttress their blueline, especially on the right side. Whether they go that route remains to be seen and requires sufficient medical evidence to pass muster with league HQ.

TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons believes the Leafs should attempt to acquire Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders. He thinks they need a second or third-line center to provide additional depth at that position for the playoffs.

Nelson, 33, is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. With the Islanders struggling, he could be shopped by the trade deadline if he hasn’t signed a contract extension.

Simmons acknowledged the cost of acquiring Nelson won’t be cheap. A source suggested acquiring a player like him could cost a first-round pick plus other pieces. More affordable trade targets could include Yanni Gourde of the Seattle Kraken, Scott Laughton of the Philadelphia Flyers, Alexander Wennberg of the San Jose Sharks, or Ryan Strome of the Anaheim Ducks.

Nelson’s cap hit is $6 million but he also has a 16-team no-trade list that could affect where he ends up if the Isles attempt to move him before the deadline.

SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN: Elliotte Friedman recently said the Maple Leafs are trying to improve their roster. It’s been reported they’re trying to add a center, preferably one with term remaining on his contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laughton, Wennberg and Strome would fit the bill. Laughton and Wennberg each have a year remaining on their contracts while Strome has two years.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes the Leafs will have to clear some cap space to make additions before the March 7 trade deadline. He recommends forwards Pontus Holmberg, David Kampf, Ryan Reaves, Nick Robertson and defenseman Conor Timmins as trade candidates.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson was a fixture in last summer’s rumor mill when he requested a trade rather than re-sign with the Leafs. His lack of leverage forced him to ink a one-year deal before training camp opened in September. The 23-year-old could have the most value of that bunch but that’s not saying much.

WHAT NEXT FOR JESSE PULJUJARVI?

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Matt Vensel reports Jesse Puljujarvi may have asked Penguins GM Kyle Dubas to be moved to a place where he can play. He was placed on waivers Tuesday but went unclaimed.

Puljujarvi is in the final season of a two-year contract. He’s been a healthy scratch since Dec. 7, during which the Penguins went 5-4-1. Having cleared waivers, he can be sent to their AHL affiliate but the Penguins are keeping him on their roster as injury insurance as they prepare to face the Florida Panthers on Friday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A team could attempt to acquire Puljujarvi via trade since he cleared waivers and wouldn’t have to go on them again to be sent to the minors. That seems unlikely given his struggles throughout his NHL career.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 1, 2025

by | Jan 1, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – January 1, 2025

Welcome in the New Year with the latest on the Rangers and Capitals plus an update on Bruins forward Trent Frederic in the NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST RANGERS SPECULATION

SPORTSNET: In Monday’s “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas discussed the plight of the struggling New York Rangers.

Friedman believes more changes are coming after reading Larry Brooks’ Sunday column in the New York Post, in which Brooks speculated that head coach Peter Laviolette could be fired. He wondered if management might focus on center Mika Zibanejad.

New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (NHL Images).

The 31-year-old Zibanejad is signed through 2029-30 with an average annual value of $8.5 million. Friedman pointed out he carries a full no-movement clause.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zibanejad might be open to a move if the pressure of playing with the Rangers becomes too much to handle. However, his cap hit makes an in-season trade difficult to pull off unless the Rangers retain up to half of it. They might not be keen to carry dead cap space for the next five seasons even with the salary cap projected to rise substantially over that period.

Friedman also thinks there will be plenty of interest in Vincent Trocheck if the Rangers make him available in the trade market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I mentioned Friedman’s remarks about Trocheck earlier this week. He’s under contract until the end of 2028-29 with a more affordable AAV of $5.625 million. The 31-year-old center also carries a full NMC this season but it becomes a 12-team no-trade list on July 1. Shopping Trocheck could be an offseason move.

IS TRENT FREDERIC’S TRADE VALUE DROPPING?

THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa recently reported Trent Frederic’s production has dropped off The gritty 26-year-old Boston Bruins forward hasn’t dented the score sheet since Dec. 7. That could adversely affect his value in the trade market if the Bruins decide to shop the pending UFA before the March 7 trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Playoff contenders will still be interested in the 6’3”, 221-pound Frederic if he hits the trade block before March 7. However, the Bruins won’t get as much in return if his scoring slump continues. 

CAPITALS INTEND TO KEEP THEIR GOALIE TANDEM INTACT

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber cites Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting the Washington Capitals have informed teams that they won’t be shopping goaltenders Charlie Lindgren and Logan Thompson at the trade deadline.

Lindgren and Thompson are due to become unrestricted free agents on July 1. However, they’ve fared well playing for the Capitals this season. Their efforts have the club jockeying for first place in the Eastern Conference.

Silber notes that it’s unclear whether Lindgren and Thompson have futures in Washington beyond this season. Nevertheless, the Capitals will stick with what’s working for them this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lindgren’s cap hit this season is $1.1 million while Thompson’s is over $766K. Both are in line for substantial raises but it shouldn’t break the bank for the Capitals to retain both.

The Capitals have over $28.8 million in projected cap space for 2025-26 assuming the cap rises by $4.5 million. Jakob Chychrun is their most notable pending UFA while all their rising young talent are under contract for next season. The Caps should have enough to re-sign both goalies and keep Chychrun in the fold while looking at adding to their roster.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 31, 2024

by | Dec 31, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – December 31, 2024

The latest on Canucks center Elias Pettersson, three Red Wings trade candidates, and proposed blueline trade targets for the Maple Leafs in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

IS A ELIAS PETTERSSON TRADE A POSSIBILITY?

SPORTSNET: Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin told Iain MacIntyre that he believes Elias Pettersson has the talent to be the club’s top center. However, he said the 26-year-old must mature, expect things won’t get any easier, and be accountable when things don’t go well.

When MacIntyre asked Allvin about trading Pettersson the Canucks GM didn’t dismiss the notion. “I guess I would say anything is possible.”

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Allvin’s comments could be considered a shot across the bow for Pettersson. He’ll remain the subject of media trade conjecture leading up to the March 7 trade deadline if he fails to improve or the Canucks keep struggling.

Pettersson has had difficulty meeting expectations after inking an eight-year, $92 million contract earlier this year. Recent reports claim he’s clashed with teammate J.T. Miller. Both players denied the rumors but some observers suggest one of them could be moved if they don’t resolve their differences and improve their respective performances.

This isn’t the first time Pettersson has come up in the rumor mill this year. On Feb. 29, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported the Canucks held trade discussions with the Carolina Hurricanes regarding Pettersson. The Canucks decided to take one last shot at signing the center, with the two sides agreeing to a contract extension on March 2.

Pettersson’s expensive contract won’t be easy to move during this season. However, his no-movement clause doesn’t go into effect until July 1. That could make him easier to peddle than Miller, who has a more affordable cap hit ($8 million) but also carries a full NMC.

THREE PROPOSED RED WINGS TRADE CANDIDATES

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau noted the Detroit Red Wings remain flawed despite replacing Derek Lalonde as head coach with Todd McLellan.

The Red Wings remain well out of playoff position with seven teams ahead of them in the standings. Proteau believes general manager Steve Yzerman should consider shopping veterans Patrick Kane, Vladimir Tarasenko and Cam Talbot at the March 7 trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane can become an unrestricted free agent in July. The 36-year-old winger has faded this season but a contender could be tempted by his Hall-of-Fame resume and considerable playoff experience.

Talbot is signed through next season with an affordable annual cap hit of $2.5 million. The 37-year-old goaltender has put up decent numbers this season, making him enticing for playoff-bound clubs seeking experienced depth between the pipes.

Tarasenko has a year remaining on his contract with an AAV of $4.75 million. The 33-year-old winger has a full no-trade clause but might be open to waiving it for a contender. He’s won two Stanley Cups but has only 13 points in 35 games this season. Teams could be interested but Yzerman might have to retain some salary in the deal

WHICH DEFENSEMEN COULD BECOME LEAFS TRADE TARGETS?

THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel recently suggested the Toronto Maple Leafs shop for a defenseman who could play alongside Morgan Rielly.

Siegel proposed the Leafs consider calling the Nashville Predators about Luke Schenn, pointing out how well Schenn and Rielly played together during the 2023 playoffs. The 35-year-old is in the second season of a three-year contract with the Predators carrying an AAV of $2.75 million.

Other options include David Savard of the Montreal Canadiens or Cody Ceci of the San Jose Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leafs GM Brad Treliving could be active in the trade market for a blueliner leading up to March 7. He could pursue one of those mentioned by Siegel or he might have another right-side rearguard on his radar.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 30, 2024

by | Dec 30, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – December 30, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, we review some proposed destinations for recent notable trade candidates.

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun and Chris Johnston recently played “NHL Trade Matchmaker” by predicting where the top trade candidates could end up by the March 7 deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the links above to see their full lists and the reasons behind their proposed deals. I’m singling out the five most notable, offering a brief take on each.

Ivan Provorov, Columbus Blue Jackets: LeBrun has the 27-year-old defenseman going to the Colorado Avalanche while Johnston sees the Tampa Bay Lightning as a landing spot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche have $3.75 million in trade-deadline cap space while the Lightning have 4.5 million. The Blue Jackets carry $4.725 million of his $6.75 million. Both clubs could want the Blue Jackets to retain salary or take on a salaried player in the deal. They also lack 2025 first-rounders to offer up as trade bait but the Lightning carry two 2025 second-rounders.

Brock Nelson, New York Islanders: Johnston suggests the Minnesota Wild as a good destination for the 34-year-old center. LeBrun mentions the Dallas Stars as his best guess.

New York Islanders center Brock Nelson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nelson’s cap hit is $6 million. The Wild have almost $2.1 million in projected cap space. The Stars have $1.5 million but they’re expected to place sidelined center Tyler Seguin and his $9.85 million AAV on long-term injury reserve (LTIR) and use the savings to make one or two significant additions. They can more easily afford the remainder of Nelson’s daily cap hit by the March 7 deadline.

John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks: LeBrun thinks the 31-year-old goaltender could head to the Carolina Hurricanes. Johnston proposed the Edmonton Oilers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: LeBrun and Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos and Elliotte Friedman claimed the Hurricanes had trade discussions with the Ducks about Gibson last summer. LeBrun believes both clubs have “re-engaged” about this topic.

The Hurricanes seem a more likely destination for Gibson and his $6.4 million AAV through 2026-27 than the Oilers. Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal doesn’t see him as an upgrade over the current Oilers tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. Even if the Oilers took him on at half his cap hit, it would put a significant dent into their long-term cap space when they’ve got Evan Bouchard to re-sign next summer and Connor McDavid in 2026.

Taylor Hall, Chicago Blackhawks: Johnston pitched the Avalanche for the 33-year-old left wing. LeBrun suggested the Utah Hockey Club.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hall carries an AAV of $6 million for this season. Picking up the remainder of it at the deadline will be a tight squeeze for the Avs, though the asking price could be more affordable than what the Blue Jackets could seek for Provorov. Utah can easily fit him within their $24 million projected trade deadline cap space. They also have three second-rounders in 2026 to use as trade bait.

Rasmus Ristolainen, Philadelphia Flyers: LeBrun sees the 30-year-old blueliner heading to the Winnipeg Jets. Johnston sees the Stars as his eventual destination.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ristolainen is signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $5.1 million. The Jets can afford to fit him into their $11.7 million AAV for the trade deadline. They also have plenty of cap room to fit him within their payroll beyond this season. The Stars can afford him if they put Seguin on LTIR but keeping him beyond this season could complicate efforts to re-sign Jamie Benn, Matt Duchene and Wyatt Johnston next summer.