NHL Rumor Mill – December 11, 2024

by | Dec 11, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – December 11, 2024

Check out the latest on the Rangers, Stars, and Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE RANGERS?

THE SCORE: John Matisz cited ESPN’s Emily Kaplan recently mentioned hearing four New York Rangers – forwards Kaapo Kakko, Chris Kreider and Reilly Smith, and defenseman Ryan Lindgren – could be trade chips. Her report came Friday after the Rangers shipped Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks.

New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).

Matisz also cited Rangers general manager Chris Drury telling reporters his club wasn’t opposed to making other moves. However, he wanted to let the dust settle a bit after everything the struggling club has been through over the past couple of weeks.

THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple wondered what Drury’s next move would be after the Rangers lost to the Seattle Kraken and Chicago Blackhawks.

Staple wondered if the players had tuned out head coach Peter Laviolette. He claimed a league source told him Laviolette was safe. However, things can change quickly. Staple believes changing coaches would shift the blame for the club’s recent difficulties behind the bench rather than on it.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A coaching change could be all Drury has left if the losses pile up and he can’t get decent returns for those rumored trade chips. No one’s going to throw him a lifeline in the trade market.

WILL THE STARS GO “BIG GAME HUNTING” TO REPLACE TYLER SEGUIN?

DAILY FACEOFF: Jeff Marek believes the Dallas Stars will go big game hunting to replace sidelined forward Tyler Seguin. He believes that GM Jim Nill will be aggressive with his salary-cap space as the club is in “win-now” mode.

Pursuing a big-ticket player means giving to get, and that could mean parting with a good young player like Logan Stankoven, Mavrik Bourque and Lian Bichsel.

Marek speculates Nill could wait until after the 4 Nations Face-Off in February in case Jake Oettinger gets injured in that tournament. The Stars goaltender has been selected to play for Team USA. Marek can also see Nill looking for toughness among his checking lines, suggesting Mathieu Olivier of the Columbus Blue Jackets as a trade target.

Marek’s colleague Colby Cohen suggests Nill pursue Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri and defenseman Rasmus Andersson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars could accrue over $6 million in cap space by the trade deadline without having to place Seguin and his $9.875 million cap hit on long-term injury reserve. Nevertheless, it’s expected Nill will put Seguin on LTIR and use those savings to bolster his roster for a Cup run next spring, most likely targeting pending free agents on non-contending clubs.

The Flames probably won’t part with Kadri and Andersson if they’re in playoff contention by the March 7 trade deadline. Of the two, Andersson could be the more likely to move. He’s signed through next season with an AAV of $4.55 million and a six-team no-trade list. That’s assuming Flames GM Craig Conroy believes Andersson could prove too expensive to retain or intends to test the market in 2026.

Meanwhile, Kadri’s contract is a potential stumbling block. He is signed through 2028-29 with an AAV of $7 million and a full no-movement clause. He told reporters during training camp to pump the brakes on the trade rumors that dogged him during the summer.

CANADIENS STILL SEEK RIGHT-SIDE BLUELINE DEPTH

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports the Montreal Canadiens continue to seek an upgrade on the right side of their defense corps. David Savard is their only consistent right-shot rearguard but he’s UFA-eligible this summer and could be moved by the March trade deadline.

The Canadiens were linked to David Jiricek before the Columbus Blue Jackets traded the young blueliner to the Minnesota Wild. However, the Habs were concerned about his foot speed, hockey sense and defensive positioning. The Jackets also preferred sending Jiricek to a Western Conference team.

It’s believed that the Canadiens were among the clubs kicking tires on Jacob Trouba before the Rangers shipped him to the Ducks.

D’Amico pointed out the difficulty of finding a suitable defenseman in the trade market during the season. The Habs might have to look to this summer’s trade and free-agent markets to address that need.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Free agency won’t yield much. The most notable options are 39-year-old Brent Burns of the Carolina Hurricanes, long-time Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad, and Neal Pionk of the Winnipeg Jets.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 10, 2024

by | Dec 10, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – December 10, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: more on the Senators’ claim about “soft tampering” on Brady Tkachuk, the latest on Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler, and the clock could be ticking for Sabres GM Kevyn Adams.

MORE ON THE SENATORS CLAIM OF “SOFT TAMPERING” REGARDING BRADY TKACHUK

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reported Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer didn’t hold back his frustration and anger over a recent report claiming the New York Rangers made Senators captain Brady Tkachuk a trade target.

Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (NHL Images).

Andlauer claimed it’s the third separate occasion over the past year that he and the team had to “put out a fire” about trade rumors regarding Tkachuk. He made it clear to LeBrun that he and his club have never spoken to another team about Tkachuk at any time, adding that the winger will remain with the Senators for the long term.

Chris Johnston wonders if this will be discussed during the current NHL Board of Governors meeting. He pointed out the league wasn’t happy about how this summer’s free-agent period began, noting the league sent around a memo warning the teams of fines or forfeiture of draft picks in cases of tampering.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The league was reportedly displeased over how quickly some of the top unrestricted free agents were signed within the opening hours of the free-agent market. It’s not unusual for those types of players to be quickly snapped up but some of this year’s signings occurred within minutes of the market opening. 

Darren Dreger claims those warnings from the NHL are considered toothless by pretty much every owner around the league. He noted this seems to impact Canadian teams more, especially smaller markets, as there’s an opinion players in those markets would prefer going to greener pastures with lower taxation. Dreger thinks there’s little the league can do unless a team like the Senators files formal charges.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some players in those markets prefer moving on but most tend to stay. The most notable recent examples are Leon Draisaitl re-signing with the Edmonton Oilers, and Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele re-upping with the Winnipeg Jets last year.

Accusations of tampering are easy to make but difficult to prove. Andlauer may be frustrated with dealing with these rumors but it comes with the territory. The best way to silence that speculation is to win. The Oilers dealt with rumors of Draisaitl and Connor McDavid moving on but that chatter faded once the club became a Stanley Cup contender.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Andlauer is expected to address this issue with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly before the Board of Governors meetings end on Tuesday.

Garrioch indicated the issue is someone gave New York Post reporter Larry Brooks this information about the Rangers targeting Tkachuk. Brooks has covered the Rangers for three decades, cultivating numerous sources. Garrioch also indicated Andlauer and Senators GM Steve Staios assured Tkachuk that he wouldn’t be traded.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: LeBrun and Garrioch defended Brooks and I agree that he didn’t make up this story. A trusted source passed that info along to Brooks, who duly reported it.

NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker noted Andlauer saying his club hasn’t spoken to another team about Tkachuk. She indicated that was not mentioned in the Post’s original report.

ESPN.COM: Kevin Weekes reports his sources told him the Rangers have had no internal or external discussions around Tkachuk.

THE LATEST ON CAM FOWLER

SPORTSNET: In the latest “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman reported hearing the Anaheim Ducks wanted to send defenseman Cam Fowler to the Rangers as part of the return for Jacob Trouba.

Friedman believes Fowler wanted to be included in the trade as he wants to play for a contender. However, the deal couldn’t be done because the Rangers wanted cap flexibility and couldn’t take on Fowler’s $6.5 million cap hit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fowler is signed through next season and carries a four-team trade list. However, he’s indicated he’s willing to expand that list for the right offer.

IS THE CLOCK TICKING FOR SABRES GM KEVYN ADAMS?

DAILY FACEOFF: Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News believes Sabres GM Kevyn Adams is running out of time to turn his club into a contender. They’re mired again near the bottom of the standings and risk missing the postseason for the 14th straight season.

Lysowski noted Adams tried to make moves this summer to bolster his roster, including going after Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas. However, most players he pursued had no move or no-trade protection and blocked a move to Buffalo.

SPORTSNET: During Monday’s “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman reported Sabres fans are “all over Dylan Cozens.” He thinks teams have inquired about the struggling forward, but if he were Adams, he’d be fearful of Cozens becoming the next player to go on and win elsewhere like Jack Eichel, Ryan O’Reilly and Sam Reinhart.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lysowski pointed out Adams is the longest-serving Sabres GM since Darcy Regier. That tenure could end soon if this club fails to improve.

The Sabres put a lot of faith in their young players. Some, like Rasmus Dahlin, have blossomed into stars but others like Cozens are struggling. Something must happen soon if this club hopes to end its long playoff drought.










Avalanche Trade Alexandar Georgiev To Sharks For Mackenzie Blackwood

by | Dec 9, 2024

Avalanche Trade Alexandar Georgiev To Sharks For Mackenzie Blackwood

The Colorado Avalanche traded goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, forward Nikolai Kovalenko, a 2026 second-round pick, and a fifth-rounder in 2025 to the San Jose Sharks for goalie Mackenzie Blackwood, forward Givani Smith, and a 2027 fifth-round pick.

San Jose Sharks trade goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood to the Colorado Avalanche (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche agreed to retain 14 percent of Georgiev’s $3.4 million cap hit. He’s in the final season of a three-year contract.

This is the second trade the Avalanche have made in just over a week involving goaltenders. On Nov. 30, they shipped Justus Annunen to the Nashville Predators for Scott Wedgewood.

Georgiev’s inconsistency prompted this move. His .872 save percentage and 3.38 goals-against average were among the worst for goalies with at least 15 games played this season. The Avalanche are clinging to a wild-card berth in the Western Conference and need a more reliable starter between the pipes. Rumors had linked them to Blackwood since last season.

Blackwood resurrected his career with the rebuilding Sharks after several injury-shortened seasons with the New Jersey Devils. The 28-year-old netminder has a 3.00 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage this season. He’s in the final season of a two-year deal with an AAV of $2.35 million.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 9, 2024

by | Dec 9, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – December 9, 2024

Jacob Trouba’s recent trade to the Ducks hasn’t stopped speculation he could be on the move again. Check out the latest plus recent conjecture on the Canucks and Flames in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LEAFS AND BLUE JACKETS WERE INTERESTED IN TROUBA

TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons reports Maple Leafs management likes Jacob Trouba. The 31-year-old defenseman was traded on Friday by the New York Rangers to the Anaheim Ducks.

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jacob Trouba (NHL Images).

Simmons believes the Leafs might be interested in Trouba if the Ducks or another team retains a large chunk of the blueliner’s $8 million cap hit. However, he thinks the Leafs, with their limited cap room, will attempt to add “a forward of prominence” by the March 7 trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was reported that Canadian teams like the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens looked into acquiring Trouba before he was shipped to Anaheim. Those reports claimed Trouba wasn’t interested in returning north of the border, which suggests all seven Canadian clubs are on his 15-team no-trade list.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports the Columbus Blue Jackets were among the teams that pressed hard to acquire Trouba. However, he declined to remove them from his no-trade list.

The rearguard also declined a trade to the Detroit Red Wings and another Eastern Conference club.

It’s unclear what role general manager Don Waddell had in mind for Trouba. Portzline speculates he might’ve wound up on the top pairing alongside Zach Werenski. He also believes Waddell remains active and is willing to be aggressive in the trade market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Portzline pointed out how much Waddell has changed the Blue Jackets’ defense corps since taking over as GM this spring. He brought in Dante Fabbro, Jack Johnson, Jordan Harris and Daemon Hunt and bid farewell to Jake Bean, Nick Blakenburg, Adam Boqvist and David Jiricek.

LATEST ON THE FLAMES AND CANUCKS

SPORTSNET: Pat Steinberg was asked if the Calgary Flames will sign or trade Rasmus Andersson. The 27-year-old defenseman is eligible for UFA status in 2026 and eligible to sign a contract extension starting next July 1.

Steinberg believes the Flames will try to keep Andersson but felt he could be peddled by the 2026 trade deadline if he’s interested in testing the 2026 free-agent market.

A reader asked Steinberg if the Flames would trade Dan Vladar. The club currently has Vladar and Dustin Wolf as their goaltending tandem with promising Devin Cooley with their AHL affiliate. Steinberg didn’t rule out a Vladar trade but felt there was no urgency to do so in early December. He believes the Flames’ asking price is a second-round draft pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flames GM Craig Conroy could be unwilling to break up his goalie tandem if they’re in playoff contention before the trade deadline.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports Filip Hronek’s recent surgery won’t put additional pressure on the Vancouver Canucks to go shopping for blueline help. Hronek underwent shoulder surgery and is out until at least late January.

Jim Rutherford, president of hockey operations, said trading for a defenseman has long been on the table. However, he’s looking for their current blueliners to step up and play a few more minutes. Johnston points out the Canucks have a longstanding need for a right-shot defenseman on the second pairing.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – December 8, 2024

by | Dec 8, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – December 8, 2024

In the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup: the latest on Brady Tkachuk and J.T. Miller, what’s next for the Rangers and former captain Jacob Trouba, and speculation about changes to no-movement protection in the next CBA.

LATEST FROM HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA’S “SATURDAY HEADLINES”

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman touched on the recent rumor out of New York linking Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk to the Rangers. He pointed out the 25-year-old left winger has three more seasons left on his contract and the Senators are confident he’ll play that out with them.

Given the Senators’ struggles, Friedman believes they and their fans must “get used to some noise” about speculation regarding their key players. He noted there will always be questions about the future of those players when a team is having difficulty reaching the playoffs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators pushed back forcefully on the rumor claiming the Rangers were pursuing Tkachuk, calling them “bullshit” and “garbage”. He’s always said that he wants to stay in Ottawa and turn the Senators into a winner.

Nevertheless, the questions and rumors won’t go away if the Senators keep spinning their wheels. The only way to silence the conjecture is to win. It’s easier said than done, but it’s still the only effective antidote.

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

Friedman also reports the Vancouver Canucks are saying publicly and privately that J.T. Miller’s ongoing leave of absence from the team is not about trading him. When he returns, it’ll be with the Canucks. Friedman doesn’t believe Miller has requested a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canucks beat writer Patrick Johnston of The Province reported on Nov. 19 that Miller’s efforts to play through an upper-body injury took an emotional toll on the 31-year-center. He indicated the team gave Miller the team he needed to return to where he needed to be mentally.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE RANGERS AND JACOB TROUBA?

THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh looked at what might be next for the New York Rangers after trading Jacob Trouba to Anaheim and signing Igor Shesterkin to a contract extension. The Rangers have around $22 million in trade deadline salary-cap space if they wish to add to their roster by the March 7 deadline.

Baugh suggested defensemen Ivan Provorov of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Marcus Pettersson of the Pittsburgh Penguins as blueline trade targets. Rental forward options could include reacquiring Frank Vatrano from the Ducks or Seattle Kraken center Yanni Gourde.

The Minnesota Wild could be open to moving Marco Rossi. The 21-year-old center will become a restricted free agent next summer. However, that move could be a player-for-player swap.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rangers general manager Chris Drury could go after a promising young player like Rossi but the asking price could prove too expensive. I doubt that offering Kaapo Kakko for Rossi straight up will do it. He could instead look at rental options by the deadline provided the asking prices won’t gut the prospect pipeline.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox wondered if Anaheim Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek might retain part of Jacob Trouba’s $8 million salary-cap hit and flip him to another team, perhaps one in the Eastern Conference.

Fox noted that the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Columbus Blue Jackets and the Senators expressed interest in the 31-year-old defenseman before the Rangers traded him to Anaheim on Friday.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau shared Fox’s opinion, suggesting Trouba could be shipped out by the March 7 trade deadline or during the offseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE:  I also wondered if Trouba could become a trade chip for the Ducks if they’re out of playoff contention by March 7. He could still draw interest from contenders if he performs well in Anaheim. He’s only got one year left on his contract and Verbeek could be willing to retain salary for a decent return.

PLAYERS MIGHT SEEK CHANGE IN NO-MOVEMENT PROTECTION

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports NHL players are wondering if there should be a streamlining of the no-movement process after the fallout of the Jacob Trouba trade.

Trouba had no-trade protection for some teams but didn’t have no-movement protection, meaning the New York Rangers could’ve put him on waivers if he didn’t accept a trade to the Anaheim Ducks. Had he gone on waivers, he’d have no control over which club selected him.

The Rangers did nothing wrong as they followed the rules of the CBA. However, what bothered the players was that they could end up sent to a team on their no-trade list if placed on waivers. Only players with no-movement clauses can avoid the waiver process.

Friedman believes the players will ask the NHL Players Association to talk to the league in the next round of collective bargaining about one form of no-move protection, or if they have a partial no-trade clause and get placed on waivers, they cannot go to a team on their no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The league could push back against closing that loophole. However, situations like Trouba’s are rare so it’s unlikely to be a major obstacle in future CBA talks.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 7, 2024

by | Dec 7, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – December 7, 2024

Are more moves coming for the Rangers after trading Jacob Trouba to the Ducks? Will the Leafs try to bring back Nazem Kadri? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

ARE MORE TRADES IN STORE FOR THE RANGERS?

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports more moves are coming for the Rangers after they traded Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks on Friday.

Brooks claims Rangers general manager Chris Drury spent the week in trade talks with multiple clubs. He indicated that Ottawa Senators winger Brady Tkachuk is Drury’s primary trade target.

Acquiring “the Senators’ 25-year-old hardscrabble captain” would immediately change the Rangers’ identity. However, the package going to Ottawa would have to be significant and likely include winger Alexis Lafreniere.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators may have “kicked tires” on Jacob Trouba before he was shipped to the Ducks. However, they weren’t anywhere close to a deal because the veteran defenseman did not want to be traded to a Canadian team.

Garrioch also reports the Senators have no intention of trading Tkachuk. One well-placed source called the Post story “total bullshit” while another called the report “garbage.” The Senators would rather win with Tkachuk rather than trade him away. Garrioch indicated that Sens GM Steve Staios intended to speak with his captain to assure him there was nothing to the story.

Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those well-placed sources Garrioch referred to are probably members of the Senators’ front office, perhaps even Staios himself.

Staios could consider shaking up the Senators if they fail to end their playoff drought this season. Moving Tkachuk would be an extreme decision unless he wants out and there’s no indication he does. Something worth keeping in mind is Tkachuk’s no-movement clause begins on July 1, 2025. 

NEW YORK POST: Returning to the Rangers, Brooks believes Drury has put the club in a better place by trading Trouba and his $8 million annual salary cap hit through 2025-26. That move leaves the Rangers with a projected $21.9 million of trade deadline cap space. “No other contender comes close,” claims Brooks, believing the Rangers “will have their pickings the rest of the way.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brooks also walked back his claim that the Rangers were pursuing Tkachuk, but noted the Senators winger is the type of player the Blueshirts are seeking. They have the cap space to add that player at the trade deadline.

In an earlier report, Brooks suggested Drury should contact the Nashville Predators and find out if Steven Stamkos would waive his no-movement clause. He also proposed speaking with the Buffalo Sabres and Utah Hockey Club as those teams must make changes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stamkos isn’t a young power forward like Tkachuk. The 34-year-old winger is under contract for three more seasons with an AAV of $8 million. His decline this season could be due to age and the wear-and-tear of 17 NHL seasons catching up with him. Stamkos is an expensive risk the Rangers can’t afford to take.

RG.ORG: Jim Biringer reports the Rangers and Ducks might not be done dealing with each other. Sources close to the situation claimed the Rangers sought winger Frank Vatrano in the Trouba deal.

They opted to move on from Trouba’s $8 million cap hit but could revisit their interest in Vatrano. Biringer’s sources say Drury spoke with Ducks GM Pat Verbeek at last year’s trade deadline about Vatrano but the Rangers GM didn’t want to part with winger Kaapo Kaako. However, Drury might be willing to move on from Kaako now.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As Brooks noted, the Rangers have plenty of cap space to make significant moves by the March 7 trade deadline. They can afford Vatrano’s $3.65 million cap hit. He played briefly for them in the 2021-22 season and had a solid performance during their run to the 2022 Eastern Conference Final. Vatrano departed for the Ducks via free agency that summer as the Rangers couldn’t afford to retain him.

ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman was very interested in landing Trouba but couldn’t reach suitable trade terms with the Rangers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers reportedly tried to trade Trouba to the Red Wings in June but he used his no-movement clause to spike the deal for family reasons. Maybe Yzerman will try again next summer if Trouba doesn’t work out for the Ducks.

SHOULD THE LEAFS PURSUE NAZEM KADRI?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Evan Doerfler recently cited former Sportsnet analyst Doug MacLean telling Sportsnet 590 The Fan that he believes the Toronto Maple Leafs should bring back Nazem Kadri. The 34-year-old center began his career with the Leafs and now plays with the Calgary Flames.

MacLean claimed the Leafs were kicking tires for a second-line center. He believes Kadri’s physical two-way style is what they need to compete against the defending champion Florida Panthers as well as the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers.

DAILY FACEOFF’s Jeff Marek shared MacLean’s opinion, believing it would be a good fit for both clubs. The Flames are rebuilding and won’t make the playoffs right now. He acknowledged Kadri’s leadership is helpful to the young Flames but he’d be a better fit with the Leafs if they’re to compete against a tough team like the Panthers.

SPORTSNET: Calgary Flames beat writer Eric Francis was asked where he thought the Flames would trade Kadri. He believes the veteran center would generate plenty of interest and didn’t rule out the possibility if the right offer came along. However, he doesn’t see that happening and doesn’t believe the Flames are shopping Kadri.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some fans have cited these reports as substantiation that the Leafs are trying to acquire Kadri or that he would welcome a trade to a contender. However, MacLean and Marek were suggesting the Leafs pursue Kadri, not stating it as a fact. Francis said we should “never say never” but made it clear the Flames aren’t peddling him.

None of them said Kadri wants out of Calgary. During training camp, Kadri told reporters to pump the brakes on the trade speculation that dogged him during the offseason, claiming he loved the team and the city. He might welcome a trade at some point but not right now.

Kadri is a more mature player than when his loose cannon act proved costly to the Leafs in the 2018 and 2019 playoffs. He elevated his stock with a superb effort helping the Colorado Avalanche win the 2022 Stanley Cup and has fit well into the elder statesman role with the Flames.

He would be a better fit with the Leafs now. Nevertheless, everything linking him to Toronto right now is based on the musings of a couple of pundits.