NHL Rumor Mill – August 23, 2024

by | Aug 23, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 23, 2024

Some suggested destinations for Predators goalie Yaroslav Askarov, plus the latest on Tyson Barrie and Cody Ceci in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin suggested some possible trade destinations for Yaroslav Askarov. 

Nashville Predators goaltender Yaroslav Askarov (NHL Images).

The 22-year-old Nashville Predators goaltender reportedly told the club that he won’t report to their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee this season and requested a trade. 

Rebuilding clubs like the Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks, and Utah Hockey Club topped Larkin’s list, followed by the Philadelphia Flyers, Seattle Kraken, Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I offered my take on the Sharks, Utah, Kraken, Flyers, Kings and Avalanche as potential trade partners earlier this week. 

Askarov wanted to be traded because he sees no path to the Predators this season. He wants an opportunity for at least a backup role with an NHL club. Going to another team only to be sent to the minors changes addresses but not his situation. 

If they’re interested, the Flyers and Sharks seem the best option for Askarov. The other clubs may have questions about their goaltending depth but they also have veterans under contract ahead of him in their pecking order regardless of his potential. 

Larkin mentioned the Canucks because of the questions surrounding the health of starter Thatcher Demko to begin this season. However, in last spring’s playoffs, they proved they could adjust with backups Casey DeSmith and Arturs Silovs. DeSmith has moved on to Dallas but Silovs is still there. If they acquire Askarov, he will end up back in the minors once Demko returns. 

TSN’s Dustin Nielson reports the Edmonton Oilers are keeping their options option regarding professional tryout offers. They’ve already had conversations with former Oilers defenseman Tyson Barrie. 

Nielson noted that Barrie is popular among his former teammates. However, he questions if he’s a fit given how their blueline is currently constructed. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barrie’s a right-shot, puck-moving defenseman who generates offense from the blueline but his defensive skills can leave something to be desired. That’s why they shipped him to the Predators before the 2023 trade deadline for Mattias Ekholm. 

EDMONTON JOURNAL’s Jim Matheson suspects the Sharks will trade Cody Ceci to a contender before the March 2025 trade deadline. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks acquired Ceci last weekend from the Oilers. He’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 22, 2024

by | Aug 22, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 22, 2024

Could the Oilers go shopping for a defenseman? Should the Sharks or Avalanche pursue Predators goalie Yaroslav Askarov? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE SCORE: Josh Wegman believes the Edmonton Oilers must add a top-four defenseman by the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline after declining to match the St. Louis Blues’ offer sheet to Philip Broberg.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard (NHL Images).

Potential right-shot rentals include the Seattle Kraken’s Adam Larsson and Will Borgen, David Savard of the Montreal Canadiens, and Jeff Petry of the Detroit Red Wings. Larsson and Petry are former Oilers.

Left-shot options include Jakob Chychrun of the Washington Capitals, Marcus Pettersson of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Ivan Provorov of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers must compete against other clubs seeking blueline help at the trade deadline. That will mean further depleting their prospect pipeline or sacrificing their second-round pick in 2025 or a first or second-rounder in 2026 or 2027. They’ll likely have no qualms doing so given their “win-now” mindset.

Wegman also suggested pursuing players with term on their contracts like Montreal’s Mike Matheson, Connor Murphy of the Chicago Blackhawks, Radko Gudas of the Anaheim Ducks, and Mario Ferraro of the San Jose Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those players will be tougher to land and would drain their cap space for 2025-26 when they’ll need every available dollar to re-sign Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard. If they pursue a defenseman it’ll be a rental player.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sheng Peng wondered if the Sharks would be interested in acquiring Yaroslav Askarov. Earlier this week, ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reported the 22-year-old Nashville Predators goaltender requested a trade.

Much would depend on what Sharks director of goaltending Evgeny Nabovkov thinks of Askarov. The youngster has puck-stopping talent but his maturity is in question.

Peng also wondered why the Predators signed starter Juuse Saros to an eight-year extension rather than anoint Askarov as Saros’ successor. He mused about whether Askarov would accept another season in the minors with the Sharks after being unwilling to do so with the Predators.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Evan Rawal believes the Avalanche should consider acquiring Askarov. He’s concerned about the Avs’ goaltending depth and thinks the young Preds netminder has the potential to become a reliable NHL starter. Rawal thinks the Avs should at least look into it.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Predators received calls about Askarov heading into the NHL Draft in June. At the time, they were in a hurry to move him and reportedly set a high asking price.

Things have changed since then. Askarov doesn’t want to return to the minors but Saros and veteran backup Scott Wedgewood blocking his path to the NHL. He’s unhappy with that situation and wants out but most NHL clubs have already addressed their goaltending needs for the coming season.

Predators GM Barry Trotz said he expects Askarov to report to training camp and compete for a job. That’s probably his polite way of telling the youngster that he’s in no position to dictate where he plays this season.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 21, 2024

by | Aug 21, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 21, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: the ongoing concern over Sidney Crosby’s contract talks while the Blues’ addition of Philip Broberg leaves them with a logjam on defense.

LATEST ON SIDNEY CROSBY

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Jason Mackey last weekend observed the “weird amount of silence” regarding Sidney Crosby’s contract extension talks with the Penguins. He considers the situation “worrisome”.

Mackey suggested the 37-year-old center’s best shot of winning his fourth Stanley Cup isn’t in Pittsburgh and it might be best for the Penguins to blow up the roster and start over. However, he doesn’t expect Crosby to depart or the Penguins to start rebuilding.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

Nevertheless, the longer this situation goes the more Mackey believes one side doesn’t want to dance.

THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Josh Yohe believes Crosby wants to finish his career with the Penguins even if it means he might not get another shot at winning the Cup. Calling the future Hall-of-Famer “a man of integrity and loyalty”, Yohe thinks that winning the Cup with Pittsburgh over the next five years means more than winning it with another team.

Asked by a reader what a hypothetical Crosby trade might look like, Yohe doesn’t see the Penguins captain getting moved. However, if it came to pass, he expects the return would be “a 2025 first-round pick, a 2026 first-round pick, a top prospect, and a young NHL player.” He also thinks they’d have to take on a heavily salaried player to make up the difference under the salary cap for whatever club took on Crosby.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s the dog days of the offseason for Penguins followers so there’s little to talk about other than Crosby’s contract. It’s a bit surprising that it hasn’t been done yet but not concerning. As I said before, there’s plenty of time between now and the start of the season to get it done.

It could take until sometime during the season before it’s done However, both sides probably want to avoid that situation as it would become an unnecessary distraction for Crosby and the club.

BLUES FACE A BLUELINE LOGJAM

STLTODAY.COM: Matthew DeFranks noted that the addition of Philip Broberg leaves the St. Louis Blues with 10 defensemen on one-way contracts, joining Justin Faulk, Torey Krug, Colton Parayko, Nick Leddy, Scott Perunovich, Matthew Kessel, Tyler Tucker, Ryan Suter and Pierre-Olivier Joseph.

At most, the Blues will keep eight defensemen on their roster, leaving two as the odd men out.

Krug’s status is uncertain as he receives treatment for pre-arthritic changes in his left ankle. He could need season-ending surgery.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Surgery for Krug will partly address that crowded blueline. Olivier, Tucker and Kessel can be sent to the Blues’ AHL affiliate.

A trade is also possible but demotions seem the easiest way to address this situation.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 20, 2024

by | Aug 20, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 20, 2024

A look at potential trade destinations for Predators goaltender Yaroslav Askarov in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Tony Ferrari listed five NHL trade destinations for Yaroslav Askarov.

The 22-year-old Nashville Predators goalie prospect informed the club he wouldn’t report to their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee and requested a trade.

Ferrari noted Askarov may no longer fit in the Predators’ plans after they signed starting goalie Juuse Saros to an eight-year contract extension.

Nashville Predators goaltender Yaroslav Askarov (NHL Images).

He suggested the Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, and the Utah Hockey Club as possible trade destinations.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was rumored teams inquired about Askarkov leading up to the NHL Draft in late June. Those clubs could revisit their interest, though his reluctance to return to the AHL could dampen their enthusiasm if they see him as a future piece rather than an immediate member of a goalie tandem.

Askarov has potential as a future NHL starter. He and his agent believe he’s ready to challenge for that role. However, the Predators don’t see him as ready, hence their contract extension to Saros and signing veteran backup Scott Wedgewood this summer to a two-year contract.

The Leafs have cycled through Frederik Andersson, Jack Campbell, Matt Murray, and Ilya Samsonov in recent years before settling on Joseph Woll this season with Anthony Stolarz as his backup. Askarov would likely end up with the Marlies unless Woll should become sidelined again.

The rebuilding Blackhawks and Sharks need all the help they can get at every position. Utah has Karel Vejmelka and Connor Ingram as their tandem but Askarov could supplant one of them.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont believes the Canadiens are currently set in goal. They have the underrated Sam Montembault as their starter with Cayden Primeau as his backup. Both goalies put up solid numbers last season backstopping a young defense while enduring a three-goalie system. The Habs also have promising Jacob Fowler within their pipeline who could push for the starter’s job within four years.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Rob Couch included the Sharks on his three-team list of possible destinations. He believed Askarov could fit in well with the New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils and Kings could use some prospect depth between the pipes. However, the Devils have Jacob Markstrom as their starter through 2025-26 with Jake Allen as his backup this season. Askarov would end up in the minor this season if they acquire him. The same goes for the Kings, where they’ve got Darcy Kuemper and David Rittich.

Julian Gaudio believes the Seattle Kraken should look into acquiring Askarov. He points out that starter Philipp Grubauer hasn’t played to the expectations of his expensive contract. Meanwhile, backup Joey Daccord remains unproven despite his stellar play last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Grubauer’s performance and contract will make it difficult to move him. The Kraken could trade or demote Daccord to make room for Askarov.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey believes the Flyers should pursue a trade for Askarov because of the uncertainty surrounding Alexei Kolosov’s willingness to play for them.

Bailey noted the Flyers have Samuel Ersson as their starter and Ivan Fedotov as their backup. He believes they would offer up Ersson to the Predators as part of the return for Askarov.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers might provide Askarov with the best opportunity to be part of an NHL goalie tandem this season. It remains to be seen if they feel he’s worth the pursuit.










Blue Jackets Trade Patrik Laine To The Canadiens

by | Aug 19, 2024

Blue Jackets Trade Patrik Laine To The Canadiens

The Columbus Blue Jackets traded winger Patrik Laine and a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for defenseman Jordan Harris.

There was no salary retention by the Blue Jackets. The Canadiens take on Laine’s full $8.7 million average annual cap hit through 2025-26.

Columbus Blue Jackets trade winger Patrik Laine to the Montreal Canadiens. (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: So much for the recent assumptions (including mine) suggesting a Laine trade might not occur until around Christmas at the earliest. To be fair, those were based on Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell suggesting it could take that long during a round of interviews late last week.

This is a calculated gamble by Canadiens GM Kent Hughes. Laine was a 44-goal scorer in his sophomore season (2017-18) with the Winnipeg Jets but he’s struggled with injuries and consistency during his tenure with the Blue Jackets. He entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in January for mental health reasons and remained there until late last month.

The 26-year-old winger could be a welcome boost to the Canadiens’ offense if he can stay healthy and regain his scoring touch. His cap hit takes a big chunk from their payroll and could be an expensive mistake cap-wise. Still, the Habs only carry his contract for two seasons.

Laine was unhappy with the Blues Jackets and wanted out of Columbus. He gets a chance at a fresh start in Montreal but will face considerable pressure playing in one of hockey’s biggest and most passionate markets. How well he adjusts will have ramifications for the Canadiens’ scoring punch in the short term and Laine’s career overall.

Harris, 24, was a third-round pick of the Canadiens in 2018. The young puck-moving defenseman spent the past two seasons with the Habs. The expected additions of Lane Hutson and Logan Mailloux to their defense corps this season made Harris the odd man out. He should get a better opportunity to earn more playing time with the Blue Jackets.

Waddell wanted to make a hockey trade when he started peddling Laine last month. He gets a young NHL player and sheds the entirety of Laine’s contract, leaving the Jackets with over $18 million in cap space for this season with 22 of his 23 active roster players under contract. That gives Waddell plenty of room to make other moves this season if necessary.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 19, 2024

by | Aug 19, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 19, 2024

Check out the latest Canadiens speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TVA SPORTS: Entering the final year of his contract with the Montreal Canadiens, David Savard knows he’ll be the subject of trade rumors this season.

The 33-year-old defenseman carries a $3.5 million cap hit. He’s aware the Canadiens at some point must clear roster space for their younger blueliners. Nevertheless, he believes he can still bring a lot to the team and its young players.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Savard was the subject of trade speculation in the weeks leading up to last season’s March deadline. Contenders in the market for an experienced defenseman will come calling again this season.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marco D’Amico looks at the Canadiens’ top trade assets heading into training camp.

Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes has $5.5 million in cap space, and that’s without putting permanently sidelined goaltender Carey Price ($10.5 million) on long-term injury reserve. He could use it to his advantage by acquiring a player from a club looking to free up cap room before the start of the season.

Hughes also has nine picks in the first four rounds of the 2025 draft (including two first-rounders and two second-rounders) plus a deep prospect pool to draw on for trade bait if he’s looking to add an NHL player to his roster, preferably a forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens are rumored to have had trade discussions with several teams this summer for a forward. Business could pick up heading into training camp starting in mid-September.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Rob Couch believes the Canadiens have the pieces necessary to acquire goaltender Yaroslav Askarov from the Nashville Predators if they wish.

Askarov, 21, has been the subject of trade rumors since Nashville signed starting goalie Juuse Saros to an eight-year contract extension on July 1. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently reported the Predators seek an NHL player that makes sense for Askarov or another high-end prospect forward or defenseman.

Couch speculates defenseman Logan Mailloux could be an option for the Predators. They could also be interested in a forward like Owen Beck, Joshua Roy, or Michael Hage.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens are in the market for a scoring forward, not a goaltender. They’re set with the underrated Sam Montembeault as their starter. Cayden Primeau will be his backup after a solid performance last season.