NHL Rumor Mill – February 20, 2024

by | Feb 20, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – February 20, 2024

Check out the latest on the Hurricanes, Sharks, Sabres and Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE HURRICANES AREN’T INTERESTED IN RENTAL PLAYERS

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun believes the Carolina Hurricanes will be buyers by the March 8 trade deadline. However, general manager Don Waddell said he’s not interested in adding players on expiring contracts.

“Our first priority, if we’re giving up premium picks or top prospects, we want to make sure that we get a player for more than a few months”, Waddell told LeBrun. He added that they’re aren’t many non-rental players in the market as most trade candidates are slated to become unrestricted free agents this summer.

Contrary to popular belief, Waddell said he’s not looking to add a goaltender. He pointed out that sidelined netminder Frederik Andersen will be returning soon while Pyotr Kochetkov’s performance has been solid this season. He’s also comfortable with his blueline depth.

Carolina Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell (NHL.com).

Waddell would like to add a top-nine forward or two. LeBrun speculates it might be a forward with term remaining on their contract whose name hasn’t yet surfaced in the rumor mill. He suspects that the Hurricanes GM has inquired about winger Travis Konecny but doesn’t think the Philadelphia Flyers intend to move him, especially after recently naming him an alternate captain.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes currently have over $6.6 million in trade deadline cap space so they’ve got the room to add a forward or two. They also have all their picks in this year’s draft along with the Flyers’ second-rounder to draw on for trade bait if necessary.

COULD THE SHARKS ATTEMPT TO TRADE LOGAN COUTURE THIS SUMMER?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Max Miller noted there is speculation suggesting if the San Jose Sharks are going to trade Logan Couture, it won’t happen until the offseason. Couture, 34, is sidelined week-to-week with a lower-body injury that has plagued him since last summer, limiting him to just six games.

With the Sharks near the bottom of the NHL standings, they are expected to be sellers by the March 8 trade deadline. Couture is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $8 million and a three-team trade list.

Miller cited The Fourth Period’s Dave Pagnotta claiming Couture could be sidelined for the rest of the season. “If a move happens, it’s more likely to occur in the off-season,” he writes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Couture would be almost impossible to move in-season under normal circumstances because of his contract. If he’s out for the rest of this season there will be a genuine concern that his condition could end his career. That will make it more difficult to trade Couture during this summer.

LATEST ON THE SABRES

THE BUFFALO NEWS: In a recent mailbag segment, Lance Lysowski was asked if the Sabres can expect any changes before the upcoming trade deadline. He believed contenders would ask about pending free agents such as Erik Johnson, Kyle Okposo and Zemgus Girgensons. Lysowski also felt that Sabres GM Kevyn Adams will try to get a head start on finding players for next season like he did last year by acquiring Jordan Greenway from the Minnesota Wild.

If Johnson is traded, Lysowski speculated Adams will try to add another defenseman who could be part of the roster for next season, preferably a top-four blueliner. He also thinks the Sabres GM will open contract extension talks with Casey Mittelstadt’s agent. Lysowski doesn’t see them trading Mittelstadt or forwards Dylan Cozens, Jack Quinn, JJ Peterka, Tage Thompson or Alex Tuch.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mittelstadt recently surfaced as a trade candidate in the rumor mill. However, Adams was insistent in an interview last week that he wasn’t shopping the 25-year-old center and intends to re-sign him.

COULD THE CANADIENS TRADE DAVID SAVARD?

THE ATHLETIC: Arpon Basu noted that Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes recently said he’s not shopping David Savard. However, Basu believes he’s listening to offers. He believes the market for a shot-blocking, right-shot defenseman like Savard will open up once the Calgary Flames trade Chris Tanev.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Savard, 33, is signed through next season with an AAV of $3.5 million. He also lacks no-trade protection.

I don’t doubt that Hughes will listen to trade offers for Savard. As we’ve seen, however, he sets a high price for his players and usually won’t budge until someone meets it. With Savard under contract for next season, he’s under no pressure to trade him now. If no one meets his price, he’ll wait until the summer or next season.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 19, 2024

by | Feb 19, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – February 19, 2024

Check out the latest on Noah Hanafin, Chris Tanev, Boone Jenner, Vladimir Tarasenko, Jakob Chychrun and Sean Walker in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON HANIFIN AND TANEV

SPORTSNET: Pat Steinberg wonders if the Calgary Flames will consider sitting Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev for trade protection leading up to the March 8 deadline. He believes it’s almost certain that the two defenseman will be moved by then.

Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin (NHL Images).

Despite their fading playoff hopes, the Flames aren’t giving up on the season. Staying in the race means Hanifin and Tanev will continue logging big minutes but that also puts them at risk of injury, which could hurt their value in the trade market.

Steinberg noted the Arizona Coyotes sat out Jakob Chychrun last season for three weeks before trading him to the Ottawa Senators. “It looked bad on the Coyotes, did the player no favours, and is something the league is keen to avoid going forward.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Calgary fans who want both players moved for the best possible returns would probably prefer if Hanifin and Tanev were benched until they’re traded and to hell with how it looks. However, that probably won’t happen until trade talks heat up and a deal seems close. I can see the Flames sitting one or both for no more than a week while they hammer out the details of a trade.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of Hanifin, Jimmy Murphy pointed out that Bruins general manager Don Sweeney has long been interested in acquiring the Flames rearguard. He wondered if Sweeney would try to trade for him before March 8 or wait until the offseason and sign him as a free agent.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sweeney would probably love to land Hanifin by the deadline and sign him to a contract extension. However, I don’t think he’s got sufficient trade assets to outbid other clubs with an interest in the Flames defenseman.

The Bruins have no picks in the first three rounds of this year’s draft and you have to think the Flames will want a first-rounder as part of the return. They could also want a high-value prospect such as Mason Lohrei or a promising young player like Matthew Poitras.

BLUE JACKETS NOT TRADING JENNER

THE JEFF MAREK SHOW: On Friday, Columbus Blue Jackets president of hockey operations (and interim general manager) John Davidson spoke with Marek about Boone Jenner. The 30-year-old Jackets captain has been the subject of recent trade speculation.

Davidson confirmed to the Sportsnet host that his club is getting a lot of calls about Jenner. However, he stated, “Boone’s not going anywhere, and Boone doesn’t want to go anywhere.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the Jackets fired general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, Jenner told The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline that he didn’t want to be traded. It’s apparent from Davidson’s remarks that they don’t want to move him regardless of who’s calling and what they’re offering.

UPDATES ON TARASENKO AND CHYCHRUN

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports teams have been calling the Ottawa Senators about Vladimir Tarasenko, who is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The 32-year-old winger is on a one-year, $5 million contract with a full no-trade clause.

Garrioch believes Tarasenko recently changed agents to facilitate a possible contract extension if he gets moved by the March 8 trade deadline. The Senators could get more of a return for him if they agree to retain part of his salary.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tarasenko is the priority for the Senators given his free-agent status. The Athletic’s Ian Mendes and Shayna Goldman believe if Staios can land a second-round pick and another asset for Tarasenko that he’ll have done a decent job given the limitations of the winger’s no-trade clause. The Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers were among their suggested trade destinations.

Jakob Chychrun, meanwhile, is generating interest from teams seeking more than a playoff rental player. The 25-year-old defenseman is signed through 2024-25 with an average annual value of $4.6 million with a 10-team no-trade clause.

It’s thought the Senators have set a high asking price for Chychrun. If no one pays it, they’re content to wait until the offseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chychrun publicly stated last month he doesn’t want to be moved. Senators GM Steve Staios said it was “disappointing” to see the blueliner come up in trade rumors, adding that they could find a way to re-sign him to a contract extension.

Staios may be setting a high price to discourage teams from calling about Chychrun. However, if someone is willing to pay it, he’ll have to give it serious consideration, provided the offer isn’t coming from a team on the blueliner’s no-trade list.

Erik  Brannstrom, Dominik Kubalik and Mark Kastelic are also considered to be trade candidates. Garrioch doubts they’ll fetch more than draft picks if moved.

WILL THE FLYERS TRADE OR RE-SIGN SEAN WALKER?

SPORTSNET: Jeff Marek considers Sean Walker among the most intriguing players around the NHL trade deadline. The 30-year-old defenseman is slated to become a UFA on July 1 and carries an affordable $2.7 million cap hit this season.

It’s believed the Flyers are hoping Walker would fetch a first-round pick or a high second-rounder. If no one meets that price, Marek can see them retaining the veteran blueliner for a playoff push.

Marek also wondered if the Flyers could re-sign Walker. Based on his play, he could price himself within the $4 million and $5 million range.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some of you probably read that line and believe that’s far too much for Walker. However, that’s the going rate for second-pairing defensemen in the NHL. Maybe he might accept a little less for the security of a long-term deal to stay in Philadelphia.

If the Flyers don’t re-sign Walker, he’ll probably have little difficulty landing a lucrative new contract on the open market this summer, especially with the salary cap projected to jump by $4.4 million.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – February 18, 2024

by | Feb 18, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – February 18, 2024

Check out the latest on Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom and defenseman Noah Hanifin plus updates on Flyers forward Scott Laughton and Oilers blueliner Philip Broberg in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

LATEST ON THE FLAMES

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes that Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom’s situation has reached the point where he’s told management that if they get an offer to bring it to him and he’ll decide if he’ll agree to be traded.

Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom (NHL Images).

Friedman’s colleague Eric Francis noted that Markstrom is trying to ignore the trade speculation swirling about him. However, it can’t be easy for the 34-year-old netminder, especially after being lit up for four goals on 12 shots on home ice during Saturday’s 5-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

Francis believes Markstrom’s situation could linger through the summer, if not addressed leading up to the March 8 trade deadline. He also believes Markstrom’s teammates Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin will be moved by deadline day.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As frequently noted whenever Markstrom comes up in trade chatter, he’s signed through 2025-26 with an average annual value of $6 million plus a full no-movement clause. Even if the Flames can hammer out a potential trade to move his contract, he must give his approval for the deal to go down.

It’s been over a week since Friedman reported the Flames had trade discussions with the New Jersey Devils about Markstrom, which fell through over salary retention. The Hockey News’ Adam Proteau wondered if the Toronto Maple Leafs or Carolina Hurricanes might be interested but I daresay his contract would be more cumbersome for those two teams than it would for the Devils.

Friedman also said it appears that Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin intends to head to the free-agent market on July 1. He said he’s had no confirmation from the blueliner’s representatives or the Flames but he believes it’s “pretty clear” that Hanifin is going to market.

Friedman believes there are Canadian teams interested in the 27-year Hanifin but there are American clubs more confident of signing him to a long-term contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Hanifin isn’t going to re-sign with the Flames they have no choice but to trade him for the best possible return. He’ll become the top defenseman in the trade market, garnering the Flames a solid return, one that could be even better if Hanifin agrees to a contract extension as part of the deal.

Boston Hockey Now’s Jimmy Murphy believes the Bruins and Florida Panthers could be among the suitors for Hanifin if he hits the trade block. I daresay we’ll learn about more as the trade deadline approaches.

RANGERS INTERESTED IN LAUGHTON

THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple and Kevin Kurz noted there are reports the New York Rangers are interested in Philadelphia Flyers center Scott Laughton. The 29-year-old has two seasons remaining on his contract with an affordable AAV of $3 million.

Staple and Kurz speculate it could cost the Rangers at least their first-round pick to acquire Laughton. With the Blueshirts being a division rival, perhaps the asking price might be higher than for other clubs.

If they prefer offering up a current player or prospect, the Flyers could prefer a young forward with scoring upside. Staple doesn’t see the Rangers sending someone like Kaapo Kakko to Philadelphia where he could haunt them for years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Perhaps the Flyers asking price would be a first-rounder plus a prospect. I agree that it’s unlikely the Rangers would send Kakko to Philadelphia. They could ask for a prospect like Gabe Perreault or Brennan Othmann but both are probably off-limits.

OILERS WON’T PART WITH BROBERG FOR A RENTAL PLAYER

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the Edmonton Oilers intend to do something leading up to the trade deadline. Promising defenseman Philip Broberg has come up in trade rumors but they’re not going to part with him for a playoff rental player. He thinks teams have asked but they’ve made that point quite clear.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It makes sense to try and add someone who can be part of the lineup beyond this season. This could also be the Oilers’ way of discouraging rival clubs from calling about Broberg. Unless someone is willing to overpay, they’re not going to part with a promising player.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 17, 2024

by | Feb 17, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – February 17, 2024

Another Flames defenseman surfaces as a trade candidate, the Senators are linked to Matt Dumba, the latest on Jake Guentzel and Tony DeAngelo plus updates on the Leafs and Capitals in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TEAMS HAVE INTEREST IN RASMUS ANDERSSON

ESPN’s Kevin Weekes tweeted that Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson is drawing some interest in the trade market. Weekes believes he’d be an attractive option for suitors given his age (27) and his $4.55 million annual average value through 2025-26.

Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: With the Flames listening to offers for blueliners Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin I don’t doubt that some clubs are expressing interest in Andersson. However, there is a big difference between listening to offers and shopping a player.

By all accounts, the Flames are peddling Tanev and will do the same with Hanifin if he’s unwilling to sign a contract extension. However, there’s no indication that they’re looking to move Andersson.

Earlier this week, Flames general manager Craig Conroy indicated that he’s not staging a full roster rebuild but is instead attempting to retool. Moving Andersson along with Tanev and Hanifin constitutes a full rebuild as it would significantly deplete their blueline. Unless Andersson is asking to be traded, Conroy has no reason to move him.

Bear in mind that Conroy is under no pressure to trade Andersson as he still has two more seasons left on his contract. If a rival team were to pitch a significant offer for him involving a good young NHL player along with a first-round pick and a quality prospect, Conroy would probably give it serious consideration. Otherwise, I don’t see Andersson getting moved.

JAKE GUENTZEL’S INJURY WON’T HURT HIS TRADE VALUE

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli doesn’t expect Jake Guentzel’s upper-body injury will hurt his value in the trade market. The 29-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins winger is sidelined for four weeks, putting his recovery period beyond the March 8 trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It won’t hurt Guentzel’s value but it will have interested general managers seeking full assurances that he’s on track to return to action by mid-March. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them attempt to attach conditions to their offers based on his injury.

SENATORS INTERESTED IN MATT DUMBA

Freelancer Graeme Nichols cited the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch recently reporting the Senators were taking a look at Matt Dumba. The 29-year-old Arizona Coyotes defenseman is on a one-year, $3.9 million contract and is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s well-documented that the Senators are seeking veterans with experience and leadership to help some of their younger stars. If they acquire Dumba they could look at signing him to a short-term contract extension.

WILL THE MAPLE LEAFS SHOP THEIR FIRST-ROUND PICK?

SPORTSNET: Citing colleague Nick Kypreos, Justin Bourne believes the Toronto Maple Leafs will use their 2024 first-round pick as trade bait to bolster their roster leading up to the trade deadline.

Bourne believes the Maple Leafs badly need a couple of defensemen. If they want to get anyone meaningful, they have to trade a legitimate asset. They don’t want to move their prospects so that leaves their first-rounder.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs have been linked to Calgary’s Chris Tanev and Philadelphia’s Sean Walker in the rumor mill. Giving up a first-rounder for either guy would be an overpayment but the Leafs are in “win-now” mode and that means overpaying for one of them.

Otherwise, they’ll have to find cheaper, less-talented depth or stick with what they’ve already got and hope for the best. Either option ensures the Leafs will struggle again to advance in the playoffs. That means wasting another season for superstar forwards Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Mitch Marner while they’re still in the prime of their careers. It also means captain John Tavares watches his Stanley Cup hopes recede further into the distance along with his playing prime.

Parting with a first-rounder for Tanev or Walker doesn’t guarantee a trip to the Stanley Cup Final. Hell, it doesn’t assure getting beyond the opening round. Nevertheless, it gives them a better shot than standing pat or making cheap additions that don’t move the needle. If they’re unwilling to part with their promising prospects (and I agree that they shouldn’t), trading the first-rounder is their only option.

LATEST ON THE CAPITALS

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber recently reported on the trade rumors dogging the Washington Capitals as they struggle to remain in the Eastern Conference playoff race. If the Capitals become sellers by the trade deadline it might not become a total sell-off.

The New York Rangers could look into the availability of checking-line center Nic Dowd. Given how thin the trade market is on centers, he could fetch a first-round pick. The shrinking market in quality forwards might also work to their advantage with winger Anthony Mantha given the improvement in his goal production this season.

Max Pacioretty, Joel Edmundson and Nicolas Aube-Kubel could also be shopped.

UPDATE ON TONY DEANGELO

THE ATHLETIC: Cory Lavalette reports Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Tony DeAngelo has been the subject of trade rumors with the Hurricanes shopping him. He’s due to become a UFA this summer and has been a frequent healthy scratch this season.

DeAngelo and his agent have met with Hurricanes management to discuss what’s best for both sides. He admits that his reputation and his past could be holding up a potential trade.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 16, 2024

by | Feb 16, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – February 16, 2024

The Devils are still shopping for a goalie such as Jacob Markstrom, Juuse Saros and Jake Allen, the Leafs remain in the market for a defenseman, plus the latest on Jake Guentzel and Marc-Andre Fleury in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DEVILS STILL SHOPPING FOR A STARTING GOALTENDER

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the New Jersey Devils remain keen on trying to make a trade work with the Calgary Flames for goaltender Jacob Markstrom. Their previous talks broke down in part because the Devils want the Flames to retain part of Markstrom’s $6 million average annual value through 2025-26.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flames general manager Craig Conroy reportedly wants a significant return for Markstrom. His asking price goes up if the Devils insist that his club retain part of Markstrom’s salary. That’s understandable as it would leave the Flames with over two years of up to $3 million annually in dead cap space.

Even with the cap projected to rise significantly over the next two seasons, that would still leave a big hole in the Flames’ payroll. The Devils will have to make it worth their while or look elsewhere. Speaking of which…

LeBrun reports the Devils are also kicking tires on the Anaheim Ducks’ John Gibson, the Montreal Canadiens’ Jake Allen, and the Nashville Predators’ Juuse Saros.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Allen was the subject of a recent rumor claiming he was going to be traded to the Colorado Avalanche. LeBrun’s colleague Darren Dreger shot that down but The Montreal Gazette’s Stu Cowan expects Allen could be moved by the March 8 trade deadline, possibly in a package deal with other players. Whether it’s to the Avalanche or another club remains to be seen.

As for Saros…

Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (NHL Images).

PREDATORS LISTENING ON SAROS’ OFFERS

NASHVILLE HOCKEY NOW: Michael Gallagher believes the possibility of the Predators trading goaltender Juuse Saros is greater than we think.

Gallagher cited Predators GM Barry Trotz telling Nashville’s 102.5 The Game on Tuesday that he would consider moving the 28-year-old Saros if he received an offer of an asset that he otherwise wouldn’t envision himself getting, adding he said the same thing to Saros.

Trotz could be thinking about the potentially high cost of re-signing Saros, who has a year left on his contract and is eligible in 2025 to become an unrestricted free agent. Gallagher cites speculation suggesting the Saros camp could seek something similar to the seven-year, $59.5 million contract ($8.5 million AAV) signed by Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebucyk last October.

The Hurricanes, Devils and Los Angeles Kings are among the clubs recently linked to Saros in the rumor mill. Gallagher claims Trotz will set an expensive asking price.

NJ.COM: Ryan Novozinsky reports Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald has contacted Trotz about Saros, which the Predators general manager confirmed during his appearance on 102.5 FM The Game. Trotz continues to insist that it would take a massive offer to tempt him into moving his starting goalie. Novozinsky speculated that the package might have to include Dawson Mercer or Alexander Holtz, prospect Seamus Casey and a first-round pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Pierre LeBrun considers Saros the No. 1 goalie on the market. While the Predators may be listening to offers, LeBrun claims they’re not committed to trading him. That’s why they’re setting a high asking price with a good young NHL player as the centerpiece of the return. He indicated that no one has made that offer yet, which is fine for the Preds because they’re happy to keep Saros.

In other words, you can ask Trotz about Saros but you won’t get him unless you make an offer too good to refuse. And right now, the Preds GM has been refusing whatever’s been proposed.

GUENTZEL’S INJURY COULD AFFECT HIS TRADE VALUE

TRIBLIVE.COM: Seth Rorabaugh reports the Pittsburgh Penguins face a major challenge attempting to remain in the playoff race with winger Jake Guentzel sidelined for three to four weeks with an upper-body injury.

The Penguins placed Guentzel on long-term injury reserve, meaning he’ll be sidelined for at least 10 games and 24 days on the calendar, stretching past the March 8 trade deadline. The 29-year-old winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and there’s been frequent speculation over whether the Penguins will re-sign or trade him by the deadline.

Guentzel would fetch a significant return as a trade candidate if healthy. Putting him on LTIR could affect his value.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Teams will undoubtedly call the Penguins about Guentzel if they make him available in the trade market. However, they will want assurances that he’ll be at 100 percent once he’s ready to return to action by mid-March.

UPDATE ON FLEURY

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury recently met with his agent to discuss the March 8 trade deadline. The 39-year-old Fleury doesn’t want to go anywhere right now as he doesn’t want to bail on the Wild while they’re trying to chase down a playoff berth.

Fleury could consider going to two or three teams if the Wild are out of contention by the deadline. Among them could be the Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche and Toronto Maple Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fleury has a full no-movement clause so the final decision rests with him. Wild GM Bill Guerin is a former teammate of Fleury’s as well as a friend and will attempt to accommodate the veteran netminder if he decides to chase a Stanley Cup somewhere else.

LEAFS STILL SHOPPING FOR A DEFENSEMAN

TSN: Chris Johnston reports Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving is still shopping around for a defenseman. Calgary Flames blueliner Chris Tanev likely remains at the top of his list but he’s also been linked to the Philadelphia Flyers’ Sean Walker and the Nashville Predators’ Alexandre Carrier.

Johnston indicates the Leafs don’t want to part with their first-round pick and lack a second-rounder over the next three drafts. They’ve been offering up multiple lower-round picks but aren’t getting any interest.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs will either have to give up their first for a rental defenseman or be prepared to accept lesser-talented blueliners than those noted above.










Blue Jackets Fire Jarmo Kekalainen

by | Feb 15, 2024

Blue Jackets Fire Jarmo Kekalainen

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced this morning that they’ve relieved Jarmo Kekalainen as general manager. President of Hockey Operations John Davidson and the Blue Jackets hockey operations management team will take over the GM duties until a replacement is found.

Blue Jackets fire general manager Jarmo Kekalainen (NHL.com).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hired as Blue Jackets GM in 2012, Kekalainen was the NHL’s third longest-serving active GM. Between 2016-17 to 2019-2, the club enjoyed the most successful period in their history under his management. They reached the playoffs in each of those seasons, swept the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning from the opening round of the 2019 postseason and upset the Toronto Maple Leafs in the qualifying round of the COVID bubble 2020 playoffs.

Since then, however, the Blue Jackets have been struggling. They couldn’t convince stars such as Artemi Panarin, Sergei Bobrovsky and Seth Jones to re-sign. High-priced acquisitions such as Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine failed to improve the roster. There are also some concerns over the development of promising young players such as David Jiricek, Kent Johnson and Cole Sillinger.

The misguided decision to hire Mike Babcock last July as head coach and his subsequent resignation two months later for violating the players’ privacy prompted speculation that Kekalainen and Davidson would face closer scrutiny this season.

It was inevitable that Kekalainen would be fired. The Blue Jackets are floundering near the bottom of the standings, poised to miss the playoffs for the fourth straight season. Davidson has kept his job but one has to wonder if he might suffer a similar fate once a full-time replacement for Kekalainen has been found.