NHL Rumor Mill – January 6, 2024

by | Jan 6, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – January 6, 2024

Check out the latest on the Senators and the Blackhawks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau recently looked at which two players the Ottawa Senators will likely shop leading up to the March 8 trade deadline.

Looking at the Senators’ record, Proteau believes they don’t have a chance at reaching the playoffs this season. General manager Steve Staios will have to decide which players to keep and which ones to send packing by the deadline.

Ottawa Senators winger Vladimir Tarasenko (NHL Images).

Winger Vladimir Tarasenko is their best trade asset. He’s on a one-year, $5 million contract and becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The 32-year-old winger currently has eight goals and 24 points in 32 games. Staios could move him for young players and draft picks.

Dominik Kubalik is another trade candidate. The 28-year-old winger is also slated to become a UFA this summer and has eight goals and 11 points in 34 games with a $2.5 million cap hit.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Staios continues his search for veteran help before the trade deadline. He seeks a third-line forward who can help support alternate captain Claude Giroux by acting as a leader for their younger players.

Garrioch also indicated that Shane Pinto is expected to sign a one-year contract worth around $800K. There is speculation that Staois could be discussing a long-term extension with Pinto’s agent but it’s unlikely to be the case.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barring a second-half performance for the ages, the Senators will not make the playoffs this season. Staios will be a seller at the trade deadline.

It will be surprising if Tarasenko and Kubalik aren’t moved by March. As for Pinto, Staios will likely evaluate his performance over the remainder of the schedule before getting into contract talks beyond this season.

Staios will also want a veteran leader or two with term remaining on their contracts. Whoever they bring in must be willing to be there and help to lead their younger players. Staios might have better luck finding those veterans via free agency this summer.

Hiring the right kind of coach will also be necessary for the Senators to make any real progress after this season. We know that Jacques Martin is only a stop-gap measure for the rest of this season. Whoever they hire as their full-time bench boss will have to keep Daniel Alfredsson on the coaching staff. With everything else going on, the new ownership must avoid repeating the mistakes of the past by alienating the popular Senators Hall-of-Famer.

THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers dismissed recent speculation suggesting the Chicago Blackhawks could be looking to add big-name talent to their roster for next season. “If you were dreaming of someone like William Nylander, you’re going to be disappointed,” he writes.

Powers noted the Blackhawks will have plenty of salary cap space for 2024-25. “If someone wants to get paid more than market worth on a short-term deal, the Blackhawks would be happy to open their checkbook.” However, it’s unlikely to happen for long-term deals.

Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson isn’t likely to deviate from his current rebuilding plans until he has a better idea of the talent available in his prospect pipeline. He doesn’t want to pay a veteran for the next eight years with the money that will be needed to re-sign Connor Bedard and Kevin Korchinski when their contracts expire in 2026.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That will also puncture last week’s speculation suggesting Elias Pettersson will forsake the Vancouver Canucks to join the Blackhawks this summer.

Pettersson is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights playing on a team that is jockeying for first place in the standings, a team that will pay him handsomely to stay in Vancouver. He’s not going to stage a holdout to force the Canucks to trade him. The Blackhawks aren’t going to send him an offer sheet as it would probably be matched. Even if the Hawks successfully signed Pettersson away, they would owe the Canucks five first-round draft picks as compensation.

As Powers noted, the Blackhawks won’t be rebuilding forever. For now, Davidson isn’t going to change his current plans.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 5, 2024

by | Jan 5, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – January 5, 2024

Check out recent speculation on the Flames, Flyers and Rangers in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

CALGARY SUN: Daniel Austin wondered how busy Flames general manager Craig Conroy will be leading up to the March 8 trade deadline.

Trading pending unrestricted free agents such as Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev means Flames fans will be in for a couple of seasons of watching a young, developing team. That could also raise questions over whether veterans Nazem Kadri and Mikael Backlund will want to stick around.

Calgary Flames center Elias Lindholm (NHL Images).

Re-sign those three and the Flames will be making a long-term commitment to a core that has underachieved over the past two seasons.

If one of those three gets traded it could create a domino effect for the other two. With players like Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau on long-term contracts, Conroy could prefer returns of young NHL-ready players rather than loading up on draft picks and prospects.

Austin also wondered if Conroy will listen to calls for backup goalie Dan Vladar. Moving him would create room for promising Dustin Wolf.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I think a roster retool rather than a full-fledged rebuild is in the works for the Flames. Lindholm, Hanifin and Tanev will likely be peddled for young players who can help this club stage a turnaround within the next couple of seasons.

The Flames already have some good young talent in Wolf, Yegor Sharangovich, Connor Zary, Matt Coronato and Jakob Pelletier. Adding some more to that group could give them a crop of youth that could develop into a more reliable core of talent.

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz listed defensemen Sean Walker, Nick Seeler, Rasmus Ristolainen and Marc Staal and center Morgan Frost as the players most likely to be moved by the Philadelphia Flyers if they become sellers by the March 8 trade deadline. He also thinks Carter Hart, Ryan Poehling and Scott Laughton would be moved only in the right deal.

The Flyers’ better-than-expected performance thus far this season could complicate things. Jettisoning too many players risks upsetting the team culture. Kurz believes Flyers GM Daniel Briere is keeping his eye on the future. However, it would also help the Flyers from a business standpoint if they make the playoffs this season with a young and improving crop of players.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers have played well thus far but are showing signs of wobbling. If they fall out of contention by February, Briere will likely start shopping some of those players mentioned by Kurz. If they’re still in the thick of things, however, he could decide to keep his roster intact to give them a shot at reaching the postseason.

NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker believes a scoring top-six winger could be on the Rangers’ wish list. Blake Wheeler only has four goals while Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko have been sidelined by injuries.

The Rangers’ strong performance thus far proves their depth as a team. However, Walker believes they need reinforcements and upgrades to advance in the postseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Options could include Vancouver’s Andrei Kuzmenko, San Jose’s Anthony Duclair, Washington’s Anthony Mantha and St. Louis’ Jakub Vrana. Not the deepest pool of potential scoring wingers that could be available in the trade market. Perhaps it will improve closer to the March 8 trade deadline.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 4, 2024

by | Jan 4, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – January 4, 2024

What’s the latest on William Nylander’s contract situation? Will the Devils pursue a goaltender? Could the Capitals become trade-deadline buyers? Which Ducks could hit the trade market? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON NYLANDER’S CONTRACT SITUATION

NHL NETWORK: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman believes the Toronto Maple Leafs and William Nylander’s representatives are working right now on a contract extension. He wouldn’t be surprised if this gets done soon and considers signing him their No. 1 priority.

Nylander declined to talk about the rumors regarding a contract extension following the Leafs’ 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (NHL Images).

Nick Kypreos claimed they’re talking about an eight-year deal in the range of an $11.25 million average annual value. Friedman isn’t sure about that but doesn’t think his colleague is off by much (if at all) with his estimation.

Nylander is on pace for a career-high 117 points. Friedman believes he’s earned that potentially hefty raise.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers (like the Toronto Sun’s Steve Simmons) are concerned that the Leafs winger could be a “one-year wonder.” They fear he’ll come crashing back to earth once he’s signed a lucrative long-term deal.

I think what we’re seeing from Nylander is the real thing now that he’s in his playing prime. He has steadily improved over the past four seasons, including an 80-point campaign in 2021-22 and 87 points last season. He’s also been arguably their most consistent playoff performer.

ARE THE DEVILS IN THE HUNT FOR A GOALIE?

Elliotte Friedman talked about the difficulties facing the New Jersey Devils in upgrading their goaltending. He believes they’ve been looking for help but teams with goaltenders to trade hold the position of leverage.

Friedman listed Anaheim’s John Gibson, Calgary’s Jacob Markstrom, Columbus’ Elvis Merzlikins, Montreal’s Jake Allen and San Jose’s Kaapo Kahkonen as potential trade candidates.

Acquiring Gibson would mean getting the Ducks to retain part of the goalie’s $6.4 million average annual value through 2026-27 and that would be difficult to do. Markstrom would have to agree to waive his no-movement clause.

Merzlikins is available but he’s struggled at times and carries a $5.4 million AAV through 2026-27. Allen carries a more affordable $3.85 million through 2024-25 but no one as yet is willing to meet the Canadiens’ asking price.

Kakhonen is playing well this season and is slated for unrestricted free-agent status this summer. However, he’s never been in a position where he’s had to lead a team into the playoffs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gibson and Markstrom are the only starters on this list with playoff experience. The former’s hefty contract and the latter’s NMC likely ensure they won’t be moved by the trade deadline.

Merzlikins only has two games of postseason experience under his belt. Allen has seen playoff action but he’s no longer a starter. Kahkonen has yet to play a postseason game.

Friedman also believes the Devils are looking for blueline depth. He could see them pursuing someone like Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: With defenseman Dougie Hamilton sidelined until possibly the end of the regular season, the Devils could put his $9 million AAV on long-term injury reserve if they wish to add a goalie, blueliner or both.

If the Devils pursue Hanifin, they have depth in tradeable assets (especially young players) that would interest the Flames. The two clubs also have a recent trade history with last June’s Tyler Toffoli deal.

WILL THE CAPITALS BECOME TRADE-DEADLINE BUYERS?

Friedman believes the Washington Capitals could become buyers at the trade deadline given their better-than-expected performance this season. However, it still thinks it’s early yet as they’ll likely wait and see how the season develops leading up to deadline day. If they do dabble in the trade market, they could pursue a top-six forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Capitals have to be mindful of their cap space. They placed Nicklas Backstrom on LTIR for the season but they currently have a projected $3.18 million in trade-deadline cap room.

WHICH DUCKS WILL HIT THE TRADE BLOCK?

Asked which players the Ducks will move at the trade deadline, Friedman considers Adam Henrique as the most likely option. A UFA at the end of this season, he’s a very good center with big-game experience who will draw interest in the trade market.

Friedman hasn’t heard much trade talk about Jakob Silfverberg. He believes the Toronto Maple Leafs would be interested in bringing back pending UFA defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 3, 2024

by | Jan 3, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – January 3, 2024

Are the Leafs and William Nylander close to a contract extension? Are the Leafs going to add a goaltender? What’s the latest on Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LEAFS AND NYLANDER CLOSING IN ON AN EXTENSION?

SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos said he’s heard the Toronto Maple Leafs could be getting close to a contract extension with William Nylander. The 27-year-old winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (NHL Images).

Kypreos said the general feeling between the two sides is to get a deal done before the 2024 NHL All-Star weekend. The All-Star Game will be held on Saturday, Feb. 3.

The annual average value of Nylander’s new contract could be around $11.25 million for eight seasons on a front-loaded deal. It would be similar to that of Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak.

Luke Fox cited Elliotte Friedman saying that the paperwork on a Nylander extension could be completed by this week. He echoed Kypreos’ claim that the Leafs would prefer to have this taken care of before the All-Star weekend.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The original asking price from the Nylander camp last summer was reportedly an AAV of over $10 million. However, his strong performance this season had more than a few observers (including yours truly) suggesting it could go higher.

With projected cap space of $32.5 million for 2024-25, the Leafs can afford to sign Nylander to that contract. It would leave around $20 million to re-sign or replace other pending UFAs like Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi, TJ Brodie, Mark Giordano and Martin Jones. They’ll also have restricted free agents like Timothy Liljegren and Noah Gregor to re-sign but they would be affordable to retain.

On the horizon will be a contract extension for Mitch Marner before 2025. At his current AAV of $10.9 million, he’ll likely seek more than whatever Nylander gets.

Captain John Tavares’ contract also expires in 2025. He’ll have to accept a substantial pay cut from his current $11 million AAV to stay in Toronto. Matthew Knies and Joseph Woll will be their notable RFAs in 2025.

LEAFS GM NOT HOPEFUL OF FINDING A GOALIE IN THE TRADE MARKET

THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel wrote that Treliving isn’t ruling out pursuing another goalie with Ilya Samsonov currently in the minors and Joseph Woll uncertain to return from injury before the All-Star break. “We always look at everything,” he said.

Given the limited options currently in the trade market, Treliving may have little choice but to bet on what they’ve got. It’s hoped that Samsonov will regain his form with help from the Leafs goalie coach. For now, they’re allowing Samsonov time for a physical and mental reset. He won’t be playing or practicing with the Marlies for at least this week.

TORONTO STAR: Kevin McGran reports Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving doesn’t sound optimistic about finding a trade for a suitable goaltender. “I checked outside, the goaltender tree was empty,” said Treliving. “I couldn’t pick one off there. We’ll see with a little bit of sun, maybe they’ll grow a few more.”

SPORTSNET: During Monday’s “32 Thoughts” podcast, Elliotte Friedman reported the Leafs were offering up a late-round pick (like a sixth-rounder) in the goalie market. However, the clubs they spoke with prefer a better return like a prospect.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Martin Jones can hold the fort until Woll’s return or Samsonov regains his confidence (whichever comes first), the Leafs might dodge a bullet and come out of this still holding a playoff berth in the Atlantic Division. If Jones should struggle or become sidelined by an injury, they could be in big trouble by the end of this month. It could force Treliving into overpaying for help in the trade market.

LATEST ON DEBRUSK

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Mick Colageo wondered if push will come to shove for Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk by the March 8 trade deadline or on July 1 when he’ll be eligible for UFA status. The 27-year-old’s inconsistent performance during his career in Boston suggests an uncertain future with the Bruins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa last month pondered whether the Bruins would re-sign DeBrusk, trade him, or let him depart this summer as a free agent.

He considers trading the winger the least likely option unless they can make a hockey trade and land a player in return. Otherwise, they’d be trading him for futures that won’t help them this season. Shinzawa cited a league executive suggesting he’d fetch at best a second-round pick and a B-grade prospect.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see DeBrusk still on the Bruins’ roster following the March 8 trade deadline. Whether he sticks around beyond July 1 remains to be seen.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 2, 2024

by | Jan 2, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – January 2, 2024

Check out the latest on Evgeny Kuznetsov, Jeremy Swayman, Michael McLeod and Kaapo Kahkonen in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: On New Year’s Eve, Sammi Silber reported trade rumors are picking up for Evgeny Kuznetsov with the latest speculation suggesting the 31-year-old center could be moved in the offseason.

Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov (NHL Images).

Kuznetsov is signed through 2024-25 with an average annual value of $7.8 million and a 10-team no-trade list. With the salary cap expected to jump by over $4 million this summer, there could be more of a trade market for him.

The Capitals were reportedly going to move Kuznetsov last summer to the Nashville Predators. However, the deal fell through.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuznetsov’s production has been in decline since reaching 78 points in 2021-22. He managed 55 points in 2022-23. At his current rate of production (11 points in 30 games), he’s on pace for around 30 points this season. That won’t help his value in this summer’s trade market unless the Capitals are willing to retain salary in the deal.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy last week cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman noting that Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman is among several restricted free agents on one-year contract who can be signed to extensions as of Jan. 1.

Given Swayman’s performance, Friedman said he wouldn’t be surprised if the Bruins re-sign the 25-year-old goaltender, who’s eligible for salary arbitration in July. Murphy noted that Swayman repeatedly said he wanted to remain with the Bruins last summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins have over $25 million in projected salary-cap space for next season with 14 active roster players under contract. They can afford to pay Swayman a significant raise over his current $3.475 million.

Murphy wondered if an extension for Swayman could come as early as this week. Whether this week or this summer, I believe the Bruins will get him signed to a lucrative new deal.

After that, expect plenty of speculation over Linus Ullmark’s future in Boston. Swayman’s goalie partner has a year remaining on his contract with a 15-team no-trade clause for next season and an average annual value of $5 million.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols reported on New Year’s Eve that forward Michael McLeod has come up in trade rumors as Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald scours the trade market to bolster his defense and goaltending.

Citing an NHL source, Nichols reported that teams were calling about McLeod and the Devils might be willing to part with the 25-year-old center. He’s on an affordable $1.4 million contract for this season and is slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. With seven goals and 14 points in 35 games, he’s on pace for a career-best performance.

Nichols clarified his report after the Devils denied they were willing to part with McLeod. While his sources insist there is strong interest in the center, it doesn’t necessarily mean the Devils will trade him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hockey News’ Kristy Flannery explains why teams are interested in McLeod. He’s made significant improvement this season thanks to a boost in confidence from his play in the 2023 playoffs. In addition to his current offensive production, he plays a physical game and leads the league in faceoff win percentage. Those traits are also why the Devils prefer to retain him.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Max Miller noted that Kaapo Kahkonen has found his form with the San Jose Sharks. However, the 27-year-old goaltender is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and his value in the trade market is growing.

Miller listed the Toronto Maple Leafs, Minnesota Wild (Kahkonen’s former club) and New Jersey Devils as possible suitors for Kahkonen. The cap-strapped Maple Leafs would likely need to shed salary to take him on. The Wild could need help if Filip Gustavsson should be sidelined long-term. There’s a recent trade history between the Sharks and the Devils.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kahkonen carries a $2.75 million cap hit and lacks no-trade protection. Still, he’d be a difficult acquisition for the Leafs given their cap situation.

Gustavsson is reportedly out for a week so the Wild won’t have to plunge into the trade market for a short-term replacement. The Devils can afford Kahkonen but his lack of playoff experience could send them looking elsewhere.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 1, 2024

by | Jan 1, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – January 1, 2024

More on the Leafs’ goaltending situation plus the latest Senators speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE LEAFS’ GOALTENDING?

TORONTO STAR: Kevin McGran believes Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving is considering his goaltending options after placing the struggling Ilya Samsonov on waivers yesterday. Martin Jones will fill the starter’s job as the Leafs await the return of sidelined netminder Joseph Woll, who is weeks away.

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov (NHL Images)

Given Samsonov’s difficulties this season, he’s expected to clear waivers and report to the Leafs’ AHL affiliate. It’s expected they’ll continue working with him during his tenure with the Marlies to help him improve his game.

The Leafs could call up Dennis Hildeby or Keith Petruzelli from the Marlies. They could also claim Eric Comrie off waivers from the Buffalo Sabres or fill the void with a trade. The options are few and far between in the trade market. McGran noted that Jake Allen of the Montreal Canadiens and former Leaf James Reimer of the Detroit Red Wings are believed to be available for the right price.

THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel also weighed in on possible goalie trade targets for the Leafs. He pondered whether they could land a “big bet” netminder such as Calgary’s Jacob Markstrom, Columbus’ Elvis Merzlikins or Anaheim’s John Gibson.

In addition to Allen, Comrie and Reimer, Siegel also mentioned such options as San Jose’s Kaapo Kahkonen and Nashville’s Kevin Lankinen, as well as unrestricted free agent Jaroslav Halak.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday that the Leafs are reluctant to acquire a goalie right now as they hope to ride it out with Jones as their starter. They want to work with Samsonov to improve his performance. They could call up Hildeby for one or two games as well.

If the Leafs go the trade route they’ll likely pursue an affordable short-term option. They lack the cap space to land someone such as Markstrom, Merzlikins and Gibson, who each earn over $5 million annually on long-term contracts. Markstrom has a full no-movement clause while the other two have partial no-trade clauses. It’s believed that every Canadian team is on Gibson’s no-trade list.

LATEST ON THE SENATORS

OTTAWA SENATORS: Now that Steve Staios is the full-time general manager of the Senators, Bruce Garrioch believes Staios and his new staff will make plans on what roster moves they might want to make before the March 8 trade deadline. Staios is reportedly looking to add some veteran toughness and leadership to their third and fourth lines.

Garrioch also noted that Staios and his staff have no history with core players such as Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Josh Norris, Drake Batherson, Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot and Shane Pinto. They won’t be afraid to make changes among that group if necessary.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I doubt we’ll see any major shakeup to the Senators’ core by the trade deadline if they decide to become sellers. They’ll move out pending unrestricted free agents such as Vladimir Tarasenko and Dominik Kubalik.

If (and that’s a big “if” at this stage) they shop a core player or two it’ll likely happen during this summer when teams have more cap space and willingness to make big trades. Of that group listed by Garrioch, I think Norris, Chabot and Pinto would be the more likely trade candidates unless any of the others start asking to be moved.