NHL Rumor Mill – March 26, 2024

by | Mar 26, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – March 26, 2024

The latest on the Flames and debunking a Carter Hart rumor in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON THE FLAMES

DAILY FACEOFF: Calgary Flames general manager Craig Conroy was a seller in the trade market during this regular season, shipping out Nikita Zadorov, Elias Lindholm, Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin between November 30 and the March 8 trade deadline.

However, Frank Seravalli reported Conroy hinted that his club might be a buyer in this summer’s free-agent market. The Flames have almost $19 million in cap space for next season. Conroy won’t target the big-name unrestricted free agents but could pursue one or two mid-tier UFAs.

Calgary Flames general manager Craig Conroy.

Conroy said he wants to let his young players have a chance to perform. However, he’d like to add a couple of veterans on two or three-year contracts.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given the trade rumors dogging players like goaltender Jacob Markstrom plus the movement of core players like Lindholm, Tanev and Hanifin, this was a difficult year for the Flames

Nevertheless, the Flames were at times in playoff contention during this season, partly because of young players like Yegor Sharangovich, Connor Zary, and Martin Pospisil. With those players improving, Oliver Kylington back in the fold and youngsters like Dustin Wolf, Matt Coronato and Jakob Pelletier getting their chance, perhaps a turnaround won’t take too long.

Adding a couple of affordable veterans to bolster their depth would ease some of the pressure and workload on those younger players.

CALGARY HOCKEY NOW: Trevor Neufeld recently listed “6 spicey free-agent targets” for the Flames this summer.

Bringing back winger Ryan Lomberg could be an option. Former Flames GM Brad Treliving let Lomberg walk following the 2019-20 season. He’s spent the past four seasons with the Florida Panthers where his rugged play has made him a hit with Panthers fans.

Another physical option could be Arizona Coyotes winger Liam O’Brien. Detroit Red Wings forward David Perron could bring skill and experienced leadership to the Flames.

Neufeld also suggested reuniting Flames playmaking winger Jonathan Huberdeau with Tampa Bay Lightning forward Anthony Duclair. The two played well together with the Florida Panthers.

Other options include Colorado Avalanche winger Jonathan Drouin or Edmonton Oilers defenseman Troy Stecher.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see if any of Neufeld’s suggested targets end up on Conroy’s offseason wish list.

CARTER HART TO KHL RUMOR DEBUNKED

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Max Miller reports a rumor from Russian television linking Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart to KHL team AK Bars Kazan has been debunked by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

Hart, along with Calgary Flames winger Dillon Dube, New Jersey Devils forward Michael McLeod and defenseman Cal Foote and Ottawa Senators restricted free agent Alex Formenton, were charged in January with sexual assault by London, Ontario police.

The charges stem from an alleged incident in June 2018 while the five were members of Canada’s World Junior hockey team. Hart, Dube, McLeod and Foote are on indefinite leaves of absence from their NHL clubs. They’re awaiting a trial date.

The Russian report claimed the five players will likely continue their playing careers in the KHL as they won’t be accepted into the European leagues. It also claimed the players must receive judicial permission to leave North America to continue their careers.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jon Bailey doesn’t believe the Russian report passes the smell test.

“Asking a Canadian court to grant permission for a player facing a serious charge to leave the country for a nation on which Canada has imposed 153 sanctions for the invasion of Ukraine makes the prospect of Hart playing in Russia before his trial wildly unrealistic,” writes Bailey.

Bailey noted that Hart will be a restricted free agent following this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman indicated there is no truth to this rumor. I think Bailey also summed up this nonsense quite well.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 25, 2024

by | Mar 25, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – March 25, 2024

A look at some of this summer’s notable restricted free agents in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox recently listed the latest rumors and reports regarding this summer’s top-12 restricted free agents.

The Vancouver Canucks recently offered an eight-year, $52-million contract extension ($6.5 million average annual value) to Filip Hronek. However, the 26-year-old defenseman’s camp rejected that proposal. Fox believes the Canucks want to keep Hronek’s salary below Quinn Hughes’ $7.85 million AAV but the blueline could try to push it into the $7 million range.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hronek is completing a three-year deal with an AAV of $4.4 million. He’s enjoying a career-high performance in his contract year with 45 points in 71 games. Hronek has arbitration rights and is a year away from UFA eligibility. It could cost the Canucks between $7 million and $7.5 million annually to keep him in the fold.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider (NHL Images).

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider is completing his entry-level contract. Fox doubted that Wings general manager Steve Yzerman would attempt to lowball the 23-year-old blueliner. He speculated Seider could get an eight-year deal worth $8.6 million annually.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seider is the Wings’ best defenseman and a key piece of their rebuilding roster, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2021-22. He’s yet to reach his playing prime. A long-term deal at $8.6 million AAV could become a bargain over time.

The Buffalo Sabres trading Casey Mittelstadt to the Colorado Avalanche earlier this month was based on the belief they would be unable to re-sign him to a long-term extension. Following the trade, the 25-year-old center pointed out how much the Avalanche wanted him by giving up defenseman Bowen Byram in return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mittelstadt seems to be settling in well as the Avalanche’s second-line center. A strong performance over the rest of the regular season and in the 2024 playoffs will ensure he’ll get a lucrative long-term extension.

While Fox thinks Seider will get a long-term deal from the Wings, he believes Lucas Raymond could end up with a short-term contract. Like Seider, he’s completing his entry-level deal. Fox pointed out that Yzerman signed Alex DeBrincat last summer to a four-year contract averaging $7.875 million per season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see how Yzerman handles Raymond’s contract situation. The 21-year-old winger leads the Wings in scoring with career highs in goals (24), assists (36) and points (60), but he has had bouts of inconsistency in his short NHL career.

Fox wondered if the Carolina Hurricanes will attempt to sign Seth Jarvis to a bridge deal coming out of his entry-level contract or bet big that the 22-year-old winger will break out and sign him to a long-term deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: After struggling at times during his sophomore campaign, Jarvis has played well this season for the Hurricanes, sitting third in scoring with a career-high 57 points. I’d say bet big and lock him up long-term. A bridge deal could make him more expensive to sign down the road.

Despite Thomas Harley’s 40-point performance this season, Fox speculates that Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill could sign the 22-year-old defenseman to a bridge deal coming out of his entry-level contract. He noted that Nill did the same with winger Jason Robertson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I think Harley will get a bridge deal. This is his first full season after splitting the past two seasons between the Stars and their AHL affiliate.

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman refused to comment on an early March report claiming contract extension talks had begun. However, he didn’t deny the report.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Swayman signed an affordable one-year deal last summer due to the Bruins’ limited cap space for this season. He’s going to get a big raise over his $3.475 million and will likely take over as their full-time starter next season. There’s already speculation that his goalie partner Linus Ullmark could be traded during the offseason.

Fox noted the emergence of Quinton Byfield this season leaves Los Angeles Kings GM Rob Blake facing a big decision. He could sign the 20-year-old forward to a bridge deal or attempt to ink him to a long-term contract. Fox suggested the latter might come in between $6.5 and $7 million annually.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: On the one hand, it’s tough to justify a lucrative long-term deal based on one good year. On the other, it’ll cost a lot more than $7 million to sign Byfield coming off a bridge deal if he continues to improve as projected. He’s steadily improved with each season.

Hurricanes winger Martin Necas is completing a two-year bridge deal worth $3 million annually and has arbitration rights. The 25-year-old forward is in a position to justify a significant raise.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Necas has surfaced in trade rumors over the past two seasons. He might end up getting that raise from another club.

Turning to the remaining players on Fox’s list, Matty Beniers’ struggles in his sophomore season could see the 2023 Calder Trophy winner getting a short-term bridge deal from the Seattle Kraken.

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Sean Durzi will seek a lucrative offer coming off his bridge contract. He’s on pace for a career-best performance.

The Buffalo Sabres could try to sign Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to a mid-term deal. He’s performed well this season but it’s a small sample size to justify a long-term contract.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – March 24, 2024

by | Mar 24, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – March 24, 2024

Check out the most recent Canadiens speculation in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

SPORTSNET: Eric Engels reported Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes hopes to accelerate his club’s rebuilding timeline during the offseason. He knows that his roster still needs work, especially their need for scoring depth.

Engels noted that Hughes has plenty of assets to draw on for trade bait this summer. He has plenty of promising young defensemen, four first-round picks and three second-rounders in the next two drafts and plenty of salary-cap space.

Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes (NHL.com).

At this stage, Engels doesn’t see them pursuing expensive aging veterans in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan reported Jeff Gorton, the Canadiens executive vice-president of hockey operations, indicated that his club is always looking to add and to improve the roster. He said the Canadiens are “always looking for a trade” that would help move their rebuild along.

THE ATHLETIC: Arpon Basu also took note of the Canadiens’ depth in young defensemen. He believes this summer gives them a prime opportunity to flip some of those blueliners for help at forward.

Basu noted the Canadiens had done this before. During the first round of the 2022 draft, they shipped promising Alexander Romanov to the New York Islanders for a first-round pick that they sent to the Chicago Blackhawks for Kirby Dach. They did so because Guhle was in their system and would crack the roster the following season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Basu pointed out that David Savard was not moved at this year’s trade deadline but could be traded during the offseason.

THE SCORE: Josh Wegman listed what he believes are the five priorities facing the Canadiens in the offseason.

Wegman feels they should weaponize their $19 million in cap space to continue stockpiling draft picks and prospects by targeting cap-strapped clubs looking to shed salary. Such teams are usually willing to add sweeteners to move out players. As long as it’s a short-term contract, it could help them add a prospect or draft pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens have experience in that department, most notably their acquisition of Sean Monahan two years ago from the Calgary Flames. They could continue to go that route. However, recent remarks by Hughes and Gorton suggest they’re focusing on adding a player who can help them accelerate their rebuild.

The Canadiens should also sign Juraj Slafkovsky and Kaiden Guhle to long-term extensions this summer before it becomes more expensive to re-sign them. The duo have a year each remaining on their entry-level contracts.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Agreed. There’s a risk that they might not play up to the expectations that come with such contracts. Usually, however, such deals turn into long-term bargains if they continue to develop as projected.

Wegman believes the Canadiens should make a modest splash in this summer’s UFA market to bolster their forward depth. Options could include Boston’s Jake DeBrusk, Edmonton’s Warren Foegele or Detroit’s Daniel Sprong.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It could be worthwhile provided they don’t overpay for the privilege. However, they could be more interested in finding a forward in his mid-twenties who would have a bigger impact and fit better within their long-term plans.

Wegman also thinks they should shop a veteran defenseman like Savard or Johnathan Kovacevic. Both are a year away from UFA eligibility. He also advises against buying out Brendan Gallagher or Josh Anderson as it would hurt the Canadiens’ long-term salary-cap flexibility when they project to be contenders again.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gallagher and Anderson each have three years left on their contract. It’s better to hang onto them for another couple of years and go the buyout route in the final season when the cost will only be spread out over two years.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 23, 2024

by | Mar 23, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – March 23, 2024

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

FREE-AGENT TARGETS FOR THE BLACKHAWKS

THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers believes the Chicago Blackhawks must bring in some forwards this summer who can provide support for franchise star Connor Bedard.

His suggested options include Jonathan Marchessault of the Vegas Golden Knights, Teuvo Teravainen of the Carolina Hurricanes, Tyler Bertuzzi of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Jake DeBrusk of the Boston Bruins or Tyler Toffoli of the Winnipeg Jets.

Vegas Golden Knights winger Jonathan Marchessault (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks attempted to add experienced depth last summer by acquiring Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno and signing Corey Perry. Hall suffered a season-ending knee injury but still has a year left on his contract. Foligno played well enough to earn a two-year extension. Perry’s contract was terminated last November following an off-ice incident.

The Blackhawks have plenty of cap space ($38.2 million) to make one or two additions up front via free agency. Most of those players would come in on short-term contracts as the Hawks continue to promote younger players into their lineup.

Landing any of those players on Powers’ list will depend on the type of contracts they’re seeking and if they want to join a rebuilding team. Playing with a rising star like Bedard could be enticing for some players.

LATEST ON THE SENATORS

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch looked at the Senators’ top-five head coaching candidates for next season.

Toronto Marlies’ head coach John Gruden topped Garrioch’s list. He was also head coach of the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs from 2016 to 2018 when they were owned by Michael Andlauer, who bought the Senators last year. Senators general manager Steve Staios was the Bulldogs’ GM at the same time that Gruden was their coach.

Former San Jose Sharks head coach Todd McLellan, former Minnesota Wild bench boss Dean Evason, and former St. Louis Blues coach Craig Berube are also on Garrioch’s list, followed by Philadelphia Flyers assistant coach Brad Shaw.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andlauer stuck with who he knew best by having Staios take over as general manager last November. It wouldn’t be shocking if they hired Gruden provided the Toronto Maple Leafs would allow him to speak to the Senators about their head-coaching job.

SPORTSNET: Wayne Scanlan reports Senators assistant coach Daniel Alfredsson said he hasn’t thought about if he’d like to take over the head-coaching role. He’s been busy adjusting to what he called a steep learning curve from the coaching side of things.

The former Senators captain was hired on an interim basis along with head coach Jacques Martin back in December.

Alfredsson admitted he has caught the coaching bug, hinting that this season might not be his last behind the bench. However, he might not be the ideal candidate to take over the reins as the Senators’ head coach.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Maybe the new head coach will keep Alfredsson as an assistant coach.

Garrioch also speculated whether the Senators might attempt to improve their goaltending during the offseason. He doesn’t see them buying out the remaining four years of Joonas Korpisalo’s contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators are stuck with Korpisalo. Perhaps they’ll try to ditch backup Anton Forsberg and bring in a more reliable backup.

The defense also needs improvement, especially on the right side where Garrioch believes they need a “rugged top-four blueliner.” He doesn’t see the Senators trading blueliner Thomas Chabot unless they’re willing to retain part of his $8 million average annual value. Rearguard Jakob Chychrun’s future remains murky.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s no secret the Senators are interested in signing Dallas Stars defenseman Chris Tanev if he becomes a free agent on July 1. Chabot’s contract is tough to move. Staios has said he’d like to re-sign Chychrun but I wouldn’t be shocked if he was traded this summer for a player who can provide immediate help to their roster.

Changes also need to be made among the forward lines. Garrioch doesn’t expect Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Shane Pinto, Drake Batherson, Ridly Grieg and Claude Giroux to be moved. However, the checking lines could use more depth.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 22, 2024

by | Mar 22, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – March 22, 2024

Could Jake Guentzel return to the Penguins? Which notable players could become buyout candidates this summer? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON THE PENGUINS

THE ATHLETIC: In his recent mailbag segment, Josh Yohe was asked whether Jake Guentzel might return to the Pittsburgh Penguins as a free agent this summer. He initially felt that was next to impossible but he isn’t so sure now after talking with team sources. Yohe believes Guentzel could be in play if his asking price is within $8 million annually rather than $10 million.

Could Jake Guentzel return to the Pittsburgh Penguins this summer? (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Never say never but Yohe admits he thinks it’s unlikely. Guentzel might be open to an offer from the Penguins if he goes to market on July 1. However, he’ll likely receive more lucrative contract proposals from other clubs. His time with the Carolina Hurricanes could convince him that it’s time to close the Pittsburgh chapter of his career and carry on elsewhere.

Yohe was also asked what the first order of business should be this offseason for Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas. He believes Dubas should attempt to move veteran wingers Reilly Smith and Rickard Rakell to clear cap space to make room for younger, hungrier players.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Yohe noted that the salary cap is expected to rise significantly next season, making it easier to move those players. Smith and Rakell have eight-team no-trade lists for next season and $5 million cap hits. However, Smith might be the easiest to move. He has a year left on his contract and a Stanley Cup championship on his resume. Rakell, meanwhile, has four more seasons remaining on his deal.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jacob Punturi believes the Penguins need to find a way to shed Ryan Graves’ contract. Signed last summer to a six-year, $27 million contract, the 28-year-old defenseman has struggled in his first season in Pittsburgh. He has a 12-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Moving Graves won’t be easy despite the salary cap rising by a projected $4. 4 million. His $4.5 million cap hit isn’t the issue as the remaining five years of the deal. The Penguins could stick with Graves for next season and hope to improve his game.

BUYOUT CANDIDATES FOR THE COMING OFFSEASON

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau looked at five players who could be in consideration for contract buyouts during the two-week buyout window in late June.

San Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic tops his list. The 36-year-old blueliner has two years remaining on his contract at an annual average value of $7 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks could hang onto Vlasic for one more season before going the buyout route. That way, they’ll only have part of his cap hit on their books for two seasons rather than four.

Philadelphia Flyers center Ryan Johansen is next. He has one year left on his deal with an $8 million AAV.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That will depend on Johansen’s health. He reportedly has a hip injury that has prevented the Flyers from sending him to their AHL affiliate. If Johansen is still recovering from that injury in June, the Flyers won’t be able to buy out his contract.

Justin Holl of the Detroit Red Wings, John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks, and Jeff Skinner of the Buffalo Sabres are Proteau’s other three buyout candidates.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Holl has two years left on his contract. However, the $1.133 cap hit per season for four years might not be difficult for the Wings to carry with the projected increases in the cap for the next two seasons.

The Ducks will likely try again to see if they can trade Gibson. If they have to retain salary over the final three seasons of his contract, it’s better than carrying $2.133 million annually for six years.

Given Skinner’s $9 million AAV for the next three seasons, he seems the least likely to be bought out. Proteau pointed out the Sabres would get a $1.44 million cap hit for next season, rising to $4.44 million for 2025-26 and $6.44 million for 2026-27 before dropping to $2.44 million annually for the final three years.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 21, 2024

by | Mar 21, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – March 21, 2024

The latest on Erik Karlsson, Johnny Gaudreau and the Senators’ goaltending situation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON ERIK KARLSSON

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe and Ian Mendes examined whether a trade involving Erik Karlsson would make sense for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently mused about whether the Senators might contemplate a reunion with Karlsson, who spent his first nine NHL seasons in Ottawa. The 33-year-old Penguins defenseman dismissed the idea when asked about it last week.

Yohe believes the Penguins would consider moving Karlsson as they’ve got too many players over 30 with expensive contracts. Mendes cites Karlsson’s ongoing ties to Ottawa and the Senators need for a right shot among their top-four defensemen. Acquiring the three-time Norris Trophy winner would mean trading Thomas Chabot or Jakob Chychrun.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images).

The Penguins would want a return that helps them get younger quickly. However, the Senators would want them to retain part of Karlsson’s contract, which would raise the Penguins’ asking price.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ve summarized a detailed examination of a Karlsson-to-Ottawa trade scenario by Yohe and Mendes. Both agree it would be a complicated affair requiring flexibility to ensure a fair deal for both clubs.

I don’t see Karlsson getting traded to the Senators. They’re a different club than the one he was traded from seven years ago. His contract is far too expensive and the Senators likely want a more affordable, defensive-minded blueliner.

COULD THE BLUE JACKETS ATTEMPT TO TRADE JOHNNY GAUDREAU?

BOSTON GLOBE: Kevin Paul Dupont recently noted the ongoing decline in the offensive production of Columbus Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau.

Heading into last weekend, the 30-year-old Gaudreau had just 10 goals and 47 points. He has five seasons remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $9.75 million.

Dupont doesn’t rule out the next Blue Jackets general manager trying to move Gaudreau to a team of the winger’s liking, “albeit with the Jackets retaining, say, one-third of his salary.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ve learned never to say never when moving high-salaried, under-performing players. The projected $4.4 million increase in the salary cap for 2024-25 could increase the odds of the Jackets finding a suitable trade partner for Gaudreau if they made him available in this summer’s trade market.

However, trading Gaudreau would still be a daunting challenge. His declining production hurts his trade value, he carries a full no-movement clause, and an interested club would likely want the Jackets to retain more than one-third of his annual cap hit or include a couple of sweeteners like a draft pick and a quality prospect.

WILL THE SENATORS PURSUE A GOALTENDER?

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch believes the Senators’ goaltending must improve next season or nothing will. As of March 18, they had the worst combined save percentage (.887) and sat 28th with an average goals-against per game of 3.53.

Garrioch believes Senators general manager Steve Staios may have “kicked some tires” on goaltenders before the March 8 trade deadline. He indicated there was speculation one of them was Boston’s Linus Ullmark. The Bruins have to decide on whether to trade Ullmark this summer.

The Senators have starting goalie Joonas Korpisalo under contract for four more years. Garrioch dismissed the notion of a contract buyout. “The hope is that he can come back next season better prepared to play with more consistency.” The Senators could attempt instead to move Anton Forsberg and replace him with a more reliable backup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ullmark, 30, also carries an average annual value of $5 million next season and is a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. He also carries a 16-team no-trade clause that becomes a 15-team NTC on July 1.