NHL Rumor Mill – January 15, 2024

by | Jan 15, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – January 15, 2024

Check out the latest on Leon Draisaitl, Jeremy Swayman, and Jacob Markstrom in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Following the Toronto Maple Leafs’ of re-signing William Nylander, Mark Spector believed Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl will be the next big Canadian contract to watch.

Draisaitl, 28, will be entering the final season of his eight-year, $68 million contract on July 1, which is the earliest that the Oilers can open contract extension talks with him. His current deal became the most team-friendly among the Oilers given his rise as an NHL superstar.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

Entering that final season, Draisaitl will have to choose between another eight seasons with the Oilers or perhaps moving on to a bigger market such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Boston or New York as an unrestricted free agent once his current deal is done.

Draisaitl could sign a short-term deal with the Oilers but Spector considered that to be unlikely.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This isn’t a rumor but it is worth noting Draisaitl’s contract situation.

Speculation about Maple Leafs forwards Mitch Marner and John Tavares has already started but there’s been very little regarding Draisaitl, who is a much bigger star. Where he plays following this contract and how much he’ll earn on his next deal will become hot topics for media conjecture later this year.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy wondered if Jeremy Swayman was sending a shot across the bow of Bruins management regarding his comments about being selected for the 2024 All-Star Game by NHL fans.

Swayman first praised his teammates for putting him in this position. However, he also revealed that his arbitration process last summer was not a pleasant experience, talking about having to deal with what he went through and “hearing things that a player should never hear.”

Murphy noted that Swayman got a one-year, $3.47 million contract award via arbitration. He also pointed out that the process is an uncomfortable one for players and teams. The 25-year-old netminder and his agent have declined to talk with the media this season about his contract negotiations with the Bruins.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently speculated that Swayman could re-sign with the Bruins in January. Murphy wonders if the goalie’s comments suggest things haven’t gone as Friedman expected.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Arbitration is bruising to a player’s ego and can sometimes cause irreparable damage to his relationship with management, greasing the skids for his departure to another club via trade or free agency.

Swayman is slated to once again become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. It’ll be worthwhile to monitor his situation if he hasn’t re-signed by then.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols believes Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom is an unlikely trade target for the Devils. He reached that decision after hearing Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman’s report on Saturday indicating it will take a lot for the Flames to consider parting with their starting netminder.

Friedman noted Markstrom carries a full no-movement clause and the Flames have no intention of asking him to waive it unless it’s to a destination he wants to go to. Nichols thinks there could be more desirable locations than New Jersey for Markstrom.

The Flames’ asking price is also a sticking point. Nichols speculates they could ask for promising defenseman Simon Nemec or forward Dawson Mercer as part of the return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils can free up $9 million in cap space by placing sidelined defenseman Dougie Hamilton on long-term injury reserve. They could afford Markstrom’s $6 million average annual value but not what would be a significant asking price from the Flames. If they go goalie shopping they could consider more affordable short-term options.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – January 14, 2024

by | Jan 14, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – January 14, 2024

The latest on Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom and Penguins winger Jake Guentzel, an update on Corey Perry plus some Blackhawks and Senators speculation in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

LATEST ON MARKSTROM AND GUENTZEL

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Calgary Flames aren’t commenting about recent trade rumors regarding Jacob Markstrom. He doesn’t believe they’ve approached the 33-year-old goaltender about a trade.

Friedman also noted that Markstrom has a full no-movement clause and the Flames have set a high bar in terms of what it would take to prompt them to approach the former Vezina Trophy finalist. It would have to be a massive return for the Flames or somewhere that Markstrom would want to go before they’d consider going to him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers feel the Flames should strike while Markstrom’s trade value is high to move out an aging, expensive asset to make room for promising netminder Dustin Wolf. Perhaps if the Flames were near the bottom of the standings they would consider it now. However, I don’t see them making that move now after climbing back into playoff contention.

Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom (NHL Images).

Even if trading Markstrom were possible during the season, his cap hit ($6 million through 2025-26) would be difficult to move with so many teams carrying so little cap space. The Flames would have to do a dollar-for-dollar swap or retain up to half of his cap hit to make the deal work. It’s not impossible but it’s still not easy to pull off, especially as the Flames would want a significant return.

If the Flames want to move Markstrom or if he wants out, the best opportunity would be this summer when the salary cap is projected to rise by $4.2 million. His trade value would remain high if he continues playing well over the remainder of this season and they’d have an easier time moving his contract.

Friedman also reported there have been no determinations made yet regarding Jake Guentzel’s future with the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, he thinks the biggest factor could be where the Penguins see themselves going in a few years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Guentzel, 29, is due to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 unless he and the Penguins agree to a contract extension before then. His agent raised some eyebrows in a recent interview where he suggested contract talks could get difficult though he remains hopeful of working something out.

I don’t see the Penguins moving Guentzel while they’re jockeying for a playoff berth. That could change if they tumble down the standings but I think general manager Kyle Dubas will allow his current roster to prove itself as a playoff contender.

THE LATEST ON THE BLACKHAWKS

THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus recently looked at what could be in store for the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks in 2024.

They wondered if the Blackhawks would re-sign or trade forwards Nick Foligno and Jason Dickinson and goaltender Petr Mrazek (SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was written before Foligno signed his two-year contract extension).

Powers followed up two days later by reporting general manager Kyle Davidson is considering re-signing or trading Dickinson and Mrazek. He’d like to keep them as he’ll have to go shopping for a two-way center and a starting goaltender if they should decide to leave. Powers has heard the Blackhawks would sign them to more than fair contracts provided they’re not seeking long-term deals.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There could be interest in Dickinson and Mrazek in the trade market if those two don’t intend to re-sign. Mrazek, however, sounds like he’d prefer to stick around, crediting the move to Chicago with saving his career.

Davidson hinted he might not be as busy as a seller at this year’s trade deadline compared to last year’s. Part of the reason is they don’t have as much desirable trade bait this time around but also whether they have too many draft picks and need to start spacing out when their prospects turn pro.

Despite a recent rumor linking Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson to the Blackhawks, don’t expect them to sign the 25-year-old restricted free agent to an offer sheet. For that matter, don’t hold your breath waiting for them to pursue Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos, Florida’s Sam Reinhart, Toronto’s Tyler Bertuzzi or Carolina’s Teuvo Teravainen in this summer’s free-agent market.

Davidson is playing the long game with the rebuild with the blessing of team ownership. Maybe in 2025, he’ll be ready to spend to the salary cap. With so many of their high-end prospects due for new contracts in the coming years, most of their cap space will be spent internally.

UPDATE ON COREY PERRY

Elliotte Friedman also spoke about Corey Perry receiving permission from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to speak with other clubs. It’s believed interested teams are conducting due diligence while Perry is also doing the same with those clubs.

SENATORS STILL SHOPPING FOR VETERANS

Elliotte Friedman reports the Ottawa Senators continue to shop for “pros” who can help them with the overall play and direction of the club. The club has also made it clear that some “real untouchables” are on their roster. While the new front-office staff are trying to gauge the market value of their players, Friedman doesn’t think anything’s imminent.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those untouchables likely include captain Brady Tkachuk, center Tim Stutzle and defenseman Jake Sanderson. 










NHL Rumor Mill – January 13, 2024

by | Jan 13, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – January 13, 2024

Can the Blue Jackets find a trade partner for Elvis Merzlikins? Did the Flyers try to acquire Bowen Byran from the Avalanche? What’s the latest on the Bruins and Canucks? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

CAN THE BLUE JACKETS FIND A TRADE FOR MERZLIKINS?

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Brian Hedger reports learning that the Blue Jackets are seeking potential trade partners willing to acquire Elvis Merzlikins and the remainder of his contract.

The 29-year-old goaltender yesterday confirmed his agent spoke with Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen about a trade. He’s unhappy over what he considers his demotion since December from being the Jackets’ starting goalie to their third-stringer.

Merzlikins is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $5.4 million and a 10-team no-trade list. Hedger believes the Jackets might have to absorb part of that cap hit as well as package Merzlikins with a prospect or draft pick “in exchange for, essentially, nothing but completing an addition-by-subtraction move.”

Hedger thinks that not playing Merzlikins prevents him from damaging his trade value with a poor performance. However, it also prevents him from improving it.

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (NHL Images).

Trading Merzlikins seems the most likely conclusion. They could attempt to buy out the remainder of his contract this summer but that’s at two-thirds of the remaining value of the contract over twice the remaining term. They could also put him on waivers and if he clears send him to their AHL affiliate, freeing up just $1.15 million of his $5.4 million cap hit.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports Merzlikins hasn’t requested a trade but he and the club have reached a mutual decision to pursue a “new scenario” for him. Kekalainen, meanwhile, declined to comment that he’s seeking a trade for the netminder, adding that Merzlikins must play his way back into the starter’s job or they’ll find someone else.

This decision might’ve made sense at the end of last season when Merzlikins was statistically among the NHL’s worst goaltenders with a 4.23 goals-against average and a .876 save percentage. He’s been much better this season, sitting 14th in save percentage (.907) and 26th in goals-against average (3.25).

Nevertheless, Merlikins’ play this season and his contract will make it difficult to move him even though several NHL clubs could use help between the pipes. Kekalainen said he has not discussed Merzlikins’ “no-go” list with the goalie.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples suggested a deal in which the Oilers send Jack Campbell to the Blue Jackets for Merzlikins. He cited their near-identical AAVs as well as the fact that both goalies could use a change of scenery. From the Oilers’ point of view, he thinks it’s better to roll the dice on Merzlikins.

Staples also observed several clubs possess the cap space to acquire Merzlikins or a pressing need to upgrade in goal. However, they might not want his contract or currently have goaltenders who are better than the Jackets netminder.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Moving any player with a significant cap hit and several years remaining on their contract is difficult to do during the regular season under a salary cap. Doing so in a season like this one with so many teams carrying so little cap space is a daunting challenge.

As Hedger pointed out, the Jackets’ best option could be retaining part of Merzlikins’ cap hit and packaging him with a draft pick or prospect.

A swap of Merzlikins for Campbell could work for the Oilers but I doubt the Blue Jackets would be warm to that idea The Oilers would get the better goalie while the Blue Jackets would be saddled with one whose confidence is so rattled that he hasn’t played his way back into the NHL.

FLYERS ATTEMPTED TO ACQUIRE BYRAM FROM THE AVS

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman saying he believes the Flyers attempted to trade Cutter Gauthier to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for defenseman Bowen Byram. However, Friedman doesn’t think the Avs were willing to go there, that it had to be more than just Gauthier for Byram.

The Flyers instead shipped Gauthier to the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a draft pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I suspected the Ducks weren’t the only club the Flyers talked to regarding Gauthier. So what do you think, Avs fans? Did your team make the right decision? How about you, Flyers fans? Would you have preferred this deal instead of the one with the Ducks? Let us know in the comments section below.

LATEST ON THE BRUINS AND CANUCKS

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Nick Goss cited ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reporting that Bruins GM Don Sweeney is in the market for some depth at forward. She’s heard the Bruins are scouting “middle-six forwards, especially someone who could add a scoring punch.”

Goss conceded the Bruins could use more offense this season. However, he noted that many other contending clubs have better trade assets. Their prospect pool has improved but isn’t among the top 15. They also lack a first-round pick in 2024 and they don’t have second-rounders in 2024 or 2025.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That won’t deter Sweeney from shopping around as any GM in his position would. Nevertheless, he could find it more difficult to bolster his roster this year compared to recent years when he has more cap space and depth in tradeable assets.

THE SCORE: Sean O’Leary cited The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reporting Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford would like to add another top-six forward to his roster.

Rutherford said he and his management team will still keep an eye on their defense but felt they’ve done a good job this season. He thinks adding a top-six forward would give his club a better chance.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks have been the busiest team in this season’s trade market, swinging four deals involving players thus far. Their most significant move was their Nov. 30 acquisition of defenseman Nikita Zadorov from the Calgary Flames. I wouldn’t be surprised if they make a move to land a top-six forward before the March 8 trade deadline.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 12, 2024

by | Jan 12, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – January 12, 2024

The latest on Trevor Zegras, Sam Reinhart, Sean Monahan and Corey Perry in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON ZEGRAS

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Duhatschek noted how Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale were once expected to be the cornerstones of the rebuilding Anaheim Ducks. With Drysdale traded earlier this week to Philadelphia, Duhatschek wondered about Zegras’ future in Anaheim.

The Ducks now have promising depth at center in Leo Carlsson and Mason McTavish. Zegras, meanwhile, has had a difficult season. He missed training camp due to his contract talks, was sidelined by an injury for 20 games and is now on the shelf for weeks with a broken ankle.

Despite Zegras’ offensive skills and charisma, he’s prone to penalties and undisciplined defensive play, which doesn’t fit into the style of game general manager Pat Verbeek wants his team to play.

Duhatschek suggested that Zegras could have value in a slumping market like San Jose that needs an attraction. “So, it’s easy to imagine a scenario in which the Ducks move on from Zegras, if the right deal came along.”

TVA SPORTS: Jean-Charles Lajoie believes the Montreal Canadiens should get into the Zegras derby if the Ducks decide to peddle him. He cited the 22-year-old’s two 60-plus point campaigns before this season.

Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras (NHL Images).

Lajoie doesn’t think Zegras would fit the profile that Canadiens management is looking for with their rebuilding process. Nevertheless, he thinks they should look into it citing in part the young center’s affordable contract.

The Habs are loaded with promising young defensemen. Lajoie wondered if Verbeek might be interested in an offer with Arber Xhekaj as part of the deal. He suspects the Canadiens’ 2024 first-round pick would have to come under consideration.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier this week, TSN’s Darren Dreger said the Ducks weren’t shopping Zegras and were working with him to improve his overall game. That was before Zegras’ latest injury.

Dreger also mentioned that this situation could be worth monitoring as it could come to a head during the summer. Given how things have gone for Zegras, it wouldn’t be surprising if Verbeek will be willing to entertain offers for an offseason deal.

Canadiens fans desperate for their rebuilding club to bolster its offense will want them to pursue Zegras. As Lajoie pointed out, however, the Habs could prefer adding someone who isn’t a one-dimensional scorer, which is what Zegras is right now in his career. He has plenty of time to develop his overall game but I don’t think he’s the type of player that fits into their program.

REINHART COULD BE NEXT MAJOR UFA RE-SIGNING

TSN: Pierre LeBrun speculates Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart could be the next notable pending UFA to sign a contract extension.

The 28-year-old Reinhart might be worth between $10-$11 million elsewhere. However, LeBrun anticipates he’ll get a deal worth under teammate Matthew Tkachuk’s $9.5 million average annual value because the Panthers play in a market with no state tax.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the start of this season, Reinhart and Panthers general manager Bill Zito expressed their mutual willingness to reach an agreement on an extension. At the time, it sounded as though they would wait until the end of this season to engage in serious talks.

Reinhart’s career has taken off since joining the Panthers and he wants to stay in Florida. His current average annual value is $6.5 million. On pace for a 60-goal season, he could get well over $10 million annually on the open market. However, he could be happy with something between $9 million and $9.4 million annually from the Panthers.

MONAHAN COULD BE IN DEMAND

TSN: Darren Dreger said he wouldn’t be surprised if Sean Monahan is among the first forwards to be moved before the March 8 trade deadline. The 29-year-old Montreal Canadiens center is healthy and having a decent season.

Dreger noted the Canadiens have an agreement with Monahan that they would trade him to a contending team when the time is right or to a club of his choice. Teams that could require a top-two or top-three centerman include the Colorado Avalanche, Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers and Washington Capitals.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was plenty of interest in Monahan in 2022-23 before he suffered a season-ending injury. I daresay he’ll be among the players who’ll draw plenty of attention as the deadline draws near.

Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes has a reputation for being patient in the trade market. He could wait until deadline day itself to find the right return for Monahan.

INTEREST IN PERRY

ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reports several teams are exploring the possibility of signing free-agent Corey Perry. The 38-year-old winger is allowed to speak with other clubs following a recent meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Interested clubs will want to sign Perry before the March 8 trade deadline for him to be eligible to play in the postseason. If he signs after that date, he can only skate in regular-season games.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 11, 2024

by | Jan 11, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – January 11, 2024

Check out the latest on the Leafs’ Mitch Marner as well as the Flames’ Jacob Markstrom and Elias Lindholm plus some blueline trade options for the Devils in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

HOW MUCH COULD MARNER EARN ON HIS NEXT CONTRACT?

SPORTSNET: In the wake of the Toronto Maple Leafs signing William Nylander, Josh Beneteau looked at how much the Leafs might have to pay to re-sign Mitch Marner. The 26-year-old winger becomes eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1, 2025.

Marner’s current average annual value is $10.9 million. Based on his performance, he’s expected to get a raise. If he gets the same cap percentage as Boston’s David Pastrnak (13.47), his new AAV will be $12.392 million.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner will probably get that much with the Leafs or another club if he hits the open market. The question is whether the Leafs are willing to pay him that much. It’s bound to generate plenty of speculation over his future once July 1 rolls around as that’s the earliest the Leafs can open contract extension talks.

TIME TO TRADE MARKSTROM?

CALGARY SUN: Kent Wilson suggests the time may be right for the Flames to trade Jacob Markstrom. After struggling last season, the 2022 Vezina Trophy finalist is enjoying a bounce-back performance in 2023-24.

With playoff contenders such as the Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes undermined by bottom-of-the-league goaltending, Wilson felt this could be a good opportunity for the Flames to peddle Markstrom. Doing so would enable them to bring up his heir apparent Dustin Wolf on a full-time basis.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given the limited cap room for most of those clubs, moving Markstrom’s $6 million AAV through 2025-26 won’t happen before the trade deadline unless the Flames agree to retain half of it. His full no-movement clause could also complicate things.

Trading Markstrom would be difficult but not impossible during the offseason. The salary cap is expected to jump by $4.2 million, creating room for teams seeking an experienced starter.

WHAT COULD IT COST TO ACQUIRE ELIAS LINDHOLM?

THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Julian McKenzie was asked what a realistic trade return would be for Calgary Flames center Elias Lindholm.

McKenzie speculated the Flames could get a first-round pick and a lesser prospect or a higher-quality prospect and a lower pick. He also thinks that the asking price could change if Lindholm is willing to sign a contract extension with his new club.

As for potential trade partners, McKenzie suggested the Colorado Avalanche, Boston Bruins, Nashville Predators and Detroit Red Wings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche have been often linked to Lindholm but cap space could be an issue. The same applies to the Bruins. I think the Predators and Red Wings would be the most keen to have Lindholm sign an extension rather than be a playoff rental.

DEVILS BLUELINE TRADE OPTIONS

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols recently examined some possible options for the Devils to patch up or upgrade their injury-depleted defense corps.

Calgary Flames blueliners Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev, Anaheim Ducks rearguard Ilya Lyubushkin and Philadelphia Flyers d-man Nick Seeler were his suggested trade options.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hanifin’s the best of the bunch but he’ll also cost the most to acquire. Tanev won’t be as expensive but the asking price could be a second-rounder and a prospect. Lyubushkin and Seeler would be much more affordable options in terms of cap hit and return.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 10, 2024

by | Jan 10, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – January 10, 2024

Could the Ducks trade Trevor Zegras? Will the Senators shop Jakob Chychrun? Could Penguins winger Jake Guentzel hit the trade block? What’s the latest on Sharks forwards Tomas Hertl and Logan Couture? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli updated his NHL Trade Targets list on Tuesday, adding several notable new names.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: You can see the entire list by following the link. I’m not including everyone as most of the names, such as Calgary’s Elias Lindholm, Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin, have already frequently appeared in the rumor mill this season and will likely continue to do so leading up to the March 8 trade deadline. Today, I’m more interested in the new players on Seravalli’s list.

Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras (NHL Images).

In the wake of the Anaheim Ducks shipping Jamie Drysdale to the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday for Cutter Gauthier, Seravalli wondered if Trevor Zegras could be next. He noted that Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek has put together a solid prospect base with Gauthier, Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish, Pavel Mintyukov and Lukas Dostal.

Seravalli had Zegras sitting at No. 4 on his list. He cited sources claiming Verbeek mentioned Zegras in trade discussions this season though it’s unclear how far those talks went. He thinks the 22-year-old center doesn’t mesh with the style of play Verbeek envisions for the Ducks, citing their tough contract talks that saw Zegras miss training camp.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Darren Dreger last night indicated Zegras isn’t being shopped but there had been some level of interest in the young forward. He believes the Ducks will continue to work on improving Zegras’ overall game but suggested this situation could come to a head in the offseason.

Ottawa Senators defenseman Jakob Chychrun sits at No. 10. Less than a year after being acquired from the Arizona Coyotes, Seravalli reports teams have expressed an interest in the 25-year-old defenseman and the Senators haven’t told them that he’s not available. They have a log jam in left-shot defensemen with Chychrun, Thomas Chabot and Jake Sanderson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chychrun was acquired by former Senators general manager Pierre Dorion. New GM Steve Staios isn’t beholden to any players acquired by his predecessor. He may not be shopping Chychrun but, understandably, he’s willing to at least listen to offers. Despite the Senators’ struggles this season, however, there’s no indication that he wants out of Ottawa.

St. Louis Blues center Kevin Hayes checks in at No. 15. Seravalli believes his improved play could make him enticing in the trade market if the Blues would retain half of the $3.57 million of his $7.14 million cap hit that they’re carrying. He could fetch a decent return from a playoff contender.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues are still in the chase for a Western Conference wild-card berth. I daresay they’ll hang onto Hayes if they’re in a playoff spot by March 8. He’s still carrying a 12-team no-trade clause which could complicate things.

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov is at No. 20. If Joseph Woll regains his early-season form on his return from an ankle injury, the Leafs could move Samsonov to another club that thinks he can reboot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Anything’s possible, I suppose, but the fact Samsonov recently cleared waivers says all we need to know about his potential trade value. No NHL club will touch him unless his performance improves or the Leafs add a lot of sweeteners in the deal.

Sitting at No. 25 is Jake Guentzel of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Seravalli said the 29-year-old pending free-agent left winger isn’t in play yet with the Penguins having clawed their way back into the wild-card race in the Eastern Conference. If they fall out of the chase, however, Guentzel might become available.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Guentzel’s situation could be worth monitoring if the Penguins stumble. As Seravalli pointed out, he could become the most prized rental player in the trade market by March 8.

LATEST ON HERTL AND COUTURE

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports he’s not sure a whole lot will happen with San Jose Sharks forwards Tomas Hertl and Logan Couture by the March 8 trade deadline.

He spoke with Hertl yesterday following the Sharks’ morning skate and he’s focused on helping his team and being a good leader rather than on the trade deadline. Couture, meanwhile, is centered more on returning from an injury than the trade deadline.

LeBrun noted that Hertl has a full no-movement clause. Couture has three more years left on his contract but LeBrun believes he’s the type of leadership player that could have a few teams calling about.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: LeBrun also addressed Hertl and Couture in his column with The Athletic, suggesting any conversation about their futures is more likely to occur in the summer. They’re both carrying term on expensive contracts with no-trade protection. Moving those types of players rarely takes place leading up to the trade deadline.

UPDATES ON THE FLYERS

TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Philadelphia Flyers are hoping to get more interest in defensemen Sean Walker and Nick Seeler. They’re still willing to retain 50 percent of their average annual values.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey believes more moves are coming for the Flyers following their acquisition of Jamie Drysdale from the Anaheim Ducks. They now have eight defensemen on their roster.

Bailey noted that Walker has been the subject of trade speculation for some time. He pointed out that Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicated Rasmus Ristolainen is a target of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He also cited a recent report by Friedman indicating that at least one team attempted to acquire Walker and Seeler.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flyers GM Daniel Briere remains focused on his rebuilding plans despite his club being in the thick of the playoff chase. Adding Drysdale could make it easier for him to part with Walker or Seeler. Both carry affordable cap hits and if the Flyers are willing to retain half it could make them easier to peddle.

As for Ristolainen, the only way I see him moving is if the Flyers retain half of his $5.1 million AAV through 2027 or they get a player with an equivalent cap hit in return. Otherwise, that’s a move they try to make in the offseason.