NHL Rumor Mill – December 15, 2023

by | Dec 15, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – December 15, 2023

Zach Parise eyes a return this season, more speculation about Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro, plus updates on free-agent Ethan Bear, the Canucks’ Andrei Kuzmenko and the Red Wings Jonatan Berggren in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

PARISE AIMING AT RETURNING THIS SEASON

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston reports a source claims unrestricted free-agent winger Zach Parise is ramping up his conditioning with an eye on returning to action this season.

Parise, 39, wasn’t willing to face the grind of an 82-game schedule this season. He remained home with his family in Minnesota but has regained his desire to play and has been working on getting into game shape.

Unrestricted free agent winger Zach Parise (NHL.com)

Johnston said there’s no timeline when Parise would return but multiple clubs are aware of his progress and expressed an interest in signing him. Among them are his former club, the New York Islanders. It’s believed Parise wants to pursue the Stanley Cup and some of the teams looking at him are those with legitimate championship ambitions this season.

Parise will have to sign a contract before the March 8 trade deadline to be eligible to play in the postseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Parise will also be an affordable signing. His last contract with the Islanders was a $750K base salary with another $750K in performance bonuses.

COULD THE SHARKS TRADE FERRARO?

THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka recently noted the trade rumors swirling about San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro. Unlike other Sharks popping up in the rumor mill, Ferraro is signed beyond this season (through 2025-26) plus he carries an affordable $3.25 million average annual value on his contract.

General manager Mike Grier has said he’s willing to listen to offers on just about anyone on the Sharks roster. Trading Ferraro, however, would say something about how long the Sharks rebuild is expected to last.

Ferraro’s teammates and head coach David Quinn praised the blueliner’s skills, work ethic and positive attitude. Meanwhile, he recently said he wants to remain with the Sharks and be part of a possible resurgence.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The attributes and team-friendly contract that make Ferraro so valuable to the Sharks also make him an enticing target in the trade market. Unlike the Sharks’ pending UFAs, Grier doesn’t have to move him this season. The Sharks GM can afford to be patient and wait for the right offer.

TIDBITS FROM FRIEDMAN’S LATEST “32 THOUGHTS” COLUMN

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman suggests the Washington Capitals could offer free agent Ethan Bear a two-year contract. Other clubs interested in the 26-year-old defenseman were proposing a one-year deal with the possibility of an extension next offseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Chris Johnston and others had Bear all but signed with the Capitals to a two-year deal. It hasn’t happened yet but that doesn’t mean it won’t. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Friedman noted that the Canucks still haven’t taken Andrei Kuzmenko off their first power-play unit. “If he was removed from that, I’d be worried about his status in Vancouver,” he writes. He’s not convinced the 27-year-old winger will be traded soon but he believes the Canucks are “going to know the possibilities.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks insist they want to work with Kuzemenko to improve his overall game. He seems to have responded well in his last two games, tallying two goals including one on the power play.

Jonatan Berggren has two goals in his three games since his recent callup with the Detroit Red Wings. Friedman isn’t sure if the 23-year-old winger has gone so far as to request a trade but he wants more of an opportunity.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 14, 2023

by | Dec 14, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – December 14, 2023

Are more changes in store for the Blues following their coaching change? What’s the latest Penguins speculation? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD MORE CHANGES BE IN STORE FOR THE BLUES

NHL NETWORK (via KUKLA’S KORNER): Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman looked at other possible moves for the St. Louis Blues following their coaching change.

He noted that general manager Doug Armstrong indicated in his press conference that there was no guarantee that interim head coach Drew Bannister would be in that role for the remainder of the season. Bannister was head coach of their AHL affiliate in Springfield before Berube’s firing.

St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong (NHL.com).

Friedman thinks Armstrong has “specific people he wants to talk to” regarding his club’s head-coaching position. He wondered if one of them could be former Edmonton Oilers bench boss Jay Woodcroft.

Asked if other personnel changes could be in store, he noted that Armstrong isn’t afraid to make bold moves. He pointed out the Blues had a deal in place last summer with the Philadelphia Flyers that would’ve sent defenseman Torey Krug to the Flyers for blueliner Travis Sanheim but Krug invoked his no-trade clause to spike the deal. He also observed that Armstrong tried to trade struggling winger Jakub Vrana before putting him on waivers.

Friedman doesn’t think Armstrong is trying to trade players such as Robert Thomas or Colton Parayko. However, he wouldn’t be surprised if the Blues GM could make some roster changes if things don’t improve soon.

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford noted Armstrong said making roster changes was difficult to achieve during his press conference on Wednesday. The Blues GM said he’s spoken to teams and seen what’s out there. Nevertheless, he stressed that nobody in their current group should feel safe right now. “I mean player-wise, management-wise.”

If the Blues fail to improve, Armstrong said he’s not against buying players out who carry long-term contracts with no-trade clauses, though he feels that’s not his first course of action. He’s also not against demoting players to the Blues’ AHL farm team if he feels they’re not pulling their weight. He said that nothing can be off the table for management.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues are just one point out of the final Western Conference wild-card spot. Big changes to the roster probably won’t happen as long as they remain competitive for a playoff berth. If they collapse and tumble down the standings, perhaps more significant moves will be in store.

Those Blues carrying long-term contracts with no-trade clauses include forwards Brayden Schenn and Brandon Saad, defensemen such as Krug, Parayko, Justin Faulk and Nick Leddy, and goaltender Jordan Binnington. Any attempt to move one or more of those players likely won’t happen until next summer at the earliest assuming any of them would waive their no-trade clauses.

LATEST ON THE PENGUINS

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun noted Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas’ remarks on Monday about deciding on the club’s future by the All-Star break in February. He believes Dubas wants to give his current roster time to overcome their current woes in the standings and prove to him what they have.

Dubas is on a seven-year contract. LeBrun believes that gives him time to implement a long-term vision while hoping to avoid a roster teardown for as long as possible. He also suggested that Sidney Crosby’s contract (which runs through 2024-25) could be the most important target date for Dubas’ plans.

Given the contracts of Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang, it won’t be easy to stage a roster teardown. However, LeBrun points out that Dubas’ acquisition of Karlsson last summer shows where there’s a will there’s a way.

LeBrun doubts those players would block a trade to a contender if Dubas goes into teardown mode. The question then becomes how much salary would the Penguins have to retain to move them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The acquisition of Karlsson (and that of Reilly Smith) was to provide a short-term boost to the Penguins roster to give their core of Crosby, Malkin, Letang and Jake Guentzel one more opportunity to stage a run for the Stanley Cup before their contracts expire or age catches up with them.

If Crosby wants to stay in Pittsburgh it’ll be interesting to see how long he’ll want to stick around, especially if the Penguins are heading into a rebuild or if it appears to be on the horizon.

Dubas is just trying to put it off for as long as possible until most of those players are finished with their contracts or in the final year of their deals. By that point, the rebuild can begin in earnest.

A roster rebuild is inevitable. It could come much sooner than Dubas or the Penguins’ veteran core expected it to occur.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 13, 2023

by | Dec 13, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – December 13, 2023

An update on the Flames’ Chris Tanev, the latest on the Blue Jackets and Sharks, Ethan Bear could sign with the Capitals, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

UPDATE ON CHRIS TANEV

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Calgary Flames have told teams they’re not ready yet to trade Chris Tanev. They’ve told them to be patient as they want to see how the trade market plays out. If Tanev’s value right now is a second-round pick, perhaps that could rise to a first-rounder as interest continues to build for the gritty 33-year-old blueliner.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has Tanev at the top of his list as he seeks help for his injury-depleted blueline. The Vancouver Canucks have also “kicked tires”.

Calgary Flames defenseman Chris Tanev (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tanev is currently listed as day-to-day following an injury suffered on Monday against the Colorado Avalanche. That’s unlikely to hurt his value in the trade market unless he ends up sidelined longer than expected.

Treliving is the former GM of the Flames so he knows how valuable Tanev would be to his defense corps. Whether he can land the rugged rearguard remains to be seen if more clubs start showing interest in him.

LATEST FROM GARRIOCH’S “INSIDER TRADING”

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the talk around NHL circles is there could be changes coming to the Columbus Blue Jackets front office if things don’t improve soon. It’s believed the heat has been turned up on president of hockey operations John Davidson and general manager Jarmo Kekalainen as ownership grows impatient over the club’s poor performance this season.

There’s been talk that Patrik Laine could be traded but the struggling Blue Jackets winger hasn’t asked to be moved. He’s signed through 2025-26 with an average annual value of $8.7 million. Unless the Jackets agree to retain part of that cap hit he’s not going anywhere.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kekalainen’s in his 11th season as Jackets general manager. During his tenure, they’ve reached the playoffs five times but things have gone off the rails in recent years. Barring a miraculous turnaround they’re going to miss the postseason for the fourth straight year. As Garrioch observes, it’s only a matter of time until there’s a change in management.

Laine’s contract is difficult to move during a season when most teams have limited cap space. He would draw more interest if he were scoring at the same pace as earlier in his career.

If the Jackets were to shop Laine, it would have to be an offseason trade when clubs have more cap space to work with. Even then, the Jackets could face retaining part of his salary to make it work.

Mike Hoffman could be an attractive option for clubs seeking scorers near the March 8 trade deadline. The San Jose Sharks winger has eight goals and 11 points in 27 games. Other potential Sharks trade bait include forwards Anthony Duclair, Alexander Barabanov and Kevin Labanc.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All four are slated to become unrestricted free agents next July.

The Carolina Hurricanes are among several clubs in the market for a goaltender. It’s also believed the Seattle Kraken, Edmonton Oilers, Buffalo Sabres, and Toronto Maple Leafs have been calling around for help between the pipes. Garrioch suggests they call the Montreal Canadiens as they’re taking calls on Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens have been carrying three goalies since the start of the season. They recently re-signed Sam Montembeault so he’s not going anywhere. General manager Kent Hughes has a reputation for being patient in the trade market so it could be a while until he find a suitable offer that prompts him to part with Allen or Primeau.

REPORT: BEAR TO SIGN WITH CAPITALS

TSN: Chris Johnston reported that is appears free-agent defenseman Ethan Bear will sign a two-year contract with the Washington Capitals that could be worth around $2 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Johnston said the final details were still being ironed out. Perhaps we’ll get an announcement as early as today.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 12, 2023

by | Dec 12, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – December 12, 2023

The latest on the Canucks, some possible Canadiens trade bait, and an update on Blues winger Jakub Vrana in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON THE CANUCKS

SPORTSNET: Iain MacIntyre reports Vancouver Canucks president Jim Rutherford said his club won’t lock itself into a long-term position on Andrei Kuzmenko as trade speculation swirls around the struggling winger.

MacIntyre’s colleague Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday that clubs have inquired about Kuzmenko, whose 39-goal performance last season earned him a two-year, $11 million contract. He’s struggled this season, seeing his playing time reduced and was scratched from two games in late November.

Vancouver Canucks forward Andrei Kuzmenko (NHL Images).

Rutherford insists his club will keep an open mind about Kuzmenko in the hope that the coaching staff can improve his all-around play. Head coach Rick Tocchet recently indicated he wants the winger to forecheck more and compete for pucks rather than have his teammates get them for him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks made that two-year commitment to Kuzmenko because of his scoring last season. However, as Friedman pointed out over the weekend, they’re also looking to free up salary-cap space. If Kuzmenko remains in Tocchet’s doghouse, they could pay more serious attention to those trade inquiries.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston believes the Canucks are out of the bidding for Ethan Bear. They’d hoped to bring back the free-agent defenseman but their salary-cap constraints could price them out of the market for his services. The Washington Capitals appear to be the front-runners.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We could learn by some point this week where Bear will play the remainder of this season.

POSSIBLE CANADIENS TRADE BAIT

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: recently noted that Canadiens goaltenders Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau sat fourth and fifth respectively on TSN’s latest Trade Bait listing. Versatile center Sean Monahan is ninth and defenseman Mike Matheson is 20th.

Regarding Allen and Primeau, Marc Dumont listed the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings as possible suitors for one or the other.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All four clubs are believed to be monitoring the trade market for depth between the pipes. The Hurricanes and Devils may have the more pressing need as they’ve slipped out of playoff positions in the Eastern Conference.

The Oilers were very much shopping around for goaltending help in November. However, their recent seven-game win streak (in part due to improved play from their current goalie tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard) could reduce their level of urgency to address that issue.

The Kings, meanwhile, are rolling along well thus far with veteran Cam Talbot though backup Pheonix Copley has struggled at times this season. They could be content to stick with their current tandem for the time being.

Whether any of those teams make a pitch for Allen or Primeau remains to be seen.

WHAT NEXT FOR VRANA?

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford reports St. Louis Blues winger Jakub Vrana is in limbo after first being told he would be placed on waivers on Monday and then not having that come to pass.

Rutherford explains the Blues “are looking at every avenue in terms of how to part ways with Vrana, including the possibility of a trade.”

Acquired from the Detroit Red Wings before the March trade deadline, Vrana scored 10 goals in the final 20 games of the season. However, he’s been unable to replicate that performance this season. The 27-year-old winger has two goals and six points in 19 games and was a healthy scratch in eight contests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It appears Vrana’s days with the Blues are numbered. While he has a $5.25 million cap hit for this season (the final one of his contract), the Red Wings retained half of it to facilitate his trade to the Blues last season.

At $2.625 million, perhaps a club seeking scoring might take a chance on Vrana. So far, however, there don’t seem to be any takers. As Rutherford observes, Vrana has terrific speed and a great shot but doesn’t use either asset that effectively plus he’s a defensive liability at even strength.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 11, 2023

by | Dec 11, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – December 11, 2023

Could the Bruins pursue Elias Lindholm or Pat Maroon? Could the Flyers target Mario Ferraro? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill

LATEST BRUINS SPECULATION

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Nick Goss recently noted that Calgary Flames center Elias Lindholm sat No. 1 on TSN’s latest Trade Bait list. He noted the Bruins had been linked to Lindholm during the offseason following the retirements of centers Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci.

After watching the play of Pavel Zacha, Charlie Coyle and rookies Matthew Poitras and Johnny Beecher, Goss believes it might not be a good idea for the Bruins to part with assets to acquire Lindholm. Based on the performances of those four thus far, depth at center is not a massive weakness right now.

Calgary Flames center Elias Lindholm (NHL Images).

If the Bruins are interested in Lindholm, Goss suggests waiting until July if he decides not to re-sign with the Flames and test the free-agent market. They currently have a projected $27 million in cap space for 2024-25, providing them with more cap flexibility.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ve said the same thing about the Bruins’ rumored interest in Lindholm’s teammate Noah Hanifin. Acquiring either guy will cost them draft picks, prospects, and even perhaps a promising youngster such as Poitras or Beecher.

The Bruins are currently jockeying with the New York Rangers for first place in the Eastern Conference. Barring an epic and historic collapse, they’re in no danger of missing the playoffs in what is considered a transition season for this club. Better to make do with what they currently have or make affordable roster tweaks and wait until next summer to pursue the big fish.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy suggests the Bruins consider looking into acquiring forward Pat Maroon from the Minnesota Wild. Bruins coach Jim Montgomery recently pleaded with his players to be more physical and tougher. They could use someone to replace Milan Lucic, who’s been away from the club since being arrested and charged last month in a domestic violence incident.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Murphy wrote that there’s no indication Bruins management is targeting Maroon or a comparable player. For now, Maroon probably isn’t going anywhere as the Wild struggle to get back into the Western Conference playoff chase. That could change, however, if they remain out of contention near the March trade deadline.

A source told Murphy that Maroon would probably cost a seventh-round draft pick. That was the price the Wild paid the Lightning to acquire him earlier this season.

UPDATE ON THE FLYERS

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Philadelphia Flyers are sitting in a better position in the standings than expected when the season began. Nevertheless, Caleb Kearney points out that they’re still a rebuilding team that could shop some older veterans to acquire more draft picks and prospects to accelerate the process.

Kearney suggested peddling defenseman Marc Staal, center Garnet Hathaway, blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen and rearguard Sean Walker.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Walker appears the most valuable given how often he’s surfaced in recent trade speculation. Hathaway could also be an attractive trade target if he becomes available. He’s signed through 2024-25 with an affordable average annual value of $2.375 million.

Ristolainen has also popped up lately in the rumor mill. However, his $5.1 million cap hit through 2026-27 won’t be easy to move unless the Flyers retain half of it. Staal, meanwhile, hasn’t seen much playing time this season. At 36, his best years are well behind him and he’s not likely to fetch much of a return.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey recently noted that San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro has come up in the rumor mill of late. He believes the 25-year-old blueliner would fit in well with their rebuilding plans.

If the Flyers continue playing well this season and their 2024 first-round pick won’t be that high, Bailey suggested it would be worthwhile to part with it to land a good young defenseman like Ferraro.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Not a bad idea. Whether Flyers management feels the same way remains to be seen.

Despite all the rumors swirling about this club of late, general manager Daniel Briere could be content to wait and see how this season unfolds before getting busy in the trade market.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – December 10, 2023

by | Dec 10, 2023

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – December 10, 2023

Questions about the futures of the Ducks’ Trevor Zegras and the Blue Jackets’ Patrik Laine, trade speculation regarding several Flyers defensemen and the Canucks’ Andrei Kuzmenko and growing interest in free-agent blueliner Ethan Bear. Details and more in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR ZEGRAS AND LAINE?

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Duhatschek took note of the Anaheim Ducks’ collapse in the standings following their strong start to the season. Among the few bright spots is the solid performance of rookie center Leo Carlsson in limited action.

Should the Ducks end up winning the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery and select prospect center Macklin Celebrini, Duhatschek wondered if they would consider moving Trevor Zegras. The 22-year-old center has been on injured reserve since Nov. 10 with a lower-body injury.

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine (NHL Images).

The Ducks already have Carlsson and Mason McTavish who are projected to become first-line centers. If they land Celebrini, where would that leave Zegras?

Turning to the floundering Columbus Blue Jackets, Duhatschek singled out Patrik Laine’s sometimes disinterested play this season. He acknowledged the 25-year-old forward was sidelined for several games by a concussion earlier in this campaign but noted he wasn’t playing well before he got hurt.

Laine appears to be lacking confidence in his game. Duhatschek wondered if landing in Washington as the potential successor to Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin might be the change of venue he needs to regain his scoring touch.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Duhatschek isn’t saying that Zegras or Laine will be traded but he does raise interesting questions about the two forwards.

Zegras was considered the Ducks’ Golden Boy, a highly-skilled scorer whose dazzling feats made him a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2021-22 while earning him a trip to that season’s All-Star Game. He has two straight 60-plus point seasons under his belt before 2023-24 but his sophomore campaign was still considered a disappointment.

His contract negotiations dragged on through training camp and preseason before reaching an agreement on a three-year bridge deal on Oct. 2. That cost him valuable prep time for this season and likely contributed to his current injury.

If the Ducks land Celebrini in next year’s draft perhaps they would consider moving Zegras but they could simply shift him to the wing or do the same with McTavish or Carlsson. That doesn’t mean that they wouldn’t listen to offers for Zegras, especially with the salary cap projected to jump by $4.2 million next season, making his $5.75 million cap hit through 2025-26 easier to move. Still, I think they’ll stay patient and see how things turn out regardless of what might happen in next year’s draft lottery.

Laine, meanwhile, was expected to provide the Blue Jackets with badly-needed scoring punch following his acquisition from the Winnipeg Jets in 2021. Despite injuries, he had 56 points in as many games in 2021-22 and 52 points last season in 55 contests. This season, however, Laine seems to have lost his competitive fire.

With an average annual value of $8.7 million through 2025-26 and a 10-team no-trade clause, Laine won’t be easy to move during this season. Given the anticipated increase in the cap for next season, that could be a move to consider for next summer when teams will have more cap space to work with and perhaps a willingness to take a chance on Laine.

RUMORS FROM SATURDAY’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA HEADLINES

SPORTSNET: During Saturday’s Headlines segment on Hockey Night in Canada, Elliotte Friedman expressed his belief that at least one team contacted the Philadelphia Flyers asking about the defense pair of Sean Walker and Nick Seeler to see if they’d be interested in dealing them together when the time comes. He indicated the Flyers are playing well right now and aren’t in any rush to make moves.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Toronto Maple Leafs recently looked into acquiring Nikita Zadorov and Chris Tanev from the Calgary Flames but that fell apart over how much of their salaries the Flames were willing to retain Zadorov was subsequently traded to the Vancouver Canucks. Perhaps Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has shifted his focus toward the City of Brotherly Love.

Walker and Seeler have surfaced in the rumor mill in recent weeks. They’re not the only Flyers defensemen to be mentioned as trade candidates. Philly Hockey Now’s Jonathan Bailey pointed out that TSN had Walker and Seeler at Nos. 6 and 7 on their latest Top-20 Trade Bait list along with Rasmus Ristolainen at No. 15.

Bailey pointed out that Ristolainen is the only one on TSN’s list with three or more years remaining on his contract beyond this season. I don’t doubt that the Flyers would like to move his contract but that could be a deal made in the offseason depending on his performance this season. Walker and Seeler, on the other hand, will be much easier to move before the March 8 trade deadline given their affordable salaries and free-agent status next July.

Friedman also reported there’s an “emerging situation” with Vancouver Canucks winger Andrei Kuzmenko. He’s been playing under 15 minutes per game in five of his last six games and has been sat twice. Other teams have called the Canucks to inquire about the 27-year-old’s status.

The Canucks are always looking to clear salary-cap room. Kuzmenko carries a $5.5 million average annual value through 2024-25 with a 12-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuzmenko was a big hit with the Canucks in his first NHL season, scoring 39 goals and 74 points in 2022-23. He currently has just four goals and 15 points in 25 games as he seems to be in head coach Rick Tocchet’s doghouse.

There was talk of the Canucks peddling Brock Boeser or Conor Garland in cost-cutting deals going back to 2022-23 but those rumors have died away this season. Perhaps they’d consider moving Kuzmenko for a more affordable forward or defenseman who would be a better fit within Tocchet’s system.

Friedman reported Ethan Bear could be getting close to picking a team to play for this season. It’s believed the Washington Capitals have made a strong bid for the 25-year-old free-agent defenseman’s services. Friedman had felt the Vancouver Canucks might bring him back but other clubs have a salary cap advantage over them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A couple of days ago, The Province’s Patrick Johnston reported Bear’s agent claimed at least four clubs were interested in his client. The Canucks were among them but Johnston also noted their salary-cap constraints.