Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 13, 2023

by | Aug 13, 2023

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 13, 2023

Check out the recent speculation on Patrick Kane and Evgeny Kuznetsov as well as the latest on the Flames, Hurricanes and Jets in today’s NHL Rumor Mill

ASSOCIATED PRESS: Stephen Whyno recently listed some notable storylines to watch during the final weeks of the 2023 NHL offseason.

While Patrick Kane continues to rehab from his June 1 hip resurfacing procedure, there are rumors linking the 34-year-old free-agent winger to his hometown Buffalo Sabres. They’re a young club on the rise that could use a player with his Stanley Cup experience.

Free agent winger Patrick Kane (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was reported last month that Kane’s agent indicated his client should be ready to return to action in December. By that point, the future Hall of Famer will evaluate the clubs that are interested in him and pick the one he believes has the best chance of winning the Stanley Cup this season.

The Sabres could be one of those teams if they finally achieve their long-anticipated breakthrough as a playoff club. However, much will depend on what their needs will be by that point. Goaltending remains a big question mark as is their blueline depth despite the offseason additions of Erik Johnson and Connor Clifton.

Whyno also believes the Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes and Winnipeg Jets will be worth monitoring in the weeks leading up to training camp.

Flames center Elias Lindholm is entering the final year of his contract. GM Craig Conroy has already traded Tyler Toffoli and could do the same with Lindholm if unable to re-sign the 28-year-old center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been reported that Conroy has been in discussions with the Lindholm camp about a multi-year contract worth between $8 million and $9 million annually. Depending on the source, those talks are ongoing or they’ve gone quiet for now.

Carolina Hurricanes GM Don Waddell cited that his club’s limited cap space has made it difficult to improve his roster. He’ll continue talking to different teams and free agents. Whyno speculated he could look to move Brett Pesce or Brady Skjei to clear his blueline logjam. Both have a year remaining on their respective contracts.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pesce has featured more prominently in trade rumors than Skjei this summer. Back in June, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported the Hurricanes could move the 28-year-old Pesce if they’re unable to hammer out a new contract with him. Perhaps he becomes trade bait to add another scoring forward.

The Winnipeg Jets have yet to move goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and center Mark Scheifele. Both players are slated to become unrestricted free agents next summer. Whyno doesn’t expect either player will be in Winnipeg for much longer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A report out of Winnipeg last month explained that the reason why Hellebuyck is still with the Jets is because the trade market for goaltenders had dried up. Meanwhile, there’s been no word about Scheifele’s status in recent weeks. Both players could start the season with the Jets and end up getting traded at some point before the March trade deadline.

Evgeny Kuznetsov is the subject of trade rumors for the second time in three years. He saw a 23-point drop in his production last season to 55 points. The 31-year-old winger is signed through 2024-25 with an average annual value of $7.8 million.

Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan indicated he had a few discussions during the draft, suggesting they might or might not carry forward into this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: MacLellan was reportedly in talks with the Nashville Predators regarding Kuznetsov earlier this summer but nothing came of it Predators GM Barry Trotz coached the Capitals to the Stanley Cup in 2018, during which Kuznetsov had a career-best 83 points and led the Caps in playoff scoring with 32 points.

As I’ve frequently noted, the combination of Kuznetsov’s inconsistent play in recent years and his hefty cap hit makes him difficult to move in this summer’s trade market, especially with a flattened salary cap.

It could take a dollar-for-dollar swap, the Capitals retaining up to half of his cap hit, or a three-team swap that spreads his AAV around to move Kuznetsov this season. They might have better luck next summer if his performance improves. That’s when the cap is projected to rise by at least $4 million for 2024-25.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 12, 2023

by | Aug 12, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – August 12, 2023

Check out the latest on the Canucks, Sharks and Panthers in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

CANUCKS NEED TO SHED SALARY AFTER SIGNING SUTER

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston believes the Vancouver Canucks need to make a cost-cutting trade as their signing of Pius Suter on Friday pushes them above the $83.5 million salary for this season by around $1 million.

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers (NHL Images).

Johnston observes that the Canucks have a glut of wingers for the coming season. Even if Tanner Pearson were a healthy scratch, there’s little room for Nils Hoglander, Conor Garland, Brock Boeser and Vasily Podkolzin.

Garland and Boeser have been mentioned as trade candidates in the past but their contracts have proven difficult to move. The Canucks could be reluctant to part with young forwards like Hoglander and Podkolzin.

Johnston considers Tyler Myers as the obvious trade candidate. The 33-year-old defenseman is in the final season of his contract. While he carries a $6 million cap hit, he’ll earn $1 million in actual salary for the season once the Canucks pay his $5 million signing bonus in September.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Johnston pointed out that there was talk last month claiming the Canucks had a deal lined up with the San Jose Sharks. With the Sharks trading away Erik Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins last Sunday, they could be in the market for short-term blueline depth.

The Sharks only carry $3.9 million in cap room but they might be open to acquiring Myers if the Canucks agree to retain half of his cap hit for the season. That’s assuming, of course, that they aren’t on Myers’ 10-team no-trade list.

Speaking of the Sharks…

SHARKS IN THE MARKET FOR A DEFENSEMAN

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sheng Peng believes the San Jose Sharks are in the market for some offense from their defense. He cited PHNX Sports’ Craig Morgan reporting they had some interest in Matt Dumba before the free-agent blueliner signed with the Arizona Coyotes.

Peng observes that the pickings are slim in the free-agent market. Ethan Bear is still available but won’t return to action until December as he recovers from shoulder surgery. Alex Edler, 37, could retire and hasn’t played on the power-play in four years.

Other UFA options include Simon Benoit, Nick Holden and Scott Harrington. Peng also noted the pickings aren’t much better in the trade market. He cited general manager Mike Grier will look at possible choices within his system during training camp and preseason play.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Grier could be forced into the trade market or watching the waiver wire if his internal options for an offensive-minded rearguard fail to pan out.

LATEST ON THE PANTHERS

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: George Richards believes the Panthers are likely done trying to bolster their roster via free agency. Like Peng, he points out the lack of remaining talent in this summer’s market.

Richards speculates that the Panthers might be interested in Patrick Kane when he’s recovered from offseason hip surgery and is ready to return to action later this season. That will depend on whether the 34-year-old winger sees them as a fit.

If the Panthers make any further additions it could be via professional tryout offers during training camp. If Aaron Ekblad or Brandon Montour start the season on long-term injury reserve, it could open the door to adding someone like center Paul Stastny if he’s still available.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 11, 2023

by | Aug 11, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – August 11, 2023

What are the Hurricanes’ plans going forward this season? What’s the latest on the Bruins’ goaltending? Are any more big moves coming for the Penguins? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

HURRICANES FACING MORE QUESTIONS

CAROLINA HOCKEY NOW: Bryant Baucom believes the Hurricanes front office still has some questions to address regarding their roster.

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (NHL Images).

Baucom thinks their biggest need remains a scoring forward but those are virtually non-existent in the free-agent market. They also have limited cap room to make a significant UFA addition.

General manager Don Waddell must decide if he’s shopping Brett Pesce and/or Brady Skjei. Both defensemen are slated to become UFAs next July. Young forward Jack Drury requested a trade prior to last season and put in a lackluster performance with the Hurricanes and their AHL affiliate in Chicago.

Baucom also wondered how big the list of Hurricanes untouchables is and how much urgency management has to add another scorer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Much will depend on the Hurricanes’ performance over the course of the upcoming season. They could become more active in the trade market if their scoring fails to improve.

After adding Dmitry Orlov this summer as well as affordable depth defensemen Tony DeAngelo and Caleb Jones, the Hurricanes could peddle Pesce or Skjei before the start of the season. They could also retain them until the trade deadline nears in order to land a scoring forward. Perhaps they’ll hang onto both as “own rentals” for the season.

Drury would be a tempting trade chip for clubs that become sellers this season. On his own, he probably won’t fetch the scoring forward the Hurricanes seek. Bundled with Pesce or Skjei or with a first-round pick, however, it could be a different story.

LATEST ON THE BRUINS GOALTENDERS

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Nick Goss recently explained why the Bruins are keeping their goalie tandem of Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman intact. He pointed out that they’ll need strong goaltending this season to reach the playoffs after losing several key players elsewhere from the lineup to free agency and retirement.

Beyond this season is another story. The combined cap hits of Ullmark and Swayman for 2023-24 is $8.475 million. However, a strong performance by Swayman could vault him into the $5 million average annual value range. That could mean trading Ullmark to free up his $5 million cap hit next summer when he has only a year left on his contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Winner of the 2023 Vezina Trophy, Ullmark will also have a 15-team no-trade list for 2024-25. It could hamper efforts to move him but wouldn’t make it impossible. Whether he or Swayman get moved next summer will depend on their respective performances this season.

NO OTHER BIG MOVES PLANNED FOR THE PENGUINS

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Following the Pittsburgh Penguins’ acquisition of Erik Karlsson, Nick Horwat cited general manager Kyle Dubas telling reporters that he’s likely done making big moves this summer. Dubas mentioned he could bring in some players on professional tryout offers.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman speculated the Penguins GM might look into signing free-agent winger Tomas Tatar but Horwat considers that to be unlikely. While Tatar could be seen as an obvious replacement for sidelined winger Jake Guentzel, he’s only expected to miss the first five games of the regular season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I guess that also spikes that silly rumor flying around on social media claiming Dubas was going to sign 51-year-old Jaromir Jagr to a one-year, $1 million contract to return to the Penguins.

Jagr will be playing hockey this season but not in the NHL. He’s reportedly committed to spending another season in Czechia with the Kladno Knights, the club that he also owns.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 10, 2023

by | Aug 10, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – August 10, 2023

More speculation about the Canadiens possibly trading the recently re-acquired Jeff Petry plus the latest on the Capitals in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE CANADIENS?

RDS.CA: The Montreal Canadiens still haven’t publicly commented on bringing back Petry and adding goaltender Casey DeSmith as part of their involvement in the three-team trade that sent Erik Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jeff Petry (NHL Images).

Neither general manager Kent Hughes nor Petry and DeSmith have been made available to answer questions from the media.

The silence coming from the Canadiens raises questions about where Petry and DeSmith fit into the club’s roster for the coming season. It’s also generated speculation one or both could soon be shipped off to another club.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It is unusual for Hughes not to meet with the press following a trade, particularly in this case when his involvement in the biggest deal of the year meant bringing Petry back to Montreal. He could be keeping a lid on things for now as he attempts to make other moves. The longer the Canadiens go without commenting on that deal, the more rumors will churn about Petry and DeSmith.

It was noted that the Penguins retained 25 percent of Petry’s $6.25 million average annual value through 2024-25. He could be more attractive to other clubs with a cap hit of over $4.6 million.

If Hughes wants to trade Petry again, he could garner more interest by retaining a portion of that amount as well. Potential trade partners could include the Anaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild and Winnipeg Jets.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont cited TSN’s Chris Johnston saying the Dallas Stars expressed an interest in Petry in the past. Johnston believes a lot of teams could be interested in the 35-year-old blueliner if the Canadiens retained half of his remaining cap hit.

Johnston believes the conditions could be right for the Canadiens to trade Petry within the next few months.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Petry’s 15-team no-trade clause will be a factor as it was during the trade negotiations that resulted in the Penguins acquiring Erik Karlsson from the San Jose Sharks. Reports claimed Petry wouldn’t waive his clause to go to San Jose because he didn’t want to be far from his family.

CAPITALS STILL SEEKING A MOVE BEFORE TRAINING CAMP.

THE ATHLETIC: Tarik El-Bashir noted that the Washington Capitals could attempt to make a trade to improve their roster. During last week’s press conference announcing Tom Wilson’s contract extension, general manager Brian MacLellan confirmed he’s interested in making a move ahead of training camp, which opens on Sept. 20.

MacLellan acknowledged that he’s looking to improve his top-six forwards. He said that he had a few discussions during the draft in June and would see whether they carry forward.

El-Bashir pointed out reports earlier this summer indicating the Capitals and Nashville Predators had discussed a trade of Evgeny Kuznetsov, who had requested a trade last season. MacLellan wasn’t asked directly about Kuznetsov during the press conference.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We can’t rule anything out regarding Kuznetsov but it seems unlikely that he’ll get traded. A gifted but inconsistent playmaker, he’s coming off a disappointing 2022-23 campaign. He also carries a $7.8 million AAV through 2024-25 and a 10-team no-trade clause.

MacLellan might end up having to move a promising prospect and a draft pick if he’s seeking top-six forward help. He could offer up a first-round pick, one of his two third-round picks in 2024 or perhaps one or two of his three second-rounders in the 2025 draft.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 9, 2023

by | Aug 9, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – August 9, 2023

Check out the latest on the Flames’ Noah Hanifin and the Sharks’ Kevin Labanc in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

UPDATE ON NOAH HANIFIN

THE ATHLETIC: Julian McKenzie wonders if the Calgary Flames will attempt to capitalize on Noah Hanifin’s trade value now that Erik Karlsson is off the market. The 26-year-old defenseman is in the final season of his contract and has reportedly informed the Flames he’s not interested in an extension.

Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin (NHL Images).

McKenzie had previously suggested the Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres, Nashville Predators, Dallas Stars and Florida Panthers as possible trade destinations for Hanifin. At one point in late June, there was speculation suggesting the Sabres and Flames had emerged as primary suitors.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman has reported Hanifin wants to continue his playing career in the United States. Of the clubs previously mentioned, the Sabres and Predators are the only ones now with sufficient cap space to absorb his $4.95 million cap hit. McKenzie also noted the Detroit Red Wings also have cap space if they were interested in the Flames blueliner.

McKenzie speculates the Flames would likely want a return involving younger players who can help their roster right away. Draft picks also wouldn’t hurt as they need to improve their prospect pipeline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames are pressed against the $83.5 million salary cap for this season so they can’t afford to retain part of Hanifin’s cap hit. Perhaps they might consider a dollar-in, dollar-out scenario if it nets them a quality player in his mid-twenties.

Hanifin would provide a boost to the respective bluelines of the Sabres, Red Wings and Predators. However, there’s no certainty that they’re interested in making a significant offseason trade. They could be willing to wait and see how the season progresses before making any major upgrades.

LATEST ON KEVIN LABANC

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Max Miller recently mused over Kevin Labanc’s trade value. The 27-year-old San Jose Sharks winger is slated to become a UFA next summer and is likely to be shopped before this season’s trade deadline.

Labanc’s value has diminished enough that Sharks general manager Mike Grier might be willing to retain part of his $4.725 million cap hit to facilitate a trade. Miller believes the Sharks must move him soon or risk his value plummeting further.

It was rumored last month that the Sharks may have had a deal in place with the Vancouver Canucks swapping Labanc for defenseman Tyler Myers. Miller speculates the holdup could be Myers being owed a $5 million signing bonus on Sept. 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’ll find out soon enough if the rumored Labanc-for-Myers trade comes to fruition. If it doesn’t, the Sharks might end up having to start the season with Labanc on the roster and hope that he can play well enough to draw some interest before the trade deadline.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 8, 2023

by | Aug 8, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – August 8, 2023

Could the Golden Knights trade Jonathan Marchessault before his contract expires at the end of this season? Do the Penguins need to add another defenseman in the wake of the Erik Karlsson trade? Get the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS PART WAYS WITH PLAYOFF MVP MARCHESSAULT

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Chris Gawlik wondered if the Golden Knights will attempt to trade Jonathan Marchessault before his contract expires at the end of 2023-24. The 32-year-old winger won the Conn Smythe Trophy leading the Golden Knights to their first Stanley Cup championship.

Vegas Golden Knights winger Jonathan Marchessault (NHL Images).

Gawlik cited Marchessault’s recent interview with TVA Sports in which he indicated that contract extension talks have not yet begun with the Golden Knights. The winger acknowledged that sometimes management takes their time with such negotiations.

The Golden Knights could shop Marchessault before his contract ends next summer rather than lose him to free agency. Gawlik noted that general manager Kelly McCrimmon has previously parted with popular Golden Knights players such as Marc-Andre Fleury, Reilly Smith and Ivan Barbashev.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As the MVP of the 2023 playoffs, Marchessault’s trade value will never be higher than it will be this season. We can’t rule out the possibility that he gets moved before the March trade deadline depending on where the Golden Knights are in the standings by then.

Marchessault carries an average annual value of $5 million but in actual salary, he’s earning an affordable $3.5 million this season. He also has a five-team no-trade clause that gives McCrimmon some leeway when it comes to trade destinations.

SHOULD THE PENGUINS ADD ANOTHER DEFENSEMAN?

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski praised Penguins GM Kyle Dubas’ acquisition of Erik Karlsson but believes he still must do more to bolster the club’s defense corps.

With Jeff Petry and Jan Rutta traded away in the Karlsson deal, Kingerski observed that the Penguins’ right-side blueline depth beyond Karlsson and Kris Letang is Chad Ruhwedel, Mark Friedman, Ty Smith and Will Butcher. If Karlsson and Letang are sidelined by injuries, Ruhwedel becomes a top-four defenseman and Friedman would be on the right side on the third pairing.

Kingerski believes Dubas has time to address this issue. Nevertheless, he thinks the Penguins GM must add another right-side defenseman or run the risk of a blueline collapse.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Karlsson and Letang didn’t have a history of lengthy health-related absences this wouldn’t be such a cause for concern. With Jake Guentzel not expected to go on long-term injury reserve to start the season, the Penguins lack sufficient cap space to address that issue. It could end up being a dollar-in, dollar-out move.

Dubas has proven time and again to be adept at salary-cap gymnastics. It’ll be interesting to see what he does regarding that potential blueline depth concern.