NHL Rumor Mill – October 25, 2022

by | Oct 25, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – October 25, 2022

Questions facing the Canucks and the Islanders as they stumble from the gate in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Harman Dayal pondered several options as to what Vancouver Canucks management will do to address the club’s poor start to this season.

One could be making an early-season trade. Those tend to be risky but Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford had success with such moves in his previous job as general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Vancouver Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau (NHL Images).

Dayal admits these Canucks face too many problems to be resolved with just one trade. While shopping Bo Horvat or Conor Garland for a top-four defenseman signed beyond this season sounds good in theory but if such an opportunity were available it would’ve happened by now.

Another option could be replacing Bruce Boudreau as head coach. During an interview with Hockey Night in Canada last Saturday, Rutherford indicated the club had a bad training camp, poor habits and a lack of structure. However, the Canucks are already paying former head coach Travis Green for this season and could be reluctant to add Boudreau to that list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks are a mess. Granted, they’ve had defensive issues since last season but they look nothing like the club that staged an impressive second-half turnaround following Boudreau’s takeover.

Dayal got the impression from Rutherford’s HNiC interview that he’ll remain patient despite the issues he pointed out. However, he also felt Rutherford’s patience could only last so long.

Replacing Boudreau would be easier than making a trade with so many teams carrying little or no salary cap space to start this season. Boudreau was inherited by Rutherford, who could prefer bringing in his own guy if things don’t soon improve regardless of the financial implications.

I’m not calling for the Canucks to fire Boudreau. It would be, as Dayal suggested, that they’re just not a good team. Still, that move could be the easiest route for Rutherford if he feels changes are needed fast.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes the New York Islanders still have plenty of time this season to qualify for the playoffs but their disappointing start could lead to changes if they don’t reverse their fortunes.

If the Islanders’ performance doesn’t improve, Proteau wondered how many teams could start lining up to take players under contract beyond next season off GM Lou Lamoriello’s hands. He also pondered if Lamoriello might use some draft picks to acquire impact players or how long the Isles GM will continue to wait to make a significant move.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lamoriello replaced Barry Trotz as head coach with Lane Lambert plus he tried and failed to land a scoring forward this summer to bolster the Isles’ anemic offense. Still, apart from acquiring defenseman Alexander Romanov, he mostly stuck with the same roster he had last season, betting they would bounce back from what was a difficult 2021-22 campaign.

So far, there’s no indication the Islanders are poised for a rebound performance this season. Like the Canucks, Lamoriello would also face a difficult time making a significant trade with so many clubs in salary-cap hell to start the season.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 24, 2022

by | Oct 24, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – October 24, 2022

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: an update on John Klingberg plus a couple of suggested blueline targets for the Canadiens.

UPDATE ON KLINGBERG

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun recently interviewed Anaheim Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek regarding the state of the club’s rebuild. Among the topics was Verbeek’s plan for defenseman John Klingberg, who signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Ducks as a free agent in July.

Anaheim Ducks defenseman John Klingberg (NHL Images).

Verbeek doesn’t rule out re-signing the 30-year-old Klingberg if both sides are willing to agree to an extension. However, LeBrun suggested the blueliner could become a valuable trade deadline asset if the Ducks are out of playoff contentions by then.

Whatever happens, Verbeek said he’ll let Klingberg know where he stands before the trade deadline. That’s what he did last March with Hampus Lindholm, Josh Manson and Rickard Rakell.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Klingberg has two points in six games thus far with the Ducks, who are off to a sputtering start this season. Maybe he’ll be interested in sticking around and being part of their rebuild. That will depend upon his role and what type of contract the Ducks are willing to offer.

I think Klingberg gets shopped at the deadline just like Lindholm, Manson and Rakell. While it’s worthwhile for a rebuilding club to have some veterans in the lineup to take some of the burdens off their promising young players, Klingberg’s UFA status next summer likely means he’ll be moving on next summer. Best to get something for him by the trade deadline.

LATEST CANADIENS SPECULATION

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marco D’Amico recently cited an NHL source claiming the Los Angeles Kings are looking to resolve the logjam on the right side of their defense corps. That could draw the interest of the Montreal Canadiens given their need for some veteran help on their blueline. D’Amico suggested Sean Walker as a possible trade target, noting the Canadiens could draw upon their excess of forwards to help the Kings boost their bottom-six forward lines.

D’Amico also noted the potential availability of Carolina Hurricanes rearguard Ethan Bear as Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman speculated he could be traded or waived. The Canadiens still have priority on waivers for another week, giving them first crack at Bear if he becomes available.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bear is on a one-year contract earning $2.2 million. Friedman said the Hurricanes came close to moving him a couple of times but interested parties wanted them to retain part of his salary. That could be a sticking point for the Canadiens.

Canadiens GM Kent Hughes has said he’d like to add a veteran right-side defenseman and could draw upon his forward depth for trade bait. So far, he’s yet to swing that deal, perhaps because his club is playing better than expected through their first six games of this season. We’ll find out soon enough if Hughes is interested in Bear or one of the Kings’ surplus blueliners.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 23, 2022

by | Oct 23, 2022

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 23, 2022

The Jakob Chychrun trade speculations keep rolling along, Hurricanes defenseman Ethan Bear could be on the move plus the latest on the Bruins in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup

THE LATEST ON JAKOB CHYCHRUN

SPORTSNET: Jeff Marek reports the Arizona Coyotes management wants to trade Jakob Chychrun, who has asked to be moved to a contender. However, their asking price for the 24-year-old defenseman remains high.

“It’s essentially the equivalent of two first-round picks, plus. So, that would be a combination of prospects, picks and players as well,” said Marek. He indicates Chychrun remains sidelined as he continues to rehab from offseason wrist surgery but is expected to make his season debut in a couple of weeks.

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun (NHL Images).

Rumors have linked Chychrun to the Ottawa Senators for some time. However, Marek said they don’t want to part with “Shane Pinto or Ridley Greig or Jake Sanderson or anyone like that.” He wonders if another club deep in promising talent, like the Los Angeles Kings, could become more involved.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch claims the Senators, Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, St. Louis Blues, Anaheim Ducks and the Columbus Blue Jackets are believed to have spoken to Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong about Chychrun.

DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin considers the Senators and Kings as the favorites to land Chychrun. He believes the Leafs are in the hunt while the Panthers and Vancouver Canucks are long shots.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I know some of you are growing weary of the constant Chychrun rumors. However, this is the way it typically goes in the early-season trade market in the salary-cap era. Too few players are available and too many teams have limited salary-cap space to make any significant moves.

That means whatever notable player becomes a trade candidate will be the focus of endless conjecture. Chychrun is the biggest name available because he’s asked to be traded and the Coyotes are trying to accommodate him. Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane occasionally surfaces in the rumor mill. That’s because of pundits speculating over his future and not because of anything Kane or Blackhawks management has done.

Chychrun will continue to dominate media trade gossip until he’s finally moved or other players of note become available or teams accrue sufficient cap space to start wheeling and dealing.

As for potential trade destinations, none of those listed should come as any surprise to those of you who frequent this site. Only the Senators and Ducks have sufficient cap space and depth in tradeable assets to acquire him and they don’t appear willing to meet the Coyotes’ asking price.

It will take some creativity on the part of those cap-strapped clubs to acquire Chychrun. It’ll have to be dollar-in, dollar-out or a three-team deal that spreads his cap hit around. I don’t see the Coyotes agreeing to the latter as they probably won’t want $2.3 million in dead cap space on their books through 2024-25, which is the final season of his contract.

WILL THE HURRICANES SHOP ETHAN BEAR?

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Carolina Hurricanes are expected to reach a decision soon regarding Ethan Bear. The 23-year-old defenseman has not yet suited up this season.

Bear wants to play but hasn’t been able to crack the Hurricanes roster. They’ve been shopping him and came close to a trade a couple of times. However, interested clubs want the Hurricanes to retain half of his $2.2 million salary for this season which they don’t want to do. The Canucks could be among the suitors.

Friedman believes the situation will be resolved soon. He believes a team will make an offer that the Hurricanes will find agreeable, or he gets into the lineup or ends up on waivers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bear was considered a promising young puck-moving defenseman when he began his NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers but struggled to adjust with the Hurricanes after contracting COVID-19 last season. Perhaps a fresh start with a new club can help him get back on track.

ARE THE BRUINS SEEKING A RIGHT-SHOT DEFENSEMAN?

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy believes the Bruins’ immediate focus will be shoring up the right side of their defense if they decide to explore the trade market. Charlie McAvoy is sidelined until December and Brandon Carlo is on injured reserve with an upper-body injury.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes have a right-shot defenseman they’re trying to move who might fit the bill for the Bruins…










NHL Rumor Mill – October 22, 2022

by | Oct 22, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – October 22, 2022

Should the Leafs dangle Nick Robertson as trade bait for Jakob Chychrun? Could the Panthers pursue a replacement for the sidelined Aaron Ekblad in the trade market? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SHOULD THE LEAFS OFFER ROBERTSON TO THE COYOTES FOR CHYCRUN?

TORONTO SUN: Michael Traikos suggests the Maple Leafs should trade promising Nick Robertson to the Arizona Coyotes for Jakob Chychrun. The 21-year-old forward had an impressive season debut against the Dallas Stars on Thursday night with two goals, the second coming in overtime following his smart defensive play to thwart a Stars’ two-on-one scoring opportunity.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson (NHL Images).

Traikos acknowledges Robertson’s potential as a top-six forward but believes the Leafs already possess enough depth in that department. They need to bolster their blueline and Chychrun would do that. He’s also 24 and carries an affordable $4.6 million cap hit through 2024-25.

Chychrun has asked to be traded to a contender and Traikos believes the Leafs could be at the top of the list, They have the pieces to get a deal done plus they’re in “win-now” mode.

With Chychrun close to returning from offseason wrist surgery, Traikos suggested the Leafs offer up a package of Robertson and their 2023 first-round pick as part of it. He also proposed including Alex Kerfoot and his $3.5 million cap hit in the deal to free up the necessary salary-cap space if sidelined defenseman Jake Muzzin returns to the lineup later this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Traikos makes a good point regarding the Leafs’ defense. If they were to pursue Chychrun, the Coyotes could agree to accept Robertson as part of the return. However, I don’t think they’ll want Kerfoot in the deal given his eligibility for unrestricted free-agent status next July.

General manager Bill Armstrong reportedly seeks a return heavy with future assets like first-round picks, top prospects or good young NHL players like Robertson. Kerfoot doesn’t fit into any of those categories. Armstrong could agree to take him in the deal if the Leafs also include prospect Matthew Knies, which would be folly on the Leafs’ part.

WILL THE PANTHER SHOP FOR A REPLACEMENT FOR EKBLAD?

DAILY FACEOFF: During Friday’s “Ice Breakers” segment, Mike McKenna asked Frank Seravalli if the Florida Panthers are going to bring in some reinforcements on their blueliner with top defenseman Aaron Ekblad sidelined for several months.

Seravalli thinks the Panthers are shopping around but only for affordable temporary stopgaps. There are not many younger players available who could slide into their lineup.

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ Pierre-Olivier Joseph has come up in the rumor mill. Seravalli said he knows “a number of teams” have made offers for the 23-year-old blueliner but the Penguins weren’t or aren’t willing to move on from him.

Jakob Chychrun requested a trade from the Arizona Coyotes but Seravalli doesn’t see the Panthers pursuing the 24-year-old rearguard. They don’t have a lot of future assets to part with plus the cap-strapped club must ensure they have sufficient cap space when Ekblad returns to the lineup later this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers could bring in a defenseman like Chychrun on a dollar-in, dollar-out deal where they send a player with a comparable salary the other way. They could also attempt a three-team deal to spread around the cap hit of the incoming player.

Neither option, however, seems likely at this stage of the season. Like other cap-strapped clubs with a core player sidelined for weeks or months (like the Colorado Avalanche with captain Gabriel Landeskog on the shelf), the Panthers will have to gut it out until those players return.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 21, 2022

by | Oct 21, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – October 21, 2022

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: the latest Canadiens speculation, a look at which defensemen the Canucks might target, and the Golden Knights owner weighs in on how his club could invest next season’s cap space.

LATEST ON THE CANADIENS

SPORTSNET: In his latest mailbag segment, Eric Engels was asked how the Montreal Canadiens might address the void in goal if Carey Price’s knee injury brings an end to his playing career.

The club will likely try to identify future starting goalies in the 2023 draft while attempting to develop the prospects within their system. However, Engels anticipates a trade is the most likely way to bolster that position.

With Jake Allen signed for two more seasons, Engels felt there was no immediate need to address that position. Given the type of team they’re trying to develop, they might not need to depend on a goalie the way they did in the past with Price.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, they might only need a reliable goalie who can rise to the occasion in big-game situations rather than one who can dominate at that position.

That strategy worked for the Colorado Avalanche last season as well as the St. Louis Blues in 2019 and the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017. Those clubs, of course, were loaded with stars at other positions. They needed a good goaltender, not a great one.

Montreal Canadiens center Sean Monahan (NHL Images).

However, it’s also worth noting that the star-studded Tampa Bay Lightning won two straight Stanley Cups in part because they also possess a superstar netminder in Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Asked about Sean Monahan’s future with the Canadiens, Engels believes it’ll be a short one. He speculated the Habs could get a first-round pick for the 28-year-old center at the trade deadline if he stays healthy and plays well.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Monahan’s looked good in the early going for the Canadiens. He could fetch a first-rounder at the trade deadline from a playoff contender provided he maintains his current level of performance throughout this season.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marco D’Amico recently reported the Canadiens are still searching for a right-shot defenseman despite the recent addition of Jonathan Kovacevic off waivers. They’re still seeking a veteran presence on the blueline for at least the short term.

D’Amico believes they’re not going after a big fish like the Arizona Coyotes’ Jakob Chychrun. They are exploring various options as their lineup is too congested at forward to provide any roster flexibility.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Maybe they’ll consider shopping Monahan for that defenseman? Or perhaps Jonathan Drouin if he also has a healthy and productive early season? Granted, their respective cap hits make them expensive to move at this point in the season. Monahan’s is $6.375 million while Drouin’s is $5.5 million.

WHICH DEFENSEMEN COULD THE CANUCKS TARGET?

SEKERES AND PRICE: TSN analyst Darren Dreger was asked which defensemen the Vancouver Canucks might target in the trade market.

Dreger said the problem is so many teams are looking at the same type of defenseman, namely the Coyotes’ Jakob Chychrun. However, Chychrun is currently unavailable as he’s still recovering from off-season surgery. Teams will want to see him play before making offers but the Coyotes are still setting a high asking price.

Short-term options could include Danny DeKeyser, Thomas Hickey or Jason Demers. In the long-term, perhaps Chychrun becomes more affordable at the trade deadline. The Anaheim Ducks’ John Klingberg could be another deadline option as well as the Ducks’ Kevin Shattenkirk or Dmitry Kulikov, the Coyotes’ Shayne Gostisbehere and Troy Stecher, the Seattle Kraken’s Carson Soucy, and the New Jersey Devils’ Damon Severson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It doesn’t appear as though there are any quality options available right now to the Canucks or any other club in the market for blueline help. Many of those players Dreger rattled off could certainly become obtainable at the deadline but that could be too late to help the struggling Canucks.

HOW WILL THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS INVEST THEIR FUTURE CAP SPACE?

THE ATHLETIC: Jesse Granger recently interviewed Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley. At one point, Granger indicated that next season’s salary cap could rise by $4 million and asked Foley how that might affect the club’s plans.

The Golden Knights owner replied that it would give them the opportunity to pursue “another really quality forward.” He felt they were fine at center but could use more depth among their top-nine forwards.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Something for Golden Knights fans to keep in mind if the cap does rise by $4 million next summer.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 20, 2022

by | Oct 20, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – October 20, 2022

More Patrick Kane trade speculation (yes, again!) plus a look at how the Leafs can acquire Jakob Chychrun and the latest on Wayne Simmonds in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

MORE PATRICK KANE TRADE SPECULATION

TSN: Earlier this week, Craig Button listed two teams in each NHL conference that might benefit from acquiring Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane.

Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane (NHL Images).

Starting with the Western Conference, Button suggested the Calgary Flames and Los Angeles Kings. Kane could offset some of the offense the Flames lost during the offseason. He could also help the Kings progress in their development.

Turning to the Eastern Conference, Button believes the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers could benefit from Kane’s services. He thinks the former Conn Smythe Trophy winner could bolster the Penguins’ production in the postseason. Kane could also help improve the Rangers’ Stanley Cup chances.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Button reminds us that Kane carries a hefty $10.5 million cap hit plus a full no-movement clause giving him full control over where he might go. Those will be crucial factors that determine where he ends up if he agrees to be traded.

I don’t see Kane heading to Pittsburgh or Calgary unless they’re willing to move a fair chunk of salary to the Blackhawks as part of the return. Even then, it would probably take a three-team deal to spread his cap hit around.

Kane’s experience and offensive skills would certainly help the Kings. However, acquiring a player like him as a postseason rental is a move usually made by a Stanley Cup contender, not a club emerging from a rebuilding phase but isn’t yet a legitimate Cup hopeful. It’s not a good idea to waste those future assets that could help you become a contender within a couple of years on a rental player simply to win a playoff round next spring.

The Rangers, of course, have been linked to Kane for months. Some in the New York media share the belief that the Blueshirts could make a play for him by the March 3 trade deadline. However, there are also those encouraged by the performance of young Rangers like Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko to suggest perhaps they might not need Kane after all.

Button also doesn’t believe the Edmonton Oilers or Toronto Maple Leafs will attempt to acquire Kane. He felt those clubs have no problem scoring goals but must instead add defensemen.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Agreed.

LATEST ON THE LEAFS

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos believes the Maple Leafs can acquire Jakob Chychrun from the Arizona Coyotes without having to clear Jake Muzzin’s salary from their books or giving up top prospect Matthew Knies in return.

Kypreos reports the Coyotes told the Leafs and Ottawa Senators that if a trade cannot be made involving prospects like Knies or the Senators’ Ridly Greig that one could be built around two first-round picks. He thinks the Coyotes would also want one of Rasmus Sandin, Timothy Liljegren or Topi Niemela.

To balance the cap hit, the Coyotes would have to accept Alex Kerfoot and his $3.5 million cap hit. A solid performance by Nick Robertson in the coming weeks could make Kerfoot easier to move.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos acknowledged Chychrun’s injury history and the concerns over his feel for the game. Nevertheless, he also felt that the blueliner’s $4.6 million cap hit through 2024-25 fits well within the Leafs’ payroll plus his powerful shot and ability to log big minutes would take some of the burden off Morgan Rielly.

Kypreos also pointed out that other clubs (Senators, Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, Florida Panthers, Columbus Blue Jackets) have been linked to Chychrun in the rumor mill. He suggested the Leafs acquire the Coyotes’ rearguard sooner rather than later or risk seeing him shipped to another team.

The Senators still strike me as the more likely destination for Chychrun. They’ve got the cap space to absorb most of his contract and wouldn’t have to send much back salary-wise to make the dollars fit. They’ve also got plenty of promising talent to use as trade bait to outbid the other clubs.

THE ATHLETIC: Joshua Kloke observed Wayne Simmonds remains in limbo with the Toronto Maple Leafs. They currently have no room for him within their current forward lines and haven’t had any luck yet finding a suitable trade partner for him.

The 34-year-old winger’s best seasons are now behind him but Kloke suggests the intangibles he brings would be invaluable to “teams in transitory stages with rosters stocked with young players.”. He suggested the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators as two examples, along with perhaps returning to one of his former teams like the Los Angeles Kings or Philadelphia Flyers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Simmonds has a 10-team no-trade list and it’s believed he wants to play for a contender at this stage of his career. He might agree to go to one of those clubs if they come calling. So far, however, there doesn’t seem to be much interest in him.