NHL Rumor Mill – October 19, 2022

by | Oct 19, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – October 19, 2022

Some Canadian teams could be in the market for a defenseman. So could the Columbus Blue Jackets. Find out why in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TSN: In Tuesday’s “Insider Trading” segment, Darren Dreger said there’s a “growing list of Canadian teams” that are in the market for a defenseman. He singled out the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph (NHL Images).

Dreger believes the Leafs and Canadiens are seeking a right-shot defenseman. He noted that Pierre-Olivier Joseph of the Pittsburgh Penguins is believed to be available. Dreger isn’t attaching Joseph to those teams but pointed out the Penguins have nine defensemen. “He’s a young player, a first-round draft pick, so he might be a fit with one of those clubs,” said Dreger.

Chris Johnston noted that Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun will be joining his teammates during their current road trip in Montreal. The 24-year-old rearguard has frequently surfaced in trade rumors but he’s been recovering from offseason wrist surgery.

Johnston said there are teams interested in Chychrun but they want to see him return to action before agreeing to a deal. Dreger mentioned the blueliner is “high-rent” plus the Coyotes have set a high asking price. He wondered if some of those Canadian teams might “buckle up and pay the price” to acquire Chychrun or look elsewhere toward someone like Joseph.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reported on Oct. 16 that defensive woes were among the reasons for the Columbus Blue Jackets’ early-season struggles. He felt general manager Jarmo Kekalainen might have to trade for a right-shot defenseman to “change the makeup on the blue line.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cap space will also be a factor for most of those Canadian teams mentioned by Dreger as well as for the Blue Jackets. The Senators are the only club that could have enough room to absorb Chychrun’s $4.6 million average annual value.

I don’t believe the Coyotes will retain any portion of that. He’s signed through 2024-25 and they probably don’t want to carry any dead cap space for that long.

Joseph isn’t an established defenseman like Chychrun but he has potential plus he also carries a very affordable $825K AAV through 2023-24. He was rumored to be available earlier this month as the Penguins sought to become cap compliant before the start of the season. They achieved that goal by demoting Ty Smith and Mark Friedman to their AHL affiliate.

The Penguins could move Joseph if they get a tantalizing offer. For now, I think they’re willing to stick with him and see how his game develops. He has two assists in three games thus far this season.

It’s worth noting that Chychrun and Joseph both shoot left so they won’t address the needs of those clubs looking for a right-shot rearguard.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 18, 2022

by | Oct 18, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – October 18, 2022

​Why the time is now for the Coyotes to trade Jakob Chychrun, how a rising salary cap could make it easier for the Blackhawks to move Seth Jones and a look at which coaches are on the hot seat to start this season in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE TIME IS NOW TO MOVE CHYCHRUN

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes the Arizona Coyotes must move Jakob Chychrun now while his trade value remains high. He suggests the Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers and Minnesota Wild as three potential destinations for the 24-year-old blueliner given their early-season defensive struggles.

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun (NHL Images).

The Senators can draw upon their young players and/or their stockpile of prospects and draft picks as trade bait. They also have almost enough cap space ($4.1 million) to take on Chychrun’s $4.6 million annual salary-cap hit. The Sens are holding firm to what they’re willing to part with but Proteau suggests that might change if the losses start piling up.

Chychrun’s size and hockey smarts could improve the Oilers’ blueline depth and lessen the pressure on their other defensemen. Proteau also wondered if Wild general manager Bill Guerin might step up to meet the Coyotes’ asking price though they’re in the middle of a salary-cap crunch. He’s got Matt Dumba eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer.

Proteau cautions that teams interested in Chychrun could turn to more affordable options later in the season if the Coyotes don’t lower their asking price. One of them could be the Anaheim Ducks’ John Klingberg as a playoff rental player.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators have been linked to Chychrun since July. Proteau cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting over the weekend that there currently isn’t a path for a deal but that could change once Chychrun returns from his wrist injury.

The Athletic’s Daniel Nugent-Bowman also suggested the Oilers could use a defenseman like Chychrun after watching their defense get picked apart by the Calgary Flames over the weekend. He believes adding a top blueliner needs to be GM Ken Holland’s priority before the trade deadline.

As for the Wild, their defense hasn’t been good but the goaltending of Marc-Andre Fleury and Filip Gustavsson has been brutal. Guerin might consider that to be a more pressing issue if things don’t improve soon.

As always, the two big stumbling blocks in a Chychrun trade are the Coyotes’ asking price and the rearguard’s injury history. Salary cap space is also an issue for some of the teams (like the Oilers and Wild) linked to him. Until one of those hurdles is overcome I don’t see Chychrun getting traded anytime soon.

COULD A RISING SALARY CAP MAKE SETH JONES’ CONTRACT EASIER TO MOVE?

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: With the NHL salary cap projected to rise to $92 million by 2025-26, Ben Pope suggests it could make Seth Jones’ contract easier for the rebuilding Blackhawks to build around or trade by 2025. The 28-year-old defenseman is in the first season of an eight-year deal with an average annual value of $9.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That will depend on whether Jones is still playing at a level of performance that would entice other teams enough to take on his full cap hit. He would also have to be willing to waive his full no-movement clause. In the meantime, Jones isn’t going anywhere for the foreseeable future.

COACHES ON THE HOT SEAT

THE ATHLETIC: Sean Gentille believes the New Jersey Devils’ Lindy Ruff and the Anaheim Ducks’ Dallas Eakins could find themselves on the hot seat if their clubs haven’t improved in the coming weeks.

The Ducks picked up Eakins’ option year for this season but nothing beyond that. They’ve added some decent veterans (Frank Vatrano, Ryan Strome, John Klingberg) and have some promising young talent in Trevor Zegras, Jamie Drysdale and Mason McTavish. However, this is a rebuilding club expected to be bad again this season and that could make it tough for Eakins to maintain his job.

Ruff was booed when he was introduced during the Devils’ home opener on Saturday, which they lost 5-2. Gentille cites bad goaltending and some questionable lineup decisions behind the Devils’ woes. He also noted former Florida Panthers bench boss Andrew Brunette was hired this summer as Ruff’s assistant.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No rumors yet suggesting Eakins or Ruff (or any other NHL head coach) could soon lose their jobs. Nevertheless, this is something to keep an eye on in the coming weeks. Those two could certainly feel the heat if things don’t improve.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 17, 2022

by | Oct 17, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – October 17, 2022

The latest on Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, an update on Wayne Simmonds and a potentially interesting waiver option for the Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON KANE AND TOEWS

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports player agent Pat Brisson said his client, Patrick Kane, is taking a wait-and-see approach to this season. The 33-year-old winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane (NHL Images).

Brisson didn’t put a timeline on it, adding the Blackhawks won’t push Kane one way or the other. LeBrun indicated the plan is for management and Kane’s camp to revisit this issue around December or January to see where they are.

LeBrun noted the similarities between Kane’s situation and that of Brisson client Claude Giroux, who was shipped to the Florida Panthers by the Philadelphia Flyers before last season’s trade deadline. Noting the emotional toll it took on Giroux, LeBrun wonders if there might be a mutual desire between Kane and an interested club in getting a deal done well ahead of the March 3 trade deadline.

Kane’s teammate Jonathan Toews is another Brisson client. His declining performance could affect his trade value but his leadership and playoff experience remain respected by contenders.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: LeBrun also cited the $10.5 million cap hit of Kane and Toews as well as their full no-movement clauses. He thinks Kane could only approve two or three teams as trade destinations which will affect the type of return for the Blackhawks, though that could improve if they retain 50 percent of his cap hit. I daresay Toews would also have a small number of preferred destinations.

Media speculation has linked Kane to the Colorado Avalanche, Dalla Stars, Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs. However, there doesn’t appear to have been any serious trade talks. Those likely won’t happen until January at the earliest.

UPDATE ON SIMMONDS

TORONTO SUN: Lance Hornby reported Wayne Simmonds was recalled by the Maple Leafs along with Nick Robertson and Victor Mete after Matt Murray was placed on long-term injury reserve. Simmonds is happy to be back after clearing waivers on Monday but didn’t report to their AHL affiliate.

The Leafs allowed Simmonds to work out with “a satellite group of players” at Scotiabank Arena while they sought a trade that he would accept. The veteran winger is hoping to stay with the team as he doesn’t want to leave a contender for a rebuilding club.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Simmonds carries an affordable $900K for this season but also has a 10-team no-trade clause.

MILANO ON WAIVERS

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marco D’Amico wonders if the Canadiens might attempt to claim Sonny Milano off waivers. The 26-year-old winger signed a one-year, $750K contract with the Washington Capitals and was placed on waivers yesterday for the purpose of sending him to their AHL affiliate in Hershey.

D’Amico suggests Milano could be a cheap, low-cost addition for the Canadiens. Prospect Juraj Slafkovsky looks like he could use some seasoning in the AHL while veterans Mike Hoffman and Evgenii Dadonov have failed to impress.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Canadiens pass on Milano another club might claim him now that he’s signed an affordable contract. We’ll find out later today.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 16, 2022

by | Oct 16, 2022

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 16, 2022

Is there a deal to be had between the Coyotes and Senators for Jakob Chychrun? Could the Bruins shop one of their left-side defensemen? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports sidelined defenseman Jakob Chychrun is scheduled to join the club later this week to at least skate with his teammates. However, there remains no firm timeline for his return to action.

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun (NHL Images).

The Ottawa Senators have been linked to Chychrun in the rumor mill. However, Friedman cites multiple sources claiming there currently isn’t a path for a deal between the two clubs, though that might change once he resumes skating.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chychrun has requested a trade and Coyotes general manager Bill Armstrong is willing to accommodate him. However, until he’s back playing and remains healthy and productive, he’ll likely remain with the Coyotes for a while.

As always, the combination of the Coyotes’ high asking price and Chychrun’s injury history makes it difficult for the club to ship him to the Senators or any other interested team.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy reports the Bruins will have five left-side defensemen once Matt Grzelcyk returns from injury in the near future. He noted that Bruins GM Don Sweeney intends to keep an open mind regarding moving one of those blueliners to clear some salary-cap space or to provide depth should injuries occur.

Mike Reilly appears the likely trade candidate. He cleared waivers last week and sources claimed the Bruins were shopping him prior to putting him on waivers. The fact he went unclaimed was due to so many teams possessing insufficient cap space to take on his $3 million cap hit.

Murphy also mentioned some speculation suggesting the Bruins might shop right-side rearguard Brandon Carlo if he doesn’t round into everything they’ve envisioned. One scout said to Murphy he wouldn’t be surprised if Sweeney shopped Carlo for “a big going-for-it move” at the March 3 trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sweeney could attempt to move Reilly in a cost-cutting deal once Brad Marchand or Charlie McAvoy come off long-term injured reserve later this season. Perhaps by that point, there will be interested clubs that have accrued sufficient cap space to take him on.

Carlo suffered what looked like another head/concussion injury during last night’s game against the Arizona Coyotes. Given his concussion history, that could adversely affect his trade value if he’s sidelined again for any length of time.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 15, 2022

by | Oct 15, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – October 15, 2022

Could the Blackhawks trade Jonathan Toews but not Patrick Kane? Could the Blues re-sign Vladimir Tarasenko but not Ryan O’Reilly? Will the Flyers trade a key veteran this season? Read on for the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Among their staff’s bold predictions for 2022-23 were three interesting forecasts involving the Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues and Philadelphia Flyers.

Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews (NHL Images).

Mark Lazerus observed the consensus is the Blackhawks will trade Patrick Kane because he’ll be too valuable at the trade deadline to retain while Jonathan Toews is untradeable. However, he suggests Toews could be valuable to clubs like the Colorado Avalanche that could be in the market for a third-line center. As for Kane, Lazerus believes the winger could be looking for a reason to stay in Chicago and finish his career with the Blackhawks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That would certainly be a swerve from the current narrative suggesting Kane could end up playing for a contender like the New York Rangers by deadline day.

As Lazerus observed, Kane would have the best trade value of the two. However, the 33-year-old winger’s no-movement clause gives him complete control over his fate this season.

Toews also has a full NMC and the same cap hit ($10.5 million) as Kane. Nevertheless, he would be more affordable in terms of return for contenders seeking experienced postseason depth at center.

Jeremy Rutherford, meanwhile, made the bold prediction of the St. Louis Blues re-signing Vladimir Tarasenko and parting ways with team captain Ryan O’Reilly. He pointed out teams weren’t willing to trade for Tarasenko and wondered if they’d be willing to pay for his services in the free-agent market. He also asked if the Blues can afford to lose the skilled winger.

Rutherford suggested O’Reilly could be expendable with centers Robert Thomas and Brayden Schenn on long-term contracts. He also reminded us that general manager Doug Armstrong has parted company with previous captains like Alex Pietrangelo and David Backes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rutherford admitted he didn’t fully believe this scenario either. Still, the topic was bold predictions and this one certainly fits into that category.

Tarasenko’s probably a goner after this season. His unhappiness with the club’s medical staff over the treatment of his injured shoulder led to a trade request in 2021 that he reportedly hasn’t rescinded. They’ll likely re-sign O’Reilly to a five-year deal for slightly less than his current $7.5 million AAV.

Turning to the Flyers, Charlie O’Connor’s bold prediction is they’ll trade one of their “recognizable veterans on long-term contracts.” That player would likely be one who doesn’t buy into head coach John Tortorella’s game plan. If it happens, they could be quickly on the move as GM Chuck Fletcher can’t afford to be patient anymore.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: O’Connor didn’t single anyone out because we don’t know yet which players might not see eye-to-eye with Tortorella as the season unfold. Recognizable veterans on long-term contracts could include Sean Couturier or Kevin Hayes.

I’m not saying one of those guys will clash with Tortorella. For all I know, they could be fully onboard. Still, it’ll be interesting to follow the Flyers this season to see who buys into what their new coach is peddling and who doesn’t.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 14, 2022

by | Oct 14, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – October 14, 2022

Will the Oilers pursue a trade for Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun? What’s the latest on Canadiens forward Jonathan Drouin and Leafs winger Wayne Simmonds? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE OILERS PURSUE CHYCHRUN AT THE TRADE DEADLINE?

THE ATHLETIC: In his recent bold predictions for 2022-23 for the Edmonton Oilers, Daniel Nugent-Bowman believes they’ll make a splash at the March 3 trade deadline. He claims they have had varying degrees of interest in Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane and Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun.

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun (NHL Images).

Given their salary cap constraints, Nugent-Bowman believes the Oilers will need to give up a salaried player such as Jesse Puljujarvi or Warren Foegele to make the dollars work. Nevertheless, he felt this is the season where they should bring in a player of the caliber of Kane or Chychrun.

In a recent mailbag segment, Nugent-Bowman was asked what the Oilers might have to give up to acquire Chychrun. He doesn’t see the Coyotes retaining part of the blueliner’s contract given he’s signed through 2024-25 with an affordable $4.6 million annual cap hit. He also doubts they’d have much interest in Puljujarvi.

The return would have to include defenseman Philip Broberg but that would be almost a non-starter for the Oilers. Nugent-Bowman also has concerns about Chychrun’s injury history. However, he feels comfortable in parting with Broberg in order to acquire the Coyotes rearguard provided he has no chronic ailments.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chychrun’s been a fixture in the rumor mill since last season and will likely remain so well into this season. His injury history, however, is a cause for concern that is holding up a possible trade. As Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently observed, teams are reluctant to meet the Coyotes’ high asking price in part because of Chychrun’s previous injuries.

GOPHNX.com’s Craig Morgan recently rattled off Chychrun’s list of ailments. In his six-year NHL career, he’s had surgery on both knees, shoulder ligament surgery, ankle surgery to remove a bone spur, two wrist surgeries and at least one concussion. Morgan believes that’s why interested general managers will want to see him play this season before committing to a trade.

UPDATES ON DROUIN AND SIMMONDS

TSN: Darren Dreger provides an update on Jonathan Drouin, who was scratched from the Montreal Canadiens’ season-opening lineup. He’s been dealing with some issues, including a bad flu that held him back during training camp.

Drouin is expected to return to the lineup any day now. Dreger said the winger has had open communication with head coach Martin St. Louis, who assured him there is a fit for him in the lineup.

Dreger added the hope is Drouin can play his way into a meaningful role this season and perhaps improve his trade value before the March 3 deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Drouin is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July. His cap hit for this season is $5.5 million and he carries a three-team no-trade list. The Montreal Gazette’s Stu Cowan recently speculated Drouin is likely to be shopped at some point this season.

Chris Johnston reports Toronto Maple Leafs winger Wayne Simmonds remains in limbo after clearing waivers on Monday. He still wants to play and would prefer to stay with the Leafs. However, something would have to change within the roster such as injuries or something in the salary-cap picture for him to rejoin their lineup.

Simmonds is being patient and is skating with the Leafs’ injured players. He’s open to being traded, preferably to a contender.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Simmonds could be waiting for a while. The Leafs let it be known last weekend that he’s available to be traded. They aren’t concerned with the return but want to do what’s best for him. Despite an affordable $900K cap hit this season, there haven’t been any takers thus far.