NHL Rumor Mill – August 27, 2022

by | Aug 27, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – August 27, 2022

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: The latest on the Senators’ rumored interest in Jakob Chychrun plus three ways the Bruins can get cap compliant later this season.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators general manager Pierre Dorion would like to add another defenseman before training camp opens on Sept. 21. If he doesn’t, he’s hopeful that he’s put together a competitive roster for the coming season.

Garrioch writes the Senators have held talks with the Arizona Coyotes regarding Jakob Chychrun but Dorion balked at the asking price for the 24-year-old blueliner.

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s been the running theme regarding Chychrun since last season. Teams are interested but the Coyotes have set a price too high. Several versions of their asking price have made the rounds including a first-rounder, a top-prospect, and a good young NHL player, a first-rounder, two prospects and two players. The latest is two first-rounders and a top prospect.

Whatever the Coyotes want, nobody wants to pay it at this time. Maybe Dorion or another general manager gets desperate if injuries strike in training camp or during the season. Perhaps Arizona GM Bill Armstrong will lower his price to make it more palatable.

For now, I wouldn’t be surprised if Chychrun’s still with the Coyotes when the regular season begins in October.

As for other blueline targets for the Senators, the best remaining free agent options are P.K. Subban and Anton Stralman. Dorion could target cap-strapped teams in the trade market looking to shed salary before the season begin.

THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa recently examined three ways the Boston Bruins can become cap compliant when some of their sidelined players return to action later in the season.

One way could be trading Mike Reilly once defenseman Matt Grzelcyk is good to go. The 29-year-old is among five left-handed rearguards with one-way contracts on the Bruins blueline. He carries an average annual value of $3 million.

Trading Craig Smith is another. He turns 33 next month and is in the final season of his contract with a $3.1 million AAV. He could be replaced from within by Fabian Lysell or Oskar Steen.

Shinzawa’s third option is demoting Nick Foligno or attempting to trade him if he’ll waive his partial no-trade clause. However, it would require packaging an asset with him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was a report earlier this month that the Bruins had held trade talks regarding Smith. Nothing has come of them but that doesn’t mean a deal won’t happen at some point.

Reilly could draw interest if the Bruins put him on the block. Foligno carries a $3.8 million cap hit and is slated to become a UFA next summer. His performance, however, has really declined over the past couple of years. Unless he has a bounce-back effort this season, the Bruins’ best option could be sending him to the minors, though it will only trim $1.125 million from their payroll going that route.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 26, 2022

by | Aug 26, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – August 26, 2022

Speculation suggests the Flames might not be done in the trade market and a couple of predictions for the Oilers in today’s NHL rumor mill.

ARE THE FLAMES NOT DONE DEALING?

CALGARY HOCKEY NOW: Steve Macfarlane reports a “growing feeling” that Flames general manager Brad Treliving could make another move in the trade market. He points to preseason projections that have prospect Jakob Pelletier among the Flames’ top-six forwards plus their plethora of defensemen.

Juuso Valimaki is a popular name for trade bait while Oliver Kylington would be the kind of young defenseman who might be of greater interest to rival clubs. Noah Hanifin has only two seasons left on his contract but the Flames likely aren’t concerned about that given their “win-now” attitude.

Calgary Flames defenseman Oliver Kylington (NHL Images).

Macfarlane rattled off the names of several forwards (St. Louis’ Vladimir Tarasenko, Chicago’s Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, Detroit’s Tyler Bertuzzi) who are among the bigger names believed on the trade block this summer. Other notables include Washington’s Lars Eller, Philadelphia’s James van Riemsdyk, the New York Islanders Anthony Beauvillier and Montreal’s Christian Dvorak.

Other trade options could be Philadelphia’s Cam Atkinson, Buffalo’s Victor Olofsson or Montreal’s Paul Byron.

Macfarlane also noted some free-agent options such as Evan Rodrigues and Sonny Milano. He pointed out that Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently suggested the Flames had some interest in the 29-year-old Rodrigues.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Treliving’s made some bold moves this summer such as shipping Matthew Tkachuk to Florida for Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar and signing Nazem Kadri. He could have another one up his sleeve, perhaps by drawing on his blueline depth.

Cap space, however, will be a factor. With $2.1 million remaining, Treliving could be forced to make another cost-cutting trade to free up cap space as he did when he traded Sean Monahan to Montreal to make room for Kadri. The other option is a dollar-for-dollar swap. Failing that, an affordable free-agent option such as Rodrigues or Milano seems the more likely route.

TRADE PREDICTIONS FOR THE OILERS

THE ATHLETIC: Allan Mitchell made some bold Edmonton Oilers predictions for the coming season.

One of them is the expectation that the Oilers will become salary-cap compliant by placing Mike Smith and Oscar Klefbom on long-term injury reserve and making a trade. Mitchell suggested shipping out Warren Foegele for a draft pick or a non-roster player.

Mitchell also expects Oilers GM Ken Holland will make a big addition at the 2023 trade deadline. He took note of the recent speculation tying Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane to the Oilers. However, he believes they would be better off waiting until the trade deadline so as to avoid any potential cap complications that could arise over the course of the season. He also doesn’t rule out pursuing Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Unless the Oilers are the only team with a genuine interest in Kane, I don’t think they can win a bidding war for his services at the trade deadline. That’s assuming the Blackhawks star will be willing to waive his no-movement clause to come to Edmonton.

Given their lack of cap space, they’ll have to pull off a three-team trade to spread Kane’s $10.5 million cap hit around. Even then, they’ll have to move a salaried player to ensure sufficient wiggle room. They’ve got some decent prospects within their system but other clubs might be able to offer better quality.

As for Chychrun, I don’t see Holland giving up two first-round picks plus a top prospect or a promising NHL player if that remains the Coyotes’ asking price on deadline day.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 25, 2022

by | Aug 25, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – August 25, 2022

Could the Leafs make a pitch for Patrick Kane? What’s the latest on the Canadiens? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE LEAFS PURSUE PATRICK KANE?

TORONTO STAR: Damien Cox observes that Patrick Kane has become the latest contestant in the annual “Will he be a Leaf or won’t he?” speculation that grips Toronto sports fans. The 33-year-old Chicago Blackhawks winger is due to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane (NHL Images).

Cox noted that there have been “reports” claiming the Leafs and Blackhawks have discussed Kane. Paul Bissonnette of the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast believes Kane will be playing with the Leafs this season. It’s uncertain whether he or fellow long-time Blackhawks star Jonathan Toews want to be part of the club’s rebuilding plans.

The Edmonton Oilers might also be keen on Kane. They won two playoff rounds last season so they might be closer to taking a title run than the Leafs.

Cox pointed out the Leafs lack blue-chip prospects and they aren’t loaded with draft picks over the next three years. Meanwhile, folks in Edmonton are envisioning a package deal for Kane revolving around winger Jesse Puljujarvi.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s easy to tell we’re in the dog days of the NHL offseason. The UFA market is depleted of prime talent and the trade market has been mostly quiet for the past month. It’s only natural that some observers are turning to speculation over where next summer’s biggest potential free agents could end up by the trade deadline.

I’m also guilty of playing this guessing game about Kane and other notable members of the 2023 UFA class. I believe the New York Rangers could be in the best position to acquire him if he agrees to be moved between now and the 2023 trade deadline.

The Blueshirts are a team on the rise but could need scoring depth at right wing if Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko fail to improve this season. They don’t have a lot of projected trade deadline cap space but they do have more than the Leafs or Oilers. The Rangers also have more depth in promising prospects to tempt the Blackhawks.

Anyway, that’s my choice. I could be wrong but so what? It’s the dog days of summer and we’ve gotta have something to talk about until training camp starts next month.

LATEST ON THE CANADIENS

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marco D’Amico expects the Canadiens will have around $4.4 million in cap relief to work with once Carey Price and his $10.5 million cap hit is moved to long-term injury reserve for the coming season. That could provide them some flexibility to re-sign center Kirby Dach and perhaps make another move.

Once Dach is signed, the Canadiens will have 15 forwards under NHL contracts for the coming season without counting first-overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky or other promising prospects. D’Amico anticipates they could move Christian Dvorak, Mike Hoffman or Joel Armia to free up a roster spot and some additional salary to perhaps add a right-side defenseman. He speculates they could make that move before the season opens in October.

Dvorak could be the odd man out at center following the additions of Dach and Sean Monahan. The Habs would be seeking a young right-shot blueliner or a veteran on a short-term deal along with some futures.

D’Amico cites sources suggesting the trade market isn’t optimal for Dvorak right now. If the Canadiens remain patient, however, his value could improve.

SPECTOR’ S NOTE: Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes has proven to be a savvy wheeler-dealer in his short time playing the trade market. He’s shipped out veterans who no longer fit into his club’s long-term plans for promising youngsters and quality draft picks. If he is shopping Dvorak, he’ll wait for the right moment and the right return just as he did with some of his earlier deals.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 24, 2022

by | Aug 24, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – August 24, 2022

Would it make sense for the Oilers to pursue a Patrick Kane trade? What would it cost the Senators to acquire Jakob Chychrun from the Coyotes? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WOULD A PATRICK KANE TRADE MAKE SENSE FOR THE OILERS?

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited NHL insider John Shannon’s belief that the Oilers have bigger priorities than trying to acquire Patrick Kane from the Chicago Blackhawks.

Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane (NHL Images).

Shannon told Bob Stauffer of Oilers Now that goal scoring won’t be an issue for the Oilers. He felt adding a defenseman could help put them over the top this season.

Stauffer felt it could cost the Oilers a winger like Jesse Puljujarvi or Warren Foegele (to make the cap dollars work) along with their 2023 first-round pick and several prospects to land Kane. Shannon is against trading a first-rounder, even if it’s a low one as the expectation is the Oilers’ pick will be between 25 and 32.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The notion of the Oilers pursuing a trade for Kane has become a hot topic of late in the rumor mill. That’s because there hasn’t been much else to talk about since Nazem Kadri signed with the Flames last week.

The Oilers are currently over the $82.5 million salary cap but have Oscar Klefbom and Mike Smith expected to go on long-term injury reserve for the coming season. However, they’ll be pressed for space and cannot accrue cap room over the course of the season while sitting above the ceiling with two players on LTIR.

They lack sufficient cap space to take on Kane’s contract even if the Blackhawks agree to retain half of his $10.5 million cap hit for this season. Oilers general manager Ken Holland would have to get a third team involved to spread the cap hit around.

Reports out of Chicago suggest Kane and long-time teammate Jonathan Toews haven’t requested trades nor have they been approached by Blackhawks management to waive their no-movement clause. They’re expected to be given the time and opportunity to decide their fates for the coming season.

Assuming Kane would agree to waive his NMC, it probably won’t happen until close to the 2023 trade deadline. He might not agree to do so to come to Edmonton. Even if he did, the asking price could be far more than the Oilers can afford.

WHAT WOULD IT COST THE SENATORS TO ACQUIRE CHYCHRUN?

THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Ian Mendes was asked whether the Ottawa Senators are still interested in Jakob Chychrun and what it might cost to acquire the Arizona Coyotes defenseman.

Mendes believes the Senators are still interested in the 24-year-old Chychrun. He carries an affordable $4.6 million cap hit with three years remaining on his contract. Mendes cited Brent Wallace recently reporting the Coyotes are seeking two first-round picks plus a prospect in return. They might also seek a goalie and could be willing to take defenseman Nikita Zaitsev off the Senators’ hands.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mendes felt the asking price of two first-round picks was pretty steep for Chychrun. “If I were Ottawa, I would be willing to part with a 2023 lottery-protected first-round pick, a 2025 first-round pick and one other asset for Chychrun,” writes Mendes.

Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong has been patient in gauging Chychrun’s value in the trade market. With the blueliner under contract through 2024-25, he can bide his time and wait for the right offer. If the Senators won’t meet it, he’ll wait for another club to pony up.

Chychrun could be moved before the start of the coming season. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s still with the Coyotes when their schedule opens in October.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 23, 2022

by | Aug 23, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – August 23, 2022

A look at five stars who could hit the trade block this season plus three potential destinations for Phil Kessel in the NHL Rumor Mill.

FIVE NHL STARS WHO COULD HIT THE TRADE BLOCK THIS SEASON

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: St. Louis Blues center Ryan O’Reilly and winger Vladimir Tarasenko topped Dan Kingerski’s list of five NHL stars who could get shopped this season. Detroit Red Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi, Arizona Coyotes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere and Anaheim Ducks blueliner John Klingberg round out the list.

St. Louis Blues center Ryan O’Reilly (NHL Images).

These five players are in the final season of their contracts and are eligible to become unrestricted free agents next summer. Kingerski suggested their respective teams would be wise to move them in order to avoid protracted contract talks ending with their departures via free agency. He cited what happened with the Calgary Flames and Johnny Gaudreau last season as an example.

Kingerski also believes Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller is among several players already on the trade block. He anticipates long-time Chicago Blackhawks stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews will also appear in trade rumors. Like the others, they’re also slated to become UFAs next summer

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be easier for those teams to shop those players if they’re not in the playoff chase when the 2023 NHL trade deadline rolls around. The Blackhawks, Coyotes and Ducks aren’t expected to be postseason contenders so it won’t be surprising if Kane, Toews, Gostisbehere and Klingberg hit the trade block in the New Year.

The Canucks and Red Wings could qualify for the playoffs. They could retain Miller and Bertuzzi as own rentals and take their chances on their possible departures next summer.

Most observers (including me) consider the Blues a postseason contender. Unless that changes over the course of the season, I don’t see O’Reilly or Tarasenko going anywhere.

WHERE COULD KESSEL END UP?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Mike Stephens suggested the Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars and Los Angeles Kings as possible destinations for Phil Kessel. The 34-year-old right winger is among the few noteworthy players still available in this summer’s UFA market.

The Oilers and Stars could benefit from Kessel’s playmaking skills. However, both clubs would have to do some salary-cap maneuvering to make it work. The Stars have over $10 million in cap space but most of that will go toward re-signing Jake Oettinger and Jason Robertson.

Stephens suggested Kessel might be a fit on the Kings’ third line. They have enough cap space to make it happen if they can convince him to accept a pay cut.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kessel’s been linked to the Oilers though some observers believe they could or should make a play for Patrick Kane. The former Coyotes winger would be a much more affordable option for them.

Kessel is going to have to accept a pay cut wherever he goes. At this stage of his career, he’s probably not that worried about it.

The chance to play this season and set the NHL Ironman record likely means more to Kessel now. He could be a good, affordable fit as a depth forward with a postseason contender.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 22, 2022

by | Aug 22, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – August 22, 2022

What would it take for the Oilers to acquire Patrick Kane? Will Paul Stastny return to the Jets or sign elsewhere? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT WOULD IT COST THE OILERS TO LAND PATRICK KANE?

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Kurt Leavins speculates Patrick Kane could consider playing alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Drasaitl with the Oilers to be more enticing than his present situation with the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks.

Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane (NHL Images).

Leavins suggests it will cost “a player, a #1 pick and a good prospect, plus-plus” to acquire Kane as a rental player no matter where he goes. Sorting out the salary-cap dollars would also be an issue. The 34-year-old Blackhawks winger carries a $10.5 million cap hit for the coming season and is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

The real question for Leavins is whether Kane (an American) would be willing to come to Edmonton for even just one season. He pointed out the Blackhawks star has the same agent as Oilers’ Kailer Yamamoto and Cody Ceci.

OILERS NATION: Jason Gregor considers Kane’s contract “very easy” to trade, pointing out he’s only earning $2.9 million in actual salary for the coming season. The Blackhawks would have to retain 50 percent of his $10.5 million cap hit in a trade.

Gregor believes the Oilers can’t afford to acquire the remaining 50 percent. He believes they’d have to get a third team involved, pointing out the Arizona Coyotes are “always willing to take on money for draft picks”.

Under that scenario, the Oilers would only take on $2.65 million of his cap hit and $725K in actual salary. Gregor speculates it would cost the Oilers a late-round pick and a second-tier prospect to the Coyotes to make it work.

As for what the Blackhawks would want from the Oilers, he suggests Jesse Puljujarvi or Warren Foegele would have to head to Chicago to make the cap work for Edmonton. He wonders if a first-round pick, a second-rounder and Puljujarvi would be enough, assuming Kane would accept a trade to the Oilers.

THE BOSTON GLOBE: Matt Porter wondered if a first-round pick, a prospect, winger Kailer Yamamoto and “overpaid defenseman Tyson Barrie” would get it done.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane alongside McDavid or Draisaitl would give the Oilers two devastating forward lines that could power them to the Stanley Cup. Acquiring him, however, won’t be easy.

Reports out of Chicago claim Kane has not requested a trade and isn’t in any rush to leave the Blackhawks. He and Jonathan Toews could see how this season shakes out before deciding if they want to be traded to a potential Stanley Cup contender.

A Kane trade could happen before the start of this season. However, I think it’s more likely to occur closer to the trade deadline. That will ramp up the bidding and also give Kane and the Blackhawks a clearer picture of the potential markets for his services

The Oilers wouldn’t be the only team interested in Kane if he becomes available in the trade market. The New York Rangers, for example, need an experienced right wing among their top-six scorers. If Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko fail to break out this season, the Blueshirts could be in a good position to win a bidding war for Kane.

WHERE WILL STASTNY GO?

SPORTSNET: In a recent mailbag segment, Ken Wiebe was asked by a reader if Paul Stastny was coming back to the Jets and if not, why?

Wiebe thinks the door is not officially closed for a return to the Jets but feels it’s increasingly likely the 36-year-old center will move on. He believes Stastny wants to get his name on the Stanley Cup, suggesting a return to the Colorado Avalanche (where his NHL career began) makes a lot of sense given Stastny’s hockey sense and versatility.