Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays!
I’m taking my annual holiday break from Dec. 24 to Dec. 27, 2021. The next update to this site will be Dec. 28. Happy Holidays, everyone!
NHL Rumor Mill – December 23, 2021
NHL Rumor Mill – December 23, 2021
The latest on Vladimir Tarasenko, another Bruin requests a trade, and the latest on the Oilers in today’s NHL rumor mill.
NOTE: The NHL’s annual holiday trade freeze is in effect until 12:01 am on Dec. 28, 2021.
DAILY FACEOFF: Mike McKenna wonders if Vladimir Tarasenko still wants to be traded from the St. Louis Blues. If so, he wonders why.
St. Louis Blues winger Vladimir Tarasenko (NHL Images).
McKenna points out Blues fans still love Tarasenko despite his offseason trade request. He’s also playing well on a line with fellow Russians Ivan Barbashev and Pavel Buchnevich while the Blues are in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race.
He notes, however, Tarasenko’s unhappiness over how the club handled his multiple shoulder surgeries dating back to 2018. He wondered if the relationship between the winger and the club can be repaired and also point out a trade might not work out well for him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Recent speculation suggested Taranseko still wants to be traded. Maybe playing through this season with Barbashev and Buchnevich and the ongoing support from Blues fans will give him reason to reconsider.
Tarasenko is signed through next season so the Blues aren’t in any hurry to trade him, especially with him playing well right now. A healthy and motivated Tarasenko is better for their playoff hopes.
His annual salary-cap hit, however, is also a factor that may have prevented the Blues from moving him last summer. He’s got a $7.5 million annual average value but is earning $9.5 million in actual salary for this season. That drops to $5.5 million for next season, which will be more palatable for interested teams carrying limited cap space.
I don’t see the Blues trading Tarasenko as long as they remain in playoff contention leading up to the March 21 trade deadline. If he still wants out that move takes place next summer. Despite his improved play and lower actual salary for 2022-23, the Blues asking price could also complicate things.
In other words, expect Tarasenko to pop up frequently in the 2022 rumor mill.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Joe Haggerty reports Bruins former first-round pick Zach Senyshyn has requested a trade. The 24-year-old winger was chosen 15th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft by the Bruins. He’s spent most of his pro career with their AHL affiliate in Providence, seeing only 14 games with the Bruins since 2018-19.
Senyshyn said he wants to play in the NHL and feels he hasn’t been given that opportunity by the Bruins. However, he was unclaimed after being placed on waivers following training camp last fall.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Senyshyn is the second Bruins to request a trade. Jake DeBrusk, who was also a Bruins’ first-round selection in 2015, asked to be moved in late November. Maybe the Bruins will try shopping both in a package deal before the March trade deadline.
Haggerty points out Senyshyn’s play has improved in the AHL this season but doubts he’ll fetch much of a return for the Bruins in the trade market. He’s currently on a one-year, two-way contract and becomes a restricted free agent next summer.
THE ATHLETIC: Allan Mitchell believes the Edmonton Oilers will have to part with a promising young player if they attempt to pursue someone like Arizona’s Jakob Chychrun or Chicago’s Marc-Andre Fleury in the trade market.
That player is Philip Broberg, who Mitchell considers NHL-ready and destined to play “a feature role” in the big league. Chosen eighth overall by the Oilers in 2019, the 20-year-old Broberg is a smooth-skating two-way defenseman currently playing for the Oilers’ AHL affiliate in Bakersfield.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mitchell points out “the pressure of spent picks and no cap room” means the Oilers would have to part with Broberg if they hope to acquire real talent before the March trade deadline. Whatever transpires over the next couple of months could determine if they’re prepared to sacrifice a promising peace of their future for immediate help.
NHL Rumor Mill – December 22, 2021
NHL Rumor Mill – December 22, 2021
The latest on the Penguins and Stars plus an update on Jakub Chychrun in today’s NHL rumor mill.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski observes the solid performance of Evan Rodrigues this season could force Penguins coach Mike Sullivan to rethink his lineup when everyone is fully healthy. The versatile 28-year-old forward has 10 goals and 23 points in 30 games as he’s thriving with the extra ice time while filling in for sidelined teammates.
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jason Zucker (NHL Images).
Kingerski wondered if Rodrigue’s play could make Jason Zucker expendable. The 29-year-old left winger has 11 points in 30 games. He also noted contract talks between the Penguins and pending free agent Bryan Rust have been shelved for the time being.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zucker’s been a disappointment for the Penguins since his acquisition from the Minnesota Wild midway through the 2019-20 campaign. A leg injury hampered his performance last season but even when healthy he’s had difficulty finding the back of the net.
Moving Zucker, however, won’t be easy. He’s signed through 2022-23 with a $5.5 million annual cap hit and a 10-team no-trade clause plus he’s earning $6.25 million in actual salary this season. His declining production won’t help his trade value.
As for Rust, I don’t see the Penguins shopping him while they’re in the playoff hunt. They’ll keep him as an “own rental” and risk his departure via free agency next summer. Rodrigues is also a UFA but he’d be a more affordable re-signing for the Penguins and could become Rust’s permanent replacement after this season.
SPORTSNET: In his latest “32 Thoughts”, Elliotte Friedman observed Tyler Seguin’s relief when he scored in the Dallas Stars 7-4 win over the Minnesota Wild on Monday. “The stress is on in Dallas,” said Friedman. “Change is coming if the Stars don’t surge over the second half of the season.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: What form could those changes take? The obvious would be shopping pending unrestricted free agents such as John Klingberg, Alexander Radulov, Joe Pavelski and Braden Holtby at the trade deadline.
Maybe restricted free agent winger Denis Gurianov also hits the trade block. Perhaps they try to shed the hefty contracts of Seguin and Jamie Benn in the offseason. Maybe they give head coach Rick Bowness his walking papers.
One thing I don’t see them doing is parting with younger talent such as Miro Heiskanen, Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz and Jake Oettinger. Those four will likely form the nucleus of a new core in Dallas.
Friedman also said he thought Edmonton would make perfect sense as a destination for Jakob Chychrun. However, sources said it’s very unlikely the 23-year-old Arizona Coyotes defenseman will be heading to the Oilers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman said the same thing earlier this week on his “32 Thoughts” podcast. He didn’t elaborate as to why but I suspect the Oilers’ limited cap space and the talk of the Coyotes setting a “massive” asking price for Chychrun are the reasons.
NHL Rumor Mill – December 21, 2021
NHL Rumor Mill – December 21, 2021
Could the Oilers or Bruins have an interest in Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun? What moves could be in store for the Ducks by the trade deadline? Find out in today’s NHL rumor mill.
SPORTSNET: Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman discussed the potential availability of Jakob Chychrun during Monday’s “32 Thoughts” podcast. Friedman said he’s spoken with a couple of people who don’t believe the Edmonton Oilers aren’t in it for the 23-year-old Arizona Coyotes defenseman. Marek and Friedman agreed he’d be a great fit with the Oilers but the latter said not to put money on the Oilers acquiring Chychrun.
Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Limited cap space could be one reason. Cap Friendly shows the Oilers sitting over $7 million above the $81.5 million ceiling because of several players on long-term injury reserve. Another could be the Coyotes’ steep asking price. There could also be a concern over Chychrun’s knee injuries earlier in his career.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Joe Haggerty believes the Bruins also need a top-four left-side rearguard capable of playing big minutes. He thinks Chychrun would address that need plus he’s cost-controlled carrying an affordable $4.6 million annual salary-cap hit for the next three seasons. The Coyotes’ asking price, however, could prove too expensive for the Bruins in terms of draft picks and cheap young talent.
Nevertheless, Haggerty took a stab at a couple of proposals. One was Matt Grzelcyk or Brandon Carlo and Jack Studnicka plus a first-round pick and a second-rounder as a “starting-off point” in trade conversations. Another was Jake DeBrusk, Urho Vaakanainen and a pair of draft picks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t think the Bruins have sufficient depth in tempting trade assets to outbid other clubs for Chychrun. It doesn’t mean they shouldn’t try if they have an interest, but I wouldn’t expect to see him pulling on a Bruins jersey anytime soon.
THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Eric Stephens was asked if the Anaheim Ducks will be buyers or sellers by the March 21 trade deadline. He felt the longer the Ducks keep playing as well as they have thus far, the less likely they’ll want to break up a winning hand.
Stephens believes pending unrestricted free agents like defensemen Hampus Lindholm and Josh Manson and winger Rikard Rakell will have value in the trade market given their current play. However, it would be difficult to ship them out when the Ducks have put themselves in position for a playoff run.
If the Ducks intend to re-sign those players, Stephens suggested Lindholm would have the most value, followed by Manson and Rakell.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks could become sellers if they collapse during the second half of the schedule leading up to the trade deadline. If they’re still in the thick of the playoff race, however, I think they’ll hang onto Lindholm, Manson and Rakell as “own rentals” and push for a playoff spot. They can attempt to re-sign them in the offseason before the free-agent market opens on July 13.
NHL Rumor Mill – December 20, 2021
NHL Rumor Mill – December 20, 2021
Check out the latest on Marc-Andre Fleury and Jakob Chychrun in today’s NHL rumor mill.
NOTE: The NHL’s holiday roster freeze begins at 11:59 PM EST on Sunday, Dec. 19 and lifts at 12:01 am EST on Tuesday, Dec. 28.
THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Scott Powers said it’s too early to tell if goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury will be interested in returning with the Chicago Blackhawks after this season. The club’s performance over the rest of the season will be a determining factor. He also indicated there haven’t been any contract talks with Fleury’s backup Kevin Lankinen.
Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (NHL Images).
Powers expects Blackhawks interim general manager Kyle Davidson won’t have any restrictions if the club becomes a seller by the March 21 trade deadline. Fleury, Calvin de Haan, Dylan Strome and Dominik Kubalik could become trade candidates.
Based on his play, Fleury would be their best trade chip but his 10-team no-trade clause could affect what they get in return. Powers suggests it could be a second- or a third-round pick depending on the team and whether they re-sign him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fleury’s value could be higher than that if he maintains his current level of play. Never underestimate the willingness of NHL general managers to succumb to auction fever leading up to the trade deadline.
It’ll be interesting to see how his situation shakes out over the remainder of this season. The 37-year-old netminder is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer and carries a $7 million annual average value on his current deal.
It’s hard to imagine Fleury sticking with the Blackhawks if they’re still in rebuild mode. He could want one more shot at winning a Stanley Cup and he won’t get that opportunity in Chicago.
SPORTSNET: Luke Fox is curious over why Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun has surfaced in recent trade speculation. The club is reportedly gauging interest in the 23-year-old big-minute blueliner who also carries a cap-friendly $4.6 million annual average value through 2024-25.
With the rental market thin on top-four defensemen, Fox believes Chychrun would jump to the top of the trade class. Nevertheless, he’s puzzled that the Coyotes aren’t trying to build around the blueliner. He wondered if it’s because of concern over his injury history or unhappiness with his play.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Perhaps Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong envisions Chychrun will depart via free agency by the time the club is ready to emerge from their rebuild and wants to move him while his value remains high. Maybe Armstrong’s received some calls and he’s seeing if there’s a club willing to pay what is reportedly said to be a massive asking price. Whatever the reason, Chychrun’s name will likely remain a fixture in the rumor mill for the remainder of the season.
Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – December 19, 2021
Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – December 19, 2021
Will the Flames make any big moves? Does Joe Pavelski wish to stay with the Stars? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup
NOTE: The NHL’s holiday roster freeze begins at 11:59 PM EST on Sunday, Dec. 19 and lifts at 12:01 am EST on Tuesday, Dec. 28.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I wouldn’t expect very much trade activity leading up to the holiday freeze given the increasing number of players testing positive for COVID-19 and game postponements.
This situation is also dominating NHL news and the rumor mill. Pundits have shifted their focus toward speculation over whether the league will pause the schedule and the implications of doing so for the remainder of the season, including participation in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Hailey Salvian was asked if she thought the Calgary Flames would make a big splash before the March 21 trade deadline or a series of small moves to shore up their roster.
Would Boston Bruins winger Jake DeBrusk be a good fit with the Calgary Flames? (NHL Images).
Salvian believes they’d like to add a depth defenseman and a high-impact forward. Regarding the latter, she observed there are several good potential rental options such as the San Jose Sharks Tomas Hertl, Anaheim Ducks’ Rickard Rakell, Nashville Predators’ Filip Forsberg and the Seattle Kraken’s Jared McCann. However, limited salary cap space could restrict them to instead make more affordable depth moves.
Boston Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk is also available. While he could use a fresh start he also comes with uncertainty given the decline in his production since his promising first two NHL seasons.
Asked if the Flames could bring in winger Evander Kane from the San Jose Sharks, Salvian said she wouldn’t make that move if she were the general manager. His off-ice issues raise too many questions plus he has an expensive $7 million cap hit.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames attempted to acquire Jack Eichel earlier this season from the Buffalo Sabres. They were outbid by the Vegas Golden Knights but that could leave lingering conjecture that Flames general manager Brad Treliving will try to swing a major deal before the trade deadline.
However, the Flames are doing well thus far this season. Despite having games postponed they’re still third in the Pacific Division. Treliving could be reluctant to make a big move if his club is still in the thick of the playoff race, perhaps preferring a couple of affordable rental depth options.
Even if Treliving remains in the market for a big deal I share Salvian’s view that it won’t be Kane. Assuming the Flames GM could find a way to make the dollars work the 30-year-old winger has too much personal baggage.
THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka recently shot down any hope San Jose Sharks fans might have had of seeing Joe Pavelski return as a free agent next summer. The still-productive 37-year-old winger said his No. 1 option is re-signing with the Dallas Stars. He indicated he and his family love it in Dallas and he really enjoys playing with the Stars.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cap Friendly shows the Stars with over $23 million in projected salary-cap space for 2022-23. However, that will quickly evaporate if they intend on re-signing Pavelski and fellow UFAs John Klingberg, Braden Holtby and Alexander Radulov as well as restricted free agents Denis Gurianov and Jason Robertson. Pavelski might have to take a pay cut from his current $7 million annual average value to remain in Dallas.