NHL Rumor Mill – November 1, 2021

by | Nov 1, 2021

NHL Rumor Mill – November 1, 2021

​A look at the potential cost for the Golden Knights to acquire Jack Eichel, plus the latest Oilers speculation in today’s NHL rumor mill.

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Owen Krepps cites recent rumors claiming the Vegas Golden Knights are closing in on acquiring Jack Eichel from the Buffalo Sabres. Noting the Golden Knights have some salary-cap relief due to several long-term injury reserve designations, Krepps speculates general manager Kelly McCrimmon could spend it on the 25-year-old Sabres center.

Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel (NHL Images).

It’s believed the Sabres’ asking price is “at least four pieces, including a first-round pick, top prospect, top-six forward, and NHL defenseman under 25-year-old old.”

Krepps suggested it could cost the Golden Knights one, maybe two first-round picks, with their 2022 first-rounder certain to go to the Sabres. Shea Theodore or Nic Hague could fit the bill as the under-25 defenseman. He took note of the Golden Knights’ recent addition of blueliner Ben Hutton and their re-signing Zach Whitecloud to a long-term extension.

Reilly Smith and Alex Tuch make sense one of the forwards, with Tuch best fitting the description for a top-six forward in the right age group. The Sabres have the cap space to afford Tuch’s $4.75 million annual average value. Smith’s status as an unrestricted free agent next summer is a detractor. The Sabres could also be eyeing promising center Peyton Krebs.

Krepps noted rumors suggesting the Golden Knights are getting competition for Eichel from the Calgary Flames.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: An Eichel trade seemed imminent entering the weekend as reports of trade discussions between the Golden Knights and Sabres heated up. A deal has yet to materialize but perhaps that will take place at some point this week.

The Golden Knights must be careful not to give up too much roster depth lest it jeopardize their playoff hopes for next spring. Max Pacioretty (LTIR) and Mark Stone (currently on injured reserve) will return to the lineup at some point this season. They’ll also have to ensure they move sufficient cap room in the deal to absorb Eichel’s $10 million annual cap hit and still have enough for when Pacioretty and Tuch (assuming he’s not part of the trade) return to action.

I’ve noted the Flames’ rumored interest in Eichel but I don’t think they have the depth in tradeable assets to acquire him.

THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Daniel Nugent-Bowman was asked if the Edmonton Oilers will stick with their goaltending tandem of Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen for the playoffs or if general manager Ken Holland will seek a netminder before the trade deadline.

Holland says he believes in his goaltending. However, Nugent-Bowman pointed out the Oilers GM attempted to sign Jacob Markstrom in 2020 and tried to acquire Darcy Kuemper from the Arizona Coyotes before the Colorado Avalanche got him. He thinks Holland could consider an upgrade.

Nugent-Bowman noted two readers mentioned the Chicago Blackhawks’ Marc-Andre Fleury and the Anaheim Ducks’ John Gibson as trade options. Fleury’s in the final year of his contract with a 10-team no-trade list. It wouldn’t be surprising if he wanted to finish the season elsewhere given the mess the Blackhawks are in. Gibson is younger than Fleury, has five more seasons remaining on his contract at an annual average value of $6.4 million, plus a 10-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nugent-Bowman speculated it shouldn’t cost the Oilers much to acquire Fleury given his age (37 this month) and contract status. Gibson, on the other hand, could cost as much as four assets. The Oilers would have to move out pending UFA Koskinen to make this work. Much will depend, of course, on the performance of the current tandem, where the Oilers sit in the standings and whether they’re on the no-trade lists of Fleury and Gibson.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 31, 2021

by | Oct 31, 2021

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 31, 2021

​Check out the latest on Vladimir Tarasenko and Jack Eichel plus some recent Senators speculation in the Sunday NHL rumor roundup.

SPORTSNET: On Friday, Rory Boylen reported Vladimir Tarasenko still wants a trade despite a hot start to this season by himself and the club. He cited The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford telling Jeff Marek that the 29-year-old winger’s desire remains the same, though he understands it could take time for a deal to take place.

St. Louis Blues winger Vladimir Tarasenko (NHL Images).

“He realizes this may not happen soon,” Rutherford told Marek. “It may not happen this year, it could happen next offseason, or maybe (Blues general manager) Doug Armstrong never finds the right deal for Vladimir Tarasenko and he plays out the last two years of his contract.”

Boylen observes that the contract is a sticking point. Tarasenko carries an annual average value of $7.5 million, which would be difficult to move right now. There’s also concern over Tarasenko’s recent shoulder surgeries.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There were teams linked to Tarasenko during the offseason that could be monitoring his performance this season. Whether they’ll revisit their rumored interest remains to be seen.

The better Tarasenko plays the more his value in the trade market rises. However, Armstrong won’t trade him if the Blues are in playoff contention this season unless he gets an offer too good to refuse. He’ll entertain offers if his club is out of the postseason chase by the March 21 trade deadline.

Tarasenko’s contract remains a significant issue. His annual cap hit is $7.5 million but he’s earning $9.5 million this season in actual salary. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Tarasenko traded next summer when his actual salary for 2022-23 drops to $5.5 million.

CALGARY HOCKEY NOW: Steve Macfarlane cast doubt on recent speculation linking the Flames to Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel. He points out the club’s addition last season of head coach Darryl Sutter indicates rebuilding is not their plan. That suggests they’re not about to give up players in a trade that would significantly hurt their chances of competing this season while they await Eichel’s recovery from disc replacement surgery.

Macfarlane also points to the Flames’ salary-cap constraints plus the Sabres’ high asking price as other key stumbling blocks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t doubt Flames GM Brad Treliving looked into acquiring Eichel. Perhaps he still has a serious interest in the Sabres center.

As Macfarlane noted, however, they’re not going to gut the team if they still hope to be a playoff contender this season. They’re off to a good start thus far (6-1-1) which takes the pressure off Treliving to shake things up. Making the cap dollars fit would also be difficult.

Recent rumors have the Golden Knights and Sabres trying to work out a deal. I don’t think the Flames are in the running here.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch recently reported Senators GM Pierre Dorion is still looking around for help at forward. He has assets with 11 picks in next year’s draft if he wants to do something. Last Sunday, Dorion acquired center Dylan Gambrell from the San Jose Sharks.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 30, 2021

by | Oct 30, 2021

NHL Rumor Mill – October 30, 2021

​The Sabres could finally be close to trading Jack Eichel. Find out the potential trade partners in today’s NHL rumor mill.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports trade discussions between the Buffalo Sabres and Vegas Golden Knights regarding Jack Eichel have been heating up over the last couple of days. Appearing on the Jeff Marek show on Friday, Friedman said he believes the Golden Knights have done their due diligence regarding Eichel’s medical status and would allow him to undergo the disc replacement procedure he seeks.

Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel (NHL Images).

THE ATHLETIC’s Jesse Granger took to Twitter Thursday speculating Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore would be an attractive piece for the Sabres in a hypothetical Eichel trade. He suggested that could be why the Golden Knights re-signed blueliner Zach Whitecloud earlier this week to a six-year contract extension.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Ed Graney took note of recent speculation linking the Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks to Eichel. He wondered how the Knights can make it work financially or whether a third team might need to get involved.

Eichel carries a $10 million annual salary-cap hit through 2025-26, meaning Vegas will have to move some heavy salary to take him on. Once he comes off long-term injury reserve later in the season following his surgery, Max Pacioretty and Alex Tuch will also have come off LTIR by then.

Graney added the Sabres are reportedly asking for something along the lines of multiple draft picks and a top prospect and a defenseman and a forward. Nevertheless, he feels Eichel could be worth it to address Vegas’ need for a first-line center.

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens doesn’t see the Anaheim Ducks parting with promising center Trevor Zegras or defenseman Jamie Drysdale for Eichel. He points out they have the cap space to take on Eichel’s contract. He doesn’t dismiss the possibility of someone like Mason McTavish, Maxime Comtois or Troy Terry being part of the return for the Sabres but isn’t sure the Ducks would part with their 2022 first-round pick.

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski reports the Golden Knights could have competition for Eichel. “Don’t sleep on Calgary or Colorado,” said one source.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will be very interesting to see how the Golden Knights fit Eichel’s annual average value within their cap payroll for this season and the long term. Cap Friendly shows them sitting above the $81.5 million by over $5.8 million with Pacioretty and Tuch on LTIR. Eichel would obviously go on LTIR during his surgery and recovery but they still have to sort out the dollars when he’s ready to return to action.

Perhaps that involves moving out someone like Theodore ($5.2 million AAV), though that move could weaken their blueline depth. Do they try to move Reilly Smith and his $5 million for this season? His UFA status next summer won’t be enticing for the rebuilding Sabres. Convince Jonathan Marchessault to accept a trade to Buffalo if they’re on his no-trade list? Swing a deal with another team as a third-party broker willing to absorb a big chunk of Eichel’s cap hit?

The Ducks seem like the better destination. They have the cap space, the depth in draft picks and prospects, and their status as a rebuilding club means Eichel’s absence from the lineup during his recovery won’t adversely affect them this season. However, they might not be as keen to chase the high-salaried Eichel as the Golden Knights.

As for the Flames and Avalanche, I wouldn’t rule anything out but they seem to have a weaker hand than the Golden Knights and Ducks. I would be more surprised if Eichel landed with one of them.

Whatever the outcome, here’s hoping there’s a resolution coming soon. Eichel needs surgery to resume his playing career. It should be with a team willing to let him have the procedure he deems best.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 29, 2021

by | Oct 29, 2021

NHL Rumor Mill – October 29, 2021

​An update on Jack Eichel, the latest on Tomas Hertl’s contract situation and the Kings search for a defenseman in today’s NHL rumor mill.

TSN: Darren Dreger reports trade talks with the Buffalo Sabres regarding a trade of Jack Eichel seemed to heat up earlier this week but they seem to have since cooled down, though Dreger believes that could change with a phone call.

Both sides are hoping to find a trade that works. If not, Eichel could soon file a grievance through the NHL Players’ Association. If a trade does happen, the 24-year-old could undergo disc replacement surgery early next week.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dreger could be alluding to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli’s report earlier this week indicating talks have picked up recently between the Sabres and Vegas Golden Knights. As always, the sticking points are Eichel’s health, his $10 million annual average value through 2025-26 and the Sabres’ expensive asking price.

San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl (NHL Images).

As for the Golden Knights, Seravalli suggested much could depend upon the status of sidelined winger Mark Stone. If he’s out for most or the remainder of the regular season, the Golden Knights could free up $9.5 million in cap space by placing him on long-term injury reserve.

Failing that, a third team would have to get involved to broker a deal, though they’ll likely have to absorb a healthy chunk of Eichel’s cap hit to make the deal work.

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz recently reported Tomas Hertl remains optimistic about meeting with San Jose Sharks general manager Doug Wilson to talk contract. The 27-year-old center is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Hertl said he’s said many times San Jose is his home and he loves playing there. He knows he and Wilson have to find a way to discuss a new contract. “When we get time, we will for sure talk and I’ll be looking to be here but I don’t know his ideas and stuff,” said Hertl. For now, he’s keeping his focus on playing hockey.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As I’ve noted before, Hertl’s future with the Sharks depends on his performance as well as theirs. If he proves too expensive to re-sign, Wilson could shop him before the March 21 trade deadline. Contract talks might not begin in earnest until the calendar flips to January 2022. Hertl’s status will be worth monitoring in the New Year.

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the long-term injuries of Drew Doughty and Sean Walker have pushed the Los Angeles Kings into the trade market in search of a right-side depth defenseman. Doughty’s out six-to-eight weeks while Walker suffered a season-ending knee injury.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 28, 2021

by | Oct 28, 2021

NHL Rumor Mill – October 28, 2021

​Speculation over who could become the next general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks in today’s NHL rumor mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Mark Lazerus and Scott Powers listed their potential candidates to replace Stan Bowman as general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks. Bowman stepped down on Tuesday following the release of Tuesday’s report into the findings of an independent investigation into allegations of sexual assault of two players by former video coach Bradley Aldrich.

Former New York Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton (NHL.com).

Among the notable names on their list were NHL senior director of player safety Patrick Burke, analytics guru Meghan Chayka, former Los Angeles Kings assistant GM Michael Futa, former Rangers GM Jeff Gorton, former player and current TV commentator Ed Olczyk, Carolina Hurricanes assistant GM Eric Tulsky and NHL analyst Kevin Weekes.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli included Gorton and Weekes on his list of potential candidates, joining interim Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson, Montreal Canadiens assistant GM Scott Mellanby, Anaheim Ducks GM Bob Murray and former Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins GM Jim Rutherford.

TSN: Darren Dreger believes the Blackhawks need experience in the GM’s chair going forward. He suggested Rutherford, Gorton and former Penguins and New Jersey Devils GM Ray Shero.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks could stick with Davidson or look to someone else within their organization. Perhaps they think outside the box and bring in someone with limited management experience such as Chayka. Olczyk or Weekes.

Dreger could be right that they’ll look to someone with experience who can be a steady hand on the tiller. Gorton could be the best bet here given his rebuilding efforts with the Rangers.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 27, 2021

by | Oct 27, 2021

NHL Rumor Mill – October 27, 2021

Should the struggling Maple Leafs fire their coach or trade a big-name player? Are the Golden Knights pursuing a trade for Sabres center Jack Eichel? Should the Avalanche also try to acquire him? Check out the latest in today’s NHL rumor mill.

SPORTSNET: Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli appeared on Sportnet 590’s FAN Morning Show to discuss the Toronto Maple Leafs’ options as they endure a slow start to this season. He believes they face three options. They could replace head coach Sheldon Keefe, trade a big-name player like Mitch Marner or “triple down” and stick with the roster they’ve built.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

Seravalli doesn’t see them firing Keefe as he just got a contract extension. Marner could have value in the trade market despite his offensive struggles stretching back to the 2021 playoffs. However, Seravalli doesn’t believe they’re at that point. He sees them sticking with their roster and waiting for them to overcome their slow start.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Keefe hasn’t been helped by the steady depletion of roster depth over the last two offseasons. The loss of gritty heart-and-soul forward Zach Hyman to free agency this summer was a significant blow. They remain top-heavy at forward, lacking skilled depth throughout their checking lines and defense corps.

Marner’s hefty contract ensures he’s not going anywhere during this season, especially with only a handful of teams carrying $10 million or more in cap space. His $10.9 million deal is difficult for another club to absorb during the season. The earliest Marner could hit the trade block is in the offseason, assuming the Leafs face-plant in the first round again or fail to reach the postseason. That’s usually when stars with big contracts get dealt.

For now, of course, it’s still too early to talk about a big roster shakeup by the Leafs. As Seravalli indicated, they’ll stick with their current roster in anticipation of them turning things around soon.

DAILY FACEOFF: Seravalli also reports there’s been “increased chatter” between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Buffalo Sabres about Jack Eichel in recent days. Eichel and the Sabres remain at a standoff over which medical procedure he’ll receive for a herniated disc in his neck. There’s speculation he could file a grievance through the NHLPA if there’s no resolution to the impasse soon.

The Golden Knights’ interest could depend on the status of winger Mark Stone. He carries a $9.5 million salary cap hit but is currently sidelined with what Servalli called a back injury. It’s uncertain how long he’ll be out but the Golden Knights could be holding their cards close to the vest in hope of making an Eichel deal work. He also mentioned the possibility of a third-party broker getting involved to make this work from a financial standpoint.

THE DENVER POST: Mark Kiszla believes the struggling Colorado Avalanche should beat the Golden Knights to the punch and acquire Eichel. He acknowledged the difficulty from a salary-cap viewpoint as well as the risk posed by the uncertainty over Eichel’s medical condition. Nevertheless, he felt that might be better than Eichel scoring a clutch goal for the Golden Knights against the Avalanche in the playoffs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights have long been linked to Eichel and he would address their glaring need for an elite first-line center. They’re sitting over the $81.5 million salary cap but are getting nearly $12 million in cap relief with Max Pacioretty (lower-body fracture) and Alex Tuch (shoulder surgery) on long-term injury reserve. They could get $9.5 million more if Stone ends up there too.

Acquiring Eichel now and letting him undergo disc replacement surgery could mean waiting weeks or months before he’s ready to play again. Pacioretty and Tuch, meanwhile, will return to the lineup later this season, meaning the Golden Knights must be cap complaint when Eichel makes his return.

The Golden Knights would also have to give up three roster players as part of the deal. Reilly Smith, Peyton Krebs and Nicolas Hague were part of the Sabres’ reported asking price back in July. If the Sabres won’t lower that price it would further deplete their roster, knocking them out of playoff contention by the time Eichel is ready to play.

A third-party broker might mean the Golden Knights won’t have to give up as much to get Eichel, but that third team would still want a significant return to absorb a healthy chunk of the center’s $10 million annual cap hit. It would still leave Vegas’ lineup depleted and struggling.

The same goes for the Avalanche. They were rumored to have looked into the cost of acquiring Eichel but they don’t seem to be seriously pursuing it.