NHL Rumor Mill – April 5, 2024

by | Apr 5, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – April 5, 2024

Is Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry playing his way out of Pittsburgh? Should the Canadiens try to contact big-name free agents this summer? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SHOULD THE PENGUINS MOVE ON FROM TRISTAN JARRY?

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: A reader asked Paul Zeise what he felt the future held for Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry. “He does just enough each year to make you believe he’s finally going to be a solid NHL goaltender, only to revert back to form by season’s end.”

Zeise believes Jarry’s situation will be interesting to watch unfold. He thinks there’s a difference in the 28-year-old netminder’s value at the trade deadline and his value now because he hasn’t played well lately.

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (NHL Images).

Jarry’s contract will be an issue as he’s “locked up for a decent amount of money over the next several years.” If the Penguins trade him, they won’t get a good return. If they keep him, they’ll be on the hook for a goalie who hasn’t played up to his contract.

Alex Nedeljkovic has outplayed Jarry in recent weeks. However, he can become an unrestricted free agent this summer and may have played his way out of town.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Last summer was the time to move on from Jarry when he was UFA-eligible. Incoming Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas signed him to a five-year extension with an average annual value of $5.375 million.

Jarry made Dubas look good earlier this season, stealing his fair share of games for the inconsistent Penguins. In his first 40 games, he had a record of 17-18-4 with a .912 save percentage and six shutouts. There were a few stinkers in there but he still played well for the most part. In his last 10 games, however, he has a 2-6-1 record with a save percentage of .870.

I don’t see the Penguins finding any takers for Jarry when this summer’s trade market could feature such notable goalies as Boston’s Linus Ullmark, Calgary’s Jacob Markstrom and Nashville’s Juuse Saros.

SHOULD THE CANADIENS LOOK INTO SIGNING A BIG-NAME FREE AGENT?

TVA SPORTS: Tony Marinaro believes the Montreal Canadiens must look into the availability of this summer’s notable unrestricted free agents.

He thinks the Canadiens are interested in speaking with all the free agents to find out what they think of Montreal and to sell them on their rebuilding project.

Marinaro doesn’t think older UFA stars like the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Steven Stamkos and the Vegas Golden Knights’ Jonathan Marchessault would fit well with a Canadiens team transitioning towards young players. He also believes they would be too expensive, with Stamkos likely to command $10 million annually on a four or five-year contract and Marchessault getting between $35 million and $40 million on a five-year contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s believed that the Canadiens will search for a scoring forward this summer. However, they’re not pursuing older stars like Stamkos and Marchessault. I don’t see either player spending their final NHL seasons with a rebuilding team.

The best younger UFA options are Florida’s Sam Reinhart (28) and Carolina’s Jake Guentzel (29). Reinhart could re-sign with the Panthers while Guentzel could prefer signing with a contender. They’re also going to be too expensive for the Canadiens.

Canadiens GM Kent Hughes could look to free agency for one or two affordable depth additions. He’ll likely turn to the trade market for a scorer, preferably a forward in their mid-twenties who would fit in well with the Habs’ youth movement.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 4, 2024

by | Apr 4, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – April 4, 2024

The latest on Sam Reinhart and some suggested offseason trade targets for the Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

REINHART UNCONCERNS AS FREE AGENCY LOOMS

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports Sam Reinhart isn’t concerned about his lack of a contract extension with the Florida Panthers. 

The 28-year-old winger is completing a three-year deal with an average annual value of $6.5 million. He’s enjoyed a career season in his contract year with 52 goals and a team-leading 87 points. 

Reinhart said the lack of a new contract isn’t an issue. He claimed he has a positive relationship with the club and general manager Bill Zito. Reinhart insisted he’s “very comfortable” with the ongoing situation as he’s focused on the end of this season and the upcoming playoffs. 

“I’ve got all the confidence it’s going to work out,” said Reinhart. “I’m very comfortable with where it is.” 

Florida Panthers winger Sam Reinhart (NHL Images).

Zito told LeBrun that he believes the two sides will get a deal done and praised Reinhart’s performance this season. “Sometimes the contracts take time. That’s not necessarily a bad thing”, he said. “I believe we will find the right contract for Sam and the Panthers.” 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Reinhart will be the top player in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent class. He will draw plenty of interest if he hits the open market on July 1. 

Reinhart and Zito seem keen to get a contract extension done. The more he scores the more expensive he’ll be to re-sign. Still, he’s in a good situation with the Panthers, a club that has gained respectability by becoming one of the top 10 teams in the league. 

The Panthers have a projected cap space of over $20 million for 2024-25 with 13 active roster players under contract. They must also re-sign restricted free agent Anton Lundell while key defenseman Brandon Montour is UFA-eligible on July 1. 

It’ll be interesting to see how this situation shakes out. There was speculation earlier this season of Reinhart getting $8.5 million per season on his next contract. His 52-goal season raises his asking price. He’ll get over $10 million annually on the free-agent market. With Florida lacking a state tax, he might accept just under $9.5 million per season to stay with the Panthers. 

SUGGESTED TRADE TARGETS FOR THE CANADIENS

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marco D’Amico proposed three trade options for the Canadiens in their offseason pursuit of a young scoring forward. He noted they have “an overabundance of defensemen, some cap space and a haul of draft picks over the next two drafts” to draw on for trade bait. 

Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras tops D’Amico’s list, believing the 23-year-old winger could be traded this summer. Following a difficult third season with the Ducks, a change in scenery might be in order for Zegras. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: D’Amico observed that the Canadiens have been confirmed to be monitoring Zegras. He also noted that Ducks GM Pat Verbeek has refused to entertain a trade. Nevertheless, he believes that the winger could be in play this summer. 

Verbeek could listen to offers for Zegras this summer but he’ll be an expensive acquisition. The Ducks GM could insist on the Canadiens’ 2024 first-rounder and top prospect Lane Hutson being part of the deal. 

Zegras is signed for two more seasons. The Ducks aren’t facing any pressure to trade him. Verbeek can set a high asking price and wait to see if someone will meet it. He won’t have any problem with a healthy and motivated Zegras as part of his roster for next season. 

Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas could become available this summer. The Hurricanes have several key players eligible for UFA and RFA status this summer with Necas in the latter category. They’re unlikely to sign them all. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Necas could become a trade candidate if the Hurricanes attempt to retain pending UFAs like Jake Guentzel, Brady Skjei and Brett Pesce. He won’t be as expensive to acquire as Zegras but it could cost the Habs a first-rounder or one of their promising defense prospects as part of the return. 

Necas is also close to UFA eligibility. The Canadiens will want to ensure they can sign him to an extension before making this deal. 

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson is the least proven on D’Amico’s list but has plenty of potential. The Jackets already have a plethora of young talent coming in and another top-five pick likely this season. 

D’Amico noted that an argument could be made to pursue Patrik Laine given his poor 2023-24 season. However, his $8.7 million cap hit and the baggage that has followed him would make him an expensive risk. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Johnson had a 40-point rookie season in 2022-23 but struggled with consistency before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in February. He could rebound well playing for Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis. However, Johnson seems the least likely target for the Habs. GM Kent Hughes will likely prefer an established scorer in their mid-twenties.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 3, 2024

by | Apr 3, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – April 3, 2024

Should the Maple Leafs trade or re-sign Mitch Marner: Will Brock Faber get a big pay raise from the Wild? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WILL THE LEAFS TRADE OR RE-SIGN MARNER?

NHL.COM: A reader asked Dan Rosen if the Toronto Maple Leafs should part ways with Mitch Marner if they fail to reach the Eastern Conference Final this year.

The 26-year-old winger has a year left on his contract. Teammates Auston Matthews and William Nylander have already signed long-term extensions with the Leafs.

Rosen believes the Leafs must re-sign Marner because he’s too valuable. Along with his point production, he plays big minutes, handles tough matchups, and plays on the power play and the penalty kill. “He’s a Selke Trophy player,” wrote Rosen.

The Leafs won’t win a Marner trade unless they get back an elite No. 1 defenseman in his prime of the same age.

Rosen points out the salary cap will likely be north of $90 million when Marner’s new contract begins in 2025-26. By that point, John Tavares’ contract comes off their books. He believes the Leafs should sign Marner to a long-term contract extension before next season and project their cap out from there, assuming that Marner, Matthews and Nylander could account for $38 million of their payroll for ’25-’26.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of his current contract. Rosen is projecting that the annual average value of Marner’s next deal will be the same as Matthews’ $13.25 million. He might get a tad less than that but it will be a raise over his current $10.9 million.

I’ll be surprised if the Leafs don’t re-sign Marner this summer. They’ll want to avoid his contract status becoming an unnecessary distraction next season. As Rosen observed, he’s their “do-everything” forward. His overall contributions at times go unappreciated by some denizens of Leafs Nation.

The only question is how long that deal might be. He could take a page from Matthews’ book and ink a four-year deal that gives him another shot at free agency in his early 30s when he’ll still be in his playing prime.

What do you think, Leafs fans? Is Marner too valuable to trade away? Is he worth as much as Matthews? Let us know in the comments below.

BROCK FABER COULD GET A BIG RAISE FROM THE WILD

THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Shayna Goldman believe Brock Faber could get the richest contract extension in Minnesota Wild history.

The 21-year-old defenseman is in the second year of his three-year entry-level contract. His performance this season could earn him the Calder Memorial Trophy as this season’s top NHL rookie.

Some observers compare Faber to Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy, who has an eight-year deal worth an average annual value of $9.5 million. The Dallas Stars’ Miro Heiskanen is earning $8.45 million annually for eight years.

A contract for Faber exceeding $9 million annually might make some wild fans nervous but the NHL is trending toward bigger second contracts for rising young talent.

Russo and Goldman point to the Wild signing Matt Boldy to a seven-year, $49 million deal. They also noted that inking Faber to a bridge deal could mean a more expensive third contract.

When Faber’s next contract kicks in the salary cap could reach $92 million. By then, the Wild’s $14.7 million in dead cap space from buying out Zach Parise and Ryan Suter will drop to just $1.66 million annually to 2029.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Faber has done a remarkable job filling the role of No.1 defenseman for the Wild during his rookie season. He’s earned a significant raise, especially if he wins the Calder Trophy.

Faber will be a restricted free agent next summer and lacks arbitration rights. Wild general manager Bill Guerin doesn’t have to sign him this summer. He can see how the young blueliner performs during his sophomore campaign before getting down to serious discussions.

Guerin could be reluctant to invest in a big raise for Faber only to risk seeing him struggle to meet expectations. On the other hand, the cost of re-signing Faber will rise if the young blueliner exceeds this season’s performance.

I think Guerin will sign Faber this summer to an eight-year extension worth $9.5 million annually.

Too much? Not enough? Should Guerin sign Faber this summer or wait until next year? Let me know what you think in the comment section.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 2, 2024

by | Apr 2, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – April 2, 2024

The latest speculation on the Ducks’ Trevor Zegras plus a look at the Sharks’ rebuild in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ZEGRAS SPECULATION

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks doesn’t know what’s gone wrong in Anaheim for Trevor Zegras. He observed that the 23-year-old Ducks forward always seems frustrated or agitated, pointing out he destroyed the penalty box camera in Seattle last Thursday following a questionable call.

Brooks believes Zegras is “a young man who is clearly in need of a new beginning.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zegras is most likely frustrated by being limited to eight points in 24 games after missing most of this season to injuries. His contract negotiations with Ducks management kept him out of training camp and preseason play.

Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras (NHL Images).

Zegras exceeded 60 points in each of his last two seasons. However, there was some disappointment in his performance last season as the Ducks wanted to see improvement in his all-around game. That can be considered growing pains as part of his development rather than a flaw that cannot be corrected.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Nate Brown noted the TNT Hockey panel recently discussing whether Zegras has a future in Anaheim.

Anson Carter noted some question marks as the Ducks have “an embarrassment of riches down the middle”, pointing to Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier (who primarily plays left wing) and Mason McTavish. He wondered if they have room for Zegras as they attempt to bolster their defensive depth.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s John Buccigross remains bullish on the Ducks forward. He believes Zegra has a “Pavel Datsyuk ceiling.”

Brown wondered if the rebuilding Blackhawks should look into Zegras’ availability. Despite his struggles this season, the Ducks would still set a high asking price based on his potential. Brown suggests it might be best to wait a year to see what a deal would take if questions still linger about his future in Anaheim.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Following the trade deadline, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said he wasn’t shopping Zegras nor did any club call about him. Nevertheless, teams could still make inquiries during the offseason, especially if Verbeek starts shopping around for more immediate help for his roster.

NO BIG MOVES THIS SUMMER FOR THE SHARKS?

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli believes the San Jose Sharks seem to have a cohesive rebuilding plan after paring down some of the big contracts from their books. However, a lack of salary-retention spots for next season makes it unlikely that they’ll ship out more high-salaried players.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Each NHL team has three salary-retention slots enabling them to absorb part of a player’s salary cap hit to facilitate a trade. The Sharks used theirs to move Brent Burns to Carolina in 2022, Erik Karlsson to Pittsburgh last summer and Tomas Hertl to Vegas at last month’s trade deadline.

The Sharks must wait until the end of next season to regain a salary retention spot. That’s when Burns’ contract expires. They’ll have to wait for Karlsson to come off the books in 2027 for their next one.

They can’t retain salary if they attempt to move another high-salaried player such as Logan Couture of Marc-Edouard Vlasic. That’s assuming either player is willing to expand their no-trade clauses. They each have three-team trade lists.

If Couture or Vlasic accept a trade, the Sharks must take back a bad contract or include sweeteners like draft picks and prospects. Neither scenario will happen given management’s desire to shed salary and replenish their prospect pool.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 1, 2024

by | Apr 1, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – April 1, 2024

A look at what could be in store for the Blues during the offseason plus speculation of a possible coaching change for the Red Wings in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE BLUES DURING THE OFFSEASON?

THE ATHLETIC: With the St. Louis Blues poised to miss the playoffs again, Jeremy Rutherford believes St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong will shake up his roster during the offseason.

The Blues will still be retooling their roster. Rutherford doesn’t see Armstrong making significant, expensive upgrades. Any big moves could involve money going out rather than coming in. He also doesn’t see the Blues GM spending to the salary cap next season.

Rutherford doesn’t expect pending unrestricted free agents Sammy Blais and Kasperi Kapanen will be back. Marco Scandella could also be allowed to walk depending on what plans Armstrong has for his top-four defense and for Scott Perunovich.

He also doesn’t believe the Blues will buy out a high-salaried defenseman’s contract. Armstrong hasn’t gone the buyout route since becoming the general manager in 2010. He could instead attempt to package one of them with a draft pick or prospect in a trade.

St. Louis Blues winger Pavel Buchnevich (NHL Images)

Rutherford doesn’t see the Blues shying away from signing winger Pavel Buchnevich to a long-term extension. He thinks it could come down to where they see Buchnevich’s arc, how much he wants and if they think they’re going to compete in the next few years.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli recently examined the Blues’ options if they attempt to move a high-salaried defenseman like Colton Parayko, Torey Krug, Justin Faulk and Nick Leddy. All are signed for at least two more seasons after 2023-24 and have no-trade clauses.

Parayko would have the most value but he’s also the defenseman the Blues probably don’t want to move. They tried to trade Krug last summer and a lot of teams view the undersized defenseman differently in the playoffs. There are also some diminishing returns on Faulk.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the goal is to shed salary the Blues have to move one of those four defensemen. They had a deal in place last June to send Krug to the Philadelphia Flyers but he used his no-trade clause to reject the trade as is his right.

Armstrong could approach one of those blueliners and ask them for a list of preferred destinations if he hasn’t already done so. Parayko is probably the only one he could move without having to include sweeteners in the deal. The rest could cost some combination of draft picks, prospects and a good young NHL player to make it happen.

Buchnevich surfaced in the rumor mill leading up to last month’s trade deadline. Some teams reportedly contacted Armstrong asking if he was available. The Blues GM wasn’t shopping the 28-year-old winger but was willing to set a high asking price to see if anyone would meet it.

Armstrong could follow the same plan this summer if teams come calling about Buchnevich. However, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Blues signed him to a contract extension.

COULD THE RED WINGS HIRE BERUBE AS THEIR NEW HEAD COACH?

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Bob Duff reported a source told him that Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is mulling the possibility of a coaching change in the offseason.

The source claimed Yzerman could replace Derek Lalonde as head coach if the Wings fail to reach the playoffs this season. Lalonde is currently in the second year of a three-year contract.

Former St. Louis Blues coach Craig Berube is said to be at the top of Yzerman’s wish list.

Another source told Duff that Yzerman read the riot act to his coaching staff and players on Friday regarding their recent lackluster performance. They’re 0-2-2 on their current five-game road trip that ends on Monday in Tampa Bay.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wings were in freefall throughout March, winning just three of 14 games. They tumbled out of a wildcard berth and sit two points out of a playoff spot with eight games to play.

Duff noted that the Wings’ slow start to games, their puck management and defensive structure have been issues this season. Part of that is how the team is constructed, which is Yzerman’s department. However, the coaching staff also deserves its share of the blame.

It wouldn’t be shocking if Yzerman shook up his coaching staff by hiring a more experienced bench boss with Stanley Cup experience.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – March 31, 2024

by | Mar 31, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – March 31, 2024

Check out the latest on the Senators and Red Wings in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

WHAT COULD THE OFFSEASON HOLD FOR THE SENATORS?

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch recently compared the Senators and the Buffalo Sabres, who are poised to miss the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season. He noted the Sabres have gone through three general managers and eight head coaches.

The Senators are also reaching a crossroads as they’ll miss the postseason for the seventh straight season. They must avoid the Sabres blueprint if they hope to build around their young core.

Changes must be made. The Senators can’t just bring back the same roster next season and hope everyone improves.

The core of Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson, Shane Pinto, Josh Norris, Thomas Chabot, Ridly Greig and Jake Sanderson will be expected to improve. However, Senators GM Steve Staios must put the right group around them and improve the goaltending. Staios would also like to acquire additional leadership to support team captain Tkachuk.

THE SCORE: Josh Wegman has some suggestions for how the Senators can get over the hump.

Ottawa Senators defenseman Jakob Chychrun (NHL Images).

First is hiring an experienced head coach such as Claude Julien, Craig Berube, Dean Evason, Gerard Gallant or John Stevens. Wegman also suggests making a major trade, entertaining offers for Chabot, Norris, Batherson, Jakob Chychrun and Claude Giroux, among others. Staios should prioritize acquiring a right-shot shutdown defenseman to balance the Senators’ blueline.

Wegman also thinks Staios should target strong defensive players via free agency. Options could include the Dallas Stars’ Chris Tanev, the Los Angeles Kings’ Matt Roy, the Edmonton Oilers’ Vincent Desharnais, the Carolina Hurricanes’ Jalen Chatfield, the Vancouver Canucks’ Nikita Zadorov or Ian Cole, or bringing back Dylan DeMelo from the Winnipeg Jets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staios has a lot of work to do here. Hiring a new head coach could be the easiest of his offseason tasks. He’ll have plenty of experienced NHL bench bosses to choose from if he goes that route.

It won’t be easy improving the goaltending. They’re stuck with Joonas Korpisalo, who has four years at $4 million annually left on his contract. They could try to replace backup Anton Forsberg, though his $2.75 million cap hit for next season could be difficult to move.

The Senators have a projected cap space of $11.8 million with 16 roster players under contract for 2024-25. A new contract for Pinto could eat up between $4 million and $5 million. Staios must find a way to free up some cap room to bring in that much-needed defensive help.

One or two notable players will have to be moved. Chychrun could be shipped out to make room for that right-shot shutdown rearguard. Norris’ injury history means his trade value is low right now. Giroux has a full no-movement clause but maybe he’d waive it for one last shot with a contender.

WHAT DO THE RED WINGS NEED NEXT SEASON?

THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman recently looked at the Red Wings as they struggle to remain in the playoff chase and how it could affect their future.

Bultman noted the Red Wings have plenty of players who can score but they’ve struggled when they need goals that don’t come on the rush or with lots of space in the offensive zone. Their forward corps also must improve defensively.

The Wings need above-average goaltending, something they haven’t consistently received this season. They must also upgrade their defense corps.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wings are sitting two points out of the final Eastern Conference wildcard berth.

They held the first wildcard a month ago and seemed poised to secure their first playoff berth since 2016. However, they stumbled through March with just three wins in 14 games. They’re still in the chase because the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils are also struggling as the regular season winds down.

Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman made no significant additions at the March trade deadline. If his club fails to clinch a playoff berth, he can’t just sit on his hands in the offseason and hope this same group will get better next season. He must address the issues raised by Bultman to avoid another disappointing outcome.

The Wings have a projected cap space of $27.9 million for 2024-25 with 14 active roster players under contract. Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond are completing their entry-level contracts and will seek substantial raises. Veterans Patrick Kane, David Perron, Shayne Gostisbehere, James Reimer and Daniel Sprong are among their pending unrestricted free agents.

Seider and Raymond will be re-signed but it’ll be interesting to see if they get long-term deals or bridge contracts. Most of those UFA could be cut loose as Yzerman seeks to improve his roster for next season.