NHL Rumor Mill – February 7, 2020

by | Feb 7, 2020

NHL Rumor Mill – February 7, 2020

The latest on the Rangers, the Leafs might not be done dealing, plus updates on the Flames, Kings, Canucks, and Sabres in today’s NHL rumor mill.

LATEST RANGERS SPECULATION

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks doubts Henrik Lundqvist will be moved by the Feb. 24 trade deadline, but he can’t imagine the long-time Rangers goaltender will return with the Blueshirts next season. Buying out the final season of Lundqvist’s contract in June will allow the netminder and the club to “move independently into the future.” It would free up $3 million from their salary-cap payroll next season.

Jacob Trouba‘s no-move clause kicks in on July 1. Brooks thinks Rangers management would be foolish not to listen to offers for the 25-year-old defenseman before then. He feels promising Adam Fox will soon become their No.1 right-side defenseman. Fox is on an entry-level contract through 2021-22 and would be more affordable than Trouba’s $8 million annual average value. Brooks feels the Rangers need more from Trouba, who’s struggled to adjust in his first season in New York.

TSN: Pierre Lebrun reports contract talks have finally begun between the New York Rangers and the agent for winger Chris Kreider. He feels it’ll be difficult for the Rangers to re-sign Kreider, but there will be an effort made.

Should the New York Rangers entertain trade offers for Jacob Trouba? (Photo via NHL images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see what happens with Lundqvist during the off-season. He’s coming to the end of his illustrious career, but might not be keen being relegated to a backup role with a rebuilding club next season. A trade is possible, but only if he waives his no-movement clause and if the Rangers absorb part of his $8.5 million AAV.

Seems a bit premature to give up on Trouba after only a year. I’ll be surprised if they consider moving him this summer. If there are clubs interested in him, the Rangers could be forced to pick up part of that expensive cap hit or take back another expensive contract in return.

LEAFS IN THE MARKET FOR A TOP-FOUR DEFENSEMAN

TSN: Darren Dreger believes injuries to Morgan Rielly and Cody Ceci puts the Toronto Maple Leafs in the market for a top-four defenseman. With the Los Angeles Kings retaining half of the recently-acquired winger Kyle Clifford’s salary, Dreger believes the Leafs are in a good position with Kasperi Kapanen, Andreas Johnsson, or Alexander Kerfoot if the right deal can be found.

NHL.COM: Dave McCarthy reports Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas said Rielly’s status will determine what they’ll do leading up to the trade deadline. Rielly is expected to be re-evaluated at the end of this week. “We would want someone to move the needle for us in the long run, not in the short run unless it was the perfect deal,” said Dubas.

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan suggests Anaheim’s Josh Manson or Minnesota’s Matt Dumba could fit the bill if the Leafs go shopping for a blueliner.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Once again, the Leafs’ limited salary-cap space means Dubas must get creative to add a top-four defenseman under contract beyond this season. If he does acquire one, he must ensure he can free up sufficient room for when Rielly comes off long-term injured reserve.

If Manson’s available (and I don’t think he is), the Ducks won’t just give him away. The same goes for Dumba. Manson also carries a $4.1 million AAV through 2021-22 with a 12-team no-trade list. Dumba’s AAV is $6 million through 2022-23.

LATEST ON THE FLAMES

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the recent injury to Mark Giordano could affect the Calgary Flames’ trade plans. There was talk blueliner T.J. Brodie could be available and they could pursue a top-six, right-shot winger. With Giordano sidelined, a source tells LeBrun they might instead pursue a depth defenseman. He’s not saying Brodie won’t be traded, but Giordano’s absence makes that more difficult.

Darren Dreger reports some wonder if Flames forward Sam Bennett is ready for a change. The Flames don’t want to move Bennett and they’re not actively shopping the versatile forward. Nevertheless, his name has been in the rumor mill for some time. Dreger believes Bennett would like to prove he’s a top-six forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: After trading Michael Frolik to Buffalo last month, it was assumed the Flames would pursue a top-six forward. Giordano’s hamstring injury complicates things. Their recent slump will only ratchet up the pressure on GM Brad Treliving.

UPDATE ON MARTINEZ

TSN: Darren Dreger reports Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez remains available. The Florida Panthers and Winnipeg Jets have shown various degrees of interest, but the Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t among them. The asking price is believed to be a second-round pick and either another pick or a prospect.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Interesting that the Leafs weren’t interested in Martinez. He’d fit their wish to bring in a defenseman with term on his contract. It could be because they’re awaiting word on Morgan Reilly’s condition.

COULD THE CANUCKS PURSUE SIMMONDS?

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports uncertainty over the health of sidelined winger Micheal Ferland could push them into the trade market. He said New Jersey Devils winger Wayne Simmonds has come up in their internal discussions. They had an interest in Simmonds last summer before he signed with the Devils.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Simmonds is on a one-year contract worth $5 million and lacks no-trade protection. However, he reportedly prefers staying with the Devils. The Canucks only have just over $1 million in deadline cap space.

MORE SABRES SPECULATION

TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Buffalo Sabres will continue their search for a forward. Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen’s name has been in the rumor mill for a while. Dreger also suggested blueliner Brandon Montour, though he’s not saying he’s being shopped. The only way he sees either rearguard getting traded is for a top-six forward.

 










NHL Trade Deadline Primer: Atlantic Division

by | Feb 7, 2020

NHL Trade Deadline Primer: Atlantic Division

 










NHL Rumor Mill – February 6, 2020

by | Feb 6, 2020

NHL Rumor Mill – February 6, 2020

Are more moves in store for the Kings? Could Jack Eichel want out of Buffalo if the Sabres miss the playoffs? Are the Oilers and Penguins interested in Tomas Tatar? Check out the latest in today’s NHL rumor mill.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE KINGS?

THE ATHLETIC: Prior to the Kings shipping Jack Campbell and Kyle Clifford last night to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Lisa Dillman and Josh Cooper looked at possible moves that could be in store for the rebuilding club before the Feb. 24 trade deadline.

Dillman suggested the Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins, and St. Louis Blues as potential destinations for winger Tyler Toffoli. Possible landing spots for defenseman Alec Martinez included the Leafs and Nashville Predators.

Cooper, meanwhile, noted the trade speculation swirling around Kings’ starting goaltender Jonathan Quick this season. While there’s debate around the league over Quick’s trade value, Cooper feels he’s still important to the Kings, especially their plans for the Seattle expansion draft in 2021.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports Kings coach Todd McLellan lobbied for Toffoli to be re-signed, but it’s more likely the winger will be moved by the trade deadline. Friedman also mentioned the Bruins and Flames as possible suitors and feels the Philadelphia Flyers considered the idea. He thinks the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights could have interest in Martinez.

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Jordan Hall analyzed the Flyers case for pursuing Toffoli. While the winger would provide a boost to their roster, they’d have difficulty taking on his $4.6 million salary-cap hit. It could mean giving up a decent roster player to make cap room for a player who could depart via free agency in July. Hall isn’t sure if that’s a risk they want to take.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I expect Toffoli and Martinez to be playing elsewhere before the Feb. 24 trade deadline. The Leafs’ acquisitions of Campbell and Clifford probably takes them out of the running for Martinez. The Flyers may have discussed Toffoli, but I don’t think they’re keen to move out anyone to make room for a rental player.

The Flames’ trade priorities could shift away from a top-six winger if defenseman Mark Giordano is out long-term. The Predators could move from buyers to sellers if they fail to gain ground in the standings.

I think the Bruins consider Toffoli as their fall-back if they don’t land the Rangers’ Chris Kreider. The Panthers and Golden Knights are believed in the market for a top-four defenseman. Their respective limited cap space, however, means they’ll have to do a dollar-for-dollar swap.

As for Quick, his injury history, declining play, and a hefty contract should keep him with the Kings for at least one more season, after which they could leave him unprotected in the expansion draft.

COULD EICHEL WANT OUT OF BUFFALO?

Could Jack Eichel want out of Buffalo if the Sabres fail to improve? (Photo via NHL Images)

TSN (via KUKLA’S KORNER): Insider Darren Dreger joined the Overdrive panel yesterday, where they discussed the possibility of the Buffalo Sabres missing the playoffs again and the potential effect upon Jack Eichel. They discussed whether it could push the Sabres captain to publicly demand a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I believe Eichel is committed to turning the Sabres into a playoff club. He’s a superstar in his own right and among this season’s top-10 scorers. He’s doing everything he can to carry this club into the postseason. Sadly, ownership seems disinterested while general manager Jason Botterill isn’t having much success improving the roster.

I don’t think Eichel’s reached the stage where he’s had enough, but the constant losing is going to take its toll. He’s in the second year of an eight-year contract, but if things don’t improve over the next couple of years, I can see him questioning his future with the Sabres.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM FRIEDMAN’S LATEST 31 THOUGHTS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins could have interest in Montreal Canadiens winger Tomas Tatar. However, the Canadiens feel injuries derailed their season and hope to be competitive in 2020-21. It could take a significant offer to pry Tatar away from Montreal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tatar has one season remaining on his contract, so the Habs aren’t in any rush to move him. They’ll consider it if they get a really good pitch, but they can also wait until the summer for the right offer.

Friedman claims several teams would be shocked if the Anaheim Ducks move Josh Manson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks’ blueline depth combined with their need for young scoring forwards is behind the Manson speculation. He’s in the second year of a four-year contract with a 12-team no-trade list. While they could move Manson if someone offered up a terrific young forward, I don’t think they’re shopping him.

Nashville Predators GM David Poile is willing to consider just about anything on the trade front, with obvious exceptions. He’s not looking to upgrade his goaltending.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Obvious exceptions (to me, anyway) include Pekka Rinne, Roman Josi, Filip Forsberg, Ryan Ellis, and Mattias Ekholm.

Florida Panthers winger Mike Hoffman could be a fall-back for the St. Louis Blues if they fail to acquire New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers seek a top-four defenseman and could use Hoffman as trade bait to address that issue. I don’t think the Blues want to part with any of their top-four d-men.

Some teams have inquired about Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug. While the pending UFA’s future remains uncertain, he’s a big part of the Bruins roster this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As I’ve said before, the Bruins are all-in this season. Krug’s not going anywhere.

Friedman said the New Jersey Devils are willing to consider hockey trades as well as moving out playoff rentals. Columbus Blue Jackets winger Josh Anderson has yet to return from injury. Friedman wondered if the Dallas Stars could be in the market for a playmaking forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Anderson’s contract status (pending RFA with arbitration rights who’s also a year away from UFA eligibility) explains why he’s popping up in recent trade chatter. However, they’re under no pressure to trade him before the deadline.










NHL Trade Rumor Roundup: Cost Becomes The Buzz Word

by | Feb 6, 2020

NHL Trade Rumor Roundup: Cost Becomes The Buzz Word

 










NHL Rumor Mill – February 5, 2020

by | Feb 5, 2020

NHL Rumor Mill – February 5, 2020

The latest on Mike Hoffman, Max Domi, and Josh Anderson, plus an update on the Leafs in today’s NHL rumor mill.

COULD THE PANTHERS SHOP HOFFMAN FOR A DEFENSEMAN?

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports teams are calling the Florida Panthers regarding Mike Hoffman. With the Panthers jockeying for a playoff spot, he doesn’t think they’re shopping players but could listen to offers for Hoffman. They asked for his 10-team no-trade list in December.

The Panthers are a high-scoring team, and LeBrun suggests they have young players coming in (like Owen Tippett) who could replace Hoffman if they were to trade him. Noting their blueline needs, he feels it will take a defenseman to pry Hoffman away from the Panthers.

Could the Florida Panthers swap Mike Hoffman for a top-four defenseman? (Photo via NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers general manager Dale Tallon yesterday stated he’d like to acquire a veteran defenseman to play alongside Aaron Ekblad. “We need to be more consistent on the blue line,” he said. Tallon also said he’s in the market for help on his forward lines, though it isn’t as big a priority.

Given the Panthers’ limited salary-cap space, it could be a dollar-for-dollar swap. Hoffman carried a $5.18-million salary-cap hit. He’ll also become an unrestricted free agent in July. Since Tallon asked the winger for his no-trade list, he could be their likely trade candidate.

MORE DOMI SPECULATION

LE JOURNAL DE MONTREAL: Yvon Pedneault is the latest Montreal-based pundit to muse about Max Domi’s future with the Canadiens. He wonders if the strong performance by rookie Nick Suzuki could change Domi’s importance with the club, noting the 24-year-old forward failed to step up as a leader this season when injuries took a toll on the roster.

Domi will become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer. Pedneault points out the Canadiens have over $62 million invested in next season’s roster, with Brendan Gallagher, Phillip Danault, Joel Armia, Tomas Tatar, and Jeff Petry eligible for UFA status in 2021. With Danault and Suzuki centering the top-two lines, Pedneault questions if the Canadiens should invest a big raise in a third-line center. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Canadiens become sellers by the trade deadline, Pedneault wondered if Domi might be of interest to other clubs. Perhaps, but that’s a move GM Marc Bergevin doesn’t have to make at the trade deadline unless he gets a great offer. He can always wait until the offseason to entertain offers if Domi’s salary demands become too expensive. Bergevin could also consider moving Domi back to the left-wing on his top-six lines, especially if he doesn’t bring back Ilya Kovalchuk next season.

UPDATE ON JOSH ANDERSON

TSN: Darren Dreger took note of the interest in Columbus Blue Jackets winger Josh Anderson. However, he thinks it doesn’t make much sense for Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen to move Anderson unless he gets an offer that just blows him out of the water. Given the winger’s a restricted free agent this summer, Dreger suggests Kekailainen can move him in the off-season if unable to re-sign him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I concur. Unless the Jackets get a mind-blowing offer, Kekalainen isn’t under any pressure to trade Anderson.

LATEST ON THE LEAFS’ GOALIE SITUATION

TSN: Bob McKenzie believes the Toronto Maple Leafs will intensify their hunt for a backup goalie with starter Frederik Andersen sidelined day-to-day with a neck injury. While backup Michael Hutchinson was 4-0 in his last four starts, his shaky effort replacing Anderson in a 5-3 loss to Florida may be a tipping point.

TORONTO STAR: Dave Feschuk believes Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas can no longer ignore his backup goalie problem. He has no confidence in Hutchinson, suggesting his poor performance throughout this season should’ve spurred Dubas to address this issue much sooner.

Feschuk cites the usual trade targets, such as Pittsburgh’s Casey DeSmith, Ottawa’s Craig Anderson and the Rangers’ Alexandar Georgiev. However, he wonders if Rangers long-time starter Henrik Lundqvist might waive his no-movement clause to join a contender, though finding room for his $8.5-million annual average value could be complicated.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Everything I’ve read and heard out of New York indicates Lundqvist won’t waive his NMC. That could change, of course, but I think he’s committed to sticking with the Rangers.

It would take considerable wizardry on Dubas’ part to find a way to fit Lundqvist’s salary within the Leafs’ already limited payroll. Even if the Rangers agreed to pick up half of it, the Leafs would have to shed another $4-$5 million to make it work.










Surveying the NHL Sellers – San Jose Sharks

by | Feb 5, 2020

Surveying the NHL Sellers – San Jose Sharks