NHL Rumor Mill – January 31, 2020

by | Jan 31, 2020

NHL Rumor Mill – January 31, 2020

The latest on Chris Kreider and David Backes plus updates on the Blues and Ducks in today’s NHL rumor mill.

EIGHT TEAMS INTERESTED IN KREIDER

TSN: Pierre LeBrun believes at least eight teams have expressed interest in New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider. The Rangers’ asking price could be similar to what they got for Kevin Hayes last season, which was a young NHL player and a first-round draft pick. The club is still hopeful of re-signing the pending UFA winger, but there haven’t been any contract discussions yet.

Eight teams reportedly interested in New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider (Photo via NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: LeBrun didn’t name those eight clubs, but various reports in recent weeks linked Kreider to the Arizona Coyotes, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues, and Vegas Golden Knights. We don’t know how serious their interest in the Rangers’ winger could be.

I suspect the Bruins, Avalanche, Penguins, and Blues could be the front-runners. Kreider has an 11-team no-trade list, which could determine where he goes if the Rangers shop him before deadline day. Speaking of the Blues…

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford recently included Kreider on his list of potential trade targets for the St. Louis Blues. Los Angeles’ Tyler Toffoli, Ottawa’s Jean-Gabriel Pageau, and Columbus’ Josh Anderson also made the list. He also included Arizona’s Taylor Hall, though he acknowledged the left winger won’t be going anywhere as long as the Coyotes remain in playoff contention.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Armstrong recently indicated much will depend upon when sidelined winger Vladimir Tarasenko returns to the lineup from shoulder surgery. If he’s not due back until the playoffs, that’ll provide the Blues GM with sufficient trade-deadline cap room to pursue another forward.

BACKES ON THE BLOCK?

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Joe Haggerty weighed in on David Backes not reporting to the Bruins’ AHL affiliate in Providence, noting the club is fine with it. He also speculates they don’t want the veteran forward risking another injury that would prevent him from getting moved before the Feb. 24 trade deadline.

The Bruins would have to absorb up to half of Backes’ $6-million annual average salary to move him, plus include a sweetener like a draft pick or a prospect. However, some non-contending clubs (such as the Anaheim Ducks) have indicated they’re willing to take on extra salary for the right price.

One of them is the Anaheim Ducks, who have a winger like Ondrej Kase and a defenseman like Josh Manson who could address the Bruins’ needs. Haggerty notes the Bruins and Ducks have recently scouted each other.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks might be interested only in taking on a high-salaried player who’s on an expiring contract this season. Backes has another season left on his deal. His eight-team trade list could also complicate matters.

The Bruins need second-line scoring, but they could be eyeing a healthier option than the oft-injured Kase. And speaking of the Ducks and what contracts they might be willing to take from other clubs…

SOME SUGGESTED DUCKS TRADE TARGETS

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens recently examined how the Ducks could weaponize their cap space to take on a bothersome contract packaged with some future assets. Among his suggested options were Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Cody Ceci, Pittsburgh Penguins winger Alex Galchenyuk, Boston Bruins winger Danton Heinen, or Arizona Coyotes winger Michael Grabner.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stephens was merely spitballing here. He’s not saying the Ducks are targeting those players. Nevertheless, we can’t rule out the possibility they’ll try to exploit a cap-strapped playoff contender that’s trying to free up cap room to bolster their roster.










NHL Sense or Nonsense: Buying, Selling, Signing or Trading

by | Jan 31, 2020

NHL Sense or Nonsense: Buying, Selling, Signing or Trading

 










NHL Rumor Mill – January 30, 2020

by | Jan 30, 2020

NHL Rumor Mill – January 30, 2020

The Leafs linked to the Wild’s Matt Dumba, plus updates on the Rangers, Jets, and Canadiens in today’s NHL rumor mill.

LEAFS LOOKING AT DUMBA

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Toronto Maple Leafs have looked into Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba. He believes the club’s fortunes in the coming weeks will determine if they pursue a right-handed blueliner or test the trade market on their pending unrestricted free agents. Friedman cites one league executive saying the Leafs are investigating every good defenseman on the market.

Would Matt Dumba be a good fit with the Toronto Maple Leafs? (Photo via NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs reportedly aren’t interested in acquiring a rental player. As Friedman points out, Dumba has three years remaining on his contract. He’s the type of rearguard the Leafs would want, but finding room for his $6-million salary-cap hit would be difficult. I don’t believe the Wild would pick up part of his annual average value if they were to shop Dumba.

RANGERS’ POTENTIAL TRADE CANDIDATES

NEW YORK POST: Brett Cyrgalis reviewed several possible Rangers’ trade candidates, what they could fetch on the market, and the clubs that could pursue them.

Winger Chris Kreider could fetch a first-round pick and perhaps more. Boston, Colorado, Arizona, and Vegas could be in the mix.

The Maple Leafs make sense for pending restricted free agent goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, but Cyrgalis wonders what return would make sense for the Rangers. Colorado, San Jose, and Florida could use depth between the pipes.

Defenseman Tony DeAngelo is a pending RFA with arbitration rights. While he has defensive deficiencies, his puck-moving skills would draw attention in the trade market. Cyrgalis suggests Toronto (perhaps packaged with Georgiev?), Winnipeg or Carolina as trade partners.

Pending UFA winger Jesper Fast would be a solid bottom-six addition for Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, St. Louis or Dallas. Versatile RFA forward Ryan Strome might be a fit with Vancouver, Calgary or Arizona.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’ll find out soon enough how many of his pending free agents Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton intends to trade. Georgiev and DeAngelo might be enticing for the Leafs, but the asking price for that package could include a young, affordable forward like Kasperi Kapanen, Andreas Johnsson, or Alexander Kerfoot.

Penguins GM Jim Rutherford indicated he’s open to acquiring a top-six winger. I don’t see Fast as a fit in Pittsburgh.

BLUELINE TRADE TARGETS FOR THE JETS

THE ATHLETIC: With the Winnipeg Jets reportedly in the market for a top-four defenseman, Ken Wiebe wondered if they might revisit their earlier interest in Buffalo Sabres blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen. He also listed Ristolainen’s teammate Colin Miller, Los Angeles’ Alec Martinez, Ottawa’s Dylan DeMelo, and New Jersey’s Damon Severson.

Wiebe suggested Jets forward Jack Roslovic might make the most sense as a trade chip. He also pointed out Dustin Byfuglien’s situation could have salary-cap implications. If he returns to the lineup before the end of this season, they’ll have to ensure they’ve got sufficient room for his $7.6-million annual average salary.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Winnipeg Sun’s Scott Billeck believes adding a top-four defenseman would prove too costly, forcing them to give up a top-six forward or a first-round pick and one of their top prospects. “Teams want talent for talent. They want Nikolaj Ehlers, not Luca Sbisa. Kyle Connor, not Nick Shore,” he said. Billeck feels there’s not much to work with in this season’s trade market. He suggests looking to the future by dipping into this summer’s UFA market.

I agree with Billeck. Don’t sacrifice the future for a quick fix. I’m not saying they shouldn’t look at picking up a depth player or two, but not at the cost of a good player, high draft picks or quality prospects.

UPDATE ON THE CANADIENS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Montreal Canadiens aren’t interested in acquiring rental players. He suspects they won’t do much at the trade deadline. With an eye on reaching the playoffs in 2021, they don’t want to part with players who can help them next year like Tomas Tatar and Jeff Petry.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Montreal Gazette’s Stu Cowan also believes the Canadiens shouldn’t move Tatar. The 29-year-old winger is a consistent 20-goal scorer who has a year remaining on his contract. Considering how difficult it is for the Habs to attract UFA talent, Cowan feels they should keep a player like Tatar, who loves playing in Montreal. You can probably make the same case for the underrated Petry. Unless the Canadiens get mind-blowing offers for either guy, they’re better off retaining them.

 










The Post All-Star Break NHL Trade Rumor Roundup

by | Jan 30, 2020

The Post All-Star Break NHL Trade Rumor Roundup

 










NHL Rumor Mill – January 29, 2020

by | Jan 29, 2020

NHL Rumor Mill – January 29, 2020

Should the Canadiens ship Max Domi to Toronto for Kasperi Kapanen? Are the Bruins eyeing a Ducks winger? Is interest growing in Brenden Dillon? Check out the latest in today’s NHL rumor mill.

DOMI FOR KAPANEN?

TVA SPORTS: Jean-Charles Lajoie believes the decline in Max Domi’s production in his contract year should concern Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin. Taking note of the 24-year-old winger’s streaky scoring, he thinks they can’t build a champion team with Domi.

Nevertheless, Lajoie believes Domi is among several Canadiens who would be attractive to other clubs before the Feb. 24 trade deadline. He suggests shipping Domi to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Kaspari Kapanen, who could have great chemistry with fellow Finns Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Joel Armia, while Domi would return to the city where his father was a star.

Should the Montreal Canadiens offer Max Domi to Toronto for Kasperi Kapanen (Photo via NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Could Bergevin listen to trade offers for Domi? I wouldn’t rule it out. Will he get one that entices him to trade Domi before the deadline? Probably not. Will the Leafs swap Kapanen for Domi? No. They need to bolster their blueline depth. Trading Kapanen for Domi won’t address that issue.

BRUINS PURSUING KASE?

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy cites an NHL source suggesting the Bruins could be looking at Anaheim Ducks winger Ondrej Kase. The Ducks are open for business and let it be known the 24-year-old Kase could be available for the right price.

Sweeney’s source claims Bruins general manager Don Sweeney and Ducks GM Bob Murray have discussed what that price could be. No word on what Murray could seek, but with his club set to rebuild, the asking price could be draft picks and/or prospects.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t think it’s a certainty the Ducks move Kase, but I don’t rule it out. Several pundits reported Murray wasn’t going to engage in a total roster teardown, but he’s willing to listen on certain players. Kase could be among them. Given his injury history, however, I don’t think he’s the winger to bolster the Bruins’ second-line scoring punch.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM TSN’S LATEST “INSIDER TRADING” SEGMENT

TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Winnipeg Jets are in the market for a specific top-four defenseman. It could be a rental player or one with term on his contract. Complicating things is Dustin Byfuglien’s situation hasn’t been resolved plus injuries to Adam Lowry and Bryan Little. If the latter comes back into the mix, Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff might have to move a current roster player to add that top-four blueliner.

Pierre LeBrun believes San Jose Sharks rearguard Brenden Dillon could be among the Jets’ trade targets. He said half-a-dozen teams have expressed interest in Dillon, including the Bruins and the Carolina Hurricanes. He suspects the asking price will be a second-round pick and perhaps a prospect.

LeBrun also reported there haven’t been any contract discussions between the Ottawa Senators and pending UFA Jean-Gabriel Pageau. He doubts the Senators can get a first-round pick for Pageau if he’s put on the trade block, but suggested perhaps a conditional second-rounder that becomes a first if Pageau re-signs with the acquiring club.

The Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers and maybe the Calgary Flames could pursue Pageau. None of those clubs are guaranteed to make the playoffs, so they’ll be leery about overpaying for a rental player. 

LATEST ON THE DEVILS

THE ATHLETIC: Corey Masisak reports Travis Zajac and Andy Greene recently met with New Jersey Devils interim GM Tom Fitzgerald to discuss their respective futures. Zajac has a year remaining on his contract while Green is an unrestricted free agent. Both have no-trade clauses. Zajac confirmed he rejected a recent trade opportunity, adding he wants to remain with the Devils.

Masisak also explored the trade market for pending UFA defenseman Sami Vatanen. The Devils could get a second-round pick and perhaps another asset in return. He speculates the Vegas Golden Knights and Nashville Predators could be suitors.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vatanen lacks no-trade protection and will be the easiest of the three to move if he’s not re-signed before the trade deadline. If Zajac and Greene don’t want to leave, there’s nothing Fitzgerald can do unless he tells them they won’t be re-signed. Even that might not sway them.

SABRES STILL SHOPPING

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Lance Lysowski reports Buffalo Sabres GM Jason Botterill will push to add to his roster ahead of the trade deadline if his club gains ground in the standings over the next three weeks. He said he’s still trying to add to his roster, hoping to add a forward with speed.

Doing so won’t be easy, as the Sabres have limited salary-cap space. They also haven’t found any takers for defenseman Zach Bogosian and forward Evan Rodrigues, who’ve both requested a trade.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 28, 2020

by | Jan 28, 2020

NHL Rumor Mill – January 28, 2020

The Penguins are still seeking a top-six winger, the Rangers are expected to be trade-deadline seller, plus the latest on Josh Anderson in today’s NHL rumor mill.

PENGUINS STILL IN THE MARKET FOR A SCORING WINGER

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reports Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford remains keen to acquire a top-six winger. While acknowledging there’s no replacing Jake Guentzel, the sidelined winger’s absence leaves a big hole on their scoring lines. “If the right one is out there, then yes, that’s what we’re looking at,” Rutherford said.

There are rental players expected to be available, such as New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider. There are also players with term on their contract that might be obtainable for the right price.

Could the Pittsburgh Penguins pursue NY Rangers winger Chris Kreider before the NHL trade deadline? (Photo via NHL Images)

The Penguins GM isn’t looking to add a defenseman, pointing out Brian Dumoulin will return soon from an injury. He’s also pleased with the play of Jack Johnston, John Marino, and Marcus Pettersson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rutherford has a well-earned reputation as a wheeler-dealer. I expect he’ll make a move before the trade deadline.

Speculation links the Penguins to potential rentals like Kreider and the LA Kings’ Tyler Toffoli. They’re also tied to players signed beyond this season such as Minnesota’s Jason Zucker.

I also believe Rutherford still wants to move Alex Galchenyuk. That could be difficult, given the winger’s UFA status this summer and his disappointing numbers this season.

RANGERS EXPECTED TO BE DEADLINE SELLERS

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks expects the Rangers will be sellers at the Feb. 24 trade deadline, regardless of where they are in the standings. He believes the front office is looking years down the road. “No one in the front office believes the future is this June,” he said.

Brooks expects pending UFAs Chris Kreider and Jesper Fast will be traded if they’re not re-signed by deadline day. He also feels the standings won’t determine if they keep restricted free agents like Ryan Strome and Tony DeAngelo. He expects management will weigh the value of potential trade returns against the value of having those players in the lineup in the coming years.

Brooks doesn’t expect the Rangers will buy out the contracts of veterans Henrik Lundqvist and Marc Staal, but perhaps they’ll consider it with Brendan Smith.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brooks’ analysis is based on what Rangers management has done over the past two years and their salary-cap payroll. Cap Friendly indicates they have over $64 million tied up in 13 players for 2020-21. Re-signing Kreider could push that payroll to nearly $70 million, leaving little room to re-sign or replace their other free agents.

DeAngelo’s having a terrific season, but he’s also a restricted free agent with arbitration rights who was forced to accept a cheap one-year contract last summer. He’ll be looking for a big raise this year. They could shop DeAngelo if they anticipate a difficult contract negotiation.

WHAT’S BEHIND THE ANDERSON TRADE RUMORS?

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline says the contract status of Josh Anderson is behind the recent trade speculation swirling around the Columbus Blue Jackets’ winger. He said rival general managers have inquired into Anderson’s status for some time.

While Anderson’s agent claims there’s no lingering resentment toward Jackets management following their difficult 2017 contract negotiations, the 25-year-old winger holds the hammer this time around. He’s a restricted free agent with arbitration rights who’s a year away from UFA eligibility. That’s why most NHL executives contacted by The Athletic expect Anderson could be moved by the Feb. 24 trade deadline or during this summer, perhaps at the NHL Draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Anderson’s performance this season has been hampered by injuries, but he steadily improved over the previous three years, tallying 27 goals and 47 points in 82 games last season. With the Jackets jockeying for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, they could retain Anderson for the remainder of this season. Should they slide in the standings, however, they could entertain serious trade offers.