NHL Rumor Mill – October 18, 2024

by | Oct 18, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – October 18, 2024

Should the Avalanche look at acquiring John Gibson from the Ducks? Are the Flames in the market for a forward? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens and Jesse Granger discussed if it would be worthwhile for the Colorado Avalanche to acquire John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks. The 31-year-old goaltender carries an average annual value of $6.4 million through 2026-27.

Gibson’s stats have declined in recent years and he’s currently sidelined following an emergency appendectomy. His stock might improve with a strong start following his return, perhaps making him more attractive to a competitive team as the March 7 trade deadline approaches.

Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche are struggling early this season partly because of starting goaltender Alexandar Georgiev’s inconsistent performance. Meanwhile, Gibson has frequently surfaced in trade rumors over the past two years.

Granger suggests it might be worth the gamble for the Avalanche. Stephens believes the Ducks would have to retain part of Gibson’s salary to make it happen because of the Avs’ limited cap space. They suggest swapping Gibson for Georgiev, suggesting both goalies might benefit from a change of scenery.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m summarizing the main points discussed by Stephens and Granger. If you have a subscription to The Athletic, follow the above link to read the full article.

Stephens and Granger aren’t saying that this is a trade in the works or that they’ve heard speculation about Gibson going to Colorado. They’re merely discussing a hypothetical scenario. Nevertheless, it’s unlikely we’ll see a Gibson-for-Georgiev swap.

The Ducks aren’t considered a playoff contender this season so they can afford to wait until the deadline. However, the Avs see themselves as a Stanley Cup contender. If Georgiev’s struggles persist, it could scuttle their playoff hopes. They need help right now.

It would be easier for the Ducks to do this deal. Stephens and Granger noted they have the cap space to take on Georgiev, who carries a more affordable AAV ($3.4 million) and is due to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Gibson’s contract is difficult to move plus the Ducks could remain reluctant to retain salary through 2027.

TSN: Chris Johnston doesn’t see any immediate help coming for the struggling Avalanche. They have over $36 million in cap space currently on the sidelines. “They’re trying to ride this through until some of the calvary can return from the injured list.

Johnston believes the uncertainty over what some of those players will be like when they return makes this difficult for the Avalanche. Gabriel Landeskog missed the last two seasons recovering from knee surgery. Meanwhile, Valeri Nichushkin remains suspended until mid-November as part of his Phase 3 treatment in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nichushkin should have a more immediate positive effect when he returns because he’s played the past two seasons. Landeskog probably won’t regain the form that made him such an effective power forward before his knee surgeries.

SPORTSNET: Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reports the Calgary Flames are shopping around for a middle-six center.

Seravalli acknowledged there usually isn’t much trade activity at this time of year. Nevertheless, Flames general manager Craig Conroy is working the phones in search of someone in their roster’s age group who’s a right-handed shot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That age group is reportedly 24 to 28.

Earlier this week, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported Conroy wasn’t interested in being a major seller again. Rather than engage in a full rebuild, he’s interested in bolstering his current roster.

Conroy might not find what he’s looking for at this stage of the season but the market could improve in the coming weeks, especially when struggling clubs emerge looking to shake things up.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 17, 2024

by | Oct 17, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – October 17, 2024

What’s the latest on the Penguins goaltending? Could the Utah Hockey Club have any significant moves planned for this season? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: On Monday, Josh Yohe reported there was open competition for playing time among the Pittsburgh Penguins’ goaltenders.

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (NHL Images).

He noted Tristan Jarry was the Penguins starter in a 6-0 season-opening loss to the New York Rangers. Rookie Joel Blomqvist played the next two games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Yohe’s column appeared before Jarry returned to the crease on Monday for a 6-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens.

Yohe pointed out that Jarry was given a five-year contract in 2023, which usually comes with extra opportunities for a player to assert himself even if he struggles. However, that hasn’t been the case for Jarry, who lost his job for the final 13 games of last season to Alex Nedeljkovic, who is currently injured but will soon return to the lineup.

According to Yohe, the Penguins’ starting goalie job moving forward is anyone’s guess. Jarry might benefit from a fresh start elsewhere but Yohe doesn’t believe any club would want his contract. A team source told him the Penguins were willing to move the 30-year-old netminder during the summer but other teams weren’t interested.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Yohe blasted Jarry’s “unprofessional” performance against the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday after the netminder gave up three goals on five shots before being replaced by Blomqvist.

Jarry is signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $5.375 million and a 12-team no-trade list. The Penguins probably won’t find any takers unless they absorb half of his cap hit or take back a toxic contract.

A buyout next June would result in a $1.747 million cap hit for 2025-26, rising to $5.047 million in 2026-27, falling to $4.547 million in 2027-18, before dropping to just over $797K annually for the remaining three seasons.

RG.ORG: Jim Biringer reports Utah Hockey Club general manager Bill Armstrong intends to remain aggressive in his efforts to build up his club following a busy offseason. During the summer, Armstrong acquired defensemen Mikhail Sergachev from the Tampa Bay Lightning and John Marino from the New Jersey Devils.

Armstrong hopes to build up his club’s defense like the teams that won the Stanley Cup, most recently the Florida Panthers. He’s seeking players between the ages of 24 and 28, pointing out that Sergachev and Sean Durzi are both 26. Armstrong acquired Durzi from the Los Angeles Kings in June 2023 for a second-round draft pick in 2024.

The Utah GM said he might have to make tough decisions about moving out players and making draft picks. “We’ll have to make some trades down the stretch, but that’s why we acquired all the draft picks and prospects.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Armstrong has a roster filled with young talent and a well-stocked prospect pipeline. He also has two third-round picks in the 2025 draft, three second-rounders, and two third-rounders in 2026, and two fourth-rounds and two fifth-rounders in 2027 to draw on as trade chips.

He could become a seller at this year’s deadline as he’s done in recent years, shipping out veterans on expiring contracts for draft picks and prospects. However, he could become a buyer if his young team is in playoff contention by the March 7 trade deadline.

 










NHL Rumor Mill – October 16, 2024

by | Oct 16, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – October 16, 2024

Check out the latest on the Leafs, Oilers, Flames and Kings in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TSN: Darren Dreger reports Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren is expected to be in the lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings. Liljegren, 25, was a healthy scratch from the Leafs’ first three games.

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren (NHL Images).

Dreger speculates it could fuel recent trade speculation about Liljegren or maybe some of it will fade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Score’s Josh Wegman listed the Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins and the Kings as logical destinations for Liljegren. All five could use depth in right-side, right-shot defensemen.

Turning to the Oilers, Dreger believes the frustration surrounding the team over its poor start to this season is coming externally rather than from within the organization. He claims there’s no sense of panic among management at this stage. They’re not pointing fingers at any one area but believe the team as a whole must improve.

Nevertheless, Dreger suggests they could use an upgrade on defense. He pointed out that Kevin Shattenkirk remains available in the unrestricted free-agent market. The 35-year-old defenseman is a right-hand shot who wants to chase the Stanley Cup and wouldn’t be an expensive addition. Dreger is surprised that Oilers general manager Stan Bowman hasn’t embraced that opportunity.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was reported the Oilers reached out to Shattenkirk earlier this month. Maybe he’s asking for more money than they can afford or perhaps Bowman had second thoughts.

Pierre LeBrun believes Calgary Flames GM Craig Conroy doesn’t understand why people expect him to be a seller this season. He claims Conroy has done all the fire sales that he’s going to do over the past 12-15 months.

LeBrun points out that the core Flames people believe could get moved (Nazem Kadri, MacKenzie Weegar, Blake Coleman) are under contract beyond this season. Conroy believes those players want to be part of the club’s transition and he wants them to be a part of it.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kadri and Weegar are also on expensive long-term contracts with no-movement or no-trade protection. Coleman is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $4.9 million and a 10-team no-trade clause.

LeBrun also noted that Los Angeles Kings GM Rob Blake is in the final season of his contract. However, he’s comfortable with this situation as he has a great relationship with Kings president Luc Robitaille.

Blake did the same thing with his previous contract and was re-signed. There could be more pressure on him this time as the Kings failed to advance past the first round of the playoffs in the last three seasons. Nevertheless, he’s comfortable seeing how this season unfolds before having contract discussions.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blake’s critics cited his recent string of questionable moves during the offseason. Another early playoff exit or missing the postseason could prompt a management shakeup.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 15, 2024

by | Oct 15, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – October 15, 2024

What’s the latest on Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren? Could he be a trade target for the struggling Oilers? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON LILJEGREN

TORONTO SUN: Lance Hornby reports Maple Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren could make his season debut on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Kings.

The 25-year-old blueliner was a healthy scratch in the Leafs’ first three games of this season. He’s in the first season of a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3 million.

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren (NHL Images).

Liljegren’s become the subject of trade speculation. However, he said he’s not paying attention to it and isn’t on social media.

THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel believes keeping Liljegren in the press box won’t improve his value in the trade market. He anticipates the rearguard could become part of a salary dump at some point and questions why the Leafs bothered to sign him at all this summer.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday that he’d heard Liljegren had permission to speak with other teams but the Leafs denied this, claiming it’s not true. He thinks they’re trying to be patient with Liljegren and he’s saying he wants to play.

Liljegren’s salary is an issue for the cap-strapped Leafs. They currently have three players (Calle Jarnkrok, Connor Dewar and Jani Hakanpaa) on long-term injury reserve but they will eventually return to the lineup.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau listed the Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues and Philadelphia Flyers as potential trade destinations.

All four teams need depth on the right side of their blueline. The Ducks, Sharks and Blues have the salary cap space to take on Liljegren’s cap hit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Liljegren could become a salary-cap casualty later this season. That would leave the Leafs with little leverage if they attempt to move him. Interested parties could insist they retain salary in the deal or include a sweetener like a draft pick or prospect.

THE ATHLETIC: The Edmonton Oilers’ 0-3-0 start to this season has Allan Mitchell wondering if a significant trade might be in their future.

There are signs the Oilers are trying to add to their blueline. Recent reports have linked them to unrestricted free-agent defensemen Kevin Shattenkirk and Mark Giordano.

Mitchell wondered if the Oilers might target Liljegren. He noted the Leafs blueliner would cost the most to acquire, including likely draft picks to the Leafs. Shattenkirk or Giordano would only require a contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those options are great for the Oilers. Shattenkirk and Giordano are well past their “best-before” dates and there’s no certainty Liljegren will improve the Oilers’ porous defense.

Mitchell believes Oilers management will remain patient and allow more time for new blueline additions like Ty Emberson and Travis Dermott to settle in. However, he acknowledged the pressure for change could mount if the losses pile up.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 14, 2024

by | Oct 14, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – October 14, 2024

Check out the latest on Igor Shesterkin, the possibility of the Jets adding to the roster this season, the Oilers linked to some UFA defensemen, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston was asked by a reader if New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin will go to free agency next summer.

Johnston believes the path to a deal remains open between Shesterkin and the Rangers. The latter isn’t in a place yet to make him their highest-paid player but they are willing to make him the league’s highest-paid goalie. He considers it “incredibly likely” that the two sides will find common ground.

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Rangers don’t re-sign Shesterkin they should start rebuilding their roster. There’s no one within their system or the trade and free agent markets to replace him. Team owner James Dolan wants to win the Stanley Cup and that’s only possible if Shesterkin is between the pipes.

The Rangers will make Shesterkin the NHL’s highest-paid goalie. It’s just a matter of when and how much.

Another reader asked Johnston if he sees the Winnipeg Jets adding a center or defenseman by the March 7 trade deadline. He replied that he wouldn’t be surprised if they boosted their depth at center.

Johnston also noted the Jets have to decide what to do about Nikolaj Ehlers. The 28-year-old winger is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. So far, the two sides appear comfortable playing this out.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets’ plans for the trade deadline and Ehler’s future depends on their place in the standings by March 7 and how well Ehlers is playing by that point. Right now, it’s too early to tell.

Johnston and colleague Pierre LeBrun also reported the Edmonton Oilers have been linked to a pair of UFA defensemen.

They indicated the Oilers are believed to be among the teams to have spoken with Kevin Shattenkirk. They also included the Oilers among “appealing possibilities” for Mark Giordano.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Kurt Leavins noted the talk linking the Oilers to Shattenkirk but criticized his skating and decline in his play. Leavins believes former Oiler Justin Schultz might be a better option.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers could consider an affordable veteran addition to their blueline if they continue to stumble as they’ve done through their first three games. However, aging veterans like Giordano, Shattenkirk and Schultz won’t improve their need for a fleet-footed, defensively-responsible rearguard.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks wondered if Steve Yzerman might put in a call for Joel Quenneville to replace head coach Derek Lalonde if the Detroit Red Wings get off to a sputtering start to this season. He also suggested a projected contender might turn to Quenneville.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Quenneville was banned from coaching in the NHL following revelations in 2021 that he played a role in mishandling sexual assault allegations from player Kyle Beach against the Chicago Blackhawks’ video coach during the club’s run to the 2010 Stanley Cup. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman lifted the ban in July.

Hiring Quenneville would be a controversial decision. Nevertheless, the door was opened this summer when the Edmonton Oilers hired Stan Bowman as general manager. Bowman was Blackhawks GM at the time that Beach made his allegations and played a significant role in how the front office mishandled that situation. Bettman also lifted his ban in July.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 13, 2024

by | Oct 13, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 13, 2024

Check out the latest on the Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin and the Leafs’ Timothy Liljegren plus a look at the Kraken’s goaltending future in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

LATEST SHESTERKIN SPECULATION

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the start of this season was seen as a soft deadline for the New York Rangers to reach an agreement on a new contract with Igor Shesterkin.

The 28-year-old goaltender can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2025. He reportedly rejected an eight-year, $88 million offer last week from the Rangers.

Friedman indicates the Rangers believe they can still get Shesterkin under contract during this season if they can reach a number that will make the goaltender happy. He noted that Shesterkin has positioned himself as the Rangers’ best and most important player.

New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (NHL Images).

It’s near-certain that Shesterkin will not only become the highest-paid Ranger but also the NHL’s highest-paid goaltender.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Shesterkin is said to be seeking an average annual value of $12 million on an eight-year contract. The offer he rejected offer had an AAV of $11 million. Perhaps there’s a number in between that both sides can agree on.

Some fans don’t believe Shesterkin (or any goaltender) is worth that much. As Friedman pointed out, he’s well-positioned to seek that amount.

The Rangers need Shesterskin if they want to keep their Stanley Cup window open beyond this season. No one in their system can wrest the starter’s job away from him nor are there any viable alternatives in this season’s trade market and next summer’s free-agent market.

If the Rangers don’t sign Shesterkin they should start rebuilding their roster, replacing veterans like Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, and Mika Zibanejad with promising youngsters. That also means finding a future starting goaltender.

UPDATE ON LILJEGREN

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox reports Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving is working the phones trying to trade Timothy Liljegren and his $3 million AAV. However, he believes if it were easy to trade a third-pairing defenseman with a second-pair salary, it would’ve happened by now.

Fox noted there isn’t any urgency to move Liljegren but there could be soon. The Leafs are maxed out in NHL contracts and salary-cap space. Players on long-term injury reserve like Jani Hakanpaa, Calle Jarnkrok and Connor Dewar will eventually return to the lineup. If another Leaf gets injured, that will delay the pressure to trade Liljegren.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fox doesn’t see Liljegren having a long-term future in Toronto. He speculates that a rival club with a banged-up blueline could come calling at some point.

Liljegren must see some playing time and improve his performance to generate interest from rival clubs. Even then, the Leafs might have to retain a portion of his salary to facilitate a deal.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE IN GOAL FOR THE KRAKEN?

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Kate Shefte believes the Kraken’s goaltending future got interesting after they signed Joey Daccord last week to a five-year contract extension. The 28-year-old netminder will earn an AAV of $5 million starting next season.

The Kraken is also paying Philipp Grubauer $5.9 million annually through 2026-27. They’re investing a lot in two goaltenders.

Shefte cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman suggesting a possible buyout for Grubauer if Kraken management wished to go that route.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kraken could prefer trading Grubauer at some point. However, that could mean adding a sweetener like a quality draft pick or young player in the deal or retaining part of his average annual value.

A buyout next summer would count as $1.983 million against their cap for 2025-26, rising to $3.083 million for 2026-27 and dropping to $1.683 million annually for the final two years.