Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 25, 2024

by | Aug 25, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 25, 2024

Is Linus Ullmark planning a long-term stay in Ottawa? How could Matty Beniers’ new contract affect Stars forwards Wyatt Johnston and Logan Stankoven? What’s the latest on Tyson Barrie and the Oilers? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

ULLMARK PLANNING A LONG STAY IN OTTAWA?

NHL insider Shawn Simpson reports hearing goaltender Linus Ullmark bought a home in Ottawa. “I wouldn’t be shocked if we hear about an extension before the season starts,” he wrote.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Steve Warne cautions not to read too much into Ullmark purchasing a house in Ottawa.

Ullmark, 30, was acquired by the Senators from the Boston Bruins two months ago. He can become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark (NHL Images).

Following the trade, Ullmark said he’s leaving his contract situation for his agent and Senators general manager Steve Staios to discuss.

Warne acknowledged it might be a good sign that Ullmark’s bought a home in Ottawa. However, he also pointed out the difficulty former Senators goaltender Cam Talbot faced in finding a suitable rental home in the Ottawa area, suggesting Ullmark may have encountered the same issue.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Warne believes Ullmark wants to see how this season shakes out before deciding on an extension with the Senators. If things go well, the goalie and his family could be living in their new Ottawa home beyond this season.

WHAT IMPACT WILL BENIERS’ CONTRACT HAVE FOR TWO YOUNG STARS FORWARDS?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau pondered the effect Matty Beniers’ new seven-year contract with the Seattle Kraken would have on the Dallas Stars’ eventual contract talks with young forwards Wyatt Johnston and Logan Stankoven.

Beniers, Johnston, and Stankoven were selected in the 2021 NHL Draft. The Kraken center had a better rookie season, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2022-23. However, Johnston had a better sophomore season with 32 goals and 65 points to Beniers’ 15 goals and 37 points.

Stankoven has two years remaining on his entry-level contract. He had a modest rookie campaign (14 points in 24 games) but quickly established himself as a key cog in the Stars’ future.

Beniers will earn an average annual value of $7.14 million on his new contract. Proteau speculates Johnston might get a five or six-year deal worth between $5 million and $6 million because Texas doesn’t have a state tax on income. Stankoven’s might be less lucrative than Johnston’s.

Proteau suggested the Stars could also try signing Johnston and Stankoven to bridge deals.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Johnston and Stankoven are currently on entry-level contracts, giving Stars general manager Jim Nill the hammer in contract negotiations.

Nill will have a projected cap space of $42 million for 2025-26 (assuming the cap rises as anticipated to $92 million) when Johnston becomes an RFA, giving him plenty of cap room to sign him to a bridge deal or a more lucrative long-term contract. However, he’s also got goalie Jake Oettinger, defenseman Esa Lindell, forwards Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene to re-sign or replace at that time, and Jason Robertson and Mason Marchment in 2026.

COULD BARRIE RETURN TO THE OILERS?

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Kurt Leavins believes Tyson Barrie could return to the Oilers on a value contract. The 33-year-old defenseman was traded to the Nashville Predators before the 2023 trade deadline and is currently an unrestricted free agent.

Leavins indicates that Barrie loved his time with the Oilers, never wanted to leave, and would welcome an opportunity to return. He’d also be a good fit off the ice. Nevertheless, new GM Stan Bowman will also kick tires on other UFA blueliners like Justin Schultz and Kevin Shattenkirk.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Recent rumors had the Oilers in contract with Barrie about a possible reunion. One of them could attend training camp on a professional tryout offer.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 24, 2024

by | Aug 24, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 24, 2024

Are the Canucks shopping for a goaltender? Could the Oilers look into adding a defenseman? What’s the latest on Max Pacioretty? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

ARE THE CANUCKS IN THE GOALIE MARKET?

THE ATHLETIC: Thomas Drance and Rick Dhaliwal cite multiple sources claiming that Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko won’t be ready for training camp and preseason next month as he continues to rehab a knee injury.

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (NHL Images).

The Canucks hope that Demko, 28, will be ready for their season-opener on Oct. 9 against the Calgary Flames. However, that seems in question at this stage of the offseason.

Dhaliwal reported earlier this week that the Canucks were poking around in the goalie market. They’re exploring all their options for additional insurance in net.

The Canucks reached out to unrestricted free agent Kevin Lankinen. The 29-year-old netminder played solid hockey for the Nashville Predators last season as a backup. There’s some familiarity between Lankinen and Canucks goalie coach Marko Torenius.

THE SCORE: Kayla Douglas suggested Antti Raanta and Martin Jones as other free-agent options for the Canucks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lankinen would be the best option for the Canucks. However, Dhaliwal and Drance noted that he had a one-year, $2 million contract last season and likely won’t be interested in a one-year deal for near the league minimum. They also suggest adding another goalie could affect their plans to accrue cap space this season to put toward the March trade deadline.

OILERS SEEK A DEFENSEMAN

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli reports the Edmonton Oilers are in the market for a right-shot defenseman after trading Cody Ceci to the San Jose Sharks and losing Philip Broberg to an offer sheet from the St. Louis Blues.

Former Oilers Tyson Barrie and Justin Schultz are believed to be on the Oilers radar. Kevin Shattenkirk is another possible target.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples wondered if Tony DeAngelo could be an option. The 28-year-old is much younger than Barrie, Schultz and Shattenkirk, and played his junior hockey with Oilers blueliner Darnell Nurse. Travis Dermott is a left-hand shot but he’s 27 and knows Connor McDavid and Connor Brown from their days with the Erie Otters.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seeing what the Oilers do will be interesting. They could go with Barrie as he’s more familiar with the current roster though his defensive deficiencies could be a concern. Schultz and Shattenkirk are now past their prime. DeAngelo comes with personal baggage while Dermott struggled last season in Arizona.

LATEST ON PACIORETTY

DAILY FACEOFF’s Frank Seravalli reports former Washington Capitals winger Max Pacioretty has “firm in-hand offers from three teams.” The 35-year-old winger is expected to make a decision soon.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 23, 2024

by | Aug 23, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 23, 2024

Some suggested destinations for Predators goalie Yaroslav Askarov, plus the latest on Tyson Barrie and Cody Ceci in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin suggested some possible trade destinations for Yaroslav Askarov. 

Nashville Predators goaltender Yaroslav Askarov (NHL Images).

The 22-year-old Nashville Predators goaltender reportedly told the club that he won’t report to their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee this season and requested a trade. 

Rebuilding clubs like the Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks, and Utah Hockey Club topped Larkin’s list, followed by the Philadelphia Flyers, Seattle Kraken, Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I offered my take on the Sharks, Utah, Kraken, Flyers, Kings and Avalanche as potential trade partners earlier this week. 

Askarov wanted to be traded because he sees no path to the Predators this season. He wants an opportunity for at least a backup role with an NHL club. Going to another team only to be sent to the minors changes addresses but not his situation. 

If they’re interested, the Flyers and Sharks seem the best option for Askarov. The other clubs may have questions about their goaltending depth but they also have veterans under contract ahead of him in their pecking order regardless of his potential. 

Larkin mentioned the Canucks because of the questions surrounding the health of starter Thatcher Demko to begin this season. However, in last spring’s playoffs, they proved they could adjust with backups Casey DeSmith and Arturs Silovs. DeSmith has moved on to Dallas but Silovs is still there. If they acquire Askarov, he will end up back in the minors once Demko returns. 

TSN’s Dustin Nielson reports the Edmonton Oilers are keeping their options option regarding professional tryout offers. They’ve already had conversations with former Oilers defenseman Tyson Barrie. 

Nielson noted that Barrie is popular among his former teammates. However, he questions if he’s a fit given how their blueline is currently constructed. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barrie’s a right-shot, puck-moving defenseman who generates offense from the blueline but his defensive skills can leave something to be desired. That’s why they shipped him to the Predators before the 2023 trade deadline for Mattias Ekholm. 

EDMONTON JOURNAL’s Jim Matheson suspects the Sharks will trade Cody Ceci to a contender before the March 2025 trade deadline. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks acquired Ceci last weekend from the Oilers. He’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 22, 2024

by | Aug 22, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 22, 2024

Could the Oilers go shopping for a defenseman? Should the Sharks or Avalanche pursue Predators goalie Yaroslav Askarov? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE SCORE: Josh Wegman believes the Edmonton Oilers must add a top-four defenseman by the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline after declining to match the St. Louis Blues’ offer sheet to Philip Broberg.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard (NHL Images).

Potential right-shot rentals include the Seattle Kraken’s Adam Larsson and Will Borgen, David Savard of the Montreal Canadiens, and Jeff Petry of the Detroit Red Wings. Larsson and Petry are former Oilers.

Left-shot options include Jakob Chychrun of the Washington Capitals, Marcus Pettersson of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Ivan Provorov of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers must compete against other clubs seeking blueline help at the trade deadline. That will mean further depleting their prospect pipeline or sacrificing their second-round pick in 2025 or a first or second-rounder in 2026 or 2027. They’ll likely have no qualms doing so given their “win-now” mindset.

Wegman also suggested pursuing players with term on their contracts like Montreal’s Mike Matheson, Connor Murphy of the Chicago Blackhawks, Radko Gudas of the Anaheim Ducks, and Mario Ferraro of the San Jose Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those players will be tougher to land and would drain their cap space for 2025-26 when they’ll need every available dollar to re-sign Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard. If they pursue a defenseman it’ll be a rental player.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sheng Peng wondered if the Sharks would be interested in acquiring Yaroslav Askarov. Earlier this week, ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reported the 22-year-old Nashville Predators goaltender requested a trade.

Much would depend on what Sharks director of goaltending Evgeny Nabovkov thinks of Askarov. The youngster has puck-stopping talent but his maturity is in question.

Peng also wondered why the Predators signed starter Juuse Saros to an eight-year extension rather than anoint Askarov as Saros’ successor. He mused about whether Askarov would accept another season in the minors with the Sharks after being unwilling to do so with the Predators.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Evan Rawal believes the Avalanche should consider acquiring Askarov. He’s concerned about the Avs’ goaltending depth and thinks the young Preds netminder has the potential to become a reliable NHL starter. Rawal thinks the Avs should at least look into it.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Predators received calls about Askarov heading into the NHL Draft in June. At the time, they were in a hurry to move him and reportedly set a high asking price.

Things have changed since then. Askarov doesn’t want to return to the minors but Saros and veteran backup Scott Wedgewood blocking his path to the NHL. He’s unhappy with that situation and wants out but most NHL clubs have already addressed their goaltending needs for the coming season.

Predators GM Barry Trotz said he expects Askarov to report to training camp and compete for a job. That’s probably his polite way of telling the youngster that he’s in no position to dictate where he plays this season.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 21, 2024

by | Aug 21, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 21, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: the ongoing concern over Sidney Crosby’s contract talks while the Blues’ addition of Philip Broberg leaves them with a logjam on defense.

LATEST ON SIDNEY CROSBY

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Jason Mackey last weekend observed the “weird amount of silence” regarding Sidney Crosby’s contract extension talks with the Penguins. He considers the situation “worrisome”.

Mackey suggested the 37-year-old center’s best shot of winning his fourth Stanley Cup isn’t in Pittsburgh and it might be best for the Penguins to blow up the roster and start over. However, he doesn’t expect Crosby to depart or the Penguins to start rebuilding.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

Nevertheless, the longer this situation goes the more Mackey believes one side doesn’t want to dance.

THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Josh Yohe believes Crosby wants to finish his career with the Penguins even if it means he might not get another shot at winning the Cup. Calling the future Hall-of-Famer “a man of integrity and loyalty”, Yohe thinks that winning the Cup with Pittsburgh over the next five years means more than winning it with another team.

Asked by a reader what a hypothetical Crosby trade might look like, Yohe doesn’t see the Penguins captain getting moved. However, if it came to pass, he expects the return would be “a 2025 first-round pick, a 2026 first-round pick, a top prospect, and a young NHL player.” He also thinks they’d have to take on a heavily salaried player to make up the difference under the salary cap for whatever club took on Crosby.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s the dog days of the offseason for Penguins followers so there’s little to talk about other than Crosby’s contract. It’s a bit surprising that it hasn’t been done yet but not concerning. As I said before, there’s plenty of time between now and the start of the season to get it done.

It could take until sometime during the season before it’s done However, both sides probably want to avoid that situation as it would become an unnecessary distraction for Crosby and the club.

BLUES FACE A BLUELINE LOGJAM

STLTODAY.COM: Matthew DeFranks noted that the addition of Philip Broberg leaves the St. Louis Blues with 10 defensemen on one-way contracts, joining Justin Faulk, Torey Krug, Colton Parayko, Nick Leddy, Scott Perunovich, Matthew Kessel, Tyler Tucker, Ryan Suter and Pierre-Olivier Joseph.

At most, the Blues will keep eight defensemen on their roster, leaving two as the odd men out.

Krug’s status is uncertain as he receives treatment for pre-arthritic changes in his left ankle. He could need season-ending surgery.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Surgery for Krug will partly address that crowded blueline. Olivier, Tucker and Kessel can be sent to the Blues’ AHL affiliate.

A trade is also possible but demotions seem the easiest way to address this situation.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 20, 2024

by | Aug 20, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 20, 2024

A look at potential trade destinations for Predators goaltender Yaroslav Askarov in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Tony Ferrari listed five NHL trade destinations for Yaroslav Askarov.

The 22-year-old Nashville Predators goalie prospect informed the club he wouldn’t report to their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee and requested a trade.

Ferrari noted Askarov may no longer fit in the Predators’ plans after they signed starting goalie Juuse Saros to an eight-year contract extension.

Nashville Predators goaltender Yaroslav Askarov (NHL Images).

He suggested the Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, and the Utah Hockey Club as possible trade destinations.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was rumored teams inquired about Askarkov leading up to the NHL Draft in late June. Those clubs could revisit their interest, though his reluctance to return to the AHL could dampen their enthusiasm if they see him as a future piece rather than an immediate member of a goalie tandem.

Askarov has potential as a future NHL starter. He and his agent believe he’s ready to challenge for that role. However, the Predators don’t see him as ready, hence their contract extension to Saros and signing veteran backup Scott Wedgewood this summer to a two-year contract.

The Leafs have cycled through Frederik Andersson, Jack Campbell, Matt Murray, and Ilya Samsonov in recent years before settling on Joseph Woll this season with Anthony Stolarz as his backup. Askarov would likely end up with the Marlies unless Woll should become sidelined again.

The rebuilding Blackhawks and Sharks need all the help they can get at every position. Utah has Karel Vejmelka and Connor Ingram as their tandem but Askarov could supplant one of them.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont believes the Canadiens are currently set in goal. They have the underrated Sam Montembault as their starter with Cayden Primeau as his backup. Both goalies put up solid numbers last season backstopping a young defense while enduring a three-goalie system. The Habs also have promising Jacob Fowler within their pipeline who could push for the starter’s job within four years.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Rob Couch included the Sharks on his three-team list of possible destinations. He believed Askarov could fit in well with the New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils and Kings could use some prospect depth between the pipes. However, the Devils have Jacob Markstrom as their starter through 2025-26 with Jake Allen as his backup this season. Askarov would end up in the minor this season if they acquire him. The same goes for the Kings, where they’ve got Darcy Kuemper and David Rittich.

Julian Gaudio believes the Seattle Kraken should look into acquiring Askarov. He points out that starter Philipp Grubauer hasn’t played to the expectations of his expensive contract. Meanwhile, backup Joey Daccord remains unproven despite his stellar play last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Grubauer’s performance and contract will make it difficult to move him. The Kraken could trade or demote Daccord to make room for Askarov.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey believes the Flyers should pursue a trade for Askarov because of the uncertainty surrounding Alexei Kolosov’s willingness to play for them.

Bailey noted the Flyers have Samuel Ersson as their starter and Ivan Fedotov as their backup. He believes they would offer up Ersson to the Predators as part of the return for Askarov.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers might provide Askarov with the best opportunity to be part of an NHL goalie tandem this season. It remains to be seen if they feel he’s worth the pursuit.