Blue Jackets Trade Patrik Laine To The Canadiens

by | Aug 19, 2024

Blue Jackets Trade Patrik Laine To The Canadiens

The Columbus Blue Jackets traded winger Patrik Laine and a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for defenseman Jordan Harris.

There was no salary retention by the Blue Jackets. The Canadiens take on Laine’s full $8.7 million average annual cap hit through 2025-26.

Columbus Blue Jackets trade winger Patrik Laine to the Montreal Canadiens. (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: So much for the recent assumptions (including mine) suggesting a Laine trade might not occur until around Christmas at the earliest. To be fair, those were based on Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell suggesting it could take that long during a round of interviews late last week.

This is a calculated gamble by Canadiens GM Kent Hughes. Laine was a 44-goal scorer in his sophomore season (2017-18) with the Winnipeg Jets but he’s struggled with injuries and consistency during his tenure with the Blue Jackets. He entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in January for mental health reasons and remained there until late last month.

The 26-year-old winger could be a welcome boost to the Canadiens’ offense if he can stay healthy and regain his scoring touch. His cap hit takes a big chunk from their payroll and could be an expensive mistake cap-wise. Still, the Habs only carry his contract for two seasons.

Laine was unhappy with the Blues Jackets and wanted out of Columbus. He gets a chance at a fresh start in Montreal but will face considerable pressure playing in one of hockey’s biggest and most passionate markets. How well he adjusts will have ramifications for the Canadiens’ scoring punch in the short term and Laine’s career overall.

Harris, 24, was a third-round pick of the Canadiens in 2018. The young puck-moving defenseman spent the past two seasons with the Habs. The expected additions of Lane Hutson and Logan Mailloux to their defense corps this season made Harris the odd man out. He should get a better opportunity to earn more playing time with the Blue Jackets.

Waddell wanted to make a hockey trade when he started peddling Laine last month. He gets a young NHL player and sheds the entirety of Laine’s contract, leaving the Jackets with over $18 million in cap space for this season with 22 of his 23 active roster players under contract. That gives Waddell plenty of room to make other moves this season if necessary.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 19, 2024

by | Aug 19, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 19, 2024

Check out the latest Canadiens speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TVA SPORTS: Entering the final year of his contract with the Montreal Canadiens, David Savard knows he’ll be the subject of trade rumors this season.

The 33-year-old defenseman carries a $3.5 million cap hit. He’s aware the Canadiens at some point must clear roster space for their younger blueliners. Nevertheless, he believes he can still bring a lot to the team and its young players.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Savard was the subject of trade speculation in the weeks leading up to last season’s March deadline. Contenders in the market for an experienced defenseman will come calling again this season.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marco D’Amico looks at the Canadiens’ top trade assets heading into training camp.

Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes has $5.5 million in cap space, and that’s without putting permanently sidelined goaltender Carey Price ($10.5 million) on long-term injury reserve. He could use it to his advantage by acquiring a player from a club looking to free up cap room before the start of the season.

Hughes also has nine picks in the first four rounds of the 2025 draft (including two first-rounders and two second-rounders) plus a deep prospect pool to draw on for trade bait if he’s looking to add an NHL player to his roster, preferably a forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens are rumored to have had trade discussions with several teams this summer for a forward. Business could pick up heading into training camp starting in mid-September.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Rob Couch believes the Canadiens have the pieces necessary to acquire goaltender Yaroslav Askarov from the Nashville Predators if they wish.

Askarov, 21, has been the subject of trade rumors since Nashville signed starting goalie Juuse Saros to an eight-year contract extension on July 1. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently reported the Predators seek an NHL player that makes sense for Askarov or another high-end prospect forward or defenseman.

Couch speculates defenseman Logan Mailloux could be an option for the Predators. They could also be interested in a forward like Owen Beck, Joshua Roy, or Michael Hage.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens are in the market for a scoring forward, not a goaltender. They’re set with the underrated Sam Montembeault as their starter. Cayden Primeau will be his backup after a solid performance last season.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 18, 2024

by | Aug 18, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 18, 2024

Would Nazem Kadri be a good fit with the Jets? Could the Flames dangle Rasmus Andersson ahead of the March trade deadline? What’s the latest on Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THE WINNIPEG FREE PRESS: Ken Wiebe believes Nazem Kadri is just what the Jets need to fill their second-line center position.

Kadri, 33, is in the third season of his seven-year contract with the Calgary Flames. He carries an average annual value of $7 million plus a full no-movement clause until 2026-27 when it becomes a 13-team no-trade list.

Calgary Flames forward Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).

Wiebe acknowledged Kadri’s hefty contract and no-move protection. Nevertheless, he speculates the veteran center could prefer a change of address depending on how the rebuilding Flames perform this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kadri has stated he enjoys living in Calgary and doesn’t want a trade. He might change his mind if the Flames are looking at several years of rebuilding. For now, it’s safe to assume he’s not going anywhere

If Kadri becomes receptive to a trade, the Jets wouldn’t be the only club pursuing him. That’s assuming they’d be interested in the first place.

Kadri’s age and contract will be significant concerns if he becomes available in this season’s trade market. Interested clubs could ask the Flames to retain part of his $7 million AAV. His NMC gives him full control over which teams he would consider acceptable trade destinations. The Jets might not be among them.

THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, a reader asked Julian McKenzie what value Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson would have at the March trade deadline.

The reader believes Andersson could have some significant value as a “top-4, arguably low-end top pair, right-spot defense on a good contract.”

Andersson, 27, is signed through 2025-26 with an AAV of $4.55 million.

McKenzie believes Andersson could be someone the Flames dangle but only if the price is right. His play this season will dictate his value in the trade market. However, the Flames don’t have to move Andersson this season unless they get an irresistible offer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames were big-time sellers last season as they began to rebuild their roster. Andersson’s name surfaced several times as a trade candidate leading up to the March deadline.

Andersson doesn’t have to be moved this season but teams could be interested in landing him because he has another season left on his contract. A solid performance on his part this season combined with that extra year on his deal could make him an enticing trade target for playoff clubs seeking a right-shot blueliner.

One sticking point is Andersson’s modified no-trade clause kicked in on July 1. He has a six-team no-trade list.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: David Dwork dismissed the recently suggested trade ideas about Aaron Ekblad that have surfaced in the media.

The 28-year-old Florida Panthers defenseman is in the final season of his eight-year contract with an AAV of $7.5 million. His no-movement clause changed on July 1 to a 12-team no-trade list.

Dwork acknowledged Ekblad could price himself out of the Panthers’ market on his next contract. They could consider moving him before his UFA eligibility next July. He also mentioned the possibility of Ekblad accepting a pay cut to remain with the Panthers.

Some of those trade ideas have Ekblad going to teams like the Detroit Red Wing and Toronto Maple Leafs. However, Dwork noted those proposed deals don’t take into account how Panthers GM Bill Zito has built his club.

Any players coming to Florida must understand and fit into the systems employed by Panthers coach Paul Maurice. They must be hardworking character guys who would be welcomed into their tight-knit dressing room.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some pundits claimed the Panthers were shopping Ekblad since early June. There’s no indication they’re close to a deal. Of course, we wouldn’t know about it until the trade went down.

I believe the Panthers intend to hang onto Ekblad this season. Trading him would leave them thin in experienced right-shot defensemen capable of playing top-four minutes. He will be crucial to their defense of the Stanley Cup this season.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 17, 2024

by | Aug 17, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 17, 2024

What’s the latest on Patrik Laine? What’s going on with Mikko Rantanen’s contract extension? Who are the top centers and goalies remaining in the UFA market? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON LAINE

TSN: Bryan Hayes and Dave Feschuk talked with Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell regarding his efforts to honor Patrik Laine’s trade request.

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine (NHL Images).

Waddell noted that the 26-year-old winger was vocal about a trade way before he took over as GM, indicating there were “a lot of things going on in the locker room”. He admitted it would be harder to bring Laine back knowing the situation but that might be the option if a deal cannot be found.

“We’re into the summer, he’s got a high cap hit for two years, you know,” said Waddell. “I’m talking to teams every day, I got two or three teams engaged right now, and we’ll see where it goes.”

Waddell said he told Laine’s agent that, at the end of the day, if a deal can’t be made, the winger will have to come back to the Jackets’ training camp. He added that they’ll welcome him back and try to make the best of the situation.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laine’s $8.7 million average annual value through 2025-26 plus his on-ice struggles, injury history, and a recent stint in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program addressing his mental health are significant obstacles.

His contract is the biggest to overcome. A trade is unlikely to happen unless the Blue Jackets retain some salary.

UPDATE ON RANTANEN’S CONTRACT EXTENSION

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Evan Rawal recently cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting there’s growing optimism that the Colorado Avalanche and forward Mikko Rantanen can agree to a contract extension.

Rantanen, 27, is in the final season of his contract with a cap hit of $9.25 million. He’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Friedman said he’d spoken with some teams that believe the Avalanche and Rantanen can get something done. Many of them have taken Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl off their UFA boards for next summer because they know that deal will get done. They don’t have any reason to believe that Rantanen’s deal with the Avs will be difficult to get done.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rantanen’s in line for a big raise, perhaps exceeding teammate Nathan MacKinnon’s $12.6 million AAV.

Assuming the 2025-26 salary cap is $92 million, the Avalanche will have $21.3 million in cap space with 14 active roster players under contract. They’ll have room to sign Rantanen but it won’t leave much to fill out the rest of the roster.

TOP REMAINING UFA CENTERS AND GOALTENDERS

DAILY FACEOFF: Hunter Crowther recently listed the top five centers and the top three goaltenders remaining in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market.

Nick Cousins tops the list of available centers, followed by Chris Tierney, Rem Pitlick, and Sam Gagner.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Colin White was also on Crowther’s list published on Aug 11. Two days later, however, he signed an AHL contract with the San Jose Barracuda.

Kevin Lankinen, Antti Raanta, and Martin Jones are the top remaining netminders.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 16, 2024

by | Aug 16, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 16, 2024

What’s the latest on the Oilers’ offer sheet saga? Did Penguins defenseman Kris Letang request a trade to the Canadiens? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON THE OILERS’ OFFER SHEET SAGA

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cites Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman saying he expects the Oilers will match the St. Louis Blues’ offer sheet to Dylan Holloway but not the one to Philip Broberg.

Speaking with Bob Stauffer of “Oilers Now”, Friedman also believes there’s no way that St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong would’ve signed Holloway and Broberg if Ken Holland was still the Oilers GM. “I do think that…Armstrong’s friendship with Ken Holland absolutely plays a role in how this played out,” said Friedman.

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Philip Broberg (NHL Images).

The Sportsnet insider also thinks there’s lingering unhappiness on Broberg’s part over how the Oilers handled him this season. He spent much of this season with their AHL affiliate in Bakersfield.

Friedman claimed Broberg asked for a trade in December. He doesn’t believe the blueliner changed his mind. He also claimed Broberg sought $1.8 million annually on his next contract with the Oilers before receiving a two-year offer from the Blues with an annual cap hit of $4.58 million.

Staples colleague Jim Matheson pointed out that signing Broberg would give the Blues 10 defensemen on one-way contracts. He believes the young defenseman could replace Scott Perunovich as the Blues’ second-pairing left-side defenseman.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: One of those defensemen is Torey Krug, who could miss this season after being diagnosed with pre-arthritic changes in his left ankle.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch scolded the Oilers for putting themselves in a position where they risk losing two promising young players like Broberg and Holloway to another team via offer sheets.

He believes they should’ve taken a page from the Ottawa Senators’ blueprint with Shane Pinto. Senators GM Steve Staios didn’t waste time signing the 23-year-old center in early July, especially after word got out that Pinto’s agent was shopping around for an offer sheet.

Garrioch claimed the Oilers are trying to trade Cody Ceci ($3.25 million AAV) and Brett Kulak ($2.75 million) to free up cap space to match the offer sheets. He also indicated teams were showing an interest but the Oilers will have to package those players with draft picks like their 2026 first and second-rounders.

The Oilers could also place winger Evander Kane ($5.125 million) on long-term injury reserve if he undergoes surgery for a sports hernia. However, that’s not a given.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers are above the cap by over $7.225 million factoring in the new contracts for Broberg and Holloway. That’s how much they must free up to become cap-compliant by their season-opener in October. Trading away Ceci and Kulak won’t achieve that goal if Kane doesn’t go on LTIR. If he does, they must clear cap space for when he returns to action later in the season.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston wondered if the Vancouver Canucks might be one of those clubs interested in Brett Kulak.

Rather than asking for a draft pick along with Kulak, Johnston suggested the Oilers acquire sidelined Canucks defenseman Tucker Poolman. He’s been sidelined with migraines since January 2023 and isn’t expected to play again. The Oilers could place Poolman on LTIR, freeing up $2.5 million to match one of those offer sheets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s an interesting suggestion by Johnston. The Oilers could be considering that type of scenario, if not with the Canucks, perhaps with another club carrying a player on permanent LTIR.

DID KRIS LETANG REQUEST A TRADE TO THE CANADIENS?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Conor Tomalty recently cited Pittsburgh radio host Mark Madden claiming he’d heard Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang sought a trade to the Montreal Canadiens.

During an Aug. 5 episode of the “Breakfast with Benz” podcast, Madden said he’d heard “there were discussions to try and bring Letang to Montreal at his request, but nothing came of it.”

Letang, 37, is a Montreal native. However, Tomalty doubted the Canadiens would make this move, pointing out they already have a logjam on defense. Even if they did a defenseman-for-defenseman swap, Letang would take up a roster spot from one of their promising blueliners.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speculation linked Letang to the Canadiens when he was negotiating his current contract with the Penguins two years ago but he dismissed it, saying he wanted to finish his career in Pittsburgh.

If Letang changed his mind, why would he request a trade from a team starting to rebuild to another club already deep in their rebuilding process? Surely, he’d prefer a move to a contender where he’d have one last shot at winning another Stanley Cup?

All due respect to Madden but I’m not buying that Letang asked to be traded to Montreal. Assuming he did, I don’t believe the rebuilding Canadiens want a 37-year-old defenseman whose best years are behind him with four years left on his contract at an AAV of $6.1 million.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 15, 2024

by | Aug 15, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 15, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: the latest on John Tavares, more speculation over how the Oilers will counter the offer sheets to Broberg and Holloway, and some suggested offer-sheet targets for the Flyers.

LATEST ON TAVARES

SPORTSNET: Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said that John Tavares no longer wearing the captaincy won’t affect his contract talks. The 33-year-old center is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Treliving said any talk about Tavares’ contract status will remain behind closed doors. He also believes the veteran center still has plenty of good hockey left in him. Tavares indicated his desire to stay but also said those discussions are private.

Toronto Maple Leafs captains John Tavares (NHL Images).

During his “32 Thoughts Podcast” on Wednesday, Elliotte Friedman felt that a contract extension for Tavares could remain in play. He thinks it’s been discussed and is something both sides are considering.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tavares turns 34 next month and it’s clear that his best seasons are behind him. He could be effective as a middle-six forward if that’s a role he’s willing to accept to remain with the Leafs. He must also accept a shorter deal and a significant pay cut from his $11 million annual cap hit.

HOW WILL THE OILERS COUNTER THE OFFER SHEETS FOR BROBERG AND HOLLOWAY?

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson looked at how the Oilers could counter the offer sheets signed by defenseman Philip Broberg and winger Dylan Holloway with the St. Louis Blues. The Oilers have seven days from the date the contracts were signed (Tuesday) to match. Otherwise, both players will belong to the Blues.

The offer sheets push the Oilers above the $88 million cap by over $7.5 million. They could get some cap relief by placing winger Evander Kane and his $5.125 million cap hit on long-term injury reserve if he requires surgery for a sports hernia. However, there’s no guarantee Kane would miss the entire season, meaning the Oilers would have to free up cap room for his return.

Trading defenseman Cody Ceci ($3.5 million) or blueliner Brett Kulak ($2.75 million through 2025-26) are other options. Trading either one could mean attaching a sweetener to the deal.

Broberg has the higher ceiling talent-wise but Holloway’s offer sheet is the easiest to match. Matheson speculates the Oilers will keep Holloway and let Broberg go.

Matheson also brought up the possibility of retribution by the Oilers against the Blues by signing winger Jake Neighbours next summer when he’s a restricted free agent.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Much of Matheson’s piece on the Oilers’ options is a rehash of what he wrote the previous day but it’s still worthwhile to review them.

The Oilers could attempt to sign Neighbours next summer to an offer sheet but that’s unlikely. Neighbours would have to be willing to sign it and he could prefer staying in St. Louis.

More importantly, the Oilers lack the cap space to pull it off. They’ll open the vault to re-sign Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard, leaving little money to pursue Neighbours, whose stock will rise if he builds on last season’s promising performance.

Matheson’s colleague David Staples believes the Oilers have a trump card if Kane ends up on LTIR. He cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman saying the 32-year-old winger could be sidelined for months if he undergoes surgery for his sports hernia and/or hip issues.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers are over the cap by $7.225 million. Kane’s cap hit is $5.125 million. The Oilers would still be over the cap by $2.1 million, meaning a trade of Ceci or Kulak to make the dollars work if they hope to retain Broberg and Holloway.

THREE SUGGESTED OFFER SHEET CANDIDATES FOR THE FLYERS

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Blues signing Broberg and Holloway to offer sheets prompted Jonathan Bailey to look at offer sheet targets that could benefit the Flyers in the short and long term. He felt the Seattle Kraken’s Matty Beniers, the New Jersey Devils’ Dawson Mercer, or the Winnipeg Jets’ Cole Perfetti could fit the bill.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A retooling club like the Flyers could go the offer sheet route with one of those three, but it’s unlikely they will.

Beniers, Mercer and Perfetti would have to be receptive to an offer sheet, and it would have to be expensive to pique their interest. The Kraken, Devils and Jets also have more salary cap space to match such offers than the Oilers have with Broberg and Holloway.