NHL Rumor Mill – August 14, 2024

by | Aug 14, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 14, 2024

What are the Oilers’ options regarding the offer sheets for Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway? How could those offer sheets affect other clubs with still-unsigned restricted free agents? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Mark Spector looked at the options facing the Edmonton Oilers after Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway signed offer sheets with the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday.

Broberg’s is a two-year contract with an average annual value of $4,580,917 while Holloway’s is two years with an AAV of $2,290,457. The Oilers have seven days from the date those offers were signed to match them.

The Oilers could afford to walk away as neither player constitutes the difference between winning or losing the Stanley Cup. However, both are former first-round picks on a club with an already thin prospect pipeline.

Edmonton Oilers forward Dylan Holloway (NHL Images).

They could opt to retain one or the other. Holloway’s is the most affordable but it would sting to let the promising Broberg let go for peanuts.

Of the two, Spector thinks the Oilers will retain Holloway. He believes it risky to sign Broberg when he might not play up to his cap hit, especially when they’ve got Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard to sign before next summer. He suggests using the second-round pick received from the Blues as trade bait to replace Broberg.

Holloway’s deal is cheaper plus the Oilers could use his speed after adding or retaining veterans like Viktor Arvidsson, Jeff Skinner, Corey Perry and Adam Henrique.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers can’t afford to match both offers without shedding significant salary. It’s unlikely they’ll let both players walk. Holloway’s offer seems more likely to be matched given its affordability to Broberg’s. The latter’s departure will further weaken the Oilers’ blueline, forcing them into the trade or free-agent markets for an affordable short-term replacement.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Andrew Fantucchio doesn’t anticipate the Blues’ attempt to sign away Broberg and Holloway from the Oilers will inspire other clubs to try and sign Jeremy Swayman.

The restricted free-agent goaltender is expected to sign a multiyear deal with the Bruins between $7.75 million and $10 million based on comparable players. It’ll likely be close to $8.6 million, which the Bruins have in cap space.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols looked at what an offer sheet for Devils RFA forward Dawson Mercer would look like. Citing AFP Analytics, a two-year offer sheet would be close to $4 million annually. A six-year offer would have an AAV of around $6.5 million.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Connor Earegood speculates the Blues’ attempt to sign Broberg and Holloway could speed up the Detroit Red Wings’ signings of defenseman Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond.

Meanwhile, Carter Brooks wondered what effect those offer sheets might have on the Winnipeg Jets’ efforts to sign RFA center Cole Perfetti.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s understandable why fans of those clubs watching this situation play out might be worried that those players could also become offer sheet targets. However, that’s unlikely to happen because the Bruins, Devils, Red Wings, and Jets have more cap flexibility to match any offer sheet.

The Oilers face more difficulty matching those offer sheets. They were vulnerable because they were already over the $88 million salary cap.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sheng Peng wondered if the Sharks could use the Oilers’ situation to their advantage. If the Oilers attempt to shed salary via trade, Peng suggests the Sharks try to prize away a defenseman like Cody Ceci or Brett Kulak along with a draft pick.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont suggests the Canadiens use their cap space to their advantage by acquiring Ceci or another player and a draft pick or landing a draft pick by becoming a third-party broker for the Oilers.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 13, 2024

by | Aug 13, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 13, 2024

Updates on Oilers forwards Leon Draisaitl and Evander Kane plus the latest on Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited the “2 Mutts Podcast” claiming they’d heard Leon Draisaitl’s contract talks with the Oilers were “going great.” The 28-year-old center is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

They said there was talk Draisaitl’s camp would seek an average annual value of $14.5 million but he’s willing to accept less than that to remain in Edmonton. They speculate he’ll receive an eight-year contract with an AAV between $13 million and $13.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Draisaitl’s contract extension negotiations are among this summer’s hot topics given the dearth of hockey news at this time of year. He’s been underpaid over the past five seasons with an AAV of $8.5 million and many observers believe he’ll get between $13.5 million and $14.5 million.

Recent reports by other insiders indicate the push is on by the Oilers starting with team owner Daryl Katz to get Draisaitl signed. Money isn’t considered an issue but the length of the deal could be a sticking point. Some think Draisaitl will want the full eight-year contract while others suggest he might push for a four-year deal to cash in again as a UFA while still in his prime.

The podcast also claimed Evander Kane would be ready for training camp in September. The 33-year-old winger was nursing a sports hernia throughout last season. Their sources claim going on LTIR isn’t part of the plan. They also claimed the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings were interested in Kane but he’s not waiving his no-movement clause.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This report came out before the latest news (see today’s Morning Coffee Headlines) indicating Kane could start the season on LTIR after all.

As for the rumors linking him to the Ducks and Kings, I don’t believe he would fit with either club if he was available via trade.

The Ducks are a rebuilding team that doesn’t need Kane’s baggage becoming a distraction for their young players. The Kings, meanwhile, already have Quinton Byfield and Trevor Moore as left wings on their top-two scoring lines. They also lack cap room to acquire Kane’s $5.125 million cap hit.

WINNIPEG SUN: Scott Billeck recently reported that Jets head coach Scott Arniel approved of winger Nikolaj Ehlers suiting up for his native Denmark in Olympic qualifying later this month.

Arniel noted that the 28-year-old winger “had a tough go” in training camp over the past two seasons. However, he got off to a good start to the season when he participated in Olympic qualifying in 2021.

The Jets head coach is hoping this will be a good jumpstart to this season for Ehlers, pointing out they need his goal-scoring.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ehlers was the subject of trade speculation in the lead-up to the 2024 NHL Draft in June. However, those rumors faded as the offseason progressed. Arniel’s remarks suggest that the Danish winger will be part of the Jets lineup when their season opens in October.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 12, 2024

by | Aug 12, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 12, 2024

The latest Penguins speculation plus a look at Andrei Kuzmenko’s future with the Flames in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON THE PENGUINS

TRIBLIVE.COM: Mark Madden acknowledged the expectation that Sidney Crosby will sign a contract extension with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Nevertheless, he played the “what if” game in case Crosby hasn’t signed when training camp opens or the regular season begins. He also raised the “nuclear option” of the Penguins trading Crosby if he wasn’t signed by the trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Any of those options could happen but seem unlikely. Barring an unexpected change by one side or the other, Crosby will sign his extension with the Penguins before training camp opens next month.

POSTGAZETTE.COM: During a recent live chat, Matt Vensel was asked if there’s any chance the Penguins would trade goaltender Tristan Jarry before the start of training camp.

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (NHL Images).

Vensel believes the odds of that happening are pretty slim. He indicated the Penguins were open to moving Jarry during the 2024 NHL Draft but he doesn’t have much trade value at the moment.

The Penguins will keep Jarry around and try to get him back on track. If that happens, it’ll improve his trade value.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jarry’s contract will remain a difficult hurdle. He carries an average annual value of $5.375 million throughout 2027-28 with a 12-team no-trade list.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski included Lars Eller among his three perplexing Penguins storylines for this season. The 35-year-old center seems expendable with Noel Acciari and offseason acquisition Blake Lizotte capable of centering the Penguins’ fourth line.

Eller is in the final season of his contract with an AAV of $2.45 million. Trading him, or even Kevin Hayes, would free up space for younger players while adding more draft picks to the Penguins’ stockpile.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kingerski was surprised by the lack of trade chatter about Eller. It’s probably due to his age and the fact most teams don’t need to add a veteran checking-line center right now. Those who did earlier in the offseason did so for less than Eller’s AAV.

Hayes was recently acquired and isn’t going anywhere. Eller’s value could improve throughout the season, especially near the trade deadline.

DOES ANDREI KUZMENKO FIT WITHIN THE FLAMES’ LONG-TERM PLANS?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jim Parsons pondered winger Andrei Kuzmenko’s future with the rebuilding Calgary Flames.

Kuzmenko, 28, made an impressive NHL debut in 2022-23 with the Vancouver Canucks, tallying 39 goals and 74 points. He struggled through 43 games with the Canucks last season with eight goals and 21 points. Traded to the Flames in January, he regained his scoring touch with 14 goals and 25 points in 29 games.

Parson noted that Kuzmenko remains a one-dimensional player. While the Flames will remain patient with him, he must round out his game to have a long-term future in Calgary.

Kuzmenko is in the final season of his two-year contract with an AAV of $5.5 million. If he sustains his scoring ability he could get a long-term extension. He could also become an appealing option for other clubs if he hits the open market next summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuzmenko will be interesting to follow this season. A strong performance could ensure his long-term future in Calgary if he wants to stay or make him an invaluable trade chip.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 11, 2024

by | Aug 11, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 11, 2024

A look at the best players still available in the unrestricted free-agent market in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

DAILY FACEOFF: Hunter Crowther recently looked at the top five wingers and defensemen still available among this summer’s crops of unrestricted free agents (UFAs).

The top five wingers include James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Johnson, Kevin Labanc, Mike Hoffman and Max Pacioretty.

Former Boston Bruins winger James van Riemsdyk (NHL.com).

Crowther believes the 35-year-old van Riemsdyk could still have value in a limited third or fourth-line role. Injuries and inconsistency plagued the 34-year-old Johnson but he also played for a bad Chicago Blackhawks club.

Labanc, 28, and the 34-year-old Hoffman saw their production affected by playing for the rebuilding San Jose Sharks.

When healthy, the 35-year-old Pacioretty can play a decent two-way game and contribute to the second power-play unit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Age and/or injuries have affected these forwards. Labanc should be in his playing prime but his production tumbled from his career-best 56-points performance in 2018-19 skating with a more talented Sharks team. He was a frequent healthy scratch last season, seeing action in just 46 games.

Crowther listed Tyson Barrie, Justin Schultz, Marco Scandella, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Calen Addison as his top five remaining UFA defensemen.

Barrie, 33, was a frequent healthy scratch with the Nashville Predators last season. However, he could get a one-year contract from a club looking for a right-shot, puck-moving defenseman who can help their power play.

The 34-year-old Schultz has Stanley Cup experience but his performance has declined, logging the worst plus-minus on the Seattle Kraken last season despite seeing third-pairing minutes. Scandella, also 34, also had difficulties in a third-pairing role with the St. Louis Blues last season.

Shattenkirk’s game is also in decline. He’s no longer the dynamic offensive blueliner he was earlier in his career. Addison, 24, was a once-promising defenseman who bounced from the Minnesota Wild to the San Jose Sharks, who opted not to qualify his rights.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barrie could still have some value playing sheltered minutes if he’s paired with a good stay-at-home defender. Addison might have value as a reclamation project.

Schultz, Scandella and Shattenkirk are all now past their prime. They might have to consider professional tryout offers to secure an NHL contract this season or look overseas to continue their playing careers.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 10, 2024

by | Aug 10, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 10, 2024

An early look at next summer’s top potential unrestricted free agents in today’s NHL Rumor Mill. 

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl topped Carol Schram’s recent list of next summer’s top potential NHL unrestricted free agents. She considered it inevitable that they would re-sign with their respective clubs

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Since Schram’s list was published on Aug. 1, Crosby and the Penguins are reportedly close to an agreement on a contract extension. Meanwhile, talks between Draisaitl and the Oilers are in the preliminary stage but look positive thus far. 

Turning to the 2024 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, Aaron Ekblad, Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett could face uncertain futures. Verhaeghe and Bennett could price themselves out of Florida. Schram wouldn’t be surprised if the 29-year-old Ekblad is traded this season. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers speculate Ekblad might re-sign with the Panthers if his value in the UFA market is lower than expected. Others think he could be moved while Verhaeghe and Bennett are re-signed. 

Turning to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the cone of silence has dropped on Mitch Marner. “Extend? Get traded? Leave in free agency? All three options still seem like very real possibilities,” writes Schram. She also considers it “highly possible” that Leafs captain John Tavares moves on next summer. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner’s no-movement clause ensures he’ll finish this season with the Leafs unless he changes his mind about a trade. Signing an extension or departing next July as a UFA seems the more likely. As for Tavares, some observers suggested that they might keep him if he’s willing to accept a big pay cut on a short-term deal. 

Schram believes the Colorado Avalanche intends to re-sign winger Mikko Rantanen but must determine what the future holds for sidelined captain Gabriel Landeskog and suspended winger Valeri Nichushkin. 

Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser finally realized his potential last season with a 40-goal campaign. However, he could be headed to a change of scenery if he seeks more than the Canucks are willing to pay. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche will find a way to sign Rantanen and keep their Stanley Cup window open. It will become easier if Landeskog and his $7 million annual cap hit remain on long-term injury reserve. Meanwhile, Boeser’s situation will be interesting to monitor. Another 40-goal campaign could price him out of Vancouver’s market. Then again, it seemed almost certain he was going to be traded two years ago and the Canucks held onto him. 

Jamie Benn’s days of averaging $9.5 million annually are ending. However, the Dallas Stars could hang onto their 35-year-old captain with a series of one-year, bonus-laden contracts. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Benn likely wants to stay in Dallas and lead the Stars to the Stanley Cup. They’ll want to keep him around. 

Schram also noted there’s a decent crop of UFA defensemen. They included Ryan Lindgren of the New York Rangers, Jake McCabe of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Jakob Chychrun of the Washington Capitals, Neal Pionk of the Winnipeg Jets, Shea Theodore of the Vegas Golden Knights, Vladislav Gavrikov of the Los Angeles Kings, and Ivan Provorov of the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ekblad is the most notable name among next summer’s top UFAs but it’s clear that next summer’s UFA market is much deeper in big-name forwards. Schram expects some will be re-signed before July 1 and some retained by their teams as “own-rentals” for the 2025 playoffs. 

The most likely to be moved could be Chychrun, Gavrikov, and Provorov if their respective teams are out of playoff contention by the March trade deadline. 

Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers tops Schram’s list of the notable UFA goaltenders. He’s likely to be re-signed but could be seeking a record-breaking salary for a netminder. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s assumed Shesterkin could get around $12.5 million annually. If the Rangers won’t pay it, another club will happily do so via free agency. I’ll be shocked if he ends up signing elsewhere on July 1. 

Linus Ullmark could set himself up for a big payday if he replicates his 2023 Vezina Trophy form with the Ottawa Senators. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: What Ullmark does in that scenario will be interesting to observe. Will he stay with the Senators if they meet his asking price? Does he spurn them regardless and hit the open market? Most will assume the latter but you never know.

Joey Daccord of the Seattle Kraken rose to prominence after all but stealing the starter’s job from Philipp Grubauer. Schram wondered if the Kraken could tempt him to stay. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Daccord carries a $1.2 million cap hit. A decent raise on a four or five-year contract and the opportunity to be the Kraken’s starting goalie could be all the enticement he’d need.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 9, 2024

by | Aug 9, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – August 9, 2024

How much could Canucks winger Brock Boeser get on his next contract? Could the Sabres pursue Flyers forward Joel Farabee? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston looked at what Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser could get on his next contract.

Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser (NHL Images).

Boeser, 27, is coming off the best season of his NHL career, with 40 goals and 73 points in 81 games. He’s in the final season of his three-year contract with a cap hit of $6.65 million, putting him in a strong negotiating position if he repeats last season’s performance.

Johnston argues that Boeser isn’t in the range of the top wingers despite his solid two-way play.

He noted the four players ahead of Boeser on the salary table (Anaheim’s Troy Terry, Minnesota’s Matt Boldy, the New York Islanders’ Anders Lee, and Colorado’s Gabriel Landeskog) each carry an average annual value of $7 million.

The next three above them are Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor ($7.142 million), Utah’s Clayton Keller ($7.15 million), and Dallas’ Jason Robertson ($7.75 million).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Johnston believes Boeser will get a raise on his next contract but it could be difficult to determine how much it’ll be.

It could come in between $7 million and $8 million annually on a seven or eight-year deal. However, another 40-goal season ensures it’ll be pushed into the $9 million range for the Canucks and even higher if he tests the open market.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: During a recent mailbag segment, Lance Lysowski was asked if there was a chance the Sabres remain interested in Philadelphia Flyers forward Joel Farabee.

Lysowksi noted the Sabres have $8.4 million in cap space, of which some will go to re-signing forward Peyton Krebs. However, he believes there’s enough left to add an impact player. He suggested packaging defenseman Connor Clifton in a trade for Farabee or Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers.

Farabee also underwent the same artificial disk replacement surgery as former Sabre Jack Eichel, which could concern Sabres owner Terry Pegula.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres could add another forward but their signing of Jason Zucker last month could be all they do for now. They’ll likely assess their roster during training camp and preseason but any further additions could come from within.