NHL Rumor Mill – December 13, 2023

by | Dec 13, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – December 13, 2023

An update on the Flames’ Chris Tanev, the latest on the Blue Jackets and Sharks, Ethan Bear could sign with the Capitals, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

UPDATE ON CHRIS TANEV

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Calgary Flames have told teams they’re not ready yet to trade Chris Tanev. They’ve told them to be patient as they want to see how the trade market plays out. If Tanev’s value right now is a second-round pick, perhaps that could rise to a first-rounder as interest continues to build for the gritty 33-year-old blueliner.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has Tanev at the top of his list as he seeks help for his injury-depleted blueline. The Vancouver Canucks have also “kicked tires”.

Calgary Flames defenseman Chris Tanev (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tanev is currently listed as day-to-day following an injury suffered on Monday against the Colorado Avalanche. That’s unlikely to hurt his value in the trade market unless he ends up sidelined longer than expected.

Treliving is the former GM of the Flames so he knows how valuable Tanev would be to his defense corps. Whether he can land the rugged rearguard remains to be seen if more clubs start showing interest in him.

LATEST FROM GARRIOCH’S “INSIDER TRADING”

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the talk around NHL circles is there could be changes coming to the Columbus Blue Jackets front office if things don’t improve soon. It’s believed the heat has been turned up on president of hockey operations John Davidson and general manager Jarmo Kekalainen as ownership grows impatient over the club’s poor performance this season.

There’s been talk that Patrik Laine could be traded but the struggling Blue Jackets winger hasn’t asked to be moved. He’s signed through 2025-26 with an average annual value of $8.7 million. Unless the Jackets agree to retain part of that cap hit he’s not going anywhere.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kekalainen’s in his 11th season as Jackets general manager. During his tenure, they’ve reached the playoffs five times but things have gone off the rails in recent years. Barring a miraculous turnaround they’re going to miss the postseason for the fourth straight year. As Garrioch observes, it’s only a matter of time until there’s a change in management.

Laine’s contract is difficult to move during a season when most teams have limited cap space. He would draw more interest if he were scoring at the same pace as earlier in his career.

If the Jackets were to shop Laine, it would have to be an offseason trade when clubs have more cap space to work with. Even then, the Jackets could face retaining part of his salary to make it work.

Mike Hoffman could be an attractive option for clubs seeking scorers near the March 8 trade deadline. The San Jose Sharks winger has eight goals and 11 points in 27 games. Other potential Sharks trade bait include forwards Anthony Duclair, Alexander Barabanov and Kevin Labanc.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All four are slated to become unrestricted free agents next July.

The Carolina Hurricanes are among several clubs in the market for a goaltender. It’s also believed the Seattle Kraken, Edmonton Oilers, Buffalo Sabres, and Toronto Maple Leafs have been calling around for help between the pipes. Garrioch suggests they call the Montreal Canadiens as they’re taking calls on Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens have been carrying three goalies since the start of the season. They recently re-signed Sam Montembeault so he’s not going anywhere. General manager Kent Hughes has a reputation for being patient in the trade market so it could be a while until he find a suitable offer that prompts him to part with Allen or Primeau.

REPORT: BEAR TO SIGN WITH CAPITALS

TSN: Chris Johnston reported that is appears free-agent defenseman Ethan Bear will sign a two-year contract with the Washington Capitals that could be worth around $2 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Johnston said the final details were still being ironed out. Perhaps we’ll get an announcement as early as today.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 12, 2023

by | Dec 12, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – December 12, 2023

The latest on the Canucks, some possible Canadiens trade bait, and an update on Blues winger Jakub Vrana in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON THE CANUCKS

SPORTSNET: Iain MacIntyre reports Vancouver Canucks president Jim Rutherford said his club won’t lock itself into a long-term position on Andrei Kuzmenko as trade speculation swirls around the struggling winger.

MacIntyre’s colleague Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday that clubs have inquired about Kuzmenko, whose 39-goal performance last season earned him a two-year, $11 million contract. He’s struggled this season, seeing his playing time reduced and was scratched from two games in late November.

Vancouver Canucks forward Andrei Kuzmenko (NHL Images).

Rutherford insists his club will keep an open mind about Kuzmenko in the hope that the coaching staff can improve his all-around play. Head coach Rick Tocchet recently indicated he wants the winger to forecheck more and compete for pucks rather than have his teammates get them for him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks made that two-year commitment to Kuzmenko because of his scoring last season. However, as Friedman pointed out over the weekend, they’re also looking to free up salary-cap space. If Kuzmenko remains in Tocchet’s doghouse, they could pay more serious attention to those trade inquiries.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston believes the Canucks are out of the bidding for Ethan Bear. They’d hoped to bring back the free-agent defenseman but their salary-cap constraints could price them out of the market for his services. The Washington Capitals appear to be the front-runners.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We could learn by some point this week where Bear will play the remainder of this season.

POSSIBLE CANADIENS TRADE BAIT

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: recently noted that Canadiens goaltenders Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau sat fourth and fifth respectively on TSN’s latest Trade Bait listing. Versatile center Sean Monahan is ninth and defenseman Mike Matheson is 20th.

Regarding Allen and Primeau, Marc Dumont listed the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings as possible suitors for one or the other.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All four clubs are believed to be monitoring the trade market for depth between the pipes. The Hurricanes and Devils may have the more pressing need as they’ve slipped out of playoff positions in the Eastern Conference.

The Oilers were very much shopping around for goaltending help in November. However, their recent seven-game win streak (in part due to improved play from their current goalie tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard) could reduce their level of urgency to address that issue.

The Kings, meanwhile, are rolling along well thus far with veteran Cam Talbot though backup Pheonix Copley has struggled at times this season. They could be content to stick with their current tandem for the time being.

Whether any of those teams make a pitch for Allen or Primeau remains to be seen.

WHAT NEXT FOR VRANA?

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford reports St. Louis Blues winger Jakub Vrana is in limbo after first being told he would be placed on waivers on Monday and then not having that come to pass.

Rutherford explains the Blues “are looking at every avenue in terms of how to part ways with Vrana, including the possibility of a trade.”

Acquired from the Detroit Red Wings before the March trade deadline, Vrana scored 10 goals in the final 20 games of the season. However, he’s been unable to replicate that performance this season. The 27-year-old winger has two goals and six points in 19 games and was a healthy scratch in eight contests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It appears Vrana’s days with the Blues are numbered. While he has a $5.25 million cap hit for this season (the final one of his contract), the Red Wings retained half of it to facilitate his trade to the Blues last season.

At $2.625 million, perhaps a club seeking scoring might take a chance on Vrana. So far, however, there don’t seem to be any takers. As Rutherford observes, Vrana has terrific speed and a great shot but doesn’t use either asset that effectively plus he’s a defensive liability at even strength.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – December 10, 2023

by | Dec 10, 2023

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – December 10, 2023

Questions about the futures of the Ducks’ Trevor Zegras and the Blue Jackets’ Patrik Laine, trade speculation regarding several Flyers defensemen and the Canucks’ Andrei Kuzmenko and growing interest in free-agent blueliner Ethan Bear. Details and more in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR ZEGRAS AND LAINE?

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Duhatschek took note of the Anaheim Ducks’ collapse in the standings following their strong start to the season. Among the few bright spots is the solid performance of rookie center Leo Carlsson in limited action.

Should the Ducks end up winning the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery and select prospect center Macklin Celebrini, Duhatschek wondered if they would consider moving Trevor Zegras. The 22-year-old center has been on injured reserve since Nov. 10 with a lower-body injury.

Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine (NHL Images).

The Ducks already have Carlsson and Mason McTavish who are projected to become first-line centers. If they land Celebrini, where would that leave Zegras?

Turning to the floundering Columbus Blue Jackets, Duhatschek singled out Patrik Laine’s sometimes disinterested play this season. He acknowledged the 25-year-old forward was sidelined for several games by a concussion earlier in this campaign but noted he wasn’t playing well before he got hurt.

Laine appears to be lacking confidence in his game. Duhatschek wondered if landing in Washington as the potential successor to Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin might be the change of venue he needs to regain his scoring touch.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Duhatschek isn’t saying that Zegras or Laine will be traded but he does raise interesting questions about the two forwards.

Zegras was considered the Ducks’ Golden Boy, a highly-skilled scorer whose dazzling feats made him a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2021-22 while earning him a trip to that season’s All-Star Game. He has two straight 60-plus point seasons under his belt before 2023-24 but his sophomore campaign was still considered a disappointment.

His contract negotiations dragged on through training camp and preseason before reaching an agreement on a three-year bridge deal on Oct. 2. That cost him valuable prep time for this season and likely contributed to his current injury.

If the Ducks land Celebrini in next year’s draft perhaps they would consider moving Zegras but they could simply shift him to the wing or do the same with McTavish or Carlsson. That doesn’t mean that they wouldn’t listen to offers for Zegras, especially with the salary cap projected to jump by $4.2 million next season, making his $5.75 million cap hit through 2025-26 easier to move. Still, I think they’ll stay patient and see how things turn out regardless of what might happen in next year’s draft lottery.

Laine, meanwhile, was expected to provide the Blue Jackets with badly-needed scoring punch following his acquisition from the Winnipeg Jets in 2021. Despite injuries, he had 56 points in as many games in 2021-22 and 52 points last season in 55 contests. This season, however, Laine seems to have lost his competitive fire.

With an average annual value of $8.7 million through 2025-26 and a 10-team no-trade clause, Laine won’t be easy to move during this season. Given the anticipated increase in the cap for next season, that could be a move to consider for next summer when teams will have more cap space to work with and perhaps a willingness to take a chance on Laine.

RUMORS FROM SATURDAY’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA HEADLINES

SPORTSNET: During Saturday’s Headlines segment on Hockey Night in Canada, Elliotte Friedman expressed his belief that at least one team contacted the Philadelphia Flyers asking about the defense pair of Sean Walker and Nick Seeler to see if they’d be interested in dealing them together when the time comes. He indicated the Flyers are playing well right now and aren’t in any rush to make moves.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Toronto Maple Leafs recently looked into acquiring Nikita Zadorov and Chris Tanev from the Calgary Flames but that fell apart over how much of their salaries the Flames were willing to retain Zadorov was subsequently traded to the Vancouver Canucks. Perhaps Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has shifted his focus toward the City of Brotherly Love.

Walker and Seeler have surfaced in the rumor mill in recent weeks. They’re not the only Flyers defensemen to be mentioned as trade candidates. Philly Hockey Now’s Jonathan Bailey pointed out that TSN had Walker and Seeler at Nos. 6 and 7 on their latest Top-20 Trade Bait list along with Rasmus Ristolainen at No. 15.

Bailey pointed out that Ristolainen is the only one on TSN’s list with three or more years remaining on his contract beyond this season. I don’t doubt that the Flyers would like to move his contract but that could be a deal made in the offseason depending on his performance this season. Walker and Seeler, on the other hand, will be much easier to move before the March 8 trade deadline given their affordable salaries and free-agent status next July.

Friedman also reported there’s an “emerging situation” with Vancouver Canucks winger Andrei Kuzmenko. He’s been playing under 15 minutes per game in five of his last six games and has been sat twice. Other teams have called the Canucks to inquire about the 27-year-old’s status.

The Canucks are always looking to clear salary-cap room. Kuzmenko carries a $5.5 million average annual value through 2024-25 with a 12-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuzmenko was a big hit with the Canucks in his first NHL season, scoring 39 goals and 74 points in 2022-23. He currently has just four goals and 15 points in 25 games as he seems to be in head coach Rick Tocchet’s doghouse.

There was talk of the Canucks peddling Brock Boeser or Conor Garland in cost-cutting deals going back to 2022-23 but those rumors have died away this season. Perhaps they’d consider moving Kuzmenko for a more affordable forward or defenseman who would be a better fit within Tocchet’s system.

Friedman reported Ethan Bear could be getting close to picking a team to play for this season. It’s believed the Washington Capitals have made a strong bid for the 25-year-old free-agent defenseman’s services. Friedman had felt the Vancouver Canucks might bring him back but other clubs have a salary cap advantage over them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A couple of days ago, The Province’s Patrick Johnston reported Bear’s agent claimed at least four clubs were interested in his client. The Canucks were among them but Johnston also noted their salary-cap constraints.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 8, 2023

by | Dec 8, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – December 8, 2023

A roundup of trade and free-agent rumors involving defensemen and goaltenders in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST DEFENSEMEN RUMORS FROM TSN’S “INSIDER TRADING”

TSN: Darren Dreger reports Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving wants to add a right-shot defenseman. However, the asking prices around the league are too high and the Leafs are limited in what they could offer up in terms of draft picks.

Dreger speculates that Treliving would be willing to part with a second-round pick for Calgary Flames blueliner Chris Tanev. However, the Leafs currently don’t have a second-rounder. Philadelphia Flyers rearguard Sean Walker could cost a first-rounder if they were willing to part with him. The Anaheim Ducks’ Ilya Lyubushkin has also been the subject of trade rumors but they don’t want to part with the former Leaf just yet.

Pierre LeBrun said the Flames have received calls on Tanev. However, they’re in no rush to move him and are willing to let his value on the market grow.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There is a risk in hanging onto Tanev as he could get injured. Still, it’s best to let some time go by and see if they can get a better return for him near the March trade deadline.

It’s going to cost the Leafs to find a suitable right-shot defenseman. They don’t have enough trade capital right now to make it work right now. Perhaps they’ll have better luck later in the season when more blueliners become available as the trade deadline approaches.

Nashville Predators defenseman Tyson Barrie (NHL Images)

LeBrun reports the Carolina Hurricanes’ Tony DeAngelo and the Nashville Predators’ Tyson Barrie are on the market. They’re both puck-moving, power-play defensemen but there’s nothing imminent on either player right now. LeBrun doesn’t think the Predators want to retain any part of Barrie’s $4.5 million salary.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barrie recently expressed his frustration over being a healthy scratch. He said he wants to play but whether it’s in Nashville or elsewhere is up to the Predators’ front office. The reality may be that his salary is simply too expensive to move in a season when so many teams are pressed for salary-cap space. If the Preds won’t retain salary, Barrie could be cooling his heels for a while waiting for a trade.

Chris Johnston reports unrestricted free agent defenseman Ethan Bear is close to returning to action after recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. The Vancouver Canucks are interested in bringing him back but the Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals, New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins are believed among the interested clubs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bear will be a very affordable addition to any club’s blueline right now. That’s why there’s so much interest among teams looking for a cost-effective right-shot defenseman.

THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka poured cold water on a recent rumor by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman saying he had “no doubt” the San Jose Sharks wanted to trade Marc-Edouard Vlasic.

Pashelka noted that the 36-year-old Vlasic’s age, declining performance and expensive contract (with a three-team trade clause) make him very difficult to move. Even if the Sharks included a sweetener in the deal, they’d still have to retain half of Vlasic’s $7 million average annual value, and they’re not in a good position to do that.

If the Sharks want to part ways with Vlasic, one option is buying out the remainder of his contract next summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks only have one salary-retention spot left. They could be saving that for another player with more years remaining on his contract than Vlasic.

THE ATHLETIC: Shayna Goldman recently listed six possible trade destinations for Flyers defenseman Sean Walker. The Maple Leafs topped her list, followed by the Devils, Dallas Stars, Winnipeg Jets, Colorado Avalanche and the Oilers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Walker’s value is growing in the trade market as a lot of clubs like his style of play and affordable ($2.65 million) cap hit. If the Flyers were out of playoff contention (as they were projected to be when this season began), they’d have no problem with peddling him for the right offer.

However, the Flyers are outperforming expectations this season. Walker’s fit in well since coming over from the Los Angeles Kings in an offseason trade. Unless GM Daniel Briere receives a mindblowing offer, he could hang on to Walker if the Flyers remain a playoff club by the trade deadline.

TSN: The Oilers yesterday loaned Philip Broberg to their AHL affiliate in Bakersfield. Trade rumors have swirled about the 22-year-old defenseman after a report emerged that he’d been permitted to seek a trade. Oilers GM Ken Holland denied the report but Broberg’s agent claimed he’s “actively collaborating” with Holland to address this matter.

LATEST ON THE RED WINGS AND CANADIENS GOALTENDERS

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the Detroit Red Wings are comfortable carrying the trio of goaltenders Ville Husso, James Reimer and Alex Lyon for the full season. He adds the caveat that they could listen if someone steps up with a good enough offer.

The Montreal Canadiens, however, are still willing to move one of their three netminders. They’re listening to offers on Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau and would be willing to trade either goalie. He indicated there hasn’t been an offer yet but it’s still early. LeBrun noted the Devils, Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes are teams to monitor.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: And bang goes the illusion that the Canadiens inked Sam Montembeault to a three-year deal to bolster his trade value. He’s their guy and once they move Allen or Primeau we’ll see him garner a lot more starts.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 4, 2023

by | Aug 4, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 4, 2023

The Oilers put Connor McDavid’s former agent in charge of hockey operations, Kyle Dubas will remain the Penguins’ general manager, Mike Babcock admits to making mistakes with the Leafs, and much more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Edmonton Oilers announced Jeff Jackson has been named as their new CEO of Hockey operations. Jackson is a former NHL player and the former agent of Oilers captain Connor McDavid.

Jackson will report directly to Oilers owner Darryl Katz and will serve as the club’s alternate governor. He will be assisted in his role by Paul Coffey, who’s been with the Oilers for over a year as a special advisor to Katz. Ken Holland remains as general manager and will report directly to Jackson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This hiring is also being seen as the Oilers m a step closer to solidifying McDavid’s future with the club. His contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 season.

Jackson acknowledged his close relationship with McDavid but stressed that it will be different now. He feels the goal is to ensure they keep the Oilers’ core group together. That will include Leon Draisaitl, whose contract expires in 2025.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins have made Kyle Dubas their general manager on a full-time basis. Dubas was hired as president of hockey operations in June and was serving as interim general manager. Trevor Daley and Amanda Kessel were named special assistants to Dubas in a series of promotions announced yesterday.

Pittsburgh Penguins hockey ops president and GM Kyle Dubas (NHL.com).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dubas said he believed it was in the interest of continuity that he remain in both roles for now. He didn’t rule out finding a new general manager in future off-seasons.

SPORTSNET: Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Mike Babcock admitted to making mistakes during his tenure as coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an interview with the FAN Morning Show.

“Do I like how I was talked about after I left? No,” said Babcock. “Do I think I did anything wrong? Absolutely.” He added that he wasn’t trying to hide from anything he’s done and will own up to any mistakes and learn from them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Babcock didn’t get into specifics about his mistakes. He faced allegations of bullying players during his tenure with the Leafs and during his time behind the Detroit Red Wings bench.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev wasn’t happy about how recent comments he made during a recent interview with a Russian news outlet were mistranslated and posted to Instagram by @nhlbreakers.

In the now-deleted post, Sergachev is quoted as saying, “Wow, Toronto wins one series in 19 years then immediately loses, they deserve no credit, no other team would celebrate such a thing.”

In a post on his Instagram account, Sergachev insisted he said no such thing. He said he was asked if Toronto’s physical play during their first-round series accounted for a couple of Lightning defensemen getting injured. He said he replied, “No, it just happens sometimes people get hurt by accident, and I don’t want to give them credit.”

When asked why not, Sergachev said he didn’t think they deserve credit. When the reporter noted it was the first time in 19 years the Leafs got past the first round, the blueliner said that he replied, “Here true, good on them! But didn’t go thru the second round, I don’t see a reason to celebrate.”

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of the Leafs, Milan Lucic said they and the Chicago Blackhawks were interested in signing him when he became an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The 35-year-old winger signed with the Boston Bruins, returning to the club where he began his NHL career and enjoyed his biggest successes.

THE PROVINCE: Former Vancouver Canucks defenseman Ethan Bear said he’s recovering well from his recent shoulder surgery. An unrestricted free agent, he’s received inquiries from other clubs but would love to return to the Canucks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bear will be sidelined until December. He’ll likely get a new contract with a club around then as injuries start to take their toll on defense corps around the league.

THE ATHLETIC: Ian Mendes did a feature on Taylor Dixon, the creator of the Puckdoku puzzle game that’s taken hockey fans by storm this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I recently became a fan of Puckdoku and usually start my day solving the latest puzzle before going to work. It’s a lot of fun and a great way to test your knowledge of NHL players past and present. Go to puckdoku.com to check it out!










NHL Rumor Mill – July 11, 2023

by | Jul 11, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – July 11, 2023

More speculation linking Erik Karlsson to the Penguins and Hurricanes plus the latest on Vladimir Tarasenko and Victor Olofsson in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

KARLSSON REMAINS LINKED TO THE PENGUINS AND HURRICANES

NHL NETWORK: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman believes it’s down to the Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes as the front-runners to acquire San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson. He thinks it’s a bit of a poker game with the Sharks knowing what the Penguins and Hurricanes want to do and those clubs knowing what the Sharks want to do.

San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images).

Friedman feels that this will get done with Karlsson “most likely” going to the Penguins or Hurricanes. The question is, which club is willing to bend to make it happen?

SPECTOR’S NOTE: For the Penguins and Hurricanes, it’s how much they’re willing to give up in return to acquire the three-time Norris Trophy winner. For the Sharks, it’s how much of his $11.5 million average annual value they’re willing to retain.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Nick Horwat believes Penguins president of hockey ops Kyle Dubas needs a backup plan in case they fail to land Karlsson. He noted a report claiming Boston Bruins blueliner Matt Grzelcyk could be on Dubas’ list. Horwat suggested UFAs such as Matt Dumba and Ethan Bear as potential targets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bruins general manager Don Sweeney recently dismissed speculation that he was shopping Grzelcyk. It’s believed he’s received calls about the 29-year-old defenseman but he isn’t shopping him.

LATEST ON TARASENKO

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch speculates the Senators could have the cap room to sign UFA winger Vladimir Tarasenko to a short-term contract now that they’ve traded Alex DeBrincat to Detroit.

The Senators and Hurricanes were believed to be among the front-runners for the 31-year-old winger until he fired his agent last week. Both clubs have remained interested.

NHL NETWORK (stick tap to NHL Watcher): Elliotte Friedman told NHL Network that he believes it’s more likely that Tarasenko will take a one-year contract and bet on himself to play well and see what happens when the salary cap rises next summer.

Friedman also noted the Senators and Hurricanes have been linked to Tarasenko. He also noted the Sharks, Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators have had some interest in the veteran sniper.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s rumored that Tarasenko had a multi-year deal with one club worth around $5.5 million but rejected all offers and changed agents. While Friedman thinks he’ll take a one-year deal in the hope of cashing in next summer under a higher cap, some observers believe the veteran winger is still trying to score a lucrative long-term contract now.

SABRES COULD WAIT TO MOVE OLOFSSON

BUFFALO HOCKEY NOW: Michael Augello recently speculated that the Sabres might have to wait “until a few more dominoes fall” before moving Victor Olofsson. It was reported last month that the 28-year-old winger expected to be traded at some point this summer.

Olofsson is a year away from UFA eligibility and carries a $4.75 million cap hit for 2023-24. With the Sabres deep at forward and unlikely to re-sign the winger, it was thought the Sabres might shop him for a goaltender or a defenseman on a short-term contract.

Those plans may have been held up by the availability of Alex DeBrincat in the trade market (Note: this report was written prior to DeBrincat getting traded to Detroit) as well as Vladimir Tarasenko’s ongoing quest to find a new club.

Winger Jack Quinn’s recent Achilles’ tendon injury could also have held up plans to move Olofsson this summer. With Quinn out for four-to-six months, the Sabres could retain Olofsson for the coming season and attempt to move him at the trade deadline once Quinn returns to action.