NHL Rumor Mill – February 5, 2021

by | Feb 5, 2021

NHL Rumor Mill – February 5, 2021

Sam Bennett becoming a healthy scratch is stoking speculation he could be traded soon. Get the latest plus updates on the Avalanche and Penguins in today’s NHL rumor mill.

BENNETT ON THE BLOCK?

CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson reports the Flames made Sam Bennett a healthy scratch in yesterday’s 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. The move comes just days after his agent claimed the 24-year-old forward was seeking a change of scenery, fuelling speculation a trade could be in the works.

Calgary Flames benching Sam Bennett fueled more trade chatter (NHL Images).

Gilbertson noted TSN’s Darren Dreger broke the news of Bennett’s benching. While Dreger acknowledged it would fuel conjecture, he claimed there was “nothing on the front burner related to trade.”

Flames coach Geoff Ward claimed it was his decision to make Bennett a healthy scratch but Gilbertson suggests this feels like a move could be coming soon. Scratching him, however, won’t help the Flames’ depth nor improve his trade value.

SPORTSNET: Eric Francis believes if Bennett is scratched from Saturday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers it could mean he’s played his final game for the Flames. He also said the front office has received clarity about Bennett’s status from the forward himself. Francis claims he “wants out”, prompting management to sit him.

The Flames aren’t in a rush to move Bennett unless it’s for the right deal. However, the benching could turn his situation into a bigger distraction.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports Bennett has been a subject of conversation between the Flames and the New York Rangers. Brooks claims the Flames have conducted due diligence on Tony DeAngelo and have expressed “at least preliminary interest” in the 25-year-old defenseman. Sources tell Brooks the Flames haven’t made a definitive decision whether to trade Bennett.

DeAngelo, meanwhile, is in the first season of a two-year contract carrying an annual average value of $4.8 million. The Rangers don’t want to absorb a significant chunk of the blueliner’s salary or take back a big contract in return. If the Flames were to acquire DeAngelo he’d be subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine due to travel restrictions at the US-Canada border.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trade talks might not be on the front burner for Bennett but they could heat up quickly. Cap Friendly shows him in the final season of his contract with an affordable $2.55 million cap hit and lacking no-trade protection. There could be clubs willing to take a chance on him filling a top-six role this season, especially considering his strong postseason performances.

DeAngelo’s offensive skills could boost the Flames’ blueline production. However, recent reports out of Calgary suggest they’re not interested in the troubled defenseman, whose temperamental attitude and poor defensive game are big red flags. If the Flames were to acquire DeAngelo they could insist on the Blueshirts picking up part of his cap hit.

COULD AVS’ JOHNSON WAIVE HIS NMC FOR EXPANSION DRAFT?

THE DENVER POST: In a recent mailbag segment, Mike Chambers was asked if he felt Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson would waive his no-movement clause for this summer’s expansion draft. That move would allow the Avalanche to protect another defenseman.

Chambers believes it’s likely, citing Johnson as a player who’d do anything for the Avs’ organization.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We have no indication if the 32-year-old Johnson will waive his NMC. He is signed through 2022-23 with an annual cap hit of $6 million. If he does waive it, the Seattle Kraken could balk at selecting an aging defenseman with a long injury history carrying that hefty cap hit.

LATEST PENGUINS SPECULATION

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski suggests the arrival of Penguins rookie defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph could turn another blueliner into a possible trade chip for the club’s next general manager.

Once the Penguins’ blueline is healthy they will have five left-shot defensemen. Kingerski feels Marcus Pettersson would be the trade chip that could net the best return. Moving him could fetch a couple of draft picks to replace the second, fifth and sixth-round picks that the Pens lack in the 2021 draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kingerski stresses this isn’t a pressing issue for the Penguins nor do they need to rush into a trade. Nevertheless, this could be a situation worth monitoring if Joseph continues his strong play over the course of this season.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 5, 2021

by | Feb 5, 2021

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 5, 2021

​Recaps of Thursday’s action, the league revises its COVID-19 protocols as more players are sidelined and more games are postponed, the 2021 Draft could be pushed back, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Alex Ovechkin scored his 709th career goal to move into seventh place on the all-time list but it wasn’t enough to prevent his Washington Capitals from dropping a 4-2 decision to the New York Rangers. Ryan Strome scored twice while goaltender Igor Shesterkin made 31 saves for his third straight victory. Ovechkin passed former Capital and Rangers Mike Gartner on the goal-scoring list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin is now eight goals behind Phil Esposito (717) who sits sixth on the list.

Nashville Predators winger Filip Forsberg (NHL Images).

Third-period goals by Roman Josi and Matt Duchene set the stage for Filip Forsberg’s overtime winner as the Nashville Predators rallied to edge the Florida Panthers 6-5. Forsberg had a five-point night with two goals and three assists while the Panthers’ Jonathan Huberdeau netted a hat trick and collected two assists.

Patrik Laine scored his first goal with the Columbus Blue Jackets as they nipped the Dallas Stars 4-3. Jack Roslovic also tallied his first goal with the Jackets. Both players were recently acquired from the Winnipeg Jets. Earlier in the day, the Blue Jackets placed goalie Elvis Merzlikins on injured reserve with an upper-body injury.

Ottawa Senators rookie Tim Stuetzle had a goal and two assists as his club upset the Montreal Canadiens 3-2. Matt Murray made 36 saves as the Senators snapped a ten-game winless skid.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators were the hungrier team in this contest. The Canadiens were playing their third game in four nights but they may also have been guilty of taking the struggling Senators too lightly.

Jason Spezza tallied his first hat trick since 2016 in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 7-3 victory over the floundering Vancouver Canucks. Auston Matthews scored twice to extend his goal-scoring streak to six games as the Leafs reclaimed first place in the North Division from the Canadiens. Leafs defenseman Travis Dermott left the game with a charley horse injury.

Two third-period goals by Alex DeBrincat lifted the Chicago Blackhawks to a 6-4 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, snapping the latter’s five-game win streak. Patrick Kane scored and added three assists for the Blackhawks while Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov and Dougie Hamilton each had two points for the Hurricanes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks blew a 3-1 lead but didn’t lose their composure and pulled off a big win. They also capitalized on the power play with three of their goals coming with the man advantage.

Antti Raanta kicked out 40 shots as the Arizona Coyotes held on to beat the St. Louis Blues 4-3. Christian Dvorak and Conor Garland each had a goal and an assist for the Coyotes while Mike Hoffman tallied twice for the Blues.

Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck made 23 saves for his franchise-record 153rd career victory backstopping his club over the Calgary Flames 4-1. Mason Appleton tallied twice and Mathieu Perreault had three assists for the Jets. Flames forward Sam Bennett was a healthy scratch, stoking speculation he could be traded soon.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ll have more about Bennett in the Rumors section.

HEADLINES

TSN: The NHL has revised its COVID-19 protocols as the number of players on the protocol list grew to 40 while four teams have had games postponed in recent days. Glass panels have been removed from behind the team benches to allow for better airflow, players aren’t allowed at the arena until one hour and 45 minutes prior to game time (unless being treated for injuries) and all team meetings must be virtual. Players must also be seated six feet apart in the dressing rooms.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some players aren’t happy about the restriction on their time at the arena and intend to fight it. The league, however, could be unwilling to bend given the sharp rise of late in COVID cases among players and coaches.

WGR 550: Buffalo Sabres head coach Ralph Krueger has tested positive for COVID-19. Meanwhile, Jake McCabe became the fifth Sabre added to the NHL’s protocol list. The Sabres are among the clubs to have their games postponed.

THE DENVER POST: The Colorado Avalanche have had their games postponed until Feb. 11 after team captain Gabriel Landeskog was added to the COVID protocol list.

TSN: Darren Dreger reports the NHL is considering pushing back the 2021 Draft to 2022 and perhaps staging back-to-back drafts, one for this year’s class of prospects and the other for the 2022 class. Dreger believes the general managers support this as would the majority of draft-eligible prospects as they’re not playing right now. That decision, however, would have to involve the NHLPA as it is a CBA issue.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s also been talk of perhaps pushing this year’s draft to December. It wouldn’t be surprising if the draft date is changed considering the effect the pandemic is having upon hockey at all levels. The teams can’t scout players who aren’t playing while the players haven’t had an opportunity to develop their skills and improve their draft stock.

TORONTO SUN: Popular Maple Leafs usher Vic Braknis passed away at age 81. He worked in that role for Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment for 29 years. He also spent 17 years in the same role with the Montreal Canadiens and worked for the Toronto Blue Jays during their World Series years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Braknis’ family, friends and MLSE.










Trade Requests Suddenly Trending For Some NHL Players

by | Feb 4, 2021

Trade Requests Suddenly Trending For Some NHL Players

 










NHL Rumor Mill – February 3, 2021

by | Feb 3, 2021

NHL Rumor Mill – February 3, 2021

​The latest on Tony DeAngelo, Sam Bennett, Victor Mete, Travis Dermott, Vince Dunn and Brett Connolly in today’s NHL rumor mill.

GROWING INTEREST IN DEANGELO

TSN: Darren Dreger reports the New York Rangers have told Tony DeAngelo to wait at home as they work on trading the 25-year-old defenseman. Dreger said there’s “a ton of interest in him all of a sudden,” with a source claiming the blueliner could be moved within the next few days.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Rangers are willing to absorb part of DeAngelo’s annual salary-cap hit to facilitate a trade. Friedman believes it won’t be easy to move the blueliner as any acquiring team knows there will be heat.

The Blueshirts aren’t looking at terminating his contract as it would be unlikely to do so without the player’s agreement. If they decide to buy him out at season’s end it’ll be at one-third the remaining value as he doesn’t turn 26 until October.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks believes it might be in DeAngelo’s best interests to enter an anger management program before returning to play given his history of outbursts. He also believes the defenseman’s social media activity could also be a red flag for any organization looking at him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dreger’s report merely confirms my belief that there is always an NHL general manager somewhere willing to give players with maturity or personality issues a chance provided they have a talent that can address a roster weakness.

DeAngelo’s defensive game leaves much to be desired but his offensive skills make him valuable to a team lacking blueline production. The Rangers’ willingness to eat part of his $4.8 million AAV improves his trade value. Now it comes down to what the Blueshirts want in return and how much salary they’re willing to absorb to get this deal done.

FLAMES IN NO RUSH TO MOVE BENNETT

Calgary Flames are in no rush to move Sam Bennett (NHL Images).

TSN: Dreger also reports the Calgary Flames aren’t in any rush to trade forward Sam Bennett after his agent surprised them over the weekend by saying his client would prefer a change of scenery. It has to be a deal that works for the Flames. General manager Brad Treliving is willing to hang onto him as a potentially impactful player for Calgary.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports Flames coach Geoff Ward dismissed any talk of Bennett being unhappy with his playing time. Ward indicated he spoke with Bennett before the start of the season to give him the choice of where he wanted to play in the lineup. He started at center and after a couple of games asked to be moved to the wing.

Friedman also expects the Flames to move cautiously on Bennett, in part because of his playoff performance. It’s also possible any frustration between player and organization could pass over time. The Flames have tested his value in the trade market but held onto him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bennett still hasn’t spoken about his agent’s remarks while the official word from management and teammates is this won’t be a distraction. This could settle down over the course of the season but it could resurface if Bennett’s play suffers or the Flames struggle to stay in the playoff chase.

UPDATES ON METE , DERMOTT AND DUNN

SPORTSNET: Friedman reports the Pittsburgh Penguins were among the clubs showing interest in Montreal Canadiens defenseman Victor Mete. He points out the Canadiens’ limited cap space means it would have to be a dollar-in, dollar-out deal but they do like Mete. He also added the Penguins were poking around Toronto for Maple Leafs blueliner Travis Dermott.

THE ATHLETIC: Thomas Drance looked at whether players such as Mete, Dermott, Bennett or St. Louis Blues defenseman Victor Dunn might make sense as trade targets for the struggling Vancouver Canucks.

Drance doesn’t believe Bennett would resolve the Canucks’ long-term need for an established third-line center. He feels Mete would be a poor fit because the Canucks have a surplus of puck-moving left-shot defensemen.

The Blues’ asking price for Dunn (first-round pick) is expensive plus he couldn’t join the Canucks until after a two-week quarantine period due to Canadian border restrictions. Dermott might not be an ideal fit but he’d be more reasonably priced than Dunn and would join the team more quickly.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Drance offers up a more detailed analysis than my synopsis but I concur with his take. There really isn’t much available that would provide an immediate, affordable improvement to the Canucks’ roster. That doesn’t mean management won’t stop looking but the pickings appear slim right now.

Regarding Dermott, Drance’s colleague Jame Mirtle feels the Leafs will handle the blueliner the same way the Canadiens are handling Mete. They’re leery of moving him because they want to ensure they have sufficient depth over the course of the season. Dermott also won’t fetch a return that provides a swift upgrade to the lineup.

LATEST ON CONNOLLY

Friedman suggests keeping an eye on Florida Panthers winger Brett Connolly, who was a healthy scratch in their last two games. He speculates a contender could show interest in the 28-year-old.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cap Friendly shows Connolly is in the second year of a four-year deal with an annual average value of $3.5 million. Teams could be reluctant to take on that cap hit given how tight payrolls are this season.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 2, 2021

by | Feb 2, 2021

NHL Rumor Mill – February 2, 2021

​Check out the latest on Tony DeAngelo, Sam Bennett and Victor Mete in today’s NHL rumor mill.

DeANGELO DONE AS A RANGER

NEW YORK POST: Mark Fischer yesterday reported Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton confirmed Tony DeAngelo has played his final game with the club. The 25-year-old defenseman cleared waivers yesterday and was placed on the club’s taxi squad two days following an altercation with goaltender Alexandar Georgiev. Fischer reports the Rangers are trying to trade DeAngelo.

Mollie Walker cited her colleague Larry Brooks reporting Rangers rookie defenseman K’Andre Miller broke up the altercation between DeAngelo and Georgiev with no other players involved. She reports the Rangers are working closely with the defenseman’s agent, Pat Brisson, to reach a solution.

NEWSDAY: Colin Stephenson reports the Rangers and Brisson are trying to find a team willing to acquire DeAngelo via trade but it won’t be easy. None of the 30 clubs claimed him off waiver. In addition to the blueliner’s personal baggage, he carries a $4.8 million annual average value through 2021-22.

SI.COM/THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ryan Kennedy reports DeAngelo has courted controversy throughout his playing career, including recently trolling people on Twitter with his political views. He’s had character issues dating back to his Junior days with the OHL’s Sarnia Sting, but teams willing to give him second and third chances because of his offensive abilities.

Tony DeAngelo has played his final game with the New York Rangers (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeAngelo has undeniable offensive skills but his lousy defensive play and cap hit probably contributed as much to his being passed over in waivers yesterday as his personality.

There always seems to be an NHL general manager somewhere willing to take a chance on a young player with character or maturity issues if they have a decent measure of talent potentially useful to their roster.

We’ll find out in the coming days if DeAngelo really has run out of chances. The Rangers might draw interest if they agree to pick up a healthy chunk of his salary-cap hit and/or include a sweetener like a draft pick or prospect.

BENNETT HASN’T FORMALLY REQUESTED A TRADE

SPORTSNET: Eric Francis reports sources claimed Calgary Flames management was blindsided by Elliotte Friedman’s report on Saturday that Sam Bennett’s agent, Darren Ferris, indicated his client preferred a change of scenery. However, the 24-year-old forward has not formally requested a trade.

No one is questioning Friedman’s report but they are questioning whether this was an appropriate way for Ferris to handle the situation. Bennett hasn’t spoken to the Flames’ coaches about his playing time and GM Brad Treliving wasn’t informed that Bennett might be interested in a trade.

CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson reports Bennett has yet to give his side of the story. He wonders if the forward really wants to be traded and if so why do so early in a shortened season. He also wondered if Ferris said too much too soon “or at least too publicly?” Bennett’s teammates, meanwhile, insisted this situation won’t be a distraction for them.

SI.COM/THE HOCKEY NEWS: Matt Larkin believes Bennett could still have trade value despite his inconsistent performance, pointing to one report suggesting the Anaheim Ducks or Toronto Maple Leafs would make sense as trade partners.

However, Larkin thinks it would be risky for the Flames to trade Bennett now. Any player received in exchange would have to be quarantined for two weeks if they’re coming from a US-based club. Moving Bennett could also affect which players they protect in this summer’s Seattle expansion draft, possibly forcing them to expose one they otherwise would’ve protected if Bennett were still on the roster.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: One theory suggests Ferris saw how the recent trade requests made by Patrik Laine, Jack Roslovic and Pierre-Luc Dubois resulted in those players getting moved and is following suit for his client. Bennett might be reluctant to talk about this but the fallout from his agent’s comments could leave him little choice. His future and status with the club will remain a lingering, unwelcome distraction if he doesn’t address it soon.

THE LATEST ON METE

SPORTSNET: Eric Engels reports Victor Mete’s season debut last night against the Vancouver Canucks was not an effort by the Montreal Canadiens to showcase the little-used defenseman for a trade. Darren Ferris, who also represents Mete, told reporters his camp would prefer if his client could be traded. Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin denied Mete requested a trade and indicated he wasn’t going to trade him.

Canadiens coach Claude Julien said they were trying to find the right opportunity to get Mete into the lineup as they didn’t want to leave him sitting out for too long. He also said a player agent’s comments aren’t about to influence their decisions.

Engels said trading Mete would also affect the Canadiens’ blueline depth. It’s why Bergevin didn’t send Mete to the taxi squad as he would’ve been plucked off the waiver wire by another club.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 1, 2021

by | Feb 1, 2021

NHL Rumor Mill – February 1, 2021

​What next for the Flames after Sam Bennett’s trade request? Is a Jake Virtanen-for-Victor Mete swap possible? What’s the latest on the Avalanche? Find out in today’s NHL rumor mill.

WHAT NEXT FOR BENNETT AND THE FLAMES?

CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson wondered what Flames general manager Brad Treliving will do in the wake of Sam Bennett’s recently reported trade request. He suggests making no move at all is one of his options.

Calgary Flames forward Sam Bennett has requested a trade (NHL Images).

Gilbertson believes Bennett seeks more ice time “and an increased role with another bunch.” The 24-year-old Bennett has seen mostly third- or fourth-line minutes this season while others such as Dillon Dube, Josh Leivo and Dominik Simon have gained top-six playing time.

Bennett, however, hasn’t looked anything much like the dominant player he was in last year’s postseason. He’s the type of player the Flames prefer to keep for what he brings to their bottom-six, but he hasn’t proven that he’s earned top-six minutes in Calgary despite plenty of opportunities.

Gilbertson believes there will be plenty of interest in Bennett but doesn’t expect the Flames will get much of a return for the former first-round draft pick. Complicating the matter is most potential trade partners reside in the United States, meaning any players received in return would require a two-week quarantine before joining the Flames.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Treliving could wait until the offseason to move Bennett unless the season goes sideways or the forward’s concerns about his role come to a head. Bennett’s inconsistent play could affect what the Flames hope to get in return.

Salary cap space is also a concern. Cap Friendly shows the Flames with over $1.3 million in projected wiggle room with Bennett’s annual average value at $2.55 million. Moving him won’t free up sufficient room to land a significant player in return.

The Province’s Patrick Johnston suggests Bennett would look good as a third-line center with the Canucks. He’s not sure how they’d make it work, speculating the Flames will want a forward in return. However, if Bennett is seeking a top-six role, he might not be a good fit in Vancouver.

VIRTANEN-FOR-METE?

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston took note of Sunday’s report claiming Montreal Canadiens defenseman Victor Mete had requested a trade. He cites the Montreal Gazette’s Andrew Berkshire signing Mete’s praises as a transition defenseman and defensive blueliner, believing he could definitely help the Canucks.

Johnston noted the Canadiens and Canucks had a conversation about Vancouver winger Jake Virtanen during the 2019 NHL Draft. Given Virtanen’s inconsistent play, however, a source suggested 30 teams would’ve passed on qualifying his rights.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin quickly and firmly denied the report about Mete asking for a trade. If he does shop the blueliner, however, I don’t think he’ll revisit any interest he once had in Virtanen. The Habs are pretty deep at forward this season, and that’s with Michael Frolik on their taxi squad and Joel Armia sidelined by a concussion.

Both teams have limited cap space. Virtanen’s also making $2.55 million per season while Mete’s AAV is $735K for this season. Doesn’t seem like there’s a fit there. Hey, Virtanen and Bennett have the same AAV! Hmmm…

LATEST ON THE AVALANCHE

THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Peter Baugh was asked if the Colorado Avalanche were going to trade for a goaltender. He doesn’t think so as long as the tandem of Philipp Grubauer and Pavel Francouz is healthy. However, they could consider it if Francouz remains sidelined and third-stringer Hunter Miska struggles.

Baugh also doesn’t expect the Avalanche to trade a defenseman like Ryan Graves or Connor Timmins if Bowen Byram plays well. He also doesn’t expect depth forwards JT Compher or Joonas Donskoi will be moved.