Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – February 18, 2024
Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – February 18, 2024
Check out the latest on Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom and defenseman Noah Hanifin plus updates on Flyers forward Scott Laughton and Oilers blueliner Philip Broberg in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
LATEST ON THE FLAMES
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes that Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom’s situation has reached the point where he’s told management that if they get an offer to bring it to him and he’ll decide if he’ll agree to be traded.
Friedman’s colleague Eric Francis noted that Markstrom is trying to ignore the trade speculation swirling about him. However, it can’t be easy for the 34-year-old netminder, especially after being lit up for four goals on 12 shots on home ice during Saturday’s 5-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.
Francis believes Markstrom’s situation could linger through the summer, if not addressed leading up to the March 8 trade deadline. He also believes Markstrom’s teammates Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin will be moved by deadline day.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As frequently noted whenever Markstrom comes up in trade chatter, he’s signed through 2025-26 with an average annual value of $6 million plus a full no-movement clause. Even if the Flames can hammer out a potential trade to move his contract, he must give his approval for the deal to go down.
It’s been over a week since Friedman reported the Flames had trade discussions with the New Jersey Devils about Markstrom, which fell through over salary retention. The Hockey News’ Adam Proteau wondered if the Toronto Maple Leafs or Carolina Hurricanes might be interested but I daresay his contract would be more cumbersome for those two teams than it would for the Devils.
Friedman also said it appears that Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin intends to head to the free-agent market on July 1. He said he’s had no confirmation from the blueliner’s representatives or the Flames but he believes it’s “pretty clear” that Hanifin is going to market.
Friedman believes there are Canadian teams interested in the 27-year Hanifin but there are American clubs more confident of signing him to a long-term contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Hanifin isn’t going to re-sign with the Flames they have no choice but to trade him for the best possible return. He’ll become the top defenseman in the trade market, garnering the Flames a solid return, one that could be even better if Hanifin agrees to a contract extension as part of the deal.
Boston Hockey Now’s Jimmy Murphy believes the Bruins and Florida Panthers could be among the suitors for Hanifin if he hits the trade block. I daresay we’ll learn about more as the trade deadline approaches.
RANGERS INTERESTED IN LAUGHTON
THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple and Kevin Kurz noted there are reports the New York Rangers are interested in Philadelphia Flyers center Scott Laughton. The 29-year-old has two seasons remaining on his contract with an affordable AAV of $3 million.
Staple and Kurz speculate it could cost the Rangers at least their first-round pick to acquire Laughton. With the Blueshirts being a division rival, perhaps the asking price might be higher than for other clubs.
If they prefer offering up a current player or prospect, the Flyers could prefer a young forward with scoring upside. Staple doesn’t see the Rangers sending someone like Kaapo Kakko to Philadelphia where he could haunt them for years.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Perhaps the Flyers asking price would be a first-rounder plus a prospect. I agree that it’s unlikely the Rangers would send Kakko to Philadelphia. They could ask for a prospect like Gabe Perreault or Brennan Othmann but both are probably off-limits.
OILERS WON’T PART WITH BROBERG FOR A RENTAL PLAYER
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the Edmonton Oilers intend to do something leading up to the trade deadline. Promising defenseman Philip Broberg has come up in trade rumors but they’re not going to part with him for a playoff rental player. He thinks teams have asked but they’ve made that point quite clear.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It makes sense to try and add someone who can be part of the lineup beyond this season. This could also be the Oilers’ way of discouraging rival clubs from calling about Broberg. Unless someone is willing to overpay, they’re not going to part with a promising player.