Kings Trade Pierre-Luc Dubois To Capitals for Darcy Kuemper

by | Jun 19, 2024

Kings Trade Pierre-Luc Dubois To Capitals for Darcy Kuemper

The Los Angeles Kings traded center Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Washington Capitals in exchange for goaltender Darcy Kuemper.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is a stunning move by both clubs involving two players thought to be untradeable because of their contracts and performance in 2023-24. Cap Friendly and PuckPedia indicate that no salary was retained in this deal.

Los Angeles Kings trade  Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Washington Capitas (NHL Images)

The Kings acquired Dubois from the Winnipeg Jets last June and signed him to an eight-year, $68 million contract with an average annual value of $8.5 million. His contract contains a no-movement clause that begins on July 1. It’ll be interesting to find out if Dubois knew of this deal beforehand or was asked if he didn’t mind getting traded to Washington.

Dubois was expected to fill the second-line center role for the Kings. However, he struggled this season, managing 16 goals and 40 points in 82 games. He was held to one goal in five games during their first-round series against the Edmonton Oilers.

Kuemper signed a five-year, $26.5 million contract with the Capitals in July 2022 after backstopping the Colorado Avalanche to the Stanley Cup. Like Dubois, he struggled with his new team, finishing last season with a 3.31 goals-against average and a save percentage of .890, losing the starter’s job to Charlie Lindgren. He had a 10-team no-trade list and it appears the Kings weren’t on it.

Both teams hope this change of scenery helps these players rediscover their game. However, the Capitals are taking the biggest gamble. Dubois has seven seasons left on his contract with a more expensive cap hit while Kuemper only has three years left.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 12, 2024

by | Jun 12, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 12, 2024

The latest on the Oilers and Panthers, the fallout from the Capitals’ purchase of Cap Friendly, the latest assistant coach hirings, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

STANLEY CUP NOTEBOOK

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers are putting on a brave face despite being down 2-0 to the Florida Panthers in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. “It’s supposed to be hard and I’m excited to see what our group is made of,” said team captain Connor McDavid. “I’m excited to see us fight through adversity and I’m looking forward to people doubting us again.”

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images).

The Oilers have had to overcome adversity during the regular season and in this postseason. They sank to 31st overall in November, were on the verge of elimination in their second-round series against the Vancouver Canucks, and were down 2-1 to the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final.

McDavid’s bold words aside, the Oilers face a daunting challenge getting back into this series after the Panthers shut down their vaunted offense in the first two games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Game 3 on Thursday could be the most consequential of this Stanley Cup Final.

If the Oilers win, they’re back in the series and have a chance to tie it in Game 4, building momentum that could carry them to the franchise’s first Cup since 1990.

Should they lose Game 3, however, they face long odds of overcoming a 0-3 deficit. Only four clubs have done that in NHL playoff history and only one (the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs) has done it in the Stanley Cup Final.

TSN: Oilers star Leon Draisaitl avoided supplemental discipline for his high hit on Aleksander Barkov in Game 2 that forced the Panthers captain from the game.

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said Tuesday that Barkov “wasn’t worse” but will undergo a full assessment on Wednesday. Maurice suggested his captain could play in Game 3 if he continues to progress.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Draisaitl left his feet and struck Barkov in the jaw. It was an uncharacteristic hit by the Oilers star. Nevertheless, he likely would’ve received postgame discipline from the league had the incident occurred during a regular-season game.

SPORTSNET: Oilers forward Sam Carrick was fined $2.2K for slashing Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The NHL’s department of player safety called it “slashing” because they can’t find a formal phrase for “nut shot”.

TORONTO SUN: profiles some of the notable stories in the new book “My Day With The Cup” by author/sportscaster Jim Lang. It profiles stories from many subjects (mostly since 1995) describing their “short and sweet” designated day with hockey’s holy grail. Most stories are about spending time with family and friends that run the gamut from heartwarming to hilarious.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ve got this one on my Kindle wish list and look forward to making it part of my vacation reading later this summer.

TSN: A survey by the market research company Leger found that 58 percent of Canadians polled aren’t paying close attention to the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. 35 percent aren’t following the series at all while 24 percent said they wouldn’t follow it closely.

Fifty-eight percent of Albertans are the most likely following the series because of the Oilers. 53 percent of Atlantic Canadians are also following the series, 42 percent in Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan are interested with 70 percent of Quebecers being the most disinterested.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There is no such thing as “Canada’s Team” when it comes to winning the Stanley Cup. Most Canadian hockey fans prefer to support their favorite team, which for some isn’t Canadian-based. Here in Atlantic Canada, for example, there are a lot of Boston Bruins fans.

The number of Canadian hockey fans interested in the Stanley Cup Final would be higher if the Toronto Maple Leafs or Montreal Canadiens were among the participants. They’re Original Six teams with over a century of hockey history and widespread support throughout Canada.

FALLOUT FROM THE CAPITALS’ PURCHASE OF CAP FRIENDLY

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman offered further insight into why the Washington Capitals purchased the popular Cap Friendly website and why the site won’t remain public following the completion of the sale on July 5. (Stick tap to Sammi Silber for this report).

Friedman said the Capitals purchased Cap Friendly for internal reasons rather than profit. It was cheaper to buy it rather than hire people and invest time and resources in building a hockey salary database.

According to Friedman, the Capitals couldn’t keep the site public even if they wanted to. The NHL frowns on the existence of such sites, even though they should be doing it themselves. “They consider it propriety information,” he said. Nevertheless, he explained some teams are scrambling to find an alternative once Cap Friendly goes dark.

Silber believes alternative salary-cap sites such as Puck Pedia and Sportrac will receive more attention going forward.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey cited Friedman listing several teams he believes have backup plans when Cap Friendly goes offline. “Seattle…New Jersey, Carolina, I heard Chicago…Islanders…Toronto…Columbus, and Pittsburgh.”

TORONTO STAR: Bruce Arthur believes the NHL’s unwillingness to make player salary information available on their website shows how the league’s brain trust is out of touch with today’s hockey fans.

Arthur cited league commissioner Gary Bettman’s comments in 2015 dismissing the notion of the league running a salary-cap website, expressing his belief that fans weren’t that interested. The popularity of Cap Friendly and its predecessor CapGeek suggests otherwise.

Because of the NHL’s hard salary cap, fans want to know how their favorite teams spend their money. The media also uses that information to write better-informed pieces about the NHL.

“Allowing high-information fans and media to understand the league leads to more and better conversation about the league,” writes Arthur. “That’s good for the game, too.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is what happens when dinosaurs run your professional sports league. The NHL is still controlled by an old-boy network whose ideology remains rooted in the previous century. They take their fans for granted, refusing to believe they’re interested in salary information despite all the contrary evidence.

The NHL may prefer salary information be kept private, but they have themselves to blame for the fans’ desire to know more about it. They killed an entire season to implement their hard cap system. As Arthur pointed out, how your favorite team spends its salary-cap payroll each year is integral to how well they can compete. Fans naturally want to know if their teams can afford to acquire or retain players.

IN OTHER NEWS…

CALGARY SUN: The Flames hired former Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Brad Larsen as an assistant coach.

NHL.COM: Former Chicago Blackhawks bench boss Jeremy Colliton joins the New Jersey Devils as an assistant coach.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins are reportedly hiring David Quinn as an assistant coach. He spent the past two seasons as head coach of the San Jose Sharks. Before that, Quinn spent three seasons as the New York Rangers’ bench boss.

TSN: The sexual assault case of five former members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior team is set to return to court on Aug. 13 to potentially set a date for trial.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 10, 2024

by | Jun 10, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 10, 2024

The latest on the Oilers and Panthers on the eve of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, the Capitals to purchase CapFriendly, the players will get back this season’s escrow payment, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

STANLEY CUP NOTEBOOK

SPORTSNET: Mark Spector reports Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch could tinker with his lineup before Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. Defense pairing Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci were reunited in Game 1 but continued to struggle as they were on the ice for two of the Florida Panthers’ three goals. Meanwhile, winger Evander Kane remains hampered by a sports hernia.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’ll find out before Game 2 what Knoblauch has in store for his lineup.

Mark speculates that Knoblauch could sit Ceci if he reactivates Vincent Desharnais. He’s been a healthy scratch since Game 4 of the Western Conference Final. He also suggested Sam Carrick coming in to center the fourth line while replacing Kane on Leon Draisaitl’s line with Ryan McLeod.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers aren’t resting on their laurels following their 3-0 victory over the Oilers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. They know there is more they must do to improve. “I think we can definitely be better,” said winger Carter Verhaeghe after his club was outshot 32-18 in Game 1.

TORONTO STAR: Speaking of Verhaeghe, he and Oilers winger Zach Hyman are former Maple Leafs playing big roles for their current clubs throughout this postseason. Verhaeghe was a Leafs castoff while Hyman (who was drafted by the Panthers) was not offered a new contract by the Leafs three years ago.

Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Other former Leafs in this series include Connor Brown, Cody Ceci, Sam Carrick and Jack Campbell with the Oilers and winger Evan Rodrigues and head coach Paul Maurice with the Panthers.

SPORTSNET: The Calgary Tower will be lit up in Blue and Orange on June 10 to support Action Anxiety Day. Its “X” account assured Calgarians it was not to show support for the Oilers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The intense NHL rivalry between the two cities burns brightly.

IN OTHER NEWS…

SPORTSNET: The Washington Capitals agreed to purchase the popular CapFriendly website.

CapFriendly will remain publicly available and independently operated until at least July 5, when the sale is expected to be officially announced. After that, the site will go dark and terminate its arrangements that existed for several years with multiple NHL clubs that bought into its API (Application Programming Interface).

THE ATHLETIC: CapFriendly’s tools and functions will become part of the Capitals’ in-house operations. Several NHL clubs were interested in purchasing the site and a source claimed its owners had held talks with other teams before reaching its agreement with the Capitals.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: CapFriendly came in after CapGeek was shuttered in 2015 following the death of its owner, Matthew Wuest. It quickly filled the void, becoming popular with fans, pundits, and NHL teams for its accuracy and up-to-date information in tracking player salaries and team payrolls.

Some fans took to social media on Sunday lamenting the sale, with some accusing CapFriendly’s owners of “selling out.” However, this is a business move and I don’t fault the site’s ownership for cashing in on an offer too good to refuse. I’d do the same thing if I were in their shoes.

The NHL doesn’t have a salary cap tracking site. In 2015, league commissioner Gary Bettman said he didn’t see the need to do so because he wasn’t sure fans were as focused on how much players were making as they are about their on-ice performance. He later questioned the accuracy of such sites as CapFriendly.

On both counts, Bettman couldn’t have been more wrong. It subsequently emerged that the league engaged in a “back-and-forth” regarding the creation of a league-operated cap site but some teams were against it.

For those lamenting CapFriendly’s imminent demise, I recommend PuckPedia. I’ve linked to their player and team salary info on my Rumors page for several years. Sportrac is another good option.

DAILY FACEOFF: NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh announced on Saturday that NHL players are on track to have nearly all of this season’s escrow payments returned to them. The players had six percent of their salaries withheld by escrow as per the 2020 CBA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s because hockey-related revenue exceeded projections for this season. Otherwise, that escrow money would’ve been returned to the teams to offset any potential losses.

SPORTSNET: During Sunday’s “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman reported some player agents believe the NHL Draft should be shortened to four rounds. Friedman said most players who don’t get contracts are selected in the later rounds. They believe it holds up a player from beginning their NHL careers by having their rights held by a team for two to four years only for them not to receive a contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Any changes to the draft will have to be negotiated during the next round of collective bargaining in 2026.

Those agents are arguing that those who would normally be chosen in the fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds should instead become free agents able to sign with whomever they choose. While they make a good point, some late-round players went on to great careers with the teams that chose them.

SPORTSNET: The 2024 NHL Draft Combine results have been released. It was held last week in Buffalo.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 16, 2024

by | May 16, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – May 16, 2024

What’s the latest on Mitch Marner? Could the Jets trade Nikolaj Ehlers this summer? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST MARNER SPECULATION

TORONTO STAR: Kevin McGran suggested four trade scenarios if the Maple Leafs decide to move Mitch Marner, provided he agrees to waive his no-movement clause.

One option is offering Marner to the Nashville Predators with goaltender Juuse Saros as the centerpiece of a package return to the Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Saros could be available this summer. He’s a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility and the Preds could move him to make room for promising Yaroslav Askarov. McGran speculated the Leafs would want Saros to sign a contract extension. He also indicated that Saros’ numbers weren’t that good this season.

Another could be sending Marner to the Seattle Kraken for defenseman Adam Larsson and promising center Shane Wright. Marner would boost the Kraken’s top-six scorers. Larsson is a right-shot defenseman who could help the Leafs but they’d have to sign him to a contract extension. Wright has struggled so far at the NHL level but the Leafs could be more patient with him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kraken general manager Ron Francis is expected to shop for offensive depth this summer. He could part with Larsson for an established scorer. Wright showed signs of improvement with five points in eight games during his late-season call-up. Francis could be reluctant to part with him but maybe he’d consider it for someone like Marner.

McGran also suggested shipping Marner to Utah for Clayton Keller or to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Mikhail Sergachev.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Acquiring Marner would make a big splash for the former Coyotes in their new market. However, I don’t see them parting with Keller, who’s been an important part of their roster rebuild.

The Bolts won’t trade Sergachev because it would further deplete their defense corps. He’s also a left-shot defenseman, which doesn’t address the Leafs’ requirement for a right-shot rearguard.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

Having looked at possible trade scenarios, McGran believes trading Marner will accomplish very little for the Leafs. He thinks they should keep the core five intact and see if they improve under a new head coach.

McGran doesn’t see the sense in moving out Marner for lesser players in return. He also doesn’t believe the 27-year-old winger wants out of Toronto.

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan pointed to the big hole Marner’s potential departure would leave in their lineup. The winger was on pace for a 101-point performance this season with 85 in 69 games. He had 99 points in 2022-23, 97 the previous season and 94 in 2018-19. It won’t be easy to replace his production.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The emotion of another early Leafs playoff departure is giving way to sober second thoughts among some Toronto pundits. McGran’s colleague Damien Cox suggests the Leafs should instead focus on stabilizing their supporting cast rather than breaking up their Core Four forwards.

For all the talk of trading Marner or asking John Tavares to waive his NMC, there’s a good chance both players will return with the Leafs next season. Marner and Tavares hold all the cards and if they don’t want to be traded there’s nothing the Leafs can do about it. Sure, they could buy out the final years of their contracts but that won’t happen.

It wouldn’t be surprising if the Leafs opt to keep their core four intact. They won’t get equal value in any return for Marner or Tavares which could provide justification to retain them, even at the risk of losing them for nothing to free agency next summer. Whoever they hire as head coach could also prefer having Marner and Tavares in the lineup.

JETS COULD TRADE NIKOLAJ EHLERS THIS SUMMER

THE ATHLETIC: Murat Ates believes Nikolaj Ehlers might not be with the Winnipeg Jets after this summer. The 28-year-old winger has a year left on his contract with a $6 million cap hit and a 10-team no-trade clause. He’s eligible for UFA status next July.

Ehlers has put up first-line numbers playing second-line minutes. If the Jets cannot extend him they must find a way to move him for assets. He’s been shopping before but Ates indicates things could be different this summer.

Ates suggested offering up Ehlers to the Ottawa Senators for defenseman Jakob Chychrun. Ehlers might also fetch a power forward like Lawson Crouse from “Utah HC.” The Carolina Hurricanes might be a fit if he brought back one of their high-priced defensemen like Brent Burns, Dmitry Orlov or Jaccob Slavin.

Other proposed destinations include the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I like that swap of Ehlers for Chychrun but the latter could have the Jets on his no-trade list. Utah could be interested but might not want to part with Crouse. I don’t see the Hurricanes parting with Slavin. Burns could have the Jets on his no-trade list. Orlov lacks no-trade protection but the Canes would have to retain part of his $7.75 million cap hit to facilitate that trade.

WINNIPEG SUN: Scott Billeck was asked what type of return Ehlers might fetch for the Jets. He suggested a top-four defenseman who (like Ehlers) is a year away from UFA eligibility like Chychrun or Slavvin (who Billeck admits is likely untradeable), along with Vegas’ Shea Theodore or the LA Kings’ Vladislav Gavrikov. Billeck doubts those two will be traded.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ve heard speculation suggesting the Golden Knights could move Theodore to free up cap room to re-sign Jonathan Marchessault. If so, they won’t want a player in return. As for Gavrikov, he’s got a full NMC.

Another option could be using Ehlers to acquire draft picks and use the $6 million savings in this summer’s free-agent market. Potential defense UFAs include Florida’s Brandon Montour, Carolina’s Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei and Vancouver’s Nikita Zadorov.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That could be the best option for the Jets but it does come with some risk. Those blueliners mentioned by Billeck could be unwilling to come to Winnipeg as free agents.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber looked at whether Ehlers would be a good fit with the Washington Capitals. His offensive consistency could be what the Capitals need to bolster their production.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 15, 2024

by | May 15, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – May 15, 2024

The latest on the Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl and the Kings’ Cam Talbot plus an update on the Penguins in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WOULD LEON DRAISAITL BE INTERESTED IN JOINING THE SHARKS?

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sheng Peng cited ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski discussing Leon Draisaitl’s future during a recent appearance on The Jeff Marek Show.

Marek and Wyshynski were chatting about possible roster upheavals for teams that failed to advance to this year’s Conference Finals. They mentioned speculation claiming the Edmonton Oilers superstar might be interested in signing with the San Jose Sharks because team owner Hasso Plattner is German.

Wyshynski also listed other factors about the Sharks that might entice Draisaitl. “Emerging market, great young players. They will obviously compensate him.”

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Draisaitl will be eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July. The Oilers can sign him to a contract extension on July 1, 2024.

There’s nothing wrong with pondering Draisaitl’s future. His plans could depend on the Oilers’ performance this postseason. That’s why we’re starting to hear his name mentioned in the rumor mill while his team is in the midst of playoff competition.

Draisaitl signing with San Jose because their owner is a countryman is akin to rumors claiming every Quebec-born NHL star wants to play for the Montreal Canadiens. Recent speculation also had Draisaitl wanting to join the Boston Bruins if the Oilers fail to progress in their quest for the Stanley Cup.

The Bruins likely can’t afford to acquire Draisaitl via trade or to sign him next summer. While the Sharks have the cash, they’re years away from being a playoff contender. That could take them out of the Draisaitl sweepstakes next summer if he hits the open market.

LATEST ON THE PENGUINS

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski looked at three potential trade options for the Penguins to add young, affordable talent to their roster.

The first is Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nicholas Robertson. He’s struggled over the past four seasons to crack the Leafs roster on a full-time basis. The 22-year-old was drafted by Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas when he was the Leafs GM.

Los Angeles Kings forward Arthur Kaliyev is another option. The 22-year-old’s production went cold during the second half of this season. Kings GM Rob Blake was critical of Kaliyev’s performance, prompting speculation he could be traded this summer.

Max Jones of the Anaheim Ducks could provide depth to the Penguins’ checking lines. The 6’3”, 216-pounder can skate and doesn’t mind using his size.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kingerski examines the strengths and weaknesses of those three players. They’re slated to become restricted free agents this summer, with Robertson and Kaliyev lacking arbitration rights coming off their entry-level contracts.

Kaliyev seems the most likely of the three to become available given Blake’s comments about his play. The asking price could be a second-round pick, something the Penguins have two of in this year’s draft.

Kingerski also recently listed four Penguins besides Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang who won’t be traded this summer.

Erik Karlsson will stay put unless he asks to be traded. There were rumors the Penguins asked Bryan Rust to waive his no-movement clause before the trade deadline but both sides denied it.

Goaltender Tristan Jarry’s late-season struggles make it unlikely that another team will come calling with an irresistible trade offer. Michael Bunting was a solid addition after coming over from the Carolina Hurricanes in the Jake Guentzel trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kingerski also doesn’t see Dubas shopping 25-year-old forward Drew O’Connor unless the return is a headline grabber.

WHERE COULD CAM TALBOT LAND THIS SUMMER?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Spencer Lazary looked at three destinations this summer for Cam Talbot. The 36-year-old Los Angeles Kings goaltender is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Talbot might fit with the Washington Capitals if they end up trading Darcy Kuemper. He would fill the backup role for Charlie Lindgren.

The Penguins could also be an option. They’ll need a backup with Alex Nedeljkovic heading to free agency on July 1.

Lazary also suggested the Kings given Talbot’s willingness to re-sign with them. He’d be a reliable backup for whoever they bring in this summer as their new starter.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It appears the Capitals hope Kuemper will spend the offseason working on improving his game for next season. The Penguins will likely promote promising Joel Blomqvist to share the goalie duties with Jarry. Talbot might have a better chance of sticking with the Kings as an affordable and familiar backup.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 11, 2024

by | May 11, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – May 11, 2024

We look at some possible trade destinations for Mitch Marner and goaltending options for the Maple Leafs in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

POTENTIAL TRADE DESTINATIONS FOR MITCH MARNER

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau recently looked at five destinations for Mitch Marner if the Toronto Maple Leafs winger is willing to waive his no-movement clause.

Pittsburgh Penguins: They’re desperate to make the playoffs next year. Marner could be open to playing for Kyle Dubas again. He’d also have the opportunity to skate with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang.

Chicago Blackhawks: Marner would play alongside rising superstar Connor Bedard. Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones could be a good fit on the Leafs blueline if he would agree to waive his NMC to go to Toronto as part of the deal.

New York Islanders: They’re seeking a new direction. He would play alongside Mathew Barzal under head coach Patrick Roy on a team that wants to win immediately.

Anaheim Ducks: Winger Trevor Zegras has surfaced in trade rumors this season. The rebuilding Ducks need some veteran help. Marner might thrive playing in a market where there’s less media scrutiny.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

Utah: Acquiring Marner would make a big splash for this club entering its first season in its new market. He would be instantly beloved there but without the harsh glare of the media spotlight.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ve summarized Proteau’s article. He goes into greater detail regarding the pros and cons of those destinations.

We don’t know what teams Marner would agree to go to, if any. They could balk at the Leafs’ costly asking price. His $10.9 million cap hit for next season could be too expensive to acquire even if the Leafs agreed to retain part of it.

Nevertheless, expect Marner’s name to continue surfacing in the rumor mill in the coming weeks.

SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon recently suggested four trade scenarios the Maple Leafs might consider for Marner.

Columbus Blue Jackets: In return for Marner, the Jackets part with their 2024 first-round pick and promising forward Kent Johnson

Seattle Kraken: They part with young center Shane Wright and defenseman Adam Larsson.

Calgary Flames: They get Marner, prospect Fraser Minten, defenseman Timothy Liljegren and winger Nick Robertson. The Leafs get Jacob Markstrom (with 25 percent of his $6 million cap hit retained) and defenseman Rasmus Andersson.

Philadelphia Flyers: In a three-way deal involving the San Jose Sharks, they get Marner, the Leafs receive forward Scott Laughton, Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro, and San Jose’s 2024 second-round pick, and the Sharks get Flyers prospect defenseman Oliver Bonk.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Credit Dixon for his creativity with these proposals, especially the three-team swap. Of course, it’s merely conjecture on his part as we don’t know if those clubs would be interested if Marner became available. Nevertheless, they provide at least a framework of the type of deal the Leafs would be looking for if Marner agreed to be traded.

Feel free to debate the merits of these proposals in the comments section.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber looks at whether the Washington Capitals should look into acquiring Marner. She believes the acquisition of a single player won’t resolve their roster issues. The Leafs will set a high asking price and must retain part of his salary for the Capitals to take him on. Still, Silber thinks it’s at least worth looking into if the Leafs are willing to listen.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It wouldn’t hurt to ask but I don’t see the Capitals as a serious bidder for Marner if he hits the trade block. They’re transitioning out veterans in favor of younger, affordable talent.

GOALIE OPTIONS FOR THE LEAFS

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan believes Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving will find it difficult to bolster his goalie depth behind Joseph Woll. Ilya Samsonov and Martin Jones are due to become UFAs on July 1. Samsonov is willing to return but will want more than a one-year contract.

Promising Dennis Hildeby will get an opportunity in training camp this fall to prove his worth, However, Koshan doesn’t expect the Leafs will go into next season with a Woll-Hildeby tandem. They need more experience between the pipes.

The free agent market provides few decent options. The notables include Cam Talbot, Laurent Brossoit, Anthony Stolarz, Kevin Lankinen, Alex Nedeljkovic and Scott Wedgewood.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs could surprise us by acquiring Calgary’s Jacob Markstrom, Boston’s Linus Ullmark, or Nashville’s Juuse Saros. Otherwise, goaltending will remain a question mark next season.