NHL Rumor Mill – June 28, 2024

by | Jun 28, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – June 28, 2024

With the first round of the 2024 Draft fast approaching, the Flyers attempt an aggressive trade to move up on the draft order. Check out the details, updates on Mitch Marner, Jacob Trouba, Aaron Ekblad, Nikolaj Ehlers and Nazem Kadri, the latest UFA speculation, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

FLYERS ATTEMPT TO MOVE UP IN THE FIRST-ROUND ORDER

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Philadelphia Flyers attempted to acquire the Columbus Blue Jackets’ first-round pick (fourth overall) in this year’s draft. It was an aggressive pitch, offering their 2024 first-rounder (14th overall), a roster player, and perhaps their 2025 first-round pick.

The Blue Jackets rejected the offers but LeBrun thinks the Flyers could try again.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some social media chatter suggested GM Daniel Briere wants to draft Cayden Lindstrom of the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers to center Matvei Michkov. It would make sense that Briere would try to land a good young center to pair with his promising winger.

UPDATES ON MARNER, TROUBA, EKBLAD, EHLERS AND KADRI

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the most likely scenario for Mitch Marner will be finishing the final season of his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He thinks the Leafs could consider offering the 27-year-old winger a new contract and see where it goes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner holds all the cards here because of the full no-movement clause in his contract. For all the media speculation about his future in recent weeks, there’s no indication he’ll be traded. Of course, it wouldn’t be the first time a trade involving a star like Marner catches everyone by surprise. Still, there’s nothing the Leafs can do about it if Marner doesn’t want to move.

New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (NHL Images).

Friedman also reported New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba’s full no-movement clause turns into a 15-team no-trade list on July 1. The Rangers have asked the 30-year-old defenseman for his list, which is normal procedure. However, Friedman doesn’t rule out the possibility of Trouba getting traded.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trouba has two years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $8 million. While he struggled through an injury this season, he remains well-respected by his teammates and a physical presence on their blueline. Nevertheless, there’s been recent media conjecture about his future in New York. We likely haven’t heard the last of it.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: David Dwork reports hearing the Florida Panthers are shopping defenseman Aaron Ekblad. He’s entering the final season of his contract with an AAV of $7.5 million. The 28-year-old defenseman’s no-movement clause becomes a 12-team no-trade list on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That would be a bold move by the Panthers coming so soon after winning their first Stanley Cup. The Toronto Sun’s Steve Simmons reported earlier this month that the Panthers would move Ekblad to free up cap space to re-sign Brandon Montour. This will be worth watching in the coming days.

TSN: Darren Dreger reports Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff continues to receive calls about winger Nikolaj Ehlers and top prospect Rutger McGroarty. There’s no rush to move them, though the Jets are interested in moving McGroarty for a first-round pick, maybe a prospect or young player.

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos wondered if Nazem Kadri might consider waiving his no-movement clause. It’s apparent the Calgary Flames are rebuilding after trading Jacob Markstrom last week to New Jersey. The question is where the 33-year-old center sees himself fitting in the short and long term.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kadri could ask to be traded but his age and contract will make him difficult to move. He carries a $7 million AAV through 2028-29.

LATEST UFA SPECULATION

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Carolina Hurricanes are still pushing hard to re-sign pending unrestricted free agent Jake Guentzel. They’re the only team that can offer him an eight-year contract which is giving the 29-year-old winger something to think about

LeBrun said the list of teams lining up to bid on Guentzel on July 1 is growing. Some would have to move some pieces around but are willing to do so if he becomes a UFA on Monday.

Darren Dreger believes the Vancouver Canucks could be among the suitors. They’re also considering what to do with Elias Lindholm. The 29-year-old center is heading to market and could be a good fit with the Boston Bruins.

Dreger also mentioned teams will be interested in Chris Tanev if the 34-year-old defenseman doesn’t re-sign with the Dallas Stars by Monday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman believes the Toronto Maple leafs could be among the suitors.

Chris Johnston believes pending UFA forwards Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi want to stay with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Negotiations are continuing as the Leafs are also looking at shoring up their blueline. Both players are waiting to see if the Leafs can afford them.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 6, 2024

by | Jun 6, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 6, 2024

The latest on the Oilers and Panthers as they prepare for the Stanley Cup Final, plus updates on Jacob Trouba, Matt Duchene, Chris Tanev, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

STANLEY CUP FINAL NOTEBOOK

THE ATHLETIC: The top-four picks in the 2014 NHL Draft are playing in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad was the first-overall pick with teammates Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett chosen second and fourth by other teams and later traded to the Panthers. Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl was chosen third overall.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples reports 75 percent of NHL analysts are predicting the Oilers will lose to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final.

Florida Panthers winger Sam Reinhart (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m among the 75 percent. My heart is with the Oilers because I want to see a Canadian team finally win the Cup after 31 years and for Connor McDavid to cement his legacy as his generation’s greatest player.

However, the Panthers have more experience at this stage of the postseason, they’re built for the long physical playoff grind, they’re healthier than they were in last year’s Cup Final, and possess more consistent goaltending. With 11 players eligible to become unrestricted free agents, this could also be the last opportunity for the current Panthers roster to win the Cup.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Panthers are ramping up the intensity of their practices as the Cup Final approaches with an emphasis on their special teams.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: They face a big challenge in shutting down Edmonton’s lethal power play. At the same time, they must find a way to score against the Oilers’ playoff-leading penalty kill.

Meanwhile, a Miami Herald sportswriter is trying to stir the pot (and somewhat succeeding) with Oilers fans by calling Connor McDavid “overrated” for not leading his club to the Stanley Cup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Edmonton pundits could say the same thing about Florida Panthers captain (and two-time Selke Trophy winner) Aleksander Barkov. Sure, he led them to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, but he hasn’t won anything so he’s overrated. See, it’s easy to make silly clickbait statements.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NEW YORK POST: Jacob Trouba took exception to a “Spittin’ Chiclets” producer’s critique of the Rangers captain’s game by mentioning his wife, Kelly, a neuroscience major.

The producer noted that Trouba and his wife founded the Trouba Creative Expressions Arts Program which offers art services to adults with epilepsy and seizures. “Maybe Jacob should go home and get a lesson from his wife about the dangers of concussions that can lead to epilepsy and seizures before he goes around concussing guys on a daily basis,” he said.

Trouba announced that for the next 30 days, proceeds from his 24-inch print sales will go to the Athletes for Hope Foundation in response. “We must do better than this,” he replied on Twitter to the podcaster’s comments. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Criticizing Trouba’s on-ice performance and his history of undisciplined play is fair game. However, dragging his family into it was uncalled for and crossed the line.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars forward Matt Duchene and defenseman Chris Tanev are eligible to become unrestricted free agents on July 1. Both players indicated they’d love to re-sign with the club.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That will depend on how much they’re seeking and whether the Stars have the cap space to retain them.

TSN: Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving he remains interested in signing pending UFA forwards Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi.

TORONTO SUN: The Leafs also hired former New York Islanders bench boss Lane Lambert as an associate coach and parted ways with Dean Chynoweth, who was an assistant coach for the past three seasons.

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks promoted skills guru Yogi Svejkovsky was promoted to assistant coach. Meanwhile, Hall of Famers Daniel and Henrik Sedin will take on larger roles in day-to-day coaching with the Canucks and their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford.

THE DENVER POST: The Colorado Avalanche have opened contract talks with winger Jonathan Drouin and defenseman Jack Jackson. Both are slated to become UFAs on July 1.

THE SCORE: Philadelphia Flyers president of hockey operations Keith Jones has heard the rumors suggesting highly-touted prospect Matvei Michkov could join the club this summer. However, he couldn’t provide any further details.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Michkov has three seasons remaining on his contract with KHL club SKA Saint Petersburg. A recent report out of Russia claimed his deal was being terminated but it has yet to be corroborated by a North American media source.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sharks assistant coach Ryan Warsofsky is considered the front-runner to become the club’s head coach.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 4, 2024

by | Jun 4, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – June 4, 2024

Check out the latest on Mitch Marner, Sam Reinhart, Jake Guentzel, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

NO TRADE OR CONTRACT EXTENSION FOR MITCH MARNER?

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports nothing new regarding the future of Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner. He and his agent haven’t put together a list of trade destinations. The 27-year-old winger is focused on finishing his contract with the Leafs and seeing how things go. LeBrun also doesn’t think there’s an appetite to discuss a contract extension this summer.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman speculates Marner’s situation could play out in Toronto next season. While acknowledging there’s a lot of time between now and then and things could change, Friedman described it as a “delicate conversation between player and team because everyone is determined to look like a winner here.”

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

If the Leafs are to trade Marner, Friedman believes it must make a major impact, either with assets or in cap room that would allow the club to make another significant transaction.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner’s contract is the complicating factor here. He carries a hefty $10.9 million cap hit that will be difficult to move even with the cap rising to a projected $87.7 million for 2024-25. He also has a full no-movement clause which he seems unwilling to waive.

We can’t rule out the Leafs getting an offer they can’t refuse from a team that Marner would consider an acceptable trade destination. However, it’s starting to sound like a slim possibility.

LATEST PANTHERS SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre Lebrun reports the Florida Panthers will have little time to get their pending UFAs such as Sam Reinhart signed between the end of the Stanley Cup Final and the start of free agency on July 1. Both sides profess a strong mutual desire to get an extension done.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Score’s Josh Wegman cited Evolving-Hockey projecting Reinhart to sign an eight-year deal with an average annual value of $11.13 million to stay in Florida. That would make him the Panthers’ highest-paid player. Aleksander Barkov and Sergei Bobrovsky currently hold that honor with AAVs of $10 million.

The Panthers and Reinhart could agree to an eight-year deal worth the same AAV as Barkov and Bobrovsky or a smidgen less. Whatever the cost, it’ll take a big chunk out of the Panthers’ projected cap space of $20.8 million for 2024-25.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox also weighed in on the Panthers’ upcoming tricky free-agent situation involving several of their core players.

Fox noted that Panthers general manager Bill Zito prioritized re-signing defenseman Gustav Forsling over Brandon Montour. “Perhaps because Montour began the season injured. More likely because his current cap hit of $3.5 million should double soon, and we may be watching his final shifts in Florida.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zito must shed some salary to re-sign Reinhart and Montour. The Toronto Sun’s Steve Simmons recently claimed the Panthers intend to retain both players and could trade Aaron Ekblad and his $7.5 million cap hit and use the savings on Montour. I don’t put much stock into that scenario given Ekblad’s value to the Panthers.

UPDATE ON JAKE GUENTZEL

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the Carolina Hurricanes are continuing contract discussions with Jake Guentzel. They’d like to re-sign the pending UFA winger but LeBrun indicates Guentzel could test the market on July 1 while keeping the Hurricanes as an option.

LeBrun’s colleague Josh Yohe was asked if the Pittsburgh Penguins will try to reacquire Guentzel.

Yohe isn’t ruling it out but noted that Guentzel was “pretty angry” about the Penguins trading him and angrier that they didn’t make a legitimate attempt at a contract extension. He anticipates the 29-year-old winger could get $9 million annually on a six-year deal and doesn’t see the Penguins making that pitch.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Penguins GM Kyle Dubas could’ve re-signed Guentzel but didn’t seem interested. It’s unlikely he’ll try to bring him back.

WILL THE STARS RE-SIGN MATT DUCHENE AND CHRIS TANEV?

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: That’s the question Lia Assimakopoulos included among her Stars’ offseason storylines following their elimination from the Western Conference Final.

Duchene was signed last summer to a one-year, $3 million contract after being bought out by the Nashville Predators. Tanev was acquired before the March trade deadline. Both are eligible to become UFAs on July 1.

The pair fit in well with the Stars roster, playing crucial roles in their march to the Western Conference Final.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars have a projected cap space of $15.9 million next season with 13 active roster players under contract. There might not be enough room for Duchene and Tanev unless they can free up additional cap space.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 1, 2024

by | Apr 1, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 1, 2024

The Canucks reach the 100-point plateau, the Devils’ Dougie Hamilton’s season is likely over, the Stars’ Chris Tanev reevaluated following an injury on Saturday, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Vancouver Canucks became the sixth team to reach 100 points this season by nipping the Anaheim Ducks 3-2. Dakota Joshua scored twice, including the game-winner, and Brock Boeser tallied his 38th goal of the season. The Canucks improved to 46-20-8 and moved into fifth place in the overall standings. Rookie Olen Zellweger scored his first NHL goal for the 24-47-4 Ducks.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Devils interim head coach Travis Green said on Saturday that Dougie Hamilton’s season is probably over. The 30-year-old defenseman has been sidelined since Dec. 1 following surgery for a torn pectoral muscle.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils were off to a stumbling start to this season before Hamilton was injured but were only two points out of a wildcard berth in the Eastern Conference. The absence of their top defenseman contributed to their inability to clinch a playoff spot this season.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars defenseman Chris Tanev was reevaluated Sunday after leaving Saturday’s game against the Seattle Kraken. The injury occurred in the third period as Tanev was hit from behind by Kraken defenseman Adam Larsson, who received a five-minute major and a game misconduct for elbowing on the play. Tanev left the game immediately favoring his right arm.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman will have a hearing with the NHL’s department of player safety for unsportsmanlike conduct during Saturday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Hartman threw his stick in the direction of an official. He was upset over what he considered a lack of a high-sticking call against Vegas’ Noah Hanifin.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken have recalled center Shane Wright from their AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley. Wright was the fourth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. This is his second stint this season with the Kraken, having played three games in November.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Critics have been quick to label Wright a draft bust, overlooking that some players can take longer to develop than others. The 20-year-old center still has plenty of time to become a full-time NHL player and perhaps blossom into a star. The Kraken hope Wright will contend for a full-time roster spot in training camp this fall.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Arizona Coyotes forwards Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther and Josh Doan are providing a sense of hope for the future.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The trio are promising youngsters with bright futures who could form the basis of a strong core of talent for the Coyotes in a few years. Speaking of Doan, he collected an assist on Saturday, becoming the first player in franchise history to register points in his first three NHL games. Doan scored two goals in his first game and collected two assists in the second one.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 30, 2024

by | Mar 30, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – March 30, 2024

Will the Canucks re-sign defensemen Filip Hronek and Nikita Zadorov? Could the Blackhawks target defensemen in this summer’s free-agent market? Check out the latest in the NHL Rumor Mill.

UPDATES ON HRONEK AND ZADOROV

SEKERES AND PRICE: Frank Seravalli recently appeared on the podcast where he discussed Vancouver Canucks defensemen Filip Hronek and Nikita Zadorov.

Hronek is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer. Seravalli believes the 26-year-old blueliner has played an important role in the Canucks’ improvement this season. He believes management shouldn’t have any issues paying him an average annual value of $8 million on an eight-year deal.

That would exceed the $7.85 million annually being earned by Quinn Hughes through 2026-27. However, he doubted that the Canucks captain would be upset that Hronek would make $150K more than him per season, pointing out that he’ll likely get $14 million annually on his next contract.

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Filip Hronek (NHL Images).

Seravalli believes paying Hronek $8 million per season for eight years won’t hurt the Canucks cap down the road. By 2028-29, the cap should be around $120 million to $125 million. “$8 million is nothing by that point,” he said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hronek is completing a three-year contract with an average annual value of $4.4 million. He’s enjoying a career-best performance with 40 assists and 45 points in 73 games and should exceed the 50-point plateau before the end of the season.

The Canucks will sign Hronek to a long-term deal to avoid arbitration. I don’t think it’s a problem for them if he’s seeking around $8 million annually. They could quibble a bit over the length of the deal but it will likely come in at seven or eight years.

Quinn signed his current contract following his sophomore season. It was a hefty raise coming off his entry-level deal. I doubt he’ll care if Hronek makes a little more than he does over the next two years. By July 2026, the Canucks captain will likely have signed an expensive extension worth far more than what Hronek will be earning.

Zadorov, meanwhile, is finishing up a two-year contract with an AAV of $3.75 million. Seravalli doesn’t think the Canucks will re-sign the 28-year-old defenseman.

Seravalli believes Zadorov’s asking price will be around $5 million annually. He said the Calgary Flames knew his number would start with a five, which made it easier for them to trade him to Vancouver earlier this year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks had to boost their defense corps in the short term. They were willing to make that short-term move for Zadorov even at the risk of losing him this summer to free agency.

They could try to keep Zadorov following this season. However, they won’t have enough room to meet Zadorov’s asking price if they sign Hronek to a deal worth $8 million annually.

LATEST BLACKHAWKS SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers believed the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks are expected to add forwards to their roster in the offseason. He also thinks they could make a change or two among their defensemen.

Powers doesn’t expect the Blackhawks to sign a big-name free agent to an expensive long-term contract. They’ll likely be interested in short-term options.

Those who fall into that category include Brenden Dillon of the Winnipeg Jets, Justin Schultz of the Seattle Kraken, Ian Cole of the Vancouver Canucks and Chris Tanev of the Dallas Stars.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those defensemen are in their mid-thirties. They’re at the stage of their career where they could be receptive to short-term deals. One or two could bring much-needed experience and leadership to the rebuilding Blackhawks blueline.

Tanev might not be available to the Blackhawks. The 34-year-old shutdown defenseman drew plenty of interest at the trade deadline from contenders like the Stars. If he doesn’t stay in Dallas after this season, the clubs that lost out to the Stars could revisit their interest this summer.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 19, 2024

by | Mar 19, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – March 19, 2024

An update on the Canucks’ Elias Lindholm and Filip Hronek plus some recent news on Chris Tanev, Jacob Markstrom and Linus Ullmark in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

UPDATES ON LINDHOLM AND HRONEK

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin is noncommittal about re-signing Elias Lindholm, who was acquired from the Calgary Flames in January.

Allvin said he spoke with Lindholm’s representatives following the trade expressing an interest in signing the 29-year-old center to a contract extension. “But obviously it’s got to work for both sides. We’ll see,” he said, pointing out that it’s been an adjustment period for Lindholm since the trade.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Lindholm (NHL Images).

The Canucks GM told LeBrun that those contract discussions will likely occur following this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lindholm is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He’s in the final season of a six-year contract with an average annual value of $4.85 million.

The Canucks have $25.5 million in projected salary-cap space for 2024-25 with 13 active roster players under contract. They can afford to re-sign Lindholm, however, that will depend on how long it takes to adjust to their style of play and how much he’s seeking on his next deal.

Lindholm won’t lack suitors if he goes to market on July 1. The Boston Bruins could be among them as they were frequently linked to him in trade rumors leading up to the recent deadline.

CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman suggesting the “sweet spot” in the Canucks’ contract extension talks with Filip Hronek is an AAV of $7.5 million. He believes it could cause problems if the 26-year-old defenseman seeks more.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hronek is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights and a year away from UFA eligibility. He’s in the final season of a three-year deal worth an AAV of $4.4 million.

Those problems Friedman alluded to could be how much Hronek’s new contract would bite into the Canucks cap space and the potential for an arbitration hearing. The latter could result in a one-year deal that could guarantee his departure as a UFA next July.

TIDBITS FROM “KYPER’S KORNER”

TORONTO STAR: In his recent “Kyper’s Korner,” Nick Kypreos wrote that the cost of a contract extension for Chris Tanev also factored into why the Toronto Maple Leafs didn’t trade for him before the deadline. He claimed the Tanev camp sought $5 million per season but it could go lower if the 34-year-old defenseman got a fourth year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tanev will be 35 in December. The Leafs were wise not to go for that deal.

Kypreos claimed Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom and Boston Bruins netminder Linus Ullmark refused to waive their no-trade clauses to go to the Los Angeles Kings before the recent trade deadline.

He wrote that Markstrom had no interest in being on the West Coast while Ullmark believes the Bruins have a better chance of winning the Stanley Cup than the Kings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos wondered where Los Angeles’ “Tinseltown magic” to draw players has gone. I’m not sure that has anything specific with the Kings or LA. Pierre-Luc Dubois and Kevin Fiala quickly signed new contracts after being traded to the Kings.

Markstrom’s situation is weird due to conflicting reports regarding a possible move to New Jersey last month. He wasn’t happy with how Flames management handled the situation as he didn’t want that distraction during the season.

It’s worth mentioning that Markstrom spent seven seasons with the Vancouver Canucks. He didn’t seem to mind being on the West Coast then. Maybe Kypreos was referring to the California coast.

Ullmark was rumored to have nixed a deal with the Kings but there are also reports that they weren’t the club he would’ve been sent to had the trade gone through. It’s also believed that 14 of the 16 teams on his no-trade list are Western Conference clubs.

The Kings have over $22 million in projected cap space for next season. That’s plenty of room to acquire an expensive goaltender via this summer’s trade market if they need an upgrade at that position. We’ll have to wait until then to see if they are having difficulty attracting players with no-trade clauses in their contracts.