NHL Rumor Mill – February 5, 2020

by | Feb 5, 2020

NHL Rumor Mill – February 5, 2020

The latest on Mike Hoffman, Max Domi, and Josh Anderson, plus an update on the Leafs in today’s NHL rumor mill.

COULD THE PANTHERS SHOP HOFFMAN FOR A DEFENSEMAN?

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports teams are calling the Florida Panthers regarding Mike Hoffman. With the Panthers jockeying for a playoff spot, he doesn’t think they’re shopping players but could listen to offers for Hoffman. They asked for his 10-team no-trade list in December.

The Panthers are a high-scoring team, and LeBrun suggests they have young players coming in (like Owen Tippett) who could replace Hoffman if they were to trade him. Noting their blueline needs, he feels it will take a defenseman to pry Hoffman away from the Panthers.

Could the Florida Panthers swap Mike Hoffman for a top-four defenseman? (Photo via NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers general manager Dale Tallon yesterday stated he’d like to acquire a veteran defenseman to play alongside Aaron Ekblad. “We need to be more consistent on the blue line,” he said. Tallon also said he’s in the market for help on his forward lines, though it isn’t as big a priority.

Given the Panthers’ limited salary-cap space, it could be a dollar-for-dollar swap. Hoffman carried a $5.18-million salary-cap hit. He’ll also become an unrestricted free agent in July. Since Tallon asked the winger for his no-trade list, he could be their likely trade candidate.

MORE DOMI SPECULATION

LE JOURNAL DE MONTREAL: Yvon Pedneault is the latest Montreal-based pundit to muse about Max Domi’s future with the Canadiens. He wonders if the strong performance by rookie Nick Suzuki could change Domi’s importance with the club, noting the 24-year-old forward failed to step up as a leader this season when injuries took a toll on the roster.

Domi will become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer. Pedneault points out the Canadiens have over $62 million invested in next season’s roster, with Brendan Gallagher, Phillip Danault, Joel Armia, Tomas Tatar, and Jeff Petry eligible for UFA status in 2021. With Danault and Suzuki centering the top-two lines, Pedneault questions if the Canadiens should invest a big raise in a third-line center. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Canadiens become sellers by the trade deadline, Pedneault wondered if Domi might be of interest to other clubs. Perhaps, but that’s a move GM Marc Bergevin doesn’t have to make at the trade deadline unless he gets a great offer. He can always wait until the offseason to entertain offers if Domi’s salary demands become too expensive. Bergevin could also consider moving Domi back to the left-wing on his top-six lines, especially if he doesn’t bring back Ilya Kovalchuk next season.

UPDATE ON JOSH ANDERSON

TSN: Darren Dreger took note of the interest in Columbus Blue Jackets winger Josh Anderson. However, he thinks it doesn’t make much sense for Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen to move Anderson unless he gets an offer that just blows him out of the water. Given the winger’s a restricted free agent this summer, Dreger suggests Kekailainen can move him in the off-season if unable to re-sign him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I concur. Unless the Jackets get a mind-blowing offer, Kekalainen isn’t under any pressure to trade Anderson.

LATEST ON THE LEAFS’ GOALIE SITUATION

TSN: Bob McKenzie believes the Toronto Maple Leafs will intensify their hunt for a backup goalie with starter Frederik Andersen sidelined day-to-day with a neck injury. While backup Michael Hutchinson was 4-0 in his last four starts, his shaky effort replacing Anderson in a 5-3 loss to Florida may be a tipping point.

TORONTO STAR: Dave Feschuk believes Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas can no longer ignore his backup goalie problem. He has no confidence in Hutchinson, suggesting his poor performance throughout this season should’ve spurred Dubas to address this issue much sooner.

Feschuk cites the usual trade targets, such as Pittsburgh’s Casey DeSmith, Ottawa’s Craig Anderson and the Rangers’ Alexandar Georgiev. However, he wonders if Rangers long-time starter Henrik Lundqvist might waive his no-movement clause to join a contender, though finding room for his $8.5-million annual average value could be complicated.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Everything I’ve read and heard out of New York indicates Lundqvist won’t waive his NMC. That could change, of course, but I think he’s committed to sticking with the Rangers.

It would take considerable wizardry on Dubas’ part to find a way to fit Lundqvist’s salary within the Leafs’ already limited payroll. Even if the Rangers agreed to pick up half of it, the Leafs would have to shed another $4-$5 million to make it work.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 29, 2020

by | Jan 29, 2020

NHL Rumor Mill – January 29, 2020

Should the Canadiens ship Max Domi to Toronto for Kasperi Kapanen? Are the Bruins eyeing a Ducks winger? Is interest growing in Brenden Dillon? Check out the latest in today’s NHL rumor mill.

DOMI FOR KAPANEN?

TVA SPORTS: Jean-Charles Lajoie believes the decline in Max Domi’s production in his contract year should concern Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin. Taking note of the 24-year-old winger’s streaky scoring, he thinks they can’t build a champion team with Domi.

Nevertheless, Lajoie believes Domi is among several Canadiens who would be attractive to other clubs before the Feb. 24 trade deadline. He suggests shipping Domi to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Kaspari Kapanen, who could have great chemistry with fellow Finns Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Joel Armia, while Domi would return to the city where his father was a star.

Should the Montreal Canadiens offer Max Domi to Toronto for Kasperi Kapanen (Photo via NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Could Bergevin listen to trade offers for Domi? I wouldn’t rule it out. Will he get one that entices him to trade Domi before the deadline? Probably not. Will the Leafs swap Kapanen for Domi? No. They need to bolster their blueline depth. Trading Kapanen for Domi won’t address that issue.

BRUINS PURSUING KASE?

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy cites an NHL source suggesting the Bruins could be looking at Anaheim Ducks winger Ondrej Kase. The Ducks are open for business and let it be known the 24-year-old Kase could be available for the right price.

Sweeney’s source claims Bruins general manager Don Sweeney and Ducks GM Bob Murray have discussed what that price could be. No word on what Murray could seek, but with his club set to rebuild, the asking price could be draft picks and/or prospects.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t think it’s a certainty the Ducks move Kase, but I don’t rule it out. Several pundits reported Murray wasn’t going to engage in a total roster teardown, but he’s willing to listen on certain players. Kase could be among them. Given his injury history, however, I don’t think he’s the winger to bolster the Bruins’ second-line scoring punch.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM TSN’S LATEST “INSIDER TRADING” SEGMENT

TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Winnipeg Jets are in the market for a specific top-four defenseman. It could be a rental player or one with term on his contract. Complicating things is Dustin Byfuglien’s situation hasn’t been resolved plus injuries to Adam Lowry and Bryan Little. If the latter comes back into the mix, Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff might have to move a current roster player to add that top-four blueliner.

Pierre LeBrun believes San Jose Sharks rearguard Brenden Dillon could be among the Jets’ trade targets. He said half-a-dozen teams have expressed interest in Dillon, including the Bruins and the Carolina Hurricanes. He suspects the asking price will be a second-round pick and perhaps a prospect.

LeBrun also reported there haven’t been any contract discussions between the Ottawa Senators and pending UFA Jean-Gabriel Pageau. He doubts the Senators can get a first-round pick for Pageau if he’s put on the trade block, but suggested perhaps a conditional second-rounder that becomes a first if Pageau re-signs with the acquiring club.

The Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers and maybe the Calgary Flames could pursue Pageau. None of those clubs are guaranteed to make the playoffs, so they’ll be leery about overpaying for a rental player. 

LATEST ON THE DEVILS

THE ATHLETIC: Corey Masisak reports Travis Zajac and Andy Greene recently met with New Jersey Devils interim GM Tom Fitzgerald to discuss their respective futures. Zajac has a year remaining on his contract while Green is an unrestricted free agent. Both have no-trade clauses. Zajac confirmed he rejected a recent trade opportunity, adding he wants to remain with the Devils.

Masisak also explored the trade market for pending UFA defenseman Sami Vatanen. The Devils could get a second-round pick and perhaps another asset in return. He speculates the Vegas Golden Knights and Nashville Predators could be suitors.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vatanen lacks no-trade protection and will be the easiest of the three to move if he’s not re-signed before the trade deadline. If Zajac and Greene don’t want to leave, there’s nothing Fitzgerald can do unless he tells them they won’t be re-signed. Even that might not sway them.

SABRES STILL SHOPPING

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Lance Lysowski reports Buffalo Sabres GM Jason Botterill will push to add to his roster ahead of the trade deadline if his club gains ground in the standings over the next three weeks. He said he’s still trying to add to his roster, hoping to add a forward with speed.

Doing so won’t be easy, as the Sabres have limited salary-cap space. They also haven’t found any takers for defenseman Zach Bogosian and forward Evan Rodrigues, who’ve both requested a trade.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – January 19, 2020

by | Jan 19, 2020

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – January 19, 2020

The latest on the Canadiens and Sharks plus updates on Jeff Carter and Erik Gustafsson in the Sunday NHL rumor roundup.

COULD THE CANADIENS SHOP KOVALCHUK, DOMI OR TATAR?

SPORTSNET (via KUKLA’S KORNER): Chris Johnston reports the Montreal Canadiens are very pleased with the performance of Ilya Kovalchuk. Earlier this month, they signed the veteran winger to a one-year, prorated $700K contract. He’s got eight points in as many games, including four goals. As the Canadiens get healthier coming out of the upcoming All-Star break and with the Feb. 24 trade deadline getting close, Johnston believes Kovalchuk could become a trade asset that lands the Habs a draft pick.

Will the Montreal Canadiens shop Ilya Kovalchuk for a draft pick at the trade deadline? (Photo via NHL Images)

Earlier in the week, Johnston’s colleague Eric Engels observed Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin faces some difficult decisions in the coming weeks. If leading scorer Tomas Tatar’s value in the trade market is high, Engels suggests Bergevin should explore the winger’s value in the trade market. He also feels the same about defenseman Jeff Petry, but acknowledged it would take a significant offer to tempt Bergevin as youngers blueliners Cale Fleury and Josh Brooks are at least a couple of years away from becoming top-four blueliners.

If the Canadiens can’t find a suitable return for Kovalchuk, Engels proposes attempting to re-sign the veteran winger.

TVA SPORTS: Jean-Charles Lajoie believes the Canadiens will be sellers leading up to the trade deadline. He feels they should move Kovalchuk if he can fetch a second-round selection. He also thinks a team willing to do a “problem swap” could come calling about Max Domi. Lajoie lists Nick Cousins, Dale Weise, Jordan Weal, and Brett Kulak as other trade candidates.

LE JOURNAL DE MONTREAL: Jonathan Bernier also ponders what the Habs could get for Kovalchuk in the trade market. He reminds us that the New Jersey Devils traded Brian Boyle last season to the Nashville Predators for a second-round pick. In 2017, the Detroit Red Wings sent winger Thomas Vanek to the Florida Panthers for a third-round and Dylan McIlrath, while the Colorado Avalanche got a conditional fourth from the LA Kings for Jarome Iginla.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kovalchuk’s thriving thus far in Montreal. If the Canadiens somehow surge back into the playoff chase in a month, they could hang onto him for the remainder of the season. If not, I don’t think it’s far-fetched to suggest they could get a second- or a third-round in return if he maintains his point-per-game pace.

Domi’s name has surfaced a couple of times in recent speculation. While there’s been some grumbling in the Montreal media over his temper, consistency, and supposedly selfish play, the 24-year-old reached a career-high 72 points last season and is on pace for a respectable 55 points. I’m not convinced that he’s in any danger of getting traded.

Tatar, meanwhile, has another year remaining on his contract. Bergevin doesn’t have to shop the 29-year-old winger this season, but it might not hurt to gauge his value in the trade market.

COULD CARTER HIT THE TRADE BLOCK?

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Jordan Hall wonders if LA Kings center and former Flyer Jeff Carter might be available at the trade deadline. The 35-year-old Carter is under contract through 2021-22 with an annual average salary of over $5.2 million. He’s a two-time Stanley Cup champion and a four-time 30-goal scorer who’s on pace for 23 goals this season.

Hall’s colleague John Clark said the Flyers discussed the possibility of trading for Carter. While he has fond memories of his years in Philadelphia, Carter said he doesn’t want to leave Los Angeles. “I love playing in L.A. and being a part of this team,” he said. “We’ll see where it goes.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Carter surfaced in the rumor mill midway through last season. A report claimed he could retire if traded, but he denied it. Carter lacks no-trade protection, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the rebuilding Kings looked into moving him.

Nevertheless, his age and annual average value are significant stumbling blocks. An interested club might insist on the Kings picking up a healthy portion of his salary-cap hit. Given the Flyers’ limited cap space, they can’t afford his full AAV.

BLACKHAWKS LISTENING ON GUSTAFSSON?

THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers recently reported the Chicago Blackhawks have spoken with other clubs about Erik Gustafsson. The 27-year-old defenseman is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July. He and Hawks GM Stan Bowman declined to comment regarding a possible contract extension.

A league source believes they’re checking the market value and could circle back before the trade deadline. They were asking mostly about prospects.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I agree with Powers that how the Blackhawks fare in the coming weeks will also determine what happens with Gustafsson. If they climb back into the playoff picture, they could hang onto the blueliner for a run at the postseason.

UPDATE ON THE SHARKS

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports there’s word San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson is embarrassed the first-round pick he gave up as part of the deal for Erik Karlsson could turn into a lottery selection. As a result, he’ll try to get a first-rounder back before the trade deadline. He’ll have to sweeten the pot because none of his pending UFAs (including Brenden Dillon and Melker Karlsson) will fetch a first-rounder.

Garrioch speculates teams could call about Timo Meier, Tomas Hertl, and Brent Burns. He also claims New York Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello is sniffing around for a defenseman and should give Wilson a call.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wilson’s reportedly let it be known he’s not interested in moving a core player. Of course, that could change if someone were to make a significant offer, but I doubt that type of deal takes place before the deadline.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 9, 2020

by | Jan 9, 2020

NHL Rumor Mill – January 9, 2020

The latest on the Canadiens, Islanders, Flames, Predators, Penguins, and Avalanche in today’s NHL rumor mill.

COULD THE CANADIENS BECOME SELLERS?

SPORTSNET: If the Montreal Canadiens fail to climb back into playoff contention, Elliotte Friedman wonders if general manager Marc Bergevin will move some of his veterans by the Feb. 24 trade deadline.

LE JOURNAL DE MONTREAL: Jean-Francois Chaumont examined Bergevin’s options if he goes into sell mode. The expensive contracts of goaltender Carey Price and defenseman Shea Weber makes them unlikely to be dealt. Weber’s leadership remains invaluable to the Habs.

Could Canadiens forward Max Domi price his way out of Montreal? (Photo via NHL Images)

Tomas Tatar and Jeff Petry are playing well and could fetch solid returns, but Petry’s value to the Habs blueline means it’ll take a significant offer to part with him. Chaumont also speculates Bergevin could listen to offers for Max Domi if the pending RFA proves too expensive to re-sign. It would be surprising if the Habs part ways with winger Artturi Lehkonen.

Chaumont suggests depth players such as Nate Thompson, Nick Cousins, and Brett Kulak could be peddled for draft picks. Recent acquisitions Ilya Kovalchuk and Marco Scandella could also have some value if they play well for the Habs in the coming weeks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens are nine points out of an Eastern Conference wild-card spot. Barring a miraculous turnaround between now and the trade deadline, they’re not going to reach the playoffs this season.

I don’t see Bergevin getting into a massive sell-off of assets but he could put UFAs like Kovalchuk, Scandella, and Thompson on the trade block. Price, Weber, Domi, and Petry aren’t going anywhere. Tatar has a year left on his contract, but Bergevin could gauge his value in the trade market. He’s not shopping any of his promising youngsters.

LATEST ON THE ISLANDERS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports defenseman Adam Pelech’s season-ending Achilles injury is a huge loss for the New York Islanders.

THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple recently reported Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello was succinct when asked about trade options to replace Pelech. “You don’t replace an Adam Pelech at the trade deadline,” he said.

Nevertheless, Staple speculates Lamoriello may still have to consider adding a veteran blueliner. Options could include San Jose’s Brenden Dillon, New Jersey’s Andy Greene, or Toronto’s Ben Harpur.

Staple also examined how the Islanders could address their scoring drought on the wing. He suggested Ottawa’s Tyler Ennis and Vladislav Namestnikov, Los Angeles’ Tyler Toffoli, Buffalo’s Conor Sheary, and Nashville’s Mikael Granlund as possible trade targets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lamoriello will assess his roster over the next several weeks to determine if a move or two is necessary. For now, they’re using Noah Dobson as a third-pairing defenseman, while coach Barry Trotz continues juggling his forward lines. If there’s no significant improvement, the Isles GM could enter the trade market in February.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM FRIEDMAN’S LATEST 31 THOUGHTS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving has told potential trade partners he prefers players with term on their contract over rentals. If Elias Lindholm stays at center, Treliving will seek a winger. If not, he could go in a different direction.

Friedman also said there’s a sense change is coming to the Flames if they don’t improve. They’re happy with younger players like Rasmus Andersson, Dillon Dube, and Andrew Mangiapane but not as thrilled with some of their top dogs like Johnny Gaudreau.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Treliving wants a player with term, perhaps he’ll look at Chicago Blackhawks winger Brandon Saad once he returns from his recent ankle injury. Friedman recently claimed there’s talk Saad could be available.

If the Flames fail to improve this season, a major change such as moving Gaudreau won’t happen until the offseason. That’s assuming Treliving wants to go that route.

Friedman also reports the Pittsburgh Penguins are in the market for a replacement for sidelined winger Jake Guentzel.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: And you can read my take here and here.

He also reports Nashville Predators GM David Poile could become a seller at the trade deadline if his club fails to gain ground in the standings. Center Kyle Turris has been shopped. Others could include Craig Smith, Mikael Granlund, and perhaps Nick Bonino.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My take on the Predators here.

UPDATE ON THE AVALANCHE