NHL Rumor Mill – May 5, 2023

by | May 5, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – May 5, 2023

A look at some of the offseason’s notable trade targets in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli released his latest list of NHL Trade Targets on April 27.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m getting to this now only because of the usual surge in rumors involving teams eliminated from the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson and Philadelphia Flyers center Kevin Hayes sit first and second respectively.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both have featured prominently here in recent weeks, especially at the end of the regular season with their respective clubs long eliminated from playoff contention.

Seravalli believes Karlsson’s trade value may never be higher for the Sharks. However, his hefty contract and full no-movement clause will make him difficult to move. Hayes isn’t as expensive (or as talented) as Karlsson. Still, his contract remains a significant obstacle in the path toward a trade.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard checks in at No. 3. Seravalli believes the Avs don’t want to move Girard but could have little choice given their salary-cap constraints this summer.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Girard has surfaced in trade rumors before. With an affordable $5 million cap hit and his puck-moving skills, he’d attract plenty of interest. He’ll be the Avs’ most likely trade candidate unless they can find another way to clear cap space.

Calgary Flames center Elias Lindholm and Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller are fourth and fifth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lindholm was non-committal about signing a contract extension this summer. Maybe he’ll change his mind after the Flames fired head coach Darryl Sutter.

Miller’s been floating around in the rumor despite having a seven-year contract extension kicking in on July 1. They need to clear cap space but I expect the Canucks will look at other options like Brock Boeser and Conor Garland.

Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov and Winnipeg Jets center Pierre-Luc Dubois sit sixth and seventh.

SPECTOR’S NOTES: These two have also come up frequently in recent rumors. Capitals management is said to be unhappy with Kuznetsov’s performance this season. However, his $7.8 million cap hit through 2024-25 is a stumbling block.

Dubois, meanwhile, is a restricted free agent who’s a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. He’s frequently linked to the Montreal Canadiens. Much will depend on the Jets’ asking price and where the Habs land in the draft lottery, where the prize is highly-touted center Connor Bedard.

One of the following St. Louis Blues defensemen (Colton Parayko, Justin Faulk, Nick Leddy or Marco Scandella) comes in at No. 8. One of them could be moved as a cost-cutting measure.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Plenty of speculation about that after the Blues were eliminated from playoff contention. Scandello has the most affordable cap hit ($3.275 million) and only has a modified no-trade while the others have full no-traded contracts. However, he also missed most of this season to injury.

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ross Colton and Boston Bruins winger Taylor Hall round out the top 10.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seravalli points out that the Lightning have less than $10 million to fill eight roster spots. Colton is a restricted free agent this summer. I still see him replacing Alex Killorn, who’s expected to depart as a UFA. The Bolts will find a way to keep him.

Hall made this list because the Bruins, like so many other NHL clubs, must free up space this summer if the salary cap only rises by $1 million as projected to $83.5 million.

The 31-year-old left winger carries a $6 million cap hit through 2024-25 plus a 16-team no-trade clause and a no-movement clause that prevents him from being demoted to the minors. I’m not saying he won’t be traded but I don’t see many teams wanting to add that contract to their books.

Anaheim Ducks center Adam Henrique, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers, Los Angeles Kings blueliner Sean Walker, Bruins rearguard Matt Grzelcyk and Vegas Golden Knights defender Alec Martinez fill slots 11 through 15.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’re now in the tier of depth players who should be more affordable to move though there is some contract sticking points to address.

For example, Myers is a 33-year-old blueliner with a year remaining on his contract and a cap hit of $6 million. $5 million of that will reportedly be paid to him in September as a signing bonus. That might make him easier to move by that point but his 10-team no-trade list could also be an issue.

Edmonton Oilers winger Kailer Yamamoto, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Mikael Granlund, Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov, Winnipeg Jets rearguard Logan Stanley and San Jose Sharks winger Kevin Labanc complete the remainder of the list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All of these players at one point in their careers would’ve attracted lots of attention in the trade market. Their recent struggles and (for some like Granlund and Provorov) their contracts could make them difficult to sell if the salary cap remains flattened for next season.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 24, 2023

by | Apr 24, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – April 24, 2023

More Erik Karlsson speculation plus an update on Pierre-Luc Dubois in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

MORE ERIK KARLSSON SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC: Corey Masisak examined what next season could look like for Erik Karlsson if the San Jose Sharks retain him or trade him.

Karlsson has indicated he wants to win and enjoys living and playing in San Jose. Sharks general manager Mike Grier enjoyed having the 32-year-old defenseman on the roster and will be happy to have him back next season. However, he’s also indicated he’s open to offers and if he gets a suitable one would take it to Karlsson, who has a full no-movement clause but would waive it for the right opportunity.

San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images).

Keeping Karlsson would help the Sharks improve next season. It would also leave them a little shy of $15 million in cap space meaning they won’t be making expensive forays into the unrestricted free-agent market. They have several affordable restricted free agents to re-sign plus a need for a goalie to share the duties with Kaapo Kahkonen.

Grier could open more cap space by shopping Kevin Labanc or Radim Simek rather than buying out contracts. Both players are in the final year of their respective deals.

Trading Karlsson would leave a big hole in their blueline and leave them worse off than they were this season. Finding an eventual replacement will be a priority. They could look toward the 2023 NHL draft for a future potential No. 1 defenseman.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks will obviously be a better club with Karlsson in the lineup next season than without. However, it’s clear that they’re starting to rebuild under Grier. If he gets a suitable offer that Karlsson will accept, he won’t hesitate to pull the trigger.

Karlsson’s $11.5 million average annual value through 2026-27 remains as big an obstacle as his no-movement clause. Assuming the salary cap for next season rises higher than projected, it’s still going to be difficult for Grier to find a trade partner willing to take on that full cap hit. He’ll have to retain a significant chunk or take back a bad contract in return.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Karlsson is traded this summer. It will be interesting to see how Grier pulls it off.

DUBOIS EXPECTED AN OFFER SHEET FROM THE CANADIENS

TVA SPORTS: Appearing on The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro, The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline said Winnipeg Jets center Pierre-Luc Dubois always wanted to play for the Montreal Canadiens during his tenure with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Portzline delved into the real reason behind Dubois’ departure from the Blue Jackets, pointing out that he was their top center and had bought a new apartment in Columbus. While the assumption was that Dubois was clashing with then-Jackets coach John Tortorella, Portzline believes that the center was expecting an offer sheet from the Canadiens.

He noted that Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen made two trades in the final hours before the free-agent market opened that year (“two defensemen out the door”) to ensure sufficient cap space to match any potential offer. Portzline thinks that’s what changed the relationship between Dubois and the Jackets’ management.

SPECTOR’ S NOTE: The two trades Portzline is referring to occurred on Oct. 8, the day before the 2020 NHL free-agent market opened.

Cap Friendly shows the Jackets sending Ryan Murray ($4.6 million) to the New Jersey Devils and Markus Nutivaara ($2.7 million) to the Florida Panthers. That move freed up a combined $7.3 million in cap space to match an offer sheet for Dubois by the Canadiens or another club.

Dubois signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Jackets on Dec. 31 before training camps opened for the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season. Over three weeks later, on Jan. 23, 2021, he was traded to the Jets.

This revelation by Portzline will only stoke speculation that he could be traded to the Canadiens this summer. It’s been rumored since last year that Dubois hopes to join the Canadiens by next summer as an unrestricted free agent. There was conjecture that his appearance at last year’s draft in Montreal was in anticipation of a trade to the Canadiens, though he subsequently denied that was the case.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – April 16, 2023

by | Apr 16, 2023

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – April 16, 2023

Updates on the Flyers and Capitals plus the latest on Erik Karlsson, Jake Guentzel and Joel Edmundson in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

UPDATES ON THE FLYERS AND CAPITALS

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Sam Carchidi reported Flyers forward Kevin Hayes dropped hints suggesting he might be traded this summer during his end-of-season interview with the media on Friday. “I picked up the message that was sent months ago,” he said. “I’m OK with it. It’s their decision.”

Philadelphia Flyers center Kevin Hayes (NHL Images).

The 30-year-old center believes the Flyers intend to get younger and free up salary-cap space. He’s signed for three more seasons with an annual cap hit of $7.1 million. He believes the decision on his future has already been made and expects to find out by the draft.

THE ATHLETIC: Charlie O’Connor reports Tony DeAngelo wants to remain with the Flyers but he’s keeping mum as to why he was scratched from the final games of the season.

“I’m sure there’s reasons for it, but nothing that either of us are obviously willing to discuss,” DeAngelo said, referring to head coach John Tortorella. Given how the blueliner’s season ended, O’Connor believes it’s fair to wonder if he’ll be back with the Flyers next season.

Speaking of Flyers defensemen, O’Connor noted Ivan Provorov offered up a lukewarm response regarding the direction of the club and his role on the roster. It was rumored back in January that he wasn’t happy with the reduction of his ice time, the club’s struggles and its embrace of a rebuilding strategy.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It sounds like Hayes is going to be shopped this summer. It wouldn’t be surprising if GM Daniel Briere dangles DeAngelo as a trade chip and entertains offers for Provorov.

The New York Post’s Larry Brooks suggested DeAngelo could be bought out of the final year of his contract. He also pointed out that going that route with Hayes won’t be as simple given the six years of cap penalties. Then again, eating half of his contract to facilitate a trade would be more costly over the next three years than a buyout.

As I noted back in December when talk of a Hayes buyout first surfaced, going that route would leave the Flyers paying out $16.5 million over six years with most of it paid out in the first three years. Retaining half in a trade leaves them carrying $3.57 million in dead cap space per season for three years.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber reported Friday that the Washington Capitals intend to waste little time kicking off a busy offseason. Coming off this year’s trade deadline as a seller, the club intends to continue retooling and reworking its roster this summer.

There are questions regarding center Evgeny Kuznetsov and winger Anthony Mantha following the decline in their respective performances this season. GM Brian MacLellan must decide if he’ll attempt to move them and bring in other top-six players to replace them or keep them for next season and see how they perform under a new head coach.

Kuznetsov didn’t talk much during the Capitals locker clean-out day, saying he needed more time to digest a disappointing campaign. The 30-year-old center did admit to playing through an injury but wouldn’t speculate as to whether he could be traded.

MacLellan, however, expressed his dismay with Kuznetsov’s underwhelming performance this season. Silber suggested the center could become a trade chip.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuznetsov is signed through 2024-25 with an average annual value of $7.8 million and a 10-team no-trade list. The decline in his stats this season will make that contract harder to move.

Mantha, meanwhile, lacks no-trade protection and has a year left on his deal worth $5.7 million. Like Kuznetsov, however, the drop in his production this season hurts his trade value.

LATEST ON KARLSSON, GUENTZEL AND EDMUNDSON

THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka believes the biggest question of the offseason for the San Jose Sharks is whether Erik Karlsson will be back next season. Given the 32-year-old defenseman’s career-best performance this season, their asking price will be high for teams interested in acquiring him.

What Karlsson wants to do is also important. He stressed that he wants to win but Pashelka wondered if upgrades to the Sharks’ roster through the draft as well as trades and free agency might give the blueliner optimism that they’ll be competitive sooner rather than later.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Expect the Karlsson trade rumors to start again in June as we get close to the NHL Draft later that month.

TRIBLIVE.COM: Mark Madden believes Jake Guentzel’s future will be among the priorities facing the Pittsburgh Penguins’ new general manager. The 28-year-old winger is heading into the final year of his contract with an annual cap hit of $6 million.

The new GM will have to decide whether to sign Guentzel to a contract extension this summer or trade him. Madden feels they can’t risk losing him to free agency next summer. He carries a 12-team no-trade list and would fetch a good return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The coming offseason will be an interesting one for the Penguins following their recent front-office firings. If they’re retooling, they’ll likely re-sign Guentzel. If it’s a rebuild, perhaps the winger becomes a trade chip to bring in a return that starts restocking their depleted prospect pipeline.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan recently reported Canadiens defenseman Joel Edmundson hopes he’ll be back next season. He probably would’ve been moved at the trade deadline if he hadn’t been sidelined at various times earlier in the season by injuries.

Edmundson has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $3.5 million. He stayed healthy and played well over the final 22 games of the season, which might pique the interest of other clubs in this summer’s trade market. However, he probably won’t fetch as much as he would’ve at the trade deadline.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 16, 2023

by | Apr 16, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 16, 2023

The three stars from the final week of the regular season are announced, notable news from locker clean-out day for eliminated clubs, and notable updates involving several playoff teams in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THREE STARS OF THE FINAL WEEK OF THE REGULAR SEASON

NHL.COM: Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brent Burns and Vegas Golden Knight goaltender Laurent Brossoit are the three stars for the week ending April 14

NOTABLE NEWS FROM LOCKER CLEAN-OUT DAY FOR ELIMINATED TEAMS

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson once again emphasized that he still likes playing for the Sharks but winning remains his priority. He once again shrugged off the trade rumors dogging him throughout this season, adding that he’s focusing on the present. Karlsson intends to take some time to enjoy himself and resume training for next season.

San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Karlsson is handling this diplomatically as he has all season but that won’t make the trade speculation disappear. There were teams interested in him but his hefty contract proved difficult to move during the season. It’s expected trade chatter involving Karlsson will pick up in June when teams have more cap space to work with for next season.

CALGARY HOCKEY NOW: Flames winger Jonathan Huberdeau vowed to bounce back next season from his lackluster performance in 2022-23. Following a career-best 115-point performance last season with the Florida Panthers, he managed just 55 points this season with the Flames.

“I didn’t lose my talent in five months. I’m not a different player from what I was last season,” said Huberdeau. He acknowledged that he found it challenging playing under head coach Darryl Sutter’s system and struggled to adjust to playing right wing after spending his career on the left side.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Moving to Calgary after 10 seasons with the Panthers likely required some adjustment for Huberdeau. Struggling to play up to expectations after signing an eight-year contract extension worth $10.5 million annually was probably another factor that affected his play.

THE PROVINCE: Six months after injuring his left hand and several surgeries later, Vancouver Canucks winger Tanner Pearson is trying to get his career and life back on track. He didn’t comment about the quality of care he received from the Canucks but it’s expected he’ll file a grievance against the club with the help of the NHL Players’ Association. “I’m just trying to get my hand back,” he said.

Canucks winger Brock Boeser made it clear that he wants to continue his career in Vancouver. “To be completely honest with you, I don’t want to be traded,” he said. The 26-year-old winger struggled through a difficult first half following the death of his father last year, sparking speculation that he would be traded.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The rumors seemed to suggest that the Canucks were listening to offers for Boeser but they weren’t actively shopping him. They could move him for the right price as they’re reportedly looking to garner salary-cap flexibility for next season but they could consider other options before going that route.

THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER: Flyers winger Cam Atkinson is looking forward to 2023-24 after missing all of this season with a herniated disc in his neck that required surgery after a few misdiagnoses and conflicting information from doctors. Despite the confusion at the start of his recovery, Atkinson said he has full confidence in the Flyers’ medical staff and is feeling better now.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The report noted that head coach John Tortorella said earlier in the season that the club was focused on increasing trust between the players and the medical staff after a new head trainer was brought in.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Washington Capitals winger T.J. Oshie revealed he underwent a minor procedure to address lingering back issues. He’s looking forward to a full summer of training, claiming he’s feeling good and is optimistic moving forward.

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Penguins forward Jeff Carter said he and his family love living in Pittsburgh and he intends to finish the final season of his contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bang goes the fantasy of those Penguins fans hoping the club’s new management would convince the 38-year-old Carter to waive his no-movement clause. They could buy him out but because it’s a 35-plus contract they won’t get any cap relief from doing so.

THE ATHLETIC’s Aaron Portzline reports Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins won’t be playing for Latvia in next month’s IIHF World Championships. He’s at a career crossroads after struggling this season and is putting his offseason focus on preparing for 2023-24.

OTTAWA SUN: Senators center Josh Norris will be spending the summer preparing for next season after undergoing shoulder surgery in January…Defenseman Thomas Chabot revealed he fractured a bone and tore ligaments in his wrist…Blueliner Travis Hamonic injured the meniscus and medial collateral ligament in his right knee late in the season…Rearguard Jakob Chychrun was sidelined by a hamstring injury.

PLAYOFF NOTES

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Bruins center David Krejci returned to practice on Saturday after missing the last six games of the regular season. However, captain Patrice Bergeron skipped practice for precautionary reasons as he’s still feeling the effects of an upper-body injury suffered on Thursday.

Winger Brad Marchand left practice for precautionary reasons after experiencing some soreness. Meanwhile, Nick Foligno and Derek Forbort resumed scrimmaging with their teammates.

TSN: New Jersey Devils winger Timo Meier missed practice on Saturday due to food poisoning.

Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett missed the final 12 games of the regular season with an undisclosed injury but could return at some point in his club’s first-round series with the Bruins.

WINNIPEG SUN: Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers said he was merely winded from a heavy hit by Minnesota’s Ryan Hartman, did not suffer a head injury, and is ready to play in Game 1 of his club’s first-round series with the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday.

TWINCITIES.COM: Speaking of the Wild, sidelined center Joel Eriksson Ek is progressing faster than expected after being listed as week-to-week following a lower-body injury suffered on April 6. He’s resumed skating, prompting speculation he might at least travel with the team as they start their first-round series this week against the Dallas Stars.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 11, 2023

by | Apr 11, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 11, 2023

The Sharks’ Erik Karlsson reaches the 100-point milestone, the Flames are eliminated from playoff contention, the Stars’ Joe Pavelski and the Senators’ Claude Giroux reach 1,000 career points, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: The San Jose Sharks’ Erik Karlsson became the first defenseman in 31 years to net 100 points in a season in a 6-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. Karlsson scored twice to reach the milestone last achieved by Brian Leetch in 1991-92. Meanwhile, Jets blueliner Josh Morrisey had a goal and two assists as his club moved closer to clinching the final Western Conference wild-card spot with 93 points.

San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 32-year-old Karlsson is only the sixth NHL defenseman to reach the 100-point plateau and the oldest to do so. He’s considered the front-runner to win the Norris Trophy. Meanwhile, the Sharks revealed that Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Alexander Barabanov, Andreas Johnsson and Oskar Lindblom are out with season-ending injuries.

Shootout goals by Cody Glass and Tommy Novak lifted the Nashville Predators to a 3-2 win over the Calgary Flames, officially eliminating the latter from playoff contention. Juuse Saros made 44 saves in regulation and overtime for the 41-31-8 Predators, who kept their slim playoff hopes alive with 90 points. Jacob Markstrom stopped 27 shots for the Flames (37-27-17) as they sit one point ahead of the Predators and two back of the Jets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Predators and Jets have two games remaining while the Flames have only one. The Jets can clinch that wild-card spot with a win tonight over the Minnesota Wild.

The New York Islanders’ chances of securing a wild-card spot got slimmer as they were upset 5-2 by the Washington Capitals. Dylan Strome tallied twice and Darcy Kuemper stopped 38 shots for the Capitals while Hudson Fasching and Casey Cizikas replied for the 41-31-9 Islanders as they held the final Eastern wild-card berth with 91 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Islanders sit one game up on the Pittsburgh Penguins, who hold a game in hand and now control their own fate. Speaking of the Isles, center Bo Horvat said his recent comments praising the fan support his club is receiving weren’t meant as a slight against the Vancouver Canucks or their fans. Horvat was the Canucks’ captain until traded to the Islanders in January.

Meanwhile, the Capitals announced winger T.J. Oshie had been shut down for the remainder of the season with an upper-body injury.

An overtime goal by John Tavares gave the Toronto Maple Leafs a 2-1 victory over the Florida Panthers. Auston Matthews netted his 40th goal of the season for the Leafs as they sit second in the Atlantic Division with 107 points. Brandon Montour replied for the 42-31-8 Panthers (92 points) as they failed to clinch the first Eastern Conference wild-card berth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers have one game remaining in their schedule. They could still be overtaken by the Islanders or Penguins.

Matthews set two Leafs records with the most consecutive 40-goal seasons (four) and the most in franchise history with five. Things also got interesting for the Leafs in goal as they were forced to bring in an emergency backup on an amateur tryout contract when they were denied a goaltending salary-cap exemption. It’s believed this may have been an emergency of their own making by signing prospect forward Matthew Knies to his three-year entry-level contract over the weekend.

Speaking of the Eastern wild card race, the Buffalo Sabres kept their playoff hopes alive by nipping the New York Rangers 3-2 on a shootout goal by Casey Mittelstadt, who also tied the game in the third period. Devon Levi made 26 saves to pick up his fourth win in five games for the 40-32-7 Sabres (87 points) as they sit four points behind the Islanders with three games remaining in their schedule.

Dallas Stars winger Joe Pavelski scored to reach the 1,000-point plateau as his club dropped the Detroit Red Wings 6-1. Jason Robertson had a goal and two assists as the Stars sit in second place in the Central Divison with 104 points. David Perron replied for the Red Wings.

Ottawa Senators forward Claude Giroux also reached 1,000 career points with two goals and an assist in a 3-2 upset of the Carolina Hurricanes. Martin Necas collected two assists for the Hurricanes (109 points) as they remain one point ahead of the New Jersey Devils in first place in the Metropolitan Division.

The Los Angeles Kings blanked the Vancouver Canucks 3-0 on a 20-save shutout by Joonas Korpisalo. Arthur Kaliyev, Vladislav Gavrikov and Drew Doughty scored for the Kings, who sit third in the Pacific Division with 102 points. Collin Delia stopped 25 shots for the Canucks.

Two third-period goals by Marcus Johansson gave the Minnesota Wild a 4-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Filip Gustavsson kicked out 40 shots for the Wild as they’re sitting third in the Central with 102 points. Joey Anderson and Anders Bjork replied for the Blackhawks.

The Seattle Kraken picked up their fifth straight win by beating the Arizona Coyotes 4-1. Jared McCann and Justin Schultz each had a goal and an assist for the Kraken as they reached the 100-point plateau for the first time in franchise history and hold the first Western wild-card spot. Jack McBain scored for the Coyotes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of the Kraken, they signed prospect David Goyette on Monday to a three-year entry-level contract. He’s been assigned to their AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley along with center Shane Wright, whose junior season recently ended when his Windsor Spitfires were eliminated from the opening round of the 2023 OHL playoffs.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, Seattle Kraken winger Jordan Eberle, and Florida Panthers goaltender Alex Lyon are the NHL’s three stars for the week ending April 9.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Professional Hockey Writers Association unveiled each team’s nominees for the 2023 Bill Masterton Trophy. They included Dallas Stars winger Jamie Benn, New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton, New York Islanders winger Zach Parise, Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang, Toronto Maple Leafs blueliner Mark Giordano, Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser, Vegas Golden Knights winger Phil Kessel and Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlsson are among the notable players nominated for this award.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Click the link above for the full list, which will be whittled down to three finalists and will be handed out during the 2023 NHL Awards on June 26 in Nashville.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Lightning winger Tanner Jeannot (injured leg) is expected to miss the early part of his club’s opening-round series against the Maple Leafs next week. However, he could return to action at some point in that series.

NHL.COM: Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Strome was fined $5,000.00 by the department of player safety for unsportsmanlike conduct during his club’s overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday.

SEATTLE HOCKEY INSIDER: The Kraken signed prospect David Goyette on Monday to a three-year entry-level contract. He’s been assigned to their AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley along with center Shane Wright, whose junior season recently ended when his Windsor Spitfires were eliminated from the opening round of the 2023 OHL playoffs.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 8, 2023

by | Apr 8, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – April 8, 2023

Is Erik Karlsson playing his final games with the San Jose Sharks? What’s the latest on the Capitals? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

IS THIS ERIK KARLSSON’S FINAL SEASON WITH THE SHARKS?

THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka wonders if Erik Karlsson’s home game on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers will be his last with the San Jose Sharks. Eliminated from postseason contention, the Sharks wrap up their season with a three-game road trip ending in Edmonton on Thursday.

San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images).

Karlsson, 33, has said multiple times that he wants to play for a contender. However, the Sharks have missed the playoffs for the fourth straight season and are years away from Stanley Cup contention.

Once this season is over, Karlsson said he’ll meet with management to evaluate where they go from here. Sharks general manager Mike Grier said last fall that he was willing to listen to offers for the two-time Norris Trophy winner. There was speculation prior to the March 3 trade deadline of discussions between the Sharks and the Oilers but Grier said nothing came to fruition.

Karlsson carries an $11.5 million salary cap hit through 2026-27 and also has a full no-movement clause. Nevertheless, the list of possible suitors could grow this summer, especially if the salary cap rises by more than the projected $1 million for next season. Even so, Pashelka believes the Sharks would still have to retain part of Karlsson’s salary to facilitate a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Karlsson’s age, cap hit and the remaining years on his contract are significant obstacles in the path toward a trade. Nevertheless, he’s enjoying a career-best performance that could see him become the first defensemen in 31 years to reach 100 points in a season. He’s also the favorite to win the Norris Trophy for the third time in his career.

Karlsson will remain a hot topic for trade conjecture once the playoffs end in June. The most likely window for a move is the last half of June when teams have more salary-cap space and willingness to invest in big-name talent. The more the Sharks are willing to retain in salary, the more interest they’ll get.

LATEST ON THE CAPITALS

THE ATHLETIC: Tarik El-Bashir recently looked at which members of the Washington Capitals will be staying and those that will be going during the upcoming offseason.

He feels the Capitals might be willing to listen on Evgeny Kuznetsov and Anthony Mantha. Kuznetsov was recently the subject of a rumor out of Russia claiming he requested a trade. He shot it down but his situation could bear watching this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As I’ve noted before, this isn’t the first time Kuznetsov has popped up in the rumor mill but he rebounded from a disappointing 2020-21 season to put up solid numbers last season. With two years remaining on his contract at an annual average value of $7.8 million, he’s probably not going anywhere unless the Capitals retain some salary in the deal.

Mantha’s disappointing performance could see his future linked to that of head coach Peter Laviolette. El-Bashir doesn’t see a contract buyout happening.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mantha’s stock has likely plummeted in the trade market. Signed through next season at a cap hit of $5.7 million, he’ll be tough to move unless there’s salary retention involved on the Capitals’ part.

As for Laviolette, it felt like he would get a contract extension. However, the situation feels much more tenuous now after two no-show losses to the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I think a coaching change is coming. On the one hand, the Capitals were walloped by injuries to key players this season. Laviolette can’t be faulted for that. On the other hand, if he was going to get a contract extension, it probably would’ve happened by now.

Conor Sheary is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July. It’s hard to know whether he has a future in Washington. At this stage, it seems like he’ll be playing elsewhere next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: El-Bashir’s colleague Eric Duhatschek believes the Capitals will look to retool this summer rather than rebuild. He expects the four extra draft picks they received in their trade deadline deals (two third-rounders in 2024 and two second-rounders in 2025) will be used as trade chips this summer.