NHL Rumor Mill – March 15, 2022

by | Mar 15, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – March 15, 2022

​What next for the Ducks and Avalanche following the Josh Manson trade? Could the Islanders shop Semyon Varlamov? What’s the latest on the Golden Knights and Oilers? Find out in today’s NHL rumor mill.

ARE MORE TRADES COMING FOR THE DUCKS AND AVALANCHE?

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: Elliott Teaford suggests the Anaheim Ducks might not be done dealing after shipping Josh Manson to the Colorado Avalanche yesterday. He reminds us that Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek recently indicated he would trade pending unrestricted free agents like Manson if he couldn’t get them re-signed before the March 21 trade deadline.

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm (NHL Images).

Ducks defenseman (and pending UFA) Hampus Lindholm has been the subject of trade speculation for weeks. He reportedly seeks a longer-term deal than the five-year contract he’s been offered. He could fetch a good return for the Ducks if he’s moved before the deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most of the focus will be on Lindholm but he’s not the only UFA the Ducks could peddle by the deadline. Winger Rickard Rakell could also draw interest from clubs seeking a scoring right wing. He’s been linked to the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins in recent trade rumors.

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun believes the Avalanche isn’t finished in the trade market. He thinks they’re still interested in Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux among other forwards.

THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh observes salary-cap space is tight for the Avalanche. However, they could garner some flexibility by placing captain Gabriel Landeskog and his $7 million cap hit on long-term injury reserve following his knee surgery yesterday.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Adrian Dater rules out the possibility of the Avalanche acquiring goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury from the Chicago Blackhawks. He’s been told there’s not much interest on the Avs part in a big offer for Fleury. He also believes they’ll pursue a forward leading up to the deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avs have been linked to Giroux for weeks but there have been recent rumblings they could be looking at more affordable options such as the Winnipeg Jets’ Andrew Copp. If the focus is to boost their bottom-six, Copp would make the most sense.

WILL THE ISLANDERS SHOP VARLAMOV?

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz recently reported it’s believed New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov won’t waive his no-trade clause to go to the Edmonton Oilers. He also wondered if the Washington Capitals (one of Varlamov’s former clubs) might turn to the Isles netminder if they’re unable to acquire Marc-Andre Fleury from the Blackhawks.

A pair of sources told Kurz the Toronto Maple Leafs could be a fit, but any deal involving the cap-strapped Maple Leafs might involve taking on Petr Mrazek and his $3.8 million cap hit through 2023-24. The Vegas Golden Knights could be another option given starter Robin Lehner’s battle with injuries this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Varlamov carries a $5 million annual average value through 2022-23 with a 16-team no-trade clause. Those factors will make him difficult to move if the Islanders wish to shop him as a cost-cutting move. It might have to involve a “hockey trade” with the Isles taking back a player in return.

LATEST ON CRAIG ANDERSON, MARTIN JONES, PAVEL ZACHA & TYLER MOTTE

TSN: Pierre LeBrun speculates there could be some “tire-kicking” on Buffalo Sabres goaltender Craig Anderson. The team has huge respect for Anderson and LeBrun doesn’t think they’ll move him unless he’s comfortable with it.

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Jordan Hall believes Flyers backup Martin Jones has solid rental potential for any team with instability between the pipes. He’s a pending UFA on a one-year, $2 million contract. Hall noted a report in late January indicating the Edmonton Oilers were willing to give up a late-round draft pick for Jones but the Flyers likely wanted to let the market play out for leverage purposes.

SPORTSNET’S Elliotte Friedman (stick tap to NHL Watcher) said the Montreal Canadiens are one of the teams with an interest in New Jersey Devils forward Pavel Zacha.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zacha, 24, is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights completing a three-year deal with a $2.5 million annual cap hit and $3 million this season in actual salary. The Vancouver Canucks were also reportedly interested in him.

THE ATHLETIC: Joe Smith suggested Vancouver Canucks bottom-six forward Tyler Motte could be an intriguing trade option for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He’s a UFA this summer with a $1.25 million salary-cap hit this season. A second-round pick or an equivalent prospect could be the asking price but it remains to be seen if the Canucks will trade him while they’re jockeying for a wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

UPDATES ON THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS AND OILERS

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: David Schoen believes the slumping Golden Knights needs to bolster their goaltending with starter Robin Lehner still battling injuries. Possible trade options could include the New York Rangers’ Alexandar Georgiev, New York Islanders’ Semyon Varlamov, the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Joonas Korpisalo and the Dallas Stars’ Braden Holtby.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: With just over $1.2 million in projected deadline cap space, the Golden Knights don’t have much wiggle room here to add a goalie. Varlamov’s $5 million cap hit through next season is too expensive and the Stars aren’t moving Holtby with Anton Khudobin undergoing hip surgery. That leaves Georgiev and Korpisalo and there’s no certainty either guy will give Vegas the boost they need between the pipes.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson believes Oilers GM Ken Holland has to be in “add mode” as the trade deadline approaches with his club scrambling to nail down a playoff berth. He believes Holland should add an older, bigger defenseman such as the Philadelphia Flyers’ Justin Braun, the Detroit Red Wings’ Marc Staal or the Seattle Kraken’s Carson Soucy. Braun and Staal are pending UFAs while Soucy has a year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $2.75 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The cap-strapped Oilers will need some help acquiring one of those defensemen. Matheson speculates Holland could be prepared to offer up checking-line forward Josh Archibald (and pending UFA) as a trade chip. However, he might have to include a pick or prospect in the deal.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – March 13, 2022

by | Mar 13, 2022

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – March 13, 2022

Will Marc-Andre Fleury waive his no-trade clause to join a winner? What’s the latest on Claude Giroux, Tomas Hertl and John Klingberg? Are the Canucks pursuing a Penguins defenseman? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SATURDAY’S “32 THOUGHTS”

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes Marc-Andre Fleury’s 10-team no-trade list is “irrelevant”. He believes the Chicago Blackhawks goaltender could accept a trade to a club where he has a chance to win (like the Colorado Avalanche or Toronto Maple Leafs) if a deal can be made.

Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lots of mixed signals regarding Fleury. Some believe he’ll accept a trade to a Cup contender while others suggest he’s leaning toward finishing the season in Chicago. Maybe that offer will arrive before March 21 but his $7 million cap hit will be a stumbling block that could require some creativity to overcome.

I think the Avalanche will stick with their tandem of Darcy Kuemper and recently re-signed Pavel Francouz. I can’t see the Leafs adding Fleury without shipping out Petr Mrazek but I doubt they’ll find many takers given his woeful performance of late.

Jeff Marek said things are quiet regarding Claude Giroux. Teams have called the Philadelphia Flyers about their 34-year-old captain but Marek doesn’t believe there have been any big offers yet. On Thursday, Giroux will play his 1,000th game with the Flyers against the Nashville Predators. Friedman suggests keeping an eye on the Avalanche as injuries to Gabriel Landeskog and Samuel Girard could open up some salary-cap flexibility to do something.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Landeskog carries a $7 million cap hit and Girard $5 million. Putting one or both on long-term injury reserve would give the Avs plenty of wiggle room to take on someone like Giroux. Much will depend, however, on whether they’re out for the remainder of the regular season. Girard is reportedly out approximately four weeks, meaning he’ll be back before the season ends on April 29. Landeskog, however, could be sidelined until early May.

Friedman reports San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl’s name is not out there in the trade market. The Sharks are continuing contract negotiations with the 28-year-old Hertl. Friedman said he’s been told Hertl isn’t available at this point in time.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Contract term is believed to be the main area of concern in the Hertl talks. The Sharks could start fielding trade inquiries by the end of this week if they’re no closer to an agreement.

Marek believes it’s time to take John Klingberg off the trade board. The 29-year-old Dallas Stars defenseman was the subject of trade chatter. It’s believed the Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs were among the clubs that looked at him. However, with Miro Heiskanen sidelined by mononucleosis, he’s become more valuable to the Stars.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Even with a healthy Heiskanen, the Stars weren’t likely to trade Klingberg. They’re jockeying for a wild-card spot in the Western Conference and need all hands on deck.

Friedman also reports the Pittsburgh Penguins‘ John Marino is among the young defensemen on the Vancouver Canucks’ radar. He’d doubtful the Canucks can land him as the Penguins think highly of Marino and it’s difficult to find a trade match.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canucks hockey ops president Jim Rutherford and general manager Patrik Allvin know Marino from their days in Penguins management. I’d see the odd report lately linking Marino to the Canucks but I didn’t put much stock in it for the same reasons as Friedman.

​










NHL Rumor Mill – March 12, 2022

by | Mar 12, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – March 12, 2022

​The latest on Hampus Lindholm, Josh Manson, Rickard Rakell, Marc-Andre Fleury, Dominik Kubalik, Max Domi and Joel Armia plus updates on the Blues and Senators in today’s NHL rumor mill.

NO LONG-TERM CONTRACT OFFERS FOR LINDHOLM, MANSON AND RAKELL?

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: Elliott Teaford reports scuttlebutt around the league suggests defensemen Hampus Lindholm and Josh Manson and winger Rickard Rakell won’t get long-term contract extension offers from the Anaheim Ducks. Pat Verbeek, their new general manager, is said to favor three- or four-year extension offers (or possibly shorter) rather than six- to eight years deals.

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm (NHL Images).

Verbeek’s priority is believed to be signing Lindholm. He’s the only one of those three pending unrestricted free agents the Ducks GM mentioned by name during a recent meeting with season-ticket holders.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Verbeek will have to make the money worth their while if he hopes to get those three to sign deals that are at most four years in length. Otherwise, he should start peddling those three now because I doubt they’ll take less than market value cap-wise on short-term deals to stay in Anaheim.

The annual average value of Lindholm’s current contract is $5.205 million but he’s earning $6.75 million in actual salary. He could seek at least $7 million annually on his next contract.

LATEST ON FLEURY AND KUBALIK

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Ben Pope reports Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury hopes to avoid this summer’s free-agent market by re-signing with the Hawks or inking an extension with whichever club might acquire him at the trade deadline. Pope also reported the Ducks and Edmonton Oilers have been linked to Blackhawks winger Dominik Kubalik.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fleury is an unrestricted free agent this summer. He could be amenable to a one-year contract but could seek something not too far below his current annual average value of $7 million.

Kubalik is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights who’s a year away from UFA eligibility. He’s earning an annual average value of $3.7 million while his actual salary this season is $4 million. Maybe the Ducks are eyeing the 26-year-old winger as a possible replacement for Rakell.

TEAMS INTERESTED IN DOMI AND ARMIA

TSN: Darren Dreger reports there’s a higher level of interest in the trade market for Max Domi. The Columbus Blue Jackets winger has elevated his play in recent games. Dreger noted Domi may not be among the top tier of players in the trade market but he’s not that far below.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marco D’Amico also cited Dreger reporting the Canadiens have fielded some calls about forward Joel Armia based on his playoff performance over the past two seasons. D’Amico points out Armia has three more seasons left on his contract with an annual average value of $3.4 million, suggesting the Canadiens might have to retain some salary to move him or take back a contract in return.

LATEST ON THE BLUES AND SENATORS

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford weighed in on some of the recent trade speculations regarding the St. Louis Blues. One source said they’re no longer involved in talks with the Seattle Kraken regarding Mark Giordano while Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun isn’t the blueliner they’re focused on as they seek a shutdown rearguard.

The Blues remain interested in the Montreal Canadiens’ Ben Chiarot and the Seattle Kraken’s Carson Soucy. They’re also seeking a fourth-line penalty-killing forward.

Rutherford acknowledged the trade speculation linking the Blues to Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux. While not ruling it out, he considers the addition of Giroux a long shot citing his contract and the Blues’ depth at forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues are also bumping up against the $81.5 million salary cap. It will take some creativity to acquire Chiarot or Soucy even though they carry affordable cap hits. It could take a three-team deal to bring Giroux to St. Louis.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators GM Pierre Dorion is ready to deal but things are quiet right now in the trade market. He’s willing to move defensemen Michael Del Zotto and Josh Brown and forwards Chris Tierney and Zach Sanford.

Teams are expressing interest in pending UFA forward Nick Paul and goaltender Anton Forsberg. However, the Senators are focused on keeping them.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 11, 2022

by | Mar 11, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – March 11, 2022

Leafs and Capitals not on Marc-Andre Fleury’s trade list? Will it take a three-team deal to move Claude Giroux? Should the Rangers pursue Rickard Rakell or Hampus Lindholm? All this and much more in today’s NHL rumor mill.

LEAFS, CAPITALS REPORTEDLY NOT ON FLEURY’S TRADE LIST.

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals have talked to the Chicago Blackhawks about Marc-Andre Fleury. However, they’re not believed on his shortlist of preferred destinations and both clubs were merely conducting due diligence in the trade market.

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The options beyond Fleury aren’t great for either club. The Toronto Sun’s Terry Koshan listed the Dallas Stars’ Braden Holtby and Anton Khudobin, the Vancouver Canucks’ Jaroslav Halak, Columbus Blue Jackets’ Joonas Korpisalo, New York Rangers’ Alexander Georgiev, and the Ottawa Senators’ Anton Forsberg as possible options. None of them are likely to resolve the Leafs and Capitals’ goaltending issues.

WILL IT TAKE A THREE-TEAM TRADE TO MOVE GIROUX?

Pierre LeBrun said it could take a three-team deal for the Philadelphia Flyers to move Claude Giroux before the trade deadline. It’s not the preferred option as the Flyers would rather make a straight deal with another team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A lot of the teams linked to Giroux (Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, St. Louis Blues) have limited salary-cap space. Pulling off a straight trade with one club remains possible but absorbing the remainder of Giroux’s $8.275 million cap hit won’t be easy.

SHOULD RANGERS PURSUE RAKELL OR LINDHOLM?

THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple suggests the New York Rangers shift their focus for a top-six right winger on the Anaheim Ducks’ Rickard Rakell if the Vancouver Canucks’ J.T. Miller is no longer on the table. If general manager Chris Drury intends to use defenseman Nils Lundkvist as his main trade chip, Staple wondered if there’s a deal with Anaheim that could include blueliner Hampus Lindholm.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Carrying over $30 million in projected trade-deadline cap space and plenty of promising young assets, the Rangers are expected to be buyers before the trade deadline. Maybe Rakell or Lindholm is on Drury’s radar or maybe he’s eyeing up other options. Perhaps he’s looking at Seattle’s Mark Giordano, Vancouver’s Conor Garland or Montreal’s Artturi Lehkonen. Speaking of Miller…

CANUCKS DOWNPLAY MILLER AND BOESER TRADE SPECULATION

SPORTSNET: Iain MacIntyre reports Vancouver Canucks president of hockey ops Jim Rutherford and general manager Patrik Allvin continue to downplay media trade rumors swirling about forwards J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser. While acknowledging receiving calls from other clubs, they’re not shopping either player.

Allvin maintains the club’s plan for Miller, who has a year remaining on his contract, is to meet with the 29-year-old center this summer to discuss his future with the Canucks. While it will cost the club $7.5 million to qualify Boeser’s rights this summer, management feels they still have time to navigate this issue.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Miller or Boeser could be moved by March 21 if a rival club steps up to meet what will be a high asking price for either player. However, they’re not facing the same pressure to move either guy as they would if they were eligible for UFA status this summer.

REPORT: BRUINS’ SWAYMAN “OFF-LIMITS” IN TRADE MARKET

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy cites a trust NHL source saying Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman is off-limits in any trade talk now and was quite possibly never available in the first place.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Teams undoubtedly called the Bruins to ask about him but they have no reason to trade him. There was speculation they could use him as trade bait in a package deal for a second-line center because Linus Ullmark is signed through 2024-25 with a $5 million cap hit. However, Swayman’s signed through next season at a dirt-cheap $925K. They’re not going to move the February rookie of the month.

LATEST ON THE KRAKEN, SABRES, COYOTES

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports Seattle Kraken GM Ron Francis is willing to use his salary-cap space to act as a third-party broker for a cap-strapped playoff contender attempting to acquire an expensive trade target. However, it will have to be the right price, perhaps in the form of a second- or third-round draft pick. Francis could also use his cap space to acquire a player with term left on his contract who could fit into the Kraken’s long-term plans.

TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Buffalo Sabres are in the market for a top-end defenseman to pair with top prospect Owen Power when he makes the jump to the NHL next season. If unable to land that blueliner before the trade deadline, they could attempt to sign one via this summer’s free-agent market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’ll require quite a sell job on the part of Sabres management given the many years of upheaval that have enveloped this club.

Chris Johnston reports the Arizona Coyotes could put goaltender Karel Vejmelka on the trade block before the deadline if unable to sign him to a contract extension. He’s earning less than $900K and is a year away from UFA eligibility.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 10, 2022

by | Mar 10, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – March 10, 2022

​Check out the latest on players such as Marc-Andre Fleury, Claude Giroux, Hampus Lindholm and Reilly Smith plus updates on the Canadiens and Penguins in today’s NHL rumor mill.

LATEST ON FLEURY, GIROUX, LINDHOLM AND REILLY SMITH

WASHINGTON HOCKEY NOW: Sammi Silber cites Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman saying he believes the Capitals remain interested in Marc-Andre Fleury. He doesn’t consider it impossible that they pursue the 37-year-old Chicago Blackhawks goaltender,

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Whether Fleury wants to go to Washington is another matter. Friedman also said yesterday they’re among four-or-five clubs really interested in the veteran netminder but he’s not convinced Fleury is mentally in the right spot to join the Capitals. That’s based on his many years playing with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Sam Carchidi recently mused over whether Flyers captain Claude Giroux might reunite with former Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette with the Capitals. Carchidi observed the Flyers have been scouting the Capitals and their AHL affiliate in Hershey, starting speculation linking Giroux to the Caps. He also suggested the Capitals could be scouting Flyers defensemen Justin Braun and Rasmus Ristolainen, forwards James van Riemsdyk and Derick Brassard or goalie Martin Jones.

Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given the Capitals’ limited cap space, they could’ve been checking out the more affordable options on the Flyers roster. Giroux’s been linked mostly with the Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers and St. Louis Blues.

SPORTSNET: Mike Johnston listed the Toronto Maple Leafs, St. Louis Blues, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers as possible trade destinations for Anaheim Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs, Blues and Panthers have a need for a top-four left-side defenseman. The Rangers’ focus seems to be more on adding a top-six right wing. The Ducks are reportedly attempting to sign the 28-year-old Lindholm to a contract extension but are expected to shop him if an agreement on a new deal isn’t reached by the March 21 trade deadline.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks still believes Vegas Golden Knights winger Reilly Smith makes the most sense as a playoff rental option for the Rangers. The Golden Knights might still have to shop him before the trade deadline if there’s a chance winger Mark Stone and his $9.5 million cap hit come off long-term injury reserve before the end of the regular season.

UPDATES ON THE CANADIENS AND PENGUINS

MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan reports Artturi Lehkonen could be drawing lots of interest in the trade market as his stock keeps rising. The 26-year-old Canadiens winger is a restricted free agent this summer. Habs general manager Kent Hughes said he’s not trying to trade Lehkonen but Cowan reminds us he said the same thing last month about Tyler Toffoli, who was eventually traded to the Calgary Flames.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy cites a trusted NHL source claiming the Canadiens are being scouted by the Carolina Hurricanes, prompting speculation they could be looking at a blueliner such as Jeff Petry or Ben Chiarot. Hurricanes GM Don Waddell recently noted he’s down a couple of defensemen due to injury, hinting that would be the area of his roster he might address if the deadline were today. He also cautioned a lot can happen between now and March 21.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lehkonen is only a year away from unrestricted free agent eligibility. I think the Canadiens will trade him if he’s only interested in a one- or two-year deal.

The 34-year-old Petry’s age and $6.25 million annual cap hit over the next three seasons could be stumbling blocks in the path toward a trade. Chiarot is younger (30), carries a more affordable $3.5 million cap hit and is slated to become a UFA this summer.

If the Hurricanes are scouting those two I think Chiarot’s the more likely to move. They aren’t the only club interested in his services as the Blues have also been linked to him.

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Mike DeFabo recently reported Brian Burke, the Penguins’ president of hockey operations, doesn’t expect his club to make a splash at this year’s trade deadline. “We’re capped out,” he said. “I can’t imagine we’re going to do some big or noisy at the deadline.”

Burke ruled out moving out a high-priced player such as Jason Zucker, Mike Matheson or Marcus Pettersson in a cost-cutting move, stressing the importance of those players to their lineup.

Matt Vensel, however, wondered what the future holds for Penguins winger Kasperi Kapanen after he was benched during Tuesday’s 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers. He’s been struggling to score this season despite getting opportunities alongside Evgeni Malkin when the latter returned from injury.

Vensel suggests Kapanen could be the one to watch if the Penguins attempt a player-for-player deal at the deadline to add a middle-six forward. He carries a $3.2 million cap hit this season and is slated to become a restricted free agent this summer.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski reports the Penguins broached the idea of acquiring winger Brock Boeser from the Vancouver Canucks. However, there haven’t been any serious discussions and none are expected before the trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A player-for-player swap is a possibility. However, I don’t think Kapanen will bring in a player who’ll help improve the Penguins’ middle-six depth. It could be a case of swapping him out for a guy struggling with another club and hoping for the best.

As for Boeser, Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek believes he’ll likely go to a team that can afford his $7.5 million qualifying offer. He suggested the Capitals (??) and Los Angeles Kings as possible suitors.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 7, 2022

by | Mar 7, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – March 7, 2022

​Will Marc-Andre Fleury accept a trade? Should the Wild acquire Shea Weber’s contract? What’s the latest on the Penguins? Could the Bruins pursue Jakob Chychrun? Check out the latest in today’s NHL rumor mill.

WILL FLEURY ACCEPT A TRADE?

TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons reports a source claims Marc-Andre Fleury has told the Chicago Blackhawks he doesn’t want to be moved at the trade deadline. “That basically removes Fleury from the trade deadline, unless of course he changes his mind,” writes Simmons.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES Ben Pope took to Twitter to counter Simmons’ report, saying his understanding is the Fleury situation remains “up in the air.” He doesn’t think the goalie has ruled it out.

Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pope added it’s believed Fleury wants to stay in Chicago and could even re-sign with the Blackhawks if he doesn’t retire. Still, he believes a Fleury trade remains possible. Stay tuned…

SHOULD THE WILD ACQUIRE WEBER’S CONTRACT?

THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo suggested the Minnesota Wild consider acquiring the contract of sidelined Montreal Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber after noting Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported the Canadiens are willing to trade that contract.

Assuming Weber’s playing career is over, his $7.857 million annual salary cap hit through 2025-26 could provide the Wild a way out of salary-cap hell for the next three seasons after they bought out Zach Parise and Ryan Suter last year. It could free up room to sign Kevin Fiala to a contract extension or delve into this summer’s free-agent market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: An interesting suggestion. It remains to be seen if Wild general manager Bill Guerin will act on that or if he has other plans to find some much-needed salary-cap space beyond this season.

LATEST PENGUINS SPECULATION

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski noted the Penguins have scouted the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks over the past week. He believes Penguins GM Ron Hextall won’t “go big” at the March 21 trade deadline but instead seek affordable options for a middle-six winger or blueline depth.

Kingerski wondered if the Penguins could give up a left-hand defenseman (and retain salary) because they’re deep on that side. He noted Toronto winger Nick Robertson has struggled to crack the Maple Leafs lineup.

He also downplayed the “Brock Boeser for Kasperi Kapanen” speculation regarding the Canucks and doesn’t see them parting with J.T. Miller. He wondered instead if Hextall could interest Vancouver hockey ops president (and former Penguins GM) Jim Rutherford in a prospect such as Pierre-Olivier Joseph, Nathan Legare or Samuel Poulin, suggesting Canucks winger Conor Garland or defenseman Travis Hamonic as trade options.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hextall surprised everyone at last year’s trade deadline by acquiring Jeff Carter from the Los Angeles Kings. It was a move that worked out well for the Penguins.

I anticipate Hextall will try to boost his roster at the trade deadline, though it might not be a splash as big as the Carter acquisition. The Penguins have no games scheduled against the Leafs or Canucks so perhaps there’s a deal to be made with one of those clubs.

TIDBITS FROM DAILY FACEOFF’S RECENT “ICEBREAKERS”.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli recently reported the Florida Panthers have no interest in trading goaltender Spencer Knight. It’s believed the Panthers and Arizona Coyotes engaged in discussions regarding Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun around the holidays. The Coyotes wanted Knight as part of the package but that obviously didn’t happen.

Speaking of Chychrun, Seravalli noted the Boston Bruins were also interested in the Coyotes blueliner. He wondered if Bruin goalie Jeremy Swayman could be part of the proposed transaction. The Bruins would then need a backup for Linus Ullmark, prompting Seravalli to suggest perhaps someone like Philadelphia’s Martin Jones might work.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch speculated about the Bruins perhaps packaging winger Jake DeBrusk as part of a deal for Chychrun. However, I think the Coyotes will stay patient on offers for him. With Chychrun signed beyond this season, they can wait until this summer to move him if they don’t get any offers to their liking by March 21. I think the Bruins prefer keeping their goalie tandem intact for the remainder of the season to see how things shake out.

Ottawa Senators forward Nick Paul would draw considerable interest from playoff contenders seeking affordable forward depth. Sources say there’s been little contract between the Senators and Paul on a contract extension.

The Carolina Hurricanes have started contract extension talks with Jesperi Kotkaniemi. He’s a restricted free agent with arbitration rights who’s on a one-year. $6.1 million contract. Seravalli wonders if a six- or seven-year deal at a lower annual average value between $4 million and $4.5 million might work for both sides.

The Vancouver Canucks must also soon reach a decision on trading or retaining forward Tyler Motte. He’s slated to become a UFA this summer. Sources said there haven’t yet been substantive contract discussions.