NHL Rumor Mill – June 20, 2024

by | Jun 20, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – June 20, 2024

A look at the offseason goalie market after Jacob Markstrom and Darcy Kuemper were traded yesterday plus updates on Leon Draisaitl, Jake Guentzel, Jake DeBrusk and Patrik Laine in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT DOES THE GOALIE MARKET LOOK LIKE WITHOUT MARKSTROM AND KUEMPER?

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Andrew Fantucchio believes all eyes are on Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark with Jacob Markstrom and Darcy Kuemper off the trade market. Markstrom was traded to the New Jersey Devils while Kuemper was shipped to the Los Angeles Kings.

Finding a market for Ullmark could become difficult with the Devils and Kings no longer interested. The Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators remain, with the Hurricanes listening to offers for winger Martin Necas. The Senators are said to be willing to move their 2024 first-round pick and defenseman Jakob Chychrun.

Ullmark has a 16-team no-trade list that becomes a 15-team list on July 1. He has a year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $5 million.

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos believes Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving must get moving to find a suitable starting netminder now that Markstrom is no longer available.

This year’s free-agent market is a weak one for goaltenders. The Leafs can’t take chances on career backups like Anthony Stolarz or Laurent Brossoit.

Ullmark and Jusse Saros of the Nashville Predators are among the goalies drawing interest in the trade market. Both have a year left on their contracts with cap hits of $5 million.

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan doesn’t see the Bruins trading Ullmark to a playoff rival like the Leafs. Instead, he believes they could send him to the Senators.

Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (NHL Images).

Koshan also doesn’t buy into the scenario of the Leafs trading Mitch Marner to Nashville for Saros. He pointed out that Marner intends to play the final year of his contract with Toronto. New Leafs head coach Craig Berube welcomes the opportunity to work with the 27-year-old winger.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports league sources claim the Senators have circled back to Ullmark after failing to land Markstrom. Those sources also said the talks between the two clubs have intensified.

The Senators were interested in Ullmark before the March trade deadline. However, they couldn’t get a deal in place with the Bruins at that time. The Bruins aren’t interested in taking on Joonas Korpisalo in return because they can’t afford the remaining four years of his contract. However, they might be willing to take Anton Forsberg and his $2.75 million cap hit for 2024-25.

A league executive suggested to Garrioch that it could cost the Senators their 2024 first-round pick and defenseman Jakob Chychrun to get Ullmark from the Bruins. That depends on whether the Senators are on his no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators are better positioned to bid for Ullmark than the Maple Leafs. Treliving might have to shift his attention to Saros, but Predators GM Barry Trotz is reportedly discussing a contract extension with the 29-year-old netminder.

Speaking of the Senators, The Hockey News’ Steve Warne cited TSN’s Travis Yost reporting the Senators and Philadelphia Flyers have the framework of a trade in place. He thinks it might not be finalized until closer to the draft, scheduled for June 28-29 in Las Vegas.

Yost provided no specifics regarding the deal and how big it might be. Chychrun could be part of that if Ottawa is shopping him. It won’t involve a goaltender as the Flyers have none to spare that would interest the Senators. Maybe the Senators are trying to flog Korpisalo to the Flyers to make room for Ullmark. Stay tuned…

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said he has no intention of trading or buying out Elvis Merzlikins.

Merzlikins raised headlines in January when he said he requested a trade only to have his agent claim his client misspoke. By the end of the season, it was assumed he’d played his final game with the Blue Jackets.

Waddell took over as Blue Jackets GM last month. He wants to give Merlizkins another chance to establish himself as their starting goaltender.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Merzlikins’ unhappiness stemmed from being relegated to third-stringer for several weeks in December and early January. Waddell’s firing of head coach Pascal Vincent could provide Merzlikins with additional motivation.

UPDATES ON LEON DRAISAITL, JAKE GUENTZEL AND JAKE DEBRUSK

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos reports hearing no meaningful contract talks have taken place and no numbers have been exchanged between the Edmonton Oilers and Leon Draisaitl. Those negotiations could begin following the Stanley Cup Final.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Any earlier discussions between the two camps were preliminary, likely gauging both sides’ willingness to talk about an extension. That should be expected considering the Oilers are still in the Stanley Cup Final.

The Chicago Blackhawks could attempt to sign Jake Guentzel as an unrestricted free agent on July 1. They want to alleviate the pressure off Connor Bedard and appear the most willing to meet Guentzel’s anticipated asking price of $63 million. They can also offer him an opportunity to play closer to his home in Minnesota.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That anticipated asking price breaks down to $9 million annually on a seven-year deal. Playing alongside the promising Bedard could also be tempting for Guentzel.

Kypreos claims there’s word the Maple Leafs could be interested in Jake DeBrusk.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman said he’s been told by a few people that the Seattle Kraken could have Patrik Laine on their radar.

Laine’s camp recently met with Blue Jackets management where they mutually agreed to look into a trade. Friedman cited the Kraken’s need to add more scoring and believes they can afford to take on the winger’s contract.

Laine has two years left on his deal with an annual average value of $8.7 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kraken have a projected cap space of $22.5 million. They’ve got 16 active roster players under contract with restricted free agents Matty Beniers and Eeli Tolvanen to re-sign. There’s room to add Laine depending on the cost of Beniers and Tolvanen.

They could garner more cap space if they bought out goaltender Philipp Grubauer. However, Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times indicated Kraken GM Ron Francis isn’t planning any buyouts at this point.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 8, 2024

by | Jun 8, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 8, 2024

The latest on the Panthers and Oilers on the eve of the Stanley Cup Final, the Flyers consider buyouts for Cam Atkinson and Cal Petersen, the latest on the Blackhawks’ plans for their first-round pick, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

STANLEY CUP NOTEBOOK

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers still remember the sting of losing the Stanley Cup Final last year against the Vegas Golden Knights. They’re using it as motivation as they face the Edmonton Oilers in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.

Florida Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour (NHL Images).

Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour said he couldn’t watch the Golden Knights’ on-ice celebration last year. Losing that series was a feeling he and his teammates don’t want to go through again. Head coach Paul Maurice recalls how focused everyone was entering training camp last September on returning to the Final.

Winger Carter Verhaeghe said he and his teammates learned a lot from last year’s Final, saying they weren’t focused enough on winning. Defenseman Aaron Ekblad said the experience fueled everyone in the organization to be better this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is one of the factors behind my decision to pick the Panthers in my Stanley Cup prediction. We’ll find out over the next week or two if it proves to be sufficient additional motivation to put them over the top.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Winger Warren Foegele returns to the Oilers lineup for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final. Defensive errors led to Foegele becoming a healthy scratch for the final three games of the Western Conference Final.

“It’s never fun watching because I’ve been on this team for three years and it’s an exciting time,” said Foegele. “I know what I need to do to stay. Every game is a new opportunity. You do have to have a short memory.”

THE FLYERS COULD BUY OUT ATKINSON AND PETERSEN

TSN: Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere said his club is weighing all options for winger Cam Atkinson and goaltender Cal Petersen, including buying out their contracts later this month when the buyout window opens.

“Because we’re tight on cap space, we’re still looking at every possible option in that direction. Both Cam Atkinson and Cal Petersen want to prove that they can still play in the NHL,” said Briere. “So, we’re evaluating all of that, but we haven’t made a final decision yet.”

The Flyers have just over $500K in cap space for next season with 19 players under contract. Atkinson, 35, has a year left on his contract with an average annual value of $5.875 million. Petersen is also signed through next season and carries a $5 million cap hit. He spent most of this season in the minors.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The buyout window opens on June 15 or 48 hours following the end of the Stanley Cup Final, whichever is later. It closes at 5 pm ET on June 30.

The Flyers could also get additional cap flexibility of $4 million if Ryan Johansen stays on long-term injury reserve for next season. He has a year left on his contract with an AAV of $8 million. Half is retained by the Nashville Predators, who traded Johansen to the Colorado Avalanche last summer. He’s been sidelined by a hip injury since getting traded to the Flyers.

LATEST DRAFT NEWS

TSN: Top prospect Macklin Celebrini is expected to be chosen first overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2024 NHL Draft. The 17-year-old Boston University center isn’t in any rush to begin his NHL career.

“There’s never really shame or there’s nothing wrong with just taking your time and just improving a little bit more,” said Celebrini. He suggested spending another year with BU could benefit him physically when he’s ready to make the jump to the NHL.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks must ensure they don’t rush Celebrini into their lineup. If he feels another season at BU will make him a better player they will likely support that decision.

THE ATHLETIC: Chicago Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson said there’s an ongoing debate among his staff over which prospect they’ll select with the second overall pick in this year’s draft. It’s believed they’re deciding between Russian winger Ivan Demidov and Belarussian defenseman Artyom Levshunov.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Buffalo Sabres are open to trading their first-round pick (11th overall) in this year’s draft. He believes they’re willing to move it for a top-six forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald recently said he’s open to moving the 10th overall selection. Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes is also open-minded about trading his pick (fifth overall) if it fetches a return that helps his club right away but he also said he would most likely retain that selection.

IN OTHER NHL NEWS…

NHL.COM: Flyers GM Daniel Briere said Jamie Drysdale underwent surgery on April 18 to repair a “significant injury.” He didn’t elaborate but stated that the 22-year-old defenseman will be ready when training camp opens in September.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers acquired Drysdale from the Anaheim Ducks in January. Briere indicated it was unrelated to the blueliner’s season-ending shoulder injury suffered in November 2022.

SPORTSNET: announced an 11-year broadcasting extension with the Edmonton Oilers, renewing their regional coverage through 2035.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks will reportedly rebrand their jerseys and logos for next season.










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 5, 2024

by | Jun 5, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – June 5, 2024

The Devils could shop their first-rounder and remain in the market for a goaltender, the latest Martin Necas speculation, plus updates on the Rangers and Ducks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DEVILS WILLING TO PART WITH FIRST-ROUND PICK, STILL SEEK A GOALIE

NHL.COM: Mike G. Morreale reports New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald is willing to part with his first-round pick (10th overall) in this year’s draft for the right price. He said he would listen if the offer helped the Devils now and in the foreseeable future.

Fitzgerald also indicated he’s still in the market for a goaltender. However, he also wants to build up his forward lines and defense corps.

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports adding a No. 1 goalie tops Fitzgerald’s offseason wish list. The Devils GM admitted there were “a few guys that I’m in on”, but declined to say who they were.

League sources indicate Fitzgerald remains interested in Jacob Markstrom of the Calgary Flames, whom he tried to acquire before the March 8 trade deadline. He’s also looking at Linus Ullmark of the Boston Bruins.

LeBrun believes Markstrom would waive his no-movement clause for New Jersey but several other teams are also interested in the Flames netminder.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Andrew Fantucchio believes the pieces are in place for a deal between the Bruins and Devils that would send Ullmark to New Jersey. He believes such a trade would make sense for both clubs. The Bruins have no picks in the first three rounds of this year’s draft. That could use that 10th overall selection to restock their shallow prospect pool.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fitzgerald would have an easier time landing an experienced starter like Markstrom or Ullmark if he included his first-rounder in his offer. However, he seems to be hoping to use it as a trade chip to address other roster needs.

The Score’s Josh Gold-Smith pointed out Fitzgerald was reportedly interested in Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros. However, LeBrun reported Predators GM Barry Trotz plans to meet with Saros’ agent this week to lay the groundwork for a contract extension.

THE LATEST ON MARTIN NECAS

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli said he wouldn’t be surprised if the Carolina Hurricanes traded Martin Necas by Saturday. He anticipated a flurry of activity this week leading up to the Stanley Cup Final as teams are keen to get their hands on the 25-year-old forward.

Seravalli believes the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and Columbus Blue Jackets are at least three of the club interested in Necas.

CHEK TV’s DONNIE & DHALI: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was asked about Necas. He doesn’t believe the preferred choice for the winger and the Hurricanes is to trade him.

Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas (NHL Images).

Friedman noted the discussions between the Hurricanes and Canucks in January regarding a deal that would’ve sent Elias Pettersson to Carolina with Necas as part of the return going to Vancouver. With Pettersson out of the deal after signing an extension, it would be harder for the Canucks to acquire Necas.

According to Friedman, the Hurricanes’ asking price is big, and would involve the Canucks parting with some of their top prospects. He doesn’t believe offering up restricted free-agent defenseman Filip Hronek would get it done.

CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson believes the Flames would be interested in Necas. However, there would be concerns about the Hurricanes’ asking price and the cost of re-signing the restricted free agent to a new contract.

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers are among half of the teams in the league believed to have contacted the Hurricanes about Necas.

LeBrun isn’t sure Necas is a fit with the Flyers considering the type of “apple-for-apple type trade” the Hurricanes would want.

Earlier this week, LeBrun’s colleague Kevin Kurz examined whether there was a trade fit between the two teams involving Necas. He believes the cost could be too expensive for the Flyers. Kurz thinks a one-for-one swap involving Flyers winger Travis Konecny would fit within the Hurricanes long-term salary cap structure when they’re trying to re-sign Jake Guentzel. He also pointed out the Hurricanes’ biggest need is a proven No. 1 goalie, which the Flyers also need.

TVA SPORTS: Jean-Charles Lajoie noted the recent conjecture linking the Canadiens to Necas. He believes the Habs would have to offer up defenseman Arber Xhekaj plus either the 26th overall pick received from Winnipeg or their own second-round pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes have a prized trade asset in Necas that many teams are interested in. The question is, which one is willing to overpay to get him? They’ll be paying for potential, banking on Necas blossoming into a reliable scorer when given a full-time top-six role.

Potential trade partners will want assurances that Necas will sign a contract extension to avoid the arbitration process.

The pundits can’t agree on the Hurricanes’ asking price. Friedman said they’ll want at least one top prospect as part of a big return. LeBrun suggests they could prefer a one-for-one swap. Others believe at least a first or a high second-round pick will have to be packaged with a promising young player.

It’s unlikely the Flyers will part with Konecny. Philly Hockey Now’s Jonathan Bailey cited a source claiming the 27-year-old winger will sign a contract extension this summer.

UPDATE ON THE RANGERS

NEW YORK POST: Earlier this week, Larry Brooks suggested the Rangers have gone as far as they can with their current core, calling for tough decisions regarding Jacob Trouba, Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad.

Brooks lauded Trouba’s physicality but noted his lack of discipline in this postseason was striking. He pointed out that the Rangers captain’s no-movement clause reverts to a 15-team no-trade list on July 1. The 30-year-old defenseman could become their third-pairing right-side defenseman behind Adam Fox and Braden Schneider.

Kreider’s NMC also reverts to a 15-team NTC on July 1. He has three years left on his contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million. If the Rangers believe they need a dramatic makeover, Kreider will fetch the biggest return.

Zibanejad’s NMC remains in full effect on a contract with six years remaining at $8.5 million annually. Brooks admits approaching him about a trade wouldn’t be a pleasant conversation and doesn’t know how it would affect the team’s dynamics if Zibanejad rejected a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brooks is merely making suggestions. This doesn’t appear based on anything that he’s heard.

Trouba has a history of undisciplined play but he brings the most physicality to a team that was lacking in that category. His struggles during this postseason were due mostly to a broken ankle. He’s not going anywhere. Neither are Kreider or Zibanejad.

Brooks believes Rangers winger Kaapo Kakko could use a fresh start with another club after struggling through a disappointing performance this season. However, he doesn’t think they’ll part with him for a second or third-round pick. Kakko could be part of a larger deal if one manifests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A Kakko trade seems more likely to happen than any deal involving Trouba, Kreider or Zibanejad. Including the 23-year-old winger in a trade package seems the best route if the Rangers look to upgrade. On his own, Kakko won’t fetch much of a return at this stage of his career.

THE LATEST DUCKS RUMORS

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the Anaheim Ducks are listening to offers for forward Trevor Zegras and goaltender John Gibson.

LeBrun indicated that Ducks GM Pat Verbeek would comment on the trade chatter about Zegras. However, other sources believe Verbeek could move him for the right deal. LeBrun believes the Canadiens have revisited their interest in the 22-year-old forward but he isn’t convinced this is a path the Habs will aggressively pursue.

As for Gibson, Verbeek acknowledged a market for goalies this summer. LeBrun believes the Ducks GM will continue to monitor calls for the 31-year-old netminder but would be fine keeping him.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 1, 2024

by | Jun 1, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – June 1, 2024

The potential cost of Travis Konecny’s next contract, the recent trade rumors about Tanner Jeannot, and the Avalanche’s need to go bargain-hunting in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST THE FLYERS TO SIGN TRAVIS KONECNY?

THE ATHLETIC’s Kevin Kurz took to social media on May 26 to speculate over Travis Konecny’s next contract. The 27-year-old Philadelphia Flyers winger has a year left on his current deal with a cap hit of $5.5 million.

Kurz believes the “obvious comparable” is the eight-year, $70.4 million contract Timo Meier signed last year with the New Jersey Devils. “Similar ages, almost identical PPG”, wrote Kurz, adding we can’t ignore how much the Flyers view Konecny as part of their leadership group.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey cited Kurz’s comparable but expressed concerns about Konecny’s age, pointing out he’ll be 29 when the first season of that extension is complete. He noted that the Flyers would carry that $8.8 million AAV on their books until the winger is through his age 36 season.

Philadelphia Flyers winger Travis Konecny (NHL Images)

“Combine that with the rumored $10 million AAV asking price, and the Flyers could find themselves in serious trouble down the line,” wrote Bailey. He also cited the 5’10’, 175-pound Bailey’s size and physical style of play as areas of concern that could adversely affect his performance over time.

Bailey suggests the Flyers signed Konecny to a five or six-year contract. That would enable him to seek one more big payday if he remains healthy and productive.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see how Flyers management handles Konecny’s contract situation.

If they were a perennial playoff team or a Cup contender, they’d likely sign him to an eight-year extension without any qualms. However, they’re in the middle of a roster retooling as they transition toward younger players.

As Bailey suggests, Konecny might not fit into their long-range plans. If they ink him to a contract comparable to Meier’s, it could become an expensive millstone in the latter half of the deal even with the salary cap projected to be much higher by that point.

WILL THE LIGHTNING MOVE TANNER JEANNOT IN A COST-CUTTING DEAL?

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Eduardo A. Encina recently took note of the trade rumors swirling around Lightning winger Tanner Jeannot. Some observers suggest the 27-year-old winger could be moved to free up salary cap space to re-sign captain Steven Stamkos.

According to Encina,  no concrete reports indicate the Lightning will trade Jeannot. However, he acknowledged that the winger still needs to provide the complementary scoring management was hoping for when they gave up five draft picks and defenseman Cal Foote to the Nashville Predators last season to get him.

Injuries hampered Jeannot’s performance this season. However, his $2.665 million cap hit for next season could make him a player they move to clear cap space for Stamkos.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Depending on how much it costs the Lightning to re-sign Stamkos, Jeannot could be the most likely cost-cutting trade candidate. Anthony Cirelli, Mikhail Sergachev, and Erik Cernak were also mentioned but they’re too invaluable to move. 

AVALANCHE COULD GO BARGAIN-HUNTING AGAIN

THE DENVER POST: Corey Masisak pointed out the Colorado Avalanche could be forced to go bargain-hunting again. They lack salary-cap space and face uncertainty over the futures of Gabriel Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin.

The Avalance successfully signed Zach Parise and Jonathan Drouin to cost-effective one-year contracts. Both players performed well and gave glowing reviews of their tenure this season in Colorado.

Masisak wondered if New York Rangers forwards Jack Roslovic and Alex Wennberg would be good fits with the Avalanche. San Jose Sharks winger Alexander Barabanov could be another.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 21, 2024

by | May 21, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – May 21, 2024

Check out the latest on the Canucks, Bruins, Hurricanes and Flyers in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE CANUCKS

ESPN.COM: Ryan S. Clark looked at what the offseason could hold for the Vancouver Canucks following their elimination from the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs.

They’ll have to focus on rebuilding their blueline as defensemen Tyler Myers and Nikita Zadorov are among two of their four pending unrestricted free agents. Filip Hronek will be seeking a raise as a restricted free agent.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Lindholm (NHL Images).

Forwards Elias Lindholm and Dakota Joshua are also slated to become UFAs. Whatever the Canucks do with their forwards will also be with an eye on new contracts for Brock Boeser and Nils Hoglander next year.

THE ATHLETIC: Thomas Drance believes the Canucks pending UFAs, including forwards Teddy Blueger and Sam Lafferty and defenseman Ian Cole, set themselves up as in-demand players entering this summer’s free-agent market. That means it’ll cost more for the Canucks to retain them.

The Canucks’ to-do list includes maintaining or replacing the size advantage that Zadorov, Myers and Joshua bring to their roster and Lindholm’s two-way skills. Contract negotiations with Hronek could be tricky given his arbitration status, inconsistent playoff performance and what they gave up to acquire him from Detroit last season. They must also add more offense.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: After years in the wilderness, the Canucks emerged this season among the NHL’s top teams. It won’t be easy to maintain and build on that.

The Canucks have a projected cap space of $24.7 million for 2024-25 with 14 active roster players under contract. They can’t afford to sign all their pending UFAs while Hronek’s contract situation gets complicated because of his erratic postseason play. Lindholm will likely prove too expensive to retain. So could Zadorov. Joshua should be an affordable re-signing but could be tempted by free agency.

LATEST ON THE BRUINS

THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa believes trading Linus Ullmark should be an offseason priority for the Boston Bruins. The 30-year-old goaltender has a year left on his contract a cap hit of $5 million. Trading him would clear the way for a Jeremy Swayman-Brandon Bussi goalie tandem and clear cap room for re-signing Swayman.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We covered this in yesterday’s NHL Rumor Mill.

Shinzawa also believes the Bruins must acquire an impact center, a scoring right winger and a left-shot defenseman.

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Nick Goss believes the Bruins desperately need to find another elite scoring forward to take some of the burden off David Pastrnak. If they trade Ullmark, they’ll have over $26 million in salary-cap space to address that issue.

Goss suggested Vancouver’s Elias Lindholm as the free agent that makes the most sense. The Bruins were linked to the 29-year-old center before the trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins could revisit their interest in Lindholm this summer if he isn’t re-signed by the Canucks.

They could also look at other UFA options but they’re unlikely to chase an expensive big fish like Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos, Florida’s Sam Reinhart or Carolina’s Jake Guentzel. Signing one of them would leave the Bruins having to make do with cost-effective lesser talent to address other problem areas.

As for adding a defenseman, Shinzawa suggested Carolina’s Brady Skjei as a worthwhile free-agent option.

WHAT ARE THE HURRICANES’ OFFSEASON PRIORITIES?

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Chip Alexander reports Carolina Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell mentioned the issues he hopes to address during the offseason now that head coach Rod Brind’Amour has signed a new contract.

They include deciding which of their unrestricted free agents to re-sign, working out a deal with the KHL to bring over promising defenseman Alexander Nikishin, and finding a right-shot center. Their UFAs include forwards Teuvo Teravainen, Jake Guentzel, Jordan Martinook and Stefan Noesen; defensemen Brady Skjei, Brett Pesce, Jalen Chatfield and Tony DeAngelo; and goaltender Antti Raanta.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pesce is speculated to be heading to market but they could re-sign Skjei. DeAngelo and Raanta won’t be back. It’s expected they’ll push hard to re-sign Guentzel. It’s uncertain whether Teravainen, Martinook, Noesen and Chatfield will be back. I’d love to hear what Hurricanes fans have to say about this topic.

Alexander didn’t mention Martin Necas in his report. It’s believed the 25-year-old restricted free-agent forward could be shopped this summer.

UPDATE ON THE FLYERS

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey cited a report from Russia’s Sport-Express indicating Matvei Michkov could terminate his contract with KHL team SKA St. Petersburg. That would clear the path for the 19-year-old winger to join the Philadelphia Flyers next season. The Flyers selected Michkov with the seventh overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Bailey indicated the Flyers are aware of the report but unable to confirm it at the time. He subsequently reported that SKA St. Peterburg CEO and VP Roman Rotenberg said there has been dialogue with the Flyers.