NHL Rumor Mill – January 10, 2025

by | Jan 10, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – January 10, 2025

Check out the latest trade speculation about Canucks center Elias Pettersson plus the latest on the Bruins, Oilers and Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

MORE PETTERSSON SPECULATION

SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon looked at four clubs that might be best-positioned to acquire Elias Pettersson if the Vancouver Canucks decide to trade the 26-year-old center.

Dixon noted the Carolina Hurricanes were in talks with the Canucks about Pettersson last season before he signed his current contract. He noted the Canucks prefer a center-for-center swap but the Hurricanes aren’t parting with Sebastian Aho. Dixon wondered if the conversation could shift to Hurricanes winger Seth Jarvis or promising defense prospect Alexander Nikishin.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That trade won’t happen this season because the Hurricanes lack the cap space to take on Pettersson’s $11.6 million annual cap hit. And no, the Canucks won’t retain half of it. They don’t want $5.8 million in dead cap space on their books for the next seven years. Such a deal would have to wait until this summer when the Hurricanes will have over $27 million in cap space under a projected $92.4 million cap for 2025-26.

Dixon believes the Buffalo Sabres should be a no-brainer. They’re an Eastern Conference club, which works if the Canucks prefer moving Pettersson outside of the Western Conference. The Sabres also have plenty of young pieces at center and on defense to entice the Canucks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dylan Cozens to Vancouver, anyone? Elliotte Friedman spitballed a package offer of Cozens and Bowen Byram last month. The Sabres also have the cap space this season to take on Pettersson’s full cap hit. Pettersson might not be keen about going to Buffalo but his lack of no-trade protection this season gives the Canucks the leeway to send him wherever they want.

The Anaheim Ducks might be able to offer up the best deal. Maybe they can put together a blockbuster offer that includes Trevor Zegras. The Ducks can also easily afford Pettersson’s contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks will likely want someone other than Zegras as his stock has declined over the last two years. They could ask for Leo Carlsson or Mason McTavish in a package deal for Pettersson.

Dixon believes the Minnesota Wild have long needed a first-line center to drive their offense. Marco Rossi’s name has come up in the rumor mill. Dixon suggests Rossi could become a trade candidate if he and general manager Bill Guerin fail to agree to a new contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Guerin recently said he’s not shopping Rossi, a restricted free agent without arbitration rights this summer. However, the Wild lack sufficient cap space to acquire Pettersson this season. They’ll have over $18 million under a projected $92.5 million cap but Pettersson’s contract would eat up a big chunk of it. Guerin could also be reluctant to add an expensive player like Pettersson when franchise player Kirill Kaprizov is due for a hefty raise in 2026.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Stefen Rosner reports industry sources claim the New York Islanders are among the teams calling the Canucks expressing interest in Pettersson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The only way that works is if the Islanders free up considerable cap space before the trade deadline. That would mean moving a high-salaried player like Mathew Barzal, which isn’t happening, especially if the Canucks are on his 22-team no-trade list. Bo Horvat is a former Canuck but he may have put those years behind him and could be unwilling to waive his no-trade clause.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ken Campbell believes the worst thing the Canucks could do is trade Pettersson or J.T. Miller. He doubts they’d get equal value in return and whatever they do get won’t help them in the short or long term. Campbell believes the best solution is for Pettersson and Miller to work out their differences.

LATEST FROM TSN’S INSIDERS

TSN: Darren Dreger reports Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney is open for business. They have some free-agent players (like Trent Frederic and Justin Brazeau) who could be in play.

Dreger said they plan to map out a strategy that takes them up to the March 7 trade deadline, unless they receive an offer that makes sense to them beforehand.

Pierre LeBrun reports Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman is making preliminary calls around the league. He intends to add a defenseman before the trade deadline, hoping to ensure the Oilers have sufficient depth should injuries strike their blueline.

It’s assumed they could pursue a right-shot shutdown defenseman like David Savard of the Montreal Canadiens. However, they’re also comfortable dealing for a left-shot blueliner.

Speaking of the Canadiens, LeBrun said GM Kent Hughes isn’t going to get carried away by his club’s recent improvement. He let pending free-agent center Jake Evans know that the club wants to re-sign him. However, Evans’ career year could be the 28-year-old center’s best chance to hit a home run in the free-agent market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie said earlier this week that he believes the two sides will get a deal done. However, LeBrun indicated the New Jersey Devils are among the clubs interested in Evans if the Canadiens shop him before the trade deadline.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 1, 2025

by | Jan 1, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – January 1, 2025

Welcome in the New Year with the latest on the Rangers and Capitals plus an update on Bruins forward Trent Frederic in the NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST RANGERS SPECULATION

SPORTSNET: In Monday’s “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas discussed the plight of the struggling New York Rangers.

Friedman believes more changes are coming after reading Larry Brooks’ Sunday column in the New York Post, in which Brooks speculated that head coach Peter Laviolette could be fired. He wondered if management might focus on center Mika Zibanejad.

New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (NHL Images).

The 31-year-old Zibanejad is signed through 2029-30 with an average annual value of $8.5 million. Friedman pointed out he carries a full no-movement clause.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zibanejad might be open to a move if the pressure of playing with the Rangers becomes too much to handle. However, his cap hit makes an in-season trade difficult to pull off unless the Rangers retain up to half of it. They might not be keen to carry dead cap space for the next five seasons even with the salary cap projected to rise substantially over that period.

Friedman also thinks there will be plenty of interest in Vincent Trocheck if the Rangers make him available in the trade market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I mentioned Friedman’s remarks about Trocheck earlier this week. He’s under contract until the end of 2028-29 with a more affordable AAV of $5.625 million. The 31-year-old center also carries a full NMC this season but it becomes a 12-team no-trade list on July 1. Shopping Trocheck could be an offseason move.

IS TRENT FREDERIC’S TRADE VALUE DROPPING?

THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa recently reported Trent Frederic’s production has dropped off The gritty 26-year-old Boston Bruins forward hasn’t dented the score sheet since Dec. 7. That could adversely affect his value in the trade market if the Bruins decide to shop the pending UFA before the March 7 trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Playoff contenders will still be interested in the 6’3”, 221-pound Frederic if he hits the trade block before March 7. However, the Bruins won’t get as much in return if his scoring slump continues. 

CAPITALS INTEND TO KEEP THEIR GOALIE TANDEM INTACT

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber cites Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting the Washington Capitals have informed teams that they won’t be shopping goaltenders Charlie Lindgren and Logan Thompson at the trade deadline.

Lindgren and Thompson are due to become unrestricted free agents on July 1. However, they’ve fared well playing for the Capitals this season. Their efforts have the club jockeying for first place in the Eastern Conference.

Silber notes that it’s unclear whether Lindgren and Thompson have futures in Washington beyond this season. Nevertheless, the Capitals will stick with what’s working for them this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lindgren’s cap hit this season is $1.1 million while Thompson’s is over $766K. Both are in line for substantial raises but it shouldn’t break the bank for the Capitals to retain both.

The Capitals have over $28.8 million in projected cap space for 2025-26 assuming the cap rises by $4.5 million. Jakob Chychrun is their most notable pending UFA while all their rising young talent are under contract for next season. The Caps should have enough to re-sign both goalies and keep Chychrun in the fold while looking at adding to their roster.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 20, 2024

by | Dec 20, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – December 20, 2024

The annual holiday roster freeze is in effect (Dec. 20-27) but the trade and free-agent rumors persist. Check out the latest on the Predators, Canadiens and Sabres plus updates on Mitch Marner, Sam Bennett and Trent Frederic in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TROTZ CLAIMS THE PREDATORS AREN’T IN SELL MODE

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz claims his club is not rebuilding its roster after trading defenseman Alexandre Carrier to the Montreal Canadiens for Justin Barron.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trotz has been the busiest GM in this season’s trade market thus far. Before the Carrier deal, he traded winger Philip Tomasino to the Pittsburgh Penguins and sent goaltender Scott Wedgewood to the Colorado Avalanche for netminder Justus Annunen. He also waived defenseman Dante Fabbro, who was claimed by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Trotz claimed he’d been trying to acquire the 23-year-old Barron since last season, adding he wanted to add a right shot to his blueline who was “age appropriate”. He said the moves he’s made thus far are to reset the roster for the offseason, when he intends to be more aggressive in the trade and free-agent markets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trotz was aggressive in this summer’s UFA market, signing Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei. Those moves had observers (including yours truly) crowning them as offseason winners but they haven’t yet translated into on-ice success.

Trotz also shot down recent musings over whether he’ll try to peddle Stamkos by the March 7 trade deadline. “There’s no chance,” he said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s also no indication Stamkos regrets his decision to sign with the Predators. If anything, he and Marchessault and Skjei appear determined to help their new team overcome their early-season struggles.

The Predators GM acknowledged he’s made lots of moves already, suggesting he could be quiet the rest of the season unless he gets an offer that knocks his socks off.

RG.ORG: Jim Biringer cites a source claiming the Carrier-for-Barron trade isn’t the only move the Predators could make. “They’re clearing their cap space for something. It may not be for right now, but it’s coming.”

The Predators have been linked to Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens in the rumor mill. Their cupboard of tradeable assets is getting bare apart from Tommy Novak and Fedor Svechkov. They might have to move one of them to bolster their depth at center if they intend to turn their season around.

They also want a top-four defenseman. D’Amico noted Cozens teammate Bowen Byram has recently surfaced in the rumor mill.

Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trotz’s remarks to LeBrun suggest he intends to focus on next summer’s free-agent market to address his club’s needs. It’s doubtful that Novak or Svechkov would be enough to pry Cozens or Byram away from the Sabres.

COULD THE FLAMES TRY TO BRING BACK SAM BENNETT?

SPORTSNET: Eric Francis recently pondered whether a reunion between the Calgary Flames and Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett makes sense.

Bennett, 28, was the Flames’ first-round pick (fourth overall) in the 2014 NHL Draft. He spent nearly seven seasons in Calgary until he was traded to the Panthers before the 2021 trade deadline. Over the past four seasons, he’s played a big role in that club’s development into a Stanley Cup champion.

The Flames have sought an impact center since trading Elias Lindholm last season. Bennett is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The Panthers will try hard to re-sign him but Francis suggests a trade could happen if negotiations fail to produce a new contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will depend on whether Bennett is open to returning to Calgary. Francis pointed out that the coaches and general manager who presided over his frustrating early years in Calgary are gone, which could make that path more enticing. The Flames have plenty of cap space to sign him to a lucrative deal. He’d also be returning as a leader and a respected playoff performer.

If the Flames want Bennett, they might have to wait until next summer to pursue him. However, it seems unlikely that the Panthers move Bennett at the deadline even if he’s not under contract by then. There is a risk of losing him to free agency in July but the Panthers need him if they intend on defending the Cup next spring. Repeating as champions with Bennett in the lineup would soften the blow of his departure next summer.

LATEST RUMORS FROM TSN’S “INSIDER TRADING”.

TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Toronto Maple Leafs and Mitch Marner remain focused on winning games this season rather than negotiating a new contract. Marner, 27, is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

As the calendar flips to January, Dreger believes time will be of the essence, so they’ll have to have some definition and direction.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both sides remain tightlipped about this situation. Marner said at the start of the season he wouldn’t answer questions about his contract while GM Brad Treliving said the club would not negotiate with the Marner camp through the media.

The two sides seem to prefer waiting to open serious talks until the end of this season. Marner likely wants to stay and the Leafs want to keep him, but everything depends on his performance and that of the Leafs. Another disappointing playoff outing could lead to his departure on July 1.

Dreger said he’s been told that Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams has been on the phone non-stop for the past week. He indicates Adams is willing to make a big move. Teams are interested in the Sabres’ top players but are only offering decent players in return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Teams are trying to take advantage of Adams, hoping he’ll panic if the losing skid continues and trade away one of his best young players for peanuts. He likely seeks a one-for-one swap of comparable talent similar to his trading Casey Mittelstadt to the Avalanche last season for Bowen Byram.

Dreger believes the Canadiens’ acquisition of Alexandre Carrier provides the club with backfill in case someone makes an offer for blueliner Mike Matheson or David Savard before the March 7 trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dreger’s colleague Pierre LeBrun also believes the addition of Carrier could lead to Savard getting dealt later in the season. However, he also indicated they’re not in a hurry to move.

Dreger believes the Boston Bruins must soon decide what to do with Trent Frederic. The big, rugged 26-year-old forward is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. Teams are wondering if they’ll sign or trade him at the deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It could depend on the Bruins’ position in the standings by March 7.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – December 15, 2024

by | Dec 15, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – December 15, 2024

In the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup: the latest Rangers speculation, the Blues might not be done dealing, the Kings could be shopping before the upcoming holiday roster freeze, and updates on Bruins forward Trent Frederic and Canucks defenseman Vincent Desharnais.

THE LATEST RANGERS RUMORS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the New York Rangers are “open for business.” They’ve already traded Jacob Trouba and let it be known that winger Chris Kreider is available.

Friedman said they have some untouchables like goaltender Igor Shesterkin and some players with no-movement clauses. However, they’re willing to consider all options and to entertain offers.

THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple wondered who’s next to walk the plank off the Rangers’ sinking ship following their 5-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, dropping nine of their last 12 games.

New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).

Staple believes head coach Peter Laviolette’s tenure could come to a premature end. General manager Chris Drury has already shaken up the roster by trading Trouba but the club’s reaction is indifference.

Defenseman Ryan Lindgren has been available for some time but no one’s buying high on an underperforming pending unrestricted free agent. There isn’t much interest in the 33-year-old Kreider, who has two years remaining on his contract. Teams are calling about young winger Kaapo Kakko but his play hasn’t been the main issue.

Staple also brought up K’Andre Miller as a trade candidate. However, he’s currently sidelined for an indefinite period which doesn’t help his trade value.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks disagrees that Laviolette could pay the price for the Rangers’ stunning decline in recent weeks. “The hierarchy has no stomach to fire Laviolette after firing Gerard Gallant two years ago and David Quinn four years ago. There is no stomach to afix the blame on yet another coach instead of taking care of the coach-averse core.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers believe the Rangers’ problems began with Drury’s heavy-handed efforts to free up cap space in the offseason, waiving popular forward Barclay Goodrow and attempting to trade Trouba to the Detroit Red Wings before free agency began on July 1.

Changing management might be necessary to help the players regain their spark. They’ve been playing like they don’t give a damn ever since word of Drury’s memo to his fellow GMs listing potential trade candidates was leaked to the press.

Whatever it is, the Rangers must do something quickly to address their issues or risk this season going completely off the rails, leaving questions about the current roster’s future to carry over into next summer.

MORE MOVES COULD BE COMING FOR THE BLUES

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported the St. Louis Blues might not be done in the trade market after acquiring defenseman Cam Fowler from the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday.

The Blues made Brandon Saad a healthy scratch during Saturday’s game against the Dallas Stars. The 32-year-old winger has a year remaining on his contract with a $4.5 million cap hit.

Friedman said the Blues would like to move Saad, who has a no-trade clause. However, he’s willing to consider other options.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Following the Fowler trade, Blues GM Doug Armstrong indicated he wanted to keep his club competitive while he retools the roster. He could try peddling Saad for a promising young NHL-ready player or attempt to clear the winger’s cap hit from his books by accepting draft picks in return.

Saad had been struggling to score this season. He went 13 games without a goal before being scratched from the lineup on Saturday. Nevertheless, he has Stanley Cup experience which could be of interest to contenders before the March trade deadline.

KINGS MIGHT MAKE A MOVE BEFORE THE HOLIDAY ROSTER FREEZE

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli believes the Los Angeles Kings might be active in the trade market before the upcoming holiday roster freeze from Dec. 20-27. He thinks they’ve been talking to some teams as they attempt to gauge the market.

Seravalli wondered if they might attempt to land a good young player, perhaps from a struggling club like the Buffalo Sabres.

THE BRUINS ARE GETTING CALLS ABOUT TRENT FREDERIC

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman indicated that the Boston Bruins are getting a lot of calls about Trent Frederic. The versatile 27-year-old forward is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in July. Teams are wondering if the Bruins intend to sign him or peddle him by the March 7 trade deadline.

THE CANUCKS ARE TRYING TO MOVE VINCENT DESHARNAIS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman said the Vancouver Canucks are looking to move Vincent Desharnais. The 28-year-old defenseman signed a two-year contract with the Canucks in the offseason but it hasn’t worked out as hoped. It’s believed they’re willing to consider all options for returns but would prefer draft picks.










NHL Rumor Mill – November 22, 2024

by | Nov 22, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – November 22, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: The latest on Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov, Bruins blueliner Nikita Zadorov, Flyers center Morgan Frost, and more.

RUMOR TIDBITS FROM THE LATEST “INSIDER TRADING” AND “32 THOUGHTS”

TSN: Pierre LeBrun believes Ivan Provorov will be the top rental defenseman leading up to the March 7 trade deadline. The 27-year-old Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov (NHL Images).

Teams are calling the Blue Jackets about Provorov but they’re not ready to move him yet. They want to give their club as much time as possible to be competitive this year. Nevertheless, LeBrun doesn’t see them as a playoff contender, suggesting it’s only a matter of time until they move Provorov.

LeBrun anticipates the asking price will be a first-round pick. He pointed out that blueliners Noah Hanifin and Sean Walker fetched first-rounders when they were traded before last season’s deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Provorov never played up to expectations as a top-pairing left-shot defenseman. Nevertheless, he’s been a reliable 30-plus point producer who can log 20-25 minutes per game. He’ll be very enticing to playoff contenders looking for blueline depth by the deadline.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman wondered if the Vancouver Canucks might try to reacquire Nikita Zadorov. He signed with the Boston Bruins as a free agent in July. Friedman believes he was a good fit in Vancouver and the Canucks miss him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman is just musing out loud. He isn’t saying the Canucks want to bring back Zadorov or that the Bruins want to move him, though some of their fans have probably had second thoughts about signing him.

Contenders are scouting for forwards who play “with an edge”. That includes the Bruins’ Trent Frederic, who is slated to become a UFA next July. Friedman also said there was some talk about Morgan Geekie, but speculates that may have been when he was out of the lineup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Geekie can become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer. The Bruins will likely retain him, especially if Frederic departs next summer.

Friedman suggests Philadelphia Flyers center Morgan Frost might be a good fit with the Chicago Blackhawks, who need depth at the center position. The 25-year-old isn’t complaining but he’s been a healthy scratch in four of the Flyers’ last five games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Athletic’s Kevin Kurz recently speculated whether Frost had a future with the Flyers, suggesting they seem headed for a breakup. However, Daily Faceoff’s Anthony Di Marco claims they’re not giving up on the center despite his early-season struggles.

The Blackhawks aren’t the only club looking for centers. The Nashville Predators are also in the market. Friedman anticipates the Toronto Maple Leafs will be among the clubs that eventually wade into the market.

Yanni Gourde’s production and ice time are down this season but the Seattle Kraken still love him. There is no indication they want to move the pending UFA forward.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – November 10, 2024

by | Nov 10, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – November 10, 2024

Check out the latest on the Rangers, Predators, Canadiens, and more in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

LATEST RANGERS SPECULATION

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks dismissed the suggestion that the Rangers might get Igor Shesterkin under contract for an average annual value of $11.5 million. “It’s going to be more, I think at least another half a million a year.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most pundits believe Shesterkin will get at least $12 million annually on his next contract. If the Rangers balk at that price, other clubs will line up to pay him.

New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin (NHL Images).

Brooks also raised the issue of how the Rangers will afford to re-sign Artemi Panarin when the 33-year-old left winger’s contract expires at the end of next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll depend on how much Panarin wants and how much cap space the Rangers have after re-signing Shesterkin, K’Andre Miller, and perhaps Kaapo Kakko and Ryan Lindgren this summer.

UPDATE ON THE PREDATORS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz continues to search for a center but it’s not easy. “When you’re struggling, you get thrown anvils, not life-preservers,” writes Friedman.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman also reported on Trotz’s comments last week about implementing his rebuild plan and subsequent clarification that he might consider calling up some young players if his team doesn’t improve soon. He has no intention of tearing down the roster by staging a fire sale of his veteran stars.

Friedman also reported the Predators placed defenseman Dante Fabbro on waivers. He believes Fabbro won’t be claimed because of his $2.5 million cap hit, which most teams can’t afford now.

The 26-year-old blueliner is available for trade. He could be sent to their AHL affiliate in Milwaukee where he’ll get more playing time and interested teams can get a better look at him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fabbro was the Predators’ first-round pick (17th overall) in the 2016 NHL Draft. However, he’s struggled to establish himself as a full-time top-four defenseman in Nashville.

The Athletic’s Julian McKenzie wondered if the Ottawa Senators might put in a claim for Fabbro or attempt to trade for him. The Hockey News’ Caleb Kerney raised the same question about the Edmonton Oilers.

McKenzie noted Fabbro’s limited offensive upside and cap hit made him question if the Sens would consider adding him. Those factors could also raise red flags for the Oilers.

CANADIENS SHOULD TRADE FOR A GOALTENDER

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Pat Hickey recently weighed in on reports claiming the Canadiens are shopping around for a defenseman and a physical forward.

Some observers have tied the Canadiens to Boston Bruins forward Trent Frederic but Hickey dismissed the notion of the Bruins trading him to a division rival. He also rejected the clamor from some Habs followers to acquire Trevor Zegras, the skilled winger currently struggling with the Anaheim Ducks.

Hickey believes the Canadiens’ biggest need is an upgrade between the pipes. Their goalie tandem of Sam Montembeault and Cayden Primeau hasn’t been able to steal some games this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The market is even thinner for quality goalies. There’s no help coming on the horizon for the Habs. They must find a way to dig themselves out of their current mess.

RUMOR TIDBITS FROM THE LATEST “32 THOUGHTS”.

SPORTSNET: In his latest “32 Thoughts” column, Elliotte Friedman reported the Boston Bruins have looked around in the trade market. However, they’re trying to be patient with their club and let their group work out its problems.

Friedman also mentioned Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams is still working the phones. Teams are asking about Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Dylan Cozens but Adams doesn’t want to subtract from his roster.

The NHL and NHL Players Association didn’t ask for an expedited grievance regarding the Philadelphia Flyers’ efforts to terminate Ryan Johansen’s contract. Friedman explains that means no one is in a hurry to have this adjudicated and it will take time until there’s an outcome.