NHL Rumor Mill – January 8, 2024
NHL Rumor Mill – January 8, 2024
Check out the latest on Jake Guentzel and Andrei Kuzmenko as well as some recent Canadiens speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST ON GUENTZEL’S CONTRACT SITUATION
THE ATHLETIC: Rob Rossi reported Sunday that Jake Guentzel’s agent seemed to suggest that his client might not be with the Pittsburgh Penguins for much longer. The 29-year-old winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Agent Ben Hankinson said his client loves living and playing in Pittsburgh. He also indicated that he has a good relationship with Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas.
However, Hankinson didn’t rule out the possibility that negotiations could get ugly. He thinks Dubas must determine his club’s plans before the March 8 trade deadline and his client’s place within them. Hankinson said he’ll “lean on conversations” he’s already had with Dubas and with his client. “What’s going to happen, I don’t know.”
Rossi believes a lot can be read into Hankinson’s comments. One open question is whether he and Dubas discussed a new contract for Guentzel since the start of this season. Another is whether the two sides agreed to wait until the end of this season for serious negotiations.
Guentzel declined to comment about his agent’s comments. “I’m not going to go too much into detail about it,” he said. “I’m just trying to play, and we’ll see what happens as we go.”
Rossi speculates this could go three ways. Guentzel could test the free-agent market on July 1, he could be traded by the March 8 deadline, or he and the Penguins agree to a contract extension. So far, there’s no indication which way it will go.
Guentzel is currently earning an average annual value of $6 million. Rossi thinks he could get a $2 million pay bump over that on his next deal. He could get a maximum of eight years with the Penguins and seven years on the open market. Given his production, Guentzel would be one of the most sought-after players in this summer’s free-agent pool.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau suggested the Seattle Kraken, Colorado Avalanche and New York Islanders could use Guentzel if the Penguins shop him before the March 8 trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Another factor to take into account is what Sidney Crosby would think about Guentzel moving on at the trade deadline or via free agency. He’s had Guentzel on his wing for several productive seasons now and could exercise his influence to keep him there.
However, Rossi noted that the Penguins already have several over-30 players on expensive contracts. While the resilient Guentzel is currently the club’s leading scorer, Rossi pointed out that he also has an injury history.
If the Penguins decide to move Guentzel before March 8 there won’t be any shortage of suitors. He could become the most coveted player in this season’s trade market given his scoring ability and Stanley Cup experience.
WHAT NEXT FOR KUZMENKO AND THE CANUCKS?
THE ATHLETIC: Thomas Drance and Rick Dhaliwal noted the Vancouver Canucks are continuing to work with struggling winger Andrei Kuzmenko to help him improve his performance.
Kuzmenko and his agent Dan Milstein want to make this work with the Canucks. Milstein has a good relationship with management and the two sides have regularly kept in touch. Nevertheless, the 27-year-old winger has yet to show signs of real improvement in his overall game and was a healthy scratch from some recent games.
Drance and Dhaliwal believe some teams have expressed some interest in Kuzmenko. However, his usage by the Canucks has distressed his value in the trade market. The Canucks would also be reluctant to retain part of his $5.5 million cap hit to facilitate a trade.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Drance and Dhaliwal believe something’s got to give if this situation doesn’t improve soon. It’ll be interesting to see how much longer this goes on.
The Canucks are currently jockeying for first place in the overall standings. They could be in a position to become buyers at the March 8 trade deadline. Perhaps Kuzmenko becomes part of a hockey trade that fetches a winger or defenseman who can help them stage a deep playoff run. Bear in mind, however, that his cap hit and 12-team no-trade clause could hamper those efforts.
UPDATE ON THE CANADIENS
THE ATHLETIC: Arpon Basu wondered if Christian Dvorak’s season-ending injury could make Sean Monahan too important for the Montreal Canadiens to trade.
Basu believes the Canadiens will maintain its rebuilding program and that will include shopping Monahan even if he’s helping the club remain competitive this season. He suggested that perhaps a market for Monahan won’t develop that would fetch a sufficient return. However, the added responsibility he’ll have by replacing Dvorak could raise his trade profile.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens would trade Monahan simply for the sake of doing so by the deadline. I also doubt that they’d do so for a middling return. They’ll want substantial for him.
TVA SPORTS: With Los Angeles Kings backup goaltender Pheonix Copley sidelined for the season by knee surgery, perhaps general manager Rob Blake will call Canadiens GM Kent Hughes about Jake Allen.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: For now, the Kings will stick with their tandem of starter Cam Talbot and call-up David Rittich. Nevertheless, I think Blake will keep an eye on the trade market to add a little more depth between the pipes. Whether Allen will be on his radar remains to be seen.