NHL Rumor Mill – November 24, 2021
NHL Rumor Mill – November 24, 2021
The Sharks are reportedly willing to retain salary to move Evander Kane, Golden Knights forward Mattias Janmark could become a trade candidate plus the latest Coyotes speculation in today’s NHL rumor mill.
SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sheng Peng cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman the San Jose Sharks could be willing to retain part of Evander Kane’s salary to facilitate a trade.

San Jose Sharks winger Evander Kane (NHL Images).
Appearing on the Jeff Marek Show on Tuesday, Friedman said the Sharks have let it be known they’re willing to retain some salary if a deal for Kane could be worked out. “I don’t know who’s going to trade for him right now,” he said. “I just don’t know where that is at this particular point in time or even if that’s realistic.”
Peng pointed out Kane has four years and $28 million remaining on his contract. He’s currently serving a 21-game suspension for unspecified COVID-19 protocol violations.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane has a well-documented recent history of financial and domestic problems this year as well as clashing with several teammates. The Sharks tried shopping him during the offseason but found no takers.
Kane was the Sharks leading scorer last season. Nevertheless, his personal baggage and reportedly toxic dressing-room presence make him pretty much untradeable even if the Sharks were willing to retain up to half of his $7 million annual average value.
VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Owen Krepps recently mused over Mattias Janmark’s future with the Vegas Golden Knights. Signed to a one-year, $2-million contract by Vegas, he’s had a slow start to the season in part because of injury.
Krepps speculated Janmark could become a trade candidate later in the season even if his play improves. The Golden Knights are projected to be over the salary cap by $7 million when Jack Eichel returns from neck surgery later this season. They could be willing to part with Janmark to clear some cap room before Eichel joins the lineup.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Janmark isn’t in any danger of moving at this point in the season but his status could be worth monitoring following the February Olympic break. That’s when Eichel could be ready to make his Vegas debut.
Janmark could surface in the rumor mill leading up to the March 21 trade deadline. His affordable cap hit, versatility and postseason experience would make him enticing for playoff contenders.
GOPHNX.COM: In a recent mailbag segment, Craig Morgan was asked if the Arizona Coyotes were looking into acquiring Los Angeles Kings center Gabriel Vilardi or New York Rangers winger Vitali Kravtsov. He said he hasn’t heard of any interest in either player on the Coyotes’ part, adding a source in Los Angeles said Vilardi’s trade value is too low right now.
Asked to rank the Coyotes trade deadline assets, Morgan listed Shayne Gostisbehere, Johan Larsson, Phil Kessel and Lawson Crouse as having the most value. Regarding Gostisbehere, Morgan believes he could be attractive to other clubs if he continues producing at his current pace.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Coyotes will be sellers at the trade deadline as general manager Bill Armstrong looks to stock up further on draft picks and prospects for his rebuilding club. Kessel, Larsson and Crouse are unrestricted free agents while Gostisbehere has a year remaining on his contract with an annual average value of $4.5 million.
Kessel’s playoff experience will draw interest from playoff clubs seeking to bolster their scoring punch up front. Gostisbehere, meanwhile, is the Coyotes’ leading scorer with 14 points in 19 games. That extra year on his contract could make him enticing for clubs seeking a puck-moving blueliner they can retain beyond this season.