NHL Rumor Mill – December 19, 2023
NHL Rumor Mill – December 19, 2023
The annual holiday roster freeze goes into effect from Dec. 20 to 27. Check out the latest on the Flames Elias Lindholm, the recent goalie trade speculation and updates on the Senators in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
COULD THE AVALANCHE PURSUE ELIAS LINDHOLM?
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Evan Rawal cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman saying during his latest “32 Thoughts” podcast that some people believe the Colorado Avalanche could target Elias Lindholm in the trade market.
Lindholm is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July unless he and the Calgary Flames agree to a contract extension. The 29-year-old center carries a $4.85 million cap hit for this season and lacks a no-trade clause.
Friedman said some people are waiting for the other shoe to drop after the Avalanche shipped Tomas Tatar to the Seattle Kraken last Friday. He thinks they’re looking at Lindholm but is sure they could be also looking at others in the trade market.
The Avalanche have some roster and salary cap issues to sort out. Friedman believes they might have to wait but they’re “lurking out there.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avs have a glaring hole at the second-line center position. Lindholm would be a good fit there but acquiring him won’t be easy.
They possess $4.825 million in cap space with Gabriel Landeskog, Pavel Francouz and Artturi Lehkonen on long-term injury reserve. However, they can’t accrue any cap space plus Lehkonen is expected to return to action at some point this season.
The Avs might have to send some salary to the Flames or convince them to retain part of Lindholm’s cap hit to make the deal work. They’ll also have to offer up a suitable package to tempt the Flames. Lindholm’s value as a two-way center could prompt a bidding war involving several clubs near the trade deadline.
LATEST GOALTENDER TRADE RUMORS.
SPORTSNET: During Monday’s “32 Thoughts” podcast, Elliotte Friedman said the uncertainty over Frederik Andersen’s status has forced the Carolina Hurricanes to “cast their lines” into the NHL pond in search of a goaltender.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Following Friedman’s comments it was reported that the Hurricanes signed free-agent Aaron Dell to a professional tryout offer. Over the weekend, they assigned Antti Raanta to the AHL’s Chicago Wolves.
Friedman also reported he’d heard from a couple of sources suggesting the possibility of the Columbus Blue Jackets and netminder Elvis Merzlikins deciding it’s time for him to try somewhere else.
Merzlikins is signed through through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $5.4 million and a 10-team no-trade clause. Moving him could be difficult given the high number of clubs with limited cap space this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bear in mind that Friedman sources aren’t stating for certain that the Blue Jackets are shopping Merzlikins. It’s just speculation right now.
Nevertheless, there could be changes coming for the Jackets before the end of this season. Peddling their starting goalie before the March 8 trade deadline could be among those changes.
The Los Angeles Kings are looking for goalie depth with backup Pheonix Copley lost to injury. However, Friedman doesn’t expect them to make a big move for a netminder until closer to the trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings called up David Rittich over the weekend to back up Cam Talbot. Unless one of them gets hurt before Copley returns, they’ll likely wait as Friedman believes until the deadline to bolster their depth between the pipes.
Teams to watch include the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been well-documented that those teams are each carrying three goaltenders, prompting speculation they could move one. The Red Wings have taken a hit with Alex Lyon sidelined and Ville Husso suffering a leg injury last night.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols believes that John Gibson is available in the trade market. He noted that Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald has “re-engaged” with the Anaheim Ducks regarding the 30-year-old goaltender, who carries an AAV of $6.4 million.
Nichols noted the Hurricanes, Kings, Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs are in the hunt for help between the pipes. He also pointed out that the Canadiens, Sabres, Red Wings and Blue Jackets are carrying three goalies this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given Gibson’s hefty salary through 2026-27 plus his 10-team no-trade clause, he’s more likely to be moved during the summer when clubs have more cap room than in a season where teams are pressed for cap space.
UPDATES ON THE SENATORS
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators will make a wide search for a new full-time head coach after replacing D.J. Smith as their bench boss with Jacques Martin on an interim basis.
Sources suggest the front-runner is John Gruden, the head coach of the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. Gruden is a former Senators defenseman who also has ties with Sens owner Michael Andlauer and president of hockey operations Steve Staios.