NHL Rumor Mill – October 19, 2024

by | Oct 19, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – October 19, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, some suggested goalie trade targets for the Avalanche plus the latest on Penguins netminder Tristan Jarry.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Aarif Dean cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman speculating over possible goaltending trade targets for the struggling Avalanche.

Friedman believes the Avalanche have to be looking at other options after seeing starter Alexandar Georgiev struggle between the pipes. It doesn’t mean they will go this route but Friedman thinks they have to be considering it.

San Jose Sharks goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (NHL Images).

Mackenzie Blackwood of the San Jose Sharks could be one option. The other could be John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks. Friedman thinks Gibson could help the Avs if he can stay healthy.

Blackwood carries a $2.35 million salary cap hit this season and is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July. Gibson is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $6.4 million, but Friedman believes his contract could be worked out if the Avs believe he’s good enough to help them.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols also cited Friedman suggesting Blackwood as a trade target for the Avalanche. He pointed out Friedman saying Blackwood was on the Avs’ radar before.

Nichols noted that the Sharks are rebuilding so it would make sense for them to trade Blackwood while his value is high. He also pointed out their offseason acquisition of promising Yaroslav Askarov plus they also carry Vitek Vanecek.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Chris Johnston recently observed the Avalanche’s salary-cap limitations would hamper any efforts to improve their goaltending through a trade.

Blackwood is the more affordable option if he’s available. Some suggest the Avs attempt to send Georgiev to San Jose in the deal but the Sharks will want a sweetener like a quality draft pick or prospect. He also has an injury history.

Gibson’s hefty contract would make this a more complicated deal. He could have more upside performance-wise but it’s been a while since he backstopped a quality roster. Gibson could become an expensive gamble that fails to pay off if his skills have eroded.

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe believes the Pittsburgh Penguins must move on from Tristan Jarry as their starting goaltender. He doesn’t see the 29-year-old Jarry improving anytime soon. Yohe noted that backup Alex Nedeljkovic and promising Joel Blomqvist have outplayed Jarry, suggesting he’s a perfect candidate to get a fresh start elsewhere.

Yohe acknowledged Jarry’s contract is likely unmoveable. However, he believes management should send him to their AHL affiliate in Wilke-Barre/Scranton. They’ll get $1.15 million in cap relief doing so, giving them some flexibility while letting Nedeljkovic and Blomqvist handle the goalie duties. Yohe also suggested buying out Jarry at the end of this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jarry is signed through 2027-28 with an AAV of $5.35 million and a 12-team no-trade list.

Some suggest the Penguins offer up Jarry to the Avalanche straight up for Georgiev. The Avs likely won’t go for that even if the Pens retained half of his cap hit because of the three years remaining on his contract.

A buyout in June seems the most likely outcome.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 18, 2024

by | Oct 18, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – October 18, 2024

Should the Avalanche look at acquiring John Gibson from the Ducks? Are the Flames in the market for a forward? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens and Jesse Granger discussed if it would be worthwhile for the Colorado Avalanche to acquire John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks. The 31-year-old goaltender carries an average annual value of $6.4 million through 2026-27.

Gibson’s stats have declined in recent years and he’s currently sidelined following an emergency appendectomy. His stock might improve with a strong start following his return, perhaps making him more attractive to a competitive team as the March 7 trade deadline approaches.

Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche are struggling early this season partly because of starting goaltender Alexandar Georgiev’s inconsistent performance. Meanwhile, Gibson has frequently surfaced in trade rumors over the past two years.

Granger suggests it might be worth the gamble for the Avalanche. Stephens believes the Ducks would have to retain part of Gibson’s salary to make it happen because of the Avs’ limited cap space. They suggest swapping Gibson for Georgiev, suggesting both goalies might benefit from a change of scenery.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m summarizing the main points discussed by Stephens and Granger. If you have a subscription to The Athletic, follow the above link to read the full article.

Stephens and Granger aren’t saying that this is a trade in the works or that they’ve heard speculation about Gibson going to Colorado. They’re merely discussing a hypothetical scenario. Nevertheless, it’s unlikely we’ll see a Gibson-for-Georgiev swap.

The Ducks aren’t considered a playoff contender this season so they can afford to wait until the deadline. However, the Avs see themselves as a Stanley Cup contender. If Georgiev’s struggles persist, it could scuttle their playoff hopes. They need help right now.

It would be easier for the Ducks to do this deal. Stephens and Granger noted they have the cap space to take on Georgiev, who carries a more affordable AAV ($3.4 million) and is due to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Gibson’s contract is difficult to move plus the Ducks could remain reluctant to retain salary through 2027.

TSN: Chris Johnston doesn’t see any immediate help coming for the struggling Avalanche. They have over $36 million in cap space currently on the sidelines. “They’re trying to ride this through until some of the calvary can return from the injured list.

Johnston believes the uncertainty over what some of those players will be like when they return makes this difficult for the Avalanche. Gabriel Landeskog missed the last two seasons recovering from knee surgery. Meanwhile, Valeri Nichushkin remains suspended until mid-November as part of his Phase 3 treatment in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nichushkin should have a more immediate positive effect when he returns because he’s played the past two seasons. Landeskog probably won’t regain the form that made him such an effective power forward before his knee surgeries.

SPORTSNET: Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reports the Calgary Flames are shopping around for a middle-six center.

Seravalli acknowledged there usually isn’t much trade activity at this time of year. Nevertheless, Flames general manager Craig Conroy is working the phones in search of someone in their roster’s age group who’s a right-handed shot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That age group is reportedly 24 to 28.

Earlier this week, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported Conroy wasn’t interested in being a major seller again. Rather than engage in a full rebuild, he’s interested in bolstering his current roster.

Conroy might not find what he’s looking for at this stage of the season but the market could improve in the coming weeks, especially when struggling clubs emerge looking to shake things up.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 27, 2024

by | Sep 27, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 27, 2024

Recapping Thursday’s preseason action, Sabres name their new captain, an update on Drew Doughty’s injury, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

2024-25 NHL PRESEASON RECAP – SEPTEMBER 26

NHL.COM: Philadelphia Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov scored his first preseason goal and collected an assist as his club blanked the New York Islanders 2-0. Samuel Ersson turned in a 37-save shutout for the Flyers.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (NHL Images).

The Toronto Maple Leafs nipped the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 with Nick Robertson tallying the winning goal. Leafs forward William Nylander left the game for precautionary reasons after suffering an upper-body injury in the first period.

New York Rangers forwards Chris Kreider and Brennan Othman each had a goal and an assist in a 5-2 victory over the Boston Bruins.

An overtime goal by Noah Ostlund lifted the Buffalo Sabres over the Ottawa Senators 3-2. Goaltender Linus Ullmark made his preseason debut with the Senators, turning aside 28 shots before being replaced in the second period by Dustin Tokarski.

The San Jose Sharks beat the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 on an overtime goal by Luca Cagnoni. Klim Kostin had a goal and an assist for the Sharks while Mason McTavish and Leo Carlsson tallied for the Ducks.

HEADLINES

BUFFALO HOCKEY NOW: The Sabres announced defenseman Rasmus Dahlin as their new team captain. Alex Tuch, Dylan Cozens, Mattias Samuelsson, and Tage Thompson were named alternate captains.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dahlin, 24, steadily developed into a leader with the Sabres on and off the ice over the past several seasons. He was the obvious choice for team captain.

THE ATHLETIC: Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty suffered a serious leg injury during Wednesday’s preseason game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Early reports indicate an X-ray after the game showed an ankle fracture. Further imaging, including a CT scan, will be done to rule out any further damage.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This will be a big blow to the Kings’ defense corps. Doughty’s been a constant, reliable presence on their blueline for years. He will be difficult to replace if he’s out for a significant period.

DAILY FACEOFF: Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson will be sidelined for three to six weeks following an emergency appendectomy on Thursday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lukas Dostal will take over the starter’s job while Gibson is sidelined.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Golden Knights center William Karlsson has been sidelined since Sunday for injury-related maintenance.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The NHL Players’ Association has filed a grievance against the Philadelphia Flyers on behalf of Ryan Johansen. They’re contesting the Flyers terminating Johansen’s contract citing a “material breach” regarding his progress in treating an injury.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The report suggests this could end in a settlement between the team, the player and the NHLPA. Stay tuned.

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Speaking of the Flyers, their standoff with goaltender Alexei Kolosov is reportedly over. His agent indicates his client will report to training camp and could get in some preseason games. He could play with their AHL affiliate and a loan back to the KHL is possible.

SPORTSNET: The Winnipeg Jets revealed defenseman Ville Heinola underwent surgery to remove a pin in his ankle, which he had surgically repaired last fall. The timeline for his return is uncertain but could be at least four weeks.

Defenseman Logan Stanley is listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed ailment. Blueliner Dylan Samberg skipped Thursday’s practice for a maintenance day.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The San Jose Sharks signed goaltender Aaron Dell to a one-year, AHL contract.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 22, 2024

by | Sep 22, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 22, 2024

Check out the latest on the Ducks and Blue Jackets in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens reports Cam Fowler hopes the trade talk surrounding him won’t be a distraction to his Anaheim Ducks teammates during training camp.

The Ducks and the 32-year-old Fowler are looking at a potential trade that might be mutually beneficial, though when that happens is anyone’s guess. The veteran defenseman said he remains focused on being the best player he can be for the Ducks, adding that he has a good relationship with general manager Pat Verbeek.

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler (NHL Images)

Meanwhile, the Ducks and goaltender John Gibson are also believed to be open to finding a trade. However, his contract and the decline in his play make it difficult to move him.

Young forward Trevor Zegras “has had to fend off suggestions that he isn’t the type of player Verbeek wants as a long-term leading piece.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fowler seems the more likely to be traded during this season. He’s an established veteran top-pairing defenseman with two years remaining on his contract who would be enticing to a playoff club. He carries a $6.5 million annual cap hit but the Ducks could be willing to retain part of it to facilitate a deal near the March 7 trade deadline for the right return.

Gibson’s been a fixture in the rumor mill since 2022. He has an average annual value of $6.4 million running through 2026-27 and a 10-team no-trade list. No one will be surprised if he’s still with the Ducks after the March 7 deadline.

Zegras had a difficult 2023-24 campaign. He missed training camp because of his contract negotiations and most of the season due to injuries. His performance this season could determine his future in Anaheim.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports the Columbus Blue Jackets are currently projected to be $3.4 million under this season’s $65 million salary cap minimum due to the recent death of Johnny Gaudreau.

The Blue Jackets are awaiting word from the league and the NHL Players’ Association as to whether they’ll get a one-time concession given the circumstances. They don’t have to be cap-compliant until rosters are settled two days before their Oct. 10 season opener.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox wonders how Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell will wield his $24.8 million in cap space this season.

“Does he try to trade for an impact forward? Pound the waiver wire like crazy when spendy teams get forced into cap compliance in a couple of weeks?

Does he weaponize that budget by taking on a problem contract and further stocking the Jackets’ pool of picks and prospects? Or by acting as a third-party broker, eating money in deadline deals?”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fox pointed out that Waddell has options and could make news this season with some significant moves. The Jackets will be a team worth monitoring in the rumor mill.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 28, 2024

by | Jul 28, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 28, 2024

Check out the latest on the Ducks and more musings over Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman’s contract negotiations in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

LATEST ON THE DUCKS

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens recently addressed questions from his readers regarding the Anaheim Ducks.

Stephens believes this season will be a big one for Trevor Zegras. He could bust out in a big way that establishes himself as an impact player. He could have a healthy and productive campaign but not one that convinces management he’s the piece they need to win big with, or he settles in as a complementary, 60-point winger.

Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Whatever version of Zegras emerges could determine his future with the Ducks. A breakout performance means he’ll play a major role going forward, ensuring a more lucrative contract down the road. The other two scenarios could see him getting traded for a return that could be less than expected. 

Asked why John Gibson remains with the Ducks, Stephens believes management’s unwillingness to retain part of the goaltender’s $6.4 million cap hit through 2026-27 is a major stumbling block. He believes Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek has tried trading Gibson on multiple occasions. A trade would be good for both sides to move on, but there’s a thought among the Ducks that they might as well retain him if they can’t get a suitable return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gibson frequently surfaced in the rumor mill over the past two years. His name came up again back in June but nothing came of it. His contract is a major sticking point and the Ducks’ unwillingness to retain some salary ensures he’ll remain in Anaheim for the coming season.

One reader asked if Mitch Marner might end up on the Ducks roster a year from now. Stephens is skeptical, suggesting Anaheim likely isn’t a desired destination if the winger sought a trade or becomes a free agent.

NO SIGN OF PROGRESS YET IN JEREMY SWAYMAN’S CONTRACT TALKS

BOSTON GLOBE: Kevin Paul Dupont reports Jeremy Swayman remains without a contract. The 25-year-old goaltender and the Bruins opted not to take this before arbitration. With training camp set to open on Sept. 18, there’s plenty of time to get a deal done.

Swayman hasn’t publicly commented yet on this situation. He won’t be able to report to training camp without a contract. Restricted free agents have until Dec. 1 to come to terms, or forfeit the rest of the season.

The last high-profile RFA to push it to the wire was William Nylander, who agreed to a deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs during the final hour leading up to the Dec. 1, 2018 deadline.

Puckpedia indicates the Bruins have $8.6 million in cap space this season. Swayman’s next contract will take up most, if not all of that surplus, perhaps forcing management to make a cost-cutting trade or placing someone on long-term injury reserve.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s speculated that Swayman could get an AAV of around $9 million, depending on the length of the contract.

Plenty of time remains for both sides to get this done but the longer Swayman’s unsigned the more speculation will grow over the status of his talks and his future with the Bruins.

This could be done by early September with the Bruins signing him to a seven-year deal worth around $8 million annually.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 13, 2024

by | Jul 13, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 13, 2024

Check out the latest on the Canadiens’ possible trade targets and the Golden Knights’ goaltending in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Duhatschek was asked by a reader which would be best suited to play a second-line role with the Montreal Canadiens, referring to Anaheim’s Trevor Zegras, Carolina’s Martin Necas, Columbus’ Kent Johnson or the New York Rangers’ Kaapo Kakko.

Duhatschek believes Johnson has the highest draft pedigree. He’s also the youngest of the four and scored 40 points in 2022-23 as a 20-year-old during a dismal season for the Blue Jackets. Johnson could have the best upside and could be a better fit for the rebuilding Canadiens.

Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas (NHL Images).

Johnson and Zegras still have a runaway for improvement. Kakko probably won’t ever be a top-six winger while Necas has had just one notable season.

As for which player would be the more realistic acquisition, Duhatschek thinks it would be Kakko, but only if their scouts see something in him that several Rangers coaches have not. He doesn’t see the new Blue Jackets management giving up on Johnson and cites the high asking prices for Necas and Zegras.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That could explain why Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes hasn’t acquired a scoring forward this summer. Then again, he could be zeroing in on other options. Maybe Hughes doesn’t like the current market and will wait and see what shakes out during training camp and preseason.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: A reader asked Danny Webster who will be the Golden Knights starting goaltender in 2025-26. They currently have Adin Hill and the recently acquired Ilya Samsonov on expiring contracts.

The oft-injured Hill must prove he can stay healthy for an entire season. Meanwhile, Samsonov must prove he can bounce back from his poor showing in Toronto last season.

If Hill doesn’t play well enough this season to merit an extension, the Golden Knights will have to seek a replacement next summer. They could hope the New York Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin or Ottawa’s Linus Ullmark will hit the open market next July.

Webster also doesn’t rule out a trade this season. Ullmark could be available if the Senators struggle. Another option could be Anaheim’s John Gibson. Ultimately, he feels their best hope is for Hill and Samsonov to perform well this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers will make Shesterkin the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history. He’s not going anywhere.

I agreed with Webster that Ullmark could be available via trade or free agency if the Senators flounder again. However, the Golden Knights would face competition for his services.

Gibson surfacing in the rumor mill has become an annual summer tradition. Maybe he and the Ducks will be ready to part ways in 2025.