NHL Rumor Mill – February 22, 2023

by | Feb 22, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – February 22, 2023

Are the Blues and Jets interested in Timo Meier? Is Erik Karlsson willing to accept a trade to the Oilers? Could the Predators’ Mattias Ekholm or the Penguins’ Jeff Petry be on the move soon? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

BLUES AND JETS INTERESTED IN TIMO MEIER

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the St. Louis Blues have inquired about San Jose Sharks winger Timo Meier. He pointed out that Blues general manager Doug Armstrong seeks a quick retool of his roster by targeting players who are 25 or 26 years old. It’s LeBrun’s understanding that the Blues, who carry three first-round picks in this year’s draft, are willing to part with two of them in a package offer for Meier.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli said Armstrong has done this sort of thing before. He pointed to when he traded Kevin Shattenkirk for a first-round pick and used it to acquire Brayden Schenn. He also moved Paul Stastny for a first-rounder and used that to bring in Ryan O’Reilly.

San Jose Hockey Now’s Sheng Peng believes the Blues won’t part with their own first-rounder as that’s likely lottery-bound. He also pointed out that the Blues have some promising prospects (Jimmy Snuggerud, Jake Neighbours, Zachary Bolduc) that could interest the Sharks.

LeBrun also said the Winnipeg Jets have also made inquiries about Meier. So have the Vegas Golden Knights, Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I still think the Devils are the favorites to land Meier but the Hurricanes and Blues could make some tempting offers to the Sharks. Much will depend on whether the Sharks allow interested clubs to negotiate a contract extension for Meier, who is slated to become a restricted free agent on July 1.

Speaking of the Hurricanes, LeBrun believes they could shift toward Chicago’s Patrick Kane if they can land Meier. He also believes they could look at adding to their defense corps.

KARLSSON REPORTEDLY WILLING TO ACCEPT A TRADE TO THE OILERS

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sheng Peng cited TSN’s Chris Johnston writing that Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson is believed willing to waive his no-movement clause to join the Edmonton Oilers.

San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Reports emerged earlier this month claiming the Oilers and Sharks were discussing a potential trade involving Karlsson. However, his $11.5 million average annual value through 2026-27 remains a major obstacle.

Some observers believe the Sharks would have to retain at least 40 percent of that cap hit to make a deal happen. So far, there’s no indication the two sides are any closer to bridging that gap.

I’ve also seen a suggestion that the Sharks could move Karlsson to Edmonton without retaining any salary if the Oilers include Tyson Barrie, Cody Ceci, Kailer Yamamoto, Jesse Puljujarvi and Warren Foegele in the deal along with draft picks and prospects. However, we don’t know if the Sharks would accept that kind of return. Such a move would also cripple the Oilers’ depth so much that Karlsson’s presence wouldn’t help them.

PREDATORS’ MATTIAS EKHOLM DRAWS INTEREST IN THE TRADE MARKET.

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports Nashville Predators GM David Poile hasn’t given up on this season but is also talking with other clubs about several of his players. Defenseman Mattias Ekholm is said to be drawing the most interest. The 32-year-old blueliner has two more years left on his contract with a cap hit ($6.25 million) that could scare off some clubs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Let’s all welcome back Ekholm into the rumor mill, ladies and gentlemen! It was only two years ago that he was a hot topic of trade chatter leading up to the 2021 deadline.

The Predators ultimately retained Ekholm and re-signed him to a four-year contract that lacks “no-trade” protection. I doubt he gets moved before the March 3 deadline unless Poile is prepared to retain a significant chunk of Ekholm’s cap hit or take back a comparable contract.

PENGUINS MAKING JEFF PETRY AVAILABLE?

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski reports a Western Conference executive claims the Penguins have made defenseman Jeff Petry available in the trade market. The Penguins acquired Petry last summer from the Montreal Canadiens.

Petry, 35, has two seasons remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $6.25 million. Kingerski pointed out there are few teams with the cap space to take on the blueliner’s contract without sending significant salary the other way.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t see Petry getting traded unless the Penguins want an impact player carrying a comparable contract from a team that needs a puck-moving defenseman. Unless, of course, the Penguins are waving the white flag of surrender on this season. In that case, trying to shed some high-salaried contracts is the first step toward a rebuild.

UPDATES ON THE CAPITALS, RED WINGS, CANADIENS AND LIGHTNING

TSN: Chris Johnston wondered if the Washington Capitals might part with Dmitry Orlov. Contract talks have stalled with the pending free-agent defenseman. He doesn’t think the Capitals are sellers right now but believes they’ll face a difficult decision with Orlov if he’s still unsigned by March 3.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I think they’ll hang onto Orlov (even at the risk of losing him to free agency) and push for a playoff spot once Alex Ovechkin returns to the lineup.

Darren Dreger said the Detroit Red Wings want to give their current group of players an opportunity to push for a playoff berth. They’re willing to take their chances on a contract extension for Tyler Bertuzzi on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings are among several clubs jockeying for the final two Eastern Conference playoff berths. I don’t see GM Steve Yzerman being a seller if they’re still in the thick of the chase by March 3. Barring a major collapse between now and then, Bertuzzi and captain Dylan Larkin (also a pending UFA) aren’t going anywhere by deadline day.

COULD JOSH ANDERSON BE A GOOD FIT WITH THE DEVILS?

SPORTSNET: Eric Engels believes Montreal Canadiens winger Josh Anderson would be a good consolation prize for the New Jersey Devils if they lose out in the bidding for Sharks winger Timo Meier. Engels pointed out that the Canadiens aren’t actively shopping Anderson but didn’t rule out the possibility of them moving the 29-year-old power forward for the right offer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A first-round pick and a top prospect will have to be part of the package to draw the interest of Canadiens GM Kent Hughes.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Eduardo A. Encina reports if the Lightning are looking to upgrade before the trade deadline it’ll be getting more forward depth. Given their limited cap space, he believes they’ll have to move a player to get a player.

 

 

 

 










NHL Rumor Mill – February 7, 2023

by | Feb 7, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – February 7, 2023

What’s the latest on Patrick Kane? Could the Bruins acquire Timo Meier? Will the Canadiens move Josh Anderson? Could the Penguins use their first-round pick as a trade chip? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON PATRICK KANE

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Ben Pope reports the Blackhawks and Patrick Kane are preparing for all possible trade scenarios with the trade deadline less than a month away.

Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane (NHL Images).

Kane is aware that several teams have reached out to his agent to express interest in acquiring him. He admitted there are “definitely possibilities out there that are intriguing and could be exciting.” However, he has not yet decided if he’ll waive his no-movement clause.

Some contenders are believed to be concerned over Kane’s lower-body injury. However, the 34-year-old winger dismissed those worries. Meanwhile, Blackhawks management is preparing for “every potential scenario, large to small,” said team CEO Danny Wirtz.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It appears both sides are approaching this situation cautiously. Kane and Jonathan Toews are expected to meet with Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson in mid-Feburary to discuss their respective futures.

Both players could waive their respective NMCs. Perhaps only one of them will do so. Both of them could decide to finish the season in Chicago and explore their options in this summer’s free-agent market.

Teams with an interest in Kane will want assurances that his lower-body injury won’t impede his performance over the remainder of the season. It could also affect whatever return the Blackhawks receive if they find a suitable trade destination for him.

COULD THE BRUINS BE INTERESTED IN TIMO MEIER?

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Joe Haggerty believes there’s only one scenario where the Bruins acquire San Jose Sharks winger Timo Meier and that’s if winger David Pastrnak decides to test this summer’s free-agent market.

Meier, 26, is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights who’s a year away from unrestricted free agent eligibility. His current annual cap hit is $6 million but he’s earning $10 million in actual salary, which is what it would cost to qualify his rights by June 30 unless he and his team agree to a new contract before then.

Acquiring Meier would also mean clearing some salary to make room for him in the current lineup. Haggerty believes that would mean moving out a forward like Charlie Coyle or Jake DeBrusk, or a defenseman such as Brandon Carlo or Matt Grzelcyk.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As Haggerty pointed out, it seems unlikely that Pastrnak will be going to market based on his comments during the All-Star weekend over his contract situation. He anticipates the Bruins superstar will be staying in Boston on an eight-year, $88 million extension.

IS A JOSH ANDERSON TRADE LIKELY BEFORE THE DEADLINE?

SPORTSNET: In a recent mailbag segment, Eric Engels was asked if there was any truth to a recent report that the Montreal Canadiens don’t want to trade winger Josh Anderson. He believes the more accurate portrayal of how general manager Ken Hughes feels about trading or not trading Anderson would be to say that he’s not actively shopping the winger.

Engels doesn’t see Anderson as an untouchable. He believes Hughes would move the winger for the right price, such as a package offer of a 2023 first-round pick, a good prospect and a roster player on an expiring contract. The acquiring club would also have to take on Anderson’s full $5.5 million cap hit.

He also raised the possibility that Hughes could see Anderson as a potential bargaining chip if there was a possibility of acquiring center Pierre-Luc Dubois this summer if he’s unwilling to sign a long-term deal with the Winnipeg Jets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I believe the report being referred to here was TSN’s Darren Dreger last week saying Anderson wasn’t in play despite the Canadiens getting calls from other clubs. Dreger said the same thing as Engels: Hughes isn’t shopping him but could move him if he gets an offer too good to refuse.

Some of you might wonder why Engels believes the Canadiens would want an NHL player on an expiring contract in the deal. I think it would be to try and flip that player to another club at the deadline for another asset.

As for using Anderson to acquire Dubois, I concur with Engels that the winger on his own wouldn’t be enough to land the Jets center. They’ll have to add a first-round pick and a top prospect into the mix.

As Engels also pointed out, if the Canadiens really want Dubois and he wants to join the Habs, they only need to wait until the summer of 2024 when he becomes a UFA. Signing him will be expensive but they won’t have to part with any other assets to get him.

PENGUINS GM NOT PARTING WITH FIRST-ROUND PICK

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski reports Penguins GM Ron Hextall will not trade his 2023 first-round pick to move out some salary or in a straight-up deal. He said conversations have picked up in the trade market but he has not been asked for his first-rounder.

With limited salary-cap space, Hextall is in the market to improve his third forward line. Kingerski speculates he could be seeking a third-line center.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 19, 2023

by | Jan 19, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – January 19, 2023

A growing number of teams could be interested in Bo Horvat, the latest on Brock Boeser and Jesse Puljujarvi plus a look at some potential Canadiens trade bait in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST CANUCKS SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Duhatschek and Michael Russo suggested the Boston Bruins could be a good destination for Vancouver Canucks center Bo Horvat. They mused over the possibility of the Bruins acquiring Horvat and signing him to a contract extension should Patrice Bergeron or David Krejci retire at the end of this season.

The Carolina Hurricanes could also be a landing spot for Horvat. However, they’re unwilling to part with Martin Necas.

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma reports the Bruins, Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche are kicking tires on the Canucks captain. However, there are cost certainty concerns and the Canucks have not granted permission for potential suitors to talk contract with Horvat’s agent.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy cites an NHL source confirming the Bruins and Canucks have talked about Horvat. The Avalanche, Hurricanes, Detroit Red Wings and Seattle Kraken are also believed to be really interested in Horvat but the Canucks’ asking price is high. The source expected prospect Fabian Lysell and a first-round pick would have to be the starting point in any talks between the Bruins and Canucks.

THE ATHLETIC/VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Jesse Granger and Owen Krepps included Horvat in their lists of potential trade targets for the Golden Knights if winger Mark Stone and his $9.5 million cap hit end up on long-term injury reserve. Stone is currently listed as week-to-week with an upper-body injury.

POST MEDIA: Michael Traikos added the New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins as possible suitors for Horvat. He wondered whether an offer of a first-round pick, a top prospect and a young roster player would be too much or too little.

Vancouver Canucks captain Bo Horvat (NHL Images).

Traikos also believes the Canucks can’t afford to wait too long to move Horvat. St. Louis’ Ryan O’Reilly and Vladimir Tarasenko, Chicago’s Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, San Jose’s Timo Meier, Ottawa’s Alex DeBrincat, Philadelphia’s James van Riemsdyk and Montreal’s Sean Monahan could soon become available in the trade market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A lot of playoff contenders would love to have Bo Horvat on their roster for the 2023 playoffs and perhaps beyond if they can reach an agreement on a contract extension. Most, however, won’t be able to afford the Canucks’ asking price. A number of them will lack sufficient cap space to pull it off unless they get creative and pull off a three-team swap to spread around the remainder of Horvat’s $5.5 million cap hit.

As for the Canucks’ asking price, Rutherford said earlier this week that he’d be interested in acquiring players on entry-level contracts who are struggling with their current teams. He probably won’t balk at getting a first-round pick but he’d like to add young NHL-ready players given ownership’s insistence on retooling the roster rather than rebuilding.

All of this is just spitballing right now. Teams are making inquiries into Horvat’s availability and what it would cost. It’ll likely only be two or three clubs that’ll come up with suitable bids. I don’t rule out Horvat getting traded in January but I think a February deal is more likely.

THE ATHLETIC’s Pierre LeBrun and Michael Russo report teams are still interested in Canucks winger Brock Boeser. He’s signed through 2024-25 with a $6.65 million annual cap hit. It’s possible the only way he gets traded is if the Canucks retain part of his salary. The Minnesota Wild have spoken to them about Boeser but they might not be able to make it work cap-wise without Vancouver retaining salary.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Province’s Ben Kuzma shares that view. Canucks management reportedly wants to clear the entirety of Boeser’s cap hit from their books. If they maintain that stance, they might have to wait until the offseason to move him when teams have more cap room.

UPDATES ON THE OILERS

THE ATHLETIC: Daniel Nugent-Bowman believes it’s time for the Edmonton Oilers to part ways with Jesse Puljujarvi after he was made a healthy scratch for Evander Kane’s return to the roster on Tuesday.

GM Ken Holland has been working the phones. However, he couldn’t find any takers for Puljujarvi last summer because he refused to accept discounted future assets for a player who was a top-six forward last season. The decline in the 24-year-old winger’s performance this season leaves management praying that someone will take his $3 million contract off their hands.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli reported the Oilers have had some promising conversations with a couple of teams regarding Puljujarvi. That’s potentially good news for Oilers fans concerned that the club might have to package Puljujarvi with an asset to move him before the March 3 trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Color me skeptical about the Oilers’ chances of moving Puljujarvi before deadline day without bundling him with a draft pick or prospect. Sure, anything’s possible but his stock has really tumbled since last summer when it wasn’t that high to begin with.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson dismissed the notion of the Oilers parting with defenseman Philip Broberg as part of a package offer to the Arizona Coyotes for Jakob Chychrun.

Matheson considered it unlikely to happen because the Oilers don’t see Chychrun as a fit they need plus they like Broberg too much.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers’ focus seems to be on acquiring a shutdown defenseman like Columbus’ Vladislav Gavrikov or Montreal’s Joel Edmundson. And no, they won’t part with Broberg for either of those guys.

POTENTIAL CANADIENS TRADE BAIT

MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan reports the Canadiens could have a different look following the March 3 trade deadline. Veterans like Edmundson and forwards Jonathan Drouin, Evgenii Dadonov, Sean Monahan and Josh Anderson could be in play as the Habs continue their rebuilding process.

Drouin, Dadonov and Monahan are slated to become unrestricted free agents this summer. GM Kent Hughes will attempt to get something for them by the deadline. Hughes acknowledged Edmundson and Anderson have frequently surfaced in media trade rumors but called those reports “not necessarily accurate.”

Don’t expect the Canadiens to shop Samuel Montembeault. Hughes said they want to keep the 26-year-old goaltender.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Drouin and Monahan have been sidelined by injuries while Dadonov hasn’t played well this season. Those factors will affect their value in this season’s trade market. I doubt he’ll be able to get first-round picks or top prospects for them.

Edmundson and Anderson would have more value but they’re both signed beyond this season. Hughes could be less inclined to move them but I don’t doubt that he’ll listen to offers that include a first-rounder.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 23, 2022

by | Dec 23, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – December 23, 2022

Will the Maple Leafs attempt to acquire a notable forward like Ryan O’Reilly, Bo Horvat or James van Riemsdyk at the March trade deadline? Read on to find out in today’s NHL rumor mill.

NOTE: I will be taking my annual Christmas break from Dec. 24 to Dec. 26. The next update to this site will be Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022.

SPORTSNET: After the Toronto Maple Leafs shipped Denis Malgin to the Colorado Avalanche for Dryden Hunt earlier this week, Luke Fox felt they still needed to address a vacancy among their top-six forwards. “That move should still be coming,” wrote Fox. “It will just need to wait until after the holidays.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: But how long after the holidays will the Leafs need to wait? What vacancy do they need to fill? Which players could they pursue to address that issue? Don’t worry, they’re plenty of answers to those questions. Read on…

Fox believes Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas must be very bold at the March 3 trade deadline. He suggests Dubas follow the example of Tampa Bay Lightning GM Julien BriseBois, whose moves in the last three trade deadlines helped the Lightning win the Stanley Cup in two of their three straight trips to the Finals since 2020.

St. Louis Blues captain Ryan O’Reilly (NHL Images)

The Leafs will have sufficient cap space to make moves leading up to the deadline with defenseman Jake Muzzin and his $5.625 million cap hit on long-term injured reserve until the postseason and perhaps beyond. Fox believes Dubas must address the Leafs’ need for a second-line left wing by acquiring a natural winger or a center and shifting John Tavares or the new center to the left side.

Fox mentioned Vancouver’s Bo Horvat, St. Louis’ Ryan O’Reilly and Chicago’s Patrick Kane among possible options. Others include Chicago’s Jonathan Toews, Detroit’s Tyler Bertuzzi, St. Louis’ Vladimir Tarasenko or Ivan Barbashev, San Jose’s Timo Meier, and Columbus’ Gustav Nyquist.

He also listed potential trade targets to bolster the blueline. The most expensive option would be Arizona’s Jakob Chychrun. Other defensemen who could be available include Arizona’s Shayne Gostisbehere, Anaheim’s John Klingberg, Columbus’ Vladislav Gavrikov and Vancouver’s Luke Schenn.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most of those players could become available leading up to deadline day. Which ones could the Leafs afford to acquire? Let’s take a look, shall we?

THE ATHLETIC (subscription only): Joshua Kloke and Harman Dayal examined three potential trade proposals the Leafs could make for the Canucks’ Bo Horvat. The Canucks seek a package that includes multiple young players. They aren’t expected to have much interest in a futures-only package.

Kloke’s proposals involve a young player like Timothy Liljegren or a prospect such as Matthew Knies. Ultimately, Kloke and Dayal are skeptical that the Leafs can put together a sufficient offer to land Horvat.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Never say never, I suppose, but the Canucks would have to be desperate for the Leafs to have a decent shot at acquiring Horvat. By that, I mean the Canucks fail to find any teams willing to meet their asking price and are forced to accept lesser offers.

There’s nothing wrong with Liljegren and Knies has NHL potential. Nevertheless, there’s just not enough there in Kloke’s proposals that I believe would put the Leafs over the top in a bidding war.

TSN (stick tap to NHL Watcher): During a recent appearance on Leafs Lunch, Darren Dreger was asked what it would cost the Leafs to land Blues captain Ryan O’Reilly. He doesn’t think they’ll part ways with Knies and would be shocked if he doesn’t sign with them once his NCAA season is over. Dreger also wondered about Nick Robertson and if he could be moved.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues are enduring an up-and-down season thus far. If they drop out of the race they could entertain offers for O’Reilly if they can’t get him under contract before March 3. However, I don’t like the Leafs’ chances of landing him if they’re unwilling to include Knies in the deal.

TORONTO SUN: Michael Traikos wondered if Dubas would bring back James van Riemsdyk at the trade deadline. The 33-year-old winger spent the best seasons of his career with the Leafs and said he loved playing in Toronto.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: van Riemsdyk would be a more affordable option than Horvat or O’Reilly. However, he’s at the stage in his career where his best seasons are behind him. “JvR” might not fit well within their current system.

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos wondered if Dubas would wait to sign Knies in the hope that he makes a big splash directly out of college hockey the way Cole Caufield did for the Montreal Canadiens in 2021. If not, Kypreos suggested Arizona Coyotes forward Lawson Crouse or Canadiens winger Josh Anderson would be available at the right price.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I expect Dubas will make a significant move or two by the March trade deadline. His job probably depends on it. The Leafs’ impressive regular-season performance won’t mean squat if they can’t win a playoff round. I don’t see how Dubas keeps his job if the Leafs make another first-round exit.

Again, I’m not fully ruling out the Leafs landing someone like Horvat or O’Reilly but I doubt they’ll get either guy without including Knies and perhaps their first-round pick as part of the return. The same goes for Kane, Toews, Tarasenko, Meier, and Chychrun.

The others shouldn’t cost the Leafs a first-rounder and/or their top prospect. Nevertheless, the asking prices could rise if there are multiple teams bidding for their services. Clubs like the Coyotes and Canadiens will want returns that suit their rebuilding plans. Their respective general managers have been able to get solid returns in the trade market.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 10, 2022

by | Dec 10, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – December 10, 2022

The latest trade speculation about the Canadiens Joel Edmundson and Josh Anderson, skepticism over the Oilers’ rumored interest in Erik Karlsson and an update on Jesse Puljujarvi in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON EDMUNDSON AND ANDERSON

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marco D’Amico recently cited TSN’s Ryan Rishaug and The Athletic’s Arpon Basu discussed how the Canadiens’ Joel Edmundson would be a good fit with the Edmonton Oilers’ blueline and what it might cost to acquire the veteran defenseman.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Joel Edmundson (NHL Images).

Basu believes Edmundson would be a better option for the Canadiens to acquire a first-round pick than center Sean Monahan, citing the 29-year-old’s playoff history. If that’s not possible, they might accept a former first-round pick, prompting Rishaug to suggest prospect Xavier Bourgault, who was chosen 22nd overall by the Oilers in the 2021 draft.

In a follow-up piece on Edmundson’s trade value, D’Amico responded to those skeptical over Edmundson fetching a first-round pick or a former first-rounder. He cited the return the Canadiens received from the Florida Panthers for Ben Chiarot at last season’s trade deadline as one example.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes also got a first-rounder from the Calgary Flames for Tyler Toffoli last February and convinced the Flames to include a first-rounder when he acquired Monahan in August.

That’s raised expectations among Canadiens fans that Hughes can pull this off every time he flogs a player in the trade market or acquires one from a club looking to shed salary. They should prepare themselves for the possibility that he might not get a first-rounder for Monahan or Edmundson though I don’t rule it out. Still, landing a promising prospect who can fit well within their system could be just as worthwhile.

A recent episode of the “Ray and Dregs Hockey Podcast had TSN’s Ray Ferraro and Darren Dreger discussing the speculation around the league over what the Canadiens will do with Josh Anderson. Dreger believes any team in the market for a scoring forward would look at the 28-year-old Anderson.

Both analysts agreed the Canadiens aren’t in any hurry to move Anderson as they don’t have any salary-cap issues to deal with this season. Dreger felt the winger could be a good fit with the New Jersey Devils but the cost of the trade could keep the two clubs from reaching an agreement.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s a sense that Hughes will peddle Anderson sooner or later. He’s signed through 2026-27 with a $5.5 million annual cap hit and an eight-team no-trade clause. That’s a move that seems more likely to occur in the offseason when teams have more salary-cap flexibility.

UPDATE ON THE OILERS

OILERS NATION (stick tap to Kevin Littlefair): Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli dismissed a rumor from TSN’s Darren Dreger regarding the rumored interest in San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson among some in the Edmonton Oilers front office.

Seravalli said the report of the Oilers’ supposed interest in Karlsson came as news to the Sharks’ front office. He also pointed out the difficulty in moving the 32-year-old blueliner’s contract. If the Sharks retain any portion of it, Seravalli doubts they’ll get much of a return and if they don’t retain any of it they won’t get anything.

He also believes the Oilers would reject an offer of Karlsson with 50 percent retained salary in exchange for Jesse Puljujarvi because they still have to re-sign Evan Bouchard next summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m summarizing the key parts of what Seravalli said but I agree with his overall assessment. It’s worth noting that he wasn’t disparaging Dreger’s report but merely doubted that the Oilers could afford Karlsson.

Would the Oilers like to have Karlsson on the blueline? Of course they would, who wouldn’t? However, his hefty contract (assuming he’d waive his no-movement clause) makes that deal almost impossible to pull off.

Speaking of Puljujarvi…

NHL WATCHER: cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman saying the Oilers have tried moving Puljujarvi in the past but didn’t receive offers to their liking due to his lack of production. Given the winger’s recent comments questioning whether he has what it takes to be an NHL scorer, Friedman thinks they might not have much choice but to move him for the best deal they can find.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Puljujarvi’s comments could further tank his trade value. While he’s under a one-year contract worth $3 million, there might not be many takers for a once-promising winger filled with self-doubt over his scoring ability.










NHL Rumor Mill – November 24, 2022

by | Nov 24, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – November 24, 2022

Check out the latest Canadiens speculation plus a look at some other potential blueline trade targets for the Leafs in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON THE CANADIENS

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: The New Jersey Devils’ rumored interest in Josh Anderson apparently hasn’t waned since the offseason. Canadiens podcaster and former broadcaster Tony Marinaro reports Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald wants the 28-year-old Canadiens winger badly.

Montreal Canadiens winger Josh Anderson (NHL Images).

Marinaro wonders if the Devils would part with a promising youngster such as Luke Hughes, Simon Nemec or Alexander Holtz in a package deal. It remains to be seen if Canadiens GM Kent Hughes (no relation to Luke or Devils winger Jack Hughes) would be willing to move Anderson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marinaro also claims there are a couple of teams besides the Devils who would take Anderson. Assuming the Canadiens are willing to move him, they probably aren’t in any rush to do so at this stage in the season.

If there is interest in Anderson, it might be best to wait until the March 3 trade deadline approaches to start considering serious offers. His value in the trade market could be much higher by that point.

Marco D’Amico recently listed Sean Monahan, Joel Edmundson and Christian Dvorak as the Canadiens’ top-three most valuable trade chips.

D’Amico noted TSN’s Pierre LeBrun recently linked Monahan to the Colorado Avalanche, who could be among several clubs that will be in the market for a second-line center. Edmundson has apparently been the subject of conversations between Hughes and his peers, while the recent improvement of Dvorak could bolster his trade value.

Speaking of Anderson, D’Amico speculated the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers could present irresistible offers to Hughes at some point.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I believe Monahan, Edmundson or Dvorak could be moved before Anderson. Much will depend on where the Canadiens are in the standings leading up to the March 3 trade deadline and what the market is for those players. Given the plethora of defensemen the Canadiens are carrying, maybe Edmundson gets traded first.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan reports the Canadiens possess a logjam of defensemen with Mike Matheson’s recent return from injury and the rise of promising blueliners like Kaiden Guhle, Jordan Harris, Arber Xhekaj and Johnathan Kovacevic. He also noted there were 19 scouts at Tuesday’s game between the Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some of those scouts would’ve been there simply because their teams will be playing the Canadiens or Sabres in the near future. However, I daresay some could be there to check out some potential trade bait.

LIST OF POTENTIAL BLUELINE TRADE TARGETS FOR THE LEAFS

THE SCORE: Sean O’Leary recently published a list of 10 defensemen the Toronto Maple Leafs could target to bolster their injury-ravaged blueline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: O’Leary’s list came out before the Leafs acquired promising rearguard Conor Timmins from the Arizona Coyotes on Nov. 23. However, they could perhaps pursue one of his suggested trade targets if Timmins doesn’t pan out or if Morgan Rielly, Jake Muzzin and TJ Brodie are sidelined longer than expected.

Pending unrestricted free agent options include the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Vladislav Gavrikov, the Washington Capitals’ Dmitry Orlov, the Minnesota Wild’s Matt Dumba, the New Jersey Devils’ Damon Severson, the Seattle Kraken’s Carson Soucy and the Vancouver Canucks’ Luke Schenn.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t see Orlov, Dumba, Severson and Soucy going anywhere as long as their respective teams remain in playoff contention. Gavrikov could be shopped if he hasn’t signed a contract extension before the trade deadline. Schenn will likely become available if the Canucks fail to gain ground in the standings.

Notable defensemen with term remaining on their contracts include the Arizona Coyotes’ Jakob Chychrun, the Boston Bruins’ Mike Reilly and Matt Roy and Sean Walker of the Los Angeles Kings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The high asking price for Chychrun is likely too rich for the Leafs. Reilly could be a good option but the Bruins may be reluctant to trade him to a division rival. Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas has a trade history with Kings GM Rob Blake so perhaps Roy or Walker would be more likely options here.