NHL Rumor Mill – July 23, 2024

by | Jul 23, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 23, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: burning questions about Mitch Marner’s future in Toronto, Jacob Trouba and Kaapo Kakko’s futures with the Rangers, and Sidney Crosby’s contract extension with the Penguins.

NHL NETWORK: Mitch Marner’s future with the Toronto Maple Leafs was among the five burning offseason questions recently discussed by Jamison Coyle and Mike Rupp.

Rupp doesn’t see the Maple Leafs moving away from Marner this summer. He cited the 27-year-old winger’s play as well as the final year of his contract containing a full no-movement clause. Marner could play out that year and depart next summer as an unrestricted free agent.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’ve gone from the expectation that Marner could be traded this summer to the reality that he holds all the cards and won’t accept a trade. The narrative has shifted to whether he and the Leafs will agree to a contract extension. However, recent reports suggest the Marner camp intends to let this season unfold and see where they are once it’s over.

A team could emerge this summer that makes a lucrative trade offer that Marner would accept but I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for it. Expect him to be in their opening-night lineup in October.

Jacob Trouba and Kaapo Kakko have featured regularly in this summer’s rumor mill. However, Rupp expects they’ll still be with the New York Rangers when this season begins in October.

Rupp acknowledged the recent trade speculation regarding management’s attempt to move Trouba and the 30-year-old defenseman using his no-movement clause to block the trade. He knows that Trouba is well-liked by his teammates and doesn’t anticipate the attempted trade will be an issue for the blueliner this season. Nevertheless, he wonders what the future holds for Trouba.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trouba now has a 15-team no-trade list but recent reports claim the Rangers have no plans to move him this summer. This season, however, could be his last with the Blueshirts. They could try to move him next summer to shed his $8 million cap hit for 2025-26.

Regarding Kaako, Rupp believes the 23-year-old winger is worth keeping. He expects Kakko is due for a breakout performance, pointing out Alexis Lafreniere’s emergence last season following a difficult 2022-23 which made him the subject of trade rumors.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kakko’s one-year, $2.4 million contract makes him an affordable gamble for Rangers management. If he had that breakout performance, they’d have him on a very cheap deal this season. If he struggles again, it’ll be easier to move to another team willing to take the chance.

Rupp doesn’t think Pittsburgh Penguins fans should be concerned that Sidney Crosby hasn’t signed his contract extension yet. He anticipates the long-time Pittsburgh captain will finish his career as a Penguin.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: On July 8, The Athletic’s Rob Rossi cited sources claiming Crosby and the Penguins were closing in on an extension. It could be a three-year deal worth an average annual value of $10 million.

The superstitious Crosby will probably sign on August 7. That’s his birthday and his jersey number (87). I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve already hammered out the details.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 17, 2024

by | Jul 17, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 17, 2024

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: An update on Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba and winger Kaapo Kakko and suggested trade destinations for Jets prospect Rutger McGroarty and Predators goalie Yaroslav Askarov.

UPDATE ON JACOB TROUBA AND KAAPO KAKKO

THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple reports it doesn’t appear the New York Rangers will trade or buy out Jacob Trouba this summer.

The 30-year-old defenseman was the subject of trade speculation linking him to the Detroit Red Wings last month. However, league sources claim there was never anything close to a deal with the Wings.

Trading or buying out Trouba now would leave the Rangers in the market for a right-shot defenseman behind Adam Fox and Braden Schneider who kills penalties and can handle an occasional increase in playing time.

New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (NHL Images).

Staple indicated there was at least one conversation between Trouba and Rangers general manager Chris Drury. There may have been some fence-mending by the Rangers regarding those trade rumors but Trouba is a pro who won’t put his emotions over the good of the team.

However, Staple believes it’s nearly certain that Trouba will be traded next summer. He has a 15-team no-trade list, will have a year left on his contract, and his wife’s medical residency will be completed by then.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The silence we’ve heard in the rumor mill about Trouba since July 1 led most of us to conclude he won’t be traded or bought out this summer. Drury’s attempt to trade him before July 1 was to free up cap space to make one or two signings in the free-agent market. With that market picked clean, there’s no reason to move Trouba now.

Staple felt if the Rangers make a move this summer it would involve Kaapo Kakko. The 23-year-old winger signed a one-year, $2.4 million contract last month but was still considered a trade candidate.

However, there have been no offers that interested Drury or other teams. Staple believes Kakko could also be back if the Rangers don’t want to sell low and find another top-nine forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Drury could bring Kakko back and hope he has a breakout performance like Alexis Lafreniere last season. If he doesn’t, the Rangers GM could bundle the young winger with a draft pick for an established forward by the March trade deadline. Maybe he tries to bring back Frank Vatrano.

SUGGESTED TRADE DESTINATIONS FOR MCGROARTY AND ASKAROV

SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon proposed some trade destinations for Winnipeg Jets prospect winger Rutger McGroarty and promising Nashville Predators goaltender Yaroslav Askarov.

McGroarty, 20, recently surfaced in the rumor mill amid reports he and the Jets disagree about the course of his development. Meanwhile, trade speculation about the 22-year-old Askarov has increased after the Predators signed Juuse Saros to a contract extension and signed veteran backup Scott Wedgewood.

Dixon suggested the Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota Wild, Boston Bruins, and Calgary Flames as potential trade partners for McGroarty.

The Canadiens are flush with defensemen they could use to add McGroarty to their rebuilding roster. The Flames are also rebuilding and could use a promising young winger. The Wild could use a winger with his enticing profile, while the Bruins are a contending team that could use an affordable injection of youth into their roster.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dixon observed the Canadiens and Wild were linked to McGroarty during the NHL draft.

Meanwhile, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Carolina Hurricanes could use a promising young goaltender like Askarov. Dixon also suggested the New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks could benefit from landing both players.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dixon suggested the Jackets offer up Kent Johnson for Askarov, a pitch that could tempt the Predators. Askarov and Pyotr Kochetkov could give the Hurricanes a reliable goalie tandem for years.

Between the Devils and Sharks, the latter could be better positioned to pursue both players. They’re carrying two first-round picks in next year’s draft, a deeper prospect pool and a lot more salary-cap space.










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.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 11, 2024

by | Jul 11, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 11, 2024

Check out the latest on the Rangers, Canadiens and Blue Jackets in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LOHUD.COM: Vincent Z. Mercogliano suggests the New York Rangers might not make any major moves this summer after all. All the top unrestricted free agents are now off the board and it’s difficult to find an impact trade as there don’t seem to be many players available.

A lot of eyes are on the Winnipeg Jets. They’re believed to be deep in talks to trade winger Nikolaj Ehlers to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Mercogliano also noted the Rangers had previous trade discussions with the Anaheim Ducks about winger Frank Vatrano. It’s believed the Ducks wanted to do more during this offseason. They could hang onto Vatrano and hope for higher bids at the trade deadline.

The Rangers will have access to a second contract buyout once Ryan Lindgren’s arbitration situation is resolved. However, they’re not expected to make use of it.

New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (NHL Images).

They can also afford to keep Jacob Trouba on the roster despite the awkward fallout from general manager Chris Drury’s failed attempt to trade him to the Detroit Red Wings. It might be easier next summer to find a trade partner among those not on his no-trade list.

A source told Mercogliano that the Rangers aren’t thrilled with the trade offers they’ve received for winger Kaapo Kakko. They’d need an NHL-caliber player in return to fill the resulting hole in their lineup by trading Kakko.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Drury could surprise us by finding a team willing to take Trouba or Kakko off the Rangers’ hands for the right price. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be surprising if both players are still on their roster when their season begins in October.

TVA SPORTS: Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes will find slim pickings in this summer’s UFA market if he intends to go that route to add a scoring forward.

The site suggested the three best remaining options are Daniel Sprong, Tyler Johnson and Alex Nylander.

Sprong had 18 goals and 43 points last season with the Detroit Red Wings despite averaging only 12 minutes of ice time per game. Johnson had 17 goals in 67 games last season with the Chicago Blackhawks and would’ve netted over 20 had he played a full 82 games. Nylander had 11 goals and 15 points in 28 games after being acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s not a heck of a lot left to choose from here. The best you can say is they’ll be affordable signings. Maybe one of them might thrive in a third-line role with the Canadiens on a one-year deal.

THE SCORE: Josh Wegman cited The Athletic’s Aaron Portzline reporting Jay Woodcroft and Dean Evason are among the finalists for the Columbus Blue Jackets’ head-coaching position.

Former Los Angeles Kings bench boss Todd McLellan was reportedly the first choice of Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell. However, he’s no longer in the running after contract negotiations fell through. McLellan still has another year remaining on his contract with the Kings, meaning the two teams would have to determine how much the Blue Jackets would pay. A source told Portzline the Jackets could circle back to McLellan.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 5, 2024

by | Jul 5, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 5, 2024

Check out the recent Rangers and Sabres speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

RANGERS STILL LACK CAP FLEXIBILITY AFTER FAILING TO TRADE TROUBA

NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker suggests Rangers general manager Chris Drury could be looking at running it back next season with more of his roster’s core group than expected.

New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (NHL Images).

The Rangers have little salary-cap flexibility after failing to move Jacob Trouba in a cost-cutting trade. That was a touchy subject that played itself out in the media. It’s also left them with limited cap room and restricted free agents Ryan Lindgren and Braden Schneider to re-sign.

Meanwhile, winger Kaapo Kakko remains a Ranger after signing a one-year, team-friendly contract at his qualifying offer price of $2.4 million.

Despite acquiring winger Reilly Smith from Pittsburgh and signing forward Sam Carrick, the Rangers don’t look very different.

Walker noted any additional roster-shifting moves haven’t happened yet and might not occur this summer.

THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh observed Trouba became the subject of criticism among some Rangers fans for putting his family’s needs above the team’s.

Baugh defended Trouba for exercising his contractual rights by not providing his 15-team no-trade list a week before his no-movement clause became a modified no-trade clause on July 1. That may have prevented the Rangers from making moves but none of it falls on Trouba.

“The 30-year-old captain never once violated the deal he negotiated,” wrote Baugh. “He is exercising the rights in the contract to do what’s best for himself and his family, and that’s beyond acceptable”.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s not Trouba’s fault that Drury painted himself into this corner. He reportedly had a deal in place to send the defenseman to the Detroit Red Wings before July 1. That might not be on the table anymore following the Wings’ recent forays in the free-agent market.

The Rangers GM could try to move Trouba to one of the teams not on his no-trade list. However, that could be difficult with many clubs using most of their cap space in the free-agent market.

Drury could try and peddle Kakko but he won’t provide much cap relief and there might not be much of a market for him.

ARE MORE MOVES IN STORE FOR THE SABRES?

THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn observed Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams acquired winger Jason Zucker and signed free-agent checking-line forwards Sam Lafferty and Nicolas Aube-Kubel on July 1 However, he wonders if Adams has anything else up his sleeve.

The Sabres GM seemed open to adding a top-six forward but he doesn’t appear to consider it urgent. Fairburn expects they’ll have plenty of salary-cap space after re-signing Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Henri Jokiharju, Peyton Krebs and Beck Malenstyn.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Adams could see what’s available in the trade market later this summer or during training camp and preseason. It wouldn’t be surprising if he banks that cap space to use during the season, perhaps in the lead-up to the 2025 trade deadline.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 26, 2024

by | Jun 26, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – June 26, 2024

The latest speculation over Leon Draisaitl’s future with the Oilers, possible buyout candidates, updates on Jake Guentzel and Jakob Chychrun, and the latest on the Rangers and Blackhawks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON LEON DRAISAITL’S FUTURE WITH THE OILERS

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston reports there is no more important business for the Edmonton Oilers than what happens next for Leon Draisaitl. The 28-year-old superstar forward has a year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $8.5 million and could seek a considerably higher annual average value on his next deal.

Multiple sources tell Johnston the Oilers have no intention of letting Draisaitl play out the final year of his contract and walk away as a free agent next summer, especially when Connor McDavid will be a year away from UFA eligibility by then.

Given the length of their playoff run, the Oilers haven’t yet started serious contract extension talks with Draisaitl’s camp. Re-signing him this summer is a “massive priority”. They do have some wiggle room if they attempt to move him as he has a 10-team no-trade list. Going that route would be a franchise-defining move.

Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).

Johnston’s colleague Daniel Nugent-Bowman believes the Oilers should not trade Draisaitl if an extension cannot be reached. Trading him would be an almost no-win situation. He felt they should retain him for next season and one more shot at winning the Stanley Cup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers possess an aging roster in win-now mode. Re-signing Draisaitl will eat up a lot of cap space going forward even with the cap expected to rise significantly for the foreseeable future. That could hamper their efforts to bolster their roster down the road. Still, it’ll be shocking if Draisaitl isn’t re-signed this summer.

LATEST “32 THOUGHTS” RUMOR ROUNDUP

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes Jeff Skinner is a name to watch when the buyout window opens on Wednesday. The 32-year-old Buffalo Sabres winger has three years left on his contract with an AAV of $9 million. Other buyout possibilities include Oilers goaltender Jack Campbell, Winnipeg Jets defenseman Nate Schmidt, and New York Islanders center Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Teams considering buyouts can’t afford to waste time this year. The buyout window opens 48 hours following the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final and closes on June 30 at 5 pm ET.

Friedman believes there are some “really good teams” looking at whether they can afford to acquire and sign Jake Guentzel. The 29-year-old Carolina Hurricanes winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. There’s talk the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks looked into it but they are rebuilding clubs.

The Pittsburgh Penguins re-signing goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic leaves Friedman wondering if they might trade Tristan Jarry.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: He’s not the only pundit pondering that possibility. Jarry has four more years left on his contract with an AAV of $5.375 million and a 12-team no-trade list.

The Winnipeg Jets could move prospect Rutger McGroarty sooner rather than later. The 20-year-old winger has expressed concern over the Jets’ plans for his future. Friedman dismissed the notion that the Jets have no trade leverage with McGroarty wanting out, suggesting they could make an interesting deal that gets them a first-round pick and perhaps more.

THE LATEST ON JAKOB CHYCHRUN

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators are trying to determine what the trade market looks like for Jakob Chychrun. The 26-year-old defenseman has a year left on his contract with a $4.6 million cap hit and a 10-team no-trade list.

It’s believed the Senators seek a first and a second-rounder or a high-end prospect for Chychrun. The Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks are among the clubs that have shown an interest.

UPDATE ON THE RANGERS

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports there is no indication the Rangers intend to buy out the final two season of captain Jacob Trouba’s contract. He also claims his sources are divided over whether GM Chris Drury will attempt to trade Trouba after he submits his 15-team no-trade list on July 1. Brooks believes the Rangers have little stomach to turn over their captaincy after only two years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s doubtful Trouba will be traded. His performance declined partly because he played on a broken ankle over the final month of the regular season and during their playoff run. As Brooks pointed out, he’s well-respected by his teammates.

The Rangers are believed to be aggressively shopping Kaapo Kakko despite signing him to a one-year, $2.4 million contract. Sources tell Brooks they could bundle him with the 30th overall pick to move up in the first round of the upcoming draft.

UPDATE ON THE BLACKHAWKS

THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus report league sources suggest the Chicago Blackhawks aren’t sold enough on Carolina Hurricanes winger Martin Necas to send him an offer sheet or acquire and sign him to a long-term contract.

The Blackhawks are intrigued by Necas but the Hurricanes aren’t in the market for draft picks and prospects. They instead prefer NHL-ready talent.

Hurricanes forward Teuvo Teravainen could be open to returning to Chicago as a free agent.