NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 5, 2024

by | Sep 5, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 5, 2024

The Blue Jackets and Flames honor the Gaudreau brothers with candlelight vigils, Torey Krug talks about his upcoming ankle surgery, the latest on the Senators, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The Blue Jackets held a candlelight vigil outside Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Wednesday to remember Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, who were killed by a drunk driver last Thursday in New Jersey.

Johnny, 31, joined the Blue Jackets as a free agent in 2022.

Over 1,000 fans gathered to pay their respects. They heard emotional words and memories from Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell, captain Boone Jenner, alternate captain Erik Gudbranson and center Cole Sillinger.

CALGARY SUN: Thousands of fans gather outside Calgary’s Saddledome on Wednesday to honor the Gaudreau brothers. Johnny began his NHL career with the Flames and spent nearly nine seasons with them. Flames GM Craig Conroy, captain Mikael Backlund, and team legend Lanny McDonald shared their memories of Gaudreau with the crowd.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The vigils cap an emotional week in both cities. Fans outside both arenas set up makeshift memorials over the past week. They will remain in place for the time being. At some point, both clubs will likely implement some form of permanent tribute to the brothers.

STLTODAY.COM: Blues defenseman Torey Krug met with the local media yesterday regarding his season-ending ankle surgery and its effect on his playing career.

St. Louis Blues defenseman Torey Krug (NHL Images).

Krug was diagnosed earlier this summer with pre-arthritic changes in his left ankle related to an injury suffered during the 2018 playoffs. He later experienced arthritis but was able to treat the issue with non-surgical means until this year when the pain persisted.

The 33-year-old defenseman hopes the surgery will allow him to lead a normal life. However, he became emotional when discussing the possibility it could end his playing career, forcing him to pause at one point for several seconds to compose himself.

The surgery will fuse the subtalar joint that involves side-to-side movement of the foot, limiting Krug’s range of motion in that area. He could also experience pain in the nearby ankle or midfoot joints following surgery.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Here’s hoping Krug makes a full recovery from this surgery.

SPORTSNET: Ottawa Senators GM Steve Staios is not pushing Linus Ullmark to sign a new contract.

The Senators acquired Ullmark from the Boston Bruins in June. Staios said the club wants the 30-year-old goaltender to settle in and get comfortable in the community before opening contract talks.

Ullmark carries a $5 million cap hit this season. The 2023 Vezina Trophy winner is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: How well Ullmark’s new team performs this season will also factor in his negotiations. Senators fans have been waiting for this rebuilding club’s emergence as a playoff contender since 2021-22.

Poor goaltending factored into their inability to achieve that goal which was why they acquired Ullmark. A strong performance by him and his new teammates could finally lead to that much-anticipated breakout performance. That could entice Ullmark to stick around beyond this season.

Staios also said oft-injured forward Josh Norris is trending toward being a full participant in training camp. The 24-year-old Norris underwent his third surgery on his left shoulder after reinjuring it in March. Staios indicated Norris is ahead of where he was in his recovery compared to this time last year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A healthy and productive Norris will also be a key factor for the Senators this season.

OTTAWA SUN: Talks are heating up again between the Senators and the National Capital Commission regarding the potential construction of a new arena at LeBreton Flats in downtown Ottawa.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: These negotiations have been going on for several years. So far, there’s no indication a deal is coming anytime soon.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: The Red Wings and Lucas Raymond are no closer to agreement on a new contract. Raymond’s agent indicated the two sides have yet to reach common ground for the framework of a new deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings’ training camp opens in two weeks. Both sides will want to avoid this carrying over into training camp.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sharks top prospect Macklin Celebrini will be living with former Sharks great Joe Thornton for the coming season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Celebrini was the first-overall pick in this year’s draft. He’ll learn a lot from Thornton, who was chosen first overall by the Boston Bruins in 1997 and understands the expectations that come with that honor.

THE SCORE: Former Senator and Chicago Blackhawks forward Dominik Kubalik is returning to Swiss club HC Ambri Piotta. The 29-year-old forward spent the past five seasons with the Blackhawks and Senators, tallying 93 goals and 176 points in 357 career games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kubalik had a promising debut in 2019-20 with 30 goals and 46 points in 68 games but was never able to replicate that performance over the remainder of his NHL career.

SPORTSNET: Former Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mattias Norlinder could return to Swedish club MoDo if the fans want him to. The club lacks funds to offer Norlinder a contract and has created a crowdfunding campaign to address the issue.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 24, 2024

by | Feb 24, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – February 24, 2024

Could the Bruins trade a goalie to address other roster needs? Who could be possible trade targets for the Golden Knights? What’s going on with Marc-Andre Fleury, Casey Mittelstadt and Vladimir Tarasenko? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST BRUINS SPECULATION

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy cited TNT NHL analyst Paul Bissonnette suggesting the Bruins trade one of their goaltenders to address their need for a center. He believes they should move Linus Ullmark or Jeremy Swayman to bring in a top-two center and move Charlie Coyle back to third-line center duty.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman also thinks the Bruins will have to move someone off their roster if they wish to add to their lineup. He thinks people are looking at Ullmark as a trade candidate. He doesn’t think moving the 2023 Vezina Trophy winner is impossible but wondered if it’s a good idea to sacrifice one of their greatest strengths. He felt the only reason to do it is if they can get something so good that they have to do so.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A few things to remember here.

First, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said earlier this season when Ullmark popped up in the rumor mill that it was necessary to keep his goalie tandem intact because they would help keep the Bruins competitive. I don’t doubt that teams might be calling Sweeney about Ullmark or Swayman but that doesn’t mean he’s peddling one of them.

Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (NHL Images).

Second, Ullmark has a 16-team no-trade clause and loves playing in Boston. He also carries a $5 million cap hit through 2024-25 and that’s not easy to move in a season with so many teams carrying limited cap room.

Third, when was the last time you saw a goaltender (even a former Vezina winner) get traded for a first or second-line center in the salary cap era? Goalies rarely fetch big returns in trades.

And finally, which first or second-line center is currently available in the trade market? The depth of talent is so thin that third-liner Adam Henrique is considered by experts and insiders to be the best one on the market. No disrespect to Henrique, but he’s not worth Ullmark or Swayman.

I’ve been doing this long enough to know that sometimes a shocking move can take place that no one saw coming. Maybe the Bruins might be able to find that kind of deal leading up to the March 8 trade deadline. But if you recall what we’ve seen in previous trade deadlines over the years, something of that magnitude hasn’t happened in a long time.

THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa is concerned about what the Bruins will do if it appears that defenseman Hampus Lindholm could be sidelined beyond the trade deadline. Replacing the minute-munching blueliner could prove a big challenge for Sweeney.

Shinzawa believes the Bruins would love to acquire local boy Noah Hanifin from the Calgary Flames. However, he doubts they have sufficient trade assets to tempt the Flames.

The Bruins lack picks in the first three rounds of this year’s draft while promising Matt Poitras is out for the season recovering from shoulder surgery. They also don’t have sufficient cap space to take on Hanifin’s $4.95 million cap hit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll take some savvy horsetrading on Sweeney’s part to pull off a trade deadline deal for Hanifin. Maybe he can get a third team involved but his lack of tradeable assets makes that scenario seem unlikely.

A LOOK AT SOME POSSIBLE TRADE OPTIONS FOR THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: With captain Mark Stone sidelined for perhaps the rest of the regular season, Ben Gotz looked at several possible trade options to replace the 31-year-old winger before the March 8 trade deadline if they place him on long-term injury reserve.

Among the most notable are St. Louis’ Pavel Buchnevich, Pittsburgh’s Jake Guentzel, and Seattle’s Jordan Eberle.

Others include former Golden Knight Reilly Smith (now with the Penguins), Arizona’s Jason Zucker, San Jose’s Anthony Duclair or Mikael Granlund, Washington’s Anthony Mantha, Ottawa’s Vladimir Tarasenko, and Anaheim’s Frank Vatrano.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Buchnevich or Guentzel are the best options talent-wise. With Stone on LTIR the Golden Knights could afford their cap hits but the asking prices for those guys are probably well out of their reach. They might have to consider more affordable options in terms of return.

FLEURY NOT ASKING FOR A TRADE

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson reports Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is not looking for a trade. He would rather stick with the club while they’re battling for a wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

Fleury has a full no-movement clause. Matheson wondered if Wild GM Bill Guerin would approach him about a trade if a Cup contender like the Colorado Avalanche came calling. However, Fleury already has three Cup rings and would have to discuss any move with his family.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The longer the Wild remain in the playoff chase the less likely Fleury will be traded. He could always change his mind but he seems set on finishing this season in Minnesota.

TEAMS STILL INTERESTED IN MITTELSTADT

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Michael Augello cites Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek discussing Buffalo Sabres center Casey Mittelstadt. They claimed that a lot of teams were watching the 25-year-old Mittelstadt.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Teams might be watching Mittelstadt but Sabres GM Kevyn Adams recently denied rumors that he was shopping his leading scorer. Adams also said he intended to get him signed to a new contract following this season. Unless someone makes the Sabres a mind-blowing offer, Mittelstadt will still be in Buffalo when the trade deadline is over.

UPDATE ON THE SENATORS

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch recently reported the Senators remain interested in Flames defenseman Chris Tanev. However, the Flames need to trade Noah Hanifin before they deal with the 34-year-old Tanev. Garrioch believes if a deal with the Senators for Tanev was possible it would’ve happened by now. He mentions the possibility of signing him as a free agent in July.

Most of the Senators’ trade discussions involve pending free-agent Vladimir Tarasenko. He has a full no-movement clause but it’s thought that four or five teams have expressed interest in the 32-year-old winger. It’s believed the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers could be among the suitors. The Senators could get a better return if they retain part of his $5 million cap hit.

Pending UFA winger Dominik Kubalik has also drawn some interest but he’s been in the market for a couple of months. The Sens might also have to retain some of his $2.5 million cap hit.

Jakob Chychrun’s name has also surfaced in the rumor mill but the asking price is believed to be high. Some wonder if they should move a core player like Josh Norris, who carries a $7.95 million cap hit but has struggled to score in recent games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tarasenko and perhaps Kubalik will be playing elsewhere by March 8. Chychrun and Norris aren’t going anywhere unless someone makes a ridiculous offer for either guy.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 9, 2024

by | Jan 9, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – January 9, 2024

The fallout from the Leafs re-signing William Nylander, an update on Oilers goalie Jack Campbell, and the latest on the Senators in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

FALLOUT FROM THE NYLANDER SIGNING

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan believes the work has just begun for Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving after signing William Nylander yesterday to an eight-year, $92 million contract extension.

On July 1, captain John Tavares and winger Mitch Marner will be eligible to sign contract extensions as they’ll both be in the final season of their current deals. Marner’s next contract will probably cost between $11.5 million annually and $13.25 million.

Treliving could also consider tweaking his roster by the March 8 trade deadline. Bolstering the defense remains a priority. He could also look at adding a depth forward.

TORONTO STAR: Kevin McGran also noted that T.J. Brodie, Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi are slated to become unrestricted free agents on July 1. Meanwhile, goaltender Ilya Samsonov continues to work on improving his game with the AHL Marlies.

ESPN.COM: Greg Wyshynski speculates Nylander’s new contract could come up in contract negotiations between the Vancouver Canucks and Elias Pettersson. The difference, however, is Nylander was slated to become a UFA on July 1 whereas Pettersson is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.

Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart and Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel could also benefit from Nylander’s new deal. They’re a little older but could make the case for seeking over $10 million annually on their new contracts.

Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will likely cost the Leafs more than Nylander’s $11.5 million and less than Auston Matthew’s $13.25 million AAV to get Marner under contract. He could come in between $12 million and $12.5 million on a long-term deal.

Tavares is playing well but the 33-year-old Leafs captain will have to accept a pay cut from his current $11 million AAV to stay in Toronto. How much of a cut will determine whether he has a future with the Leafs beyond July 1, 2025. It’ll have to go at least below $10 million for sure.

The Leafs can afford to re-sign Brodie, Bertuzzi and Domi but they won’t overpay to do so. It won’t be surprising if at least one of them ends up hitting the open market on July 1.

Pettersson is two years younger than Nylander and keeping pace with the Leafs winger in points. I wouldn’t be shocked if he ended up with a similar contract given his value to the surging Canucks.

Reinhart and Guentzel could get over $10 million annually on their next contracts with the salary cap rising by $4.2 million for 2024-25. Whether they get them from their current clubs remains to be seen.

WILL THE OILERS TRY TO MOVE CAMPBELL?

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland intends to see if Jack Campbell can bounce back though there’s no real sign of it yet.

“I’ll watch Jack Campbell, I’ll work the phones, I’ll watch our team and ultimately between now and the trade deadline, make some decisions with our staff as to what we think we need to do,” said Holland.

LeBrun speculates the Oilers GM could attempt to add a veteran goalie to be a 1B with Stuart Skinner or a more traditional backup. He thinks a goalie trade is possible but doesn’t see a likely scenario where they can move Campbell’s contract before the trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: LeBrun thinks it could cost the Oilers two first-round picks to convince a club to take on the remaining three years of Campbell’s contract. Unless the Oilers are willing to retain up to half of his $5 million average annual value, I don’t see him going anywhere by deadline day.

LATEST ON THE SENATORS

SPORTSNET: Wayne Scanlan believes roster changes are inevitable for the struggling Ottawa Senators. With their playoff hopes fading away, management must decide who stays and who goes.

Scanlan wonders what effect the years of losing could have on defenseman Thomas Chabot and team captain Brady Tkachuk. He wondered if the new front office is as devout to sticking with the mantra of building with youth as their predecessors.

General manager Steve Staios has publicly said he wants to add a veteran or two. However, there is a theory that he could also attempt to shake things up by moving one or two of the young core players.

THE ATHLETIC: Ian Mendes believes all eyes will be on Senators forwards Vladimir Tarasenko and Dominik Kubalik leading up to the March 8 trade deadline. Both are eligible to become unrestricted free agents on July 1.

Mendes also noted that Thomas Chabot’s no-trade clause kicks in on July 1. While it seems doubtful the Senators would trade their best defenseman, the new regime in charge isn’t beholden to anyone on this roster as they didn’t acquire any of them.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Staios is trying to juggle salary-cap space to make room for center Shane Pinto once he’s finished serving his 41-game suspension later this month. He’ll have to demote someone or make a cost-cutting trade.

Garrioch also reports Staios will find it difficult to add one or two veteran players at this time. Teams that have good character players prefer to keep them and those that are available come with a high asking price. A league executive also said those players prefer going to a playoff contender rather than Ottawa.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Garrioch indicated Staios and his front office team aren’t ready to move core players like Chabot, Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Josh Norris, Drake Batherson and Jake Sanderson. We won’t see any of those guys being peddled by the trade deadline.

Nevertheless, Scanlan makes a good point about the effect that years of losing could have on some of those players, especially guys like Chabot and Tkachuk who’ve been there the longest. Perhaps one or two of them grow weary of this situation and request a trade in the offseason.

For now, Tarasenko and Kubalik appear to be the only notable Senators certain to be on the move by the deadline. We’ll see if that changes in the coming weeks.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 6, 2024

by | Jan 6, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – January 6, 2024

Check out the latest on the Senators and the Blackhawks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau recently looked at which two players the Ottawa Senators will likely shop leading up to the March 8 trade deadline.

Looking at the Senators’ record, Proteau believes they don’t have a chance at reaching the playoffs this season. General manager Steve Staios will have to decide which players to keep and which ones to send packing by the deadline.

Ottawa Senators winger Vladimir Tarasenko (NHL Images).

Winger Vladimir Tarasenko is their best trade asset. He’s on a one-year, $5 million contract and becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The 32-year-old winger currently has eight goals and 24 points in 32 games. Staios could move him for young players and draft picks.

Dominik Kubalik is another trade candidate. The 28-year-old winger is also slated to become a UFA this summer and has eight goals and 11 points in 34 games with a $2.5 million cap hit.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Staios continues his search for veteran help before the trade deadline. He seeks a third-line forward who can help support alternate captain Claude Giroux by acting as a leader for their younger players.

Garrioch also indicated that Shane Pinto is expected to sign a one-year contract worth around $800K. There is speculation that Staois could be discussing a long-term extension with Pinto’s agent but it’s unlikely to be the case.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barring a second-half performance for the ages, the Senators will not make the playoffs this season. Staios will be a seller at the trade deadline.

It will be surprising if Tarasenko and Kubalik aren’t moved by March. As for Pinto, Staios will likely evaluate his performance over the remainder of the schedule before getting into contract talks beyond this season.

Staios will also want a veteran leader or two with term remaining on their contracts. Whoever they bring in must be willing to be there and help to lead their younger players. Staios might have better luck finding those veterans via free agency this summer.

Hiring the right kind of coach will also be necessary for the Senators to make any real progress after this season. We know that Jacques Martin is only a stop-gap measure for the rest of this season. Whoever they hire as their full-time bench boss will have to keep Daniel Alfredsson on the coaching staff. With everything else going on, the new ownership must avoid repeating the mistakes of the past by alienating the popular Senators Hall-of-Famer.

THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers dismissed recent speculation suggesting the Chicago Blackhawks could be looking to add big-name talent to their roster for next season. “If you were dreaming of someone like William Nylander, you’re going to be disappointed,” he writes.

Powers noted the Blackhawks will have plenty of salary cap space for 2024-25. “If someone wants to get paid more than market worth on a short-term deal, the Blackhawks would be happy to open their checkbook.” However, it’s unlikely to happen for long-term deals.

Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson isn’t likely to deviate from his current rebuilding plans until he has a better idea of the talent available in his prospect pipeline. He doesn’t want to pay a veteran for the next eight years with the money that will be needed to re-sign Connor Bedard and Kevin Korchinski when their contracts expire in 2026.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That will also puncture last week’s speculation suggesting Elias Pettersson will forsake the Vancouver Canucks to join the Blackhawks this summer.

Pettersson is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights playing on a team that is jockeying for first place in the standings, a team that will pay him handsomely to stay in Vancouver. He’s not going to stage a holdout to force the Canucks to trade him. The Blackhawks aren’t going to send him an offer sheet as it would probably be matched. Even if the Hawks successfully signed Pettersson away, they would owe the Canucks five first-round draft picks as compensation.

As Powers noted, the Blackhawks won’t be rebuilding forever. For now, Davidson isn’t going to change his current plans.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 28, 2023

by | Dec 28, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – December 28, 2023

Check out recent speculation about the Maple Leafs, Sabres, Predators, and Senators in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel recently looked at what the Toronto Maple Leafs have for potential trade assets in their quest to add a defenseman. He noted their lack of prospect depth and draft picks doesn’t leave them very much to bargain with.

Possible trade bait includes their 2024 first-round pick, promising goaltender Dennis Hildeby, forward prospect Fraser Minten and Easton Cowan, forward Nick Robertson and defenseman Topi Niemela.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies (NHL Images).

Siegel thinks rival clubs could be interested in forward Matthew Knies but he’s too valuable to their present and their future.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Siegel isn’t saying the Leafs will move those assets but is showing the potential cost if they intend to bolster their blueline for the playoffs. General manager Brad Treliving will likely make a move or two by the March 8 trade deadline. What he gets will depend on what he’s willing to part with. Stay tuned!

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Mike Harrington reported last week that Sabres GM Kevyn Adams continues to resist making knee-jerk moves to help his struggling club. Nevertheless, he wonders what moves Adams could have in store if they hope to turn things around.

Harrington speculates on how close Victor Olofsson, Tyson Jost or Eric Comrie are to going on waivers. Perhaps the Chicago Blackhawks will be interested in Olofsson with the losses of Taylor Hall and Corey Perry. He believes Adams must bolster his bottom-six forwards and improve their defense. It’s clear Erik Johnsson is their No.7 option on the blueline

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Harrington also pointed out the difficulty the Sabres face in making trades given how many clubs have limited salary-cap space right now. He recently acquired depth forward Eric Robinson from the Blue Jackets so I daresay he’s monitoring the trade market to see if there’s another deal to be had to improve his roster’s depth.

THE TENNESSEAN: Paul Skrbina examined why defenseman Dante Fabbro has been a frequent healthy scratch this season, which has resulted in his name surfacing in trade rumors.

Head coach Andrew Brunette said part of the problem was the Predators’ logjam on defense. Meanwhile, Fabbro isn’t making waves over the situation and tries not to think about his name popping up in the rumor mill.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fabbro’s situation could be alleviated if the Predators can find any takers for blueliner Tyson Barrie, who recently requested a trade. His agent received permission from GM Barry Trotz to speak with other clubs but it doesn’t appear a deal is coming soon.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch wonders what Senators president of hockey ops and interim GM Steve Staios has in store for the club in the New Year.

The expectation is that suspended center Shane Pinto will sign a one-year deal in the range of $875K. He knows he has no leverage and reportedly appreciates that Staios has been supportive in preparations for when he’s eligible to return to action on Jan. 21. He will be allowed to start skating with the club 10 days beforehand.

Pinto’s return could make Dominik Kubalik expendable. Garrioch claims the Senators have received some calls about the 28-year-old winger, who is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kubalik could indeed become the odd man out once Pinto returns but it could take some time to move him. Just because some teams have called doesn’t mean a deal will take place right after Pinto comes back.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 4, 2023

by | Dec 4, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – December 4, 2023

The latest on the Oilers’ recent scouting of the Blue Jackets plus updates on the Senators and Sabres in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON THE OILERS’ RECENT SCOUTING TRIP TO COLUMBUS

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline took note of the Edmonton Oilers scouting the Columbus Blue Jackets last week even though the two clubs don’t play each other until late January.

The Oilers need goaltending help, sparking rumors that they might have been looking at the Blue Jackets’ netminders or their opponents. Jackets starter Elvis Merzlikins’ $5.5 million annual average value through 2026-27 would be difficult for the Oilers to take on unless Jack Campbell ($5 million AAV through ’26-’27) was included in the deal.

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (NHL Images).

With the Jackets playing the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens last week, Portzline wondered if the Oilers were scouting the Bruins’ Linus Ullmark or the Canadiens’ Jake Allen, though the latter didn’t play against the Jackets.

The Jackets could end up placing Spencer Martin on waivers with Daniil Tarasov due to return soon from his AHL conditioning stint.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Martin faced the Bruins last week, giving up three goals on 28 shots in a 3-1 loss. If he was being scouted by the Oilers, they might pick him up if he hits the waiver wire.

Martin carries a very affordable cap hit of $762,500, though the cap-strapped Oilers might be able to squeeze into their payroll if he becomes available on the waiver wire. However, there is persistent speculation that the Oilers could recall Campbell from their AHL affiliate in Bakersfield.

ARE CHANGES COMING FOR THE SENATORS?

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators interim general manager Steve Staios has a lot on his plate these days.

The club’s ongoing on-ice struggles have Senators fans calling for head coach D.J. Smith to be fired. The front office wants to be patient with Smith as they like his approach and management is trying to give him more support. However, Staios’ patience could soon wear thin.

Garrioch doesn’t expect Staios to swing a blockbuster trade. Teams have called about Drake Batherson but the Senators don’t want to go in that direction. Staios is working the phones and there’s a chance Dominik Kubalik could be traded before Shane Pinto returns to the lineup in January. Kubalik is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in July.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staios could find that a coaching change could be his easiest route considering the difficulty of making a significant trade that improves his roster with so many clubs pressed for cap space this season. I think that’s more likely to occur if things don’t improve soon for the Senators.

UPDATE ON THE SABRES

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Mike Harrington weighed in on the Sabres’ recent struggles. While forwards Tage Thompson and Jack Quinn are sidelined, others have regressed so far this season.

General manager Kevyn Adams didn’t do anything to replace Quinn when he suffered an Achilles injury in June. He also lost out to the Detroit Red Wings in the Patrick Kane sweepstakes.

Harrington believes the Sabres cannot wait until the trade deadline as they need an injection now to snap them out of their funk. They need help up front and have plenty of draft and prospect capital to entice a rival club to make a deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres are four points out of a wild-card berth. A string of wins could propel them into a playoff spot but those have been difficult to come by thus far.

Adams could be working the phones but he’s likely finding suitable deals difficult to come by right now. The Sabres will be worth monitoring in the rumor mill if they don’t start gaining ground in the standings.