NHL Rumor Mill – June 28, 2022

by | Jun 28, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – June 28, 2022

Check out the latest Oilers and Leafs speculation plus an update on Ethan Bear in today’s NHL rumor mill.

LATEST ON THE OILERS

SPORTSNET: In a recent mailbag segment, Mark Spector was asked which goaltender Edmonton Oilers general manager Ken Holland might target in this summer’s free-agent market. He believes he’ll choose a cheaper, less proven goalie than an expensive free-agent question mark.

Spector said sources tell him Marc-Andre Fleury chooses not to play in Edmonton. He anticipates the Oilers’ free-agent targets will be St. Louis’ Ville Husso and Toronto’s Jack Campbell. He envisions a tandem of Campbell and Stuart Skinner.

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Tyson Barrie (NHL Images).

Asked which players could be cost-cutting trade candidates, Skinner listed Zack Kassian ($3.2 million), Warren Foegele ($2.75 million) and Tyson Barrie ($4.5 million). He also included restricted free agent Jesse Puljujarvi depending on his pay raise.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers face considerable uncertainty between the pipes for next season. Mikko Koskinen is off to Switzerland while aging Mike Smith could be considering retirement. Even if Smith returns to complete the final season of his contract, they still need a more reliable starter.

Campbell and Husso have shown promise as starters but question marks hover over both. Campbell struggled over the second half of last season with the Maple Leafs, which was his first full campaign as a starter. Husso had a solid regular season with the Blues when Jordan Binnington struggled but gave way to Binnington in the playoffs.

Of those cost-cutting trade candidates, Barrie could attract the most attention. He’s a skilled puck-moving defenseman who could draw interest in the trade market. VancouverHockeyNow’s Rob Simpson believes he’d be a good addition to the Canucks.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE LEAFS AFTER RE-SIGNING LILJEGREN?

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan reports Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas still has to deal with restricted free agents Rasmus Sandin, Pierre Engvall and Ondrej Kase after re-signing Timothy Liljegren on Monday.

Koshan wonders how the Liljegren signing affects Justin Holl’s future with the Leafs. While he carries an affordable $2 million cap hit for next season, re-signing Sandin is a priority. He also anticipates trade-deadline pickup Ilya Lyubushkin will hit the open market on July 13.

With less than $7 million in cap space, Dubas must figure out his goaltending. He also needs to bolster his defense and forward lines.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It remains to be seen what Dubas has in store to find the cap space to address those needs. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if Holl gets traded (despite his 10-team no-trade list) in a cost-cutting deal to free up space for Sandin’s new contract.

UPDATE ON ETHAN BEAR

CANUCKS ARMY: Lachlan Irvine cites CHEK TV’s Rick Dhaliwal reporting the Vancouver Canucks have had early discussions with Ethan Bear. The restricted free agent defenseman was given permission by the Carolina Hurricanes to speak with other clubs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dhaliwal said it’s too early to tell how far those talks go between the Canucks and Bear. He could fit their need for younger, affordable talent, especially on their blueline.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 28, 2022

by | Jun 28, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 28, 2022

The Sedin Twins, Roberto Luongo and Daniel Alfredsson headline the 2022 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, the case for Alexander Mogilny’s induction, Corey Perry sets a playoff record and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

NHL.COM: Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Roberto Luongo and Daniel Alfredsson head the 2022 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees. Finnish female star Riikka Sallinen and former minor league and senior league star Herb Carnegie are also among the class of 2022.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to the Class of 2022 for their well-deserved honors.

The Sedin Twins and Roberto Luongo are among the 2022 inductees into the Hockey Hall of Fame (NHL.com).

The Sedins were the two greatest players in Vancouver Canucks history, becoming their franchise leaders in several offensive categories. Henrik won the Art Ross Trophy and the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2009-10 while Daniel won the Art Ross and the Ted Lindsay Award in 2010-11. Luongo is second all-time among NHL goaltenders in games played (1,044) while his 489 career wins rank fourth overall.

Luongo and the Sedins helped turn the Canucks into a Western Conference powerhouse from 2006-07 to 2012-13. The club finished atop the Northwest Division six times and won the Presidents’ Trophy in 2011 and 2012. They also advanced to the 2011 Stanley Cup Final.

Alfredsson spent all but one of his 18 NHL seasons with the Ottawa Senators. He’s their franchise leader with 426 career goals, 682 assists and 1108 points. He’s also their longest-serving captain (1999-2000 to 2012-13) and led them to the 2007 Stanley Cup Final. Under Alfredsson’s leadership, the Senators topped the Northeast Division three times and won the Presidents’ Trophy in 2003.

THE SCORE: Josh Gold-Smith points out the Hall of Fame has snubbed former NHL star Alexander Mogilny for the 13th straight year since he became eligible for induction. He makes a convincing case for Mogilny’s induction, noting that he was the first player ever to defect from the Soviet Union directly to the NHL.

Mogilny amassed 473 goals and 559 assists for 1,032 points, including a 76-goal performance in 1992-93, and continued to produce solid numbers over the final years of his career despite chronic hip issues. Gold-Smith observed that his goal rate and goal total is higher than several of his contemporaries already in the Hall, including Steve Yzerman, Teemu Selanne, Joe Sakic, Pat Lafontaine, Peter Stastny and Pavel Bure.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gold-Smith suggests one reason for Mogilny’s exclusion could be his potential reluctance to engage in the induction festivities. However, that’s not a reason for the Hall not to honor his career and accomplishments. In my opinion, he belongs there.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Former Stars winger Corey Perry became the first player in NHL history to lose three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals with three different teams. He skated for the Cup Finalist Stars in 2020, the Montreal Canadiens in 2021 and the Tampa Bay Lightning this year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Perry will have to console himself with the Stanley Cup he won with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins officially confirmed signing general manager Don Sweeney to a multi-year contract extension.

TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs signed Timothy Liljegren to a two-year contract worth $1.4 million per season. The 23-year-old defenseman was slated to become a restricted free agent on July 13.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cap Friendly indicates the Liljegren signing leaves the Leafs with $6.4 million salary-cap space for 2022-23 with 18 players under contract. I’ll have more about that in the Rumors section.

TSN: Maxim Mamin is reportedly returning to the KHL after spending a season with the Florida Panthers. The pending unrestricted free agent forward had 14 points in 40 games.

ARIZONA SPORTS: The Coyotes have been awarded the Colorado Avalanche’s third-round pick in the 2024 draft. It was part of the conditions of the trade that sent goaltender Darcy Kuemper to the Avalanche last summer.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – June 26, 2022

by | Jun 26, 2022

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – June 26, 2022

Does the Jets’ Pierre-Luc Dubois hope to one day play for Montreal? What will the Canadiens do with Evgenii Dadonov? Could the Devils pursue Leafs goalie Jack Campbell if he goes to free agency? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

IS DUBOIS HOPING TO JOIN THE CANADIENS ONE DAY?

THE ATHLETIC: Murat Ates believes Pierre-Luc Dubois sincerely wants to test the 2024 unrestricted free agent market as was reported last week by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. He felt the 24-year-old Winnipeg Jets center hopes to play for the Montreal Canadiens in the long run and hasn’t been shy about expressing that within team circles.

Winnipeg Jets center Pierre-Luc Dubois (NHL Images).

“I don’t think telling the Jets about his UFA plans is posturing in the slightest; I think it’s the truth,” wrote Ates. He doesn’t see them trading Dubois this summer unless they get a mind-blowing offer. He envisions the young center getting a one-year contract this summer, playing hard through 2022-23 as the Jets try to convince him to accept a longer-term deal, and trading him next summer if he doesn’t change his mind.

Under that scenario, the Jets allow Dubois’ agent to speak to other clubs about a contract extension prior to a trade. Ates doesn’t see the Canadiens or another club signing Dubois to an offer sheet this summer as the Jets can easily match it.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Prior to Ates’ report, Marco D’Amico weighed in on the possibility of Dubois being linked to the Canadiens. He recommends the Habs be patient in this situation, pointing out the Jets would seek an expensive asking price such as a top prospect like Kaiden Guhle, Calgary’s 2022 first-round pick, a center like Christian Dvorak and more. It would be better if they continue to replenish their already respectable prospect pool.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens could attempt to acquire Dubois this summer. However, the high asking price as envisioned by D’Amico isn’t worth it at this juncture when management is in the midst of rebuilding.

They could be among the suitors under Ates’ scenario for next summer. They could have more depth in promising assets to part with by that point if they want to make a competitive pitch. Then again, rather than give up assets in a trade, they could wait until free agency in 2024 to sign him if they have sufficient cap space to do so.

WHAT WILL THE CANADIENS DO WITH DADONOV?

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: D’Amico recently examined the Canadiens’ options to maximize the value of Evgenii Dadonov. They recently acquired the 33-year-old winger from the Vegas Golden Knights in return for sending them Shea Weber’s contract.

One option could be trading Dadonov before the free-agent market opens on July 13. That would enable them to shed his $5 million cap hit and perhaps use the savings to put toward signing a free agent or two.

Another would be laying the groundwork for a trade deadline deal. D’Amico suggested showcasing him during the season at right wing alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t rule out Dadonov getting moved during the offseason. However, I think he’s more likely to be shopped as a playoff rental player at next season’s trade deadline.

COULD THE DEVILS PURSUE CAMPBELL?

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports there’s chatter among NHL sources suggesting the New Jersey Devils could be in on Jack Campbell if the 30-year-old goaltender doesn’t re-sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs before the free-agent market opens on July 13.

One source speculated the Devils could try to get a head start by trading for Campbell’s rights if the Leafs can’t or won’t sign him. The idea would be offering up Mackenzie Blackwood, who struggled over the past two seasons.

The Devils might also be interested in New York Rangers goalie Alexandar Georgiev if he becomes a UFA this summer. He’d be brought in to work as part of a tandem rather than as a starting goalie.

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan recently reported on the possibility of the Maple Leafs starting next season with a new goalie tandem. Right now, the Leafs lack the $5 million per season to keep Campbell out of the UFA market. General manager Kyle Dubas must also find a way to shed Petr Mrazek’s contract.

Koshan observed Colorado’s Darcy Kuemper, Minnesota’s Marc-Andre Fleury and St. Louis’ Ville Husso as possible free-agent options for the Leafs. Trade targets could include Anaheim’s John Gibson, the New York Islanders’ Semyon Varlamov, the Rangers’ Alexandar Georgiev and Los Angeles’ Jonathan Quick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Over two weeks remain for the Leafs and Campbell to work out a new contract. However, as Koshan points out, the closer they get to July 13 without a new deal, the more likely it is that Campbell tests the market.

Cap Friendly shows the Devils with over $25 million in cap space for 2022-23 with Jesper Bratt, Pavel Zacha and Miles Wood as their notable restricted free agents. They’ll have sufficient room to sign Campbell, especially if they were to ship out Blackwood and his $2.8 million cap hit to the Leafs or another club.

The Leafs could acquire Blackwood if they can find a way to shed Mrazek’s $3.8 million annual average value through 2023-24. However, I think they would see him as a backup rather than a starter.

Of those UFA options listed by Koshan, Kuemper and Husso might be willing to join the Leafs. I don’t think Fleury is keen to come to Toronto. There’s talk the Minnesota Wild wants to bring him back for another season.

As for the trade targets, Gibson shot down recent rumors claiming he wants out of Anaheim, Varlamov has a 16-team no-trade list and all seven Canadian teams could be on it, and the Kings could retain Quick after his solid performance this season. Georgiev will be available as the Rangers are believed to be seeking another backup for Igor Shesterkin.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 10, 2022

by | Jun 10, 2022

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 10, 2022

The Lightning are on the verge of their third straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final plus the latest on Evander Kane, the Avalanche’s injured players, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

NHL.COM: The Tampa Bay Lightning are one win away from advancing to the Stanley Cup Final for the third straight year after downing the New York Rangers 3-1 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Ondrej Palat (NHL Images).

Ondrej Palat broke a 1-1 tie late in the third by deflecting Mikhail Sergachev’s screened point shot past Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin. Brandon Hagel added the insurance goal into an empty net. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 24 saves for the win. The Lightning can wrap up the series on home ice in Game 6 on Saturday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was the tightest-checking game of this series with the outcome in doubt before Palat netted his second straight game-winner. Both goaltenders were outstanding but Shesterkin had no chance on Palat’s goal. It was the Rangers’ first loss on home ice since Game 1 of their first-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

There’s no question the Lightning have shaken off their slow start to this series and now hold the momentum returning to Tampa Bay for Game 6. Their championship experience and disciplined play have made the difference over the last three games. We’ll find out on Saturday if the Rangers can find a way to overcome this deficit and force a seventh and deciding game in New York.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Evander Kane appeared to bid farewell to Edmonton after posting a gracious thank-you to the Oilers and their fans on Instagram yesterday. In his statement, Kane said he was grateful “to have had the opportunity to play with such a committed, hardworking and loyal group of men.” He called the team a “first-class organization” and thanked them “for giving me the opportunity to play for such a historic franchise.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: An optimistic will say Kane is leaving the door open for a possible return. Perhaps I’m being cynical, but this looks like he’s saying goodbye. The 30-year-old winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

THE DENVER POST: The Colorado Avalanche got some good news on some of their sidelined players ahead of the Stanley Cup Final. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper said he’s fully recovered from the upper-body injury that forced him out of Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Edmonton Oilers and sidelined him for the remainder of that series.

Forwards Nazem Kadri and Andrew Cogliano suffered broken thumbs during that series. However, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar is optimistic they could return at some point during the Stanley Cup Final. The Avs are awaiting the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals.

THE SCORE: Bruce Cassidy was as surprised as everyone else when he was recently fired as head coach of the Boston Bruins. Speaking with reporters on Thursday, Cassidy said he was told by management that his job was safe during his end-of-season interview.

Cassidy might not be unemployed for long. He revealed he’s already spoken with a number of teams. “I want to get back to work. Hopefully, it’s a really good fit – best fit possible,” he said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers say that this doesn’t reflect well on Bruins general manager Don Sweeney, who visited Cassidy at home to deliver the bad news. I’ve heard it suggested that Sweeney was forced into firing him by team president Cam Neely.

Whatever the reason or whoever was behind it, this story only adds to the sense of offseason upheaval and confusion swirling about the Bruins of late.

TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs are seeking a new goaltending coach after parting ways with Steve Briere on Thursday. He’d held that role since 2015-16.

NYI HOCKEY NOW: The New York Islanders have relieved assistant coaches Jim Hiller and John Gruden of their duties.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Chicago Blackhawks have reportedly asked the Canadiens for permission to speak with assistant coach Luke Richardson.

THE PROVINCE: The Blackhawks have also asked the Vancouver Canucks for permission to meet with assistant coach Brad Shaw.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 7, 2022

by | Jun 7, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – June 7, 2022

What’s facing the Oilers in the offseason and a look at whether the Blackhawks should take Petr Mrazek off the Leafs’ hands in today’s NHL rumor mill.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE OILERS?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Steven Ellis believes the warning signs were there for the Edmonton Oilers’ collapse in the Western Conference Finals. Captain Connor McDavid couldn’t do it all while fellow superstar Leon Draisaitl played that series hampered by a leg injury.

Edmonton Oilers winger Evander Kane (NHL.com).

Goaltending was inconsistent as 40-year-old starter Mike Smith was brilliant in some games and struggled in others. They also didn’t get much secondary scoring against the Avalanche. Ellis wondered who else apart from McDavid and Draisaitl would’ve scored for the Oilers in this postseason if they hadn’t signed Evander Kane at midseason.

Ellis believes general manager Ken Holland must take a serious look at his roster and decide what he wants them to look like. They’ll need a goaltender with Mikko Koskinen expected to depart as an unrestricted free agent and there aren’t many options in the UFA market. Kane’s situation will be an interesting one as he’s also slated for UFA status while the defense corps needs help.

ESPN.COM: Greg Wyshynski also wondered what the Oilers will do with Kane. He meshed well with McDavid but do they sign him to a much higher cap number on a long-term contract? Forwards Kailer Yamamoto, Ryan McLeod and Jesse Puljujarvi are restricted free agents while defensemen Brett Kulak and Kris Russell are UFAs.

Wyshynski pondered what they’ll do about Smith. “He’s under contract for one more season and turns 41 in March. What do they do? What can they do?”

Until the Oilers improve the supporting cast, Wyshynski doesn’t expect much of a change in the club’s fortunes. McDavid and Draisaitl are good enough to carry this team into the playoffs and make them competitive but they need help to become a true contender.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers’ struggled to eliminate the underdog Los Angeles Kings in a tight-checking first-round series, blew away one of the best teams in the league in the Calgary Flames, only to have their flaws exposed by a very deep and talented Avalanche club.

It would be a mistake for Holland to point to this season’s playoffs as proof that the Oilers need only minor adjustments to become a Stanley Cup contender. McDavid and Draisaitl are outstanding players but, as has been mentioned, they can’t do it all themselves.

Cap Friendly shows the Oilers with $7.1 million in cap space for 2022-23 with 15 players under contract. They’ll get $4.167 million in cap relief if necessary by placing the permanently sidelined Oscar Klefbom on long-term injury reserve.

Holland will have to get creative to find enough cap room. Even if they could get Kane signed to a discount, he’d take up a big chunk of those remaining cap dollars, leaving little to add a goaltender or address those blueline needs.

SHOULD THE BLACKHAWKS ACQUIRE MRAZEK FROM THE LEAFS?

THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel and Scott Powers believe it might be a good idea for the Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maples Leafs to discuss a trade involving Leafs goalie Petr Mrazek.

The Leafs need to shed salary and moving Mrazek’s $3.8 million would enable them to upgrade the roster, including signing or replacing pending UFA netminder Jack Campbell. The Blackhawks, meanwhile, are in full rebuild mode and would seek creative ways to utilize their cap space if it’ll help them in the long term.

Powers believes the Blackhawks would want a draft pick or prospect bundled with Mrazek. Seigel suggested the Leafs could add a second-round pick with a B-level prospect or maybe add Justin Holl to the deal to free up more cap room.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Siegel and Powers are spitballing here. We have no indication whether the Blackhawks would be interested in discussing any deal with the Leafs, let alone if Mrazek would be part of it.

Still, as they point out, the Hawks are rebuilding and Mrazek could at least provide some depth in their crease for a couple of seasons while whatever else is packaged in the return could turn into long-term assets. This proposal also gives us some idea of what it might take for the Leafs to find a club willing to take Mrazek off their hands.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 6, 2022

by | Jun 6, 2022

NHL Rumor Mill – June 6, 2022

More speculation about Jack Campbell’s future with the Leafs plus the latest on the Bruins in today’s NHL rumor mill.

WILL CAMPBELL TEST THE OPEN MARKET?

TSN: Chris Johnston recently expressed his uncertainty over whether Jack Campbell will return with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 30-year-old goaltender is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 13.

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jack Campbell (NHL Images).

The Leafs know what the Campbell camp seeks on his next contract since negotiations first started last fall. He apparently wants $5 million per season but the Leafs haven’t been able to meet that. A three-year deal could get it done. However, the Leafs could be in the market for two goaltenders if Campbell goes to market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A couple of days following Johnston’s report on May 31, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported hearing there hadn’t been any contract conversations for months between the two sides and anything that had been discussed was no longer relevant. Campbell’s agent told Friedman there hadn’t been any material contract conversations since the end of the regular season.

On the one hand, there are those who point out that Campbell still hasn’t proven he can handle the full-time rigors of a starting goaltender. They often cite the drop-off in his play after the first two months of this season and his inconsistency after returning from a rib injury.

However, there aren’t many decent options available via free agency or the trade market. The best potential UFA is Marc-Andre Fleury but there’s no certainty the 37-year-old netminder would be willing to play for the Leafs. His age would also be a concern.

Pickings are also slim in the trade market. There have been some suggestions of the New York Islanders peddling Semyon Varlamov but he carries a $5 million cap hit and a 16-team no-trade list. John Gibson might be available if he doesn’t want to be part of the Anaheim Ducks’ rebuilding project but his annual average value is $6.4 million through 2026-27 and a 10-team no-trade list.

If the Leafs can’t afford $5 million for Campbell, they probably can’t afford it for Varlamov or over $6 million for Gibson. If they’re unwilling to pay Campbell that much, there are no assurances Varlamov or Gibson would accept a trade to Toronto.

Don’t assume the Isles or Ducks would retain salary. The Islanders have cap space issues of their own this summer while the Ducks probably wouldn’t want to carry a retained salary for the next five seasons.

LATEST ON THE BRUINS

THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa believes the Boston Bruins should still try to trade a defenseman this offseason despite Charlie McAvoy’s six-month post-shoulder surgery absence.

Shinzawa speculates a rival general manager could approach Bruins GM Don Sweeney about Matt Grzelcyk or Mike Reilly. If Sweeney can move either blueliner for futures, it would provide the Bruins with much-needed cap space as well as draft picks.

Those freed-up cap dollars could help them convince Patrice Bergeron and/or David Krejci to return next season. If not, perhaps it could be used to pursue a trade for a center such as Mark Scheifele if he and the Winnipeg Jets decide to part ways.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Grzelcyk is also recovering from shoulder surgery and it could take five months until he returns to action. Reilly recently went under the knife to repair a right-ankle tendon but his recovery timeline is three months.

I won’t rule out the possibility of either or both blueliners getting traded this summer. However, the odds of moving them would be better if they were healthy.