NHL Rumor Mill – June 5, 2023

by | Jun 5, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – June 5, 2023

Could the Bruins trade Hampus Lindholm to re-sign Tyler Bertuzzi or Dmitry Orlov? Who could become candidates for contract buyouts later this month? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE BRUINS TRADE LINDHOLM AND RE-SIGN BERTUZZI OR ORLOV?

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy recently cited a report from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicating the Bruins were exploring how to retain Tyler Bertuzzi. The 28-year-old winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Boston Bruins winger Tyler Bertuzzi (NHL Images).

Murphy also noted 98.5 The Sports Hub producer James Stewart claiming Bertuzzi was seeking $7 million annually on his next contract. Stewart also claimed the Bruins preferred Dmitry Orlov over Hampus Lindholm, who is about to enter the second season of an eight-year, $52 million contract. Like Bertuzzi, Orlov was a trade deadline acquisition who is due to become a UFA on July 1.

Stewart said the Bruins had “buyer’s remorse” with Lindholm and he was available in a trade. Murphy cited a former NHL executive saying he’d hear the same thing but two current NHL executives said they had no knowledge that Lindholm was available.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sweeney would undoubtedly love to re-sign Bertuzzi and/or Orlov. However, I think he’ll have to move other players if he hopes to accomplish that feat.

Lindholm has a full no-trade clause plus a no-movement clause that prevents his demotion to the minors. I don’t see him waiving those clauses to be shipped to another team.

I also share Murphy’s doubts that Bruins general manager Don Sweeney will give up on Lindholm after acquiring and signing him last season to that long-term contract. The 29-year-old blueliner played well for the Bruins this season until being hampered by a broken foot in the playoffs.

POTENTIAL CONTRACT BUYOUT CANDIDATES

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli recently listed five NHL players who could become candidates for contract buyouts this summer. The buyout period begins on June 15 or 48 hours following the completion of the final game of the Stanley Cup Final. It runs until 5 pm ET on June 30.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A 48-hour buyout window also opens in late July/early August for a team following the settlement of their final salary arbitration case or receipt of their final arbitration award.

Seravalli listed Edmonton Oilers winger Kailer Yamamoto, Boston Bruins defenseman Mike Reilly, Pittsburgh Penguins winger Mikael Granlund, Washington Capitals winger Anthony Mantha and Dallas Stars defenseman Ryan Suter as his buyout candidates.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Buyouts for players 26 and older are two-thirds of the remaining value of the contract over twice the remaining tenure. The exception is the 24-year-old Yamamoto, whose buyout would be one-third of the remaining value over the two-thirds period.

Those clubs could attempt to move those players via trades rather than buying them out. Seravalli that the Capitals have informed teams they’re willing to move on from Mantha. Even if these teams have to retain some salary to facilitate those trades, it could still be more affordable than a buyout.

Nevertheless, if these cap-strapped clubs can’t find any takers for those players, they could have no other choice but to go the buyout route.

 










NHL Rumor Mill – May 24, 2023

by | May 24, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – May 24, 2023

Will the Leafs keep their “core four” together after all? What roster priority faces new Flames GM Craig Conroy? What’s the latest Capitals speculation? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WILL THE LEAFS KEEP THEIR “CORE FOUR” TOGETHER?

TSN: Chris Johnston reports Toronto Maple Leafs team president Brendan Shanahan told the club’s top players – Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Mitch Marner and William Nylander – that they are not likely to be moved. The club’s vision right now is for those “core four” to return next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speculation abounded following the Leafs second-round elimination that one of those four would be moved. The consensus was Matthews, who is a year away from unrestricted free agent eligibility, was too valuable to trade and the club would do all it could to re-sign him. Tavares’ no-movement clause meant he wasn’t going anywhere given his stated intent to finish his contract with the Leafs.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

That left Marner and Nylander as the most likely trade candidates with pundits debating which one would get dealt. The belief was either guy would fetch a power forward or a No. 1 defenseman.

If Shanahan intends to keep those four, it means another offseason where the Leafs are hampered by limited salary-cap space to augment the depth around those core players. They have $9.1 million invested in 15 players for 2023-24, though they’ll garner $5.625 million in salary-cap relief if required with Jake Muzzin expected to remain on long-term injury reserve next season.

The only other player who would fetch a quality return is Morgan Rielly and he’s far too valuable to their blueline corps. So, if the Leafs keep their “core four” forwards, don’t expect any blockbuster trade or major free-agent signing this summer that pushes the Leafs over the hump next season.

It’ll just be more of the same. They’ll be a terrific regular-season team that struggles in the playoffs.

WHAT ROSTER PRIORITY FACES FLAMES GM CONROY?

CALGARY SUN: Daniel Austin believes addressing Elias Lindholm’s future is among the priorities facing Craig Conroy, who was formally introduced yesterday as the Flames new general manager.

Lindholm is among several Flames (Noah Hanifin, Tyler Toffoli, Mikael Backlund, Nikita Zadorov and Chris Tanev) eligible next summer for unrestricted free-agent status. The 28-year-old center was non-committal about a contract extension during his end-of-season interview but that was before the club fired head coach Darryl Sutter.

Conroy indicated calling Lindholm is among his priorities to determine if he’s changed his mind. He’d love to keep him beyond next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Conroy indicated that it doesn’t make sense for the Flames to enter next season with seven pending UFAs on the roster. He also said that he’d like to add more youth to his roster core “a little bit” but not change “the core pieces”.

Conroy could decide to peddle some of those UFAs if they’re unwilling to sign contract extensions. The Flames could be worth monitoring during the offseason. They don’t want a repeat of last summer when they lost Johnny Gaudreau to free agency for nothing.

LATEST CAPITALS SPECULATION

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli reports Anthony Mantha has popped up in a few different trade conversations. The 28-year-old winger is signed through next season with a $5.7 million cap hit and is eligible next summer for UFA status.

Seravalli speculates another club might take a flyer on Mantha. However, his struggles this season mean the Capitals won’t get much in return for him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Capitals might have to retain some of Mantha’s cap hit for next season if they’re keen to move him. I agree with Seravalli that they won’t get much of a return for him.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber suggested the Arizona Coyotes could offer up some interesting trade options for the Capitals. She noted Clayton Keller’s agents meeting with the Coyotes to discuss the club’s future. While Keller didn’t request a trade, she wondered if he’ll be on the move sooner rather than later.

Silber acknowledged bringing in Keller would be a stretch for the Capitals. The Coyotes will set a high asking price. There’s also the cost of taking on his $7.15 million AAV through 2027-28.

Nick Schmaltz could be another option. He carries a $5.85 million cap hit through 2025-26 but there are injury concerns.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I doubt that the Capitals can afford to get in on Keller or Schmaltz if the Coyotes put them on the trade block. They’ve only got $7.3 million in cap space with 17 players under contract for 2023-24. They also lack sufficient depth in draft picks and prospects to win a bidding war.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 11, 2023

by | May 11, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – May 11, 2023

The Bruins’ roster could look different next season, the latest on Evgeny Kuznetsov and Anthony Mantha plus some Flames speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

BRUINS WON’T BE THE SAME TEAM NEXT SEASON

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Joe Haggerty reports Bruins general manager Don Sweeney admitted yesterday that salary-cap constraints mean he can’t re-sign pending unrestricted free agents Garnet Hathaway, Dmitry Orlov and Tyler Bertuzzi right now even if he wanted to.

Sweeney also said his club isn’t setting a timetable for answers from Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci as to whether they’re returning next season or retiring.

Boston Bruins winger Taylor Hall (NHL Images).

Haggerty noted that the Bruins only have around $6 million in salary-cap space. He anticipates that Sweeney faces a busy summer shedding salary while finding more affordable talent and young players to build around their roster core.

THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa suggested Taylor Hall and Matt Grzelcyk as cost-cutting trade candidates.

Hall was a difference-maker because he regularly played on the Bruins’ third line and there were times when he was strictly a five-on-five player. They cannot afford to carry a $6 million player that low in their lineup.

Grzelcyk could be moved to free up cap space or for help up front. Mike Reilly’s trade value is limited and Derek Forbort would fetch a mid-round pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Unless the salary cap rises higher than expected for next season, Sweeney has little choice but to make a cost-cutting trade or two. That means moving one or two players that he’d prefer not to part with but has to in order to become cap compliant and still ice a full roster.

LATEST ON THE CAPITALS

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber cited player agent Sergei Fedotov suggesting Evgeny Kuznetsov’s time with the Washington Capitals should come to an end sooner rather than later.

Fedotov isn’t Kuznetsov’s agent but is a long-time friend of Kuznetsov who represents prospect Matvei Michkov and several other players. He says the Capitals center no longer has the joy or spark in his game that he had in 2018. He believes things started going downhill for his friend over the past few seasons, citing his positive test for cocaine in 2019 plus other disciplinary issues.

Kuznetsov has a family now and Fedotov said he is doing fine in his personal life. However, he believes the veteran center needs a change of scenery to get more spark from hockey.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuznetsov denied a report from a Russian source claiming that he requested a trade in March. However, Capitals GM Brian MacLellan expressed his unhappiness with the soon-to-be 31-year-old’s performance this season.

Kuznetsov’s on-ice struggles won’t help his trade value. He also carries a tough-to-move contract with a $7.8 million cap hit through 2024-25 and a 10-team no-trade clause.

Silber also reported that the Capitals could retain Anthony Mantha. With a new head coach coming in, perhaps Mantha can change and improve his game. Trading him could free up salary-cap space but his trade value is low right now.

UPDATE ON THE FLAMES

CALGARY HOCKEY NOW: Steve MacFarlane suggests Calgary Flames forward Tyler Toffoli’s trade value has never been higher following a career-best performance this season. He’s eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer and was a supporter of former Flames coach Darryl Sutter.

MacFarlane believes it’s unlikely the Flames will re-sign Toffoli. He considers the winger among their most likely trade candidates this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: With his affordable $4.25 million cap hit and lack of no-trade protection, Toffoli would garner plenty of interest if the Flames are willing to entertain offers for him. However, that will depend on what plans the club’s new general manager has in store. That person has yet to be hired.

SPORTSNET: In his latest mailbag segment, Pat Steinberg included Toffoli among his list of potential cost-cutting candidates for the Flames. Others with a year remaining on their contracts include Noah Hanifin, Elias Lindholm, Mikael Backlund, Chris Tanev and Nikita Zadorov.

Steinberg noted the return of Oliver Kylington and the possibility of re-signing Troy Stecher could provide the Flames with sufficient blueline depth that they could afford to trade a defenseman like Hanifin or Zadorov.

He wouldn’t be surprised if the Flames shopping backup goalie Dan Vladar to make room for promising Dustin Wolf. He felt Wolf has nothing left to accomplish in the minors.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will be interesting to see if the new general manager will consider any of those options for the Flames this summer.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 1, 2023

by | May 1, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – May 1, 2023

What next for the Avalanche and Bruins following their early postseason exits? What’s the latest on the Jets and Wild? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Roundup.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE AVALANCHE AND BRUINS?

ESPN.COM: Ryan S. Clark looked at what might be ahead for the Colorado Avalanche following their stunning first-round elimination by the Seattle Kraken.

He wondered if center J.T. Compher could be the member of the Avs to depart via free agency due to their limited salary-cap space. Young players like Bowen Byram and Alex Newhook will need raises coming off their entry-level contracts.

Colorado Avalanche winger Gabriel Landeskog (NHL Images).

Clark also noted the uncertainty over the status of team captain Gabriel Landeskog, who missed this entire season with a nagging knee injury. His return would bolster their top six but it’s possible his recovery drags on into next season.

THE DENVER POST: Mark Kiszla also raised Landeskog’s status in assessing where the Avalanche goes from here. He noted Valeri Nichushkin’s banishment from the lineup during the series with the Kraken following an incident involving an intoxicated woman in his hotel room in Seattle before Game 3.

Kiszla wondered if a major roster renovation rather than retooling might be in order if Landeskog doesn’t fully recover and if Nichushkin cannot be trusted as a key member of this squad going forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cap Friendly shows the Avalanche with $13.2 million in projected cap space for 2023-24 with 13 roster players under contract. That won’t leave much to re-sign Compher, Byram and Newhook and leave enough for the rest of the roster.

They could get $7 million in wiggle room if Landeskog remains sidelined heading into 2023-24, though they’ll have to become cap compliant if he returns to action at some point in the season. As for Nichushkin, we don’t know what the outcome of this will be. He’s not facing any criminal charges but the Avs not bringing him back into the lineup raised questions about his future.

A rebuild would involve shedding salary by moving out one or two key players. I don’t think that’s something management has in mind. However, it’s going to be difficult to add upgrades given their cap limitations.

Kristen Shilton, meanwhile, examined the issues facing the Boston Bruins following their first-round elimination by the Florida Panthers.

Topping the list is whether captain Patrice Bergeron and fellow center David Krejci are willing to return for one more season. Both players were injured heading into that series with the Kraken.

The Bruins must also decide whether they’ll re-sign trade-deadline acquisitions Tyler Bertuzzi, Dmitry Orlov and Garnet Hathaway, who are slated to become UFAs on July 1. Meanwhile, backup goalie Jeremy Swayman is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Limited cap space will also complicate the Bruins’ offseason plans. Cap Friendly shows them with $10.5 million in projected cap space with 14 roster players under contract. However, that doesn’t appear to take into account the $4.5 million in carryover bonus overages for Bergeron and Krejci.

They’ll still have enough for Bergeron and/or Krejci if they wish to return on affordable one-year contracts. However, they’ll have to shed salary to re-sign Swayman and to fill out the rest of the lineup. I don’t see them being able to clear sufficient space to retain Bertuzzi, Orlov and Hathaway. One of them, perhaps, but that’s it.

LATEST ON THE JETS AND WILD

WINNIPEG SUN: Paul Friesen reports Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff was evasive regarding his offseason plans other than confirming Rick Bowness and the coaching staff will return next season.

Some of it was understandable. For example, it’s too early to tell where someone like goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stands regarding a contract extension. However, Cheveldayoff didn’t say if he’s going to rebuild the roster but didn’t rule it out.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friesen was caustic in his analysis of Cheveldayoff’s press conference yesterday. He thinks the Jets are in decline but the general manager doesn’t seem to believe it.

The always-cautious Cheveldayoff may be unwilling to tip his hand publicly but that doesn’t mean he won’t make a move or two to shake things up. Actions, as always, speak louder than words. We’ll learn his true intentions over the course of this offseason.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber wondered if the Jets and Washington Capitals might be perfect trade partners. Both clubs could be making changes following their disappointing performances this season.

The Capitals have two trade candidates in forwards Evgeny Kuznetsov and Anthony Mantha plus some budding prospects that could become trade chips.

Silber observed Capitals GM Brian MacLellan hopes to revamp his top six and add secondary scoring. She noted that the futures of Jets forwards Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, Pierre-Luc Dubois and Nikolaj Ehlers are in question.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cheveldayoff could get better returns for his trade candidates than Kuznetsov and Mantha. The former has undeniable skill but his inconsistent play and previous off-ice issues are concerning while the latter is oft-injured and has consistency issues of his own.

TWINCITIES.COM: Dane Mizutani wondered what it will cost the Minnesota Wild to re-sign goaltender Filip Gustavsson. He was their starter in this year’s postseason and is poised to be their No. 1 netminder even with Marc-Andre Fleury returning next season. He’s a restricted free agent slated for a big raise next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cap room will be an issue for the Wild next season with $3.4 million in projected space and 22 players under contract. Gustavsson is coming off a two-year deal with a cap hit of less than $788K per season. He has arbitration rights this summer.

Mizutani also wondered if this is Matt Dumba’s final season with the Wild. While the pending UFA defenseman would love to stay in Minnesota, there aren’t sufficient cap dollars to keep him.

THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith also wondered about the Wild’s offseason plans. They agree that re-signing Gustavsson should be their priority as well as shoring up their depth at center.

They also wondered if puck-moving defenseman Calen Addison could become a trade candidate after he was scratched from the lineup multiple times during the second half of the season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Addison, 23, is coming off his entry-level contract and had 29 points in 62 games this season. His defensive game needs improvement but a rival club could be intrigued by his offensive abilities. Perhaps he become a trade chip if the Wild are squeezed for cap space. Maybe he could be used as trade bait to land a center.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – April 16, 2023

by | Apr 16, 2023

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – April 16, 2023

Updates on the Flyers and Capitals plus the latest on Erik Karlsson, Jake Guentzel and Joel Edmundson in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

UPDATES ON THE FLYERS AND CAPITALS

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Sam Carchidi reported Flyers forward Kevin Hayes dropped hints suggesting he might be traded this summer during his end-of-season interview with the media on Friday. “I picked up the message that was sent months ago,” he said. “I’m OK with it. It’s their decision.”

Philadelphia Flyers center Kevin Hayes (NHL Images).

The 30-year-old center believes the Flyers intend to get younger and free up salary-cap space. He’s signed for three more seasons with an annual cap hit of $7.1 million. He believes the decision on his future has already been made and expects to find out by the draft.

THE ATHLETIC: Charlie O’Connor reports Tony DeAngelo wants to remain with the Flyers but he’s keeping mum as to why he was scratched from the final games of the season.

“I’m sure there’s reasons for it, but nothing that either of us are obviously willing to discuss,” DeAngelo said, referring to head coach John Tortorella. Given how the blueliner’s season ended, O’Connor believes it’s fair to wonder if he’ll be back with the Flyers next season.

Speaking of Flyers defensemen, O’Connor noted Ivan Provorov offered up a lukewarm response regarding the direction of the club and his role on the roster. It was rumored back in January that he wasn’t happy with the reduction of his ice time, the club’s struggles and its embrace of a rebuilding strategy.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It sounds like Hayes is going to be shopped this summer. It wouldn’t be surprising if GM Daniel Briere dangles DeAngelo as a trade chip and entertains offers for Provorov.

The New York Post’s Larry Brooks suggested DeAngelo could be bought out of the final year of his contract. He also pointed out that going that route with Hayes won’t be as simple given the six years of cap penalties. Then again, eating half of his contract to facilitate a trade would be more costly over the next three years than a buyout.

As I noted back in December when talk of a Hayes buyout first surfaced, going that route would leave the Flyers paying out $16.5 million over six years with most of it paid out in the first three years. Retaining half in a trade leaves them carrying $3.57 million in dead cap space per season for three years.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber reported Friday that the Washington Capitals intend to waste little time kicking off a busy offseason. Coming off this year’s trade deadline as a seller, the club intends to continue retooling and reworking its roster this summer.

There are questions regarding center Evgeny Kuznetsov and winger Anthony Mantha following the decline in their respective performances this season. GM Brian MacLellan must decide if he’ll attempt to move them and bring in other top-six players to replace them or keep them for next season and see how they perform under a new head coach.

Kuznetsov didn’t talk much during the Capitals locker clean-out day, saying he needed more time to digest a disappointing campaign. The 30-year-old center did admit to playing through an injury but wouldn’t speculate as to whether he could be traded.

MacLellan, however, expressed his dismay with Kuznetsov’s underwhelming performance this season. Silber suggested the center could become a trade chip.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuznetsov is signed through 2024-25 with an average annual value of $7.8 million and a 10-team no-trade list. The decline in his stats this season will make that contract harder to move.

Mantha, meanwhile, lacks no-trade protection and has a year left on his deal worth $5.7 million. Like Kuznetsov, however, the drop in his production this season hurts his trade value.

LATEST ON KARLSSON, GUENTZEL AND EDMUNDSON

THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka believes the biggest question of the offseason for the San Jose Sharks is whether Erik Karlsson will be back next season. Given the 32-year-old defenseman’s career-best performance this season, their asking price will be high for teams interested in acquiring him.

What Karlsson wants to do is also important. He stressed that he wants to win but Pashelka wondered if upgrades to the Sharks’ roster through the draft as well as trades and free agency might give the blueliner optimism that they’ll be competitive sooner rather than later.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Expect the Karlsson trade rumors to start again in June as we get close to the NHL Draft later that month.

TRIBLIVE.COM: Mark Madden believes Jake Guentzel’s future will be among the priorities facing the Pittsburgh Penguins’ new general manager. The 28-year-old winger is heading into the final year of his contract with an annual cap hit of $6 million.

The new GM will have to decide whether to sign Guentzel to a contract extension this summer or trade him. Madden feels they can’t risk losing him to free agency next summer. He carries a 12-team no-trade list and would fetch a good return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The coming offseason will be an interesting one for the Penguins following their recent front-office firings. If they’re retooling, they’ll likely re-sign Guentzel. If it’s a rebuild, perhaps the winger becomes a trade chip to bring in a return that starts restocking their depleted prospect pipeline.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan recently reported Canadiens defenseman Joel Edmundson hopes he’ll be back next season. He probably would’ve been moved at the trade deadline if he hadn’t been sidelined at various times earlier in the season by injuries.

Edmundson has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $3.5 million. He stayed healthy and played well over the final 22 games of the season, which might pique the interest of other clubs in this summer’s trade market. However, he probably won’t fetch as much as he would’ve at the trade deadline.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 8, 2023

by | Apr 8, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – April 8, 2023

Is Erik Karlsson playing his final games with the San Jose Sharks? What’s the latest on the Capitals? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

IS THIS ERIK KARLSSON’S FINAL SEASON WITH THE SHARKS?

THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka wonders if Erik Karlsson’s home game on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers will be his last with the San Jose Sharks. Eliminated from postseason contention, the Sharks wrap up their season with a three-game road trip ending in Edmonton on Thursday.

San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images).

Karlsson, 33, has said multiple times that he wants to play for a contender. However, the Sharks have missed the playoffs for the fourth straight season and are years away from Stanley Cup contention.

Once this season is over, Karlsson said he’ll meet with management to evaluate where they go from here. Sharks general manager Mike Grier said last fall that he was willing to listen to offers for the two-time Norris Trophy winner. There was speculation prior to the March 3 trade deadline of discussions between the Sharks and the Oilers but Grier said nothing came to fruition.

Karlsson carries an $11.5 million salary cap hit through 2026-27 and also has a full no-movement clause. Nevertheless, the list of possible suitors could grow this summer, especially if the salary cap rises by more than the projected $1 million for next season. Even so, Pashelka believes the Sharks would still have to retain part of Karlsson’s salary to facilitate a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Karlsson’s age, cap hit and the remaining years on his contract are significant obstacles in the path toward a trade. Nevertheless, he’s enjoying a career-best performance that could see him become the first defensemen in 31 years to reach 100 points in a season. He’s also the favorite to win the Norris Trophy for the third time in his career.

Karlsson will remain a hot topic for trade conjecture once the playoffs end in June. The most likely window for a move is the last half of June when teams have more salary-cap space and willingness to invest in big-name talent. The more the Sharks are willing to retain in salary, the more interest they’ll get.

LATEST ON THE CAPITALS

THE ATHLETIC: Tarik El-Bashir recently looked at which members of the Washington Capitals will be staying and those that will be going during the upcoming offseason.

He feels the Capitals might be willing to listen on Evgeny Kuznetsov and Anthony Mantha. Kuznetsov was recently the subject of a rumor out of Russia claiming he requested a trade. He shot it down but his situation could bear watching this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As I’ve noted before, this isn’t the first time Kuznetsov has popped up in the rumor mill but he rebounded from a disappointing 2020-21 season to put up solid numbers last season. With two years remaining on his contract at an annual average value of $7.8 million, he’s probably not going anywhere unless the Capitals retain some salary in the deal.

Mantha’s disappointing performance could see his future linked to that of head coach Peter Laviolette. El-Bashir doesn’t see a contract buyout happening.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mantha’s stock has likely plummeted in the trade market. Signed through next season at a cap hit of $5.7 million, he’ll be tough to move unless there’s salary retention involved on the Capitals’ part.

As for Laviolette, it felt like he would get a contract extension. However, the situation feels much more tenuous now after two no-show losses to the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I think a coaching change is coming. On the one hand, the Capitals were walloped by injuries to key players this season. Laviolette can’t be faulted for that. On the other hand, if he was going to get a contract extension, it probably would’ve happened by now.

Conor Sheary is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in July. It’s hard to know whether he has a future in Washington. At this stage, it seems like he’ll be playing elsewhere next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: El-Bashir’s colleague Eric Duhatschek believes the Capitals will look to retool this summer rather than rebuild. He expects the four extra draft picks they received in their trade deadline deals (two third-rounders in 2024 and two second-rounders in 2025) will be used as trade chips this summer.