NHL Rumor Mill – February 12, 2025

by | Feb 12, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – February 12, 2025

Could there be some trade activity during the 4 Nations Face-Off? What’s the latest on Brayden Schenn, Brock Nelson, Brad Marchand, Jeff Skinner and Jared McCann? Who are the Senators’ trade targets? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THERE BE SOME TRADES DURING THE 4 NATIONS FACE-OFF

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman isn’t ruling out the possibility of some trade activity during the 4 Nations Face-Off. The league has paused its schedule from Feb. 10-21 to accommodate the tournament.

During Monday’s “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Friedman said he believes some players have been told by their teams or their agents that they think there could be some action. The players don’t return to practice until Feb. 18, and there’s a feeling that “some guys will not return to where they are.”

Friedman cited the lack of a roster freeze during this period. He also pointed out that Linus Ullmark was traded last year on the same day as Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. He doesn’t believe there’s been any direction from the league against making trades, but they might prefer that those moves be kept away from game days during the tournament.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chris Johnston of The Athletic recently reported a sense around the league that no one wanted to take the spotlight off the tournament by making trades. We’ll find out soon enough.

BRAYDEN SCHENN LINKED TO THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Hannah Kirkell cited a report by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman earlier this week suggesting the Vegas Golden Knights as a destination for Brayden Schenn.

St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn (NHL Images).

Friedman indicated St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong isn’t happy with his club’s performance and is unafraid to make big moves. He noted there would be a lot of interest in the 33-year-old Schenn but the Blues would set a big asking price for him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schenn is signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $6.5 million and has a full no-trade clause for this season. Assuming he’d accept a trade to Vegas, the Golden Knights lack sufficient cap space to acquire him.

That hasn’t stopped Golden Knights management from making bold moves in the past. However, their salary cap constraints and limited trade capital could make it difficult to win a bidding war for Schenn.

BROCK NELSON UNDECIDED ABOUT CONTRACT EXTENSION

NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears reports Brock Nelson’s comments about a potential contract extension with the Islanders will do little to dampen trade speculation swirling around him. The 33-year-old center is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1.

Nelson is interested in an extension but said there are many factors to consider, such as what’s best for him, his family, and the team. He praised Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello, adding his agent has a great relationship with him.

Sears cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently reported Nelson’s agent will continue contract discussions with Lamoriello during the 4 Nations Face-Off. However, there’s a risk Nelson will depart as a free agent on July 1 if there isn’t an extension in place by the March 7 trade deadline.

NYI HOCKEY NOW: Russ Macias suggested several contract-extension scenarios for Nelson. One is a two-year, $14 million offer, another is three years at $21 million and four years at $24 million. There’s also a seven-year, $35 million paying him $5 million annually.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nelson sits atop most pundits’ trade boards as the player most likely to be moved by March 7. Lamoriello declined to discuss his plans for the trade deadline with the media, saying his focus was on his team’s efforts to make the playoffs.

A lot will depend on the Isles’ performance in the two weeks between the resumption of the regular-season schedule on Feb. 22 and the deadline on March 7.

The long-term option suggested by Macias would provide the Isles with the most salary-cap flexibility while providing Nelson with the most security. However, it will become a cap headache in the final years when his performance inevitably declines.

MARCHAND DISMISSES TRADE RUMORS

THE SCORE: Kayla Douglas reports Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand isn’t worried about his name popping up in recent trade rumors. “That’s just fans having fun with it all,” he said during an appearance on the “What Chaos!” podcast.

Marchand acknowledged his pending UFA status and the Bruins’ struggles this season have stoked speculation about his future in Boston. He said he tries not to pay attention to it.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The conjecture will increase if Marchand remains unsigned when the calendar flips to March.

OILERS NOT SHOPPING JEFF SKINNER

THE ATHLETIC: Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman told Daniel Nugent-Bowman that he doesn’t intend to trade Jeff Skinner. The 32-year-old winger signed a one-year, $3 million contract last summer with the Oilers.

Skinner has struggled at times this season with 10 goals and 20 points in 49 games. Bowman cited the winger’s positive attitude and willingness to work through his difficulties, adding that he’s shown improvement in recent games.

KRAKEN COULD MAKE MCCANN AVAILABLE

SPORTSNET: Jacob Stoller reported hearing the Seattle Kraken could make Jared McCann available at the trade deadline. He noted the 28-year-old is a versatile scoring forward who can also play center and kill penalties.

McCann is signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $5 million. Stoller believes he’d make a lot of sense for the Winnipeg Jets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McCann has 42 points in 57 games this season, leading the Kraken in scoring as he’s done in their three previous seasons. Shopping him would be a big move by GM Ron Francis, signaling he’s starting a major roster overhaul. He would draw plenty of interest around the league, increasing the likelihood of fetching a significant return for the Kraken.

LATEST ON THE SENATORS

OTTAWA CITIZEN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators are believed to be interested in Chicago Blackhawks forward Ryan Donato and Kraken forward Brandon Tanev. Another trade option could be Gustav Nyquist of the Nashville Predators.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 11, 2025

by | Feb 11, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – February 11, 2025

Check out the latest on Brad Marchand, Brock Nelson, Rickard Rakell, John Gibson, Jake Evans, Ryan Donato and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

BRUINS ARE GETTING CALLS ABOUT BRAD MARCHAND

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports an “NHL executive source” said the Boston Bruins are getting calls on captain Brad Marchand. The 36-year-old winger is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, raising speculation about whether he’ll be re-signed or moved by the March 7 trade deadline.

Murphy’s source claimed teams were wondering what the Bruins intended to do with Marchand. For now, they appear to be just listening rather than actively shopping him. He also noted that the Bruins haven’t squashed the rumors as they’ve done in the past. Another source close to the situation indicated they’re not shopping Marchand.

Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand (NHL Images).

The sources’ opinions vary on the price the Bruins could offer Marchand. One speculates it could be a first-round pick and a top prospect. Another believes it depends on which team is asking. The sources mentioned the Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars, and Minnesota Wild as possible suitors.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchand carries a cap hit of $6.125 million and an eight-team no-trade list. Interested clubs could ask the Bruins to retain some salary, which could raise their asking price. The Oilers and Wild are pressed against the $88 million cap, making them the least likely to land him. All five teams lack a first-round pick in this year’s draft.

BROCK NELSON BECOMES THE TOP TARGET IN THE RUMOR MILL

NYI HOCKEY NOW: Russ Macias has a roundup of speculation from several insiders suggesting Islanders center Brock Nelson is the most coveted player in the trade market. Like Marchand, the 33-year-old is UFA-eligible on July 1. He carries a $6 million cap hit.

Macias cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, The Athletic’s Arthur Staple, and TSN’s Chris Johnston reporting the 33-year-old Nelson is garnering attention around the league. He claimed the Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets, Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning are “very interested” in the veteran Isles center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The points I raised about the lack of a 2025 first-rounder for the Avalanche and Wild also apply here. The Wild currently have Kirill Kaprizov and his $9 million cap hit on long-term injury reserve but he’s expected to return from surgery in a few weeks. Like the Wild and Avs, the Leafs and Lightning don’t have first-round picks in this year’s draft.

The Jets have the advantage over those clubs, provided they’re not on his 16-team no-trade list. They’re first overall in the standings and in “win-now” mode, have over $12 million in projected trade-deadline cap space and a first-round pick in this year’s draft, and they can also draw on their prospect pipeline for trade bait.

RICKARD RAKELL COULD BE AVAILABLE BUT EXPENSIVE

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe recently reported the Pittsburgh Penguins aren’t in a hurry to trade Rickard Rakell. The 31-year-old winger is playing well alongside team captain Sidney Crosby. He’s also signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $5 million.

Nevertheless, Yohe believes the Penguins would listen if a team made a truly significant package offer containing a first-rounder and a blue-chip prospect close to NHL-ready. He claims GM Kyle Dubas hasn’t told teams that Rakell is untouchable, only that the asking price is high.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rakell’s trade value is very high right now. If a suitable offer isn’t possible at the trade deadline, they might wait for the offseason when the rising cap could entice teams to spend more than they currently would.

COULD JOHN GIBSON BE A FIT WITH THE OILERS?

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting he’d heard the Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes are the preferred trade destinations for John Gibson.

The 31-year-old Anaheim Ducks goaltender is signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $6.4 million and a 10-team no-trade list. He’s been the subject of trade rumors for some time.

Friedman said he’d heard Gibson wants to go where he’d be “the guy”, as in the starting goaltender. However, he doesn’t know if partnering with Oilers netminder Stuart Skinner will work for him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staples doesn’t think Gibson would be a good fit for the Oilers. Even if the Ducks retained half his cap hit, he believes it would still take a hefty chunk out of their cap space. Meanwhile, Staples colleague Kurt Leavins doesn’t see Gibson as an improvement over Skinner, saying he’s been “very mediocre” over the past five years.

WILL JAKE EVANS STAY IN MONTREAL OR MOVE ON?

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan reports Canadiens center Jake Evans knows he’s facing a murky future. The 28-year-old is due to become a UFA this summer and could be shopped by the March 7 trade deadline.

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported Sunday that the Canadiens and the Evans camp exchanged contract numbers. However, the two sides remain far apart, suggesting he’ll be traded by March 7.

TVA SPORTS: Renaud Lavoie claims Evans’s re-signing with the Canadiens is a real possibility despite the reported gaps in their contract negotiations. However, he didn’t go so far as to guarantee his signing.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols reports it’s “common knowledge” Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald is in the market for a third-line center. He believes Evans would fit the bill.

However, the Canadiens’ asking price would be at least a second-rounder and there are plenty of suitors. Nichols noted the Devils have three second-rounders but lack a first-rounder, which would put them out of the bidding if the price goes up.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Evans is the Canadiens’ best trade chip and could fetch a first-round pick if enough teams are interested leading up to March 7. They won’t hesitate to trade him if the two sides don’t agree to a new contract by then.

UPDATES ON RYAN DONATO AND PAT MAROON

THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers recently reported that it is expected the Chicago Blackhawks could trade pending UFA forward Ryan Donato by March 7. However, it’s not a certainty that he’ll be moved as management hasn’t ruled out re-signing him.

DAILY FACEOFF: Jeff Marek reports Blackhawks forward Pat Maroon is drawing some attention in the trade market. Marek suggests the Florida Panthers and Maroon’s former club, the Tampa Bay Lightning, as possible fits.

LATEST ON THE BLUE JACKETS

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports injuries to forwards Sean Monahan and Kirill Marchenko has GM Don Waddell shopping for a top-six forward. “We had some irons in the fire,” Waddell told Portzline. “But no action yet.”

Waddell is willing to move one of his club’s two first-rounders in this year’s draft but it would only be for a player with term on their contract. He also wouldn’t rule out moving one of his extra mid-round picks for a player on an expiring contract.

The Blue Jackets GM also said talks continue with pending UFAs Ivan Provorov and Mathieu Olivier. He also wants to re-sign defenseman Dante Fabbro.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Portzline noted the Blue Jackets have two second-round picks in the 2027 draft, two third-rounders in 2026 and two in the 2027 draft, and two fourth-rounders in this year’s draft and three in 2026.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – February 9, 2025

by | Feb 9, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – February 9, 2025

Check out all the latest speculation on Vladimir Tarasenko, Brock Nelson, Brayden Schenn, Brad Marchand, Scott Laughton, Alex Tuch, and more in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THE LATEST ON TARASENKO, NELSON, SCHENN AND DONATO

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports Vladimir Tarasenko has recently surfaced in the rumor mill. The 33-year-old Detroit Red Wings forward is in the first year of a two-year contract with an average annual value of $4.75 million and has a full no-trade clause for this season.

Detroit Red Wings forward Vladimir Tarasenko (NHL Images).

Friedman said he’s heard “some noise” around Tarasenko. He also pointed out the Red Wings are playing better and are in the race for a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. Most of their players are performing well of late but he’s “kind of struggled to be a fit.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tarasenko is no longer the perennial 30-goal scorer he was during his long tenure with the St. Louis Blues. However, he reached 55 points last season split between the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers, and 50 points in 2022-23 between the Blues and New York Rangers. He’s managed just 22 points in 53 games with the Wings.

Friedman also indicated that a lot of people are waiting to see what happens with New York Islanders center Brock Nelson. He believes the Isles will attempt to re-sign him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello could peddle the 33-year-old Nelson if they fail to agree to a new contract. Then again, he could hang onto him if they’re holding onto a wild-card spot by March 7. He has done that sort of thing before.

The St. Louis Blues are willing to talk about a lot of their players with other teams. However, they’ve set “a very, very high price” for team captain Brayden Schenn.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schenn’s versatility, leadership, playoff experience, and physical two-way play would make him enticing for any playoff contender. The 33-year-old forward signed through 2027-28 with an AAV of $6.5 million and he has a full no-trade clause for this season.

Friedman’s colleague Luke Fox noted that the Toronto Maple Leafs were linked to Schenn and Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens. Their limited salary-cap space makes acquiring either player difficult without some salary retention by the Blues or Sabres. Fox believes they’ll have to part with their 2026 first-rounder and a promising youngster like Fraser Minten or Easton Cowan as part of the return.

Chicago Blackhawks forward Ryan Donato could draw plenty of interest. He’s UFA-eligible this summer and carries a $2 million cap hit. The 28-year-old center is playing well in his contract year, with a career-high 19 goals and 37 points. Friedman believes the Edmonton Oilers are looking at him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Donato’s performance this season and his low cap hit could make him a valuable trade chip this season for the Blackhawks.

The Athletic’s Scott Powers is interested to see what the Blackhawks do with Donato. He expects they’ll move him closer to March 7 to maximize his trade value.

Powers doesn’t expect pending UFAs Alec Martinez and Pat Maroon to ask to be traded. He considers defensemen Seth Jones and Connor Murphy to be long shots as trade candidates.

THE LATEST BRUINS SPECULATION

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports teams are watching the Boston Bruins closely to see what they intend to do by the March 7 trade deadline. Last month, team president Cam Neely said they would be buyers or retool a bit depending on where they were in the standings by deadline day. GM Don Sweeney recently reiterated Neely’s comments.

Murphy cited an NHL source suggesting Bruins captain Brad Marchand could be in play but doesn’t think they’ve reached that stage yet. The 36-year-old winger is eligible for UFA status on July 1. Teams could also inquire about defenseman Brandon Carlo but the Bruins aren’t currently shopping him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins head into the 4 Nations Face-Off break sitting one point out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot. A lot could depend on whether they can gain ground in games leading up to March 7.

LEAFS AND JETS REPORTEDLY INTEREST IN LAUGHTON

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco reports trade talks are “heating up” around Scott Laughton. The 30-year-old Philadelphia Flyers forward is signed through next season with an AAV of $3 million and lacks no-trade protection.

Di Marco cited sources claiming the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets are interested in Laughton. He added they are among several teams in the mix.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laughton is a feisty, hard-working two-way forward with leadership skills who can play center or wing. The Flyers were reportedly reluctant to part with him because of what he brings to their team. Nevertheless, he’s slated to become a UFA at the end of next season. It’s rumored the Flyers seek a first-round pick as part of their asking price.

SHOULD THE DEVILS PURSUE ALEX TUCH?

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks believes the New Jersey Devils should look into acquiring Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch, provided they’re not on the 28-year-old’s five-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sabres GM Kevyn Adams wants to add to his team rather than subtract. That’s why he hasn’t shipped out Dylan Cozens as he wants a hockey trade if he were to part with him. The same thing would apply to Tuch, who is UFA-eligible at the end of next season.

Brooks mentioned Devils forward Dawson Mercer is struggling this season. Maybe they’d pitch the 23-year-old forward to the Sabres if they take an interest in Tuch.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 1, 2025

by | Feb 1, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – February 1, 2025

What’s next for the Canucks after trading J.T. Miller and acquiring Marcus Pettersson? What does a higher salary cap mean for the Leafs’ efforts to re-sign Mitch Marner? What’s the latest on the Bruins and Sharks? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE CANUCKS?

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston believes the projected hike in the salary cap to $95.5 million means Brock Boeser should hold firm on asking for a significant raise.

The 27-year-old Vancouver Canucks winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Contract extension talks between Boeser and management have been reportedly lukewarm.

Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser (NHL Images).

If the Canucks part ways with Boeser via trade or free agency, Johnston believes his replacement will be promising winger Jonathan Lekkerimaki.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols recently observed rumors suggesting Boeser could become available at the March 7 trade deadline barring a significant turnaround in the Canucks’ fortunes.

If Boeser finishes the season in Vancouver, he could become available in this summer’s free-agent market. Nichols believes the Devils should look into acquiring Boeser because they need a shooter on their first power-play unit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks trading J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers on Friday shifts the focus on Boeser’s future with the club. He carries a $6.65 million cap hit coming off a three-year contract. His production is down this season but he’s not the only Canuck facing that predicament.

Boeser tallied a career-high 40 goals last season and will use that to seek a significant raise on a long-term contract. The skyrocketing increases in the cap starting next season mean the Canucks can afford to re-sign him. Whether they will remains to be seen.

HOW WILL A HIGHER CAP AFFECT THE LEAFS’ EFFORTS TO RE-SIGN MARNER?

THE ATHLETIC: James Mirtle examined the pros and cons of how a rising cap over the next three seasons will affect the Toronto Maple Leafs, especially their efforts to re-sign pending UFAs like Mitch Marner and John Tavares.

On the plus side, it’ll open up more cap space to re-sign those players and to address other roster weaknesses. The downside is the possibility of pending UFAs and their agents negotiating their cap percentage based on substantial cap increases beyond next season.

Mirtle believes the Leafs should be able to re-sign Tavares and restricted free agent Matthew Knies without much difficulty. However, Marner is harder to forecast because of his status among the league’s top forwards. He could get more than $13 million annually on the open market but it remains to be seen how much more.

TORONTO STAR: Kevin McGran speculates Marner could seek a higher average annual value than Auston Matthews’ current team-leading $13.25 million. He also thinks Tavares’ AAV will drop from its current $11 million but not by much, perhaps to $8 million annually.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs will have over $29.6 million in projected cap space for next season with 17 active roster players under contract. They can afford Marner, Tavares and Knies but the trio will take up a significant chunk of that cap room.

Assuming Marner agrees to stay below Matthews’ number and accepts $13 million, Tavares gets $8 million and Knies $5 million, that’ll eat up over $26 million.

WHAT’S BRUIN IN BOSTON?

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Nick Goss reports Bruins captain Brad Marchand could draw plenty of interest if his struggling club becomes sellers by the March 7 trade deadline. The 36-year-old winger is UFA-eligible this summer.

Marchand said he’s focussing on the day-to-day and isn’t concerned about what management has in store. “They’re going to do what they feel is necessary for the team. And all we can do is worry about our play and what we can control,” he said. The Bruins captain also said he’s not paying attention to media rumors and has no control over that.

If the Bruins intend on retooling for a bounce-back performance next season, Goss believes it would make sense if Marchand stayed put.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchand is a heart-and-soul Bruin who wants to stay in Boston. Bruins management would prefer retaining him. However, it will depend on what type of contract he wants and what kind of trade offers the Bruins get for him.

Goss also believes bringing back Trent Frederic would make sense at the right price. His production is down from last season’s 40-point pace but the 26-year-old forward is in his prime and his physical style suits the Bruins. Goss felt a fair contract would be one comparable to Dakota Joshua’s four-year deal with the Canucks worth $3.25 million annually.

If a new contract isn’t possible, Goss believes the Bruins should trade Frederic for a draft pick or a prospect. He considers him too valuable to lose for nothing.

SEVERAL SHARKS COULD SOON BECOME TRADE CANDIDATES

THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka recently reported several San Jose Sharks players are in limbo with the March 7 trade deadline on the horizon.

The Sharks’ list of pending UFAs includes forward Mikael Granlund, Luke Kunin and Nico Sturm, defensemen Cody Ceci and Jan Rutta, and goaltenders Vitek Vanecek and Alexandar Georgiev.

Sharks GM Mike Grier intends to examine his options as the deadline approaches. It’ll depend on what type of return those players could fetch.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Granlund has 45 points in 52 games this season and should exceed last season’s 60-point performance. That production should make him enticing for contenders seeking scoring depth.

Ceci is a right-shot defenseman and they are currently a hot commodity in the trade market. He also has playoff experience, including his run with the Edmonton Oilers to the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. Kunin is a versatile two-way forward who could tempt teams seeking a third-line center.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 24, 2025

by | Jan 24, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – January 24, 2025

Check out the latest on J.T. Miller, Brad Marchand, Jonathan Toews, Logan Thompson and Kevin Lankinen in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST J.T. MILLER SPECULATION

RG.ORG: Jim Biringer reports a source claims there’s a belief the Vancouver Canucks could trade J.T. Miller before next month’s 4 Nations Face-Off.

The New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes are considered the front-runners for the 31-year-old Canucks center. Some reports linked the Devils to Miller but Biringer claims those discussions haven’t taken place.

If the Devils did pursue and acquire Miller, he could become their third-line center behind Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes. He can play on the wing but prefers playing at center.

Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller (NHL Images)

The Hurricanes appear to have the inside track. They had previous trade discussions last season with the Canucks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those discussions were about Elias Pettersson before he signed his contract extension with the Canucks.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston believes it’s the Rangers or bust for Miller. He cites a source claiming the Hurricanes’ interest is minimal.

Johnston thinks the focus should remain on the Rangers as that deal seems the closest to reality. The holdup appears to be how it’s structured.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most reports indicate the original offer included Filip Chytil and a first-round pick. Depending on the source, the other parts of the package were defenseman Ryan Lindgren and a couple of minor-leaguers.

The Rangers, Hurricanes, Devils, and Dallas Stars have been mentioned as destinations. Some observers suggested the Boston Bruins, Utah Hockey Club, and Columbus Blue Jackets as trade options but there’s no indication they’re seriously pursuing a deal.

The Rangers’ lowball offer suggests they’re the only club in the bidding for Miller. That could explain why they proposed a middle-six center with a concussion history (Chytil), a shutdown defenseman who is UFA-eligible in July (Lindgren), and some minor-leaguers who aren’t among the Rangers’ blue-chip prospects.

This could become comparable to the Chicago Blackhawks trading Patrick Kane to the Rangers two years ago. Most observers thought Kane would fetch the Blackhawks at least a first-round pick, a top prospect, and a good young prospect. They never got anything close to that because the Rangers were Kane’s only trade destination.

COULD THE BRUINS MOVE BRAD MARCHAND BY THE TRADE DEADLINE?

THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa cited a hockey operations executive suggesting Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand could become a trade candidate by the March 7 trade deadline. “If they think it’ll help the team, all bets are off,” he said.

Marchand is UFA-eligible on July 1 and won’t publicly discuss his contract situation. Shinzawa believes trading the 36-year-old winger would be waving the white flag on this season. On the other hand, he could bring in a return that would help the Bruins’ long-term future.

The Bruins captain has a 10-team no-trade list. However, Shinzawa speculates he might jump at the opportunity to join good friend and fellow Nova Scotian Nathan MacKinnon with the Colorado Avalanche.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Shinzawa is merely musing out loud about Marchand joining MacKinnon in Colorado. Besides, everyone knows that’s the dream of Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby despite his signing a two-year contract extension last summer. That was merely a ruse to throw us off the scent…

I’m joking about the Crosby thing, and I doubt the Avalanche have the cap space or the tradeable assets to land Marchand.

Nevertheless, we can’t dismiss the possibility of Marchand going to a playoff contender if the offer entices Bruins management to approach him about accepting the trade.

UPDATE ON JONATHAN TOEWS

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Winnipeg Jets are among several teams to contact Jonathan Toews’ representatives after the former Chicago Blackhawks captain expressed an interest in returning to the NHL.

Toews career was derailed in 2023 by the effects of COVID-19 and chronic immune response syndrome. LeBrun said the plan is for the 36-year-old center will try to come back for next season.

LATEST ON LOGAN THOMPSON AND KEVIN LANKINEN

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson is putting himself in line for a substantial raise on his next contract. He’s in the final year of a three-year deal earning just under $800K per season and is eligible for UFA status on July 1

Complicating matters is fellow Capitals goalie Charlie Lindgren and defenseman Jakob Chychrun are also slated to become UFAs this summer.

LeBrun noted the Colorado Avalanche recently signed Mackenzie Blackwood to a five-year deal worth an AAV of $5.25 million. Joey Daccord signed a five-year deal worth $5 million annually with the Seattle Kraken.

Meanwhile, there’s mutual interest between the Vancouver Canucks and goalie Kevin Lankinen in signing a contract extension. However, there haven’t been any serious talks yet. Given Lankinen’s solid play this season, LeBrun doubts he can be retained for less than $4 million annually.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 11, 2025

by | Jan 11, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 11, 2025

Recaps of Friday’s games, the Jets’ Quarter-Century Team is revealed, Bruins stars Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak push back against a rumor of tension between them, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki’s overtime goal lifted his club to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals. Cole Caufield and Josh Anderson also scored for the Canadiens, who outshot the Capitals 30-17 to pick up their ninth win in their last 11 games. Jakob Chychrun and Lars Eller replied for the Capitals, who picked up a point and sit in first place in the Eastern Conference with 59 points.

Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens (43 points) moved within one point of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth and two points of the Boston Bruins for the first wild-card spot. Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren suffered an upper-body injury midway through this game following a collision with Suzuki, who was pushed into Lindgren by Capitals winger Brandon Duhaime.

Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane collected three assists to lead his club over the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3. Lucas Raymond, Alex DeBrincat and Marco Kasper each had a goal and an assist as the Wings picked up their sixth straight victory. Blackhawks winger Teuvo Teravainen tallied twice and Connor Bedard picked up an assist to extend his points streak to nine games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings are one point behind the Canadiens in the Eastern Conference wild-card chase, with the Ottawa Senators (41 points) and New York Rangers (40) close behind.

The Los Angeles Kings collected their fifth straight victory with a 2-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets. Adrian Kempe extended his goal streak to four games by snapping a 1-1 tie in overtime. Alex Turcotte also scored for the Kings while Mark Scheifele replied for the Jets, who’ve won once in their last five games (1-2-2).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets are tied with the Vegas Golden Knights with 59 points but the latter holds first place in the overall standings with a game in hand and one more win. Jets defensemen Josh Morrissey and Dylan Samberg were in the lineup for this game. Morrissey had left Tuesday’s game against the Nashville Predators while Samberg was sidelined for over a month with a broken foot.

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Dustin Tokarski made 14 saves to shut out the Vancouver Canucks 2-0. Jordan Staal and Andrei Svechnikov scored for the Hurricanes. The Canucks are winless in their last four (0-2-2) and cling to the final Western Conference wild-card spot (46 points) one point ahead of the Calgary Flames.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canucks center Elias Pettersson returned to the lineup after missing six games with an undisclosed ailment.

Utah Hockey Club center Barrett Hayton scored with 1:32 remaining in the third period in a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks. Nick Schmaltz also scored and Fabian Zetterlund replied for the Sharks.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Connor Hellebuyck, Mark Scheifele and Josh Morrissey highlight the Winnipeg Jets’ Quarter Century Team.

The trio comprised part of the First Team with Blake Wheeler, Dustin Byfuglien and Ilya Kovalchuk. Forwards Kyle Connor, Nikolaj Ehlers and Bryan Little, defensemen Jacob Trouba and Toby Enstrom and goaltender Ondrej Pavelec made up the Second Team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE Kovalchuk was the franchise’s biggest star when they were the Atlanta Thrashers, scoring 328 goals and 287 assists for 615 points in 594 games from 2001-02 to 2009-10. That included two 52-goal seasons and two 90-plus point campaigns.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Bruins captain Brad Marchand and teammate David Pastrnak blasted WEEI radio host Rich Keefe for claiming Pastrnak was refusing to play on Marchand’s line.

“I know reporters have a job to do, and that job is to report on the team, and usually you try to be fact-based,” said Marchand. “But when there’s just blatant lies told in the media, that’s where there’s a problem.”

Marchand explained he and Pastrnak haven’t played together much this season because the team is trying their scoring depth through the lineup. He rejected Keefe’s claim that Pastrnak was a problem in the dressing room, calling him one of the most-loved guys in the room.

Pastrnak said he initially thought Keefe was making fun of him. “I know how I feel about Marchy. We love each other. I have a huge amount of respect for him.” He called the report “100 percent false”, saying he and Marchand had a good laugh over it.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers winger Evander Kane underwent knee surgery requiring four to eight weeks of recovery. This surgery puts his rehab from last fall’s abdominal surgery on hold.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Kane is sidelined for the rest of the regular season, this could also affect the Oilers’ plans for the March 7 trade deadline. I’ll have more about that in today’s Rumors update.

THE ATHLETIC’s Aaron Portzline reports Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan has a sprained right wrist but no fractures. He’s been placed on injured reserve and will be reevaluated once the swelling subsides. Monahan suffered the injury against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Jan. 7.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Ivan Barbashev is expected to return to the Golden Knights lineup against the New York Rangers on Saturday. He missed the last 10 games with an upper-body injury.

CALGARY SUN: Flames center Conor Zary won’t require surgery following a knee-on-knee hit from Anaheim Ducks defenseman Drew Helleson. However, he will be sidelined indefinitely but is expected to return later this season.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators signed sophomore center Ridly Greig to a three-year contract extension with an average annual value of $3.25 million. Greig, 22, is in the final season of his entry-level contract.

TORONTO SUN: Former Maple Leafs Patrick Marleau and Jake Muzzin joined Leafs star John Tavares in separate appeals of the Canada Revenue Agency’s ruling on their signing bonuses. The trio are contesting the CRA’s 2023 reassessments that claimed their signing bonuses should’ve been taxed at the highest bracket of 50 percent, rather than the 15 percent they’ve paid.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Province’s Patrick Johnston cited a former NHL executive who believes the players will lose their appeals. He thinks it’s obvious what the bonuses are: merely an effort to say a certain portion of their wage should be taxed in a particular way compared to the rest.