NHL Rumor Mill – May 8, 2024

by | May 8, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – May 8, 2024

Check out the latest on Leafs winger Mitch Marner, the Golden Knights’ Jonathan Marchessault, and the latest updates on the Predators and Devils in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE LEAFS’ MITCH MARNER AGREE TO A TRADE?

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan believes Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving should ask winger Mitch Marner whether he’d have any interest in waiving his no-movement clause.

Marner, 27, will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2025. Koshan acknowledged he’s one of the best hockey players on the planet but his performance in the Leafs’ first-round series against Boston was underwhelming and not close to what a leader should provide.

Koshan suggested exploring the trade market to see if Marner would fetch a No. 1 defenseman. If not, they can use part of the money they would’ve invested in him to sign a top blueliner in next summer’s free agent market.

Meanwhile, Steve Simmons doubts Marner or team captain John Tavares will agree to waive their no-movement clauses. He thinks Marner might have some value in the trade market but it will be limited compared to his worth because he only has a year left on his contract.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

Simmons dismissed the notion that Marner could fetch the Leafs any number of great young players as mostly fantasy. He believes the Leafs will be in a better position to address their needs next summer when Marner and Tavares come off their books.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner could agree to waive his NMC if Treliving tells him they won’t offer a contract extension or if he starts to feel the pressure of playing in Toronto is too much. If he does, however, the Leafs likely won’t get a great return even if he agreed to a contract extension with his new club as a condition of the trade.

I’ve seen some folks suggesting the Leafs offer up Marner to the Utah franchise straight up for Clayton Keller. That won’t happen. Keller is their best player and a foundation piece on a roster of good young players. He also carries an affordable $7.125 million annual cap hit through 2027-28. They’ll want to add someone who can play with him.

WILL JONATHAN MARCHESSAULT REMAIN WITH THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS?

LAS VEGAS SUN/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL/THE ATHLETIC: Jack Williams, Ed Graney and Jesse Granger report Jonathan Marchessault wants to remain with the Vegas Golden Knights.

The 33-year-old winger is among the few remaining original members of the club. He’s completing a six-year contract with an average annual value of $5 million and is slated to become a UFA on July 1.

“I’ve done everything I can to stay here,” Marchessault told reporters Tuesday as he and his teammates cleaned out their lockers for this season. “I know I’m a big part of this organization and team. I’ve proved that over the years.”.

“I’m pretty confident. I’d love to stay. This is my home. I’m part of the guys that started this. It’s the most proud thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

Marchessault said he spoke with general manager Kelly McCrimmon and their chat went well. “He wants me back,” he said. “He likes me, obviously, and the feeling is mutual.” McCrimmon agreed the conversation went well, adding he’s had preliminary talks with the winger and his agent.

The problem is the Golden Knights’ limited salary-cap space. They have roughly $7.6 million available with 18 active roster players under contract for next season. A new contract for Marchessault could cost between $6 million and $7 million annually on a three or four-year deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will take plenty of salary-cap gymnastics to free up sufficient room to sign Marchessault and leave enough for the rest of the roster.

That means making a cost-cutting trade or two. All of the expensive Golden Knights have some form of no-trade protection. Four – Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, Tomas Hertl and Alex Pietrangelo – have no-movement clauses.

William Karlsson, Ivan Barbashev, Shea Theodore and Adin Hill carry cap hits of $4.9 million or higher and have modified no-trade clauses. One of them could become a trade candidate.

LATEST ON THE PREDATORS

THE TENNESSEAN: Alex Daugherty and Gentry Estes report Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz said everything was on the table regarding his off-season plans for the club.

Trotz told reporters on Tuesday that he wants to build up his top nine forwards, adding more youth and speed to augment the top line of Filip Forsberg, Ryan O’Reilly and Gustav Nyquist.

“We’ve got some draft capital that will allow us to be flexible and use those assets to acquire (talent),” he said. “That’s what we’re going to have to do.”

Trotz could be leaning toward re-signing Juuse Saros rather than trading him. The 29-year-old goaltender has a year remaining on his contract. The Predators can re-sign him starting on July 1. Trotz said Saros wants to stay and he wants to keep him. “We’re gonna work hard on getting something done with him.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Saros was the subject of frequent trade speculation often linking him to the New Jersey Devils. He’s earning an AAV of $5 million on his current deal and it will cost more to re-sign him. I don’t doubt Trotz’s sincerity about retaining Saros but it will be worthwhile to monitor those negotiations.

UPDATE ON THE DEVILS

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey cited TSN’s Darren Dreger reporting the Devils are speaking to multiple candidates for their vacant head-coaching job, including former Edmonton Oilers bench boss Jay Woodcroft.

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Devils hope to hire a new coach within 7-10 days. “They should have a clearer picture by the end of this week.”










NHL Rumor Mill – May 7, 2024

by | May 7, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – May 7, 2024

Check out the latest on Leafs winger Mitch Marner, Kings center Pierre-Luc Dubois and Capitals goaltender Darcy Kuemper in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SHOULD THE LEAFS TRADE MITCH MARNER?

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox believes a Mitch Marner trade makes sense for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 27-year-old winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July. They cannot let him walk out the door for nothing.

Fox admits it would be difficult to move someone with an expensive salary cap hit ($10.9 million annually) like Marner. However, it’s not impossible, pointing to Jack Eichel and Erik Karlsson as recent examples.

The catch is how much Marner truly loves playing in Toronto. “That, we don’t know,” writes Fox.

At face value, Leafs general manager Brad Treliving can’t win a Marner trade. He’d risk the same criticism then-Edmonton Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli faced in 2016 when he shipped Taylor Hall to the New Jersey Devils for top-four defenseman Adam Larsson.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

However, Fox suggests Treliving “could properly disperse his dollars in a manner for fitting to team success.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner’s contract is the major obstacle in the path of a possible trade. It could adversely affect the type of return the Leafs might get.

The verdict is still out on the return the Sabres received from the Vegas Golden Knights in the Eichel deal. The Sharks might get an extra first-rounder in this year’s draft but they got little else in real value in last summer’s Karlsson trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

With the right creativity, Treliving might pull it off. As to what that might be, your guess is as good as mine.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Jonathan Bailey believes the Flyers should avoid trying to acquire Marner. While he’s established himself among the league’s premier players, his reputation as an inconsistent playoff performer is one reason they should pass on him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flyers fans have little to worry about. Marner has a full no-movement clause and the Flyers might not be among his preferred destinations. Besides, general manager Daniel Briere insists he’s still following a rebuilding path despite his club exceeding expectations this season. He won’t pursue Marner if he becomes available this summer.

COULD THE KINGS TRADE PIERRE-LUC DUBOIS?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Spencer Lazary believes the Los Angeles Kings should bite the bullet and trade Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Montreal Canadiens. He cited the recent skepticism regarding Dubois’ future in Los Angeles and the speculation last summer regarding his desire to play for the Canadiens.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lazary’s column appeared before Kings GM Rob Blake’s press conference yesterday. Blake shot down speculation he might buy out Dubois’ contract, adding his club intends to work with him to improve his performance. That doesn’t sound like he’s planning to put the 25-year-old center on the trade block.

The Canadiens probably wouldn’t be interested in Dubois if Blake peddled him this summer. His $8.5 million annual average value for the next seven years is too expensive while the decline in his production will tank his trade value.

Maybe the Canadiens look into the availability of Arthur Kaliyev. Blake was critical of the 22-year-old winger, prompting speculation his time with the Kings could be over. He’s coming off his entry-level contract and could be an affordable reclamation project.

DUBOIS FOR KUEMPER?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber cited Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek suggesting the Kings ship Dubois to the Washington Capitals for goaltender Darcy Kuemper.

Both players could use a change of scenery. Dubois would have an opportunity to skate alongside Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin while Kuemper could address the Kings’ need for a starting goaltender.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Silber does a good job explaining why that deal wouldn’t interest the Capitals. His contract and underwhelming play this season are the main reasons against it.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 7, 2024

by | May 7, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 7, 2024

The Bruins defeat the Panthers in Game 1 of their second-round series, the draft lottery will be held today, Jets coach Rick Bowness retires, the Senators are poised to hire a new coach, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Boston Bruins defeated the Florida Panthers 5-1 in Game 1 of their best-of-seven second-round series. Jeremy Swayman kicked out 38 shots while Mason Lohrei and Jonathan Brazeau each scored their first NHL playoff goals for the Bruins. Matthew Tkachuk replied for the Panthers. Game 2 is Wednesday, May 8 at 7:30 pm EDT.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers opened the scoring in the second period but the Bruins quickly seized contract soon afterward with goals by Morgan Geekie, Lohrei and Brandon Carlo. Brazeau’s goal in the third period put this out of reach.

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (NHL Images).

Swayman was once again the difference for the Bruins. He’s their MVP thus far in this postseason.

Carlo missed practice yesterday as his wife gave birth to their son at 3 am back in Boston. The club flew him to Florida on a private jet in time to suit up for this game.

The 2024 NHL Draft Lottery will be held today at 6:30 pm EDT at NHL Network studios in Secaucus, New Jersey. The San Jose Sharks have the best odds of winning (18.5 percent) after finishing last in the regular-season standings.

Boston University center Macklin Celebrini is the prize. Winner of the 2024 Hobey Baker Award, the 17-year-old is considered the top prospect in this year’s draft class.

WINNIPEG SUN: Jets head coach Rick Bowness announced his retirement on Monday. The 69-year-old spent 38 seasons in the NHL in various coaching roles.

Bowness’ 2,726 games behind the bench as a head coach or assistant coach are the most by anyone in league history. He served as a head coach for this incarnation of the Jets over the past two years and one season with the original club in 1988-89. Bowness was also the head coach of the Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders, Arizona Coyotes and Dallas Stars.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bowness said he still loves the game and coaching but personal reasons were behind his decision. He took a month-long leave of absence earlier this season after his wife, Judy, was hospitalized by a seizure. Bowness also took some time away for a medical procedure. Here’s hoping he and his wife enjoy a happy and healthy retirement.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators are expected to announce Travis Green as their new head coach by as early as Wednesday. He served as the interim coach of the New Jersey Devils after Lindy Ruff was fired in early March. Green was considered a top candidate for the full-time position but Devils management appears to be waiting for better options, allowing Green to speak with other clubs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Green spent nearly five seasons with the Vancouver Canucks during a time of considerable upheaval in the front office as the club attempted to rebuild its roster. He faces the challenge of coaching a Senators club filled with good young players who have missed the playoffs over the past seven seasons.

TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe took full responsibility on Monday for his club’s first-round elimination by the Boston Bruins. In what many believe was his final press conference as Leafs coach, Keefe said he still believes in the team and in himself but admitted his fate was out of his control.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Keefe sounds like he knows he’s coached his last game with the Leafs. His fate could be decided later this week.

Leafs center Auston Matthews explained his absence from Games 5 and 6 of that series against Boston. He said he was “really, really sick” following Game 2 and tried to play through it during the next two games. “Then I took a weird hit and I couldn’t go any longer. That’s as detailed as I’m going to get into it.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That explains why Matthews appeared to be at half speed during Games 3 and 4. His illness contributed to the Leafs’ elimination by the Bruins.

Matthews’ teammate Mitch Marner said he wants to be part of the Leafs’ long-term plans. He has a year remaining on his contract.

“I’ve expressed my love for this place, this city,” said Marner. “I grew up here. We’ll start thinking about that now and trying to figure something out.” He said it means the world to him to play in Toronto.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner also said he and his teammates are looked on as “kind of gods” in Toronto. That raised some hackles and criticism in Leafs Nation but he’s not wrong. The problem is that these “gods” keep coming up short after eight seasons of hype and expectation.

Marner’s teammates also came to his defense about the criticism of his play in recent years, expressing their hope that he’ll remain part of the team’s future. Whether management feels the same way remains to be seen. I’ll have more on Marner in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment CEO Keith Pelley, team president Brendan Shanahan and general manager Brad Treliving will meet with the media on Friday. The press conference was originally scheduled for Thursday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The fact Shanahan is part of this presser suggests he’ll be completing the final year of his contract. His future beyond that remains in doubt and will hinge on the club’s performance in 2024-25.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers forwards Evander Kane and Adam Henrique missed recent practices in favor of maintenance days to get healthy. Head coach Kris Knoblauch expects they’ll resume practicing on Tuesday and be ready for Game 1 of their second-round series against the Canucks on Wednesday.

Kane has been hampered by a sports hernia this season. Henrique suffered what appeared to be a leg injury during the Oilers’ first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings.

THE PROVINCE: Canucks center J.T. Miller is expected to be matched up against Oilers center Connor McDavid in the upcoming series between their two clubs. He admitted it will be challenging to contain the Oilers captain. “He’s different than anybody,” said Miller. “You can play what seems to be a perfect shift and all of a sudden he’s gone.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That matchup will be a crucial factor in determining the outcome of this series.

LOS ANGELES TIMES: Kings general manager Rob Blake shot down recent speculation suggesting his club should buy out Pierre-Luc Dubois. He said they have no intention of buying out the final seven seasons of his contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dubois had a disappointing first season with the Kings, ending up on their fourth line during the playoffs and finishing the regular season with only 40 points. The criticism of his play was justified but the notion of a buyout was absurd.

Whether at one-third or two-thirds of the remaining value depending on Dubois’ age during the buyout, it would count against the Kings’ cap for twice the remaining term. That means 14 years if they bought him out in June.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 6, 2024

by | May 6, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – May 6, 2024

A look at what the offseason could hold for the Golden Knights plus the latest on the Leafs and Jets in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS?

ESPN.COM: Ryan S. Clark believes Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon faces several roster decisions this offseason. One of them is what to do about pending unrestricted free agents Jonathan Marchessault and Chandler Stephenson.

Winner of the 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, Marchessault is among the few remaining original members of the Golden Knights. He’ll be in line for a significant raise after all he’s done for them. So is Stephenson, who’s proven himself as a solid two-way forward who can anchor the second line and play in any scenario.

The Golden Knights’ limited cap space complicates things. They have less than $900k of projected cap space with 20 active roster players under contract.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Ed Graney wondered if Marchessault still has a future with the Golden Knights. He noted the 33-year-old winger is among the few “Golden Misfits” remaining but pointed out the club has parted ways with beloved players in the past (like Marc-Andre Fleury) and could so again.

Vegas Golden Knights winger Jonathan Marchessault (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchessault earned $5 million annually on his current contract while the 30-year-old Stephenson made $2.75 million.

The Golden Knights will get $5 million in cap relief if goaltender Robin Lehner remains on long-term injury reserve next season. That might be enough to pay Stephenson a decent raise but not for Marchessault. They’ll have to shed salary to retain both. Heck, they might have to shed salary for Stephenson if they decide to part ways with Marchessault.

THE LATEST ON THE LEAFS

TORONTO STAR/TORONTO SUN/THE HOCKEY NEWS: Kevin McGran, Terry Koshan and Michael Traikos looked at the challenging offseason questions facing the Maple Leafs during the offseason.

Koshan thinks Brendan Shanahan could be down to his last gasp as team president. He wonders if Shanahan will change his tune after years of putting his faith in core players Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares and Morgan Rielly. Shanahan has one year remaining on his contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment could give Shanahan one more season to fix the problem. After a decade on the job, however, it’s time to thank him for his service and look at replacing him with someone who’ll bring a fresh perspective.

McGran and Traikos believe firing head coach Sheldon Keefe would be the easiest decision. The Leafs need a new voice behind the bench capable of getting them them to play a better-structured and disciplined system.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Keefe signed a two-year contract extension last year. General manager Brad Treliving could give him another shot behind the bench but that seems unlikely now. It’s time for a coaching change after only one playoff series win in five seasons.

They also believe it’s time to trade Marner as it’s no longer working for him and the Leafs. The 27-year-old winger holds all the cards given his no-movement clause.

McGran believes Marner might be better off playing for a southern US team like Tampa Bay or Utah where the spotlight won’t be as intense. Traikos mentioned Utah, Columbus, Seattle or even Ottawa.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner might be open to a trade if management tells him he won’t get a contract extension. However, there’s no certainty under that scenario that he’ll agree to it. He could insist on finishing his contract with the Leafs hoping that a new team president or head coach can fight for him to be re-signed. If not, he can walk away next summer where he’ll find plenty of lucrative options elsewhere.

McGran also suggested the Leafs consider naming a new team captain, pursue a reliable starting goalie such as Calgary’s Jacob Markstrom (whom Treliving knows well), and beef up the blueline. Meanwhile, Traikos proposed finding a suitable defense partner for Rielly, re-signing gritty forward Tyler Bertuzzi, and bringing back Ilya Samsonov as a backup goalie on a reasonable contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs have a projected cap space of $18.5 million with 16 active roster players under contract. That’ll hamper efforts to address most of their roster needs unless they can move Marner’s $10.9 million from their books.

UPDATE ON THE JETS

THE ATHLETIC: Murat Ates recently looked at the players who could stay or go for the Winnipeg Jets during the offseason.

Their untouchables include core players Mark Scheifele, Connor Hellebuyck, Josh Morrissey, Adam Lowry and Gabriel Vilardi. Pending UFA Tyler Toffoli and Colin Miller are expected to depart via free agency but Dylan DeMelo, Brenden Dillon and Sean Monahan could be re-signed.

Ates believes Nikolaj Ehlers will be shopped and likely moved before the NHL Draft on June 28-29. The 28-year-old winger is a year away from UFA eligibility and there’s some concern that they can afford to re-sign him. The Jets have floated his name in trade talks before and he could fetch someone to bolster their defense and/or bring in a first-round draft pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ehlers carries an average annual value of $6 million and a 10-team no-trade clause. He’s been a productive second-line winger but does have an injury history that could dampen his trade value, though he did play the full 82-game schedule this season for the first time since 2017-18.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 5, 2024

by | May 5, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 5, 2024

Another early playoff exit by the Maple Leafs is sparking calls for change again from their fans and the Toronto media. Check out the latest in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

CALLS FOR CHANGE FOLLOWING ANOTHER EARLY LEAFS PLAYOFF EXIT

ESPN.COM: Kristen Shilton pondered possible offseason moves by the Toronto Maple Leafs following yet another early playoff exit. She believes they cannot continue to forge ahead in the same direction yet again.

Shilton wondered if Sheldon Keefe would remain as the Leafs head coach. She also mused over whether there could be changes to the rest of the coaching staff, noting Guy Boucher was in charge of a power-play that went powerless. A decision could also be made to move a member of the roster core.

TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons wonders what happens with team president Brendan Shanahan when he meets with Keith Pelley, the new CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, to discuss what went wrong this season and his plan to fix it. Simmons believes Shanahan could be shown the door if Pelley “doesn’t hear something reasonable or tangible.”

Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan.

Simmons thinks the future may be more complicated for Keefe than assumed. He pointed to how the Leafs coach adjusted his defense in the final three games of the series. “He brought structure to the group, a game plan, an opportunity to come back. He hasn’t done anything like this in other years,” writes Simmons, suggesting that firing Keefe might be a mistake.

Terry Koshan also pondered what the future holds for Shanahan, Keefe and winger Mitch Marner. He believes general manager Brad Treliving must make a move or two. “That could include firing Keefe and/or asking Marner to waive his no-move clause.”

Treliving can open contract extension talks with Marner, who has a year left on his contract, on July 1. Koshan wondered how those discussions would go after the winger failed to prove his worth in the series against the Boston Bruins.

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston believes time’s up for “The Shanaplan”, referring to the Leafs’ lack of progress over the past five years under team president Shanahan.

The Leafs have invested half their salary-cap space in four core forwards (Marner, Auston Matthews, William Nylander and John Tavares). That’s left them little wiggle room to fill out the rest of the roster while stockpiling enough depth to sustain them when one of those four forwards becomes sick, injured or underperforms.

Johnston pointed out the Leafs have stubbornly stuck to their plan under three different general managers and two head coaches. They’ve refused to alter it despite their repeated early playoff exits. “Surely, that game is over now.”

DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin believes it’s the end of an era for the Leafs. “Eight playoff runs since 2016-17. One series win. An 0-6 record in winner-take-all games. Forget keeping the core together. The Leafs as we know it are out of chances. It’s over.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It has to be over. The Leafs can’t come back with the same president, the same head coach, and the same core and expect things will be different next season.

During the first three seasons of those eight playoff runs, the Leafs were a team on the rise led by rising young stars like Marner. Patience was necessary at that time and Leafs Nation happily granted it. They struggled against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the COVID bubble playoffs of 2020 but that was a weird time so it could be written off as a minor setback to be easily overcome.

Things went off the rails for the Leafs when they blew a 3-1 series lead to the underdog Montreal Canadiens in the opening round of the 2021 playoffs. They’ve shown little sign of progress since then. The joy of winning their first playoff round in 19 years last spring by beating the Tampa Bay Lightning quickly soured after being despatched in five games by the Florida Panthers in the second round. This year was just more of the same and there’s little reason to expect that to change next year if they decide to run it back for one more year.

The Leafs changed general managers last year by replacing Kyle Dubas with Brad Treliving. The next change or changes must be elsewhere.

We don’t know right now what will happen but we probably won’t have to wait long to find out.

I’m guessing Shanahan will be allowed to step down as president rather than be fired. Keefe will get his walking papers.

As for the roster, pending free agents Ilya Samsonov, Martin Jones, TJ Brodie, Joel Edmundson, Ilya Lyubushkin and Mark Giordano won’t return. Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi might be willing to stay but that’ll depend on how big an investment the Leafs are willing to make in them.

Matthews and Nylander signed long-term extensions. Unless they want out, they’re not moving.

Marner and Tavares each have a year left on their contracts. Marner is the most likely trade candidate. He will be told they won’t be re-signed, asked to waive his no-movement clause and provide a list of acceptable trade destinations.

They might not have to retain much (if any) of Marner’s $10.9 million cap hit but they won’t get equal value in return. The Leafs won’t be dealing from a position of strength and Marner’s reputation as a playoff underachiever hurts his trade value. However, he could still fetch a decent return that helps them now and over the long term.

The 33-year-old Tavares’ performance has declined to the point where retaining half of his $11 million cap hit probably won’t help his trade stock. A buyout is out of the question for him because it counts as over $10.3 million against their cap for 2024-25. There aren’t any tangible savings to be had.

Those are my best guesses. Feel free to weigh in with your own in the comments section.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – April 28, 2024

by | Apr 28, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – April 28, 2024

Will another early playoff exit bring changes to the Leafs? What should the Flames and Red Wings do to improve during the offseason? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

AN OFFSEASON OF CHANGE COULD BE COMING FOR THE LEAFS

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox believes the Toronto Maple Leafs need to make changes if they end up eliminated by the Boston Bruins from their first-round series.

Fox credited the Bruins’ stellar goaltending, their staunch commitment to defense and a strict plan put in place by head coach Jim Montgomery for putting the Leafs on the brink of elimination.

However, he also blamed the Leafs organization “that has let it reach this point of familiar ineptitude.” He singled out “the Shanaplan” (referring to team president Brendan Shanahan) for putting the team on the verge of squandering yet another season for stars such as Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander.

Fox believes Shanahan can’t allow Sheldon Keefe to return as head coach. He also thinks there should be changes in the players’ leadership core.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speculation over the Leafs’ future will begin minutes after Game 5 if they’re eliminated by the Bruins on Tuesday night, perhaps even before the final whistle.

This could be Keefe’s final season behind the Leafs bench. He coached them to three of its five best regular-season records in franchise history but only has one playoff series win.

Shanahan could also face the heat after a decade as team president for the Leafs’ pitiful playoff record during his tenure.

General manager Brad Treliving was hired last summer and is still digging out from the mess left by his predecessor. He’s not going anywhere.

As for that leadership core of players, Matthews and Nylander aren’t moving after signing lucrative new contracts. Morgan Rielly is their best defenseman so he won’t be asked to waive his no-movement clause.

Team captain Tavares is a fading star who is a year away from unrestricted free agent eligibility with a full no-movement clause and an $11 million cap hit. He’s made it very clear he intends to finish that contract with the Leafs.

That leaves Marner, whose underwhelming postseason performances make him the favorite scapegoat for the disgruntled denizens of Leafs Nation. Like Tavares, he’s a year away from UFA eligibility and has a full no-movement clause. However, he’s also in the prime of his career and was a finalist last season for the Selke Trophy. He will seek a substantial raise over his current average annual value of $10.9 million.

The Leafs would get a limited group of trade destinations from Marner if he agreed to waive his NMC. His contract status means they won’t get equal value in a trade. Even with the salary cap rising, interested clubs could ask the Leafs to retain a chunk of his AAV for next season.

It could be an interesting summer in Toronto.

THE LATEST ON THE FLAMES

CALGARY SUN: Flames beat writers Wes Gilbertson and Daniel Austin recently discussed what could be in store for the club this summer.

Both believe general manager Craig Conroy should explore Jacob Markstrom’s value in the trade market if the goalie agrees to waive his no-movement clause. However, Gilbertson believes Conroy should retain the 34-year-old goaltender if no suitable trade offers are received. He also pointed out Markstrom has two seasons left on his contract so Conroy can afford to take his time.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Markstrom was reportedly close to being moved to the New Jersey Devils in February before the deal fell apart. Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald intends to pursue a starting goalie in this summer’s trade market and could revisit his interest in Markstrom. It was rumored Conroy’s asking price was a first-round pick, top prospect Seamus Casey and either Dawson Mercer or Alexander Holtz. Fitzgerald won’t give up that much to get him. 

Austin believes Conroy needs to avoid the uncertainty over the status of next year’s unrestricted free agents. He advocates finding out what it’ll take to re-sign Andrew Mangiapane, Yegor Sharangovich and Andrei Kuzmenko and either offer them contracts or move them. Gilbertson, meanwhile, doesn’t see Conroy chasing any quick fixes via free agency.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Questions about whether the Flames would re-sign Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev were unnecessary distractions this season. All three were traded during the season, creating unwanted upheaval and killing any shot they had of staying in the playoff race. Conroy can’t let that happen with Mangiapane, Sharangovich and Kuzmenko. Re-sign them or move them before the start of training camp in September.

WHAT ARE THE RED WINGS OFFSEASON ROSTER PRIORITIES?

THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman recently looked at the roster issues the Detroit Red Wings might need to address this summer.

They have about eight roster spots to fill with $28.9 million in cap space, though that will shrink once young stars Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond are signed to new contracts. They could create more cap flexibility by moving on from Justin Holl’s $3.4 million cap hit. The Wings could also attempt to move Ville Husso, Robby Fabbri and Olli Maatta as they enter the final year of their contracts.

Bultman believes the Wings need to bring in more help among their forwards, boost the right side of their blueliner and bring in an upgrade in goal.

Bultman’s colleague Eric Duhatschek suggests the Red Wings should look into acquiring goaltender Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames. He proposed offering up Husso packaged with a first-round lottery pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That might work if Markstrom is willing to waive his NMC to join the Wings.