NHL Rumor Mill – October 19, 2023

by | Oct 19, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – October 19, 2023

An update on the Hurricanes’ Brett Pesce, concerns over the Kings’ goaltending and a suggestion about a recent Vezina Trophy winner as a trade option for the Lightning in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

UPDATE ON BRETT PESCE

CAROLINA HOCKEY NOW: Bryant Baucom recently cited The Fourth Period’s Dave Pagnotta claiming the Hurricanes management hoped to get Brett Pesce signed to a contract extension worth between $4 million and $5 million annually during the offseason.

Pesce, 28, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July. Pagnotta claimed the blueliner wants to stay in Carolina and management still hopes to get him under contract.

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (NHL Images).

With the salary cap set to rise significantly for next season, Baucom suggested there’s a chance to extend a more reasonable offer to Pesce. He felt that the blueliner would likely seek something around the $7 million range. If Pesce is re-signed, it would likely mean the end of Brady Skjei’s tenure with the Hurricanes

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes have over $32 million in projected cap space for 2024-25 but just nine active roster players under contract. Martin Necas and Seth Jarvis are restricted free agents in line for healthy raises as well next season. Management must also re-sign or replace pending UFAs such as Teuvo Teravainen, Antti Raanta and Jordan Martinook.

GOALTENDING COULD BECOME AN EARLY PROBLEM FOR THE KINGS

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli suggested that goaltending could be an early-season issue for the Los Angeles Kings. Their tandem of Cam Talbot and Pheonix Copley struggled through the club’s first two games with Talbot giving up four goals in a 5-2 loss to Colorado and Copley allowing five in a 6-5 shootout loss to Carolina.

Seravalli acknowledged Copley’s record last season (24-6-3) was “pretty damn good” but his underlying numbers were not. The oft-injured Talbot, meanwhile, was not very good last season with the Ottawa Senators even when healthy.

Kings GM Rob Blake will likely be patient but Seravalli speculates he could start seeking help between the pipes if Talbot and Copley fail to improve.

Montreal’s Cayden Primeau, Philadelphia’s Felix Sandstrom or Samuel Ersson could be trade or waiver options. Calgary’s Dan Vladar could be available for a second-round draft pick or perhaps they could look into signing free agent Jaroslav Halak.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Talbot was solid in the Kings’ 5-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday, finishing with 27 saves and a .963 save percentage. A few more games like that could alleviate that concern about their goaltending. Nevertheless, this situation could be worth keeping an eye on in the coming weeks.

COULD THE BRUINS OFFER UP ULLMARK TO THE LIGHTNING?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: With Tampa Bay Lightning starter Andrei Vasilevskiy sidelined until early December, Stan Fischler recently suggested the possibility of the Boston Bruins offering up Linus Ullmark to the Bolts. He noted the Bruins have been grooming backup Jeremy Swayman as their future starter. However, sources informed Fischler that Lightning GM Julien BriseBois has no plans to trade for a goalie.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins have no intention of trading Ullmark this season as they prefer to keep their award-winning goalie tandem intact. Besides, he carries a 16-team no-trade clause this season along with a $5 million cap hit that would be tough to move at this stage in the season.

Even if Ullmark was available, the Lightning couldn’t afford to acquire him. Yes, they have $7.7 million in cap space with Vasilevskiy on LTIR but they must become cap-compliant when he’s ready to return to action. Besides, the Bruins’ asking price would likely be too expensive for the Bolts, who don’t have much trade capital in terms of draft picks and prospects.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 8, 2023

by | Oct 8, 2023

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 8, 2023

What will the Hurricanes do with Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei? Could the Leafs lose a goalie to the waiver wire? What’s the latest Canucks speculation? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

HURRICANES COULD RETAIN PESCE AND SKJEI THIS SEASON

NHL.COM: In his Oct. 4 mailbag segment, Dan Rosen was asked what the Carolina Hurricanes will do with Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei. The duo are slated to become unrestricted free agents next summer and the Hurricanes currently have a logjam on the blueline.

Rosen believes the Hurricanes don’t have to rush to make a decision on Pesce, Skjei or fellow pending UFA blueliners Tony DeAngelo, Caleb Jones and Jalen Chatfield. He pointed out that Pesce and Skjei are a solid defense pair and trading one could hurt the other.

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (NHL Images).

The Hurricanes aren’t facing a salary-cap crunch this season and can ice a full 23-man roster. They’re in “win-now” mode and it might make more sense to retain Pesce and Skjei for this season and deal with the contract issues later.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pesce was a frequent topic of trade speculation over the summer as the Hurricanes were said to be listening to offers for him. However, it’s apparent now that they either didn’t receive any worthwhile trade proposals or they’ve opted to maintain their deep defense corps for a Stanley Cup run this season.

That could change, of course, if the Hurricanes’ season goes off the rails and they end up becoming sellers at the trade deadline. Nevertheless, I agree with Rosen that they’ll likely retain Pesce and Skjei for the coming season and deal with their contract negotiations afterward.

COULD THE MAPLE LEAFS LOSE MARTIN JONES TO WAIVERS?

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos recently speculated that the Maple Leafs could lose third-string goaltender Martin Jones to waivers. He thinks the 33-year-old netminder could be a target for the Tampa Bay Lightning if he’s still available as a short-term replacement for sidelined starter Andrei Vasilevskiy.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All eyes will be on the Lightning once teams make their final cuts and place their extra goalies on waivers for the purpose of sending them to the minors. Jones might not be the only tempting option for the Bolts. Others could include Detroit’s Alex Lyon and Buffalo’s Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

The Lightning could also surprise us by sticking with their preseason tandem of Jonas Johansson and Matt Tomkins. Johansson won all three of his starts (two by shutout) while Tomkins won two of his three contests.

LATEST CANUCKS SPECULATION

TORONTO STAR: Kypreos believes the Vancouver Canucks would really like “in a perfect world” to trade for a defense partner for captain Quinn Hughes. Their trade chips remain forwards Brock Boeser and Conor Garland. Kypreos claims he’s heard the Canucks are more open to retaining some salary of certain players than they were in the past.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Boeser carries an AAV of $6.65 million through 2024-25 while Garland has an annual cap hit of $4.95 million through 2025-26. It would likely take retaining part of either forward’s salary to move them under a flattened cap this season. If they intend to move one or the other, they’ll likely have better luck next summer when the cap is expected to jump to between $87.5 million and $88 million.

The Canucks seem headed to starting the season with their current roster regulars. That could change depending on the club’s performance as the schedule rolls on.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 20, 2023

by | Sep 20, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – September 20, 2023

As training camps open, check out the latest on William Nylander, Connor Hellebuyck, Mark Scheifele, Trevor Zegras, Jamie Drysdale, Elias Lindholm, Mikael Backlund, Brett Pesce and Shane Pinto in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

NYLANDER

TSN: Chris Johnston said he doesn’t think there’s been a whole lot of progress between the Toronto Maple Leafs and William Nylander over a contract extension. There is some hope that discussions might pick up now that the 27-year-old winger is back in North America after spending the offseason in Sweden.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes Nylander will play this season with the Leafs whether he’s signed or not.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger William Nylander (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Not much different from what was reported throughout the offseason. This has the potential to become a long-running story for the Leafs and Nylander through 2023-24.

HELLEBUYCK AND SCHEIFELE

TSN: Darren Dreger reported there’ve been contract discussions between the Winnipeg Jets and pending unrestricted free agents Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele. However, those talks are now on the back burner as training camp begins.

Dreger said Scheifele hasn’t asked for a trade nor has he said he wouldn’t sign an extension. For now, however, the 30-year-old center intends to park things and focus on the coming season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s the first real piece of news regarding Scheifele, who kept silent about his intentions throughout the offseason. He evidently learned his lesson after innocuous comments he made following the 2021-22 season about needing to look out for himself and his future blew up in the media.

Like Nylander with the Leafs, questions about the future of Hellebuyck and Scheifele in Winnipeg will hang over the Jets season.

ZEGRAS AND DRYSDALE

TSN: Pierre LeBrun indicated there’s a “tangible gap” in contract talks between the Anaheim Ducks and agent Pat Brisson, who represents Trevor Zegras. The 22-year-old restricted free agent is the face of the Ducks and their offensive star. It’s believed the two sides are willing to agree to a three-year deal but they’re far apart on the average annual value.

Meanwhile, LeBrun said there’s no sign of progress in contract talks between the Ducks and Jamie Drysdale. The defenseman’s agent, Dave Gagner, is in Anaheim conducting negotiations with Ducks management.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes Zegras and Drysdale could end up with bridge contracts.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Having those negotiations dragging on into training camp and preseason could see those two key players miss a portion of their preparation before the start of the season under new head coach Greg Cronin. That could lead to a slow start for the rebuilding Ducks.

LINDHOLM AND BACKLUND

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman noted that many of the Calgary Flames players who departed frustrated following last season’s disappointing performance have returned with more positive mindsets. It doesn’t mean contract negotiations will be easy but everyone seems to be feeling better.

Friedman thinks Elias Lindholm and Mikael Backlund will be the first pending UFAs that the Flames attempt to re-sign. He noted that the Colorado Avalanche looked into acquiring Backlund before adding Ross Colton and Ryan Johansen.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A big reason why those players are feeling better is the departure of head coach Darryl Sutter. Hiring Craig Conroy to replace Brad Treliving after the latter stepped down as general manager was another factor. The affable Conroy has been working tirelessly throughout the offseason to keep as many of his pending UFAs in the fold.

PESCE

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman said the Carolina Hurricanes gave some permission to teams to speak to UFA-to-be Brett Pesce. However, that’s now ended as the club is all in to win the Stanley Cup this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pesce could be shopped later in the season if the Hurricanes stumble or there’s a need to address a significant roster weakness. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays out this season in Carolina and tests the UFA market in July.

PINTO

TSN: LeBrun also talks about the ongoing contract talks between the Ottawa Senators and RFA center Shane Pinto. The Senators are pressed for salary-cap space but talks remain very positive. He believes a deal could be done at any time if the Senators can come up with the money for Pinto.

Dreger said teams like the Philadelphia Flyers have inquired about Pinto. However, they’ve been told by the Senators that they’re not trading him.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported the Flyers offered to take on an additional contract from the Senators in a potential trade for Pinto. However, he’s not convinced they want to jettison the young center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators hold the hammer in negotiations with the Pinto camp. It sounds like they’re trying to find a way to free up the cap space needed to sign him. However, they could be getting squeezed by clubs seeking a sweetener in the deal.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 17, 2023

by | Sep 17, 2023

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 17, 2023

Check out the latest on Hurricanes’ Brett Pesce, Brady Skjei and Teuvo Teravainen plus a recent look at some possible Oilers trade assets in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

LATEST ON PESCE, SKJEI AND TERAVAINEN

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Luke DeCock observes the Carolina Hurricanes appear to be rolling the dice on the expiring contracts of defensemen Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei and winger Teuvo Teravainen. The trio is slated to become unrestricted free agents next July.

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (NHL Images).

DeCock believes the Hurricanes are unlikely to be able to re-sign both Pesce and Skjei if they’re still unsigned by the end of the season. They’ll have also foregone the opportunity to move them for significant returns by the trade deadline.

Teravainen is less of a gamble for the Hurricanes as his trade value has declined due to his recent on-ice struggles. It may make sense to let the 29-year-old winger play out the final season of his contract and let him depart via free agency.

General manager Don Waddell said the club is waiting to see how things go this season and then they’ll deal with it. DeCock believes the potential costs of being trapped in a negotiating corner with those players are outweighed by the competitive benefits.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pesce regularly surfaced in this summer’s trade rumors while Skjei and Teravainen made occasional appearances.

It’s still possible for at least one of them to be shopped before the start of the season. However, the Hurricanes are among this season’s Stanley Cup contenders. They stand a better chance of winning it with those three in the lineup right now.

Things could change over the course of the season. At least one of them could play so well that the Hurricanes re-sign them. Perhaps one of them becomes a trade chip to address a pressing need elsewhere on the roster. Maybe the Hurricanes struggle under the weight of heightened expectations forcing Waddell to make a bold move. Or possibly all three end up getting shopped at the trade deadline.

DeCock’s colleague Chip Alexander reported Pesce has changed agents. Perhaps that signals the possibility of a contract extension for the 28-year-old defenseman in the coming weeks.

POTENTIAL OILERS TRADE BAIT FOR THE COMING SEASON

THE ATHLETIC: Allan Mitchell recently listed five Edmonton Oilers assets that could be moved at some point before the March 8 trade deadline to address potential issues in goal, on right defense and at right wing.

Mitchell believes their 2024 first-round pick could be in play if it’ll fetch an effective asset like Mattias Ekholm. If they seek a right-shot defenseman, blueliner Philip Broberg could be the asking price.

Winger Dylan Holloway and prospect center Raphael Lavoie could also become trade bait. So could veteran defenseman Brett Kulak.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers are said to be all-in on pursuing the Stanley Cup this season. That means sacrificing pieces of their future to address their potential weaknesses by the trade deadline. Their first-rounder in the 2024 draft plus youngsters like Broberg and Holloway could become valuable bargaining chips at some point this season.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 28, 2023

by | Aug 28, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – August 28, 2023

A look at questions facing some Atlantic Division teams entering 2023-24 in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon recently looked at big questions facing Atlantic Division teams as they approach the coming season.

Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele (NHL Images).

Among the noteworthy questions was whether Pavel Zacha would become the Boston Bruins’ first-line center at the start of training camp. Their depth at the center position suffered a significant blow with the recent retirements of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci.

The Bruins possess enough overall roster talent to be fighting hard for a playoff berth this season. Nevertheless, if general manager Don Sweeney can swing a trade for someone like Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele, the Bruins could be in the thick of the postseason race.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Scheifele and Calgary Flames center Elias Lindholm have frequently surfaced as possible Bruins trade targets. That’s because of their eligibility for unrestricted free-agent status next July.

The Bruins, however, lack depth in suitable trade assets. Unless they’re the only ones pursuing Scheifele and Lindholm if one or both become available in the trade market. I doubt Sweeney will win a bidding war for either guy this season.

Dixon pondered whether the Buffalo Sabres could acquire Calgary’s Noah Hanifin or another top-four defenseman like Carolina’s Brett Pesce. They’ve been linked to every defenseman in the rumor mill and would no doubt want to sign whoever they pursue to a long-term contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I still say goaltending is the biggest issue facing the Sabres but it appears they’re willing to start the season with Devon Levi, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Eric Comrie. Bolstering the blueline in front of their inexperienced netminders would be a sensible option.

Hanifin or Pesce won’t come cheaply. Both are slated to become UFAs next summer and their current clubs will set a high price in the trade market. They might not become available until the weeks leading up to the March trade deadline. By that point, the Sabres’ roster needs could change.

Dixon also mused over whether the Montreal Canadiens can find a new home for recently acquired goalie Casey DeSmith. The Canadiens already have a crowded crease with Jake Allen, Sam Montembeault and Cayden Primeau. DeSmith, 32, has a year left on his contract at an affordable $1.8 million and might tempt a club in need of goaltending depth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canadiens GM Kent Hughes has indicated he could trade DeSmith or make other changes. Either way, Hughes assured him that he wouldn’t be heading to the minors.

The “other changes” could be peddling Primeau or Allen. Montembeault received assurances from Hughes that he was not going anywhere.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 27, 2023

by | Aug 27, 2023

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 27, 2023

A look at some of the teams in the Central Division heading into the 2023-24 season in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon recently looked at the biggest unanswered question for each team in the NHL’s Central Division.

Among the notables was whether the Colorado Avalanche could figure out a contract extension for Devon Toews before the start of the season. The 29-year-old defenseman is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July. Given the Avalanche’s limited salary-cap space, Dixon wondered if Toews and fellow blueliner Samuel Girard would still be with the club in a year’s time.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Toews skates on the Avalanche’s top defense pairing with superstar Cale Makar. He’s due for a significant raise over the $4.1 million average annual value of his current contract. The Avs, however, have just $10.7 million in cap space for 2024-25 with 13 active roster players under contract.

They could get an additional $7 million in cap relief if captain Gabriel Landeskog remains sidelined in 2024-25 by his ongoing (and potentially career-threatening) knee injury. That could help them clear enough space to re-sign Toews.

If Landeskog returns, however, the Avs will have to shed salary if they hope to re-sign Toews. Girard could become a trade candidate. The 25-year-old rearguard carries an AAV of $5 million through 2026-27.

Dixon noted that the Dallas Stars could use some blue-line help for stud defenseman Miro Heiskanen. If they wanted to go after someone like the Calgary Flames’ Noah Hanifin they have a couple of prospect forwards that could help get a deal done.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Athletic’s Saad Yousuf also recently pointed to the Stars’ need to bolster their defense corps, especially on the right side. However, he suggested the Carolina Hurricanes’ Brett Pesce, the Nashville Predators’ Tyson Barrie, Arizona Coyotes’ Matt Dumba or Hanifin’s teammate Chris Tanev as more likely targets should they become available before the March trade deadline.

Dixon also pondered whether goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and/or center Mark Scheifele would still be with the Winnipeg Jets in a month’s time. Like Toews, both are due to become UFAs next July.

Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff will be patient and won’t rush into trading either guy simply for the sake of closure. Dixon noted that Cheveldayoff held firm on his asking price for Pierre-Luc Dubois and pretty much got what he wanted from the Los Angeles Kings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Starting the season with Hellebuyck and Scheifele in the lineup runs the risk of injuries or a decline in performance affecting their trade value. Nevertheless, recent reports suggest Cheveldayoff could be comfortable with doing so in the hope of either re-signing one or both or finding better trade offers as the season goes on.