Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 10, 2023

by | Sep 10, 2023

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 10, 2023

The latest on Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck and center Mark Scheifele plus other Penguins trade needs in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

LATEST ON HELLEBUYCK AND SCHEIFELE

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun and Michael Russo reported Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff isn’t looking to trade goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and center Mark Scheifele right now.

“The narrative took on a life of its own,” said Cheveldayoff. “Obviously we made some changes to our organization and we think we’re situated to be in a real good, competitive spot.”

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

That narrative is the contract status of Hellebuyck and Scheifele. Both are slated to become unrestricted free agents next summer unless they re-sign with the Jets before then. LeBrun and Russo noted there’s a risk that the Jets could lose those two for nothing if they’re not signed before the projected March 8 trade deadline.

Cheveldayoff, however, is putting his focus on winning this season. He also indicated there’s been ongoing dialogue with both players, adding that he’ll meet with them once training camp opens later next week.

LeBrun and Russo’s colleague Murat Ates believes Cheveldayoff’s body of work during the offseason might give the Jets a chance to re-sign Hellebuyck. The most notable move was shipping Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Los Angeles Kings for Gabriel Vilardi, Alex Iafallo and Rasmus Kupari.

Ates speculates there’s a possibility of a short-term contract between the Jets and their starting goaltender. Scheifele’s situation, however, is less clear.

If the Jets are forced to move Hellebuyck and Scheifele before the trade deadline, Ates believes they could fetch solid returns. The club could also accrue $10 million in cap space by the deadline if they wish to become buyers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barring a significant offer before the regular season begins, it’s safe to say that Hellebuyck and Scheifele will start this season with the Jets. Whether they finish the season in Winnipeg or stay beyond that remains to be seen. 

If the Jets are sitting in a playoff position, Cheveldayoff will likely keep both players for the postseason even if it means they’ll depart next July as free agents. On the other hand, one or both could be peddled at the trade deadline if the club is near the bottom of the standings.

ARE MORE MOVES IN STORE FOR THE PENGUINS?

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski doesn’t see the Penguins making any forays into the trade market before the season opens next month. However, they still have some roster shortcomings that could require a trade or two later this fall.

The Penguins could use some offense among their bottom-six forwards. With the club pressed for salary-cap space, it must also be affordable.

Kingerski also believes the Penguins need to boost the right side of their third defense pairing. Chad Ruhwedel or professional tryout offer signing Mark Pysyk are tentative options to be penciled in at that position.

Marcus Pettersson could once again find himself the subject of trade rumors. Other potential trade chips could be left-shot defensemen Ty Smith, Will Butcher and Libor Hajek.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Like former Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford, current GM Kyle Dubas isn’t afraid to wheel and deal to try and address his roster issues. He could attempt to make another move or two later this season if those issues raised by Kingerski persist.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 8, 2023

by | Sep 8, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – September 8, 2023

Is an expensive new contract in the works for Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin? What’s the latest on Jets stars Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele? Will the Maple Leafs add more muscle to their blueline? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DAHLIN COULD GET A LUCRATIVE LONG-TERM CONTRACT

B/R OPEN ICE: cited the Sabres podcast “After The Whistle” reporting Rasmus Dahlin’s rumored new contract is expected to be eight years with an average annual value of $10.5 million.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dahlin, 23, is in the final season of a three-year contract with an average annual value of $6 million. He has emerged as one of the NHL’s top defensemen over the last two seasons with 53 points in 2021-22 and a career-best 73 points last season in 78 games. That rumored deal would make him the Sabres’ highest-paid player starting in 2024-25.

THE LATEST ON HELLEBUYCK AND SCHEIFELE

SPORTSNET: Ken Wiebe reports the Winnipeg Jets are keeping their options open regarding goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and center Mark Scheifele. The duo are slated to become unrestricted free agents next summer, making both players the subject of trade speculation since the end of last season.

Wiebe wondered if the Jets would re-sign one of them and trade the other. “Or will one or both players be under consideration to be a self-rental?”

Looking back on previous moves made by Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, Wiebe suggests that Hellebuyck and Scheifele could start the season with the Jets but there’s no guarantee they’ll finish it in Winnipeg.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cheveldayoff has a well-earned reputation for being patient in the trade market when it comes to moving his better players. The most recent example was his trade of Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Los Angeles Kings after a year of trade speculation. For the most part, Cheveldayoff’s patience paid off in that deal as he got a solid return for Dubois.

However, there’s a risk in waiting for the right return going into the season if one or both players become injured or their performance declines. Cheveldayoff could take that gamble to get the deal he wants.

LEAFS NEED TO BOLSTER THEIR BLUELINE

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan believes Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving still has work to do to shape his defense corps into one that can contend for the Stanley Cup. He doesn’t see the Leafs’ current crop of blueliners throwing a physical scare into opposing clubs.

Koshan thinks Treliving will have plenty of time once the season starts to make adjustments to the blueline before the March trade deadline.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 5, 2023

by | Sep 5, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – September 5, 2023

Why didn’t the Bruins trade a goalie this summer? Could they pursue Jets center Mark Scheifele? Could Tomas Tatar end up with the Islanders? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST BRUINS SPECULATION

98.5 THE SPORT HUB: Ty Anderson offered up his thoughts on the Boston Bruins with training camps opening later this month. Despite an offseason that saw the departures of key talent such as Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, he believes the Bruins could still be competitive in the Atlantic Division this season.

Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (NHL Images)

Regarding why the Bruins didn’t trade a goaltender to address their needs at center, Anderson pointed out that Linus Ullmark had a no-trade clause that required his consent to be dealt to half the league. There was some scuttlebutt claiming that a team offered up a fair market offer for Ullmark. However, it would’ve meant “a corresponding trade that never happened” as well as Ullmark waiving his NTC.

Anderson thinks the Bruins weren’t keen to move Jeremy Swayman. There was a rumor claiming the 24-year-old netminder wanted a trade in order to be closer to his parents in Alaska. That speculation was “bogus” as Swayman’s parents no longer live in Alaska.

If the Bruins end up being a fringe playoff club by the trade deadline, Anderson hopes that they go into sell mode. Of their eight pending unrestricted free agents, only Jake DeBrusk should be considered an automatic re-signing. He believes the rest (including Milan Lucic, James van Riemsdyk, and Matt Grzelcyk) should be shopped as their value at the trade deadline could be higher than in September.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some interesting tidbits regarding Ullmark and Swayman. The Bruins appear determined to ride their goalie tandem this season as they try to cope with the loss of their top two centers.

The trade rumors surrounding Ullmark and Swayman have died down in recent weeks. Still, they could resurface at some point this season if the Bruins can’t adjust to the absences of Bergeron and Krejci.

Given Swayman’s eligibility as a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next summer, they could be forced to choose between one or the other at some point. Much will depend on how both goalies perform this season.

I expect the Bruins will be sellers if they’re a borderline playoff club or out of postseason contention leading up to the trade deadline. As Anderson points out, the 2024 first-round pick they sent to the Detroit Red Wings last season for Tyler Bertuzzi is top-10 protected. A selloff of pending UFAs at the trade deadline, if they’re already out of contention, could ensure that they retain that pick, meaning the Wings get the 2025 pick.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy noted that the Bruins have been linked to Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele since Bergeron and then Krejic announced their retirements.

He cited Mark McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press suggesting Boston could make sense for the 30-year-old Scheifele, who is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. McIntyre wondered what the Bruins could offer up for the Jets, who would be interested in retooling their roster rather than rebuild.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Murphy questions if Scheifele would be a good fit with the Bruins given his reputation as difficult to coach. I have my doubts that the Bruins have sufficient depth in tradeable assets to make a competitive bid for him if he hits the trade block.

Even if they did land Scheifele, it remains to be seen if he would significantly improve the Bruins. It could work out well, providing them with the inside track to re-signing him. If not, they’ll end up squandering their precious few assets on a rental that didn’t work out.

COULD TATAR END UP WITH THE ISLANDERS?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Stefen Rosner noted there hasn’t been much news of late regarding Tomas Tatar. The 32-year-old winger is coming off a 48-point performance last season with the New Jersey Devils but remains available in this summer’s UFA market.

Rosner wonders if Tatar might already have a contract in hand with an NHL club but it hasn’t been officially announced yet. He points out that New York Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello has a reputation for such stealth signings during the offseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most of the Tatar speculation had him linked to the Pittsburgh Penguins. So far, however, there’s no indication yet that he’s close to signing with them.

We can’t dismiss the possibility of a club like the Isles having already signed him but not announcing it until training camp begins. With training camps opening on Sep. 21, we’ll find out soon enough.










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.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 21, 2023

by | Aug 21, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – August 21, 2023

A look at some of this season’s notable trade targets in the NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Toronto Maple Leafs winger William Nylander and Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck are the biggest names atop Shayna Goldman’s recent list of this season’s biggest NHL trade targets.

Goldman noted the Leafs probably don’t want to trade Nylander but that could change if they’re unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension. That would create the risk of losing the 27-year-old winger to free agency next summer.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger William Nylander (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was an assumption in the Toronto media earlier this summer that the Leafs could trade Nylander rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer. However, the consensus now seems to be they’ll keep him this season as they pursue that elusive Stanley Cup and deal with the contract situation after that.

Hellebuyck, meanwhile, doesn’t want to be part of a rebuild if that’s the direction the Jets are going. Like Nylander and most on this list, the 30-year-old netminder is slated to become a UFA next summer. He will likely seek a significant raise. Hellebuyck could be moved before the start of the season but most likely it will happen closer to the trade deadline if a deal materializes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Word out of Winnipeg is the summer goalie market has dried up which explains why Hellebuyck hasn’t been moved. The Jets could hang onto him for the season if they’re in the thick of the playoff standings but could likely peddle him if not for the right offer.

The Jets also face a similar situation with Mark Scheifele. A handful of clubs in need of depth at center, like the Boston Bruins and Minnesota Wild, could be suitors if the 30-year-old center ends up on the trade block.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild have more projected trade deadline cap space ($7.6 million) than the Bruins ($1.99 million) as well as more promising young players in their system. They would be better positioned to pursue Scheifele if they choose.

Goldman believes whatever happens with Hellebucyk could affect Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson. He comes with cost certainty as he’s signed through 2026-27 with an annual cap hit of $6.4 million. Gibson’s stats have suffered in recent years but that could be due to backstopping the rebuilding Ducks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s been nothing new about Gibson’s status since his agent denied an early July report claiming the 30-year-old goalie demanded a trade.

The Carolina Hurricanes could trade Brett Pesce or Brady Skjei if contract extensions aren’t in place for either player by the start of the season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes still need more scoring depth, preferably at center. Perhaps Pesce or Skjei become trade bait to address that need.

Teams that couldn’t afford Erik Karlsson could turn to Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin. He’s only 26 and carries a $4.95 million cap hit for this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If those teams are turning to Hanifin they apparently aren’t making any suitable offers yet to the Flames. It’s believed they’ve set their price for the blueliner and will stick with it even if it means starting the season with him in the lineup.

Speaking of the Flames, Elias Lindholm would probably become their best trade chip if he decides not to sign a contract extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lindholm and the Flames have reportedly discussed a contract extension. No word on whether they’re close to a deal. Perhaps we’ll learn more once the calendar flips to September and training camp approaches.

Goldman also anticipates the budget-conscious Arizona Coyotes could move Nick Schmaltz and his backloaded contract. He’s got three years left on his deal so there’s no rush in moving him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Recent word out of Arizona suggests the Coyotes have changed their focus from shedding expensive contracts to improving year by year. They’re also reluctant to move Schmaltz because of his chemistry with leading scorer Clayton Keller.

Other possible trade targets include Coyotes winger Jason Zucker, Nashville Predators defenseman Tyson Barrie, San Jose Sharks forward Alexander Barabanov, Philadelphia Flyers forwards Travis Konecny and Scott Laughton, Florida Panthers forwards Sam Bennett and Sam Reinhart, and a St. Louis Blues defenseman.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zucker, Barrie and Reinhart are pending UFAs. If their clubs are out of playoff contention they could hit the trade block.

Goldman noted the difficulty in moving one of the Blues’ top-four defensemen given they’ve all got full no-trade clauses. Torey Krug reportedly declined to waive his clause earlier this summer to go to the Flyers.

Konecny and Laughton seem like a wait-and-see scenario. Flyers management could prefer observing how this season pans out to determine if those two have a place in the club’s future plans. Those players could also need time to see if they want to be part of a rebuild and how long it might take.