NHL Rumor Mill – October 16, 2023

by | Oct 16, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – October 16, 2023

Could the Bruins land Steven Stamkos? Which Coyotes’ players might get moved by the March trade deadline? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE BRUINS ONE DAY LAND STAMKOS?

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jimmy Murphy wondered if “disgruntled” Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos would wind up playing for the Bruins this season or next. He noted that general manager Don Sweeney was among the bidders for Stamkos when the latter was in his unrestricted free-agent negotiating window in 2016.

An NHL executive source told Murphy that Sweeney “pushed hard” for Stamkos in 2016 and John Tavares two years later. The Bruins GM could look into acquiring the long-time Lightning star if he becomes available in this season’s trade market.

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos (NHL Images).

Murphy noted Stamkos expressing his disappointment last month over a lack of contract extension talks with the Lightning. Tampa Bay general manager Julien BriseBois said he intends to open those discussions at the end of the season after he’s had a chance to evaluate the club’s performance.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Murphy assumes that Stamkos appears set on becoming a UFA next summer. We can’t rule out that possibility given the Lightning’s cap constraints but I don’t consider it a certainty. BriseBois will attempt to sign Stamkos and could get creative as he’s always done to free up the necessary cap space to retain a core player.

Stamkos came close to hitting the open market in 2016 but decided to stay in Tampa Bay. That was a wise move on his part. The Lightning at that time were poised to become a dominant franchise, going on to win the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021, reach the Cup Final in 2022 and the Eastern Conference Final in 2018.

Despite Stamkos’ disappointment over a lack of contract talks this summer, his first choice remains to finish his playing career in Tampa Bay. A lot can happen between now and next July but I’m not assuming that he’s heading to market until the two sides have had an opportunity to discuss a new contract.

As for trading him during this season, it’s another possibility I don’t dismiss but also one that I don’t anticipate taking place. BriseBois made it clear that he and Stamkos are focused on winning the Stanley Cup this season. Unless things go awry for the Lightning, I don’t see them shopping their captain at the trade deadline unless he asks to be moved.

Remember, Stamkos has a full no-movement clause. BriseBois could ask him to waive it to join a Stanley Cup contender by the March trade deadline but there’s no guarantee that he’ll do so. Just because other players in the past have done so (like Patrick Kane last season) doesn’t mean Stamkos will.

WHICH COYOTES COULD BE MOVED BY THE MARCH TRADE DEADLINE?

GOPHNX.COM: In his 10 burning questions that dog the Arizona Coyotes this season, Craig Morgan wondered which players could end up being moved by the March 8 trade deadline.

The Coyotes hope to be playing meaningful games by then so they might not be sellers at the deadline as they’ve been in recent years. However, if they’re once again out of playoff contention, they could peddle some veterans who are eligible for UFA status in July.

Defenseman Matt Dumba and winger Jason Zucker could be among those trade candidates. Morgan noted that they’re both on one-year contracts and there’s a very real possibility that they return with the Coyotes in 2024-25 regardless of how the club performs this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’ve become accustomed to the rebuilding Coyotes trading away pending UFAs or even veterans with years remaining on their contracts for young players, draft picks and prospects. However, the Coyotes hope to make positive strides this season. If they’re in wild-card contention they could stand pat or perhaps become buyers.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 16, 2023

by | Oct 16, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 16, 2023

The Senators defeated the Lightning, the Ducks upset the Hurricanes, plus the latest on the Blackhawks’ Taylor Hall, the Penguins’ Reilly Smith, the Rangers’ Ryan Lindgren and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk scored twice and collected an assist to defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2. Vladimir Tarasenko tallied his first goal with the Senators and added an assist. Anthony Cirelli and Tanner Jeannot replied for the Lightning, who played without captain Steven Stamkos as he missed this game with a lower-body injury.

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk (NHL Images).

The Anaheim Ducks upset the Carolina Hurricanes 6-3 to give Greg Cronin his first win as an NHL head coach. Frank Vatrano led the way with a hat trick, Cam Fowler, Mason McTavish and Ryan Strome each had two points and rookie Pavel Mintyukov scored his first NHL goal. Teuvo Teravainen scored twice for the Hurricanes.

HEADLINES

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Taylor Hall will return to the Chicago Blackhawks lineup on Monday when they face the Maple Leafs in Toronto. Hall missed one game following a shoulder injury from a hit by Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo last Wednesday.

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Left wing Reilly Smith has already fit in well on Evgeni Malkin’s line in his first three games with the Penguins. Acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in June, the 32-year-old Smith has three points in as many games and is drawing praise for his strong play at both ends of the rink.

NEW YORK POST: Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren was sidelined by an undisclosed upper-body injury ahead of his club’s 5-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. He’s listed as day-to-day.

CBS SPORTS: Former Anaheim Ducks winger Max Comtois has signed a minor-league contract with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves. It’s believed the deal contains an out-clause if he gets an offer from an NHL club. The Wolves are currently not affiliated with an NHL club.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 15, 2023

by | Oct 15, 2023

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 15, 2023

Three teams are reportedly interested in Canucks winger Conor Garland, the Flyers are willing to take on big contracts from cap-strapped clubs plus the latest on Steven Stamkos, Noah Hanifin and Shane Pinto in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THREE CLUBS LINKED TO GARLAND

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported the Columbus Blue Jackets, Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators are among the teams believed to be interested in Conor Garland. The Vancouver Canucks recently gave permission to the 27-year-old winger’s agent to speak with other clubs about a trade.

Friedman claims the Canucks want to open up between $1 million and $2 million in cap space. They would prefer to get a defenseman in return for Garland, who carries an average annual value of $4.95 million through 2025-26 and lacks a no-trade clause in his contract.

Vancouver Canucks winger Conor Garland (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets have a logjam on defense and are reportedly speaking with teams about moving a blueliner. I suggested that Garland might be a fit if the Jackets are willing to move a right-shot rearguard like Adam Boqvist or Andrew Peeke.

The Jets have $2.3 million in cap space but I don’t think they have any right-shot rearguards they can spare. With $7.9 million in cap room, the Predators can easily absorb Garland’s cap hit. Dante Fabbro has come up in trade rumors over the past year or so but they could be reluctant to move him since he’s currently skating on their top defense pair.

FLYERS WILLING TO TAKE ON CONTRACTS FOR A PRICE

TSN: During an appearance on Friday with TSN 1200 in Ottawa, Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere indicated his club might be willing to help cap-strapped teams looking to shed salary.

“I’ve talked to many teams, and I’ve let them know there’s a possibility for us to help them (clear up cap space) if they’re able to help us on the back end with some younger guys,” said Briere.

The Flyers have less than $1 million in cap space but could open up more room by placing players on long-term injury reserve.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers currently have Ryan Ellis and Rasmus Ristolainen on injured reserve.

A back injury has sidelined Ellis since November 2021 and he’s not expected to return to action. The Flyers haven’t had any need yet to place him on long-term injury reserve but could do so at any point this season if pressed for cap space. He carries an average annual value of $6.25 million.

Ristolainen was placed on IR with an undisclosed injury before the start of the season. He carries an AAV of $5.1 million. There’s no indication yet that his condition would warrant placing him on LTIR. If it does, that would create over $11 million in LTIR-generated cap room for the Flyers.

THE LATEST BLURBS ON STAMKOS AND HANIFIN

NEW YORK POST: With Mark Scheifele off next summer’s free-agent market, Larry Brooks wonders if the Boston Bruins might target Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos as a playoff rental target to address their first-line center role.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brooks was referring to Lightning management appearing to play hardball with Stamkos over a contract extension.

The Lightning could put Stamkos on the block near the March 8 trade deadline if they fall out of playoff contention and he agrees to waive his full no-movement clause. That’s unlikely but I don’t rule it out.

Stamkos, however, might not address the Bruins’ need at center. He’s played more as a left wing in recent years. He seems more comfortable in that position as it gives him better scoring opportunities with his one-timer.

THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Julian McKenzie was asked if Calgary Flames GM Craig Conroy would “have the guts” to move Noah Hanifin at the trade deadline if the club was in a playoff spot at that time.

McKenzie doubted that Conroy would do it. He pointed out that the Flames core needs to be successful over the next few seasons. To do that, they need to add rather than subtract. He expects Conroy will be patient with Hanifin depending on how things work out with Elias Lindholm.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hanifin has indicated that he remains open to a contract extension. In other words, he’s also going to be patient in gauging the Flames’ performance this season.

NO CHANGE IN PINTO’S STATUS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports there’s no change in Shane Pinto’s contract talks with the Ottawa Senators. It’s believed that the 22-year-old center has not asked for a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some Senators fans seem to be growing impatient over management’s inability to get Pinto under contract. They chanted, “We want Pinto!” at one point during yesterday’s 5-2 home-opening win over the Philadelphia Flyers.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 12, 2023

by | Oct 12, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – October 12, 2023

Check out the latest on the Lightning plus some trade and free-agent predictions for this season in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON THE LIGHTNING

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun noted that the Tampa Bay Lightning didn’t claim a goaltender off waivers as a short-term replacement for sidelined starter Andrei Vasilevskiy. However, general manager Julien BriseBois didn’t rule out a possible move for a goalie as he’s leaving all his options on the table.

LeBrun believes the Lightning will try to hang in there with their current tandem of Jonas Johansson and Matt Tomkins until Vasilevskiy returns. However, if they need an addition, they have the flexibility to do so with their starter on long-term injury reserve.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No surprise there. They evidently felt comfortable with their current tandem and didn’t see any improvement among the goalies who were on the waiver wire earlier this week.

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos (NHL Images).

BriseBois also downplayed Steven Stamkos’ disappointment over a lack of contract talks during the summer. He said his captain’s remarks didn’t surprise him because it was the same thing he told him during the offseason.

The Lightning GM said he didn’t think it was Stamkos’ intent to create headlines and understood his position. Unless something changes, however, those contract talks will wait until after this season. BriseBois also told LeBrun that he didn’t believe this situation would be a distraction.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stamkos may not have wished to make headlines but that’s happened. Regardless, I agree that this won’t be a distraction for BriseBois or his captain as they focus on remaining among this season’s Stanley Cup contenders. Still, it could be worth revisiting this situation by February depending on how this season unfolds for the Bolts.

PREDICTED MOVES FOR 2023-24

SPORTSNET: Rory Boylen recently published bold predictions for all 32 NHL teams ahead of the start of this season. Among them were a few interesting moves:

He predicts Patrick Kane will sign with the Buffalo Sabres.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Color me skeptical because I don’t think adding another winger on a team already loaded with offense is the best way for them to invest cap dollars. Still, I won’t dismiss the possibility, especially if Kane doesn’t find any Stanley Cup contenders able to afford his services.

Boylen expects the Los Angeles Kings will open the 2024 playoffs with a goaltender who’s currently not on the team. He believes they’re taking a big risk with Pheonix Copley and an aging Cam Talbot as their tandem.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I agree with this take. There could be more suitable options between the pipes available to them in the trade market by midseason.

Boylen predicts the Philadelphia Flyers will trade a top-six forward. He believes the rebuilding club is set up to be a seller at the trade deadline with some attractive assets like Scott Laughton or Travis Konecny.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laughton and Konecny have surfaced in the rumor mill at times this year. Playoff contenders will likely come calling for one or both and could be willing to pony up some decent assets to get them.

Boylen also thinks the St. Louis Blues will be sellers again. He noted that they tried to move a defenseman during the summer but five of them have trade restrictions on their contracts.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That defenseman they attempted to move was Torey Krug, who made it clear that he’s not waiving his no-trade clause. Maybe one of the others (Colton Parayko, Justin Faulk, Nick Leddy and Marco Scandella with his partial no-trade) would be willing to do so, provided the Blues become sellers again.

One bombshell prediction is this season could be Elias Pettersson’s last with the Vancouver Canucks. Boylen noted he might be reticent to re-sign if the club has another rocky season with making the playoffs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pettersson was reluctant to discuss a long-term contract extension with management. That has some wondering if they’re even keen to make a lengthy commitment with him. I think the outcome of this season will determine Pettersson’s future in Vancouver.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 25, 2023

by | Sep 25, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – September 25, 2023

Could the Lightning and Steven Stamkos part ways following this season? Check out the latest speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox weighed in on Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos’ disappointment with the lack of contract extension talks this summer with Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois. He believes the 33-year-old forward “dropped the biggest bombshell of training camp.”

Stamkos, 33, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July. He told reporters last week that he had preferred working out an extension before the start of the season. BriseBois, however, indicated that he preferred to wait until the end of the season to begin negotiations.

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos (NHL Images).

Fox wonders if BriseBois is “truly this cutthroat” to be playing hardball with the Lightning star. He also mused over what effect Stamkos’ frustration could have on his play this season.

Elliotte Friedman considered Stamkos’ remarks last week “a big, big shot across the bow”. He added that some of the players close to the Lightning captain believe “that Tampa wouldn’t be crushed if he left.”

Friedman believes that the Lightning want Stamkos to finish his career with them. However, it won’t be at a salary number that they consider unreasonable.

The Stamkos standoff factored into Ryan Dixon pondering whether this is the beginning of the end for this version of the Lightning. He isn’t writing off the club this season given the depth of talent and the potential benefit of a longer-than-usual offseason. However, he believes “we’ve clearly entered a new phase of their arc.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It all comes down to salary cap space for the Lightning. They have over $12.3 million in projected cap room for 2024-25 with 16 players under contract. Zach Bogosian, Calvin de Haan, Tyler Motte, and Haydn Fleury are among their other notable UFAs but they can be easily re-signed or replaced.

Stamkos, however, will take up a big chunk of their cap room, leaving little space to bring in players to bolster their roster. The average annual value of his current contract is $8.5 million. Given his performance in recent years, he’d be justified in seeking the same amount again. Even with the cap projected to increase in the coming years significantly,  BriseBois might not be comfortable investing that much for too long in an aging asset.

As I’ve stated before, it’s unlikely that BriseBois will trade Stamkos or that the latter will request a trade if they don’t have a contract extension in place by the March 8 trade deadline. The Lightning’s season would have to really go off the rails for either side to consider that option.

Defenseman Victor Hedman and winger Nikita Kucherov will likely be watching the outcome of Stamkos’ contract talks. Hedman is eligible for UFA status in 2025 and Kucherov in 2027. If the Lightning cut ties with Stamkos at the end of this season the clock could begin ticking on their tenures in Tampa Bay.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 21, 2023

by | Sep 21, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – September 21, 2023

Re-signing Steven Stamkos could be complicated for the Lightning, a trio of Islanders forwards face questions this season, and the Predators had goalie Yaroslav Askarov’s name in the trade market earlier this summer. Details in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

RE-SIGNING STAMKOS COULD BE COMPLICATED FOR THE LIGHTNING

THE ATHLETIC: Shayna Goldman, Joe Smith and Dom Luszczyszyn examined the complications facing the Tampa Bay Lightning in re-signing Steven Stamkos. The 33-year-old Lightning captain raised eyebrows yesterday when he expressed his disappointment over the lack of talks with management regarding a contract extension.

Stamkos is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July. He’s in the final season of an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $8.5 million. He told reporters he’s “ready whenever” the club wants to engage in contract talks.

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos (NHL Images).

The Lightning have a projected $75 million invested in 16 players for 2024-25. With the cap projected to rise by $4 million next season, they’ll have just over $12 million in cap space.

Evolving-Hockey’s projection for Stamkos’ next contract is a three-year deal with an AAV of $7.6 million. A comparable contract could be Anze Kopitar’s two-year extension ($7 million AAV) signed this summer with the Los Angeles Kings.

Stamkos is still performing on a level that justifies his current $8.5 million AAV. Luszczyszyn believes it doesn’t warrant the type of discount that the Lightning can fit within its cap structure.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I know this isn’t a trade or free-agent rumor but Stamkos’ contract situation will be worth monitoring this season in the wake of his comments yesterday.

He wants to finish his NHL playing career with the only team he’s ever skated for and they want to keep him. The devil, of course, is in the salary-cap details.

Stamkos accepted less than market value on his current contract with the Lightning. He benefited from living in Florida where there is no state tax. He’s fully aware of the club’s salary-cap limitations and could be receptive to accepting a pay cut to finish his career in Tampa Bay. How much of a cut he’ll accept, however, could be the sticking point.

Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois has said Stamkos will have to wait until the end of this season for contract talks to begin. I don’t think that’s going to lead to a situation where Stamkos demands a trade or BriseBois considers shopping him by the March 8 trade deadline.

Nevertheless, I wouldn’t be surprised if Stamkos’ name surfaces in the rumor mill leading up to deadline day, especially if the Lightning struggle to remain among the league’s elite clubs. Their roster corps has played a helluva lotta hockey since 2014-15, with four trips to the Stanley Cup Final (including two championships) and two appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals.

That wear and tear could catch up with them this season, especially considering how much their roster depth has been depleted in recent years by the high cost of retaining their best core players. If it does, some pundits could start mentioning Stamkos as a trade candidate.

QUESTIONS FACING PAGEAU, WAHLSTROM AND MARTIN

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz recently raised a list of one question for each New York Islanders player entering this season.

Among them was wondering whether Jean-Gabriel Pageau will finish this season with the Islanders. He frequently came up in trade rumors this season due to the club’s current glut of centers. If Bo Horvat remains at center, Pageau could be shopped for a goal-scoring winger.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pageau, 30, carries a $5 million annual cap hit through 2025-26 along with a 16-team no-trade list. He won’t be easy to move with so many clubs pressed for cap space. Such a deal might take place by the trade deadline when some clubs have accrued sufficient cap space, provided they’re not on his no-trade list.

Winger Oliver Wahlstrom will be worth watching as he attempts to rebound from the knee injury that prematurely ended his 2022-23 campaign. If his impact this season is minimal. Kurz suggests he could be moved.

This season could be the last with the Islanders for Matt Martin. The 34-year-old grinding forward is in the final season of his contract.

PREDATORS USED ASKAROV AS TRADE BAIT AT THE DRAFT

THE TENNESSEAN (via YAHOO! SPORTS): Paul Skrbina reports Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz admitted he had Yaroslav Askarov’s name “out there” leading up to the 2023 NHL Draft in June.

“If you’re trying to move up in the draft as far as I wanted to, that’s going to take your best prospect,” said Trotz. “I was going, ‘I got good goalies but I could use a young center man that could be dynamic.”

Trotz has starting goalie Juuse Saros under contract for two more seasons at a team-friendly $5 million AAV. Askarov, meanwhile, has at least another year to develop. Trotz intends to speak with Saros and his agent about the future.

“There’s nothing to say that we can’t have Saros and Askarov,” said Trotz. “You don’t have to move one of those guys.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trotz took over from long-time Predators GM David Poile earlier this year. He’s already shown a willingness to make bold moves. Shopping Askarov in an attempt to move up to land a prospect center indicates that he’s willing to entertain all options.

Saros has also come up at times this year as a trade candidate. I don’t see the Predators moving him until Askarov’s ready. How much of a pay raise Saros will seek on his next contract will also determine Askarov’s future in Nashville.