NHL Rumor Mill – February 6, 2020

by | Feb 6, 2020

NHL Rumor Mill – February 6, 2020

Are more moves in store for the Kings? Could Jack Eichel want out of Buffalo if the Sabres miss the playoffs? Are the Oilers and Penguins interested in Tomas Tatar? Check out the latest in today’s NHL rumor mill.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE KINGS?

THE ATHLETIC: Prior to the Kings shipping Jack Campbell and Kyle Clifford last night to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Lisa Dillman and Josh Cooper looked at possible moves that could be in store for the rebuilding club before the Feb. 24 trade deadline.

Dillman suggested the Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins, and St. Louis Blues as potential destinations for winger Tyler Toffoli. Possible landing spots for defenseman Alec Martinez included the Leafs and Nashville Predators.

Cooper, meanwhile, noted the trade speculation swirling around Kings’ starting goaltender Jonathan Quick this season. While there’s debate around the league over Quick’s trade value, Cooper feels he’s still important to the Kings, especially their plans for the Seattle expansion draft in 2021.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports Kings coach Todd McLellan lobbied for Toffoli to be re-signed, but it’s more likely the winger will be moved by the trade deadline. Friedman also mentioned the Bruins and Flames as possible suitors and feels the Philadelphia Flyers considered the idea. He thinks the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights could have interest in Martinez.

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Jordan Hall analyzed the Flyers case for pursuing Toffoli. While the winger would provide a boost to their roster, they’d have difficulty taking on his $4.6 million salary-cap hit. It could mean giving up a decent roster player to make cap room for a player who could depart via free agency in July. Hall isn’t sure if that’s a risk they want to take.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I expect Toffoli and Martinez to be playing elsewhere before the Feb. 24 trade deadline. The Leafs’ acquisitions of Campbell and Clifford probably takes them out of the running for Martinez. The Flyers may have discussed Toffoli, but I don’t think they’re keen to move out anyone to make room for a rental player.

The Flames’ trade priorities could shift away from a top-six winger if defenseman Mark Giordano is out long-term. The Predators could move from buyers to sellers if they fail to gain ground in the standings.

I think the Bruins consider Toffoli as their fall-back if they don’t land the Rangers’ Chris Kreider. The Panthers and Golden Knights are believed in the market for a top-four defenseman. Their respective limited cap space, however, means they’ll have to do a dollar-for-dollar swap.

As for Quick, his injury history, declining play, and a hefty contract should keep him with the Kings for at least one more season, after which they could leave him unprotected in the expansion draft.

COULD EICHEL WANT OUT OF BUFFALO?

Could Jack Eichel want out of Buffalo if the Sabres fail to improve? (Photo via NHL Images)

TSN (via KUKLA’S KORNER): Insider Darren Dreger joined the Overdrive panel yesterday, where they discussed the possibility of the Buffalo Sabres missing the playoffs again and the potential effect upon Jack Eichel. They discussed whether it could push the Sabres captain to publicly demand a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I believe Eichel is committed to turning the Sabres into a playoff club. He’s a superstar in his own right and among this season’s top-10 scorers. He’s doing everything he can to carry this club into the postseason. Sadly, ownership seems disinterested while general manager Jason Botterill isn’t having much success improving the roster.

I don’t think Eichel’s reached the stage where he’s had enough, but the constant losing is going to take its toll. He’s in the second year of an eight-year contract, but if things don’t improve over the next couple of years, I can see him questioning his future with the Sabres.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM FRIEDMAN’S LATEST 31 THOUGHTS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins could have interest in Montreal Canadiens winger Tomas Tatar. However, the Canadiens feel injuries derailed their season and hope to be competitive in 2020-21. It could take a significant offer to pry Tatar away from Montreal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tatar has one season remaining on his contract, so the Habs aren’t in any rush to move him. They’ll consider it if they get a really good pitch, but they can also wait until the summer for the right offer.

Friedman claims several teams would be shocked if the Anaheim Ducks move Josh Manson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks’ blueline depth combined with their need for young scoring forwards is behind the Manson speculation. He’s in the second year of a four-year contract with a 12-team no-trade list. While they could move Manson if someone offered up a terrific young forward, I don’t think they’re shopping him.

Nashville Predators GM David Poile is willing to consider just about anything on the trade front, with obvious exceptions. He’s not looking to upgrade his goaltending.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Obvious exceptions (to me, anyway) include Pekka Rinne, Roman Josi, Filip Forsberg, Ryan Ellis, and Mattias Ekholm.

Florida Panthers winger Mike Hoffman could be a fall-back for the St. Louis Blues if they fail to acquire New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers seek a top-four defenseman and could use Hoffman as trade bait to address that issue. I don’t think the Blues want to part with any of their top-four d-men.

Some teams have inquired about Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug. While the pending UFA’s future remains uncertain, he’s a big part of the Bruins roster this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As I’ve said before, the Bruins are all-in this season. Krug’s not going anywhere.

Friedman said the New Jersey Devils are willing to consider hockey trades as well as moving out playoff rentals. Columbus Blue Jackets winger Josh Anderson has yet to return from injury. Friedman wondered if the Dallas Stars could be in the market for a playmaking forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Anderson’s contract status (pending RFA with arbitration rights who’s also a year away from UFA eligibility) explains why he’s popping up in recent trade chatter. However, they’re under no pressure to trade him before the deadline.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 1, 2020

by | Feb 1, 2020

NHL Rumor Mill – February 1, 2020

The latest on the Stars, Hurricanes, and Panthers, plus updates on Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Andreas Athanasiou and Pavel Buchnevich in today’s NHL rumor mill.

POSSIBLE STARS TRADE TARGETS

NHL.COM: In a recent mailbag segment, Mike Heika was asked which players the Dallas Stars could target to bolster their offense before the Feb, 24 trade deadline.

He listed New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider, Los Angeles Kings winger Tyler Toffoli, and Chicago Blackhawks winger Brandon Saad as the three easiest targets, though they’re also going to cost the most in terms of draft picks and prospects. He also suggested Montreal’s Ilya Kovalchuk or Pittsburgh’s Alex Galchenyuk as bargain options.

THE ATHLETIC: Sean Shapiro suggests it could cost the Stars a first-round pick or a young NHL-ready forward for Kreider. The New Jersey Devils could seek a return for Kyle Palmieri comparable to what they got for Taylor Hall. In other words, a first-round pick or a conditional pick that could become a first, a good prospect or young player, and perhaps a second-round selection.

The asking price for Toffoli could be a second-round pick and a B-level prospect. Galchenyuk could cost a conditional fourth-rounder. It could take a first-round pick to get winger Josh Anderson from the Columbus Blue Jackets or center Jean-Gabriel Pageau from the Ottawa Senators.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stars GM Jim Nill doesn’t sound keen to part with first-round picks. He also lacks second- and third-round picks in this year’s draft. I don’t doubt he’s monitoring the trade market, but he could be looking for bargains.

What type of return could the Ottawa Senators receive for Jean-Gabriel Pageau in the trade market? (Photo via NHL Images)

POSSIBLE DESTINATIONS FOR PAGEAU

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun recently examined the potential trade market for Ottawa Senators center Jean-Gabriel Pageau. He’s skeptical the Sens could get a first-round pick in return because many GMs are reluctant to part with such picks this year.

Some clubs that could be a good fit for Pageau, such as the Edmonton Oilers, aren’t guaranteed to reach this year’s playoffs, making them unwilling to part with a first-rounder for a rental player. LeBrun speculates they could try to make it work with a conditional second based on how far the Oilers advance in the 2020 playoffs.

LeBrun also listed the New York Islanders, Dallas Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, and Calgary Flames as possible landing spots for Pageau. Conditions could also apply with those clubs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pageau is enjoying a career season in his contract year, but the ongoing assessment among observers is he’s best suited for second- or third-line duty. A legitimate playoff contender won’t give up a first-round selection for a depth player, or at least, they shouldn’t give up that much. If the Senators shop him, perhaps they’ll attempt to land a promising young player and a decent prospect.

COULD THE RANGERS SHOP BUCHNEVICH?

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks wonders if Pavel Buchnevich could be part of the Rangers’ trade-deadline plans. He speculates they could opt to trade the 24-year-old winger’s skill game for one “with a more north-south, hard-hat mentality.” Brooks also acknowledged Buchnevich’s talent and affordable $3.25-million annual average value could make him worth retaining.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: After tallying career-high 21 goals last season, Buchenvich is on pace for 15 in 2019-20. He’s also on track for 45 points, which would be eight more than what he had in 2018-19. He’s in the first year of a two-year contract and will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next summer.

Rangers management isn’t under any pressure to move him. One can’t dismiss the possibility of Buchnevich getting traded, but that move might be better suited for the off-season when he might fetch a better return.

COULD THE OILERS PURSUE ATHANASIOU?

KUKLA’S KORNER: cites tweets by Edmonton Journal’s Jim Matheson linking the Oilers to Detroit Red Wings forward Andreas Athanasiou. He thinks Oilers GM Ken Holland wants to add more speed to his forward lines. Athanasiou is having a lousy year in Detroit, but Matheson considers him a top-six forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As former Red Wings GM, Holland also knows Athanasiou’s strengths and weaknesses. The versatile 25-year-old tallied a career-high 30 goals last season. He’s currently sidelined by a lower-body injury but could be a good addition to the Oilers once he returns to action. He’s also a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer, which could complicate his future in Detroit, Edmonton, or wherever he finishes this season.

WHAT WILL THE PANTHERS DO AT THE TRADE DEADLINE?

THE ATHLETIC: George Richards took note of recent speculation suggesting the Florida Panthers could move either Mike Hoffman or Evgenii Dadonov at the trade deadline. Both are unrestricted free agents in July and the Panthers might not be able to re-sign them both.

With the Panthers jockeying for playoff positioning, Richards doesn’t see either winger getting shopped unless it’s for a return (such as a defenseman) that will be important for the club going forward. He also points out the Panthers’ limited salary-cap space will affect any attempts to make a move or two at the trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers only have over $892K in deadline cap room. If they swing a deal for a defenseman, it’ll have to be dollar-in, dollar-out. It’ll take a considerable offer to convince GM Dale Tallon to part with Hoffman or Dadonov.

LATEST ON THE HURRICANES

NBC SPORTS: Adam Gretz examined how losing defenseman Dougie Hamilton to a fractured fibula could affect Carolina Hurricanes GM Don Waddell’s trade plans. Waddell admitted he was in the market for a defenseman before Hamilton’s injury, but his absence could change the type of player he could target in the trade market.

Gretz observes there are limited options in the trade market to address even a fraction of the offense Hamilton brought to the Hurricanes’ blueline. The best rental option could be New Jersey’s Sami Vatanen. Waddell is reluctant to place Hamilton on long-term injury reserve as he could return before the end of the season.

Turning to the forward lines, the return of Justin Williams provides a boost, as could a bounce-back second half from winger Nino Niederreiter.










NHL at the Halfway Mark: Central Division

by | Jan 29, 2020

NHL at the Halfway Mark: Central Division

 










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 28, 2020

by | Jan 28, 2020

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 28, 2020

Milestone nights for Patrick Marleau and Rasmus Sandin, injury updates and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

NHL.COM: Patrick Marleau scored two goals as the San Jose Sharks doubled up the Anaheim Ducks 4-2. Marleau passed Guy Lafleur and moved into a tie with Mike Modano for 25th on the all-time goals list with 561. While Marleau has 1,185 career points, he also became the first player to reach 1,100 points as a member of the Sharks. He’s their franchise leader with 1,101.

Patrick Marleau sits 25th on the NHL’s all-time goal list (Photo via NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marleau is one of just two active players (Washington’s Alex Ovechkin being the other) sitting among the NHL’s top-50 all-time goal scorers. That’s a testament to his consistency and durability over his long career. 

Toronto Maple Leafs rookie defenseman Rasmus Sandin tallied his first career NHL goal in a 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators. He also collected an assist while teammates William Nylander and Zach Hyman each had a goal and an assist. It was a costly victory as winger Kasperi Kapanen left the game with an injured arm. X-rays were negative and he’ll be reevaluated today.

The Washington Capitals rode a 31-save performance by Braden Holtby to a 4-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Jakub Vrana and Tom Wilson each had a goal and an assist. The Capitals played without captain Alex Ovechkin, who served a one-game suspension for skipping the 2020 NHL All-Star Game. Canadiens forward Dale Weise played his 500th career NHL game.

Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn scored twice, including the winner in overtime, as his club edged the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2. Lightning captain Steven Stamkos also tallied two goals as teammate Andrei Vasilevskiy’s winning streak ended at 10 games. Stars forward Roope Hintz left the game with an upper-body injury and Andrew Cogliano was sidelined by a lower-body injury.

The Vancouver Canucks picked up their ninth straight home win by downing the St. Louis Blues 3-1. J.T. Miller scored two goals and Chris Tanev collected two assists as the Canucks opened a three-point lead atop the Pacific Division.

Shootout goals by Nikita Gusev and Jack Hughes carried the New Jersey Devils to a 4-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators. Ottawa goaltender Marcus Hogberg kicked out 50 shots to carry his club into the shootout frame.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 26, 2020

by | Jan 26, 2020

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 26, 2020

The Pacific Division wins the All-Star Game, David Pastrnak named tournament MVP, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

NHL.COM: Vancouver’s Elias Petterson scored twice and San Jose’s Tomas Hertl tallied the game-winner as the Pacific Division edged the Atlantic Division 5-4 to win the 2020 NHL All-Star Game. The Pacific Division all-stars received a check for USD 1 million for winning the tournament.

Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak is the MVP of the 2020 NHL All-Star Game (Photo via NHL Images).

Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak was named tournament MVP through a fan vote on social media.

NBC SPORTS BAY AREA: Despite scoring five goals, including the tournament winner, Tomas Hertl was left off the tournament MVP ballot. The Sharks winger was unperturbed, “I’m happy we won and we won the prize, so it’s exciting,” he said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I watched the ASG because it’s my job, but it was such a farce that I was more absorbed in following social media comments about the game. While the ASG still matters as a locally-staged event, this glorified pond-hockey contest tends to be a national TV ratings dud in the U.S. and Canada. Los Angeles Times’ hockey writer Helene Elliott put it best:

 

Bob Duff, meanwhile, pitched several suggestions on how to improve the NHL ASG format. Feel free to weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section below.

TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs recalled Jake Muzzin and Trevor Moore from their conditioning stints with the Marlies.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Muzzin should provide a welcome boost to a defense that became porous during his absence.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: A source claims the Dallas Stars are a “highly considered” candidate to play games in China next season. Their opponent, as well as dates and locations, are unclear. It’s also uncertain if the NHL will stage games in China in 2020-21.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 16, 2020

by | Jan 16, 2020

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 16, 2020

Game recaps, Avalanche coach accuses Stars of cheating in the faceoff circle, All-Star Game updates, and more in today’s NHL morning coffee headlines.

NHL.COM: Zack Smith scored twice and Patrick Kane picked up his 998th career point as the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-1. The Blackhawks (50 points) kept their playoff hopes alive by moving within four points of a wild-card spot in the Western Conference. The Canadiens, meanwhile, are nine points out of an Eastern Conference wild-card berth.

Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane netted his 998th career point in a 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens (Photo via NHL Images).

Philadelphia Flyers winger Jakub Voracek scored in overtime as his club edged the St. Louis Blues 4-3, snapping the latter’s nine-game home winning streak. The Blues rallied from a 3-1 deficit to force the extra period. Flyers goaltender Carter Hart missed last night’s game against the Blues with an abdominal strain. He’s expected to be sidelined two-to-three weeks.

THE DENVER POST: Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar accused the Dallas Stars of cheating in the faceoff circle. Singling out Stars centers Joe Pavelski, Jamie Benn, and Tyler Seguin, Bednar claimed they do a better job cheating on faceoffs than the Avs do. “We don’t feel like the linesmen were doing a good enough job (Tuesday), sort of holding (the respective teams) accountable to make it a level playing field on the faceoffs.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Teams cheating in the faceoff circle is an ongoing issue. The league has attempted to address this in the past and could revisit the problem.

CALGARY SUN: Flames goaltender David Rittich will replace sidelined Arizona Coyotes goalie Darcy Kuemper at the upcoming 2020 NHL All-Star Game.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Speaking of the Flames, Sportsnet’s Eric Francis believes Edmonton Oilers winger Zack Kassian will have to fight Milan Lucic when the two clubs face each other on Jan. 29. This stems from Kassian’s recent on-ice altercation with Flames winger Matthew Tkachuk.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given the fallout from that incident (including Kassian receiving a two-game suspension) and the anticipation for the next game between the two clubs, the league could attempt to diffuse this situation before the home-and-home series at month’s end.

The Oilers, meanwhile, re-signed defenseman Caleb Jones to a two-year, $1.7-million contract.

THE SCORE: Vancouver Canucks winger Tyler Motte revealed he was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. “It’s not necessarily about telling my story,” Motte said. “It’s about to help that one person or those handful of people that need to know they’re not alone in it.”

NBC SPORTS WASHINGTON: Former Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman suited up in goalie gear and took shots from Alex Ovechkin during a recent Washington Capitals practice.

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: The Bruins placed Brett Ritchie on waivers.