Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – April 9, 2023
Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – April 9, 2023
Kevin Hayes could be facing his final days with the Flyers while it appears Cam Talbot’s time with the Senators has drawn to a close. Check out the latest in the Easter Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
IS KEVIN HAYES FACING HIS FINAL DAYS WITH THE FLYERS?
THE ATHLETIC: Charlie O’Connor recently reported Kevin Hayes has acknowledged that his time with the Philadelphia Flyers might be on the verge of ending. “Yeah. They’re in a rebuild,” said Hayes. “So they’ve got to make decisions that they want to make.”
Hayes, 30, noted that his role with the club has changed this season. He’s seen his ice time reduced as head coach John Tortorella evaluates the younger players on the roster. “They’re building for the future. You can see who’s part of it and who isn’t,” he said.
O’Connor noted that Hayes and Tortorella haven’t seen eye-to-eye this season. He also pointed out that the Flyers coach will play a major collaborative role with new general manager Daniel Briere in shaping the roster.
Around the trade deadline, Tortorella didn’t rule out the possibility of Hayes playing elsewhere in the near future. However, the veteran forward reiterated his preference to stay in Philadelphia.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Haye’s contract gives him some leverage if the Flyers hope to trade him. He’s carrying a $7.14 million average annual value through 2025-26 which will be difficult to move, especially if the salary cap only rises by $1 million this summer. Hayes also has a 12-team no-trade clause.
The Flyers could be forced to retain part of Hayes’ cap hit to make his contract more enticing in the trade market. Their other option is to take back a comparable salary. They could also buy him out but they’d be facing six years with dead cap space on their books.
As for destinations, there were rumors following the trade deadline claiming the Flyers had talked with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Carolina Hurricanes. Whether any groundwork was laid for a summer trade with either club remains to be seen.
CAM TALBOT’S DAYS NUMBERED WITH THE SENATORS
OTTAWA SUN: That’s the opinion of Bruce Garrioch after Senators head coach D.J. Smith went with the tandem of Leevi Merilainen and Mads Sogaard for Thursday’s game against the Florida Panthers.
Talbot, 35, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent. He’s not expected to be re-signed by the Senators, who acquired him last summer after he posted a 32-12-14 record last season with the Minnesota Wild.
Injuries and inconsistency plagued Talbot this season, appearing in 35 games and being sidelined for 30 others. The Senators were willing to sign him to a one-year deal at a substantial pay cut from his current $3.66 million AAV but his camp reportedly sought a two-year extension for considerably more money.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see if the Senators stick entirely with their young goalies next season or try to add an experienced veteran via trade or free agency. As for Talbot, he’s not going to find any two-year contracts for more than $3.66 million annually on the open market given his age and injury history. He could end up regretting not accepting the Senators’ offer.