NHL Rumor Mill – April 18, 2024

by | Apr 18, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – April 18, 2024

What’s in store during a long offseason for the Devils, Kraken and Wild? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DEVILS FACE A BUSY OFFSEASON

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols looked ahead at what could be a busy offseason for Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald.

First and foremost, Fitzgerald needs to hire a new head coach. Potential candidates could be former NHL bench bosses like Craig Berube and Todd McLellan or two-time NCAA Frozen Four champion David Carle.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That means interim head coach Travis Green reverts to associate coach or moves on to another club.

Fitzgerald must also address his goaltending. He addressed part of the problem by acquiring Jake Allen last month at the trade deadline. The Devils GM made it clear he intends to go “big-game hunting” this summer. He could revisit his interest Calgary’s Jacob Markstrom or turn to other options like Boston’s Linus Ullmark, Nashville’s Juuse Saros or St. Louis’ Jordan Binnington.

SPECTOR’S NOTE:  Binnington seems the least likely to be available. Ullmark is the most likely candidate, followed by Markstrom and Saros.

The Devils also need to add a defenseman. Nichols suggested someone like Dallas’ Chris Tanev.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tanev’s shutdown defensive game will make him a popular free-agent target for several teams this summer. However, his age (34) and injury history could make Fitzgerald seek other options for his blueline.

Seattle Kraken center Shane Wright (NHL Images).

PROPOSED OFFSEASON TRADE CANDIDATES FOR THE KRAKEN

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Geoff Baker believes the Kraken must improve by bringing in an elite performer. Finding one means giving up a player other teams want.

Baker believes defensemen like Vince Dunn, Will Borgen and Adam Larsson and goaltender Joey Daccord would be enticing trade chips. If the Kraken believes young center Shane Wright is a good complementary piece rather than a future star, the time to sell high is now.

Kate Shefte noted that Brandon Tanev and Jamie Oleksiak are being mentioned as trade candidates. She doesn’t see Wright getting shopped but wondered if they might offer up promising prospect Jagger Firkus.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see what Kraken general manager Ron Francis has in store for his club this summer. He could remain patient with his club and maybe make depth additions. Perhaps he considers a coaching change rather than a big trade. Francis has made big splashes via free agency and could go that route again. Or he could surprise us with a big trade.

I agree with Shefte regarding Wright but they could consider moving another prospect like Firkus for more immediate help. 

LATEST ON THE WILD

STARTRIBUNE.COM: La Velle E. Neal III noted the Minnesota Wild’s youth movement, bringing up promising Jesper Wallstedt and forwards Liam Ohgren and Marat Khusnutdinov late in the season. They join a core of 20-something talent that includes Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, Marco Rossi and Brock Faber.

The Wild have one more season of carrying over $14.7 million in dead cap space from buying out Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. That will give him the cap flexibility needed when those young players are ready for new contracts.

Neal also suggested the Wild move on from goaltender Filip Gustavsson and defenseman Alex Goligoski. Trading Gustavsson would make room for Wallstedt, who would benefit from being an apprentice to Marc-Andre Fleury next season. Goligoski, 39, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Neal’s suggestion to trade Gustavsson is interesting considering the Wild signed Fleury on Wednesday to a one-year contract extension. Maybe Wild GM Bill Guerin is looking at a Fleury-Wallstedt tandem for next season.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – April 7, 2024

by | Apr 7, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – April 7, 2024

A look at the Leafs’ potential plans for John Tavares and the latest on the Red Wings and Blackhawks in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

WHAT WILL THE LEAFS DO WITH JOHN TAVARES?

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Duhatschek examined what the offseason could hold for Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares. The 33-year-old center has a year remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $11 million and a full no-movement clause.

Duhatschek suggests the Leafs attempt to extend Tavares on the cheap. His production is no longer at the level expected of a player with his annual cap hit. He also doesn’t see Tavares waiving his no-movement clause because he wants to help his hometown team win the Stanley Cup.

A buyout this summer isn’t an option. It would be messy and expensive plus he’s still a contributing team player. Doing nothing and letting him walk next summer is an option if he won’t sign an extension.

Toronto Maple Leafs captains John Tavares (NHL Images).

Duhatschek noted that Tavares has made over $120 million in career earnings. He wondered if Tavares might sign a bargain contract to play out his career in Toronto. He pointed out that Jason Spezza, Joe Thornton and Mark Giordano did the same thing.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most of the attention in Leafs Nation this summer will be on Mitch Marner’s contract situation. Like Tavares, he’s a year away from UFA eligibility. However, he’s in his playing prime and could seek as much as much as Auston Matthews’ AAV ($13.25 million) to stay in Toronto.

Tavares’ production noticeably declined this season from the point-per-game pace he’s been on for most of his career. With 59 points in 74 games, however, he’s still a productive member of the Leafs. He knows he won’t get anything close to his current AAV on his next contract. How much of a pay cut he’s willing to accept will decide if his future with his hometown club extends beyond next season.

COULD THE RED WINGS SHOP FOR A GOALTENDER THIS SUMMER?

THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman looked at what the Detroit Red Wings might do with their goaltending during the offseason. They have Ville Husso and Alex Lyon under contract for next season.

Lyon has a .906 save percentage in 40 games. Husso has been sidelined most of this season and has a .892 SP in 19 games when healthy.

The Wings could return with that tandem again next season and attempt to upgrade the defense in front of them. Another option could be pursuing an upgrade between the pipes like Calgary’s Jacob Markstrom or Boston’s Linus Ullmark. They might have to move Husso’s $4.75 million cap hit to make it work.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Provided Markstrom or Ullmark agree to a trade to Detroit, they could be too expensive for Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman. This summer’s free-agent market is a thin one for goaltenders. Yzerman might find it easier to improve the defense corps to lessen the workload on Husso and Lyon.

LATEST ON THE BLACKHAWKS

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Vinnie Parise wondered if the Blackhawks might change their rebuilding plans if they win the draft lottery again this year.

This year’s top pick is Boston University center Macklin Celebrini. Bringing him in to join Connor Bedard could give the Blackhawks two bright young stars to build around.

Parise and colleague Nate Brown examined how that might affect the Blackhawks’ rebuild. They suggest speeding up the rebuild to surround Celebrini and Bedard with quality players.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sitting second-last in the overall standings, the Blackhawks have the second-best odds of winning this season’s draft lottery.

Blackhawks management could already have a plan to bring in some experienced talent to help Bedard this offseason. That could become a bigger priority if they win the lottery again and land Celebrini.

Winning the lottery could also allow them to use that first-overall pick as a trade chip. They already struck paydirt last year with a generational talent like Bedard. Trading this year’s first-overall could fetch them a return of young players who improve the Blackhawks’ roster depth and speed up the rebuild.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 21, 2024

by | Mar 21, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – March 21, 2024

The latest on Erik Karlsson, Johnny Gaudreau and the Senators’ goaltending situation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON ERIK KARLSSON

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe and Ian Mendes examined whether a trade involving Erik Karlsson would make sense for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently mused about whether the Senators might contemplate a reunion with Karlsson, who spent his first nine NHL seasons in Ottawa. The 33-year-old Penguins defenseman dismissed the idea when asked about it last week.

Yohe believes the Penguins would consider moving Karlsson as they’ve got too many players over 30 with expensive contracts. Mendes cites Karlsson’s ongoing ties to Ottawa and the Senators need for a right shot among their top-four defensemen. Acquiring the three-time Norris Trophy winner would mean trading Thomas Chabot or Jakob Chychrun.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images).

The Penguins would want a return that helps them get younger quickly. However, the Senators would want them to retain part of Karlsson’s contract, which would raise the Penguins’ asking price.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ve summarized a detailed examination of a Karlsson-to-Ottawa trade scenario by Yohe and Mendes. Both agree it would be a complicated affair requiring flexibility to ensure a fair deal for both clubs.

I don’t see Karlsson getting traded to the Senators. They’re a different club than the one he was traded from seven years ago. His contract is far too expensive and the Senators likely want a more affordable, defensive-minded blueliner.

COULD THE BLUE JACKETS ATTEMPT TO TRADE JOHNNY GAUDREAU?

BOSTON GLOBE: Kevin Paul Dupont recently noted the ongoing decline in the offensive production of Columbus Blue Jackets winger Johnny Gaudreau.

Heading into last weekend, the 30-year-old Gaudreau had just 10 goals and 47 points. He has five seasons remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $9.75 million.

Dupont doesn’t rule out the next Blue Jackets general manager trying to move Gaudreau to a team of the winger’s liking, “albeit with the Jackets retaining, say, one-third of his salary.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’ve learned never to say never when moving high-salaried, under-performing players. The projected $4.4 million increase in the salary cap for 2024-25 could increase the odds of the Jackets finding a suitable trade partner for Gaudreau if they made him available in this summer’s trade market.

However, trading Gaudreau would still be a daunting challenge. His declining production hurts his trade value, he carries a full no-movement clause, and an interested club would likely want the Jackets to retain more than one-third of his annual cap hit or include a couple of sweeteners like a draft pick and a quality prospect.

WILL THE SENATORS PURSUE A GOALTENDER?

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch believes the Senators’ goaltending must improve next season or nothing will. As of March 18, they had the worst combined save percentage (.887) and sat 28th with an average goals-against per game of 3.53.

Garrioch believes Senators general manager Steve Staios may have “kicked some tires” on goaltenders before the March 8 trade deadline. He indicated there was speculation one of them was Boston’s Linus Ullmark. The Bruins have to decide on whether to trade Ullmark this summer.

The Senators have starting goalie Joonas Korpisalo under contract for four more years. Garrioch dismissed the notion of a contract buyout. “The hope is that he can come back next season better prepared to play with more consistency.” The Senators could attempt instead to move Anton Forsberg and replace him with a more reliable backup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ullmark, 30, also carries an average annual value of $5 million next season and is a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. He also carries a 16-team no-trade clause that becomes a 15-team NTC on July 1.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 20, 2024

by | Mar 20, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – March 20, 2024

Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins expects big changes for the club this summer, plus a look at possible offseason moves by the Bruins in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

MERZLIKINS FACING UNCERTAIN FUTURE IN COLUMBUS

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline recently reported Elvis Merzlikins expects big changes for his club when a new general manager takes over during the offseason. The 30-year-old Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender raised eyebrows in January when he told the media he requested a trade, only to have his agent follow up by claiming his client had misspoken.

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (NHL Images).

Portzline noted the difficulty the next Jackets GM will face attempting to move Merzlikins. He has three years left on his contract with an average annual value of $5.4 million and a 10-team no-trade clause.

A contract buyout would mean the Jackets would carry $1.75 million in dead cap space each season through 2029-30. Trying to trade him could mean retaining up to half of his AAV. They could try to move him to a team with plentiful cap space by bundling him with a draft pick or prospect.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Retaining half of Merzlikin’s AAV in a trade seems the best option. Even that might not be enough to tempt a club given his inconsistent play in recent years. It wouldn’t be surprising if he’s still with the Jackets at the start of next season.

SPECULATION ON THE BRUINS’ OFFSEASON PLANS

THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa recently looked ahead at what might be in store for the Boston Bruins during the offseason. With a projected $21.5 million in cap space this summer, they’re expected to be buyers.

Shinzawa believes the Bruins could kick the tires on Elias Lindholm if the Vancouver Canucks center hits the open market on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lindholm was regularly linked to the Bruins in the rumor mill before his trade to the Canucks on Jan. 31. There was also talk in the days leading up to the trade deadline of a three-way deal involving the Pittsburgh Penguins that would’ve sent Lindholm to Boston, winger Jake DeBrusk to the Penguins and winger Jake Guentzel to Vancouver. That deal, of course, never materialized but it raised questions over Lindholm’s future with the Canucks.

The Bruins could turn to free agency to replace pending UFA defensemen Kevin Shattenkirk, Matt Grzelcyk and Derek Forbort.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of former Calgary Flames, the Bruins were rumored to be interested in Noah Hanifin before the 27-year-old defenseman was shipped to the Vegas Golden Knights on March 6. They could look into signing Hanifin if he and the Golden Knights part ways on July 1.

Shinzawa expects the Bruins will attempt to trade goaltender Linus Ullmark. He turns 31 on July 31 and carries a $5 million cap hit and a modified no-trade clause for next season. They’d love to get a first-round pick for Ullmark but that could be too high a return. Shinzawa speculates they could get a second or third-round pick, plus moving him would clear his cap hit from their books.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The potential availability of Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom and Nashville Predators netminder Juuse Saros could affect Ullmark’s value in this summer’s trade market. If they’re not on the trade block it would make it possible for the Bruins to set a higher price for Ullmark that includes a first-rounder.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 19, 2024

by | Mar 19, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – March 19, 2024

An update on the Canucks’ Elias Lindholm and Filip Hronek plus some recent news on Chris Tanev, Jacob Markstrom and Linus Ullmark in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

UPDATES ON LINDHOLM AND HRONEK

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin is noncommittal about re-signing Elias Lindholm, who was acquired from the Calgary Flames in January.

Allvin said he spoke with Lindholm’s representatives following the trade expressing an interest in signing the 29-year-old center to a contract extension. “But obviously it’s got to work for both sides. We’ll see,” he said, pointing out that it’s been an adjustment period for Lindholm since the trade.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Lindholm (NHL Images).

The Canucks GM told LeBrun that those contract discussions will likely occur following this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lindholm is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He’s in the final season of a six-year contract with an average annual value of $4.85 million.

The Canucks have $25.5 million in projected salary-cap space for 2024-25 with 13 active roster players under contract. They can afford to re-sign Lindholm, however, that will depend on how long it takes to adjust to their style of play and how much he’s seeking on his next deal.

Lindholm won’t lack suitors if he goes to market on July 1. The Boston Bruins could be among them as they were frequently linked to him in trade rumors leading up to the recent deadline.

CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman suggesting the “sweet spot” in the Canucks’ contract extension talks with Filip Hronek is an AAV of $7.5 million. He believes it could cause problems if the 26-year-old defenseman seeks more.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hronek is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights and a year away from UFA eligibility. He’s in the final season of a three-year deal worth an AAV of $4.4 million.

Those problems Friedman alluded to could be how much Hronek’s new contract would bite into the Canucks cap space and the potential for an arbitration hearing. The latter could result in a one-year deal that could guarantee his departure as a UFA next July.

TIDBITS FROM “KYPER’S KORNER”

TORONTO STAR: In his recent “Kyper’s Korner,” Nick Kypreos wrote that the cost of a contract extension for Chris Tanev also factored into why the Toronto Maple Leafs didn’t trade for him before the deadline. He claimed the Tanev camp sought $5 million per season but it could go lower if the 34-year-old defenseman got a fourth year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tanev will be 35 in December. The Leafs were wise not to go for that deal.

Kypreos claimed Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom and Boston Bruins netminder Linus Ullmark refused to waive their no-trade clauses to go to the Los Angeles Kings before the recent trade deadline.

He wrote that Markstrom had no interest in being on the West Coast while Ullmark believes the Bruins have a better chance of winning the Stanley Cup than the Kings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos wondered where Los Angeles’ “Tinseltown magic” to draw players has gone. I’m not sure that has anything specific with the Kings or LA. Pierre-Luc Dubois and Kevin Fiala quickly signed new contracts after being traded to the Kings.

Markstrom’s situation is weird due to conflicting reports regarding a possible move to New Jersey last month. He wasn’t happy with how Flames management handled the situation as he didn’t want that distraction during the season.

It’s worth mentioning that Markstrom spent seven seasons with the Vancouver Canucks. He didn’t seem to mind being on the West Coast then. Maybe Kypreos was referring to the California coast.

Ullmark was rumored to have nixed a deal with the Kings but there are also reports that they weren’t the club he would’ve been sent to had the trade gone through. It’s also believed that 14 of the 16 teams on his no-trade list are Western Conference clubs.

The Kings have over $22 million in projected cap space for next season. That’s plenty of room to acquire an expensive goaltender via this summer’s trade market if they need an upgrade at that position. We’ll have to wait until then to see if they are having difficulty attracting players with no-trade clauses in their contracts.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 18, 2024

by | Mar 18, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – March 18, 2024

Goaltenders could be in high demand during this offseason. Check it out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Jesse Granger recently examined what could be a busy trade market for goaltenders during the offseason.

The Boston Bruins’ Linus Ullmark, Calgary Flames’ Jacob Markstrom and Nashville Predators’ Juuse Saros were mentioned as potential trade candidates leading up to the March 8 trade deadline. Those three could be pursued by clubs looking to improve their goaltending this summer.

New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald mentioned he’d like to “land one of these big fish” to share the goalie duties next summer with Jake Allen, who was acquired before the deadline from the Montreal Canadiens.

Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (NHL Images).

The Devils attempted to acquire Markstrom in February and could revisit those discussions with the Flames.

In Nashville, the Predators must decide if they’ll sign Saros to a contract extension, trade him or ship out promising netminder Yaroslav Askirov.

The Bruins, meanwhile, could maintain their goalie tandem of Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman. However, the return they could receive for a Vezina Trophy winner like Ullmark could be too tempting to pass up.

Granger also mentioned John Gibson has come up in trade rumors over the past two years with the Anaheim Ducks in rebuild mode. He has three more years left on his contract but perhaps retaining part of his $6.4 million cap hit might grease the skids for a trade this summer.

Other suitors for those goalies could include the Los Angeles Kings, Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs.

NASHVILLE HOCKEY NOW: Michael Gallagher noted a recent report by Granger’s colleague Pierre LeBrun suggesting the Devils might revisit their interest in Saros.

Predators GM Barry Trotz is keeping his offseason options open regarding his goaltending situation. Nevertheless, Gallagher pointed out that it would take “one doozy of a package” to pry Saros away from the Predators.

Trotz indicated he wouldn’t move Saros for “inadequate stuff from other teams, unproven stuff from other teams.” Gallagher believes the Devils offer would have to include a high-end player such as Dawson Mercer, a prospect such as Seamus Casey and a first-round pick to tempt the Predators GM.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Markstrom, Ullmark and Saros will be in high demand. Potential suitors should expect it will be expensive to acquire them.

Markstrom is the oldest (34) and carries a more expensive contract (two more years at $6 million annually) with a full no-movement clause. Ullmark (30) and Saros (28) each have a year remaining on their contracts with the same average annual value ($5 million) but the Bruins goalie has a 16-team no-trade clause that drops to a 15-team no-trade list on July 1.

Saros could be the easiest of the three to acquire because he lacks no-trade protection.