NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 8, 2024

by | Oct 8, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 8, 2024

The North American portion of the 2024-25 regular season begins on Tuesday. Check out the latest injury updates, contract signings, waiver claims, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL NORTH AMERICAN SCHEDULE BEGINS TUESDAY

NHL.COM: The NHL season began last week in Prague, Czechia between the Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils in the 2024 NHL Global Series. The North American portion of the schedule begins Tuesday with a triple header televised nationally in Canada and the United States.

The schedule opens with the Seattle Kraken hosting the St. Louis Blues at 4:30 ET. It will be a historic game as Seattle assistant coach Jessica Campbell becomes the first woman in NHL history to serve in a behind-the-bench capacity.

The Florida Panthers will raise their 2024 Stanley Cup banner at home before facing off against the Boston Bruins starting at 7 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: South Florida is outside the cone of concern for the approaching Hurricane Milton. For now, this game appears likely to be played as scheduled in Sunrise.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been forced to evacuate. They were expected to depart for Raleigh, North Carolina, on Monday evening with most players bringing along their family and pets. Some made private arrangements to evacuate their families.

The tripleheader concludes with the Utah Hockey Club making its debut by hosting the Chicago Blackhawks at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

INJURY UPDATES

TSN: The Vancouver Canucks announced forward Dakota Joshua and goaltender Thatcher Demko were placed on the club’s injured non-roster list. Joshua missed training camp recovering from surgery for testicular cancer while Demko’s been dealing with a rare muscle injury in his knee.

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s speculation both players could be sidelined three-to-four weeks.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars head coach Pete DeBoer and winger Jason Robertson returned to the club on Monday. DeBoer underwent an appendectomy two weeks ago and dealt with some minor complications during his recovery. Robertson was sidelined recovering from offseason surgery to remove a cyst from his foot.

CBS SPORTS: The Anaheim Ducks placed goaltender John Gibson (abdomen) on injury reserve. Meanwhile, San Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Eduoard Vlasic is week-to-week with an upper-body injury.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of the Sharks, rookie center Macklin Celebrini is good to go for their season opener on Oct. 10. He was sidelined last week by a lower-body injury.

TSN: The Calgary Flames placed winger Yegor Sharangovich on injured reserve. He’s listed as week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

NEW YORK POST: Rangers winger Artemi Panarin returned to practice on Monday for the first time since suffering a lower-body injury during a preseason game last week. Meanwhile, the Rangers placed defenseman Ryan Lindgren (upper body) on injured reserve and winger Jimmy Vesey (lower body) on long-term injury reserve (LTIR).

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins placed forward Bryan Rust and Blake Lizotte and goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic on IR and placed forward Matt Nieto (knee surgery) on LTIR.

NHL.COM: The Buffalo Sabres placed forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel on IR with a lower-body injury.

TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs placed Calle Jarnkrok, Jani Hakanpaa and Dakota Mermis on LTIR and put Conor Dewar and Fraser Minten on IR.

LATEST NOTABLE CONTRACT SIGNINGS

TORONTO SUN: The Leafs signed winger Max Pacioretty to a one-year contract worth $873,770 and forward Steven Lorentz to a one-year deal worth $775K. They also signed defenseman Cade Webber to a two-year contract extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pacioretty and Lorentz attended Leafs training camp on professional tryout offers (PTOs).

DAILY FACEOFF: The Minnesota Wild signed goaltender Jesper Wallstedt to a two-year, $4.4 million contract extension. The average annual value (AAV) is $2.2 million commencing in 2025-26.

The Washington Capitals signed winger Jakub Vrana to a one-year, $775K contract. He attended Capitals training camp on a PTO.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Winger Austin Watson turned his PTO with the Red Wings into a one-year, two-way contract with the club.

IN OTHER NEWS…

TSN: The Anaheim Ducks claimed goaltender James Reimer off waivers from the Buffalo Sabres.

Forward Zach Aston-Reese was claimed off waivers by the Columbus Blue Jackets from the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Golden Knights claimed forward Raphael Lavoie from the Edmonton Oilers.

The Vancouver Canucks reclaimed goaltender Jiri Patera from the Boston Bruins, who had claimed Patera off waivers from the Canucks last week.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck missed practice on Monday for family reasons. He’s expected to be ready for their season opener against the Oilers on Wednesday.

THE SCORE: Jett Luchanko is set to become the youngest roster player in Philadelphia Flyers history. He was chosen 13th overall in this year’s draft and turned 18 on Aug. 21.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators returned Carter Yakemchuk to the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen. Chosen seventh overall in this year’s draft, the 18-year-old defenseman had a strong training camp and performed well in preseason action. However, management felt it best for his long-term development that he return to the Hitmen where he’ll get more playing time this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A smart decision by the Senators. Despite his preseason play, Yakemchuk likely would’ve seen limited action in regular-season play. He’ll be in a better position next season for a full-time roster spot among their top-four blueliners.

RDS: Former NHL player Mike Ribeiro pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault in Texas on Monday. The charge was connected to an event that occurred in June 2021 resulting in Ribeiro being acquitted on two counts of sexual assault earlier this year.

The jury was unable to agree on the final charge. The process of selecting a new jury was slated for Monday but the two sides reached an agreement in which Ribeiro admitted under oath that he sexually touched the victim without her consent.

Ribeiro will avoid prison and must pay a $4,000 fine.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 16, 2024

by | Aug 16, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 16, 2024

Jeremy Swayman updates his contract negotiations with the Bruins, Milan Lucic hopes to continue his playing career, Tony DeAngelo talks about his fight with former Rangers teammate Alexandar Georgiev, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

WEEI.COM: Jeremy Swayman has yet to re-sign with the Boston Bruins. However, he believes they will get a deal done.

“There’s a lot of confidence,” said Swayman. “And I say that because I’ve treated it like a business as usual this year.” He said he’s been working out with his Bruins teammates and staff, adding that he felt they’re building something special for this year and he’s excited about that.

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (NHL Images).

“I know that it will take care of itself with time, and all I can do is control how I’m going to be a better goalie for the Boston Bruins this year. So, that’s all I’m focused on. And I know, again, it will work out, and I couldn’t be happier to be a Bruin.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The St. Louis Blues signing of two Edmonton Oilers players to offer sheets earlier this week has some Bruins observers nervous that another club will attempt to do the same with Swayman.

Anything’s possible but it’s unlikely. Swayman doesn’t sound interested in an offer from another club plus the Bruins have over $8.6 million in cap space this season. They can afford to match an offer for Swayman.

Assuming Swayman would sign an offer sheet, it would have to be an expensive pitch to tempt him and must be unmatchable for Boston.

Anything between $8.7 million and $9.16 million would entitle the Bruins to receive a first, a second and a third-round pick in compensation. Anything between $9.16 million to $11.45 million is two firsts, a second and a third rounder.

Given those high costs, it’s doubtful that a rival team will sign Swayman to an offer sheet.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Former Bruins winger Milan Lucic hopes to resume his playing career this season. The 36-year-old is currently suspended from the NHL after being arrested for assault and battery against a family member last November.

Lucic pled not guilty and the charges were eventually dropped after his wife, Brittany Lucic, invoked marital privilege and refused to testify. He was placed on indefinite leave following his arrest and the Bruins let his contract expire.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lucic would require the approval of commissioner Gary Bettman to resume his NHL career.

DAILY FACEOFF: Former New York Rangers defenseman Tony DeAngelo told his side of the story about his infamous fight with teammate Alexandar Georgiev during a January 2021 game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

DeAngelo said he and Georgiev weren’t playing well in that game. As they left the ice, he yelled at the goaltender to “make a f**kin’ save!” Georgiev turned and headbutted the defenseman with his mask, prompting the blueliner to retaliate by swinging his stick at Georgiev’s head.

The altercation spilled over into the dressing room and was quickly broken up by their teammates. DeAngelo said he knew the fight in the tunnel shouldn’t have happened and took responsibility for the incident, saying his remark to Georgiev sparked the fight.

DeAngelo wound up placed on waivers and released by the Rangers. He felt the club could’ve handled it differently but acknowledged most of his difficulties that season were his fault. He also said he and Georgiev patched up their differences and there is no bad blood between them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeAngelo played for the Carolina Hurricanes in 2021-22 and 2023-24 and the PhiladelphiaFlyers in 2022-23. It’s rumored he could be signing with a KHL club for this season.

TSN: The Washington Capitals brought back winger Jakub Vrana on a professional tryout offer. Vrana, 28, spent nearly five seasons with the Capitals from 2016-17 to 2020-21 until shipped to the Detroit Red Wings at the 2021 trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vrana has struggled since leaving the Capitals. He was limited to 26 games in 2021-22 and had a stint in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program the following season, which included a trade to the St. Louis Blues. This could be his last chance to get his NHL career on track.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Former Canadiens forward Steve Begin announced Thursday that he’s declaring bankruptcy. The 46-year-old confirmed the news on Facebook, saying the civil engineering company he’s invested in since 2013 went bankrupt.

“I could have tried to avoid the subject, but I chose to talk openly about it, because I believe there are lessons to be learned,” wrote Begin. He indicated it’s been a trying and hurtful experience for himself and his family, but he intends to push forward “to carry out great projects despite this ordeal.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some folks saw the headline on social media and felt Begin’s situation was being exploited by the press. That’s not the case at all. He’s going public about the ordeal and wants to explain what’s happened and what he’s learned from it.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The St. Louis Blues and the club’s alumni have each donated $5,000.00 to help pay for medical expenses for the brother and nephew of former Blues player Kyle Brodziak.

Ryan Brodziak and his young son Ozzy were walking their dog in their Sherwood Park, Alberta neighbourhood when they were struck by an out-of-control vehicle. Ryan suffered a spinal core injury and multiple fractures to his spine while Ozzy suffered a fractured skull and a fractured left arm. Their dog was taken to an emergency vet for care and is now home with the family.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist the Brodziaks.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines and Rumors – August 5, 2024

by | Aug 5, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines and Rumors – August 5, 2024

It’s a holiday Monday in Canada so there’s little hockey news to report. Here’s a brief look at the notable remaining unrestricted free agents plus a look at whether Patrik Laine would be a fit with the Bruins.

DAILY FACEOFF: recently listed the top remaining players in this summer’s unrestricted free agent market.

Right wing James van Riemsdyk tops the list, followed by defensemen Tyson Barrie and Tony DeAngelo.

Former Nashville Predators defenseman Tyson Barrie (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barrie was in his hometown of Victoria, BC, on Saturday hosting a charity concert featuring Grammy Award winner Sarah McLaughlan. There’s no word if he’s in discussions with any NHL teams for next season.

As for DeAngelo, SI.com cited Hockey News Hub claiming the blueliner was reportedly signing with SKA St. Petersburg. No official word yet from him or the club.

Right wings Tyler Johnson, Kevin Labanc and Mike Hoffman, defenseman Oliver Kylington, left wings Max Pacioretty and Jakub Vrana, and blueliner Justin Schultz rounded out the top 10.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: These players have occasionally surfaced in free agent rumors over the past month as options for NHL clubs seeking affordable depth. However, no reports suggest any of them are close to signing.

Other notables include defenseman John Klingberg, goaltender Kevin Lankinen, left wing Nick Cousins, goalie Antti Raanta, and wingers Cal Clutterbuck and Filip Zadina.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s been no updates on Klingberg since he underwent season-ending hip surgery in December. The latest on Cousins is he’ll be having his day with the Stanley Cup on Aug. 20 but nothing on talks with NHL teams.

THE BOSTON GLOBE: Kevin Paul Dupont pondered the possibility of the Bruins looking into acquiring Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine. With the offseason departure of Jake DeBrusk, he believes the 26-year-old Laine could be a good fit among the Bruins’ top-six forwards.

Laine’s contract, however, is a significant obstacle. He has two years remaining on his deal with an average annual value of $8.7 million. The Bruins currently have $8.6 million in cap space but most of that will be taken up signing goaltender Jeremy Swayman.

To bring Laine to Boston, the Blues Jackets would have to retain some of Laine’s cap hit. Doing so, however, means the Bruins would be forced to ship out equal bucks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dupont believes Laine will most likely suit up with a club that has the cap room to acquire him. He suggested the San Jose Sharks and Detroit Red Wings as the best bet given their depth of exciting young prospects.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 14, 2023

by | Dec 14, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – December 14, 2023

Are more changes in store for the Blues following their coaching change? What’s the latest Penguins speculation? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD MORE CHANGES BE IN STORE FOR THE BLUES

NHL NETWORK (via KUKLA’S KORNER): Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman looked at other possible moves for the St. Louis Blues following their coaching change.

He noted that general manager Doug Armstrong indicated in his press conference that there was no guarantee that interim head coach Drew Bannister would be in that role for the remainder of the season. Bannister was head coach of their AHL affiliate in Springfield before Berube’s firing.

St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong (NHL.com).

Friedman thinks Armstrong has “specific people he wants to talk to” regarding his club’s head-coaching position. He wondered if one of them could be former Edmonton Oilers bench boss Jay Woodcroft.

Asked if other personnel changes could be in store, he noted that Armstrong isn’t afraid to make bold moves. He pointed out the Blues had a deal in place last summer with the Philadelphia Flyers that would’ve sent defenseman Torey Krug to the Flyers for blueliner Travis Sanheim but Krug invoked his no-trade clause to spike the deal. He also observed that Armstrong tried to trade struggling winger Jakub Vrana before putting him on waivers.

Friedman doesn’t think Armstrong is trying to trade players such as Robert Thomas or Colton Parayko. However, he wouldn’t be surprised if the Blues GM could make some roster changes if things don’t improve soon.

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford noted Armstrong said making roster changes was difficult to achieve during his press conference on Wednesday. The Blues GM said he’s spoken to teams and seen what’s out there. Nevertheless, he stressed that nobody in their current group should feel safe right now. “I mean player-wise, management-wise.”

If the Blues fail to improve, Armstrong said he’s not against buying players out who carry long-term contracts with no-trade clauses, though he feels that’s not his first course of action. He’s also not against demoting players to the Blues’ AHL farm team if he feels they’re not pulling their weight. He said that nothing can be off the table for management.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues are just one point out of the final Western Conference wild-card spot. Big changes to the roster probably won’t happen as long as they remain competitive for a playoff berth. If they collapse and tumble down the standings, perhaps more significant moves will be in store.

Those Blues carrying long-term contracts with no-trade clauses include forwards Brayden Schenn and Brandon Saad, defensemen such as Krug, Parayko, Justin Faulk and Nick Leddy, and goaltender Jordan Binnington. Any attempt to move one or more of those players likely won’t happen until next summer at the earliest assuming any of them would waive their no-trade clauses.

LATEST ON THE PENGUINS

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun noted Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas’ remarks on Monday about deciding on the club’s future by the All-Star break in February. He believes Dubas wants to give his current roster time to overcome their current woes in the standings and prove to him what they have.

Dubas is on a seven-year contract. LeBrun believes that gives him time to implement a long-term vision while hoping to avoid a roster teardown for as long as possible. He also suggested that Sidney Crosby’s contract (which runs through 2024-25) could be the most important target date for Dubas’ plans.

Given the contracts of Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang, it won’t be easy to stage a roster teardown. However, LeBrun points out that Dubas’ acquisition of Karlsson last summer shows where there’s a will there’s a way.

LeBrun doubts those players would block a trade to a contender if Dubas goes into teardown mode. The question then becomes how much salary would the Penguins have to retain to move them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The acquisition of Karlsson (and that of Reilly Smith) was to provide a short-term boost to the Penguins roster to give their core of Crosby, Malkin, Letang and Jake Guentzel one more opportunity to stage a run for the Stanley Cup before their contracts expire or age catches up with them.

If Crosby wants to stay in Pittsburgh it’ll be interesting to see how long he’ll want to stick around, especially if the Penguins are heading into a rebuild or if it appears to be on the horizon.

Dubas is just trying to put it off for as long as possible until most of those players are finished with their contracts or in the final year of their deals. By that point, the rebuild can begin in earnest.

A roster rebuild is inevitable. It could come much sooner than Dubas or the Penguins’ veteran core expected it to occur.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 14, 2023

by | Dec 14, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 14, 2023

More scoring milestones were reached by Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon, a big night for Jets winger Gabriel Vilardi, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby scored two goals and set up another to rally his club to a 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Jansen Harkins netted the winning goal in the 12th round of the shootout as the Penguins improved to 13-12-3 (29 points) to sit two points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth. Sean Monahan tallied his ninth goal of the season for the 12-13-4 Canadiens, who sit a point back of the Penguins.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crosby is now tied with Hall-of-Famer (and former teammate) Mark Recchi for 13th on the all-time points list with 1,533. He’s just six points behind Joe Thornton, who sits 12th with 1,539.

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon extended his points streak to 13 games as his club downed the Buffalo Sabres 5-1. MacKinnon collected two assists, Mikko Rantanen had a goal and two assists while Valeri Nichushkin tallied twice for the 18-9-2 Avalanche, who hold a two-point lead over the Winnipeg Jets for first place in the Central Division with 38 points. Zach Benson scored for the 12-15-3 Sabres, who’ve dropped seven of their last 10 games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: MacKinnon also reached the 800-point milestone, becoming the fifth-fastest active player to do so. Sabres forward Jeff Skinner left this game with an upper-body injury.

Colorado fans gave former Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson a standing ovation in his first game at Ball Arena since signing with the Sabres this summer. He spent nearly 13 seasons with the Avs and helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2022.

Speaking of the Jets, they rolled to a 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings. Gabriel Vilardi had a career-high four points (one goal, three assists) against his former club while Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice and collected two assists and Mark Scheifele had two goals and an assist for the 17-9-2 Jets. Anze Kopitar and Alex Laferriere scored for the Kings (16-6-4) as they blew a 2-0 lead and sit third in the Pacific Division with 36 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was reported before this game that Jets winger Kyle Connor is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks with a lower-body (knee) injury.

An overtime goal by Jack Hughes lifted the New Jersey Devils over the Boston Bruins 2-1. Dawson Mercer tied the game in the third period for the Devils (15-11-1), who sit behind the Washington Capitals for the final Eastern wild-card spot with 31 points. Jeremy Swayman stopped 33 shots while Morgan Geekie had the only goal for the Bruins (18-5-4) as they sit atop the Eastern Conference standings with 40 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Devils forward Erik Haula picked up an assist on Mercer’s goal as he was activated off injured reserve for this game. Meanwhile, the Bruins placed defenseman Jakub Zboril on waivers.

The New York Islanders nipped the Anaheim Ducks 4-3 on a shorthanded goal by Simon Holmstrom with 1:33 remaining in the third period. Noah Dobson collected two assists for the Islanders (14-7-7) as they sit second in the Metropolitan Division with 35 points. John Gibson made 30 saves for the Ducks (10-18-0) as they’ve lost four in a row and nine of their last 10.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Islanders activated defenseman Sebastian Aho off injured reserve for this game.

HEADLINES

TSN: The St. Louis Blues hired former all-star center Brad Richards as a consultant to work with the club’s power play under interim coach Drew Bannister. Meanwhile, winger Jakub Vrana cleared waivers and was sent to the Blues’ AHL affiliate in Springfield.

SPORTSNET: The Minnesota Wild and assistant general manager Chris O’Hearn have agreed to “mutually part ways”. No reason was given for this move. The Athletic’s Michael Russo pointed out that O’Hearn was general manager Bill Guerin’s right-hand man as well as the club’s chief contract negotiator.

CBS SPORTS: Speaking of the Wild, they placed defenseman Jonas Brodin (upper body) on long-term injury reserve.

THE ATHLETIC: Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis yesterday announced plans to move his club (and the NBA’s Washington Wizards) from downtown Washington to a new arena in Northern Virginia by 2028, pending legislative approval.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As noted yesterday, the new arena would be 20 minutes away from their current location in the Capital One Arena, which has been home to the Capitals and Wizards since 1997-98.

TSN: The NHL recently announced the skills competition for the 2024 All-Star Game will be modified to showcase 12 players competing for points across eight different events, with the winner receiving a $1 million prize.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 12, 2023

by | Dec 12, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – December 12, 2023

The latest on the Canucks, some possible Canadiens trade bait, and an update on Blues winger Jakub Vrana in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON THE CANUCKS

SPORTSNET: Iain MacIntyre reports Vancouver Canucks president Jim Rutherford said his club won’t lock itself into a long-term position on Andrei Kuzmenko as trade speculation swirls around the struggling winger.

MacIntyre’s colleague Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday that clubs have inquired about Kuzmenko, whose 39-goal performance last season earned him a two-year, $11 million contract. He’s struggled this season, seeing his playing time reduced and was scratched from two games in late November.

Vancouver Canucks forward Andrei Kuzmenko (NHL Images).

Rutherford insists his club will keep an open mind about Kuzmenko in the hope that the coaching staff can improve his all-around play. Head coach Rick Tocchet recently indicated he wants the winger to forecheck more and compete for pucks rather than have his teammates get them for him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks made that two-year commitment to Kuzmenko because of his scoring last season. However, as Friedman pointed out over the weekend, they’re also looking to free up salary-cap space. If Kuzmenko remains in Tocchet’s doghouse, they could pay more serious attention to those trade inquiries.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston believes the Canucks are out of the bidding for Ethan Bear. They’d hoped to bring back the free-agent defenseman but their salary-cap constraints could price them out of the market for his services. The Washington Capitals appear to be the front-runners.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We could learn by some point this week where Bear will play the remainder of this season.

POSSIBLE CANADIENS TRADE BAIT

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: recently noted that Canadiens goaltenders Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau sat fourth and fifth respectively on TSN’s latest Trade Bait listing. Versatile center Sean Monahan is ninth and defenseman Mike Matheson is 20th.

Regarding Allen and Primeau, Marc Dumont listed the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings as possible suitors for one or the other.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All four clubs are believed to be monitoring the trade market for depth between the pipes. The Hurricanes and Devils may have the more pressing need as they’ve slipped out of playoff positions in the Eastern Conference.

The Oilers were very much shopping around for goaltending help in November. However, their recent seven-game win streak (in part due to improved play from their current goalie tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard) could reduce their level of urgency to address that issue.

The Kings, meanwhile, are rolling along well thus far with veteran Cam Talbot though backup Pheonix Copley has struggled at times this season. They could be content to stick with their current tandem for the time being.

Whether any of those teams make a pitch for Allen or Primeau remains to be seen.

WHAT NEXT FOR VRANA?

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford reports St. Louis Blues winger Jakub Vrana is in limbo after first being told he would be placed on waivers on Monday and then not having that come to pass.

Rutherford explains the Blues “are looking at every avenue in terms of how to part ways with Vrana, including the possibility of a trade.”

Acquired from the Detroit Red Wings before the March trade deadline, Vrana scored 10 goals in the final 20 games of the season. However, he’s been unable to replicate that performance this season. The 27-year-old winger has two goals and six points in 19 games and was a healthy scratch in eight contests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It appears Vrana’s days with the Blues are numbered. While he has a $5.25 million cap hit for this season (the final one of his contract), the Red Wings retained half of it to facilitate his trade to the Blues last season.

At $2.625 million, perhaps a club seeking scoring might take a chance on Vrana. So far, however, there don’t seem to be any takers. As Rutherford observes, Vrana has terrific speed and a great shot but doesn’t use either asset that effectively plus he’s a defensive liability at even strength.