NHL Trade Roundup: Reviewing the Deals Last Week
NHL Trade Roundup: Reviewing the Deals Last Week
Blackhawks Trade Saad to Avs for Zadorov, Leafs Trade Johnsson to Devils
Blackhawks Trade Saad to Avs for Zadorov, Leafs Trade Johnsson to Devils
NBC Sports Chicago’s Charlie Roumeliotis reports the Blackhawks traded winger Brandon Saad and defenseman Dennis Gilbert to the Colorado Avalanche for defensemen Nikita Zadorov and Anton Lindholm.
Chicago Blackhawks trade Brandon Saad to the Colorado Avalanche (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’ S NOTE: The Blackhawks are also retaining $1 million of Saad $6 million salary-cap hit for 2020-21.
This move should take the Avalanche out of the bidding for unrestricted free agent left wing Taylor Hall. Saad, 26, will skate on left wing on the Avs’ second line. He’s a former two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Blackhawks who tallied 20-plus goals in five of the last six seasons, including 21 in 58 games last season. Saad is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Gilbert, 23, is a physical defenseman who split last season between the Blackhawks and their AHL affiliate. He’s in the third year of his entry-level deal at a more affordable $925k, far cheaper than what it would’ve cost the Avs to re-sign Zadorov, a restricted free agent coming off a one-year, $3.2-million contract. Whether he’ll earn a full-time role with the Avs remains to be seen.
The 6-foot-6, 235-pound Zadorov will bring size and physicality to the Blackhawks’ blueline. Cap Friendly reports he’s already agreed to a one-year. $3.2 million deal with the Hawks. Lindholm, 25, spent parts of the past four season between the Avs and their minor-league affiliate.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports the Toronto Maple Leafs traded forward Andreas Johnsson to the New Jersey Devils for forward Joey Anderson.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman’s colleague Chris Johnston reports the Devils are acquiring Johnsson’s full $3.4 million annual average value through 2022-23. Anderson, 22, is a restricted free agent who played 52 games over the last two seasons with the Devils.
This is an obvious salary dump by the Leafs to clear cap space following yesterday’s signings of T.J. Brodie and Wayne Simmonds. The Leafs were above the $81.5 million cap by over $1 million following those signings. This will provide some additional cap space but they could need a little more to re-sign Anderson and fellow restricted free agents Travis Dermott and Ilya Mikheyev.
Johnsson will provide some much-needed depth to the Devils’ forward lines. While the 25-year-old winger was hampered by injury last season, he’s a good skater with a decent scoring touch. He tallied 20 goals and 43 points as a rookie in 2018-19.
NHL Rumor Mill – October 6, 2020
NHL Rumor Mill – October 6, 2020
The first round of the 2020 NHL Draft begins at 7 pm ET. Check out all the latest trade speculation in today’s rumor mill.
LATEST ON THE LIGHTNING
TSN: Bob McKenzie reports the Tampa Bay Lightning aim to be aggressive in the trade market to offload some salary. He’s heard only four players – Andrei Vasilevskiy, Victor Hedman, Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov – are considered unavailable/untouchable. He also assumes the same goes for restricted free agents Anthony Cirelli, Mikhail Sergachev and Erik Cernak.
Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos (NHL Images).
McKenzie noted the absence of Steven Stamkos from the untouchables list. It doesn’t guarantee the Lightning captain gets traded but it’s possible, though he feels Stamkos’ health could be a factor.
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the Lightning have approached Tyler Johnson’s representatives about a possible move. The 30-year-old forward has a full no-trade clause but LeBrun believes general manager Julien BriseBois and Johnson’s agent, J.P. Barry, want to work together to find an amicable solution.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cap Friendly indicates Stamkos has a full no-movement clause and an $8.5 million annual cap hit through 2023-24. Throw in his injury history and I’ll be surprised if he’s traded.
Johnson could be agreeable to waiving his no-trade clause but his $5 million annual average value through 2023-24 could be hard to move. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t be surprised if BriseBois got some inquiries about Johnson from a couple of clubs, thus prompting his reaching out to the forward’s agent. Whether Johnson will agree to a trade is another matter.
LATEST COYOTES SPECULATION
McKenzie also cited colleague Darren Dreger reporting sources claiming the Arizona Coyotes are shopping Taylor Hall’s rights. The 28-year-old left winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on Oct. 9. McKenzie also wonders if the St. Louis Blues will make a final attempt to re-sign defenseman Alex Pietrangelo before Oct. 9.
SPORTSNET: Chris Johnston reports word out of Buffalo is the Sabres have interested in Nick Schmaltz. The Arizona Coyotes center has six years remaining on his contract with an annual salary-cap hit of $5.85 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Looks like Hall has played his final game with the Coyotes. That’s not surprising given their limited cap space and Hall’s likely desire to play for a contender. As for Schmaltz, I don’t think the Coyotes are keen to move him but that could depend on what a team like the Sabres could be offering.
LATEST LEAFS CHATTER
TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan reports Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas doesn’t intend to trade goaltender Frederik Andersen. Recent speculation linked the Leafs to Pittsburgh Penguins netminder Matt Murray. Dubas spent the past several weeks assuring Andersen no deal was imminent. Meanwhile, Lance Hornby reports Dubas has made adding more grit to the Leafs lineup a priority.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andersen wasn’t going anywhere unless Dubas could find a goalie of equal or greater value. It would be foolish to trade him if they can’t land someone who can carry them on a deep playoff run.
UPDATE ON JOSH ANDERSON
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun wonders if the Columbus Blue Jackets will attempt to move Josh Anderson before the first round of the draft kicks off tonight. There’s been no progress in contract talks with the restricted free agent winger. It’s assumed Anderson might fetch a first-round pick in a trade, though the Jackets would prefer landing a top-two center. LeBrun wondered if Montreal’s Max Domi might interest them.
SPORTSNET: Chris Johnston reports the Canadiens and Calgary Flames are among the clubs interested in Anderson. He also said the Jackets are considering offers for defenseman David Savard.
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports Anderson could be a trade target for the Rangers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Interested parties could ask the Blue Jackets to speak to Anderson’s agent about a new contract. They probably don’t want to have the hassle of a possible salary arbitration with a player they just acquired.
Domi-for-Anderson? Maybe a move that makes sense for two players that could benefit from a change of scenery but that doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a fit there for either club.
IN OTHER RUMORS…
Pierre LeBrun reports talks between the Philadelphia Flyers and Winnipeg Jets regarding Jets winger Patrik Laine seemed to cool over the weekend. The Carolina Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets could also be interested.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets are reportedly seeking a second-line center and a top-two defenseman. GM Kevin Cheveldayoff said he’s considering all his options. That doesn’t mean Laine’s going to be traded. Yes, it could happen, but the asking price will be significant, perhaps too expensive for most clubs to bear.
Defenseman Alec Martinez and center Paul Stastny could become trade options for the Vegas Golden Knights. Wingers Jonathan Marchessault and Max Pacioretty have been mentioned to LeBrun but he said there’s no clear indication from his Vegas source that the Golden Knights would move either guy.
Bob McKenzie reports Henrik Lundqvist cannot formalize a new contract until Oct. 9, when he’ll officially become an unrestricted free agent. The New York Rangers last week bought out the final season of the 38-year-old goaltender’s contract. The Washington Capitals are said to be the front-runners for Lundqvist’s services.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators GM Pierre Dorion hasn’t received an offer yet that would convince him to part with the fifth-overall pick in tonight’s draft.
Garrioch also listed Pittsburgh’s Matt Murray, Vegas’ Marc-Andre Fleury and Columbus’ Elvis Merzlikins or Joonas Korpisalo as possible goaltending trade targets for the Senators. Free-agent options could include Vancouver’s Jacob Markstrom, Washington’s Braden Holtby, Chicago Corey Crawford, Dallas’ Anton Khudobin, Detroit’s Jimmy Howard and Edmonton’s Mike Smith.
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Adrian Dater reports Avalanche trade talks are heating up, though it could take until the end of the week before a deal gets done. He’s hearing Nikita Zadorov’s name coming up in trade rumors. The 25-year-old defenseman is a restricted free agent. Dater claims there have been no contract discussions with the Avs. Center Tyson Jost and winger Valeri Nichushkin have also surfaced recently in the rumor mill.
NHL Offseason Lookahead – Colorado Avalanche
NHL Offseason Lookahead – Colorado Avalanche
NHL Rumor Mill – July 1, 2020
NHL Rumor Mill – July 1, 2020
Which players could the Devils pursue in the off-season? Check out the latest in today’s NHL rumor mill.
THE ATHLETIC (subscription required): In a recent mailbag segment, Corey Masisak was asked if he saw the New Jersey Devils signing any big-name free agents or try to pull off any offer sheets in the off-season. He doesn’t see them going the offer-sheet route because they don’t have their second-round pick in 2021.
Masisak doesn’t rule out anything regarding free agent signings because we don’t know what the market will look like. If prices remain the same for a typical year, he doesn’t expect the Devils to be a factor with stars like St. Louis’ Alex Pietrangelo, Boston’s Torey Krug, Washington’s Braden Holtby, or Vancouver’s Jacob Markstrom. He also doesn’t see them bringing back winger Taylor Hall.
Could the New Jersey Devils pursue Florida Panthers winger Evgenii Dadonov via free agency? (Photo via NHL Images)
Regarding their potential UFAs in 2021, Masisak expects they’ll try to re-sign Kyle Palmieri, Nikita Gusev, and Travis Zajac.
NJ.COM: Randy Miller cites Devils TV analyst Steve Cangialosi suggesting Florida Panthers winger Evgenii Dadonov could be a fit. He’s averaged 27 goals and 61 points over the past three seasons and would be reunited with former KHL teammate Nikita Gusev. Dadonov won’t be cheap, as Miller speculates Philadelphia Flyers forward Kevin Hayes (seven years, $50 million) could be comparable.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hanging over all of this is the uncertainty over who will be the Devils general manager when the off-season finally begins. They could remove the interim label from Tom Fitzgerald, or hire a more experienced replacement.
Whoever is sitting in the GM’s chair probably won’t pursue any big-ticket talent regardless of the market. Those players cited by Masisak could prefer signing with playoff contenders. The Devils would have to overpay for their services.
That doesn’t mean the Devils won’t be active in the UFA market. With $55.2 million invested in 13 players for 2020-21 (stick tap to Cap Friendly), they have room to re-sign RFAs like Mackenzie Blackwood and Jesper Bratt and sign a UFA or two, but I expect they’ll seek affordable second-tier talent.
Masisak also recently examined the risky trade options to improve the Devils’ defense. They included Anaheim’s Cam Fowler, Boston’s Brandon Carlo, Buffalo’s Rasmus Ristolainen, and Colorado’s Nikita Zadorov.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Masisak has also looked at solid blueline targets for the Devils, including Anaheim’s Josh Manson, Calgary’s T.J. Brodie, Columbus’ David Savard, Tampa Bay’s Mikhail Sergachev, and St. Louis’ Vince Dunn.
Considering the difficulty the Devils could face landing one of those rearguards, they could be forced to consider riskier options. I doubt Fowler or Carlo will be available, and Ristolainen no longer seems a trade candidate for the Sabres. Zadorov is a possibility, though it wouldn’t surprise me if the Avs decide to keep him.
That’s not to say the Devils can’t acquire any one of those players. However, the asking prices could be more than they’re willing to spend.
NHL Rumor Mill – May 21, 2020
NHL Rumor Mill – May 21, 2020
The latest on the Canadiens and an update on Tyson Barrie in today’s NHL rumor mill.
LATEST CANADIENS SPECULATION
SPORTSNET: In his latest mailbag segment, Eric Engels was asked what he thought Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin was doing in Colorado before the Feb. 24 trade deadline. Avalanche GM Joe Sakic dismissed the speculation at the time, pointing out Bergevin’s daughter attends Colorado University, but Engels indicated that didn’t explain why Canadiens’ assistant GM Scott Mellanby accompanied him on that trip.
Montreal Canadiens center Max Domi (Photo via NHL Images).
Engels believes something was brewing between the two clubs before the deadline, though he’s not certain what might’ve been discussed. “What I would say, however, is that some seeds were likely planted and we could see something materialize between these teams at some point this off-season,” he said. “There are multiple scenarios that make them good trading partners.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bergevin’s visit to Colorado sparked plenty of wild speculation before the trade deadline. Canadiens like Tomas Tatar, Phillip Danault, Jeff Petry, Max Domi, Jonathan Drouin, and even Carey Price were bandied about in the rumor mill, while Philipp Grubauer, Tyson Jost, Samuel Girard, Ryan Graves, and Nikita Zadorov were mentioned as potential Avs trade candidates.
Maybe the Canadiens and Avalanche will hammer out a major deal before next season, or maybe their rumored trade talks in February will come to nothing. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Asked about the possibility of the Canadiens bringing back Mikhail Sergachev by signing the Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman to an offer sheet, Engels thinks it would be too expensive, perhaps costing around $8 million annually plus the loss of a first, a second, and a third-round pick as compensation if the Bolts didn’t match. Instead, the Habs could keep an eye on which players the Lightning might shop in a cost-cutting deal to free up the cap room to re-sign Sergachev.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sergachev would have to be receptive to signing an offer sheet in the first place. If he isn’t, it’s a waste of time pursuing that plan. As Engels points out, the Habs could instead look at acquiring someone like Ondrej Palat, Alex Killorn, Yanni Gourde, or Tyler Johnson if the Bolts put one of them on the trade block. Those four, however, have no-trade protection, meaning one of them would have to agree to be traded to Montreal.
Engels was asked about the long-term futures of Domi and Tatar in Montreal. He feels if Domi, a restricted free agent, was trending toward a one-year deal before the season was paused, it’s difficult to imagine he’ll get a longer-term offer now. Tatar, a UFA next summer, may have been on his way to pricing himself out of Montreal, but a flat cap beyond next season could make it difficult for him to get that type of deal. Engels likes the chances of both staying in Montreal next season.
BARRIE FACES UNCERTAIN FUTURE
THE SCORE: Matt Teague reports Tyson Barrie admitted he’s facing uncertainty following this season. The Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman is slated to become an unrestricted free agent, but the current pause of the schedule means it’s yet to be determined when he’ll be heading to market. “It’s a weird time to be heading into free agency,” Barrie said, adding his current focus is on helping the Leafs make a playoff run whenever this season resumes.
Regarding possible destinations as a free agent, Barrie indicated he’ll be seeking a team looking for a defenseman with his skills. “A good team headed in the right direction and a good organization,” he said. “I think there’s a lot of right organizations that tick those boxes.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Vancouver Canucks could be one of those clubs. Barrie was born in Victoria, BC, and makes his off-season home there. He was linked to the Canucks before the trade deadline. He could be a fit as a right-side defenseman if they part ways with Chris Tanev or Troy Stecher in the off-season.