NHL Rumor Mill – June 19, 2024
Check out the latest on Jacob Markstrom, Jake Guentzel, Jeff Skinner, and Tyler Toffoli plus an update on the Senators in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
MARKSTROM NEVER ASKED FOR A TRADE, SAYS CONROY
SPORTSNET: Calgary Flames general manager Craig Conroy told Eric Francis that Jacob Markstrom has not asked to be traded.
“He’s never come out and said he wants out,” said Conroy. “That’s never been mentioned. He’s never said that.”
Markstrom has two years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $6 million. He also has a full no-movement clause.
Conroy also claimed that he’s bothered by the constant trade speculation about Markstrom. “It’s part of the game, but it does bother me because there’s always something about there.” He went on to say he felt it wasn’t fair to Markstrom.
Calgary Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom (NHL Images).
Francis believes Markstrom would like to end up with the New Jersey Devils. Without options, however, it’s clear the Flames won’t part with their starting goalie for what the Devils are willing to offer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Markstrom may not have requested a trade but there were plenty of reports in February that he was willing to waive his NMC to join the Devils. A deal that would’ve sent him to New Jersey before the March trade deadline reportedly fell through.
Francis believes the trade speculation about Markstrom will continue leading up to the NHL draft next weekend. He’s also been linked to the Los Angeles Kings, Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs.
CANUCKS TO PURSUE JAKE GUENTZEL VIA FREE AGENCY?
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli expects the Vancouver Canucks will make a strong play for Jake Guentzel when the free-agent market opens on July 1.
Seravalli cited sources that believe the Canucks could offer Guentzel the best mix of money and opportunity. There’s also a familiarity the 29-year-old winger has with Canucks management and head coach Rick Tocchet. President of hockey ops Jim Rutherford, GM Patrik Allvin and Tocchet were part of the Pittsburgh Penguins during Guentzel’s early years with that franchise.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This story appears to have been published before the Canucks signed Filip Hronek to an eight-year contract extension with an AAV of $7.25 million. Allvin admitted Hronek’s new deal meant the Canucks wouldn’t be able to re-sign all of their remaining free agents.
The Canucks have $17.7 million in cap space and 15 active roster players under contract for 2024-25. Signing Guentzel could run between $8.5 million and $9.5 million annually on a long-term deal. They can’t comfortably afford that unless they free up additional cap space.
COULD THE SABRES BUY OUT JEFF SKINNER?
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the Buffalo Sabres could consider buying out the remainder of Jeff Skinner’s contract. The 32-year-old winger carries an AAV of $9 million through 2026-27 and is coming off a down year. It would be at two-thirds the remaining value over twice the remaining term.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A buyout would be costly given how Skinner’s contract is structured. The first season would count as $1.444 million against the Sabres cap. However, it jumps to $4.444 million in 2025-26 and $6.444 million in 2026-27 before dropping to $2.444 million per season for the remaining three years.
The salary cap is expected to significantly rise. That could provide some relief for the two seasons where the cost of the buyout spikes.
The buyout window opens 48 hours after the completion of the Stanley Cup Final and closes at 5 pm ET on June 30.
COULD THE RANGERS HAVE AN INTEREST IN TYLER TOFFOLI?
THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh recently reported his belief that the New York Rangers looked at Tyler Toffoli before the March trade deadline. The New Jersey Devils traded the 32-year-old winger to the Winnipeg Jets.
Baugh expects Toffoli is looking for one last chance to win the Stanley Cup, suggesting he could fetch a four-year contract with an AAV of $5 million. “The Rangers could find a way to make that work, but they’d probably need to clear some cap space via trades.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That could explain why the Rangers placed Goodrow on waivers for the purpose of a contract buyout or a potential claim by the San Jose Sharks Stay tuned…
LATEST ON THE SENATORS
OTTAWA CITIZEN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators are exploring a two-year contract for Shane Pinto. The Sens would prefer signing him to a five- or six-year deal. Pinto’s agent reportedly seeks a long-term contract with an AAV of $5 million. The two sides could instead consider a lower cap hit on a shorter deal.
Garrioch also reports a league executive claims the Senators have had talks with the Seattle Kraken regarding Brandon Tanev. The 32-year-old Kraken forward could play a third or fourth-line role with the Senators. However, they’d have to move out Mathieu Joseph’s $2.95 million cap hit to make room for Tanev.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The addition of Brandon could entice his brother Chris to sign with the Senators. Before the Flames traded him to the Dallas Stars, they were reportedly interested in acquiring him.
Boy, Guentzel is going to be a big big signing for someone in next couple weeks. So underrated. Probably comes in at 5 years around 9.5 too…
Rumor – Jake Guentzel wants long term deal averaging at least 10 million per season. Dark Horses sign Guentzel are Blackhawks and Avalanche. Keep in mind Guentzel gets injured often – fragile player.
Speed Kills * Sam…I think you are both right I’m guessing $ 9 million X 7. Guentzel is both good and underated but also fragile too !!
As a diehard Penguins fans hated to see him go but Dubas got a solid return.
Bunting fit in very well 19 goals 55 points he will get 25 with a full year in Pittsburgh.
Ponomarev is young will be in the bottom six next year had a goal and a assist in his only nhl call up game with Carolina
Koivunen is a 20 year old speedy winger lighting up the Swedish league
and a 2nd round pick..
Guentzel had to go so got younger, more physical.
Rutherford is salivating in Vancouver
Anyone know what happened to Pengy???
Sign Pinto the 5 X 5 and get it done!
Why does Garrioch say the Sens are looking into signing Pinto to a two year contract although they prefer signing him to a five or six year contract and, in case you’re wondering, Pinto’s camp favours a multi year deal as well….does he get paid by the word count or need to hit a count? Truly Pulitzer prize journalism.
If you read the article, you would understand that Garrioch thinks that Sens doesn’t want to pay Pinto $5M per year, and maybe Pinto would agree for less if it was for 2 years.
He reads everything the way he thinks it should read.
Also, Pinto’s foray into on-line gambling – in direct violation of league rules – cost the team 41 games of his service. I doubt Staios or the owner are interested in playing footsy with him – here’s what we’re offering … you don’t like it, your option is to sit.
The Bruins have been interested in Toffoli for awhile, I think they make a big run at him
Toffoli would be a nice Bruins addition or Elias Lindholm would be good too. On the trade front, with Markstrom now traded to the Devils, the Bruins have a clear shot at Chychrun because now needs a top goalie who is available and that would be Ullmark. Their salaries are similar and this trade would give the Bruins the deepest defensive unit in the nhl. The only snag to the trade would be if Ottawa is on Ullmark no -trade list.
Iv never once seen anything about the Bruins wanting him.hes not a fit or what they need imo
Toffoli was at Jake Evans wedding in Ireland this past weekend, he only spent 2 years in Montreal and has been with three teams since.
He and his wife, Cat are frequently in Montreal during the summers and apparently have close ties with the young guys even keeping in touch during the season.
I think Hughes might make a run at him.
HabFan, Toffoli loved Montreal and Montreal loved having him. But he’s 32 years old and doesn’t fit into the rebuild. This is his last chance for a big contract and he’ll probably want 5 years. By the time the Habs are ready to contend, that contract will be a burden.
Wow. I like the mention that San Jose may want to claim Barclay Goodrow off waivers from NY. It would be great to have him in the line up again!
If nobody claims goodrow maybe a reeves for goodrow makes sense? NYR can put reeves in the minors and leafs need goodrow’s playoff performances.
So Goodrow was claimed by SJ. Rangers now have close to 13m in cap space. Approx 6m will go to signing Lindgren and Schneider, which brings roster to 19. Apparently SJ and NY had this planned. Happy they weren’t buying him out. Curious now what’s next for Rangers. Could a trade be coming to get a top RW or create room to sign one?
Markstrom to the Devils . I like Bahl.
Even though Toffoli has had a few good years in the goal scoring department, he appears to be too slow in the skating department.
He certainly has up and down years, 31 goals in 82 games for LA, then 16 in 63, 24 in 82 then 31 in his next 140 games with LA.
28 in 52 with Montreal, then 9 in 37 the following year.
That’s followed by 11 in 37 with Calgary, then 34 in 82 with Calgary.
Last year 33 in 79 between NJ and WPG.
At 32 years old, he won’t be getting any faster. It would be a waste of money for MTL to sign him at his age, considering they are in a re-build. That’s just my opinion of course.
Dave,
Toffoli doesn’t appear to fit into the “young Habs” rebuild based on speed BUT he is one of those guys who’s game isn’t built on speed, it’s on situational awareness and being where the puck is going to be.
Kind of like Perry moving in slo-mo but being right there for McDavid set up in front of the net last night.
There are some players who have such a high hockey IQ that lack of footspeed is irrelevant.
We’ll see.
So the signing of Hronek means Lindholm is out right?
Pld traded to capitals!!?!? Ain’t nobody unmovable.