NHL Rumor Mill – June 20, 2024
A look at the offseason goalie market after Jacob Markstrom and Darcy Kuemper were traded yesterday plus updates on Leon Draisaitl, Jake Guentzel, Jake DeBrusk and Patrik Laine in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHAT DOES THE GOALIE MARKET LOOK LIKE WITHOUT MARKSTROM AND KUEMPER?
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Andrew Fantucchio believes all eyes are on Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark with Jacob Markstrom and Darcy Kuemper off the trade market. Markstrom was traded to the New Jersey Devils while Kuemper was shipped to the Los Angeles Kings.
Finding a market for Ullmark could become difficult with the Devils and Kings no longer interested. The Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators remain, with the Hurricanes listening to offers for winger Martin Necas. The Senators are said to be willing to move their 2024 first-round pick and defenseman Jakob Chychrun.
Ullmark has a 16-team no-trade list that becomes a 15-team list on July 1. He has a year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $5 million.
TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos believes Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving must get moving to find a suitable starting netminder now that Markstrom is no longer available.
This year’s free-agent market is a weak one for goaltenders. The Leafs can’t take chances on career backups like Anthony Stolarz or Laurent Brossoit.
Ullmark and Jusse Saros of the Nashville Predators are among the goalies drawing interest in the trade market. Both have a year left on their contracts with cap hits of $5 million.
TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan doesn’t see the Bruins trading Ullmark to a playoff rival like the Leafs. Instead, he believes they could send him to the Senators.
Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (NHL Images).
Koshan also doesn’t buy into the scenario of the Leafs trading Mitch Marner to Nashville for Saros. He pointed out that Marner intends to play the final year of his contract with Toronto. New Leafs head coach Craig Berube welcomes the opportunity to work with the 27-year-old winger.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports league sources claim the Senators have circled back to Ullmark after failing to land Markstrom. Those sources also said the talks between the two clubs have intensified.
The Senators were interested in Ullmark before the March trade deadline. However, they couldn’t get a deal in place with the Bruins at that time. The Bruins aren’t interested in taking on Joonas Korpisalo in return because they can’t afford the remaining four years of his contract. However, they might be willing to take Anton Forsberg and his $2.75 million cap hit for 2024-25.
A league executive suggested to Garrioch that it could cost the Senators their 2024 first-round pick and defenseman Jakob Chychrun to get Ullmark from the Bruins. That depends on whether the Senators are on his no-trade list.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators are better positioned to bid for Ullmark than the Maple Leafs. Treliving might have to shift his attention to Saros, but Predators GM Barry Trotz is reportedly discussing a contract extension with the 29-year-old netminder.
Speaking of the Senators, The Hockey News’ Steve Warne cited TSN’s Travis Yost reporting the Senators and Philadelphia Flyers have the framework of a trade in place. He thinks it might not be finalized until closer to the draft, scheduled for June 28-29 in Las Vegas.
Yost provided no specifics regarding the deal and how big it might be. Chychrun could be part of that if Ottawa is shopping him. It won’t involve a goaltender as the Flyers have none to spare that would interest the Senators. Maybe the Senators are trying to flog Korpisalo to the Flyers to make room for Ullmark. Stay tuned…
THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said he has no intention of trading or buying out Elvis Merzlikins.
Merzlikins raised headlines in January when he said he requested a trade only to have his agent claim his client misspoke. By the end of the season, it was assumed he’d played his final game with the Blue Jackets.
Waddell took over as Blue Jackets GM last month. He wants to give Merlizkins another chance to establish himself as their starting goaltender.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Merzlikins’ unhappiness stemmed from being relegated to third-stringer for several weeks in December and early January. Waddell’s firing of head coach Pascal Vincent could provide Merzlikins with additional motivation.
UPDATES ON LEON DRAISAITL, JAKE GUENTZEL AND JAKE DEBRUSK
TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos reports hearing no meaningful contract talks have taken place and no numbers have been exchanged between the Edmonton Oilers and Leon Draisaitl. Those negotiations could begin following the Stanley Cup Final.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Any earlier discussions between the two camps were preliminary, likely gauging both sides’ willingness to talk about an extension. That should be expected considering the Oilers are still in the Stanley Cup Final.
The Chicago Blackhawks could attempt to sign Jake Guentzel as an unrestricted free agent on July 1. They want to alleviate the pressure off Connor Bedard and appear the most willing to meet Guentzel’s anticipated asking price of $63 million. They can also offer him an opportunity to play closer to his home in Minnesota.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That anticipated asking price breaks down to $9 million annually on a seven-year deal. Playing alongside the promising Bedard could also be tempting for Guentzel.
Kypreos claims there’s word the Maple Leafs could be interested in Jake DeBrusk.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman said he’s been told by a few people that the Seattle Kraken could have Patrik Laine on their radar.
Laine’s camp recently met with Blue Jackets management where they mutually agreed to look into a trade. Friedman cited the Kraken’s need to add more scoring and believes they can afford to take on the winger’s contract.
Laine has two years left on his deal with an annual average value of $8.7 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kraken have a projected cap space of $22.5 million. They’ve got 16 active roster players under contract with restricted free agents Matty Beniers and Eeli Tolvanen to re-sign. There’s room to add Laine depending on the cost of Beniers and Tolvanen.
They could garner more cap space if they bought out goaltender Philipp Grubauer. However, Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times indicated Kraken GM Ron Francis isn’t planning any buyouts at this point.
the obvious is a deal with Necas for Ullmark included
I agree with you, however there is a need to clear out Andersen if this happens. Clearing out Andersen after this trade will have a negative return.
how about morgan geekie and Ullmark for necas
Ullmark for Chychrun
Korpi and a 3rd for Atkinson
Petterson bought out
Just a thought but if Staois trades a first and Chychrun for Ullmark he should be fired on the spot…I really don’t have much confidence in Staois after missing out on Patrick Roy for Ottawa coaching job
I agree Don O Ray … but I seriously doubt he doles out Chychrun AND a 1st for Ullmark. That sort of unlikely returns is what we hear from wishful-thinking Boston fan blogs
That wouldn’t be a horrible trade if, and big if, they take Korpi’s contract back. Sens would hopefully be shopping their 25th instead of their 7th.
Not sure the Kings are entirely out of an Ullmark deal. Maybe the trade for Keumper was to ensure they had an NHL calibre backup goalie to include in a deal with Boston.
Swayman and Keumper would be a very solid pairing in the Bruins net.
As for the other pieces of any deal, who knows?
Bank it! DeBrusk to Edmonton.
Why don’t the Kings just buy out Kemper now?
You can not go into next season with Rittich and Copley.
Ullmark has stated he wants to stay in the eastern time zone. What’s the difference between Sens and Leafs same divisional rival ?
Buyout window could be Thursday prior to the draft and 4 days prior to free agency . Feels a little rushed
The difference is the Bruins will only face one of those teams mentioned in the postseason….at least so far that’s the case.
As a Bruins fan, I have to objection of Sweeney trading Ullmark to Toronto if that’s were he can get the best deal.
You’re betting on Swayman so where Ullmark plays doesn’t matter.
However the player i would want of Toronto, I don’t believe the leafs would do and that is Matthew Knies.
caper, from a Leafs fan perspective, you are correct.
Matthew Knies reminds me a lot of Gary Roberts when he wore the Leafs.
If Knies matures into anything resembling Roberts, he’ll be what this team has been missing for over a decade. Speed, toughness (of the crash and bang variety), willingness to to drop the gloves, and can score, and I believe he’s 6’3″.
Chicago should be trying to strike while they have these young up n comers on elcs.
they are still growing, don’t see them signing a 30 y/o winger like Guetzel. They tried and failed with Hall, who continued to get hurt every season.
More likely they’ll trade for a younger player like Necas to grow with the young core. Maybe they could swing a 3-way trade for him including their picks/prospects.
Maybe they bring back Terevainen on a short term deal in the interim.
I think teams are generally too timid with the rebuild process. By the time they are ready their stars are on second or third contracts and eatyup most of the cap space.
Boston passing PLD…. when they have one asset. risk of PLD never reaching potential again is big
it’s a motivation to play issue for PLD. Not sure if Marchand would be a mentor for him, would have been better to bring him in when Bergeron/Krejci were still around to get the kid to mature
His motivation left loooong before he was signed to that insane 8.5 or 8.7 million-dollar contract. Now that he’s getting paid, I’m sure all the mentoring in the world won’t help.
If you can’t even find motivation playing with Kopitar, you’re not going to find it playing with Bergeron.
Ullmark for PLD would’ve made alot more sense for the Kings.
But clearly,Ullmark refused to waive his NTC or Bos seriously doesn’t want PLD based on “potential”!
Would the Sens be crazy enough to give up Pinto for Ullmark??
They’re stuck down the middle with Norris and Stutzle. But Pinto appears to be the needle pusher of the three.
no chance that a goalie, a year away from free agency, is getting traded for a young player already in the NHL. look at the recent goalie trades
no chance the B’s get Necas or Pinto, they’ll be happy to get cap space back and a pick (I’m thinking a 2nd rounder, due to his free agency)
What about the Pens with Jarry for him
Calgary just got a first AND a 4/5 defenseman for a guy older and not as good. Even if he has two years left on his contract, he will be 36 when it expires. Ullmark gets a better return!
Arnie, with the ever-existing concern about the shoulder woes of their # 1 C, Josh Norris, I really doubt Staios is even thinking about moving Pinto.
With a healthy Norris at # 1 C, Stuzle at # 2, and Ridly Greig perfectly capable of slotting in at # 3 C then, yes, Pinto could well have been a trade candidate for the right return. But with all signs pointing to Norris being a chronic situation, that is not going to happen – at least until Norris shows he can get through a season without going back on LTIR for yet another bout of surgery.
I put more credence in this rumor from The Hockey News involving Ottawa and Philadelphia
https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/ottawa-senators/latest-news/report-ottawa-senators-have-framework-of-trade-in-place-with-philadelphia-flyers
Exactly. But I highly doubt Boston would want Chychrun. Lohrei is legit. They’re looking for help down the middle.
I agree there – I was really impressed with that big kid’s play in the playoffs … Boston has a budding gem there.
Grieg for Ullmark then?
Nooooo,
It wouldn’t be a surprise in the least to see Sweeney pivot from Ullmark to Sway …goalies are close in play Sway being younger would bring back a much bigger return …
The leafs will do nothing until they have signed 2 stud free agent defencemen.
but who? don’t think Tanev is the savior at this age, Leafs have tried bringing in aging dmen (Giordano are others) only for it to fail. Doubt OTT would trade Chychrun to their rival.
Tanev had a nice fit in DAL and should try to stay there. Don’t get why he would want to go to OTT, even if they acquire his brother. Sens may have potential but always seem to fall short
That is the question mikeP. List is below. Not many “studs” on there, but some good players.
Usually the higher end UFA’s get more than they’re worth for longer than they should. Bargains are found after the “frenzy”, but generally depth guys.
Demand will be high for the good ones, teams always looking for more D.
https://www.capfriendly.com/browse/free-agents/2025/caphit/all/defense/ufa?stats-season=2024
mikeP, I sure can’t argue the point about Ottawa always falling short … Hell, they’ve done just that for 7 seasons now.
So I really hope that, IF Staios is truly pursuing Tanev that he says “no thanks” because, while I admire his gutsy. shot-blocking, heavy hitting approach to the game, that approach has also landed him on the IR far too frequently for my taste.
We already went through that a few years past with Anton Volchenkov.
This article from The Hockey News says these 6 players have probably played their last game in Ottawa which, if true, points to a for 25% roster make-over
https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/ottawa-senators/latest-news/six-ottawa-senator-regulars-who-may-have-already-played-their-final-game-in-ottawa
Travis Hamonic; Eric Brannstrom; Dominik Kubalik; Mathieu Joseph; Jakob Chychrun, Anton Forsberg
This pretty much correlates to what has been tossed around in here the past few weeks, with the only one I’d hate to see go being Joseph.
Another I wouldn’t mind seeing go elsewhere is Drake Batherson – for the right return.
George, agreed. I feel like Joseph has shown his worth. Not sure I feel the same way you do about Batherson though. Without tarensenko, we are looking thin on the wings. I felt as though Batherson really stepped up his game in the second half of the season. I thing Yeo can help him with his defensive liabilities. Now if we could get him off the books for some picks and use the cap space to pick up Marchesault…now there’s a situation I could be persuaded on.
That I would love to see, Owen.
Batherson, to this observer anyway, engages in far too much coasting/floating away from the puck. Something like -57 for his career to date.
But I also agree that, in upcoming deals – possibly including one of their 2 1st round picks – especially the 7th if the return is right – Staios needs to shore up the RW position – even if they keep Batherson.
Goalies Indeed!!!!
I don’t think Saros is going anywhere as he’s going to be a damn fine mentor to Askarov. Much like Minnesota is doing with Fleury and Wallstedt.
Though Markstrom seems to have set the market, the Kuemper/Dubois trade through an unexpected curve into the mix!
Korpisalo, Merzlikins, Campbell, Husso, Georgiev…on and on and on!
Just spit-balling here, but what if, instead of trading Ullmark, put Swayman on the block. The Bruins are in desperate need of a #1 C and I think Swayman could bring it. Ullmark is far from useless, and though he’s older than Swayman by 5 yrs, he’s still signed for another year at a cheaper price than what Swayman will get. That Vezina is also not to far in the past! Is this Bussi good enough to be a back-up yet??
Artsy19, it’s a plausible thought. If Swayman demands are higher than what Sweeney is willing to pay. You would have to think it be something they would look at.
Considering Swayman playoff performance and being an rfa, one would have to think the return would be very good.
Personally hoping they get Swayman under contract.
I’m not a B’s fan such as yourself, but I like the culture. Also, I love how they dominate the Leafs in the playoffs! Lol!
Agreed about Swayman. Despite Ullmark’s credentials, Swayman would be the one most teams would keep!
That being said, I’d figure his value and the subsequent return would help keep the Bruins in perennial contention.
Ullmark will likely fetch a pretty good haul of picks/prospects, but his Cap Hit off the books is the main thing.
I’m interested to see what happens!
Sure! Swayman and 2026 1st for Drai the #1C guy!
NO!
BAD JOHNNY Z! BAD!
Go to your room!
I’m thinking the same thing, Swayman plus could get you Draisaitl or a Brady Tkachuk type guy. Negotiations were not good last year with Swayman and his agent is a tough negotiator. Might be something to consider.
I really don’t think Swayman + (Bruins don’t have enough +’s) could get either Drai or The Good Tkachuk.
The Bruins have no way to acquire a player beyond what Ullmark or Swayman would bring back
The Bruins have no way to acquire a player beyond what Ullmark or Swayman would bring back.
UFA next summer list is strong as of now before new deals made. How do they turn a goalie into a piece that helps them to get past the first round?
Agreed ds! Especially your last question!
I’m just trying to figure out who could get more bang for the buck Swayman or Ullmark.
Sway for BT… I like it
Ottawa doesn’t.
Chicago should try and obtain Laine, he would be fantastic on Bedard’s wing.
Ullmark is over rated. Everyone knows Boston wants to dump $5M of salary, why would you give anything up to get him.
Washington must have s&$t for brains getting PLD. Unmotivated primadona who got the big cheque. He is a me first player only wish the Leafs had picked him up.
Chicago should try and obtain Laine, he would be fantastic on Bedard’s wing.
Ullmark is over rated. Everyone knows Boston wants to dump $5M of salary, why would you give anything up to get him.
Washington must have s&$t for brains getting PLD.
Unmotivated primadona who got the big cheque. He is a me first player only wish the Leafs had picked him up.
Tripper, so Laine, who’s been a cumulative -58 his past 4 seasons on a line with Bedard (-44 in his rookie season) and Kurashev at RW (-44 this past season).
Laine would give Bedard a sure shot to feed on the powerplay…but not the best influence. Getting Laine at 50% retained and using him as a depth winger would be the best use…but not sure his attitude when he gets 13 minutes a night
Ullmark overrated says who? Ullmark better than Markstrom and younger.
Whom ever takes Laine better be getting 1/2 retained for a player the team no long requires imho