NHL Rumor Mill – June 21, 2024
What’s the latest on Patrik Laine? Could Martin Necas sign an offer sheet? Will the Ducks finally trade John Gibson? Are the Avalanche shopping Ross Colton? Check out the latest in the NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST ON PATRIK LAINE
TSN: Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell hopes to find a “hockey trade” for Patrik Laine. Earlier this month, the Blue Jackets and the Laine camp agreed to look for a trade.
Waddell hopes that retaining salary won’t be necessary to move Laine. “We want to make a hockey trade if we can and certainly exhaust every opportunity and every team that potentially has interest,” he said.
The Jackets GM admitted there’s a chance the 26-year-old winger won’t be moved during the offseason. “If the options are limited or there’s no options that make sense, then we’ll have to deal with that,” said Waddell.
Laine has two seasons remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $8.7 million and a 10-team no-trade list.
SPORTSNET: Sammy Sachdeva listed the Seattle Kraken, Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins among eight possible trade destinations for Laine. The others include the Utah Hockey Club, Anaheim Ducks, Nashville Predators, Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: These clubs could use additional scoring for one reason or another. Whether they’re interested in Laine or can afford his contract or the Blue Jackets’ asking price remains to be seen.
PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Matt Vensel believes Laine is one big-name trade target that makes sense for the Penguins.
Vensel proposed the Penguins offer winger Reilly Smith in exchange for Laine. Like the Jackets forward, Smith could use a change of scenario after struggling this past season.
Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine (NHL Images).
The Jackets would get cap relief by swapping Laine’s $8.7 million for Smith’s $5 million cap hit for 2024-25, plus they could ship Smith to another club if they wish. If Laine doesn’t regain his scoring touch in Pittsburgh, taking on his contract wouldn’t adversely affect the Penguins’ long-term flexibility. Also, they wouldn’t have to give up a draft pick or prospect to get him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That could be the type of hockey trade Waddell is referring to, unloading Laine for a player with a more affordable short-term contract that could be enticing to another club.
SPORTSNET: Eric Engels was asked if Laine would be a good fit with the rebuilding Montreal Canadiens. He believes it would depend on what the Blue Jackets want in return, if Laine will accept a trade to Montreal and if the Jackets retain some salary in the deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Engels thinks the Canadiens could consider it if the asking price isn’t too prohibitive. However, they could be considering other trade options that are less costly and carry less baggage.
COULD MARTIN NECAS SIGN AN OFFER SHEET?
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported on social media yesterday that a few teams wonder if an offer sheet for Martin Necas is plausible if the Carolina Hurricanes’ asking price remains high.
The Hurricanes are entertaining trade offers for the 25-year-old winger. However, they’re said to want “star power” in return.
LeBrun admits it’s a “long shot play” but feels it’s something worth keeping in mind.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Necas is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. Rival clubs can send him offer sheets but it’s up to him whether he’ll sign.
It’s a little-used tactic that rarely succeeds. Of the 10 offer sheet signings since 2005-06, only two (Dustin Penner in 2007 and Jesperi Kotkaniemi in 2021) were successful.
WILL THE DUCKS TRADE JOHN GIBSON THIS SUMMER?
THE JEFF MAREK SHOW: Elliotte Friedman thinks some teams are looking at Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson.
Friedman said the Devils looked into Gibson before they acquired Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames. He isn’t sure if the Ottawa Senators would be a fit. The Ducks aren’t keen to retain salary so that could complicate things.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gibson is signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $6.4 million and a 10-team no-trade list. Recent reports suggest the Senators are more interested in Boston Bruins netminder Linus Ullmark. He has a year left on his deal with a $5 million cap hit and a 16-team no-trade list.
COULD THE AVALANCHE SHOP ROSS COLTON?
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Evan Rawal cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli speculating the Avalanche might peddle Ross Colton to gain some salary-cap flexibility.
The 27-year-old center was traded to Colorado from the Tampa Bay Lightning last summer, signing a four-year contract with an AAV of $4 million. He has a no-trade clause for next season beginning on July 1.
Colorado faces a bit of a cap crunch this summer. There is uncertainty over the futures of forwards Gabriel Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin. Restricted free agent center Casey Mittelstadt is in line for a significant raise and they’re also trying to re-sign pending UFA Jonathan Drouin.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Colton could draw attention in the trade market. However, the Avalanche must act quickly before his NTC begins on July 1.
Ott won’t give up BT for Ullmark how about Stutzle or Sanderson
Joe. I do not think that will happen. Maybe a 1 st and Forsberg will. Or. Maybe
Something like Chychrun Forsberg and a mid pic
This is a joke, right?
They’ll be lucky to get their own first rounder back.
I agree this is a joke…Tkachuck would bring back 3 of the best Boston players for 2 first round picks…Ottawa DOES NOT need a goalie, just concentrate on defence…Sanderson Stuezle and Tkachuck are in Ottawa to stay
Almost choked on my coffee. Stutzle or Sanderson for Ullmark??? It seems some among the Boston faithful are lending too much credence to Garrioch’s “league sources” say Staios is circling back to Ullmark after Markstrom went to NJ.
As I posted yesterday, “league sources” – for most of such sports writers – is a euphemism for “I think they should go after Ullmark … but I better add “league sources say” to grab their undivided attention.”
First of all, what is meant by “league sources?” People associated with running the league as a whole? If so, why on Earth would Staios – or Sweeney – let any such person in on their thoughts/trade conversations? If it means “team sources” then say so.
First off, Boston is NOT getting a Stutzle, a Sanderson or, sorry Ray, a Tyler Kleven for a goalie who turns 31 on July 31, but will be a UFA after next season, looking for a contract that will cover most, if not all, of his last years AND at a raise from his current $5 mil cap hit, in addition to having Ottawa on his no-go list.
In a recent “town-hall-type” scrum with season ticket-holders Staios, commenting on the goalie situation, was blunt in saying “Both goalies are capable of playing better … but clarified that by adding “we all have to share in the responsibility of how we played in front of them. They’re the last line of defence. Certainly they’re real pros and their comments after the season were that they know they need to be better. That’s the hope.”
I keep saying, Korpisalo will be back for sure, with Forsberg a strong possibility of being moved as part of a deal. The emphasis will be on shoring up the team’s weak points, focusing on the entire team defensive style of play and the pk, and new capable faces on the 3rd and 4th lines and, perhaps, one or two veteran D. The 7th pick overall could well come into play to that end, along with such as Chychrun, Joseph, Brannstrom and maybe Bernard-Docker.
they aren’t potentially trading for Ullmark. They are potentially trading for ONE YEAR of Ullmark.
Huge difference.
And why anyone would give up anything of much value for one year of ANY goalie would be a mystery to me, let alone one with a reasonably-high cap hit.
well it depends are you a team on his NTC, maybe a sign and trade is something that reels him in and gets you an awesome goalie for more than one year. teams. give up more for more.
I would just add Whalercane, that are trading for 1 year of Ullmark, with the ability to extend Ullmark.
If I was OTT I would approach it the way you are saying 1 yr of Ullmark, talk extension after you have him in the organization for a while. But that will just be a tactic.
OTT shouldn’t be trading anything of value for 1 year of anybody until they think they are a contender, or at least comfortably in the playoffs. So if they are talking, it ain’t for 1 year IMO. Big IF, as we have no idea.
The only recent comparables are Kuemper at the TDL to COL the year they won the cup, got a 1st and a B prospect. Kuemper was a pending UFA.
Markstrom got a first and a good young NHL d-man. Bahl is an NHL player already, who could be a quality shut down guy if he continues to progress.
Markstrom has 2 years left, but is older. Ullmark has been a consistently good tender over the last 5-6 years, better than Markstrom IMO.
If a deal with OTT, he does sign and extension or OTT won’t do it. Best guess B’s get their 1st back, and a guy similar to Bahl – Tyler Klevin. Sorry George.
You are correct it would have to come with Ullmark willing to extend. Or return is much less
Ray, I don’t think it even takes a Kleven.
But yes, Ottawa will need assurances that Ullmark will resign.
Personally, I’m not that hot on Ullmark. I see him as a product of a very good defensive system and the reality of how good he really is lies somewhere between Boston Ullmark and Buffalo Ullmark.
I’d rather the sens trade the 7th overall plus a few more pieces for a resigned Saros.
Trade more, get more.
Ullmark was shaky in the playoffs a couple of years ago.
In my opinion, the sens must know this and the sens are the only team still interested in him. There’s other options for them and they should make Boston know this.
This is leverage because I think Boston has his cap space planned for a big ticket player in UFA.
Take the first OR Chychrun and be happy they actually got that.
Ullmark was very good on some crappy Buffalo teams, that’s why the B’s got him. And he has continued to be good, up to and including Vezina good.
Tending was the reason the B’s finished where they did, Ullmark played a big role in that.
If he doesn’t get them a first, at least, I wouldn’t trade him. Roll with 2 again.
If that price was met it would have been done long ago. I expect a price similar to what Calgary got fot Markstrom. Bostons own 2024 first sent back and a fringe roster player
Hahaha
Sanderson or Stutzle for Ulmark would be the definition of insanity.
I would say there’s zero chance of that Joe. Ullmark will be 31 in July and they would be crazy to put either of those players in a deal for Ullmark.
Assuming Ottawa is not on his “no trade list”, why not Korpisalo for Gibson straight up? I mean, I’m pretty sure Ottawa is on that list, along with every other Canadian team, but it can’t hurt to ask, right?
If Laine for Smith is a viable option for both GMs, do it! Trade a player that, by most accounts, didn’t want to play in Pittsburgh for a much younger player with the potential to have a bounce-back season with a change of scenery and, hopefully, a fresh perspective on hockey coming out of the PAP? Yes, please.
Absolutely
Would absolutely live to take a gamble on Laine
I’ve posted twice on this before
That said; no way Waddel (who already spanked Dubas in the Guentzel trade) makes that 1 for 1 swap
He’ll want (and get) more
Since Dubas will also have to give up a prospect and possibly a pick; make the deal bigger
Smith, Accairi, Eller ; choice of Gruden or Boz (might have to give up both) and a 3rd (‘26)
For Laine and s 3rd (this year)
Wadell saves over $8 M in cash; gets a 4 (maybe a 5) for 1 player swap
Pens get a top 6 winger whi has potential do do big danage in Crosby’s wing; get younger; bigger ; faster; and net $750,000 in valuable Cap space
Just need a fair mid/late 20’s 3rd line Center with size/grit:
Crosby Laine Rackell
Malkin Rust Bunting
?? O’Connor Poulin
That’s s good top 9
That top 9 can get them in the playoffs
If the Pens were serious about Laine, I think they should try and unload Karlsson for him. If Karlsson has a NTC, put him on waivers like NYR did to Goodrow and let CBJ pick him up, retaining some salary, if necessary. Laine is way overpriced (just like Karlsson) and has a history of under-performing. It’s a risky trade for Pittsburg, so they need to get rid of as much salary as possible to make it worthwhile. I’m sure Dubas would be fine trading Smith, but why not try Karlsson first? He’s not helping Pittsburg much.
Your horse is deceased, please stop trying to flog and spank it. Dubas got a return of multiple assets for 2 months of Guentzel as a Hurricane. Now he’s going to market as a UFA. Something for nothing. What if (not likely) Guentzel signs with *gasp* the Penguins? Who spanked who? If he signs anywhere other than Carolina, it’s a win. Not a massive, over-the-top, “here’s your major award” win, but a win.
Your obsession with making Dubas out to be incompetent is as frightening as your obsesssive tirades about Chad Ruhwedel and Jack Johnson.
Chychrun and Bostons first would be a nice return for Ullmark. I’d rather get Necas.
I really don’t think Boston has any leverage with Ullmark. Everyone knows getting rid of him saves Boston $5M. At best a draft pick.
I was hoping for an early 2nd or 3rd pick for Linus if we were silly enough to move him.
After seeing the returns for Marky and Darcy K, I’m thinking we might get a little bit more.
Again, I’d keep him.
Both him and Sway can sign on for 5 x 5.5 and keep on hugging for a spell longer.
According to reports if true Ullmark is willing to accept a trade and extend to the right team … would he go back to Buff or go to Ott
Anywhere in the east saves him 12 hours of flight time when he travels back to Sweden and then back to NA. That’s key.
Boston doesn’t need to move Ullmark! They have over 23 million in cap space already for next year. There are still at minimum three teams that want to upgrade their goaltending, so they have options, and one of those is to keep him. Other teams are spending over 10 mil for two goalies, but few are doing as well as Swayman and Ullmark. It would not be a loss for Boston to keep him and potential move him for even more at the TDL.
With how snake bitten Ottawa always is regarding goaltenders… I have this nagging fear that whomever they acquire will be a total letdown AND Korpisalo will suddenly regain the form he had briefly in LA…
In ALL my year of watching the Sens, the only goalies I had long term faith in was Lalime and Anderson… everyone else seemed to blow a tire.
I would say Tugnutt too, except I still get mad at the trade for Barrasso that deadline…so I will never know if he could have remained solid.
100% accurate take.
Heck even Talbot looked to have a decent bounce back once he got out of Ottawa. A lot of it had to do with terrible coaching under Smith. Over use of lazy slow veteran D men, unwillingness to let the new kids grow and develop for even half a season. Now Jacob Bernard-Docker “might” be a serviceable D man and Lassi Thompson has taken his ball and gone home. A strong complete defensive structure to their game is required before any goaltender is going to be successful. Ullmark will simply be another shellshocked soul between the pipes.
yep, you nailed it. I feel like shoring up and coaching the defense needs to happen BEFORE trying to get “that goalie.”
Why would Pittsburgh move Guentzel due to cap concerns then trade for Laine?
Of course, it is Scooby Dubas running the show, lol.
Other players/picks could be included in the trade.
Doesn’t mean it is Smith streicht up for Laine.
Straight up… sorry auto correct
Straight up… sorry
Then make it Smith and O’Connor for Laine with $1.5 million retained
I don’t think they trade O’Connor and Smith for Laine.
May be Accairi and Smith for Laine. I think the value of Laine is very low. His cap hit is $8.7million, he didn’t play a full season for a few years and his numbers last year weren’t that good.
Because salary would have to go to Columbus in exchange for Laine.
Same Old Guy.. I absolutely agree with you on the Guentzel trade Dubas did well..
All these haters just crucify him on this deal.
He got three assets and a 2nd round pick for a guy who is leaving one way or another and we couldn’t afford.
Bunting will be a 20 – 25 goal scorer with full year in Pittsburgh 19 goals this years 55 points
Ponomarev is young, skilled and will fit in the bottom six which is what we need.
Koivunen is only 20 He is skilled and quick and tearing up the Swedish league.
and a 2nd round pick
Ullmark @ 5 million,chychrun @4.6 both in the last year of their contract! What s the problem? Boston can t afford Ullmark and Swayman, Ottawa can t afford Chychrun and Chabot!
👍🏻
Of course they can afford Chychrun and Chabot – for this coming season anyway.
Heading into the season they have $12,465,953 in cap space and among their 4 RFAs, only Pinto is looking at anything substantive – likely around $5 mil in a bridge deal. One of the 4, Brannstrom, will likely be dealt.
I don’t THINK Chychrun will be around for the coming season, but if he is, he then becomes a trade deadline deal leading up to his UFA status.
Love to see Montreal do an offer sheet for Necas. That would be some good entertainment.
I head yesterday an offer around $9M per season would cost a team a 1st, 2nd and 3rd if Carolina does not match.
I know that is not going to happen but it would be fun.
Jeff, it would be entertaining, and this Bruins fan would luv it too, because it is also a mistake. And we luv it when the Habs make mistakes.
Unless of course you want Carolina to offer sheet Slafkovsky if he is an RFA next year, or Guhle, Hutson or Reinbacher if they get there. And we know Carolina could, because they just did.
Unfortunately, Gorton and Hughes are not Bergevin, and won’t be putting a target on their backs.
Did the offer sheet on Aho help either team? It helped the rest of the league, because GM’s have definitely been reminded of how that can turn out.
When has it ever helped any team?
If a team wants Necas, trade for him, especially if he goes public and demands one.
Have to believe right now Ullmark is a better goalie than Markstrom and 4 years younger so what Markstrom brought back in return Ullmark will get the Bruins more … Come on Sweeney step away from Cape Cod and do your job
mostly Eastern conference teams need a goalie upgrade which makes it hard for the Bruins to trade Ullmark to a a team they might be fighting for a playoff spot with and Ullmark has 15 no trade list.
Joe, if you’re asking Sweeney to do his job and at the same time get it done today, then you want him to settle for less..
If Sweeney had a deal he liked it be done.