NHL Rumor Mill – June 22, 2024
The Senators continue shopping for a goalie, Jake DeBrusk remains linked to the Leafs, the Golden Knights are getting inquiries about their goalies, and the latest on the Lightning in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
SENATORS GOALIE SEARCH CONTINUES
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators revisited discussions with the Boston Bruins to find a way to bring goaltender Linus Ullmark to Ottawa.
The Senators attempted to acquire Ullmark before the March trade deadline. They offered netminder Joonas Korpisalo but the Bruins refused as they couldn’t afford to take on his $4 million average annual value over the next four seasons.
Garrioch reports the Los Angeles Kings and New Jersey Devils were among the clubs also trying to acquire Ullmark at that time. He refused to waive his 16-team no-trade list, meaning a possible deal was scuttled, but that wasn’t with the Senators.
Ottawa Senators defenseman Jakob Chychrun (NHL Images).
The Bruins have set a high price for Ullmark. They’re believed to be scouring the trade market for a center. They could be interested in Shane Pinto but the Senators have told clubs they’re not parting with him.
SPORTSNET: Wayne Scanlan noted the Senators’ rumored interest in Ullmark. He also pointed out a report claiming they have the framework of a possible deal with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Scanlan suggests Jakob Chychrun could be an asset the Senators would give up to make a move that would alter their roster. The 26-year-old defenseman is approaching his prime and entering the final year of his contract. He’d be easier to move than Thomas Chabot, who plays a similar game and carries an $8 million average annual value through 2027-28.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chychrun could be part of the Senators’ efforts to land Ullmark if he’s willing to come to Ottawa. He could also be part of this mysterious deal they have with the Flyers that could take place by the NHL Draft next weekend.
JAKE DEBRUSK HAS “MUTUAL INTEREST” IN JOINING THE MAPLE LEAFS
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Andrew Fantucchio cited Toronto Star columnist Nick Kypreos claiming the Toronto Maple Leafs could be interested in Jake DeBrusk. The 27-year-old Boston Bruins winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Nick Alberga, host of Leafs Morning Take, reported DeBrusk has some “mutual interest” in joining the Leafs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs are reportedly attempting to re-sign pending UFA forwards Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi. They have over $19 million in cap space for 2024-25 with 15 active roster players under contract. The Leafs could turn to DeBrusk if Bertuzzi or Domi move on.
TEAMS INQUIRING ABOUT GOLDEN KNIGHTS GOALIES
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Julian Gaudio cited ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reporting multiple teams are inquiring about Vegas Golden Knights goaltenders Adin Hill and Logan Thompson. Both are on contracts that expire at the end of next season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights are facing a cap crunch with just $1.19 million in cap space and 20 active players under contract. They’ll get an additional $5 million in relief with Robin Lehner on long-term injury reserve for next season. However, they must free up space to re-sign pending UFA winger Jonathan Marchessault.
Hill would be the logical one to move if the Golden Knights are trying to shed salary. He carries an AAV of $4.9 million while Thompson’s is over $766K.
LATEST ON THE LIGHTNING
TAMPA BAY TIMES: Eduardo A. Encina expects the Lightning to make a cost-cutting trade in the coming days. They have just $5.335 million in cap space, which won’t be enough to re-sign pending UFA captain Steven Stamkos. The Bolts have 18 active roster players under contract for 2024-25.
Encina believes they must move an existing contract to make room for Stamkos. It’s a matter of whether it’s one like Tanner Jeannot ($2.665 million) or Erik Cernak ($5.2 million) that provides enough space.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cernak would clear the most cap room but Jeannot has been mentioned more frequently as a trade candidate.
Chychrun in a trade with the Bruins for Ullmark and signing Elias Lindholm would make an ideal off-season for the Bruins.
Barry, I truly doubt we’ll ever see Ullmark in Ottawa – except in the jersey of a visiting team. Too many roadblocks in the way, not the least of which is the real likelihood that Ottawa is on his “no-go” list combined with the fact that Staios would then be in such a position of absolutely having to move Korpisalo that it would cost far too much in the way of sweeteners as every other team would naturally take advantage.
There is much more smoke around that Ottawa-Philadelphia chatter.
Reports are that Ullmark will forego his no-trade right to go to Ottawa.
Where did you see/hear that? Give us a link.
Never mind – found it. citing Dave Pagnotta – interesting – he’d waive to go to Ottawa but would not waive to go to Toronto!
https://www.thefourthperiod.com/pagnotta/ullmark-trade-talks-picking-up
George where in the article does it say Ullmark won`t waive his NTC to go to Toronto. Pagnotta states Toronto is on Ullmarks MNT list and in his opinion, Toronto is interested, but involved right now. Nowhere does Ullmark say he`ll waive for Ottawa, but not for Toronto. You must need glasses bad George. But if you switch over to The Leafs Nation (Leafs Morning Take) where Hutton and Rosehill interview Ullmark yesterday. Rosehill asks Ullmark about playing for Toronto, you can hear Ullmarks response, in his own voice say “Never say Never”. So, contrary to your gleeful little statement, Ullmark isn`t closing the doors on joining Toronto. Personally, I don`t think he would be worth the price to acquire
I do, in fact, wear glasses to read … but the difference is, I can read
“The Leafs are not in the mix for Ullmark, though, as Toronto is on his no-trade list. Ottawa is also believed to be on his list, but two separate sources have told me he would accept a trade to the Senators if a deal between the two teams is finalized.”
So, Toronto is definitely on his no-trade list, but in Ottawa’s case that is not as definite and even if Ottawa was on the list he’s indicated he would not be adverse to coming here. Nowhere does it say he would waive if a deal between Boston and Toronto were finalized.
That’s the way I read it. You can read it any way you like.
Barry I wouldn t be so sure of that! Chychrun led his team in goals against at -30 and Lindholm had 15 goals in 75 games! That would put him behind Coyle,Zacha,Geekie, Frederic to name a few!Why not look at guys like Chandler Stephenson,cheaper and just as product full and the same age!
Bruins desperately need offense from their defense, besides goals, Chychrun can move the puck up to the forwards to clear their D zone. You had to notice that they get hemmed in there sometimes for an entire shift. The plus minus means zero, more of a reflex ion of how bad a team that you are on.
You are not going to acquire Lindholm after a 42 goal season but rather on a down year like he had with only 15 goals. He is 29 years old, hardly over the hill and he had a solid playoffs. A more realistic goal expectation would be around 25 goals with the possibility of scoring more. He is solid defensively.
I like Stephenson but he is a good number 2 center- we have enough of those.
On Bruins news- just type that in
Barry his stats are equal to Lindholm! Do you think Lindholm is a no.1?
I think Ullmark is a great goalie and Korpisalo an average one, however since no one is taking Korpisalo without a sweetener, I would try and improve the D instead and hope that Korpisalo improves to what he actually is, an average one, not a bad one. Either way, Im not sending JC for Ullmark
Jeannot for Berggren make sense. Berggren would require less than half of Jeannot’s salary and find the scoresheet more often.
Debrusk had trouble in Boston with Bruce Cassidy being critical of his play,what is he going to do in Toronto where the press is 10 times as critical!
I don’t see what all the fuss is about DeBrusk.
He’s an inconsistent scorer that goes through prolonged cold streaks.
Why pay UFA prices for him when you can get close to the same performance from guys making 1/4 the cap hit.
If they’re targeting a UFA from Boston I’d target Danton Heinen. That’s the type of player the Leafs need.
The Leafs need to bolster the right side of the defence and have a 1A or 1B goalie as insurance if Woll gets injured.
George O…would Staois send Korpisalo and ZUB to TOR for pick #23 ?
Sens like the leafs are very thin on the right side. I don’t see Staois trading their beat right D to their biggest rivals just to get rid of Korpisalo’s contract.
If I were Staois I’d be more prone to trade church for a right d or picks to open the cap space to sign another right d in ufa. Then going after some solid low cost two way players for bottom 6 and hope the goalies have a bounce back year.
Daryl.
With their cap conundrum the way it is I can not see Leafs being able to absorb 4 more years of Korpisalo’s contract without send a contract back.
Zub as the sweetener would certainly give the Leafs food for thought though.
Zub would be a great partner for Morgan Reilly.
Daryl, as I keep saying consistently, Korpisalo will be the starting goalie in Ottawa next season … and Zub is a very good, cost-controlled RD at $4/6 mil for 3 more years, coming off a season of 69gp with 5g 20a 25 pts and a +5.
So, no, I doubt that would entice Staios as he already has the 7th and 25th picks with which to deal.
Agree totally George. I believe Korpisalo will be our starter next year as well. I hope Staois doesn’t over sacrifice to get him off the roster. The D is a mess. That’s where he needs to put the most work.
Sorry Owen and George O…was just speculating if the Sens were indeed trying to land Ullmark.
Sometimes the best moves are the ones you don’t make
I’ve always liked Zub’s game
Cost controlled is another key reason I’d want him on the Leafs.
Cernak could bring back a young but raw D, possibly AHL (and the Lightning have plenty of back line maturity to bring someone along) and a 2nd or 3rd, while solving the cap problem. If there is a willing partner it’s almost a no-brainer. Jeannot harder to deal after two of years of poor performance. So Jeannot gets third chance, Stamkos gets signed, and the window is cracked open for one more run. You’ve got three stars left on the back end, and a choice of five partners to mix and match….ought to be able to find a fit.
I always thought Korpisalo got screwed by Columbus & their infatuation with Elvis; he played some really good goal for what was a not great team — including a very memorable playoff overtime-forever effort.
Put him behind a good D and let him know the net is his and I think he is above average, & probably has some room to grow left. We’ve lately seen a lot of goalies reach their peak only after approaching or reaching thirty.
Could not possibly agree more, Richard. Improve the way they approach each game defensively from top to bottom (partially by getting rid of those who tend to “float” without the puck – their films will show who they are beyond doubt), and especially their pk (which is where Yeo will come in) and the improved difference in Korpisalo’s game will surprise many.
Sens are stuck with Korpisalo, nobody wants him, there’s a reason teams want Ullmark.
Sens fans are starved for goaltending, calling every one a messiah for a few years now.
Boston can and should wait to move Ullmark and if the Sens really want him, they’ll have to fill Boston’s needs starting with a good centre.
Jaysus. Stomach bile bothering you again?
Norris is only 25 and a #1 center when healthy.
But he has suffered severe shoulder injuries twice.
He he and his $7.95 million dollar contract might be a better risk than Lindholm at 29 years of age who will be looking for similar money and a 7year contract as well.
Would Boston be willing to take on Norris for Ulmark?
It saves Ottawa $2.95 million this year and Ullmark’s extension and Norris’s contract should be a wash.