NHL Rumor Mill – April 20, 2024

by | Apr 20, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – April 20, 2024

Check out the latest on the Flyers, Kings, Blues and Kraken in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE FLYERS?

DAILY FACEOFF: Scott Maxwell reports Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere said his club is open for business if there’s a trade that makes sense.

During his end-of-season press conference on Friday, Briere indicated the Flyers’ competitiveness this season won’t change his plans for a long-term rebuild. However, he’s open to making moves that improve his roster right away.

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Jordan Hall reported Briere backed his head coach John Tortorella, claiming the two sides have “a great relationship”.

Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere (NHL.com).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That should snuff out speculation over Tortorella’s future with the Flyers that arose as the club stumbled down the stretch.

Briere provided no immediate update on goaltender Carter Hart, who’s on a leave of absence due to the Hockey Canada sexual assault case. The trial reportedly won’t begin until after the start of the 2024-25 season. For now, the Flyers intend to start next season with Samuel Ersson and Ivan Fedotov as their goaltending tandem.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both young goalies did their best but the additional workload after Hart’s departure in January wore them down, especially Ersson. They might be better prepared for next season but don’t rule out the possibility that they add an affordable veteran on a short-term contract.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Before Briere’s press conference, Sam Carchidi speculated over the Flyers GM’s plans for the offseason.

Carchidi wondered if Briere would trade for a true No. 1 defenseman or attempt to bring back former Flyer Sean Walker as a free agent. He believes their lack of a first-line center is a glaring need. He wondered if Briere might roll the dice on Vancouver Canucks center Elias Lindholm, who’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers only have $3.8 million in projected cap space, though they could get $4 million in cap relief if Ryan Johansen ends up on long-term injury reserve next season. They’ll get another $6.25 million with Ryan Ellis on permanent LTIR.

There’s enough cap room to pursue someone like Lindholm. Based on Briere’s comments, however, he seems more interested in the trade market than signing expensive free agents. Don’t expect Lindholm to suit up for the Flyers next season.

RECENT KINGS SPECULATION

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Spencer Lazary believes the Los Angeles Kings must make improving their goaltending a top priority this summer, especially if they make an early exit from the playoffs.

There were reports that the Kings attempted to acquire goalie Linus Ullmark from the Boston Bruins before the March 8 trade deadline but he vetoed the trade. Lazary noted there are few options available in this summer’s free-agent market. Current Kings starter Cam Talbot is among them.

Possible trade targets include Calgary’s Jacob Markstrom, St. Louis’ Jordan Binnington, Pittsburgh’s Tristan Jarry and Anaheim’s John Gibson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’d include Nashville’s Jusse Saros depending on his contract extension talks with Predators management. If the Kings stage a deep playoff run I expect they’ll still be in the market for a new starting goalie to replace the 36-year-old Talbot.

Lazary also believes forward Arthur Kaliyev may be in his final season with the Kings. The 22-year-old winger has been slowly phased out of the lineup and isn’t seeing much ice time when he does play.

Barring a strong playoff performance, Kaliyev could become a trade candidate. He’s completing his entry-level contract and might make a good reclamation project as a trade candidate.

LATEST ON THE BLUES AND KRAKEN

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford looked at the St. Louis Blues’ offseason priorities. Finding a second-line center, adding secondary scoring and making a move on the blueline are among the issues facing general manager Doug Armstrong.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues have around $13 million in cap space. That’s going to hamper Armstrong’s efforts to address those issues.

Trading one of his high-salaried defensemen would help but the four (Colton Parayko, Torey Krug, Justin Faulk and Nick Leddy) have no-trade protection. Armstrong tried to trade Krug to Philadelphia last June but the blueliner spiked the deal.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Geoff Baker doesn’t see the Kraken replacing general manager Ron Francis but doesn’t rule out head coach Dave Hakstol losing his job.

Baker raised concerns over the regression of several Kraken players this season, including Jared McCann, Eeli Tolvanen, Andre Burakovsky, Oliver Bjorkstrand and 2023 Calder Trophy winner Matty Beniers.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 19, 2024

by | Apr 19, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – April 19, 2024

Check out the latest on the Senators and Penguins as they head off into the offseason in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST SENATORS SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC: Ian Mendes looked at the burning questions facing Ottawa Senators general manager Steve Staios heading into the offseason.

Topping the list is determining the Senators’ next head coach. Staios will have competition as the Buffalo Sabres are also in the market for a new bench boss while the Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues have interim coaches.

Candidates could include established NHL coaches like Craig Berube, Dean Evason and Todd McLellan, AHL coaches such as John Gruden and Joel Bouchard, or current NHL assistant coaches like Doug Houda and Chris Kelly.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s rumored Gruden is at the top of Staios’ wish list.

Goaltending is another area to be addressed as Joonas Korpisalo and Anton Forsberg didn’t have good seasons. Staios believes the duo is better than their stats suggest and expects they’ll have a better offseason in preparation for 2024-25.

Korpisalo has four years and $16 million left on his contract while Forsberg has a year left. Mendes suggested bringing in a third goalie if trading one of the other two isn’t possible and sorting things out during training camp.

Ottawa Senators defenseman Jakob Chychrun (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch claimed the Senators kicked tired on Boston’s Linus Ullmark before the March trade deadline and could revisit their interest. However, Ullmark has a 15-team no-trade list. The Senators could be on that list.

Mendes pointed out that Jake Sanderson is evolving into the Senators’ No. 1 defenseman. Staios might have to choose between Thomas Chabot and Jakob Chychrun.

Chabot’s no-trade clause kicks in on July 1 while Chychrun is a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. Like Sanderson, they’re left-shot defensemen who are more comfortable on their natural side.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ottawa Sun’s Tim Baines reported Chychrun is uncertain about his future with the Senators. He was the subject of trade speculation leading up to the trade deadline that bothered the 26-year-old blueliner.

It’ll be interesting to see if Chychrun or Chabot are still with the Senators after July 1. One of them could be traded for a right-shot defenseman.

Who do you prefer as a trade candidate, Senators fans? Let me know in the comments section below.

Mendes also wondered what Staios would do with aging defenseman Travis Hamonic. He has a year left on his contract with a $1.1 million cap hit but he holds a full no-movement clause. Restricted free agent blueliner Erik Brannstrom could become a trade candidate.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Garrioch suggested a contract buyout for Hamonic. He also believes forward Mathieu Joseph could get peddled in this summer’s trade market. He lacks no-trade protection and has two years left on his contract with an average annual value of $2.95 million.

UPDATE ON THE PENGUINS

THE ATHLETIC: Rob Rossi speculated on possible offseason changes for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

He expects head coach Mike Sullivan will be back but assistant coaches Todd Reirden and Mike Vellucci could be replaced. Offseason acquisition Erik Karlsson will be back given his large salary-cap hit and full no-movement clause.

The goalie situation remains murky. Struggling starter Tristan Jarry’s contract won’t be easily moved, at least for a quality return. Alex Nedeljkovic is due to become a UFA on July 1 while promising Joel Blomqvist is their most NHL-ready prospect.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist Joe Starkey believes the Penguins need to move on from Jarry. He suggested retaining some of his $5.375 million AAV to make it happen but he could still prove difficult to move.

General manager Kyle Dubas couldn’t find any takers for winger Reilly Smith at the trade deadline. Finding a deal this summer isn’t guaranteed. Rickard Rakell’s trade value might improve given his late-season surge.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dubas isn’t planning on rebuilding his roster but must find a way to shed some salary and bring in some younger, affordable talent this summer.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 18, 2024

by | Apr 18, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – April 18, 2024

What’s in store during a long offseason for the Devils, Kraken and Wild? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DEVILS FACE A BUSY OFFSEASON

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols looked ahead at what could be a busy offseason for Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald.

First and foremost, Fitzgerald needs to hire a new head coach. Potential candidates could be former NHL bench bosses like Craig Berube and Todd McLellan or two-time NCAA Frozen Four champion David Carle.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That means interim head coach Travis Green reverts to associate coach or moves on to another club.

Fitzgerald must also address his goaltending. He addressed part of the problem by acquiring Jake Allen last month at the trade deadline. The Devils GM made it clear he intends to go “big-game hunting” this summer. He could revisit his interest Calgary’s Jacob Markstrom or turn to other options like Boston’s Linus Ullmark, Nashville’s Juuse Saros or St. Louis’ Jordan Binnington.

SPECTOR’S NOTE:  Binnington seems the least likely to be available. Ullmark is the most likely candidate, followed by Markstrom and Saros.

The Devils also need to add a defenseman. Nichols suggested someone like Dallas’ Chris Tanev.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tanev’s shutdown defensive game will make him a popular free-agent target for several teams this summer. However, his age (34) and injury history could make Fitzgerald seek other options for his blueline.

Seattle Kraken center Shane Wright (NHL Images).

PROPOSED OFFSEASON TRADE CANDIDATES FOR THE KRAKEN

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Geoff Baker believes the Kraken must improve by bringing in an elite performer. Finding one means giving up a player other teams want.

Baker believes defensemen like Vince Dunn, Will Borgen and Adam Larsson and goaltender Joey Daccord would be enticing trade chips. If the Kraken believes young center Shane Wright is a good complementary piece rather than a future star, the time to sell high is now.

Kate Shefte noted that Brandon Tanev and Jamie Oleksiak are being mentioned as trade candidates. She doesn’t see Wright getting shopped but wondered if they might offer up promising prospect Jagger Firkus.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see what Kraken general manager Ron Francis has in store for his club this summer. He could remain patient with his club and maybe make depth additions. Perhaps he considers a coaching change rather than a big trade. Francis has made big splashes via free agency and could go that route again. Or he could surprise us with a big trade.

I agree with Shefte regarding Wright but they could consider moving another prospect like Firkus for more immediate help. 

LATEST ON THE WILD

STARTRIBUNE.COM: La Velle E. Neal III noted the Minnesota Wild’s youth movement, bringing up promising Jesper Wallstedt and forwards Liam Ohgren and Marat Khusnutdinov late in the season. They join a core of 20-something talent that includes Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, Marco Rossi and Brock Faber.

The Wild have one more season of carrying over $14.7 million in dead cap space from buying out Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. That will give him the cap flexibility needed when those young players are ready for new contracts.

Neal also suggested the Wild move on from goaltender Filip Gustavsson and defenseman Alex Goligoski. Trading Gustavsson would make room for Wallstedt, who would benefit from being an apprentice to Marc-Andre Fleury next season. Goligoski, 39, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Neal’s suggestion to trade Gustavsson is interesting considering the Wild signed Fleury on Wednesday to a one-year contract extension. Maybe Wild GM Bill Guerin is looking at a Fleury-Wallstedt tandem for next season.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 17, 2024

by | Apr 17, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – April 17, 2024

What could the offseason hold for the Penguins and Sabres? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE PENGUINS?

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Matt Vensel listed nine pressing issues the Penguins must face after missing the playoffs for the second straight season.

Vensel doesn’t see head coach Mike Sullivan losing his job, especially as his most recent contract extension doesn’t begin until next season. However, his staff could undergo some changes, especially given the club’s struggles on the power play this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: ESPN.com’s Kristen Shilton believes the Penguins could consider a coaching change. Just because a coach has a contract extension doesn’t mean he can’t be replaced. Just ask Don Granato, the former bench boss of the Buffalo Sabres. 

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images).

Team captain Sidney Crosby is expected to sign a contract extension, perhaps a two-year, team-friendly deal. Core players such as Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Bryan Rust aren’t going anywhere. Neither is Erik Karlsson, whose contract could prove unmovable even if management wanted to move him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crosby has repeatedly said he wants to finish his career with the Penguins. It’s expected he’ll sign a two or three-year extension with an average annual value of $10 million.

Malkin, Letang, Rust and Karlsson have full no-trade protection. There were some idle musings among some pundits suggesting Karlsson might welcome a return to the Ottawa Senators but he quickly slapped down that notion last month.

Vensel doesn’t rule out Jake Guentzel returning to the Penguins as a free agent this summer. However, his smashing success with the Carolina Hurricanes could see him approach the UFA market with an open mind. The Penguins would have to shed some salary to bring him back.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas wanted to keep Guentzel he would’ve re-signed him instead of shipping him to the Carolina Hurricanes at the trade deadline. He’s not coming back.

Trade candidates include wingers Reilly Smith, Rickard Rakell, Lars Eller and Noel Acciari. Vensel doesn’t see anyone touching Ryan Graves’ contract this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Smith will draw the most interest in this summer’s trade market. It’s doubtful they’ll find many suitors for Rakell. His stats tumbled this season and he has four years left on his contract with an AAV of $5 million.

Vensel also wondered about goaltender Tristan Jarry’s future in Pittsburgh after Sullivan turned to backup Alex Nedeljkovic down the stretch.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Another Penguin who had an inconsistent performance with lots of years remaining on a contract with a cap hit over $5 million. Good luck moving him.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE SABRES?

BUFFALO HOCKEY NOW: Jason Moser reports Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams will seek an experienced NHL coach to replace Don Granato, who was fired as their head coach on Tuesday.

Moser noted there are plenty of candidates available. They include Craig Berube, Todd McLellan, Jay Woodcroft, Dean Evason, D.J. Smith, Lane Lambert, Bruce Boudreau, Gerard Gallant and former Sabres coach Lindy Ruff.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Berube could be the most sought-after coach, having guided the St. Louis Blues to the Stanley Cup in 2019.

WGR 550: Howard Simon believes the Sabres also need to bolster their offense after their production declined this season as more emphasis was placed on improving their defensive play. They traded away center Casey Mittelstadt in March and brought in defenseman Bowen Byram.

Simon doesn’t see that offensive help coming via this summer’s free-agent market. He believes Adams must draw on his deep pool of young talent on his current roster and in his farm system along with draft picks to find more NHL scoring.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I concur with Simon. The Sabres defense is better and deeper now and their goaltending stabilized as this season went on. Adding an experienced scorer with leadership abilities could provide the boost they were missing this season.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 16, 2024

by | Apr 16, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – April 16, 2024

More speculation about the Penguins goaltending plus the latest on the Sharks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

QUESTIONS PERSIST OVER PENGUINS GOALTENDING

THE ATHLETIC: Rob Rossi believed Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas must fix his goaltending during the offseason, even if it means making a bad trade to shed Tristan Jarry’s contract.

Rossi noted that Jarry isn’t playing to the level expected when Dubas signed him last summer to a five-year contract with an annual cap hit of $5.375 million. The 28-year-old netminder lost the starter’s job down the stretch to Alex Nedeljkovic. Jarry has struggled with consistency throughout his NHL career.

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry (NHL Images).

Promising Joel Blomqvist is ready for his shot in the NHL. Rossi believes he should get it.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jarry did well during the first half of the season making Dubas look smart for re-signing him. However, the decline in his performance over the second half can’t be ignored.

It could take a bad trade to shed Jarry’s contract. Dubas will have to retain up to half of his cap hit, package him with one of the few good young players in the Penguins’ prospect pool, or take back a toxic contract as part of the return. Jarry’s 12-team no-trade clause further complicates things.

I’m not saying it’s impossible but it will be a daunting challenge for Dubas.

LATEST ON THE SHARKS

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sheng Peng reported Sharks head coach David Quinn is excited about the possibility of his club winning this year’s draft lottery and the right to select top prospect Macklin Celebrini.

Quinn also wants his team to be harder to play against next season. He’d like to add more hardness and grit to the lineup.

THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka believes the Sharks need to gain an identity, something they’ve lacked since 2018-19 when that roster’s high-octane offense nearly led them to the Stanley Cup Final.

Pashelska agreed with Quinn’s remarks. He noted that the Sharks have sufficient salary-cap space to bring in players who can assure this club doesn’t get pushed around next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Quinn’s remarks suggest the direction the Sharks could take with their roster during the offseason. They are rebuilding and adding promising young skill players. However, those youngsters could flourish by surrounding them with experienced depth and grit.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 15, 2024

by | Apr 15, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – April 15, 2024

Where could Steven Stamkos go if he and the Lightning part ways this summer? Could the Canadiens attempt to trade Mike Matheson in the offseason? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill. 

POSSIBLE DESTINATIONS FOR STEVEN STAMKOS AS A FREE AGENT

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston and Joe Smith recently examined what comes next for Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Bay Lightning following this season. 

In the final season of his eight-year contract, Stamkos has spent his 16-season NHL career in Tampa Bay. The 34-year-old Lightning captain’s production has declined but he remains a point-per-game player. 

Stamkos raised eyebrows last September when he expressed disappointment over a lack of contract extension talks last summer. General manager Julien BriseBois insisted he wants to re-sign his captain and have him finish his career with the Lightning. 

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos (NHL Images).

Johnston and Smith believe Stamkos will draw plenty of suitors if he heads to free agency. The Florida Panthers (the Lightning’s in-state rivals) have been known to swing big. Stamkos could fit in well with the Nashville Predators alongside former Lightning teammates Ryan McDonagh and Luke Schenn. 

Anaheim Ducks winger Alex Killorn said his team has plenty of cap space and he’ll start recruiting his former teammate if the Lightning don’t re-sign him. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I expect Stamkos and the Lightning will work something out that keeps him in Tampa Bay for the remainder of his NHL career. Nevertheless, we can’t discount the possibility that he hits the open market on July 1. 

I don’t see Stamkos signing with the Panthers nor do I expect they’ll pursue him. They’re focused on re-signing Sam Reinhart, eating up a big chunk of their projected cap space of $20 million. 

The Predators would have more cap flexibility as they don’t have any big-name players to re-sign this summer. Goaltender Juuse Saros has been the subject of trade rumors and moving him would free up more space. Still, adding a star in his mid-thirties might not be what the Predators have in mind at this stage. I could see it if they were poised to be a Stanley Cup contender.

As for the Ducks, they could easily afford Stamkos but he might not be keen to join a rebuilding club at this point in his career. 

Since we’re just spitballing here, how about Stamkos signing with the Salt Lake City Coyotes? Or whatever name they’ll be called. They’ve got lots of cap room, he would be their most well-known player and an excellent leader for a team brimming with young talent looking to take the next step. 

LATEST CANADIENS SPECULATION

MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan was asked what the return would be for the Canadiens to part with Mike Matheson. He replied he’d be shocked if GM Kent Hughes moved the 30-year-old defenseman, who has two seasons remaining on his contract at a reasonable cap hit of $4.875 million. 

Matheson plays a leadership role with the rebuilding Canadiens. With 51 assists, he’s only the sixth defenseman in franchise history to net 50 assists in a season. Cowan believes they need his veteran presence on their blueline. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Agreed. I understand why some Canadiens fans believe their rebuilding club should peddle Matheson while his trade value is high. However, Cowan is correct in his assessment of Matheson’s invaluable leadership and experience that he brings to the young Canadiens defense corps. 

Cowan was also asked about “a certain TSN insider” speculating Columbus Blue Jackets presence John Davidson might reach out to Jeff Gorton to see if he’d be interested in becoming president/GM of the Blue Jackets. Gorton is the Canadiens executive VP of hockey operations. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gorton is under contract with the Canadiens until 2026. He’d need the blessing of team owner Geoff Molson to speak with the Blue Jackets. I don’t see Molson doing that. For that matter, I doubt that Gorton is interested in leaving the Canadiens.