NHL Rumor Mill – June 29, 2024
Entering Day 2 of the 2024 Draft, check out the latest on Steven Stamkos, Jake Guentzel, Jacob Trouba, Patrick Kane, Tyler Toffoli, Jakob Chychrun, Nazem Kadri and more in the NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST ON STEVEN STAMKOS AND JAKE GUENTZEL
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the Tampa Bay Lightning’s limited salary-cap space could lead to the departure of long-time star Steven Stamkos. His agent said his client will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, but LeBrun cautions things could change between now and then.
Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos (NHL Images).
If he goes to market, the Nashville Predators and Detroit Red Wings are potential options for Stamkos. LeBrun wonders if the Vegas Golden Knights might come calling if they fail to re-sign Jonathan Marchessault.
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the Carolina Hurricanes’ latest offer to Jake Guentzel is eight years with an average annual value of $8 million. Meanwhile, it’s rumored the Vancouver Canucks could be willing to offer the 29-year-old winger a seven-year deal ($9 million annually) if he tests the free-agent market on July 1.
Speaking of the Hurricanes, LeBrun believes there’s a chance they re-sign defenseman Brady Skjei. However, blueliner Brett Pesce is heading to market.
JACOB TROUBA TO THE RED WINGS?
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports growing speculation the Rangers could trade captain Jacob Trouba to the Detroit Red Wings. The 31-year-old defenseman has a full no-movement clause until July 1, when it becomes a 15-team no-trade list. The Michigan would presumably accept that deal.
Trouba carries an annual cap hit of $8 million. However, the Rangers would reportedly retain $2.5 million per season. Trading him would leave them searching for a new captain and someone to replace Trouba’s physical presence on the blueline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This would be quite a shakeup for the Rangers. The move would free up $5.5. million in cap room that management can put toward making some roster additions.
LATEST ON PATRICK KANE AND TYLER TOFFOLI
NEW YORK POST: Brooks reports the Rangers remain interested in a reunion with Patrick Kane. The 35-year-old winger had a brief, injury-hampered tenure with the Blueshirts in 2022-23. The Red Wings remain interested in bringing back Kane. There’s also talk both clubs could be interested in Steven Stamkos if he becomes available on Monday.
ESPN: Emily Kaplan also reports the Red Wings and Rangers are in the mix for Kane. She doesn’t rule the Vegas Golden Knights as a possible replacement for Jonathan Marchessault.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports hearing Tyler Toffoli is on the Los Angeles Kings’ radar. The 32-year-old pending UFA winger began his career with the Kings, spending nearly eight seasons with them. The Rangers and Vancouver Canucks are also said to be interested in Toffoli.
PANTHERS INTERESTED IN JAKOB CHYCHRUN
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Florida Panthers are among the teams interested in Jakob Chychrun. The 26-year-old Ottawa Senators defenseman has a year remaining on his contract. It’s unknown if that deal will get done during Day 2 of the draft.
The Senators seek a draft pick for winger Mathieu Joseph.
TEAMS ARE CALLING THE FLAMES ABOUT NAZEM KADRI
TSN’s Darren Dreger reports teams contacted the Calgary Flames about Nazem Kadri. However, they’re not engaged in a full roster teardown but are trying to reset their roster. The 32-year-old center is a big part of that. He also has a full no-movement clause and likes Calgary.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was some speculation earlier this week wondering if Kadri would prefer to move on after seeing so many veteran teammates getting traded this year. It sounds like that isn’t an issue to him.
AVALANCHE NOT INTERESTED IN TRADING JOSH MANSON
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Evan Rawal cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting teams are calling the Avalanche to express interest in defenseman Josh Manson. However, the Avs aren’t keen to move their most physical blueliner.
PREDATORS GETTING CALLS ABOUT YAROSLAV ASKAROV
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports the Nashville Predators are getting plenty of calls about promising goaltender Yaroslav Askarov. This comes following the news they’re poised to sign starting goalie Juuse Saros to a contract extension. The Predators have set a high price for Askarov.
DEVILS SHOPPING JOHN MARINO
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reporting the Devils are shopping John Marino. The 27-year-old defenseman is signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $4.4 million and an eight-team no-trade list starting on July 1.
Seravalli speculates the Vancouver Canucks could be a suitor for Marino if Nikita Zadorov heads to free agency on July 1.
LATEST ON JETS PROSPECT RUTGER MCGROARTY
THE ATHLETIC: Murat Ates reports the Winnipeg Jets worked hard to trade Rutger McGroarty during the first round of the 2024 NHL draft. The 20-year-old prospect has indicated he’s returning to Michigan for his junior year amid reports of a disagreement between him and the Jets over their development plan for him.
The Minnesota Wild offered up the 13th overall pick but withdrew that offer once Zeev Buium became available. Trade talks took place with multiple clubs. The Jets aren’t in any rush to move McGroarty but his stock remains high despite his desire to play elsewhere.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: NYI Hockey Now’s Russ Macias reported before the first round that the Islanders were among the clubs interested in McGroarty. They’ve also been linked to Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers.
Lyle
You mentioned Senators seeking s draft pick for Joseph
3rd?
Ottawa’s core is considered to be Tkachuk, Sanderson, Stutzle, Norris, Pinto, Giroux, Batherson, Chabot, Zub, Greig and Ullmark. Everyone else is available, including Joseph, who had a horrible 18-point year in 2022-23, but bounced back to some degree this past season with 11g 24a 35 pts, although down the stretch he failed to score in their final 12 games.
He’s not a bad 3rd/4th line player – just not worth close to $ 3 mil (cap hit is $2,950,000). Would Staios take a 3rd for him? Very likely because his move would be a classic salary dump.
Guentzel and Canes or Cannucks offer
Canes higher probability of cup
Canes waaaaay less travel during season
Canes offer nets a gain of $7M to $8 M net pay over the term of contract
Already familiar with Canes; has had success with Canes
Why would he take 7 @ $9M from Cannucks?
7x$9M = $63M
8x$8M = $64M
He could make more in that 8th year as a UFA if still productive. 1.5% less money for 12.5% less term. It’s not that illogical.
By the time the 7th year is done; he’s already behind by over $7 M in take home
To come out even (net of taxes) he’d need a 1 year at $15 M for that additional year
These are offers only snd not final; but if he is offered less take home; less opportunity at s cup; snd more travel; then I would think logically he wouldn’t take the Canuck’s offer
We should know this week; perhaps as early as Monday afternoon
Rumor – Canucks, Hurricanes, Blackhawks, Avalanche, Rangers, Capitals, maybe more teams want sign Guentzel.
Not sure Rangers can do another high priced, long term signing. Even if they trade Trouba, you have to replace him. Still need to sign Schneider and Lindgren. Miller and Shesterkin in last year of their deals.
Trouba to Detroit is picking up steam. Still think Holl could be a piece coming back instead of retaining salary.
Add at least Tamps Bay to that list now
What is that condition all NCAA players like McGroarty (maybe) has were they can return to their college team and after a certain time they become UFAs? Is that only for picks have not been signed to an ELC? Would McGroarty be able to make himself a UFA by returning to school?
He`s Winnipeg`s property till Aug 15th 2026. So, if he wants to be free, he`ll lose 2 years of earnings. A big chunk of change because he`ll still have to sign an ELC in 2026
The fact he’s in rumors leads me to believe he doesn’t want to play for Winnipeg. Going back to Michigan instead of playing AHL shouldn’t be cause to trade him. Not a big deal if Jets don’t see him as a fit on big club. Can revisit situation at end of his college season. He could be forcing their hand by threatening to play a 4th collegiate season.
Ron Moore
Players are ineligible to play NCAA once they sign any professional contract.
Yup. And the Holier-Than-Thou NCAA won’t allow any player into their program who has played Major Junior either.
I would keep McGroarty for the year. If he improves on what was already an outstanding year, I would try and sign him after the college season is over and offer him a spot on the third line, playing with Lowry and Neiderieiter. He would be an upgrade over Appleton any day of the week. That would be one tough third line to play against.
Tampa traded Sergachev to Utah.
And Jeannot to L.A. Clearing some $$$ to re-sign Stamkos it seems
There must be another defenceman they’re targeting too…Sergachev leaves a big hole.
Could they be in on Montour on July 1?
Tampa got rid of some salaries but are they any better resigning Stamkos to a bigger deal?And when they extend Hedman are they going to become top heavy?
Love how other teams who are right find a way to make moves and make tough decisions.
Seems like the leafs are scared to make any tough decisions and moves.
Well Jeff, as the old saying goes “it takes two to tango.” Maybe it isn’t the Leafs who are apprehensive about making moves … if could be the potential trading partners.
It’s senseless just to make moves for the sake of doing so.
None of the names that have been moved so far come anywhere near the magnitude of the most repeated rumour involving Toronto – Marner of course.
Who else would they be seeking to move?
Seen some prospects and picks moved for some decent players like sergachev , Marino and Thompson. Pretty sure those players would fill some holes in the leafs lineup
Does anybody have insight on what Toronto’s management is doing regarding their goalie situation?
It looks as though every available goalie is being scooped up.
Surely they have a plan besides Woll…right?
They’re going to sign Brossoit
Brock
Please tell me they’re not entering the season with two back-up goalies as their plan…
Woll is a good goalie that they can’t rely on to stay healthy. He’s got 39 games of NHL experience.
Brossoit is a career back-up.
They need a reliable #1A/B type goalie. Confidence in the goalie is contagious to the team