NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 01/17/2020

January 17, 2020

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

 01/17/2020 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Jan 16, 2020 12:40 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news that the Anaheim Ducks are willing to help out cap-strapped teams financially, the Toronto Maple Leafs will have to offer up a ready-to-play forward if they want a certain goaltender, Gerard Gallant has coaching options and why was Ray Shero really fired?

Ducks Willing to Take Money Problems

According to Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman, if you have salary cap issues heading into this year’s NHL Trade Deadline, you should consider calling the Anaheim Ducks.

The Ducks season has not been a good one in terms of playoff aspirations. John Gibson has struggled in net, the youngsters haven’t stepped up like some would have hoped and Friedman notes this has given them a pretty good indication of their plans as the regular season comes to a close.

The scribe reports that the team is willing to take on bad salary in order to acquire some additional young assets. They have a ton of room but could create more space by placing Ryan Kesler and Patrick Eaves on long-term injured reserve. If a contender wants to add but lacks the money to do so, the Ducks could take on spare parts but the teams moving those spare parts would need to give up a pick or prospect.

The only limitation for the Ducks is how many contracts they can take on as they are sitting at 47 out of the possible 50 slots their allowed to fill.

Devils’ Analytics Dept. the Undoing of Ray Shero?

There’s some speculation the Devils’ advanced analytics department and former GM Ray Shero didn’t necessarily see eye to eye and that could have been part of the reason he was let go as manager.

Darren Dreger of TSN wrote, “[They] had considerable influence, and maybe the ear of ownership.” Meanwhile, Friedman noted that the closeness the analytics department had to ownership was an issue. “Not saying that anyone submarined anyone else, but I don’t believe Shero was ever comfortable with [this].” When called out for possibly suggesting that department influenced his firing, Friedman elaborated.

He wrote on Twitter, “I am not saying that. I am saying that Shero liked a tight group, the Devils wanted more people involved. Philosophical disagreement.” Friedman also noted that Martin Brodeur was close with the group. That said, don’t expect him to become GM. “I don’t believe Brodeur has any desire to be a full-time GM at this time,” Friedman noted.

As for what the Devils might do with player trades, Wayne Simmonds says he doesn’t want to go anywhere, Andy Greene says he’s not talked to management about his no-move clause and there has been at least one offer for Sami Vatanen.

Gallant Will Have Coaching Options

Friedman noted in his 31 Thoughts article that some around the NHL are still buzzing that the Vegas Golden Knights would let Gerard Gallant go. As a result, he will have a variety of suitors when it comes to coaching again. Seattle, will be an option. Jim Nill pursued him hard in Dallas, but he may keep Rick Bowness around and Gallant’s got a history with Steve Yzerman and Detroit’s coaching situation could change.

And, with seven firings already in the NHL, who knows how many more coaches lose their job between now and the end of the season?

Backstrom and Ovechkin Working Together?

In his media conference, Nicklas Backstrom suggested the recent contract he signed might not be the last. It sounds like he’s hoping the Washington Capitals will renew Alexander Ovechkin for the same term.

When asked if either player had approached the two having similar term deals, GM Brian MacLellan said, “Not with me.” He added, “I assume those two have discussed it. They’ve been tied together since day one. That would be fitting.” When you consider both Backstrom and Ovechkin negotiated their own contracts, it’s a near guarantee they’ve talked to each other about their futures.

MacLellan also said that any talks he’ll have with goaltender Braden Holtby will happen after the season and post-season discussion.

Maple Leafs and Georgiev Rumors

Friedman commented on the rumors of the Toronto Maple Leafs possibly offering up Jeremy Bracco for New York Rangers goaltender Alexandar Georgiev. He said, “it will take more than that.”

Noting Georgiev beat the Islanders 6-2 on Monday, the Rangers will want a talented forward who can slot into the lineup immediately. The Rangers understand they have a potentially very good goalie on their hands in Georgiev.

By Jim Parsons on Jan 15, 2020 03:10 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news on teams calling the Toronto Maple Leafs now that they know the struggles facing the team, the Montreal Canadiens will not trade their big names, the New York Rangers haven’t spoke with Chris Krieder and there is news on Braden Holtby and the Washington Capitals.

Maple Leafs Getting and Making Calls

We’ve discussed at length the injury issues currently facing the Toronto Maple Leafs and how the call-ups of Timothy Liljegren and Rasmus Sandin are meant to be a quick fix. With Morgan Rielly and Jake Muzzin sidelined, Bob McKenzie of TSN reports the Leafs are getting calls from clubs hoping to take advantage of the situation.

McKenzie also notes the Maple Leafs are not sitting idle during this process. He also suspects the Leafs are making their inquiries to address their issues and McKenzie believes the idea of trading for a defenseman isn’t entirely out of the question.

The Maple Leafs have the biggest issue on the right side of their blue line and the question is if the team would be willing to part with a talented but affordable young forward like Kasperi Kapanen, Andreas Johnsson or Alex Kerfoot to get what they need to fill that hole. Certainly, there would be teams around the NHL ready to swap for one of those players.

At the same time, if the Maple Leafs don’t find a qualified backup goalie, there may be no point as most insiders believe the team doesn’t stand much of a chance to be competitive in the post-season without one. All of this suggests the Leafs will be busy and that a move that appears dollar-for-dollar deal is the most likely scenario.

Canadiens Won’t Trade Price or Weber

Pierre LeBrun also reports that the Montreal Canadiens have no plans to try and move either of Carey Price or Shea Weber despite calls by many fans and media to do so.

General manager Marc Bergevin said he has no intention of moving either guy at the trade deadline. Bergevin wants veteran leadership on the team as they get younger during the rebuild or retooling process.

It’s not as though either trade would have been easy to accomplish anyway. Weber and Price both hold very high-priced contracts with Price having a no-move clause worked in. All that said, Bergevin said the same thing about P.K. Subban and moved him shortly afterward. If a team came calling for Weber, the Canadiens might consider it.

Kreider and Rangers Haven’t Talked

Larry Brooks of the New York Post reports that there have yet to be any substantive talks between Chris Kreider’s representatives and the New York Rangers management team about a new deal. That’s not a good sign considering the deadline is mere weeks away.

Part of the reasoning might be the fact New York doesn’t know if they can afford Kreider on a long-term extension or what his true value is around the NHL on both a new deal or a trade. If so, it’s hard to offer him something.

But, most signs lead towards a trade and TSN’s Darren Dreger reports in the latest Insider Trading that should GM Jeff Gorton feel a swap is next step, he’s looking for the best deal possible and is willing to retain up to the maximum 50% of Kreider’s cap hit to get it.

Capitals and Holtby Speculation

Washington Capitals GM Brian MacLellan said he has a lot to consider before he can re-sign goaltender Braden Holtby to a new extension. First, he must ensure he has sufficient long-term cap room to re-sign Ilya Samsonov (their eventual starter), Alex Ovechkin, and Jakub Vrana at the end of 2020-21.

Second, even if Holtby agreed to a short-term hometown discount (which there is talk he’s not all that keen on doing), the Capitals still have to shed salary. More and more it appears Holtby will be leaving the Caps organization and it will be about if the team can get any assets for him while having the right combination of netminders for the playoffs.

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