NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 12/18/2018

December 18, 2018

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

 12/18/2018 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Dec 18, 2018 01:01 pm

In today’s rumor rundown, there is news on the Maple Leafs and their talks with defenseman Jake Gardiner, how they view the rental market prior to the trade deadline while the Vegas Golden Knights see their improvements coming from within. Plus, what’s the latest on Andre Burakovksy?

The Maple Leafs Have Told Gardiner to Hang Tight

Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun is reporting the Toronto Maple Leafs, namely, GM Kyle Dubas has spoken with pending unrestricted free agent Jake Gardiner about a contract but to hold tight as the team has other pressing matters to attend to first.

Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner has improved his game considerably since the 2015/16 season (Photo by Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Dubas did admit that he’ll look to improve the blueline by the trade deadline because they’d like to move the puck out of the zone better and Gardiner is certainly part of that equation moving forward. “We’re having discussions with Jake, he is a key part,” Dubas said. But he also added, “We have some other matters we have to tend to, and that has been communicated to Jake. We would like him to be here, it’s not as simple as it sounds.”

Dubas noted what everyone already knows about the Maple Leafs which is that the pie is only so big and they will have challenges trying to divvy it up. That could leave Gardiner on the outs if he’s looking to score big in free agency.

Koshan writes:

Gardiner, in the final year of a five-year pact that carries an average annual value of US$4,050,000, is headed for unrestricted free agency next summer and perhaps for the kind of raise that the Leafs probably can’t afford. Don’t hold your breath.

source – ‘Maple Leafs GM Dubas has no fear of offer sheets for Matthews and Marner’ – Terry Koshan – Toronto Sun – 12/17/2018

Leafs Not Interested in Rental Market

Despite Dubas saying he will look to improve his blue line, he also conducted an interview with Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic in which he noted the Maple Leafs would not be looking to the rental market as a way to boost the success of the organization this season.

TORONTO, ON-Toronto-DUBAS.The Maple Leafs announced today the promotion of Kyle Dubas to General Manager. Brendan Shanahan was on hand for the announcement… (Rene Johnston/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Dubas said during the interview:

I don’t really look and see many pure rentals that really change the dynamic of our group. So anything that we’d be looking at would be players that probably have some term. That’s why it’s important for us to continue to work on those agreements with Auston and Mitch so we can have some cost certainty with them, so that we can look to improve our team this season and beyond.

source – ‘LeBrun: Q&A with Kyle Dubas on the Nylander negotiations, deals for Matthews and Marner and offer sheets’ – Pierre LeBrun – The Athletic – 12/18/2018

This is quite interesting considering the Maple Leafs are widely viewed as a team that could benefit the most by adding a rental defenseman or depth forward and letting them leave at the end of the season after the team makes their run. It perhaps hints that Dubas expects to have deals in place with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner prior to the trade deadline.

Golden Knights Won’t Be Active Before Trade Freeze

Other teams may try to work out deals prior to the December 19, 2018 roster freeze but not the Golden Knights who said during an interview with David Schoen of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, that they will look internally to propel them forward. GM George McPhee indicated that they’re not actively pursuing deals.

Vegas Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith and center Jonathan Marchessault celebrate after defenseman Deryk Engelland (AP Photo/John Locher)

Schoen writes:

The Knights are 11-3-1 since Schmidt’s return on Nov. 18 and are as close to full strength as they’ve been all season. That likely will discourage McPhee from looking for upgrades prior to the NHL’s holiday roster freeze, which runs from 11:59 p.m. Wednesday through Dec. 27.

source – ‘GM George McPhee sees signs Golden Knights have turned corner- – David Schoen – Las Vegas Review Journal – 12/16/2018

McPhee said, “We like our team as is. When we’re healthy, we’re a good team. So, it’s not as if we’re actively looking for anything. We’d like to have all of our growth come internally.” He noted specifically players like Alex Tuch or Oscar Lindberg or some of their young defensemen stepping forward.

For these rumors and more, check out The Hockey Writers Podcast

A Burkovsky Trade Imminent?

There’s certainly truth to the rumors that Andre Burakovksy — who will be a healthy scratch in his fourth consecutive game tonight — is trade bait out of Washington. Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post writes the Capitals have received calls from teams asking about his availability after Chris Johnston of Sportsnet reported on the weekend that the Vancouver Canucks were one of the teams.

Khurshudyan writes:

A spike in trade rumors is natural when a young, skilled forward is in this situation, potentially in need of a change of scenery. But while the Capitals are listening to offers for Burakovsky, they’re not in a rush to part with him and not actively looking to deal him. They’re not closed off to the idea, either, especially if there’s something worthwhile in return.

source – ‘NHL teams are calling about Andre Burakovsky. Would the Caps pull the trigger and trade him?’ – The Washington Post – Isabelle Khurshudyan – 12/17/2018

By Jim Parsons on Dec 17, 2018 12:36 pm

In today’s rumor rundown, NHL trade talk is picking up just a couple days out from the roster freeze and there are at least three or four teams leading the way in terms of trade rumors. There were reports the Flyers were planning on switching coaches and there are two teams looking at Artemi Panarin in terms of a free agent signing.

Talk Before the Roster Freeze

Bob McKenzie was on TSN 690 and said that GMs are telling him there is more trade talk going on leading up to the holiday roster freeze on December 19, 2018, than ever before. The Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks and the Philadelphia Flyers are the teams making the most noise and most likely to make a move.

(Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)

If your name isn’t Drew Doughty or Anze Kopitar, you could be had in trade out of Los Angeles. That includes players like Jake Muzzin, Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli.

The Blues are also ready to talk about anyone from Vladimir Tarasenko to Alex Pietrangelo. McKenzie said, “These guys are all ears because they can’t afford not to be.”

Panarin Being Targeted By Chicago and New York?

During the 31 Thoughts podcast that dropped on December 13, 2018, Elliotte Friedman suggested that the New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks might be two teams interested in Artemi Panarin when free agency opens up this summer.

The Blackhawks moved Panarin in the midst of cap issues. (Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports)

John Dietz of the Daily Herald also notes that the Blackhawks are planning to target Panarin this summer and that Chicago wants to put a stop to the bleeding as soon as possible.

The Rangers see Panarin as way to speed up their rebuild and a good piece to build around so they’re fine with the high-ticket price tag that will come with signing him and with the names rumored to be shipped out of New York over the next couple months, should have plenty of room on their salary cap to make a pitch.

Flyers to Replace Hakstol With Quenneville Report on Pause

A report came out on Sunday that suggested the Philadelphia Flyers had reportedly decided to fire Dave Hakstol as their head coach and are hire Joel Quenneville. That report was first released by Dave Isaac of the Courier-Post. Another report came out Darren Dreger that nothing had been decided and the situation was still being updated.

Status quo in Philadelphia. No decision has been made on Dave Hakstol.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 16, 2018

The latest is that Joel Quenneville himself has denied the rumor and multiple media outlets are suggesting as of now, Hakstol is still the coach and there is no change happening. One report read, “As of right now this second, Dave Hakstol is still the coach of the Philadelphia Flyers. I’m now hearing Quenneville is OUT, which is the opposite of what I heard last night.”

Anthony SanFilippo reported that the announcement of a new head coach may be delayed but if they fire Hakstol today there could be an interim coach for Tuesday. As of this writing, Hakstol was not on the ice for the Flyers practice on Monday morning.

Sabres Unlikely To Pursue Rentals

The Buffalo Sabres have been one of the surprises of the NHL season so far but their spot near the top of the Eastern Conference hasn’t cemented them as buyers at this year’s NHL trade deadline. In fact, it is being reported that the Sabres may not do much in terms of acquiring rental players for a playoff run.

GM Jason Botterill doesn’t appear to be inclined to deviate from his long-term plan and will only trade for players with term or contracts the organization can control beyond this season.  That means that if the Sabres are going to trade one of their three first-round draft picks this summer, the player coming back will be of significance to the team going forward.

By Jim Parsons on Dec 16, 2018 02:19 pm

In today’s rumor rundown the Washington Capitals appear to be shopping one of their forwards but don’t want draft picks or prospects in return, the Philadelphia Flyers are losing so often that waiting may not be an option when it comes time to making changes and there is an update on the outlook of St. Louis trading Vladimir Tarasenko.

Capitals Shopping Andre Burakovsky

Chris Johnston said on Sportsnet’s Saturday Headlines that the Washington Capitals could be looking to trade forward Andre Burakovsky. In 29 games this season, Burakovsky has five goals and three assists for eight points. He carries a $3 million cap hit until the end of this season. Johnston says the Vancouver Canucks could be an interested team.

(Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Johnston details the situation to say, “Andre Burakovsky, the talented Washington Capitals winger who has fallen a little out of favour and has had a little trouble with ice time – tonight he’s sitting out his third straight game as a healthy scratch.” Johnston said his name is out there in the trade market but Elliotte Friedman added that if the Capitals are to trade Burkovsky, they’ll want someone that can help them immediately.

Flyers May Not Be Able to Wait

During that same Headlines segment, Chris Johnston noted there could be more changes in Philadelphia and GM Chuck Fletcher could be forced to make a change with regards to head coach Dave Hakstol.

Dave Hakstol Flyers bench (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Johnston mentioned that the Flyers wanted to be patient but they may not be able to with how badly the team is currently performing. They lost again on Saturday in a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of the Canucks.

“While we don’t want to say anything definitive tonight it certainly is a situation that bears watching,” Johnston said. “With the Flyers wrapping up their road trip in Vancouver, it could be one where (Flyers’ GM) Chuck Fletcher is forced to make a change.”

This could also lead to some player changes as most opposing GM’s already know that Fletcher is looking to make trades before the trade freeze on December 19th.

Update on Tarasenko

After dropping the bomb last Saturday that Alex Pietrangelo might be moved out of St. Louis, Ron MacLean went back to Nick Kypreos during the Headlines segment on Sportsnet for more on the Blues, namely St. Louis Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko.

Colton Parayko and Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues, January 6, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Kypreos said, “We know that Doug Armstrong wants to eventually change the make-up of his dressing room. Tarasenko is an interesting topic of discussion.” Kypreos went on to detail that Tarasenko makes good money at $7.5 million but it’s not $8.5 or $9 million per season which means there would be plenty of interested teams because that’s a good $7.5 million spent. He said of Tarasenko, “teams view him as a Phil Kessel type of guy that can come in and be a great supporting cast.”

Kypreos did say that he has a no-trade that kicks in July 1, so there is some urgency to do something this season if the Blues decide to move him. If the Blues are going to rebuild, Tarasenko could be an interesting trade chip for them.“Goal scoring’s at a premium,” added Kypreos. “A team like Carolina, that had Nylander on their watch list up until he signed with Toronto, still remains in the hunt for a goal scorer.”

Friedman interjected during the segment to say he too believes Carolina is an interesting team to watch when it comes to Tarasenko. Meanwhile, the rest of the league continues to inquire about other Blues players like Colton Parayko.

Edmonton Oilers Looking for a Defenseman?

The Edmonton Oilers have lost defenseman Oscar Klefbom for six to eight weeks with multiple breaks in his hand and a surgery that was required this weekend to repair one of the broken fingers he suffered blocking a shot. This could mean the Oilers will be in the market for a defenseman.

In the meantime, Darnell Nurse has stepped up and filled in nicely. If he continues to play well, it may mean the urgency to trade for a d-man is not as great. That said, the Oilers are also down Kris Russell.

By Jim Parsons on Dec 15, 2018 02:16 pm

In today’s rumor rundown, there is news that the Carolina Hurricanes had a deal nearly done with a team in the Western Conference, the Maple Leafs continue to look for help on their blue line, Seattle is creating a list of potential general managers and the latest on the drama coming out of St. Louis with the Blues.

Plus, Frank Seravalli released his Top 30 trade board on Friday and there are some interesting names at the top.

TSN’s Trade Board

Frank Seravalli released his top-30 names to watch for trades as the NHL season unfolds. Holding the top five spots on Seravalli’s trade board are:

1. Colton Parayko – RD – St. Louis Blues2. Jake Muzzin – LD – Los Angeles Kings3. Kevin Hayes – C – New York Rangers4. Brett Pesce – RD – Carolina Hurricanes5. Jeff Carter – C – Los Angeles Kings

(Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Parayko is at the top because most people expect something to shake loose in St. Louis and he’s a defenseman that makes a lot of sense. Muzzin and Carter have been in the rumor mill since the Kings began to struggle, Kevin Hayes is out there for New York because the Rangers are rebuilding and Pesce might be an excess defenseman that can be used to acquire a top-six forward.

Charlie Coyle (Wild), Gustav Nyquist (Red Wings), Micheal Ferland (Hurricanes), Jimmy Howard (Red Wings), and Matt Duchene (Senators) take up the next five spots.

Hurricanes Had a Deal, Lost a Deal

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun noted the Carolina Hurricanes had a trade as good as done with a Western Conference team that fell through in the final hours. The Canes were looking for a top-six forward but it is unclear as to who they were targeting in the trade that didn’t happen. With that trade no longer a go, there is some belief they have talked internally about going after Toronto Maple Leafs winger Kasperi Kapanen.

Maple Leafs right wing Kasperi Kapanen (Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports)

With the Leafs looking for a defenseman, Carolina and Toronto do make sense as potential trade partners and Kapanen continues to impress in an elevated position next to Auston Matthews. But, in Toronto, there might not be much of a future since his production means a bigger payday as a restricted free agent and the Maple Leafs simply can’t afford another pricey contract.

What About Jeff Carter?

Should Carolina not go after Kapanen, there are whispers a player like Jeff Carter might be available out of LA. Carter has three years left on his contract after 2018-19 but his actual salary is low compared to his cap hit. As per Elliotte Friedman, the issue in dealing for Carter is that “there have been rumblings that if he doesn’t like where he’s traded to, he could just potentially retire.” This isn’t new. Carter was a disaster in Columbus because he didn’t want to be there and he was eventually traded.

Mar 3, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Jeff Carter (77) on the ice during the second period of the game against the Chicago Blackhawks at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Leafs Search for a Blueliner

In speaking about the Maple Leafs needing a blueliner, TSN’s Bob McKenzie suggested the Leafs don’t have anything cooking to improve their defense but they are looking. Whether or not something was going on with Pietrangelo out of St. Louis or not was real, McKenzie said the Maple Leafs would certainly be interested if it became known Pietrangelo was available. McKenzie suggests either Andreas Johnsson and Connor Brown could be used to try and acquire the defender Toronto seems to badly need.

Seattle Listing Potential GM Candidates

LeBrun says the Seattle group has put together a list of about 10 to 12 names as potential GM candidates. There is no rush to make a decision but the new team is starting that search now. LeBrun says they likely won’t reach out to anyone until after the season.

Drew Doughty Buzz

Some people are asking, what happens if the Los Angeles Kings blow up their franchise in an effort to rebuild? What does that mean for defenseman Drew Doughty?

The Athletic’s Craig Custance wrote that the question has some merit based on comments made by Doughty in earlier interviews.

Drew Doughty #8, Los Angeles Kings – December 18, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Custance quotes Doughty as saying:

“I was hoping obviously no, that would never happen,” Doughty said. “I signed a long-term contract knowing anything can happen. I prepared for anything and I will be prepared for anything… Personally, I would never want to go through a rebuild because I want to try to win every single year. That’s not up to me, that’s up to them.”

source – ‘Custance: The trade candidates and blueprint that could shape a Kings rebuild’ – The Athletic – Craig Custance – 12/12/2018

Doughty is paid well but the Kings wouldn’t have any trouble finding a trade partner.

Latest on Blues Trade Buzz

Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic tweeted that St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong will listen to anything in terms of a trade offer but clarified that the Blues have not reached out to teams offering up their best players.

Jason Gregor from TSN 1260 tweeted that Ray Ferraro said on the speculation of a player like Vladimir Tarasenko:

“He’s never been in great shape, even when he was a 40 goal scorer. Maybe it has caught up to him. Maybe management is just rattling cages, but Blues have been a major disappointment so it doesn’t surprise me they would listen, but Armstrong shouldn’t panic on any deal.”

For these rumors and more, Check Out the Hockey Writers Podcast

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