NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 02/08/2019

February 08, 2019

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

02/08/2019 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Feb 08, 2019 03:27 pm

In the second installment of the rumor rundown for Friday, Feb. 8, we look at updates on Ilya Kovalchuk out of Los Angeles, interest by the Toronto Maple Leafs in Luke Glendening and word that Artemi Panarin has switched agents, leading to all sorts of trade speculation.

Ilya Kovalchuk Is Available

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic (subscription required) writes that veteran forward Ilya Kovalchuk is “definitely available” if a team were to come forward with an offer. After joining the Kings in the summer and having a strong start to the season, Kovalchuk has not done well under new coach Willie Desjardins and the Kings would like to move his three-year, $18.75 million per season contract.

Los Angeles Kings left wing Ilya Kovalchuk (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)

If the Kings are looking at a rebuild, it makes sense that Kovalchuk would not be needed. He was added in the anticipation the Kings would be a playoff team this season. They’re not and as such, there’s really no need for him on that roster.

Kovalchuk does hold a full no-movement clause through the end of next season so much of the power in any trade is in his hands. LeBrun did say:

The 35-year-old winger has a full no-move clause so he decides his future, but my understanding of the situation is that he would waive it if the right fit presented itself, and that the Kings would try to accommodate him and perhaps even eat some of the salary in order to make a deal work.

source – ‘LeBrun Notebook: High price for rentals, Ilya Kovalchuk’s future and Leafs mulling their options’ – Pierre LeBrun – The Athletic – 02/08/2019

Part of why this is being discussed is because of late, Kovalchuk has played a little better and the Kings want people to see he’s available while he’s playing well. Boston, Vegas, and San Jose showed interest during the summer but it’s very likely that interest is gone now.

Maple Leafs Looking at Luke Glendening

The Toronto Maple Leafs showed interest in Detroit Red Wings forward Luke Glendening last season and it appears they may be interested in him again. According to Frank Seravalli of TSN, the Maple Leafs have “kicked the tires” on Glendening.

Luke Glendening, Detroit Red Wings – Dec. 18, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Seravalli suggests that if a deal were to be done, the Red Wings would need to retain some salary on his $1.8 million per season contract that runs the next two seasons.

Simmonds Getting to be a Popular Guy

Pierre LeBrun writes in The Athletic, there are at least five teams showing interest if forward Wayne Simmonds out of Philadelphia. He writes:

Boston, Tampa Bay, Nashville and Winnipeg are among several contenders sources say have shown different levels of interest in Simmonds. There are no surprises on that list… I think GM Chuck Fletcher and Simmonds’ agent Eustace King are largely on the same page, have engaged in good communication and have an understanding of how things might play out.

source – ‘LeBrun Notebook: Possible suitors for Wayne Simmonds and Panthers’ interest in Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky’ – Pierre LeBrun – The Athletic – 02/06/2019

It is believed the Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning have shown serious interest.

Artemi Panarin Changes Agent

Artemi Panarin switched representation on Friday and now has the same agent Sergei Bobrovsky does. As Elliotte Friedman tweeted in the morning, this could lead to speculation the two would be moved in a package deal if a trade were to take place.

There is word today Artemis Panarin has joined teammate Sergei Bobrovsky’s agent, Paul Theofanous. This is going to lead to plenty of speculation they could be a package deal in free agency. We will see how it plays out.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 8, 2019

As Pierre LeBrun points out, this could also mean nothing and “from a Columbus perspective, Panarin switching to agent Paul Theofanous (Bobrovsky’s agent) doesn’t change much. Panarin still wants to head to market is the understanding.”

The Nashville Predators and Boston Bruins have checked in on Panarin and were a bit shocked at the asking price. Still two-and-half weeks out from the deadline, it is expected the asking prices should drop; especially if Stone or Duchene are added to the trade market next week.

Aaron Portzline writes on Twitter that this will be Panarin’s third agent since Nov/Dec 2016 – “He was w Tom Lynn when he left KHL for Chicago, then changed very late in second contract negotiations w Blackhawks, joining Milstein.”

Listen to the Latest Edition of the Hockey Writers Podcast

What’s going on with Mitch Marner in Toronto now that Matthews is signed? Also, what moves are the Edmonton Oilers about to make?

By Jim Parsons on Feb 08, 2019 01:26 pm

In today’s rumor rundown, there is news on the Maple Leafs scouting the Hurricanes and chatting with defenseman Jake Gardiner. Meanwhile, there are updates on Kevin Hayes in New York and Matt Duchene and Mark Stone in Ottawa.

Maple Leafs and Hurricanes Still Talking Trade

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun is reporting that the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes are still talking despite the Maple Leafs adding Jake Muzzin in trade a few days ago. LeBrun writes, “One of my sources in Buffalo saw Maple Leafs assistant general manager Laurence Gilman in the press box in Buffalo for Thursday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes.” He didn’t think the Leafs were there to scout the Sabres.

Carolina Hurricanes left wing Micheal Ferland (James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports)

LeBrun wasn’t sure if the Leafs were there to look at one of Carolina’s right-handed d-men or if they were taking a closer look at Micheal Ferland, who is a power forward that has been on the market.

Leafs Also Speaking With Gardiner’s Agent?

LeBrun also noted that hockey agent Pat Brisson was at the Maple Leafs game where they took on the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday. He met with Leafs GM Kyle Dubas after the game to catch up a bit. Brisson represents defenseman Jake Gardiner and the assumption is that they were talking about the situation between Gardiner and the Maple Leafs.

While his mistakes may be magnified in Toronto, Jake Gardiner isn’t likely going anywhere at this point. (Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports)

Most are assuming Gardiner is a gone as of next season but Dubas has made a point of saying he’s trying to keep all the pieces together in Toronto. While Gardiner is a polarizing figure in that city, he has value. It’s simply about how much he believes in his value and if he wants to make as much as possible on an extension. If so, he’ll likely have to do so outside of Toronto.

The Latest on Kevin Hayes

Darren Dreger was on Montreal’s TSN 690 radio show and referenced what was going on between the New York Rangers and pending UFA forward Kevin Hayes. Dreger said tt’s still possible that the Rangers and Hayes could come to an agreement on an extension, but it’s more likely he’s moved to a contending team at the deadline.

Kevin Hayes, New York Rangers, September 27, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Dreger said, “Kevin Hayes, to me, should be a player that Minnesota or a team like Winnipeg should be looking at. I mean, just everything he brings, I think he’d fit nicely in that conference.”

Bob McKenzie said, “I think the New York Rangers believe if they can get a first-round pick and something for Kevin Hayes, that would be fantastic. If they can get a first-round pick or a top prospect – not both, but one of those – for Zuccarello, that would be great too.”

McKenzie Says Outlook For Stone and Duchene Staying Not Good

McKenzie released his latest TSN Hockey Bobcast on Thursday and during the show said, “My needle on Stone and Duchene is that they’re not going to sign in Ottawa and they’re going to be traded.” He went on to explain that they could sign extensions and that he believes the Senators will continue to make plays to get those extensions done but by Monday, there should be a much clearer indication as to what’s going on with these two players.

Mark Stone (61) speaks with center Matt Duchene (Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports)

McKenzie believes that Stone will get $9 million-plus per season on the open market and Duchene at least $8 million per season. If Ottawa stands a chance, they’ll need to get the money up to that level to keep either player.

Listen to the Latest Edition of the Hockey Writers Podcast

What’s going on with Mitch Marner in Toronto now that Matthews is signed? Also, what moves are the Edmonton Oilers about to make?

By Jim Parsons on Feb 07, 2019 12:38 pm

In today’s NHL rumors, there is a list of less-costly forwards showing itself as the trade deadline approaches, the Edmonton Oilers are going to start searching for a general manager sooner than later and the Ottawa Senators, namely Eugene Melnyk are making it known he expects the Senators to be competitive for a Stanley Cup by 2025.

A List of Budget NHL Forwards Available

Jared Clinton of The Hockey News took a closer look at the NHL Trade Deadline but focused on the forwards who could be had in trade but have lower cap hits and shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg to acquire. He started by looking at Micheal Ferland, but the asking price might be up there if the buzz around Ferland is to be believed.

(Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)

Other names on the list include Alex Chiasson out of Edmonton (17 goals and 24 points in 41 games), Patrick Maroon out of St. Louis and perhaps Ryan Dzingel out of Ottawa (38 points in 48 games). Dzingel is probably not a player the Senators sell cheap but it all depends on how badly they want to move him before the Feb. 25. date.

Oilers GM Search Starts This Week

TSN Insider Bob McKenzie is reporting that the Edmonton Oilers will start contacting teams later this week about potential GM candidates by asking for permission to speak with the names high on their list. The expectation is still that a GM won’t be hired before the trade deadline but McKenzie said, “it sounds like later this week the process is going to take the next step, which is actually contacting teams, getting permission, and getting more into more of the heart of this matter.”

KELOWNA, CANADA – OCTOBER 25: Head coach Kelly McCrimmon of Brandon Wheat Kings stands on the bench during first period against the Kelowna Rockets on October 25, 2014 at Prospera Place in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)

The leading candidates seem to be Kelly McCrimmon out of the Vegas Golden Knights organization and Mark Hunter out of the London Knights OHL organization.

Oilers Won’t Trade Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

While they will start searching for a GM, what the Oilers won’t do, at least according to TSN’s Darren Dreger, is trade away Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was one of many Oilers’ first overall picks. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

If an unbelievable offer was thrown out there — one that solved a lot more problems than the hole that moving Nugen-Hopkins would create — then the Oilers might think about it but Dreger says, “when I look at the Edmonton Oilers, you can count on probably six – maybe seven – fingers how many players are players of substance – with all due respect to those who are earning a living as NHL players. And I’m not trying to be disrespectful.”

Instead, Dreger believes the Oilers new GM (whomever that is) will focus on moving out the $2 -$2.5 million players, even if it means getting little to nothing back in return.

Kings and Phaneuf Parting Ways?

The Los Angeles Kings are going to sit defenseman Dion Phaneuf as a healthy scratch when the Kings take on the Philadelphia Flyers and speculation this is the beginning of a move that might lead to a potential buyout in the summer.

LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 1: Dion Phaneuf #3 of the Los Angeles Kings (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NHLI via Getty Images)

It’s going to be a costly buyout with two years remaining at $7 million per season but the Ottawa Senators are on hook for 25% of that salary.

Senators Going to be All-In Come 2021

Speaking of the Senators, there are reports coming out of Ottawa that owner Eugene Melynk expects the team to be competitive again and spend to the salary cap ceiling by the year 2021. Melnyk said he expects the rebuild to last only one or two more seasons.

“The Senators will be all-in again for a five-year run of unparalleled success – where the team will plan to spend close to the NHL’s salary cap every year from 2021 to 2025.” (3/4)

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 7, 2019

Melnyk’s comments came when speaking to a group of corporate sponsors and partners on Wednesday. He explained exactly how he sees the team’s future. He reiterated that the Senators’ current rebuild is a blueprint on how to bring the Stanley Cup home to its rightful place in Ottawa.

By Jim Parsons on Feb 06, 2019 12:46 pm

In today’s rumor rundown, just hours after Auston Matthews signed his new deal, the controversy has already started as it pertains to Mitch Marner. There is also news that teams are calling the Arizona Coyotes about one of their players and that the Vancouver Canucks are looking to add a forward while they work on an Alex Edler extension.

Marner’s Agent Backpedaling a Bit?

The conversation started, “So far they’ve been trying to lowball (Marner),” agent Darren Ferris said Tuesday. “That’s the reason we’ve come to this point.”

This was not a good sign if you were the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ferris cited the fact that no one else was taking a discount so why should Marner — who happens to lead the Maple Leafs in scoring? But, as Auston Matthews signed on Tuesday and the quote hit the media in Toronto, Ferris has started to backpedal a bit.

Agent, Toronto Star columnist clarify comments made on contract talk involving Mitch Marner https://t.co/pZdM6FGMxt #TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/19NxQfmgOC

— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) February 6, 2019

During an appearance on a number of radio stations including Sportsnet’s The Jeff Blair Show, Ferris suggesting the two sides were getting along fine and that the both ended their discussions on a positive note saying the “lowball” offer that happened in the initial stages of talking contract are a normal course of negotiations.

It isn’t changing the fact that Marner won’t negotiate during the season and Matthews’ new deal only sets the bar for Marner who, as Bob McKenzie said, “they absolutely, 100 percent believe earnestly that Mitch Marner is worth every bit as much as Auston Matthews. They do.”

Pierre LeBrun asks, “Bottom line, all controversy aside, it comes down to one very basic question: can Marner get what Matthews got and if not, where does that leave both sides this summer? Marner wants to be a Leaf. So his camp pushes as far as it can and then signs. At least that’s what I think.”

Teams Calling Coyotes About Richard Panik

Craig Morgan, who writes for the Athletic AZ tweeted that if the Arizona Coyotes are no longer in the playoff race or if they become healthy enough, pending unrestricted free agent forward Richard Panik would be their most likely trade chip. Teams are already calling the Coyotes about him.

Arizona Coyotes’ Brad Richardson and Richard Panik celebrate (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

As it stands right now, the Coyotes are three points back of a Wild Card spot in the Western Conference and have been hanging in despite a ton of injuries to the current roster. The team is not expected to make the playoffs but they weren’t expected to be where they are currently either.

Panik’s next few games will be a real showcase. He’s got 10 goals and 22 points in 52 games for the Coyotes this season.

Canucks Interested in Patrick Maroon?

Frank Seravalli of TSN is reporting the Vancouver Canucks and defenseman Alexander Edler have started contract extension negotiations and he’s become the team’s top priority. But, second to that, the Canucks are looking for help on the wing and might have their eyes on someone who won’t cost a lot to acquire.

Seravalli wonders about St. Louis Blues forward Patrick Maroon and if he would be a good fit? There have been rumors of the Blues looking to move him for weeks now but while the team is close to a playoff spot, Maroon hasn’t been terribly productive.

Craig Button notes potential options could include Gustav Nyquist and Jakob Silfverberg.

Red Wings and Nyquist

Speaking of Nyquist out of Detroit, GM Ken Holland says he’s got a decision to make. During an interview with Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, he said, “I’ve been a buyer, where you call all the teams and see who’s available and get a feel for the price. Now I’m a seller and if there’s a deal, we’ll do it.”

He also added that if the market is too soft because there are too many sellers, he might not make a move.

Preds Re-Acquiring Cody McLeod

The Predators are re-acquiring Cody McLeod from the Rangers for I believe a 7-th RD pick. Trade call hasn't happened yet.

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 6, 2019

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