NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 11/22/2019

November 22, 2019

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

11/22/2019 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Nov 21, 2019 03:05 pm

Just over 20 games into the 2019-20 NHL regular season for most teams, there is fast and furious chatter throughout the rumor mill. We’ve covered a variety of the speculation in our daily NHL rumor rundown articles, but in an effort to put everything into one neat-and-tidy location, we’ll provide a weekly Top-12 rundown of the most talked-about rumors.

The below list is a combination of players who have often come up in trade talks:

12) Taylor Hall

Taylor Hall makes our list at No. 12 and he’ll probably stay on this list for some time. The New Jersey Devils will spend most of the season trying to convince Hall to re-sign with the team, but most insiders believe he’ll either be traded closer to the deadline or wait things out to test free agency should the Devils make the playoffs.

The teams that sound connected to this Hall situation are the Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers, for now. More teams will enter the conversation as the playoffs draw near and they are either firmly in or out of the postseason picture. At that point, Hall is either deemed a rental or he isn’t.

11) Tyson Barrie

Coming in at No. 11 is Tyson Barrie from the Toronto Maple Leafs. He’s mightily struggled in Toronto this season after coming over in a trade that included Nazem Kadri going to Colorado. Barrie was supposed to help stabilize the Maple Leafs blue line but it hasn’t worked and head coach Mike Babcock was just fired, in part, because of it.

Barrie dodged a bullet here (maybe). He might want to move on and get himself in a situation where he can put up some numbers in a contract year but the hope is that new coach Sheldon Keefe will unleash the Barrie most GM’s know is in there.

Moving Barrie before his new coach gets a chance to work with him might be considered a rush decision, but should he not start to produce, expect him to go.

10) Tristan Jarry

The goaltender from Pittsburgh ranks on this week’s list because of continued rumors the Penguins are looking to make a move and a need exists in the marketplace for goaltenders. New Jersey has been heavily rumored here as have the Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks.

Jarry has played extremely well for the Penguins but in only five games. He has a 1.98 GAA and a .938 save percentage. Someone will be interested.

9) Jesse Puljujarvi

December 1st is drawing near and that date is important because if the Edmonton Oilers don’t sign or trade Jesse Puljujarvi before then, he isn’t eligible to play in the NHL this season.

The disgruntled forward that wants a new start is currently playing well in Finland with Karpat and recently announced he’s not returning to the NHL this season. That likely changes the optics of him being traded and the Oilers will revisit moving him again at the draft in nothing gets done in the next few days.

Carolina and the New York Rangers are rumored to be interested.

8) Dustin Byfuglien

The story in Winnipeg that surrounds defenseman Dustin Byfuglien is an interesting one. It was recently reported the NHLPA has filed a grievance on his behalf trying to get him reinstated from suspension and make it so he can receive his salary while out with an injury. The Jets are fighting back.

What’s interesting, outside of the arbitrator drama that’s about to unfold, is that it seems unlikely these two sides will ever be able to make amends and if Byfuglien decides to come back to the NHL after he recovers. That has to mean a trade, no?

7) Jason Spezza

With a new coach in Toronto, it’s possible Jason Spezza is among the happier of campers in that Maple Leafs locker room. He wasn’t getting much opportunity and while it’s possible the Maple Leafs still move him to make room for players coming off injury, maybe the new coach gives him a look first?

If not, and the Maple Leafs have decided to move on, Spezza is a good depth forward who can still provide offense, leadership and skill and is a risk-free trade for someone with the potential to far exceed what he’s being paid.

6) Travis Hamonic

The Calgary Flames will be looking to make a move considering how poorly their season has gone to date. Before this slump, it was already reported that defenseman Travis Hamonic was not willing to negotiate his contract during the season. As a pending unrestricted free agent, does that make him a likely trade candidate?

With a struggling season, an expiring contract and higher expectations, the simple answer is yes. He’s currently dealing with some minor injury issues so don’t expect a trade anytime soon. Johnny Gaudreau, Michael Frolik, and TJ Brodie’s names have come up too.

5) Andreas Athanasiou

The Detroit Red Wings are in a rebuild and as their season continues to slip away from them, expect a number of players to come up in trade speculation. Among them will be the speedy forward Andreas Athanasiou.

He’s come on a bit of late but still only has 12 points in 21 games and is on pace for 19 goals. He was being counted on as a player to take that next important step and he hasn’t really done so.

Pressure will mount, talk of a change of scenery may be in order and considering he’ll likely ask for a raise on the $3 million he’s currently making, he’ll probably be moved to a contender.

4) Julius Honka

Like Puljujarvi in Edmonton, Julius Honka needs to be signed or traded by the Dallas Stars before December 1st to be eligible for the NHL regular season in 2019-20. Honka has been on the trade block since the summer but there doesn’t seem to be a team interested at the Stars asking price.

If the ask comes down, there might be a move here. Friedman reported in his 31 Thoughts column on November 20th, “As for Julius Honka, it seems quiet. Let’s see if anyone bites.”

3) Chris Kreider

Will the New York Rangers try and re-sign Chris Kreider? Or, will they move him as is/was a speculated? That’s a question that may linger in New York as long as the organization is unsure if they are actually a playoff team or not.

Currently, the Rangers are 13th in the Eastern Conference and Kreider remains high on the TSN Trade Bait Board which means the likelihood is he’s traded. A pending unrestricted free agent, and one who currently makes $4.625 million is an affordable trade deadline acquisition for someone.

That said, this is the same team who told their fans they were rebuilding and then went out and signed Artemi Panarin for seven years at over $11.6 million per season. For all anyone knows, the Rangers could throw $7 million per season at Kreider to stay.

2) Jason Zucker

It has to be only a matter of time before Jason Zucker is traded from the Minnesota Wild. The Wild are well outside the playoff picture, new GM Bill Guerin likely wants to make a mark with his first real trade and Zucker has been in the rumor mill for some time, almost being moved twice under old management.

Zucker certainly isn’t a rental at $5.5 million over the next four seasons but he’s a solid NHL player good for between 40 and 65 points every season. He’s currently on pace for 54 points in 2019-20 and some team might be willing to make a one-for-one deal where they move someone to try and shake things up.

Perhaps I have him too high on this list, but I get the sense him being moved could come out of nowhere one morning.

1) Nic Petan

Petan is likely going to get the shaft in Toronto. He was rumored to be in Babcock’s doghouse so with the coach now gone, maybe things look different but the Maple Leafs are dealing with a numbers game and the organization may have already given up on the player.

If the Maple Leafs can ever last more than a few games without injury issues, Petan is the player that probably doesn’t fit based on this year’s history. That said, he could rebound or someone might take a chance on Petan who could be a victim of what is supposed to be a strong offensive team.

By Jim Parsons on Nov 21, 2019 01:05 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news out of Toronto when it comes to the reaction over Mike Babcock’s firing. In Winnipeg, there are updates on the Dustin Byfuglien situation and in Calgary, are the rumors surrounding Johnny Gaudreau overblown? Finally, would the Montreal Canadiens be interested in Taylor Hall?

Odd GM, Coach and Player Dynamic in Toronto

Reactions to the firing of Mike Babcock on Wednesday are mixed. There are many who felt the decision was long overdue and others who believed the choice to remove Babcock was done too early. Babcock released a statement and in it, didn’t name Kyle Dubas, Brendan Shanahan or any of the players except Morgan Rielly. Some believe that to be intentional, specifically when it comes to John Tavares who is being labeled by some of the fans as a “coach killer”.

There was no reported rift between Tavares and Babcock but James Mirtle reports that 90% of the players wanted Babcock gone. There is also speculation that Dubas was not the one to make the announcement because he supported Babcock in April and it wasn’t Dubas who hired him in the first place.

Shanhan made the announcement and also flew to Arizona to undertake the task of letting Babcock go.

It is being billed as an organizational decision. Something that Dubas believed was necessary but fully supported by Shanahan and the Maple Leaf hierarchy. They felt the “message” was not getting through and a new voice is required. Shanahan and Dubas will be speaking to media.

If the reports of the players wanting Babcock gone are true, it will be up to them to turn things around now and their last chance seeing as removing Babcock was seen as the big card the organization could play this season.

NHLPA Files Grievance on Byfuglien’s Behalf

The talk surrounding Dustin Byfuglien and the Winnipeg Jets seemed to quiet over the past few weeks but it’s certainly not a dead story. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that the National Hockey League Players’ Association has filed a grievance with the league challenging the suspension of Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien.

As McKenzie wrote, this is the battle lines being drawn between the NHLPA and the Winnipeg Jets as the case will now go before an independent arbitrator. If the Jets are deemed to have been holding back information on his unexpected absence, including their knowledge he was considering surgery for a previously undisclosed injury, they could be in trouble when it comes to avoiding his salary.

The NHL and the Jets will counter that Byfuglien did not abide by the terms of his contract and that if he had concerns over an injury and his ability to play, he should have reported to camp and discussed those issues with the team. They’ll argue he did not do that and then the franchise traded a number of key players thinking he’d be returning. They may also argue that he underwent unapproved surgery after asking for a leave of absence, that the injury was unrelated to hockey, and he is now using that surgery as an excuse to try and collect his salary.

Gaudreau Speculation Overblown?

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports that it would be a big surprise if the Calgary Flames traded forward Johnny Gaudreau despite some speculation the organization is considering it. Friedman doesn’t believe the Flames want to make any rash moves.

Friedman does admit that the Flames are looking to shake things up but salary cap issues could stand in the way. If they focused on moving Mark Jankowski or Michael Frolik (the most rumored names) they could be selling low.

On a side note, Friedman doesn’t get the sense that Flames coach Bill Peters is in jeopardy of getting fired.

Canadiens and Taylor Hall?

Eric Engels of Sportsnet says he doesn’t have insider information to confirm his hunch, but wonders if the Montreal Canadiens might have interest in Taylor Hall? He’s expanding on the point Friedman brought up that Montreal might swing for the fences on a trade this season.

The Canadiens have a plethora of prospects available in trade and 12 draft picks in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Engels adds that Montreal GM Marc Bergevin may be inclined to move their 2021 first-round pick.

By Jim Parsons on Nov 20, 2019 03:45 pm

In our NHL rumor rundown article on Tuesday, we referenced Darren Haynes of The Athletic’s post that asked a question a lot of fans in Calgary might be thinking. ‘Is it time for the Flames to consider trading Johnny Gaudreau?’ In that article, he wrote:

It feels like something of significance has to happen with this club soon to change the core… shake up an underperforming group and also salvage this season. Perhaps the place to start is the guy who is struggling the most, yet would also command a significant return. Yes, perhaps it’s time for general manager Brad Treliving to explore trade possibilities for Gaudreau…

source – ‘Is it time for the Flames to consider trading Johnny Gaudreau?’ – Darren Haynes – The Athletic – 11/18/2019

Haynes mentions that the trade, if it takes place, would likely not be a trade for futures but “an old-fashioned hockey trade” where two teams swap difference-makers in the hopes a change of scenery helps both sides.

I don’t have insider information like Haynes does, but I have a hard time wrapping my head around the idea that this type of trade makes sense for a couple of reasons.

The Ultimate Flames Panic Trade

Haynes made a number solid arguments that the Flames should seriously consider a deal like this. Yet, it seems crazy to think that a team would move arguably its best forward when the chips are down.

The Flames might believe a shake-up is in order, and sure, Gaudreau arguably provides the best return, but what kind of return are the Flames expecting?

I posed this question on social media and the most common response was Taylor Hall out of New Jersey. Talent-for-talent, this makes sense. Contract wise? Not so much. If the Flames were to trade Gaudreau for Hall and Hall didn’t re-sign at the end of the season, that would be a nightmare scenario for the Flames. Even if Hall stayed, the Flames would need to find another $3-plus million to fit him in. Hall is just one example.

So too, every GM knows the Flames are freaking out right now. Having lost five-straight games and now sitting outside a playoff spot, making a trade at such a low point and so early in the season screams panic. No GM will offer what Gaudreau — a point-per-game player over the past two seasons — is actually worth. GM’s who make these types of deals increase the odds of being terminated exponentially.

Never trade your best player when you know you’re going to get fleeced: that’s GM’ing 101.

Where Will Flames Find as Friendly a Contract?

Consider too, Gaudreau is not overpaid. A $6.75 million cap hit over the next two seasons beyond this one, as salaries rise, Gaudreau is going to be considered a value deal in today’s NHL landscape, if he isn’t already. There aren’t a lot of those types of contracts floating around in the trade market.

Teams who employ players on good deals don’t typically want to move them. As such, Calgary stands to get a player back that hurts their team salary cap structure much more than Gaudreau does.

Again, why would Calgary do this?

Fan Backlash Would Be Swift

There is frustration in Flames Nation these days. With that frustration comes quick sentiments that the fans would be ok with moving Gaudreau if it helped the team. That’s a sentiment I believe the fans (and the organization) would come to regret.

Gaudreau is a marketable commodity in Calgary. He’s the most exciting player on the team and while it can be argued Matthew Tkachuk is the future of the organization, losing Gaudreau would mean removing the flashy, often-brilliant and highlight-reel qualities a player like Gaudreau provides. Gaudreau sells tickets, plain and simple.

I’m not suggesting this trade is impossible. I’m just guessing that we don’t see it this season. And, should we, I firmly believe the Flames will wish they hadn’t taken such a route to try and get themselves out of a funk.

By Jim Parsons on Nov 20, 2019 11:45 am

In today’s NHL rumors there is news on the Buffalo Sabres seeking a forward, there is some clarity as to what is owed by the Los Angeles Kings to Ilya Kovalchuk on the 15th of December, and might the Edmonton Oilers be looking at Jason Spezza?

Sabres Still Looking for a Forward

Paul Hamilton was on WGR 550 and reported that Buffalo Sabres GM Jason Botterill is actively seeking a forward to improve the sinking Sabres. He admitted he’s having trouble navigating a big trade with so many teams cautious of their salary cap but he’s working on it.

With nine defensemen on the roster, he may have to move one but it doesn’t necessarily mean his plan is to swap a blueliner for a forward. One thing that is a given is that whatever trade happens, it has to be money-in, money-out.

It might be a trade that has to wait since Botterill suggests November is a trickier month to make a move.

The Infamous Kovalchuk Bonus

There has been a lot of talk about the Ilya Kovalchuk bonus that appears to be keeping him a member of the Los Angeles Kings despite both sides wishing they could move on. It has been widely reported this signing bonus to be paid on December 15th will be the trigger that allows the Kings to find trade partners.

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic clarifies the amount of the payment being owed to Kovalchuk $2.65 million on the 15th. That would leave less than $5 million total remaining on his $18.75 million contract.

Meanwhile, Kovalchuk remains on the outside of the Kings lineup looking in.

Oilers Looking at Jason Spezza?

Yesterday we noted that Jim Matheson mentioned the Edmonton Oilers are looking for a third-line center. Jean-Gabriel Pageau is a name that has come up in some of the discussion. Might there be other options, namely Jason Spezza?

The issues in Toronto between Spezza and the Maple Leafs are evident. He’s not playing much and they aren’t winning much. The team is looking to make a change and Spezza is looking to get himself in a situation where he sees more consistency.

Alex Thomas of The Sports Daily looks at the idea of trying to acquire Spezza and what he’d cost. With the Maple Leafs needing to shed contracts to fit returning players in, there might be a fit there. He writes:

At $700,000 for the season, Spezza is providing good value for the Maple Leafs. As a depth center, he provides leadership and offensive ability. He should chip in around 30 points this season, which is good production from the bottom six.

Spezza scored a nice goal last night and in only 13 games for the Maple Leafs has seven points. He could be an improvement over a player like Gaetan Haas and the Oilers might be looking for inexpensive pick-ups like this. He wouldn’t be looking for a pivotal role, just a chance to contribute every night and play his part.

More Barrie News

Sticking with the Maple Leafs, there is still lots of talk surrounding flipping defenseman Tyson Barrie, and the play last night where he got stripped at the blue line and the Maple Leafs got scored on isn’t helping his case. Barrie has said he’s bothered by the fact he’s playing in a contract year and struggling. Things are compounding for the d-man and a change of scenery may be necessary.

In what seems like an unbelievable dodging of a bullet, Elliotte Friedman was on SN590 and said there were rumours that Vancouver had interest in trading for Barrie before the Maple Leafs acquired him and were going to try an extended him at a big number, possibly $8 million over eight seasons.

Bobby Ryan Joins Player Assistance Program

In a bit of unfortunate news, we want to send our best out to Bobby Ryan of the Ottawa Senators.

We won’t speculate as to the reasons, but the NHL & NHLPA have announced that Ryan will be away from the team while taking part in the player assistance program.

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