NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 02/12/2019

February 12, 2019

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

 02/12/2019 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Feb 12, 2019 12:02 pm

In today’s NHL rumors, there are updates on the status of Jeff Skinner’s contract in Buffalo and questions about what to do if he doesn’t sign before the trade deadline. Meanwhile, the New York Islanders are looking to upgrade their scoring and one insider thinks they might be looking to an interesting and surprising name. What’s happening with the potential trade pieces coming out of New York and is there a team interested in Andre Burakovksy?

Sabres Could Take Chance on Skinner

Elliotte Friedman was on Calgary’s Sportsnet 960 and spoke about Jeff Skinner’s contract negotiations with the Buffalo Sabres. The two sides still haven’t reached a deal on an extension and in a lot of cases, that would be cause to trade the scorer knowing you could lose him for nothing in free agency as a pending UFA. The Sabres might feel differently.

Buffalo Sabres forward Jeff Skinner (53) celebrates his game-winning goal following the overtime period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks, Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018, in Buffalo N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

When asked if he believed the Sabres would keep Skinner past the deadline even if they couldn’t sign him, Friedman said, “I think Buffalo would. I think they would.” He went on to explain there was an executive he spoke to at a game last week and after he watched Skinner score twice which kept the team in the game and the Sabres got a point in overtime, he said, ‘How can they let this guy go.’

Friedman believes the Sabres mentality would be to tell themselves they have one advantage, they can always give him the extra year. At the end of the year, they have that ability to say, ‘Alright, we control the extra year and we can do that.’”

Islanders Interested In Ilya Kovalchuk?

Darren Dreger had a Tuesday morning radio hit on Montreal’s TSN 690 and wondered what the plan would be for the New York Islanders heading into the trade deadline. “I do feel like Lamoriello is definitely interested in doing something, and maybe adding a little bit more scoring punch. He doesn’t have a whole lot of areas of concern,” Dreger said.

Los Angeles Kings Ilya Kovalchuk and Vegas Golden Knights Deryk Engelland (AP Photo/John Locher)

That something could be Ilya Kovalchuk out of Los Angeles.

Dreger went on to say, “I had somebody just kind of whisper in my ear yesterday – and let’s not call it a source or anything firm, just wild speculation is what it is – wondering whether Lamoriello might have interest in Ilya Kovalchuk with the Los Angeles Kings.” He mentioned stranger things have happened and that if placed in the right role with the club Kovalchuk could flourish.

The question becomes the long-term nature of Kovalchuk’s contract. After signing a three-year $18.75 million contract with the Kings, it might be a reach to think the Islanders would want to take on all that term.

Rangers Might Have the Most Value to Offer at Deadline

Darren Dreger had a Tuesday morning radio hit on Toronto’s TSN 1050 and discussed the options for the New York Rangers at the trade deadline. Dreger suggests there is a laundry list of players other teams might be interested in.

Adam McQuaid, New York Rangers, September 27, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

When asked if the Toronto Maple Leafs might have any interest in Adam McQuaid, Dreger responded, “I can’t say they wouldn’t. He’s a character guy. I know the Rangers like him a lot.”

Dreger also mentioned Kevin Hayes late last week during another interview and wondered about the possibility of Hayes being moved to help another team’s playoff run but then circling back to sign with the Rangers in the summer.

Avs in on Burakovsky

Pierre LeBrun said during a segment on Leafs Lunch on Toronto’s TSN 1050,“So I’ll give you a name that I know Colorado has kicked tires on, and I don’t know how far it’s gotten, but Andre Burakovsky in Washington has been on the trade block for a bit now. He’s just fallen out of favor in Washington.”

(Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

LeBrun described Burakovksy as a young player who was great during the Capitals’ Stanley Cup run and could be acquired for not much while giving the Avs control over another contract. As an RFA, GM Joe Sakic can then decide what he wants to do during the summer.

By Jim Parsons on Feb 11, 2019 11:28 am

In today’s rumor rundown the Anaheim Ducks are going to try and get younger and faster with a new voice behind the bench, Jeff Carter might be ok leaving LA and there are questions about the decision making going on in Edmonton.

Ducks To Get Younger and Faster 

With the firing of Randy Carlyle on Sunday, and then Bob Murray surprisingly taking over the team as head coach, Chris Johnston of Sportsnet is reporting the Anaheim Ducks GM and now the coach has said that as the trade deadline approaches, his mandate is to help the team get younger and faster.

BREAKING: Executive Vice President/General Manager Bob Murray will take over as interim head coach for the remainder of the regular season. Randy Carlyle has been relieved of his duties.https://t.co/HnXu4WpJZv

— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) February 10, 2019

Murray said, “I’ve been listening a lot lately. … This organization, we have to change some things.” He added, “We have good players, we’re just not a good team right now.” When asked if he and his team would be busy at the trade deadline, he responded with, “If we have the opportunity to be younger and faster, have to look at it.”

Mark Whicker of the OC Register is reporting that while moving players like Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf will be difficult due to their age, contracts and no-move clauses, Murray said that he’s not afraid to approach them about waiving.

Jeff Carter Might Welcome a Trade

Dennis Bernstein is reporting that Los Angeles Kings forward Jeff Carter could welcome a move out of Los Angeles considering that he’s admitted the trade talk surrounding him has affected his game this season. He might be with a fresh start with a contender.

Los Angeles Kings Jeff Carter, left, could be traded. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

This is a change considering most of the chatter around Carter came with concern that he would not welcome being traded and would simply call it quits on his hockey career if he wound up with playing in a destination he didn’t want to go to. The belief was that he was only interested in staying with the Kings.

Oilers Can’t Move Jesse Puljujarvi?

Ryan Rishaug was on TSN1260 Monday morning with Dustin Nielsen and when asked about why the Oilers have kept winger Jesse Puljujarvi up with the main club, Rishaug was at a loss, perhaps suggesting there’s more going on between the player and the organization than people know about.

Questions surround Jesse Puljujarvi and why he’s still in Edmonton. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

While he said he didn’t have anything concrete to back up his concern, Rishaug explained that he didn’t understand why the Oilers would hang onto him considering how little he plays, that it looks like the team is going to miss the playoff, that Bob Nicholson said the franchise wouldn’t rush prospects and the Bakersfield Condors have won 12 in a row down in the AHL.

This led Rishaug to suggest that it’s so clear Puljujarvi should be sent down, he wonders if promises were made by the organization that perhaps shouldn’t have been made.

The one thing Pljujarvi does offer the team is a contract isn’t hurting the organization in terms of his cap hit. TSN insider Bob McKenzie said:

I think the best thing anybody could hope for here down the stretch is that the Oilers find a way to alleviate some of the cap crunch for next year. If there’s a way to move some contracts, then do so. But I think you’ve also got be really, really careful in terms of what assets you give up and how significant your moves are in terms of the cost of doing business.

Asking Price for Panarin

Matt Porter of the Boston Globe is reporting that the asking price for Artemi Panarin is reportedly a first-round pick, a player and a prospect. If the Columbus Blue Jackets are going to move him they want a king’s ransom in return.

The Boston Bruins are interested, as are the Nashville Predators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets and the New York Islanders.

By Jim Parsons on Feb 10, 2019 12:19 pm

In today’s rumor rundown, there are updates involving the Toronto Maple Leafs, there is news on the who the Winnipeg Jets might be targeting at center before the trade deadline and it sounds like a decision will be coming this week on pending free agents Mark Stone, Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel out of Ottawa.

The Latest on the Maple Leafs

There is plenty of news and speculation when it comes to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The biggest surrounds defenseman Jake Gardiner and a couple of the team’s young prospects.

Maple Leafs and UFA Jake Gardiner

While on the Fan 590, Nick Kypreos said, “I believe if they can get in around $5 million, Jake has a chance to get an extension here.” It seems unlikely Gardiner would take $5 million per season knowing that on the open market he could get more, but on a shorter term, perhaps he says yes knowing that he’ll be on a competitive team and still have a chance to cash in after those two or three years are over. A deal might be structured in a similar way to what the Leafs did with Auston Matthews.

Maple Leafs Won’t Use Top Prospects to Snag a Rental

Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet Headlines said the Toronto Maple Leafs have been linked to Carolina Hurricanes forward Micheal Ferland and are looking for that type of player but that the Hurricanes may not be looking to move him now. So too, the Maple Leafs are not willing to trade their top two prospects or a future first-round pick to acquire such a player.

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Rasmus Sandin (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)

“They have indicated that, for a rental, they are not interested in dealing either of their top two defence prospects, [Rasmus] Sandin or [Timothy] Liljegren or another first-round pick,” Friedman said. “They’ve already dealt one for Jake Muzzin, who they have for another year.”

Decision Coming in Ottawa This Week

During last night’s “Headlines” segment of Hockey Night in Canada, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman reported the Senators would have a decision made regarding Mark Stone, Matt Duchene, and Ryan Dzingel by “about 10 days out before the deadline hits” on February 25th. That means, the team will either be announcing extension or secure deals with other teams by the end of the week.

Chris Johnston suggested that all three deals could revolve around Duchene. It has been noted that Duchene likes Ottawa and Johnston suggested there might even be a possibility of him being traded and then signing back on with the Senators in the postseason. If he leaves, however, the offer of $64 million over eight years won’t be possible and these types of returns are rare.

Winnipeg Jets Options at Center

Rory Boylen of Sportsnet took a look at the options likely available to the Winnipeg Jets at center heading into the trade deadline. He suggested Derick Brassard, Brayden Schenn, Matt Duchene or Kevin Hayes as the most likely targets.

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

When it comes to Brassard, it helps that the Golden Knights are already retaining $2 million of Brassard’s cap hit and that he could fit on the Jets second line, moving Bryan Little to the third line. Brayden Schenn may be a trickier get because the Blues are back in the playoff race and may not want to move him. Duchene will cost a lot as a rental.

Kevin Hayes may be the best option and Nick Kypreos said that the Jets and Nashville Predators have been linked to Hayes in trade talks.

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 09, 2019 01:36 pm

In today’s rumor rundown, are the Montreal Canadiens becoming buyers at the trade deadline? They already made a trade on Saturday and with the team playing well, GM Marc Bergevin may have shifted his focus. Speaking of shifted focus, what about the Detroit Red Wings? They are sellers but it looks like they want to hang onto some key players. Are the Nashville Predators interested in one of the biggest names on the trade board?

Is Montreal Rethinking Their Trade Deadline Approach?

Jared Clinton of The Hockey News is writing that after an unexpected run by the Montreal Canadiens that has put them in this spot for a playoff run, are the Canadiens buyers at the deadline? It was earlier reported that Marc Bergevin was not going to be very active this season on that front.

Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin (Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports)

It’s not that the team doesn’t have needs.

Montreal clearly possesses needs. A poor power play and penalty kill could use a boost and the team doesn’t need to make a huge splash to make significant improvements. Earlier on Saturday, the Canadiens did make a move sending veteran forward Dale Weise and defenseman Christian Folin to the Philadelphia Flyers for defenseman David Schlemko and minor league forward Byron Froese. These could be the types of moves the Canadiens make heading into Feb. 25.

Are Predators Possible for Artemi Panarin?

Chris Kuc of The Athletic is reporting that the Nashville Predators might be kicking tires on forward Artemi Panarin. Outside of the suitors like the Rangers, Kings, Panthers, Bruins, Maple Leafs, Islanders, Blues, Flyers, Penguins, and Avalanche — the Predators have emerged as a player.

Sonny Milano could have a future golden opportunity depending on what happens to Artemi Panarin. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise considering the Preds are looking to add at the deadline and have been rumored as players for other top names on the trade market. Those names include Wayne Simmonds, Mats Zuccarello, Jeff Carter, and Gustav Nyquist.

It will be interesting to see if some teams are taken out of the discussion because of Parnarin’s switch to a new agent and the potential that both he and Sergei Bobrovsky might be moved in the same deal. Does that make Florida more of a player than it did earlier?

When Panarin was questioned by reporters on Friday, he certainly gave the impression he’s looking forward to testing free agency. The Score reported his response was, “It’s one life, one chance for free agency and I want to test free agency.” When Columbus Dispatch’s Brian Hedger asked if there was still a chance he could re-sign, Panarin paused, laughed awkwardly, said they still had a chance “but … we’ll see what happens in the summer.”

Panarin said he’s prepared if a trade happens.

Detroit Shifting Focus on Their Own Free Agents?

Mlive.com’s Ansar Khan reports that the Detroit Red Wings and GM Ken Holland may not trade as many of their roster pieces as was originally thought. Holland is having discussions with several of his pending UFA players in an effort to re-sign them before the trade deadline.

Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings, December 20, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

The Red Wings have seven UFAs, and among them, the team would like to re-sign goaltender Jimmy Howard, winger Gustav Nyquist, and defenseman Nick Jensen. Khan speculates a two-year deal for Howard at around his current annual average value ($5.3 million) seems possible. Nyquist has played himself into a new contract with a career-high of 54 points this season and Jensen offers the team excellent penalty killing.

Kings Doing Their Thing

GM of the LA Kings, Rob Blake spoke to the Los Angeles Times and said despite TSN wanting to report the Kings won’t make their biggest moves until the summer, they are looking to be active. Blake sarcastically said, “TSN, they’re running our team, then I guess they understand that… There’s speculation every day on this and that. I’m not going to get into that.”

Blake has made it clear he wants to make more deals like the Jake Muzzin trade where he moved a veteran player for draft picks and prospects.

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?

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