NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 01/22/2019

January 22, 2019

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

 01/22/2019 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Jan 22, 2019 01:55 pm

In today’s rumor rundown, there is an update out of Toronto on the negotiations with Auston Matthews, a potential plan in place when it comes to the goaltending situation in Edmonton and speculation about the trade plans for the Minnesota Wild and New Jersey Devils.

Auston Matthews Deal Getting Closer?

While it’s been made clear by Mitch Marner’s representation that he likely won’t negotiate or sign an extension until after the season with Toronto, there is the potential Auston Matthews might.

Toronto Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)

Chris Johnston of Sportsnet, is reporting that Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas is saying the team has “made progress” on an extension with their top star. Not only that, Dubas would like the deal done before the trade deadline if possible. Through 34 games, Matthews has 42 points and 174 points in 178 games over his NHL career, including a 40-goal campaign and Calder Trophy as a rookie in 2016-17. That could land him in the $11 million per season range.

Obviously, Matthews will shoot for higher but it is imperative the Leafs not only get him at the best possible number to help with their salary cap issues but also to show Marner that the best players on the team are willing to try and build a roster that is more than just three or four players.

Getting a deal done early also gives Toronto an indication as to what they’ll need to do with players like Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson in the off-season.

The Plan for Cam Talbot

When the Edmonton Oilers signed goaltender Mikko Koskinen to a three-year, $4.5 million per season deal on Monday, it suggested the writing was on the wall for their other netminder, Cam Talbot.

Edmonton Oilers Cam Talbot is pulled and Mikko Koskinen (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson)

Talbot was the starter in Edmonton prior to Koskinen’s arrival but has clearly lost the starting job. Darren Dreger reported on Monday that prior to signing Koskinen to his extension, the Oilers ran their plan by Talbot so as not to blindside him. This may also give the indication that a deal is potentially in place for Talbot and the Oilers wanted to ensure they had a goaltender signed before pulling the trigger on any trade.

My understanding is the Oilers spoke to Talbot about the Koskinen extension a couple of days ago. Didn’t want him blindsided. I suspect Talbot will be willing to accept a trade anywhere at this stage.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) January 21, 2019

There have been rumors the Oilers would move a netminder before the Feb. 25 deadline. Unfortunately, the worry was that neither had proved this season that they were a true starter. The Oilers must feel they’ve found their man in Koskinen and that Talbot is expendable.

Side note in Edmonton… the Oilers placed Ryan Spooner on waivers but did not actually send him to the AHL after he cleared. He is scheduled to play on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings. Speculation is that Edmonton placed him on waivers simply to see if anyone would pick up his contract and help the team move unwanted salary.

Wild Unsure of Trade Deadline Approach

Chad Graff of The Athletic tweeted that after speaking with Minnesota Wild GM Paul Fenton, there is still uncertainty as to where the Wild will go as the trade deadline approaches. Fenton said, “One day I’m thinking that we have the opportunity to go forward and one day I’m thinking that, you know, it’s not that great of a team.”

Paul Fenton, General Manager, Minnesota Wild, 2018 NHL Draft, Dallas, TX, June 22, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

There is speculation that going public with this kind of statement is a message to his players that if they don’t want to see a handful of trades, they need to be a more consistent team or prove they are more than just a middle-of-the-road squad that can actually get to and do something in the playoffs. There’s no reason to add players if they won’t be competitive and if they aren’t going to get in, they might as well sell and reshape the team.

The Wild picked up Brad Hunt in trade on Tuesday. He’s not an impact player but he will be playing for a contract and that’s the kind of fire Fenton potentially wants to see lit under some of his other players.

Devils to Make Decision on Taylor Hall Sooner Than Later

Elliotte Friedman said during an interview on Edmonton’s 630 CHED that star forward for the New Jersey Devils and former Oilers, Taylor Hall, is not going to reach a situation like the one fans saw in New York with John Tavares. He explained:

“I think we’re going to know the answer to that well before a year from now… I just think that New Jersey won’t allow itself to be in the same position the Islanders were in with John Tavares. I mean geez, the Islanders are two points behind the Maple Leafs, and whoever would have seen that coming. But I just don’t believe that the Devils will allow it to get to that point… If they feel that Taylor Hall won’t sign with them, that decision will be made – I bet – much sooner.”

That will be an interesting story to watch considering the Devils aren’t a team that’s easy to label as a buyer or seller this season. They have not had the type of season most would have expected but Ray Shero is a fairly aggressive GM.

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By Jim Parsons on Jan 20, 2019 01:14 pm

In today’s rumor rundown, the Ottawa Senators are pitching hard for Mark Stone and Matt Duchene to stay, the Sharks are starting their negotiations with Erik Karlsson and the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs are looking at what’s out there for them on the trade market.

Senators Make Duchene an Offer

It appears the Ottawa Senators and GM Pierre Dorion have taken the first step in keeping one of their big-three pending free agents in Ottawa. According to Nick Kypreos, Dorion met with Matt Duchene’s agent last week and presented him with a long-term contract offer.

Matt Duchene #95, Ottawa Senators – February 3, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Kypreos said the offer was in the areas of $64 million over eight seasons and part of the reason for that offer coming now was to show Matt Duchene how serious the organization is about keeping him.

Kypreos added, “I would think that would probably come with a soft deadline as well.” If Duchene declines, “I would think Pierre Dorion would need at least two weeks to shop him and get the best deal available.”

Elliotte Friedman then added he believes the franchise presented an offer to Mark Stone. “They met with Stone on Monday, a couple of days before they met with Matt Duchene. I believe they also presented something that they are willing to take a look at.”

Friedman believes the numbers are higher for Mark Stone than they are for Duchene but in the same ballpark.

Karlsson Contract Talks Have Started

Don Meehan, the agent who represents San Jose Sharks pending unrestricted free agent defenseman Erik Karlsson, met with GM Doug Wilson on Friday and started discussing a contract extension.

Both sides had held off talking a deal during the first half of the season with the idea of letting Karlsson get comfortable. With his incredible production since Christmas, Karlsson is certainly comfortable now and the Sharks want to know what the future holds.

Boston Bruins Swinging for the Fences

Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe reports the Boston Bruins are heavily in on Wayne Simmonds but if there’s any hesitation, it’s the asking price from the Philadelphia Flyers who are believed to want a first round pick along with a prospect or two. Boston has the prospects but is hesitant to give up the draft pick.

Wayne Simmonds and Nick Leddy (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

For Boston, it might be worth it as they view Wayne Simmonds as a perfect complement on the second line for David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk. Dupont writes:

The Bruins are desperate to find Krejci an upgrade at wing, be it left or right, and Simmonds is a 6-foot-2-inch righthanded shot who is comfortable on both sides. Given his straight-ahead style, he likely would line up on the right side (as Rick Nashdid a year ago) and DeBrusk on the left side.

source – ‘Could the Bruins afford asking price for Flyers’ Wayne Simmonds?’ – The Boston Globe – Kevin Dupont – 01/16/2019

If that deal can’t be done, Joe Haggerty of NBC Sports Boston suggests the Bruins will turn their efforts towards acquiring one of Brayden Schenn or Vladimir Tarasenko out of St. Louis. Haggerty says St. Louis’s scouting staff was spotted at a recent Boston-Montreal game which fueled speculation and if the Blues let Schenn go, it wouldn’t surprise many.

Update on Maple Leafs Hunt For a Righty

Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reports that the Toronto Maple Leafs are still actively looking for a top-four, right-side defenseman, He brought up Alex Pietrangelo from St. Louis again but believes there is some reluctance on the part of the Blues to move their captain.

Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis Blues, January 6, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Elliotte Friedman then mentioned Los Angeles Kings’ off-side lefty Jake Muzzin or Philadelphia Flyers’ bruiser Radko Gudas but Kypreos suggests the prices are quite high on both players and the Maple Leafs aren’t wanting to send Kasperi Kapanen or Andreas Johnsson or top blue line prospect Rasmus Sandin the other way.

Kypreos says the Maple Leafs would rather move the team’s first-round pick and AHL defensemen Timothy Liljegren and Calle Rosen. He didn’t think that would be enough.

Blackhawks Looking to Move Pieces

The Athletic’s Scott Powers writes the Chicago Blackhawks are attempting to trade Marcus Kruger, Chris Kunitz, and Andreas Martinson. Powers believes the Blackhawks will find a trading partner for Kruger but could have trouble moving the other two.

By Jim Parsons on Jan 19, 2019 02:28 pm

In today’s rumor rundown the Leafs have to decide the price they’re willing to pay for a defenseman, the Sabres and Jeff Skinner are working hard to get a deal done. At the same time, Kevin Shattenkirk is trying not to think about the possibility of being traded out of New York and the Oilers are looking at making a deal but also being cautious about their approach.

Maple Leafs Interested in Jake Muzzin

Darren Dreger was on TSN 1050 talking about the fact that Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas and the entire management group is having a hard time deciding how willing they are to trade assets for a defenseman. Dreger said one name the Maple Leafs are interested in is Jake Muzzin.

Jake Muzzin #6, Los Angeles Kings – December 18, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Dreger says that the asking price for Jake Muzzin is a first round pick and a prospect and he’s a lefty so he doesn’t exactly fill their most pressing need and giving up someone like Kasperi Kapanen in that situation is not an ideal alternative for the Leafs.

Darren Dreger was on WGR 550 and said that he believes the Buffalo Sabres are working hard with Jeff Skinner’s agency – Newport Sports Agency– to get him re-signed. Dreger said, “I don’t think that they’re there yet.”

Buffalo Sabres forward Jeff Skinner (53) celebrates. Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018, in Buffalo N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Skinner has been a revelation for the Sabres this season but there could still be such a sizeable gap that a deal can’t be figured out before the trade deadline. That will leave the organization with a tough decision. Does the team roll the dice and go into a playoff run without Skinner signed? Or, do they realize the gap is so large an extension seems unlikely?

In the end, Dreger said, he doesn’t think the Sabres will split up Jack Eichel and Skinner and he’d “be really surprised if they can’t come to terms.”

Oilers Trying to Take the Smart Approach to the Trade Deadline

Elliotte Friedman was on Sportsnet 960 and discussed the Edmonton Oilers possible approach to the trade deadline. If the Oilers are going to trade either Jesse Puljujarvi or their 2019 first-round pick, they are going to tread carefully and make sure the deal is the right one.  It has to be the type of deal that helps the team get into the playoffs.

Jesse Puljujarvi (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Friedman has heard that the team is and isn’t looking at moving Puljujarvi, so how real that possibility is, remains unclear. But, he believes while the team may not be shopping him, they are receiving calls and are listening to offers. they are interested in trading Puljujarvi, that they aren’t, and that they don’t want to if they don’t have too.

Friedman says:

“They’ll try some other things. They’ve got a first-rounder. Maybe they’ll think of moving that with some protection on for a really high pick. But teams are going to ask them about Puljujarvi, and we’ll see what they decide to do.”

At the end of the day, it sounds like the Oilers will be active and are looking to make a deal, but the plan is to move the pieces they want to move first before moving any pieces they are reluctant to move.

Kevin Shattenkirk on the Trade Board Again?

Larry Brooks of the NY Post is reporting that New York Rangers defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk is back in the news as it pertains to a possible trade. He feels he’s played better of late, and like other players who produce, they become a bit more attractive on the trade market.

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

Brooks writes that Shattenkirk is not really thinking about being traded, but knows it’s possible. He explains, “I haven’t thought about the possibility too much, but I also don’t want to say that I’m numb to it.” He added, “Because of my past, I’m always aware of it, but I’m not worried about it, either. ”

Shattenkirk has two years left on his deal at a $6.65 million salary cap hit with a modified no-trade clause – a 10-team no-trade list that was submitted last July.

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