NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 12/07/2018

December 07, 2018

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

12/07/2018 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Dec 07, 2018 01:33 pm

In today’s NHL rumors, there is speculation the Pittsburgh Penguins are considering their options when it comes to Phil Kessel, the Blackhawks are trying to figure out their cap situation so they can make a move, potentially for a Vancouver Canuck, the Ducks are looking for a defenseman, and the Vegas Golden Knights make try to shake up the Seattle expansion draft.

Penguins Testing the Kessel Waters?

Multiple sources have said that the Pittsburgh Penguins have “tested the market” for winger Phil Kessel. Then, almost immediately, the rumors were somewhat retracted. While it doesn’t appear there is a trade in the works and the Penguins may be backing off, for now, this is something that could be revisited later. With the Penguins interesting season thus far, it’s hard to know what GM Jim Rutherford has going on these days.

Phil Kessel, Pittsburgh Penguins, January 2, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

It has been speculated Rutherford has been looking to make more moves but after making little trades, it appears something bigger is the next step if he wants to change the roster. Kessel has a partial no-trade clause and would have some control over where he goes. He’s also being paid $6.8 million per season until the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

Blackhawks Calculating a Move

The Chicago Blackhawks have been out scouting heavily. Reports are their ‘Cap-ologist’ traveled with them on their latest road trip and that general manager Stan Bowman scouted the Arizona Coyotes, Los Angeles Kings, Dallas Stars, Calgary Flames, and the Edmonton Oilers.

Canucks center Sam Gagner (Dom Gagne-USA TODAY Sports)

Not on that list but also rumored to be on the radar of the Blackhawks is the Vancouver Canucks who employ talented but struggling forward Sam Gagner. Elliotte Friedman suggested the finances might be tight if the Blackhawks are looking heavily at this deal.

Gagner’s $3.15 million cap hit is troubling enough for this season, but the additional year on his deal is really what makes him less appealing. There is hope he could recapture the 50-point magic he had in Columbus two seasons ago, but that’s not a guarantee so acquiring him is a risk. Would the Canucks be willing to retain salary in the deal? The team has plenty of cap space and GM Jim Benning told The Province: “if something is there, we’ll do it.”

Leafs Looking at Jake Gardiner Sooner than Later

With Nylander signed, the focus has shifted to Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews but people in Toronto shouldn’t forget about pending UFA defenseman Jake Gardiner. It is speculated that while most seem to think Gardiner will go elsewhere when the season ends, the Maple Leafs would like to get a deal done and hope he’ll take creative bonuses and structure to fill in for signing for less money.

Jake Gardiner, Toronto Maple Leafs, Dec. 12, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

That might not be so easy. It is being speculated the mentality of young players is changing.

“The mentality is changing,” one GM said last week. “The best players are aiming higher, especially with the possibility of contract rules changing in the next CBA.”

“The guys making ‘middle money’ will be squeezed out or traded,” another said.

Ducks Looking for a D-Man

The Anaheim Ducks are looking for a left-handed defenseman and are out scouting a couple teams according to Darren Dreger. Included among the teams they are looking at are the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes.

Dreger doesn’t believe there’s a connection there yet, but Anaheim knows what they need and at worse, they want to find a third-pairing guy with a left shot.”

Vegas Could Play an Unexpected Role in Expansion Draft

On TSN Insider Trading, Pierre LeBrun noted that the Vegas Golden Knights could play an interesting role in the Seattle expansion draft. Vegas is not subject to having to give up a player in the draft but they could make a few side trades. “Since the Golden Knights are exempt, they could go to teams and say ‘we could make your life sweeter if you’re willing to do x or x’” LeBrun suggested Vegas general manager George McPhee is not above taking advantage of a situation. “[he], frustrated a lot of teams last time around and he could get involved again.”

General Manager George McPhee of the Las Vegas Golden Knights attends the NHL Combine at HarborCenter on June 3, 2017 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)

Shawn Simpson noted on Twitter, “McPhee fleeced a number of teams leading into Vegas expansion. With a reserve list exempt from the Seattle expansion. McPhee could load up before the draft, in direct competition with Seattle.”

Want More In-Depth Rumors and News?

If you want to hear more about these rumors and many more, check out the brand new Hockey Writers Podcast, where we talk to writers from each team and special guests.

By Jim Parsons on Dec 05, 2018 02:05 pm

In today’s rumor rundown, there is news out of Philadelphia with a new GM ready to roll. The Toronto Maple Leafs will refocus their efforts on the Marner and Matthews contracts and there is speculation out of LA that the Kings might be willing to move their top goaltender if the season falls apart on them.

Flyers Getting Down to Business

TSN’s Bob McKenzie said on Insider Trading that newly appointed GM of the Philadelphia Flyers will make his first priority getting the Flyers back into the playoffs this year. That means the team will need to make adjustments and there could be some moves coming. That said, McKenzie said to expect moves within reason.

OFFICIAL: Chuck Fletcher has been named Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Philadelphia Flyers. https://t.co/jBphjI2Vhx

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) December 3, 2018

McKenzie said:

“That’s true to a certain degree, but don’t expect Chuck Fletcher to come in and start trading first-round picks or a prospect like Morgan Frost for immediate short-term help to try and get himself in the playoffs. … No. 1 is maybe finding a short-term fix in net. The goaltending hasn’t been good enough. And it could be a short-term but might even be a longer-term fix… The other one would be giving Dave Hakstol, the head coach, a fair amount of time for evaluation. Fans and media wanted this guy fired before Hextall. He needs to have the opportunity now to get something done.”

It is expected the Flyers will look at “in-house solutions” first and AHL defenseman Philippe Myers or goaltender Anthony Stolarz could get some time with the big club. Should that not work, expect Fletcher to explore the trade market.

Could defenseman Shayne Gostibehere may be a piece that gets moved out? If not Gostibehere, perhaps Travis Sanheim? Gotisbehere already noted that Fletcher met with the entire team and told them the game plan is to start winning games. He was positive about it but the sense was that if the team didn’t start winning, things might change.

What Happens With the “Big Three” in Toronto?

With the William Nylander deal now done, McKenzie also said the Toronto Maple Leafs will now turn their attention to pending restricted free agents Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. McKenzie believes that Maple Leafs would like to get those negotiations going right away with both players.

Mitch Marner. Photo taken by Katie Whitty.

The question becomes, who goes first and who goes last? McKenzie believes neither wants to be the first to sign because the second player would like to see what the first gets in his deal. It’s not dissimilar to the concern Nylander had by being the first to sign and undervaluing himself. The trick is, someone has to be first otherwise the Maple Leafs have two more players sitting out after this season.

The only saving grace for Toronto would be if players like Mikko Rantanen, Brayden Point, Patrik Laine signed first with their respective teams. But, even then, that could be risky because if the Avs, Lightning or Jets overpay, Marner and Matthews can use those players as a benchmark for their deals.

Nylander Promised He Won’t Be Traded

Right after Nylander signed, some speculation was that he’d stay with Toronto and be moved next season or the season after. Dave Feschuk of The Toronto Star is reporting, that according to Nylander, a trade won’t be happening.

Toronto Maple Leafs centre William Nylander (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn)

“Kyle has told me multiple times that as long as he’s here, he’s not going to trade me,” Nylander said Monday. But NBC analyst Pierre McGuire said a promise isn’t worth much. McGuire says, “Unless it’s written on paper, it doesn’t really count.” He used Demar DeRozan’s trade in Toronto as a perfect example of how a GM will do what needs to be done to improve their team.

Technically, Nylander’s no-trade doesn’t kick in until the last year of his deal, so up to that point, he can be moved.

TSN analyst Ray Ferraro said if Dubas has made that promise, it’s a mistake. Ferraro explains:

“My first thought (after hearing Nylander’s comment) was nobody should say that to anybody. Because you just don’t know. What if a trade comes up that is incredibly attractive for Toronto and the other team says, ‘We want Nylander to be a part of that package.’ Then what do you do?”

source – ‘Leafs GM’s promise to Nylander could be as good as the next trade offer’ – Dave Feschuk – The Star – 12/04/2018

Jonathan Quick a Trade Asset?

Lisa Dillman of The Athletic writes that Jonathan Quick could be a trade piece out of Los Angeles despite him being one of the keys to turn the Kings season around.

Jonathan Quick #32, Los Angeles Kings – December 18, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Dillman writes:

If the Kings are far enough outside a playoff spot at the trading deadline, is Quick a chip they could conceivably deal? The better he plays, the greater return would be in a possible trade. The Kings like what they have coming in the goalie pipeline and have been satisfied with the performances of both Jack Campbell and Cal Petersen thus far this season.

source – “Is Jonathan Quick the key to a Kings’ rebound or a potential trade piece?” – Lisa Dillman – The Athletic – 12/03/2018

It seems unlikely the Kings would trade him but at the same time, he’ll attract plenty of interest and a potentially strong return considering he lacks no-trade protection on his $5.8-million annual cap hit through 2022-23 is fair.

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