NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 01/29/2019

January 29, 2019

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

01/29/2019 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Jan 29, 2019 12:07 pm

In today’s rumor rundown there is potentially bad news out of Columbus when it comes to Artemi Panarin. Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Jets know what they want out of the trade deadline, the Carolina Hurricanes are close to an extension with one of their players and the Maple Leafs will now focus their attention on Auston Matthews after completing a trade to bolster their blue line.

Artemi Panarin Will Likely Be Moved

The situation in Columbus between the Blue Jackets and Artemi Panarin has been closely watched all season but it took potentially a negative turn for the team over the past two days.

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Artemi Panarin and Anaheim Ducks defenseman Josh Manson (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

A pending free agent, Panarin has declined much discussion and any negotiations on a new deal with the team. Management met with his agent Dan Milstein over the All-Star break and he came back with instructions from his client saying:

We have informed the team that we are willing to discuss Artemi’s future after the season. Our priority now is to focus on the rest of the season, trying to win a Stanley Cup for the Columbus Blue Jackets and their fans.

Milstein then added that Panarin will not address the topic of contracts for the remainder of the season.

This is not good news for Columbus who will now have to either decide to keep Panarin and potentially lose him for nothing in free agency or trade him right away and do whatever they can to replace him for their possible playoff run.

For fans and media who don’t believe the team would trade him, consider the idea of both Panarin and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky walking in free agency and leaving Columbus with nothing to show for it. At the very least, Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen will now start listening to offers on his star forward.

There is a chance Panarin would elect to stay in Columbus once the season is complete as it’s been noted he’s been happy, but not having that guarantee may be too much for the Blue Jackets to risk.

Winnipeg Jets Looking for a No. 2 Center

Frank Seravalli of TSN is reporting the Winnipeg Jets are looking to acquire a second line center before the trade deadline next month. It’s a move they’ve made in past seasons (last year they acquired Paul Statsny) and it appears Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has reached out to the Pittsburgh Penguins about center Derick Brassard.

Penguins center Derick Brassard (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)

Apparently, the Penguins want too great a haul for Brassard at this point and Cheveldayoff could wait until the price drops or look elsewhere. Speculation is that he’d prefer a player with term.

Matthews Extension Next?

After landing Jake Muzzin from the Los Angeles Kings, the Toronto Maple Leafs may look to get the contract extension for Auston Matthews done next. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported on TSN 1050 that contract talks are heading down the right path and a new deal could happen relatively soon.

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

Speculation is that the Leafs might be looking at a shorter-term deal in an effort to keep the salary cap hit down and not potentially handcuff them over the next five years to six seasons. Five seasons would be the lowest annual salary option offering Matthews the opportunity to cash in at the end of those five seasons.

LeBrun adds that the structure could contain a lot of signing bonuses.

Hurricanes and Martinook Deal Close?

The Carolina Hurricanes are close to reaching a two-year extension with forward Jordan Martinook according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. Martinook was set to become a restricted free agent for the final time this summer, and was arbitration eligible. A two-year extension will buy out a year of unrestricted free agency for the 26-year old forward.

CAR closing in on a two-year extension with F Jordan Martinook, who would have been an RFA this summer

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 29, 2019

By Jim Parsons on Jan 28, 2019 06:28 pm

With now under a month until the Feb. 25 NHL Trade Deadline, we’re taking a third look at the Top 10 trade options potentially available in this year’s marketplace. News over the past two weeks (we accidentally skipped a week) has changed the outlook of the list quite a bit with a new player topping the list who wasn’t even on it last week.

As was explained when the first list was put together, we expect, from week to week, the names will change and so, as we go, we’ll name the player, then update you on what’s happening in respect to their status on the trade board:

1. Matt Duchene, Ottawa Senators:

Duchene is back at the top of our list for a couple of reasons. First, his reps have been meeting with the Senators and talking contract. Conflicting reports suggest an eight-year, $8 million per season deal is on the table but other reports are suggesting that isn’t accurate and that no actual numbers have been tabled.

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

If the latter report is true, this is potentially problematic for the Senators who are running out of time to get something done so they can trade him if needed.

2. Wayne Simmonds, Philadelphia Flyers:

Simmonds continues to move up our trade board because the Flyers are going to be sellers at the deadline and a report surfaced today that new GM Chuck Fletcher is going to be active over the summer in the free agent market. While the team has a good deal of current cap space, with Simmonds off the books, they can really go after some bigger names.

The appeal of moving Simmonds and getting a decent return because teams will be vying over his services and the open cap space make this trade a matter of “when” and not “if”.

3. Mats Zuccarello, New York Rangers:

A report today that Mats Zuccarello missed practice led to immediate rumors that he was about to be traded. It was later learned that Zuccarello was dealing with a foot infection and his being absent was not because a trade was imminent but it goes to show just how sensitive the media and market is to him being moved out of New York at some point before Feb. 25.

Mats Zuccarello, New York Rangers, Mar. 22, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

As long as he’s healthy, there’s a very good chance he’ll be moved and this won’t be shocking as his name has been in rumors all season long.

4. Cam Talbot, Edmonton Oilers:

There are two schools of thought when it comes to the Oilers and goaltender Cam Talbot. The first is that with the extension given to Mikko Koskinen, and by default designation as No. 1 goalie, Talbot’s time is limited. Once a trade can be finalized, he’ll be moved. The other school of thought is that the Oilers can’t afford to not have two goalies that can help.

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

Edmonton is outside the playoffs in the Western Conference but not out of it yet. Goaltending is going to need to win them a few games and help the team steal points. If Talbot goes and Koskinen falters, the Oilers will have egg on their face.

5. Dougie Hamilton, Carolina Hurricanes:

Dougie Hamilton is rumored to be a target for the Toronto Maple Leafs and there is a sense out of Carolina that if the Hurricanes are going to choose any of their defensemen to move, Hamilton is the guy.

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dougie Hamilton (James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports)

The Canes have an excess of blueliners and the Maple Leafs badly need one. Hamilton’s contract may be a little more than the Leafs want to spend — he’s got three years remaining at $5.75 million per season — but the Maple Leafs are looking for a player with term. It will be interesting to see what the asking price is as the Leafs are hesitant to move their first-round pick or a player like Kasperi Kapanen.

Best of the Rest

6. Derick Brassard, Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins are rumored to, once again, be shopping Derick Brassard. The only reason he’s not higher on the list is that the asking price for rental centers has not been established yet and he’s not the cream of the crop in that regard. He is, however, a less expensive option.

7. Jake Muzzin, Los Angeles Kings 

*** Muzzin was traded on Monday to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Carl Grundstrom, the rights to Sean Durzi and Toronto’s first-round pick in 2019.

8. Ryan Dzingel, Ottawa Senators

Right now, it appears the Senators are really actively trying to keep Duchene and Mark Stone. Duchene may leave over money and Stone is rumored to be staying but the forgotten name in all of this is Dzingel.

9. Andre Burakovsky, Washington Capitals

The Capitals will certainly be contenders this season and on the surface, it doesn’t make sense to move a piece that could help during a postseason run, but the rumors of a Burakovsky move don’t seem to go away.

10. Micheal Ferland, Carolina Hurricanes:

Ferland is still a hot commodity with a few teams likely willing to compete over the chance to acquire him. While talks have calmed a touch, it is expected he’ll be moved.

Listen to the Latest Episode of the THW Podcast

For the latest news on the rumors surrounding the Edmonton Oilers, Ottawa Senators and San Jose Sharks, have a listen to the latest episode of The Hockey Writers Podcast.

By Jim Parsons on Jan 28, 2019 12:59 pm

In today’s rumor rundown, there is news on the Flyers plans in free agency and there are updates on the story out of New York that a trade almost happened between the Oilers and Rangers at the 2016 NHL Draft.

Flyers to Be Aggressive During and Before Free Agency

The way the season has gone for Philadelphia Flyers, they are likely to be sellers by the Feb. 25 trade deadline. It appears they’re also ready to turn the ship around in a hurry once the season comes to a close.

The Philadelphia Flyers hired Fletcher as their general manager on Monday in hopes that he can resuscitate one of the worst teams in the NHL. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP /Jim Mone, File)

In an interview with Sam Donnellon of the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News, team chairman Dave Scott indicated the Flyers intend to be much more aggressive in free agency and more than willing to spend to the Upper Limit to improve the roster. Scott said:

We’re going to be cap spenders. We want to build the best team possible. Chuck [Fletcher] feels good about a lot of what he inherited. He’ll do more than just draft. He has that experience. We’re going to be aggressive.

This is a different approach than former GM Ron Hextall took to building the team. Before being relieved of his duties, he had left the team with a ton of open cap space. If the team fails to sign Wayne Simmonds, they’ll have even more space available to sign players.

When asked if the Flyers might trade any other players this season and clear up more space, Bob McKenzie said on Montreal’s TSN 690:

I don’t think he’s got an agenda that says, ‘I’ve got to get Shayne Gostisbehere out of town here,’ but I think he’s also willing to listen on just about anybody… They’ve got multifaceted plans in Philadelphia in terms of ‘We could keep this guy and we could move that guy, or we could that guy and move this guy,’ and flip it around depending on what the interest is and what the prices are.

Gostisbehere is a name that’s been out there and for the right price, he could be had. His contract carries a $4.5 million cap hit for four more seasons, and after which he’ll be an unrestricted free agent.

More Comments on the Oilers and McDonagh Rumor

Yesterday, Larry Brooks wrote an article noting his sources had confirmed the 2016 NHL Draft trades that almost saw teams like Edmonton, Columbus and others swap picks including the fourth-overall selection (which ended up being Jesse Puljujarvi) going to the Rangers for Ryan McDonagh, almost but never happened. That opened up a can of worms from other media on Monday, including Bob McKenzie who remembers what happened at that draft.

Edmonton Oilers forward Jesse Puljujarvi (Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports)

McKenzie noted on hit on Edmonton’s TSN 1260 that things played out so differently at that draft because of the Columbus Blue Jackets’ decision to take Pierre-Luc Dubois with the No. 3 pick instead of Jesse Puljujarvi. McKenzie added:

And to the Larry Brooks report in The Post, it’s entirely accurate that the Oilers and Rangers were talking about a McDonagh to Edmonton for the 4th pick. But as Larry Brooks reports, they were not interested in Puljujarvi – they wanted Clayton Keller from the U.S. Under-18 program, who plays center, wing.

The second Columbus went off the board, the entire dynamics of the trade changed for Edmonton. They believed they landed on a jackpot when Puljujarvi fell to them and the trade was off the table. Had the deal taken place, the Rangers wouldn’t have taken Puljujarvi, they would have grabbed Keller.

Are the Blues Buyers or Sellers?

Jim Thomas reports that St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said it remains to be determined if the Blues will be a buyer or a seller by the Feb. 25 trade deadline. Much of that decision depends on how the team plays over the next couple weeks.

The team has performed better, players like Vladimir Tarasenko and Alex Pietrangelo have turned things up a notch and because the Western Conference has been so weak, the Blues are not far outside the playoff picture.

By Jim Parsons on Jan 27, 2019 01:42 pm

In today’s rumor rundown, the Penguins are still considering the idea of trading Derick Brassard, but what are they looking for in return? There is also news that the Buffalo Sabres and Jeff Skinner are still talking contract extension and the Nashville Predators are going to be one of the busier teams at this year’s NHL Trade Deadline according to hockey insiders who think this may be the year to go for it all.

Derick Brassard Could Be a Hot Commodity

Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now is reporting Pittsburgh Penguins forward Derick Brassard could be a hot commodity in this year’s trade deadline search for a center. While he’s not the biggest name in free agency, he is a reliable center that can offer depth on a team competing for a longer playoff push.

Penguins center Derick Brassard (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)

Brassard may be competing with names like Matt Duchene, Kevin Hayes, Brayden Schenn, and others on the market, but he costs $3 million (which is relative inexpensive and his salary will be prorated) and is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

In previous seasons, a center of Brassard’s quality might have fetched a strong return: much like when a first, second and third-round pick was given to the Detroit Red Wings to acquire Tomas Tatar or when The St. Louis Blues got a first-round pick and a solid prospect for Paul Stastny. That may not be the going rate this season and the Penguins might not just be looking for picks as they’ll need to replace Brassard with a center if moved.

What is certain, as centers come off this list, Brassard will become more and more attractive to competing teams.

Buffalo Sabres and Jeff Skinner Talks Progressing

Darren Dreger was on WGR 550 in Buffalo and reported that talks between forward Jeff Skinner and the Sabres are on-going and that, “They are having amicable conversations and they’re moving forward with talks. Skinner believes he’s a part of what’s coming in Buffalo and he wants to be a part of it.”

Buffalo Sabres forward Jeff Skinner celebrates his game-winning goal. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

It will be interesting to keep up with this story as Skinner is rumored to be seeking a large pay raise in the summer as a pending unrestricted free agent. Currently making $5.725 million in the final year of his deal, speculation is Skinner might be looking for as much $9 million per season on a long-term contract extension. Will Skinner decide that staying in Buffalo and playing with a star like Jack Eichel is better than making as much money as is possible on the open market? That’s a decision he may have to make.

Expect the Nashville Predators to be Busy at Trade Deadline

TSN’s Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie was on TSN 1290 and reported that the Nashville Predators might be a team to keep an eye on as the Feb 25. trade deadline approaches.

Predators general manager David Poile (Photo by Shelley Lipton/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

He notes:

“They’ve got an opportunity here to do things not just this year. So it’s not so completely crazy our of your mind ‘Sacrifice all the elements of the future, do it for this year,’ but there’s an enormous drive – I don’t want to say pressure, because it’s all self-imposed – I think there’s an enormous drive on the part of David Poile to do everything he possibly can to give this team a shot to win, and that moment is now.”

The Predators are always a team that ranks high on prediction polls when it comes to Stanley Cup contenders out of the Western Conference and this year is no different. The team also has most of its core locked up beyond this season. For GM David Poile, it will be about deciding if what he has is good enough to get over “that hump” or if he needs to add one or two pieces to really offer his team a chance to win hockey’s biggest prize.

Listen to the Latest Episode of the THW Podcast

For the latest news on the rumors surrounding the Edmonton Oilers, Ottawa Senators and San Jose Sharks, have a listen to the latest episode of The Hockey Writers Podcast.

By Jim Parsons on Jan 26, 2019 01:30 pm

In today’s rumor rundown, there is news on the contract negotiations between Ottawa and Matt Duchene, a change in plans for one of the New York Rangers better forwards, a player who was rumored to be traded out of Detroit no longer available and more from Tampa and Los Angeles.

Duchene and Senators Haven’t Gotten to Numbers

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun is reporting that while speculation is that Matt Duchene has been offered a deal worth $8 million per season over 8 years, no firm contract numbers have actually been exchanged between the Ottawa Senators and Duchene. This doesn’t mean an offer isn’t coming but reports the two sides are already talking numbers appears to be false.

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

LeBrun doesn’t believe that Duchene’s camp has been told that if in a couple weeks the two sides have not discussed terms and come to some sort of agreement that they will look to move Duchene.

Chris Kreider Won’t Be Easy to Acquire

There has been all sorts of speculation surrounding a number of New York Rangers players and one of the names rumored to be available is Chris Kreider. He still might be but The New York Post’s Larry Brooks reports that the Rangers will take nothing less than a “perfect deal” to give him up.

Chris Kreider, New York Rangers, Mar. 22, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Brooks writes that because Kreider is on a value contract at a below-market $4.625 million per season, and also happens to be the team’s leading goal scorer, he is too valuable to give up. Brooks believes the Rangers would rather re-sign him to a long-term deal if possible.

If that doesn’t happen and Kreider is traded, Brooks suggests a young roster forward with similar offensive upside is the starting point. If not someone already in the NHL and contributing, the prospect that the Rangers would target might be in the vein of names like Cale Makar, Martin Necas, Ryan Donato, Troy Terry, Eeli Tolvanen, and Cody Glass.

Kreider is no longer high on the list of players expected to be moved.

Athanasiou No Longer Available

Despite rumors that he might be available in the right package, TSN’s Darren Dreger stated on WGR 550 in Buffalo that the Detroit Red Wings have removed Andreas Athanasiou’s name of the trade block.

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

Athanasiou fits into the rebuild plans for the Red Wings and is currently second in goals and third in points for the team. He’s trending towards break his career-high in scoring right away and blowing away expectations by the time the season is said and done. He’s also relatively inexpensive at $3 million per season.

Lightning and Point Not Talking Contract

Nick Kelly of the Tampa Bay Times reports that the Tampa Bay Lightning and Brayden Point‘s reps won’t be talking contract extension until the offseason. “I don’t know what I’m going to have to pay Brayden Point,” GM Julien BriseBois said. “And he’s going to obviously be a priority in the offseason.”

While Point is one of many restricted free agents that could be the target of an offer sheet, BriseBois is not concerned because he believes that no one will make an offer if they don’t believe they’ll actually get the player. The insinuation was that Tampa would simply match an offer.

Asking Price for Jake Muzzin Insanely High

Bob McKenzie was on Winnipeg’s TSN 1290, and was asked about the status and asking price for Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin. McKenzie notes that the price is ‘astronomically high.’

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

McKenzie suggests the asking price is a first-round pick and a really good blue-chip prospect or young player. This ask may drop as other deals are made and set the price for players on the trade market but no one really knows the price of a rental yet this season so things may be slow moving when it comes to Muzzin.

Listen to the Latest Episode of the THW Podcast

For the latest news on the rumors surrounding the Edmonton Oilers, Ottawa Senators and San Jose Sharks, have a listen to the latest episode of The Hockey Writers Podcast.

Recent Articles:

Latest News