NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 01/15/2019

January 15, 2019

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

 01/15/2019 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Jan 15, 2019 03:24 pm

With now under six weeks until the Feb. 25 NHL Trade Deadline, we’re taking a second look at the Top 10 trade options potentially available in this year’s marketplace. News over the past seven days 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. Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus Blue Jackets:

Bobrovsky’s teammate was at the top of the list last week but this week, the biggest news in the NHL was the blowup that took place between Bobrovsky and the Blue Jackets organization. While the reported news is that both sides have moved on and put the ‘incident’ behind them, the real buzz is that it was the final straw for the star goaltender who would happily waive his no-trade clause to go elsewhere. At the very least, it looks like this will be his last season with the team.

Sergei Bobrovsky should hear his name again as a star of the week. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

The chatter that the team will hang onto Bobrovsky for their playoff run is now less than the chatter that he’ll be moved. If he’s unhappy and the team can get another goaltender on the market before their run, perhaps they can move Bobrovsky, get another goaltender from elsewhere and not lose one of the hottest free agents for nothing.

2. Gustav Nyquist, Detroit Red Wings:

Nyquist was a candidate for last week’s list because of where the Red Wings are at and because Nyquist will have some value around the league in trade. That said, there wasn’t much talk about him, so he wasn’t added. This week, things have heated up a touch.

Gustav Nyquist, Detroit Red Wings, December 20, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Potential landing spots for Nyquist include the Nashville Predators, San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins, Minnesota Wild, and Anaheim Ducks if they can turn things around and put themselves in a playoff position.

He’s a proven forward who teams know can help and as such, he’ll attract a good return for the Red Wings who are going to move out short-term pieces for longer-term gains.

3. Jakob Silfverberg, Anaheim Ducks:

With how badly the Ducks have played recently and with the recent departure of Andrew Cogliano, there are more murmurs coming out of Anaheim that trades are coming. High on the list is Jakob Silfverberg who is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year.

The talk is that the Ducks are trying to re-sign him before they really look at what a return might include but that the two sides aren’t close. He’s a good bet to be traded, especially if the team continues to struggle.

4. Micheal Ferland, Carolina Hurricanes

Dougie Hamilton was the talk of last week coming out of Carolina. This week, that chatter belongs to power forward Micheal Ferland.

Carolina Hurricanes left wing Micheal Ferland (James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports)

I wrote earlier today in my rumor rundown report:

“When asked who he thinks is more likely to be traded out of Carolina, Friedman said, “I think Ferland is more likely to get dealt… Ferland, that fight he had on the weekend with Austin Watson, that did not go unnoticed. There’s not a lot of fighting in the playoffs, but it is tough, tough hockey. You guys know how it goes. You have to be willing to stand up to teams and stand up to people. It gets a bit more edgy, and Ferland has got that ability. … Pierre LeBrun believes the asking price for Ferland will be a first-round pick and a prospect.”

It appears the Hurricanes are being viewed as a team that is willing to move strong pieces for better long-term options. Ferland certainly fits into the category. If the Hurricanes can snag a first-rounder and a prospect, it seems like a no-brainer to make that move.

5. Wayne Simmonds, Philadelphia Flyers:

Wayne Simmonds is a popular man these days. A power forward that has a lot to offer any team, he’s being linked to the Nashville Predators or Winnipeg Jets, among others. The Flyers were interested in keeping him but the price tag he was asking for and term he wanted on a new contract might be too rich for the Flyers blood.

Wayne Simmonds has never shied away from the physical side of the game. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

With what is sure to be heavy demand for his services, the Flyers might be best served to get as much as they can, let teams outbid each other and rake in a large haul before Feb. 25. He is purely a rental at this point and will explore the best deal he can get in free agency over the summer.

6. Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues

The Blues have stayed hot as a team that might make some moves. Last week, the most likely of trade options was Patrick Maroon and while he’s still on the board, with the announcement that the Edmonton Oilers might be prepping to apply a “full-court press” to the trade market, Vladimir Tarasenko’s name has popped up.

The Oilers are rumored to be very interested in Tarasenko and other teams likely wouldn’t mind having a proven forward like him on their roster. The only issue is his age and contract. He’s got a number of years left at $7.5 million per season and that’s a big ticket item, one the Oilers will have trouble fitting into their cap.

7. Jake Muzzin, Los Angeles Kings

Jake Muzzin remains on our trade board this week, moving down one spot from the No. 6 spot he held last week. The Los Angeles Kings are in a position of strength as Muzzin is a wanted man by many teams, he’s got a good contract and the Kings may not need him to return if they can grab a strong defenseman in the NHL draft this summer.

Jake Muzzin (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

The Kings are looking at acquiring top prospects and good draft options for the players they’re making available. Muzzin feels like the kind of player who will stay on our board until he’s actually moved.

8. Jesse Puljujarvi, Edmonton Oilers

Puljujarvi also stays on our list. He comes in near the bottom because he’s not a player the Oilers want to move but he’s being linked to whatever trade the Oilers might make in their desire to acquire a top-end forward. Puljujarvi is one of the few Oilers who might have value on the trade market and he’s got a reasonable contract on an entry-level deal.

9. Mats Zuccarello, New York Rangers:

Zuccarello moves up a spot on our list because he’s improved his play since publicly stating he was bothered by all the trade chatter. In a way, it seems to have loosened him up and he’s playing much better hockey. The downside of that is if he didn’t want to be traded, he’s hurt his chances of not being moved because teams have started to take notice again.

10. Alex Elder, Vancouver Canucks:

Alex Edler has said he has no desire to leave Vancouver and it looks like the Canucks have a newfound desire to keep him in Vancouver long-term. So, while the chances are good that he re-signs, the whispers of a trade don’t seem to be going away.

Alex Edler. Photo: Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers

Would the Canucks look at a rental type trade then revisit the idea of bringing Edler back in the summer? They’d stand a good chance he’d want to return, but all of that depends on how that conversation goes between the two sides and whether or not Edler winds up liking it better wherever he lands. He’s only played with the Canucks and there is a chance he could like wherever he goes just as much.

By Jim Parsons on Jan 15, 2019 01:17 pm

In today’s rumor rundown there is more news on the speculation the Edmonton Oilers are scouring the market for a top-end forward, an update on how popular Mats Zuccarello is around the league and what’s happening in Anaheim with Jakob Silfverberg. Finally, there is still speculation as to trade news surrounding Carolina’s Micheal Ferland and how much he’s worth on the trade market.

Truth or Fiction About Oilers Full-Court Press

After TSN’s Ryan Rishaug tweeted the Oilers were preparing to put on a full-court press to acquire a top-end forward before the trade deadline, the Edmonton-based media went a little nutty with speculation as to what that meant. Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal said, “… they’re probably checking in C Derick Brassard, UFA ($3 mil) who hasn’t panned out in Pitts. Other possibles: UFA’s Zuccarello, Dzingel, Ferland”. David Staples said,“Rishaug’s comments sounds like the Oilers could be offering up either Cam Talbot or Mikko Koskinen, a first-round pick, and maybe one of Kailer Yamamoto, Tyler Benson, Cameron Hebig or Jesse Puljujarvi.” and even in Boston, the media chimed in saying, “Bruins basically put trade restrictions on Chiarelli in his final season, presumably to prevent this sort of stuff.”

Edmonton Oilers goalie Mikko Koskinen stops Vancouver Canucks’ Loui Eriksson (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet 960 that while he doesn’t think Rishaug is wrong, he doesn’t see this move coming as a result of fear for the on-ice results as much as a business concern. Friedman explained:

“Look, from a hockey point of view it makes no sense for the Oilers to do this. But from a business point of view, you see why this kind of stuff happens. I think the Oilers should just play it out and see where it goes. I think this is a risk of being a really, really poor outcome for them. But from a business point of view, it looks to me like the owner is saying, ‘I want to get into the playoffs.’ And if that’s the case, this move is going to get made.”

Interestingly, only a few hours after Rishaug’s tweet, the Oilers came out and won 7-2 over the Buffalo Sabres in one of their strongest wins of the season. Depth guys who weren’t producing stepped up as Milan Lucic and Zack Kassian both scored two goals each.

Zuccarello Playing His Way Into a Trade Scenario

Friedman also did a hit on Monday evening for the NHL Network, and during that segment said that the positive play of Mats Zuccarello recently has put his name back in trade discussions heading toward the deadline.

Mats Zuccarello led the way for the Rangers in 2016-17. (Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports)

Friedman explained that for some time, Zuccarello wasn’t being viewed as a hot ticket in trade because he was having such a down season. He struggled and publicly stated that he believed part of his struggles had to do with the constant chatter he might be traded. Saying out loud what was bothering him seemed to lift a weight off his shoulders and he started to pitch in offensively. He’s played so well, teams are starting to take notice again.

Friedman said, “But I think if Zuccarello continues to play the way he has in the past 10 games, I think he puts himself back in the conversation.”

Ducks Will Try to Re-Sign Silfverberg Before a Trade

There has been plenty of buzz coming out of Anaheim and the team has already started to make changes as they moved veteran center Andrew Cogliano this week. One of the names rumored to be a possible trade candidate is Jakob Silfverberg.

Ducks right wing Jakob Silfverberg (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

Craig Custance is now reporting the Anaheim Ducks GM said regarding the status of Silfverberg: “I’ll take another crack at signing him…He’s a good hockey player. He’s one of the ones who is standing up and being counted.”

If a deal can’t be reached, Silfverberg is as good as gone. The Ducks season is pretty much over, he’s a pending unrestricted free agent and with change coming to the team, it makes little sense to keep him if the Ducks could potentially lose him for nothing and he has value on the trade market.

Friedman has said that the last he’d heard, the two sides were not close on a deal and that the Pittsburgh Penguins might have some interest.

Hamilton or Ferland?

When asked who he thinks is more likely to be traded out of Carolina, Friedman said, “I think Ferland is more likely to get dealt… Ferland, that fight he had on the weekend with Austin Watson, that did not go unnoticed. There’s not a lot of fighting in the playoffs, but it is tough, tough hockey. You guys know how it goes. You have to be willing to stand up to teams and stand up to people. It gets a bit more edgy, and Ferland has got that ability.”

Pierre LeBrun believes the asking price for Ferland will be a first-round pick and a prospect.

By Jim Parsons on Jan 14, 2019 03:23 pm

In today’s rumor rundown, the Edmonton Oilers are assumed to be trying to move some money around in an effort to add offensive depth and one reporter suggests the team is putting on a full-court press. Meanwhile, the Senators might consider trading defenseman Cody Ceci. The Flyers have shown they might be ready to move on some depth pieces and most insiders believe the Bobrovsky and Blue Jackets marriage is over.

The Oilers Trying to Move Money?

A recent article by Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal suggests the Edmonton Oilers have talked to teams about forward Ryan Spooner and are actively trying to move him. Part of that trade is because Spooner has not provided any of the offense they were hoping he would when the acquired him. The other part is that he makes a sizeable salary and that if the Oilers are to add another forward, they need to shift his money elsewhere.

Oilers center Ryan Spooner (Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports)

If the Oilers were to acquire a top-six forward, and even if the other team retained some salary, the Oilers would likely need to move out salary.

There is very little interest in Spooner so that might leave Edmonton in a situation where other moves are necessary to improve the team. Leavins asks if the Oilers would consider trading pending free agent goaltender Cam Talbot? Both Talbot and Mikko Koskinen are free agents and it’s not likely both will return to the team. Koskinen as a no-movement clause, thus Talbot is the easier contract to shed.

Another reporter, TSN’s Ryan Rishaug, reports that the team has put on a “full-court press to find help at forward.” Rishaug goes so far as to say that the Oilers may be willing to part with their first-round pick, a goaltender and a young developing forward, though no specific players are mentioned.

Senators May Consider Trading Cody Ceci

Bob McKenzie was on TSN 1200 and said that it’s possible that the Ottawa Senators could trade pending restricted free agent defenseman Cody Ceci. He explained that the Senators have a few choices with Ceci so the team won’t give him away.

Senators defenseman Cody Ceci (Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports)

He notes:

“Contractually, they still own him. They could qualify him, or do another deal, or whatever the case may be – but he’s not unrestricted, he’s not walking out the door. You have some control over the player, but not a ton either. He’s getting on. So on that one I think there’ll likely be conversations.”

Ceci was not one of the main guys to be moved out of Ottawa — that distinction went to Matt Duchene, Mark Stone, and Ryan Dzingel — but it goes to show that the Senators are potentially going to hold a firesale before the trade deadline, moving everything except their best young prospects.

The Ball Rolling in Philadelphia

When the Philadelphia Flyers traded Jordan Weal to the Arizona Coyotes it was taken as a sign that the franchise is ready to start dealing some depth pieces. NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jordan Hall suggests that winger Michael Raffl and defenseman Christian Folin could be next.

(Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Hall notes that Raffl has a resume as a fairly consistent 10-15 goal scorer, but this season he’s taken a step back offensively. Folin might garner interest simply because he’s a right-shot defender. Both are pending unrestricted free agents.

Bobrovsky Hasn’t Been Happy All Year

Regardless of the fact that the Columbus Blue Jackets and Sergei Bobrovsky have ironed out the issues over the ‘incident’ but that things aren’t close to settled. Most believe the two sides are headed for an inevitable divorce. Elliotte Friedman said on Toronto’s Sportsnet 590, “I don’t think there is a future. I think the future is he’ll play somewhere else next year.”

If Bobrovsky is gone, is Joonas Korpisalo a viable number-one option? (Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)

Friedman continued that there was to be a meeting over the summer with Artemi Panarin, Bobrovsky and GM Jarmo Kekalainen but Bobrovsky never showed. Friedman said, “Bobrovsky apparently has never gotten over some things that were said after the playoff loss last year, and he didn’t show up for the meeting, so everything started off on a bad foot this year. And it has continued.

By Jim Parsons on Jan 13, 2019 07:28 pm

In the second installment of Sunday’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news on Wayne Simmonds possibly being a target for the Winnipeg Jets, the Senators have seemingly made up their mind on their big-three free agents and the Toronto Maple Leafs are looking at a problem in net they’d rather avoid.

Wayne Simmonds and the Winnipeg Jets?

Despite a recent report that there is plenty of interest around the NHL for power forward Wayne Simmonds, and among the teams interested are rumored to be the Winnipeg Jets, that may not be the case.

(Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

According to Winnipeg Sun’s Ken Weibe, he doesn’t believe that Pierre LeBrun’s assumption is entirely accurate. Weibe writes, “At this time, the expectation is that the Jets are more likely to add a left-handed defenceman or a centre to play on the second line.” If you consider too that the Jets are deep at the wing position, Simmonds might not crack the top six and whatever Simmonds will end up costing in trade is a hefty price to pay for a bottom-six forward.

Ottawa Senators to Take Offers on One-of-Three Free Agents

As almost everyone knows by now, the Ottawa Senators have three critical unrestricted free agents on their team that need to either be re-signed or traded before February 25, 2019. Those free agents are Mark Stone, Matt Duchene, and Ryan Dzingel. It appears the mandate in Ottawa is not to lose these players for no return.

(Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports)

According to the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch, it sounds like the Senators might have made up their minds as to what to do with each particular player. Ottawa intends to attempt to re-sign both Stone and Duchene, but the team is ready to listen to offers for Dzingel.

Dzingel is 26 years old, has improved year after year and could fetch Ottawa a strong return in a trade. He already has 17 goals in 32 games this season and should set new career-highs in goals and points.

Maple Leafs Have Dilemma in Net?

Chris Johnston pointed out on Saturday’s Headlines segment that with the injuries in Toronto at the netminding position, they may be forced to play the recently acquired Michael Hutchinson for his 10th game of the season. That means if the team wanted to send him down, he would require waivers.

This is also the same situation for backup Garret Sparks and the Maple Leafs have already lost two decent backups because of this rule, with both Curtis McElhinney (CAR) and Calvin Pickard (ARI) getting picked up before the season even began. The team does not want to lose another goaltender this way.

Toronto Maple Leafs Michael Hutchinson stops New Jersey Devils Miles Wood. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

This means Toronto will have to decide if they’d rather carry three goaltenders or potentially lose Hutchinson on waivers in trying to send him to the AHL. He’s played quite well (.919 save percentage and 2.53 goals against average) since coming to Toronto and there is a pretty good chance he’d be claimed by someone if he were to hit the waiver wire.

Hamilton is the D-Man That Goes In Carolina

Despite the fact the Carolina Hurricanes have a number of strong defensemen available for trade, Nick Kypreos did mention during the Headlines segment that if a blueliner is going to leave the Hurricanes before the deadline, it will be Dougie Hamilton.

It would be interesting to see if the Canes move both Ferland and Hamilton since both were acquired in the same trade from Calgary. Carolina would need to get a strong return because fans and media will trace whatever that return is to the cost of Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin.

By Jim Parsons on Jan 13, 2019 12:56 pm

In today’s rumor rundown, there is speculation the Canucks may elect to trade their star defenseman, the Blue Jackets have a difficult decision to make when it comes to Sergei Bobrovsky and the Maple Leafs and Mitch Marner will be waiting to get a deal done until after the season.

Canucks To Trade and Re-sign Alex Edler?

With rumors running rampant as to what the plan is for Alex Edler in Vancouver, Luke Fox of Sportsnet reports in an ideal world, the Vancouver Canucks defenseman would waive his no-trade clause, allow the Canucks to deal him for some assets before the trade deadline, and then re-sign with the franchise on July 1st. This is the type of deal you don’t see often in the NHL but it could be one that would work for both sides in this scenario.

Alexander Edler, Vancouver Canucks, Nov. 21, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Nick Kypreos suggested a three-year, $17 million deal might be enough to get him re-signed in Vancouver when it comes time to secure his next deal.

What’s Next for Bobrovsky?

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun suggests that while the Columbus Blue Jackets and Sergei Bobrovsky have seemingly put their spat in the rearview mirror, the drama is far from over when it comes to the star netminders future.

Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus Blue Jackets, Feb. 22, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Garrioch writes:

“The problem with trading him is he’s your No. 1 goalie,” a league executive told Postmedia on Friday. “You need him if you’re going to go anywhere in the playoffs. It would be hard to win that trade.”… Bobrovksy likely will walk away for nothing in the off-season, and that isn’t a great situation for the Jackets, either. If push comes to shove, Bobrovsky could be packing his bags next month. There’s still plenty of time for this to play out.

source – ‘GARRIOCH SUNDAY: We haven’t heard the last of Bobrovsky and the Blue Jackets saga’ – Ottawa Sun – Bruce Garrioch – 12/12/2019

Garrioch wonders if the Philadelphia Flyers would be interested in Bobrovsky but suggests that may only be realistic in a sign-and-trade scenario.

There is another rumor out there that both Artemi Panarin and Bobrovsky will end up in Florida.

Mitch Marner Will Not Negotiate Now

Marner’s agent said that there is absolutely no way that Mitch Marner negotiates with the Maple Leafs during the season on his next contract. Comments by Nick Kypreos on Saturday’s Headlines was that speculation was that discussions took place last summer for Marner and the ask was $9 million per season which was too rich for the Leafs.

Marner has increased his possession numbers during his sophomore season. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Because Marner is on pace for 105 points and set to break the Maple Leafs record for wingers in points, if the team wants to get him in at $9 million now, it will have to be on a much shorter term than the 8 years allowable under the current CBA.

Optimism On NHL Labour Front

Both Elliotte Friedman and Chris Johnston said during the Headlines report that the NHL is looking a favorable start to the next CBA negotiations and few people can remember the talks on a new deal getting off to such a positive start.

Gary Bettman says he’s not looking for a fight when it comes to negotiating a new deal and it is believed that as long as the NHL can see the beginning and end to a full season, that attitude will not change. The league and the players are meeting often and things are moving forward. Kypreos suggests the players aren’t looking for massive changes and that helps.

Micheal Ferland Could Be Prime Target 

It was suggested that Carolina Hurricanes pending free agent forward Micheal Ferland could be looking Tom Wilson type money on his next deal but that might not stop teams from targeting him as a piece to add before the deadline.

Carolina Hurricanes left wing Micheal Ferland (James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports)

Nypreos said:

“All Wilson’s done between last season and this season is create maybe a mini arms race in terms of teams now sitting there going, ‘the Cup has to come through the East with the Washington Capitals,’ so Ferland, of course, plays a real physical type of role and many teams believe that he could fit the bill in terms of pushing Washington through an Eastern Conference playoff.”

Listen to the Latest Version of our Podcast

On the sixth episode of the Hockey Writers Podcast, we our gave their thoughts on the season that was in 2018 and what to expect out of the new year in 2019, including what might happen with a player like Bobrovsky.

By Jim Parsons on Jan 12, 2019 01:27 pm

In today’s rumor rundown, there is news about the status of contract negotiations between the Vegas Golden Knights and William Karlsson, there is speculation the New Jersey Devils will be sellers at the deadline and there is bound to be a massive change coming to the Anaheim Ducks.

Golden Knights Not Rushing to Sign Karlsson

In the face of rumors that offer sheets might exist in the NHL marketplace this summer, one team isn’t worried. The Vegas Golden Knights have superstar William Karlsson on their roster, but despite the value he’d have around the league and potential for him to be worth an offer sheet, in an appearance on Fox Sports Las Vegas (audio link), GM George McPhee indicated that there is no push to get a deal done with his top pivot.

William Karlsson – Vegas Golden Knights

McPhee said that both the Golden Knights and Karlsson’s camp came into the season looking for clarity on what kind of player Karlsson really is. He signed a one-year, $5.25 million deal last summer following a breakout year that saw him collect 78 points, but there were questions as to whether or not he could repeat that production. Right now, he’s on pace for about 52 points.

Rightfully so, McPhee and the organization are going to take a slower approach to contract negotiations with Karlsson and aren’t worried about an offer sheet when players like Matthews and Marner are out there getting more attention.

Devils Will Be Sellers

The question in New Jersey these days is whether or not their step back from last year’s fantastic season is an indication for GM Ray Shero that the team should be active sellers at this year’s deadline or stay the course.

GM Ray Shero addresses the media at the New Jersey Devils 2017 Development Camp. (Photo Credit: New Jersey Devils/Patrick Dodson)

During a radio segment on TSN 1290 in Winnipeg, Darren Dreger stated that he feels the team will opt to be sellers are ready to move out several pieces. Dreger says players like Taylor Hall and Kyle Palmieri and Sami Vatanen are likely untouchables, but someone like Keith Kinkaid, Corey Schneider, Marcus Johansson, Brian Boyle, and Ben Lovejoy could be moved.

So too, the team might consider moving long-time leaders Andy Greene and Travis Zajac.

Changes Coming in Anaheim

The Anaheim Ducks are in the middle of a free fall down the NHL standings. Losers of 10 in a row, The Athletic’s Eric Duhatschek wrote on Friday that the team sees this is a “critical time” because, despite the returns of some power players to their lineup, they’re still losing games.

Jakob Silfverberg, Anaheim Ducks, Oct. 24, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

With a roster that, on paper, should be better than it is, the blame has shifted towards coaching, namely head coach, Randy Carlyle. Carlyle is on his second stint with the team and in his third year, seems unable to fix the issues. Given the talent he has on his team, his inability to shift the fate of the team may just cost him his job.

Duhatschek wrote:

They need to prove that this collection of the team can get it going. Otherwise, change is coming and it could start with the valuable two-way forward, Jakob Silfverberg, available at the deadline because he is on an expiring contract and the Ducks are deep on the right side.

source – ‘Duhatschek Notebook: Tempering trade deadline expectations, California struggles and a Rick Nash appreciation’ – Eric Duhatschek – The Athletic – 01/11/2019

At the very least, Anaheim has to be considered a “seller” at the deadline and GM Bob Murray will need to consider moving impending free agent Jakob Silfverberg, as well as move depth pieces from their goaltending and prospect pool.

The steps in Anaheim appear to be to first try to immediately turn things around. If that can’t be done, fire Carlyle and then start making trades.

Sharks Won’t Move a Defenseman

There is some speculation that the San Jose Sharks are going to be players in the rental market at this year’s deadline and that a defenseman might be used to pick up a decent piece. Kevin Kurz suggests that assumption may be premature.

He writes: “Everyone seems to be in such a rush to trade one of the Sharks’ eight defensemen. I’d pump the breaks a bit on that. Teams typically need 8-9 d-men to make a long run, and Sharks are set up well for that. And scoring is not an issue at the moment.”

By Jim Parsons on Jan 11, 2019 08:25 pm

The idea of the Rumor Rundown is to take a daily look at the biggest rumors in the NHL. Gathering buzz from some of the media’s most trusted sources, that series of speculative posts examines more closely the rumor and innuendo surrounding some of the game’s biggest names. Some rumors make sense, but others… well, not so much.

In the Rumor Shootdown, the idea is to take some of those rumors and apply a little common sense (or at least another perspective) to the speculation, dissect the rumor and provide some sort of idea as to how likely the hearsay actually is.

Clearly, not every rumor we report on will be analyzed, but some deserve a bit more attention. In this particular article, the rumor shootdown digests the idea that the Arizona Coyotes will make a run at Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews with an offer sheet.

The Auston Matthews Offer Sheet Rumor

Not long ago, hockey insider Bob McKenzie was on NBC Sports and during an interview suggested there was some speculation the Arizona Coyotes might be contemplating making a run for Matthews with an RFA offer sheet, should he make it to July 1, 2019, without a contract.

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

“Now, there’s all sorts of rumors out there. And one of the rumors – and I stress a rumor. If it was a report, if there was any evidence to back this up, I would say it. But he’s an Arizona boy. So there’s all sorts of speculation that the Arizona Coyotes would come in on a one-year max deal, $16 million a year that would make it difficult for the Toronto Maple Leafs to match.”

While the idea is fun for fans who enjoy chaos, there’s not much of a chance this is going to happen.

NHL Offer Sheets Are Rare

While extremely rare, there is a feeling in the NHL these days that if an RFA offer sheet is going to be offered, it will be this summer — the last one was to Ryan O’Reilly in 2013. That said, while in theory that’s an interesting idea, in reality, offer sheets are genuinely difficult to make work. Without question, they drive up the price on players league-wide (owners hate them for that reason), the teams making the offers have to give up a substantial haul in draft pick compensation and the franchises being targeted can match any offer. Finally, they require that the offering team actually have the required compensation by the time it’s time to make the offer.

Buffalo Sabres center Ryan O’Reilly (Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports)

The argument this summer is that the Maple Leafs might not be in a position to match, which makes for a golden opportunity to either scoop a player or force Toronto to spend more than they’d like and let someone else (like Mitch Marner) shake loose. It is true, with a tight salary cap problem on their hands in the coming seasons, the Leafs might be ripe for the picking. But, as McKenzie points out, it’s going to take a gigantic offer and would the Coyotes (or another team) actually offer $16 million to Matthews? One has to consider qualifying offers, signing bonuses and other factors that don’t make that such an easy decision for a team like Arizona.

GM Collusion

Despite what people might think, collusion among GM’s when it comes to this sort of thing is real. While the idea is that each team is competing and there is some truth to the idea that if someone is sinking, a rival GM is more like to throw that person an anvil than a life jacket, GM’s understand the long-term ramifications of what an incredibly high offer sheet does to the rest of the restricted free agent class moving forward.

Patrik Laine, Winnipeg Jets, Mar. 10, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

And, if one looks at this year’s class, that’s a dangerous precedent to set for the league moving forward. The NHL is, year after year, turning into a young man’s game. There are players like Patrik Laine, Mitch Marner, Mikko Rantanen, William Karlsson, Charlie McAvoy, listed as RFA’s, just to name a few. A huge offer for one potentially affects the numbers on the others.

The Maple Leafs Will Never Let It Get There

Considering that all of this only happens if Matthews reaches free agency on July 1, this is all a moot point if the Maple Leafs sign him, which they are likely to do. The organization may have trouble getting him on a team friendly contract, but there’s no doubt they’ll be able to sign him for far less than the $16 million McKenzie suggests Arizona might offer.

It also assumes that Matthews is more interested in playing at home than for a team that has a chance to win, repeatedly. Signing for that kind of money in Arizona means that he’s accepting the idea that he’ll not contend for a Stanley Cup for years. It’s hard to build a winner around a player making $16 million and even harder to tell a player that for only a couple million more, he has to leave one of the most potent teams in the NHL.

In the end, this is a fun rumor, but it’s just not very likely.

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