NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 02/17/2020

February 17, 2020

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

 02/17/2020 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Feb 16, 2020 11:10 am

In today’s NHL rumors, there is news on the Toronto Maple Leafs negotiations with Jake Muzzin, speculation that the Montreal Canadiens and Minnesota Wild could be a good fit in trade, plus news that the Winnipeg Jets will look to replace the injured Bryan Little before the trade deadline closes.

Muzzin and Leafs Getting Close

The Toronto Sun’s Lance Hornby, among others are reporting that the Maple Leafs and Jake Muzzin are close to agreeing to a four-year contract, with many suggesting it will be in the $5.5 million per season range. The Maple Leafs just might not officially announce that deal until March 1, 2020.

Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston explained on Saturday during Hockey Night in Canada that there is a stipulation in the collective bargaining agreement that required the Leafs wait to go over the cap ceiling. He explains:

“You can only commit so much salary to the season following the one you’re in, but that amount goes up by 10 per cent on March 1. So it does seem as though the Leafs and Jake Muzzin are on the path here to reaching a contract extension, but I wouldn’t be surprised if everything isn’t signed, sealed and delivered until after that date.”

Latest on Joe Thornton Trade Talk

Adrian Dater of Colorado Hockey Now believes that Joe Thornton might be interested in waiving his no-trade clause to go to a contender and that the Colorado Avalanche could make sense as a destination.

The idea behind the Avs trying to acquire Thornton would be as a short-term replacement for sidelined center Nazem Kadri or an upgrade over Tyson Jost or Vlad Kamenev.

The Colorado Avalanche may have other options in mind and Thornton would also be in total control over any trade situation, so it’s best to chalk this one up as unlikely. There is other speculation he may be interested in a return to Boston.

Max Domi to the Minnesota Wild?

There is a rumor linking Montreal’s Max Domi to the Minnesota Wild in trade. The rumor comes from The Athletic’s Michael Russo who suggests the Canadiens could be targeting Matt Dumba and/or Jonas Brodin.

Russo writes:

“The Canadiens would likely part with center Max Domi, maybe in a trade for Brodin because they have a surplus at Domi’s position and could use a quality left-shot defenseman.” 

Domi could essentially be that first-line center the Wild are looking for in return, even if his production this season makes slotting him as a first-line center a bit questionable.

Russo did not say the Canadiens are pursuing Brodin, only that the trade could make sense for both sides.

Russo also writes that the Toronto Maple Leafs have shown more interest in Matt Dumba than any other team but he’s not sure what piece would be going back the other way. He explains:

The Maple Leafs appear to be the most interested party in Dumba, but it’s hard to see how they can help at center unless it’s somebody like Alex Kerfoot (which surely isn’t enough). Kasperi Kapanen is a talented, young winger, but the Wild are overwrought with wingers.

source – ‘Russo: Wild’s latest blown lead shows why Bill Guerin has tough choice ahead’ – Michael Russo – The Athletic – 02/13/2020

Jets Need to Replace Bryan Little

TSN”s Darren Dreger tweeted after the news that Bryan Little would miss the rest of the season for the Winnipeg Jets. Saying Little requires surgery on his injured ear and an additional three months of rehab, Little will be re-evaluated in the summer.

Dreger notes, “Tough, tough year for the @NHLJets. However, Cheveldayoff will do what he can to plug holes.” He adds that the GM is exploring centre options while he continues to look for a top-four defenseman.

By Jim Parsons on Feb 15, 2020 11:55 am

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news out of Chicago pertaining to Duncan Keith and his desire to move on to a contender, buzz as to what the Toronto Maple Leafs will do now that Andreas Johnsson is out, plus speculation surrounding the San Sharks and New Jersey Devils when it comes to the NHL Trade Deadline.

Keith Not Leaving the Blackhawks

Speaking with Mark Lazerus of The Athletic, 36-year-old defenseman Duncan Keith indicated that he’s not interested in leaving Chicago despite speculation the team might ask him to waive his no-trade clause. “I have that control. I have the ability to do that,” Keith said.

Suggesting the Blackhawks are thinking he might want to move to a contender if the team goes through a rebuilding, Lazerus writes:

“…once again, Keith’s name has surfaced in trade speculation. Wouldn’t Joel Quenneville love to have him for Florida’s playoff push? Wouldn’t he be a great fit on the back end in Toronto? Or Edmonton? Or Carolina? Hell, what team couldn’t use a defenseman of Keith’s caliber and experience?

source – ‘As the trade deadline nears, Duncan Keith has no intention of waiving his no-movement clause — with a caveat’ – Mark Lazerus – The Athletic – 02/14/2020

Keith will lead the Blackhawks in ice time again this season and has three years remaining on his contract after this one with a $5.538 million AAV. Even if he were to agree to move, it might not be the easiest contract for another team to take on.

What Will Maple Leafs Do Without Johnsson?

Add another name to the list of players the Toronto Maple Leafs might be without until the playoffs this season, assuming they make it there. Andreas Johnsson is out now for eight weeks with a knee injury.

As has already been reported, the salary comes off the books for the team and onto LITR this season which allows them spend Johnsson’s $3.4 million on another player. If he comes back for the playoffs, the Maple Leafs will have an extra forward.

That said, there is some concern now about Johnsson’s long-term health and he’s been plagued with injuries.

Sharks Considering Two Big Trade Options?

Like many others, Brian Witt of NBC Sports believes Brenden Dillon is the most likely member of the San Jose Sharks defense corps to be moved. That said, Witt has added Brent Burns or Marc-Edouard Vlasic to his list of names fans might want to watch at this year’s trade deadline when it comes to the Sharks.

It’s not likely either player moves but perhaps the Sharks are thinking about it because those two might fetch the Sharks the greatest return. Burns has a three-team no-trade clause which is almost like a total no-trade clause so if he’s not interested in moving, there’s certainly no chance the Sharks will do so.

Witt suggested the Montreal Canadiens for Vlasic and the Columbus Blue Jackets for Burns.

Devils Could Be Very Busy

TSN’s Bob McKenzie and Darren Dreger note that the New Jersey Devils could be a busy team over the next few days as the Vancouver Canucks might have interest in New Jersey Devils winger Wayne Simmonds and GM Tom Fitzgerald is looking at moving as many as five players.

For the Canucks, their interest in Simmonds will depend on the health of Micheal Ferland. As for the four other players, Dreger notes that there could be “a ton of activity” that also includes Andy Greene, Sami Vatanen. Kyle Palmieri and Blake Coleman. Palmieri and Coleman aren’t rentals so the asking price would be steep.

By Jim Parsons on Feb 14, 2020 12:45 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is more news coming after Edmonton Oilers forward Zack Kassian used his skate to try and effectively stab Erik Cernak, the Minnesota Wild have fired their coach, and we look at where things are at when it comes to negotiations between the Vancouver Canucks and Jacob Markstrom and the Toronto Maple Leafs and Jake Muzzin.

Kassian Offered, But Declines In-Person Hearing

After kicking Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak in the chest with his skate Thursday, media and fans debated the length of time Kassian might get suspended considering the potential severity of the issue, past similar incidences with other players and his history with the NHL.

On Friday, updates were that Kassian was offered an in-person hearing by NHL Player Safety which meant he could be suspended longer than six games. It was later learned Kassian has waived his right to an in-person hearing and will accept his punishment over the phone.

After the game, Kassian said of the play, “he was holding my leg and it was just reactionary. I just tried to get loose. I was laying there awhile and I was trying to get my leg out and get moving.” Not a lot of people bought that excuse after seeing the footage. Cernak said, “I asked him what was wrong with him?… He didn’t say nothing. So I don’t know. Lucky it wasn’t higher.”

Speculation is that Kassian could received a pretty lengthy suspension. As for what the Oilers do with Kassian out of the lineup, Alex Chiasson might get bumped up to Kassian’s slot and recently recalled Tyler Benson inserted on the Gaetan Haas line.

What’s Next for Wild After Firing Boudreau?

The news of Bruce Boudreau’s firing was first broken by Michael Russo of The Athletic on Friday morning and then officially confirmed by the Minnesota Wild a few minutes later. Much of the discussion was about how quickly Boudreau might land another coaching gig as he’s often not out of work very long. He was hired by Anaheim two days after he was fired by Washington, and Minnesota hired him 7 days after he was fired by the Ducks.

As for who might replace Boudreau in Minnesota, one name some speculation surrounds Doug Weight. Weight and Guerin have a history playing together and Elliotte Friedman notes that Weight has taken time to watch son Danny this year with BCHL’s Penticton Vees.

Talks Between Canucks and Markstrom Stalled

According the TSNs Bob McKenzie, talks between goaltender Jacob Markstrom and the Vancouver Canucks haven’t gone very well. When asked where things were at with negotiations and what Markstrom is going to cost the Canucks, McKenzie responded:

“It’s really interesting and they’re trying to determine that right now. There have been negotiations between Markstrom’s camp and the Vancouver Canucks but from what I can tell, even though neither Pat Morris, the agent for Markstrom, or general manger Jim Benning want to talk publicly at all about this — they want to keep a lockdown on basically all information — is that it doesn’t seem like they’re close.”

McKenzie went on to say that the term, NHL expansion and the salary are all factors making it difficult to figure out the logistics of the extension and that fans in Vancouver are rightfully starting to worry because it’s difficult to know where this is all going to lead.

Jake Muzzin Deal Close

Darren Dreger said during that same TSN Insider Trading segment that the Toronto Maple Leafs and defensemen Jake Muzzin are coming along in their talks and that a deal might be announced over the next couple of days.

At the very least, Dreger expects the announcement to come before the NHL Trade Deadline.

Zach Bogosian Waived By Sabres

Defenseman Zach Bogosian has been placed on waivers. The Sabres have been rumored as a team trying to move Bogosian and the waiver decision likely suggests a trade couldn’t be found.

The Sabres are also rumored to be looking to make major changes within the organization and the club has not been effective over the last many weeks.

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