NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 01/15/2020

January 15, 2020

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

 01/15/2020 edition:

By Stephen Ground on Jan 15, 2020 10:05 am

One of the hottest goaltenders in the league stayed perfect against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, rumors are beginning to spread about some veteran netminders that might be on the move at the trade deadline.

Merzlikins Stays Perfect

Elvis Merzlikins has been a revelation since taking over for Joonas Korpisalo in the Columbus Blue Jackets’ net. Despite recording his first NHL win just over two weeks ago, he has been incredible since. He had won three of his last four games entering Tuesday, all on the road, culminating in a 27-save shutout against the Vegas Golden Knights, his first in his NHL career.

The Blue Jackets called on Merzlikins again in Tuesday’s home start against the Boston Bruins, and once again, he was more than up to the task. The Riga, Latvia native made 34 saves in total, six of them on four Bruins’ power plays, for his second consecutive shutout.

The Atlantic Division-leading Bruins mustered 10 high danger chances and 2.61 expected goals (xG) in the performance. But the red-hot Merzlikins remained perfect, and now has a shutout streak dating back to the early third period of their Jan. 9 game against the San Jose Sharks. He’ll look to extend that streak this coming Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Hellebuyck’s Flawless Evening

Merzlikins wasn’t the only goalie in the shutout parade. Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets has been fantastic all season, leading the league in goalie point shares by a good distance. And on Tuesday against the Vancouver Canucks, he sealed his fourth shutout of the season.

Hellebuyck made an impressive 41 saves against the Canucks, including an incredible 10 on their four power plays. They generated 11 high danger chances and 2.61 xG, and yet could get nothing into the Jets’ net. Kyle Connor’s goal just 82 seconds into the contest ultimately sealed the victory for the home team.

Hellebuyck will advance to 21-13-4 with the victory, as the Jets seal an all-important win over the team that was one spot ahead of them in the standings. Now, they have secured the first wild card spot in the Western Conference for the time being, and it’s safe to say that Hellebuyck is the primary reason why.

Goalies on the Move

The rumors are beginning to swirl in advance of the NHL’s trade deadline on Feb. 24, and they involve some big-name goalies potentially being on the move. Here’s a look at two veterans who might have new teams by season’s end.

Craig Anderson

By far the less surprising of the two, the 40-point Ottawa Senators will likely try to trade anything that isn’t nailed down for future assets as they continue to rebuild in the post-Erik Karlsson and Mark Stone era. 38-year-old goaltender Craig Anderson is certainly a potential victim, especially in the final year of his contract, but there is some concern whether his performance even warrants interest from another team.

If the Ottawa Senators are serious about moving the 38-year-old goaltender before the Feb. 24 trade deadline at 3 p.m. EST then Anderson is going to have to get back into the net and prove he can help a contender down the stretch.

Bruce Garrioch (from ‘Anderson has to improve if he has any hopes of being dealt at deadline,’ Ottawa Sun, 01/13/20)

While his 3.27 goals-against average (GAA) could be forgiven, given the team he plays for, Anderson’s .897 save percentage (SV%) will be tougher for interested parties to swallow. Worse yet is the minus-6.95 goals saved above average (GSAA), which puts him twelfth worst amongst all goalies in the league. To deal for that, a team would have to be convinced he is both the player and the locker room presence to help their team, and even so, the Senators likely could not expect a high return.

Henrik Lundqvist

The far more surprising name on the list is Henrik Lundqvist, the future Hockey Hall of Fame member who is synonymous with the New York Rangers. General hockey consensus says the man affectionately known as “King Henrik” is more concerned with finishing his legacy on Broadway than pursuing a final shot at the Stanley Cup, but one wonders if the right suitor could change his mind. If it could, the rumor that the Colorado Avalanche are interested in Lundqvist certainly might do just that.

At present, the rumor seems like more speculation than substance, but the Avalanche are exactly the kind of team that might lure Lundqvist away from Madison Square Garden. If they are indeed interested, could the King look to follow his fellow Swedish legend Peter Forsberg in reaching hockey’s pinnacle in the Mile High City?

It may seem like a pipe dream. But the NHL is unpredictable. And Lundqvist’s last chance at a Cup is the kind of playoff narrative any hockey fan could get behind.

By Jim Parsons on Jan 14, 2020 02:15 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news on who the Maple Leafs will count on to replace Morgan Reilly, there is news out of Ottawa when it comes to what the Senators will do with goaltender Craig Anderson and the Edmonton Oilers aren’t happy with the Zack Kassian ruling. And, would the New York Rangers actually consider moving Henrik Lundqvist if there was an interested team?

Maple Leafs Call Up Another Defenseman

In the face of a rash of injuries to the blue line corps, the Toronto Maple Leafs have recalled Timothy Liljegren from the AHL Marlies team. This comes just following news the Maple Leafs were also going to give defenseman Rasmus Sandin another look.

With both Morgan Rielly and Jake Muzzin out, the Maple Leafs are doing everything in their power to stay afloat when it comes to their defense. These young defenseman will need to step up in a major way even if Liljegren is not likely to see action immediately. When asked what his plan is for Liljegren, head coach Sheldon Keefe said, “No real expectation. At this stage he’s just here to give us an extra guy and we think given the circumstances that he’s very much the next man up.” He added, “Just having him around a little bit more and around our group would serve him well.”

Craig Anderson Trade Value Dropping

The Ottawa Senators are looking to move goaltender Craig Anderson prior to this year’s NHL Trade Deadline. The only problem, his trade value is rapidly falling.

Anderson, 38, is running out of chances to win a Stanley Cup and the Senators are likely sellers this season. So even though both sides ready to try and get something done, it requires another team to bite. The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch writes:

And, if the Ottawa Senators are serious about moving the 38-year-old goaltender before the Feb. 24 trade deadline at 3 p.m. EST then Anderson is going to have to get back into the net and prove he can help a contender down the stretch.

source-‘Anderson has to improve if he has any hopes of being dealt at deadline’ – Bruce Garrioch – Ottawa Sun – 01/13/2020

That could be a tough sell for the Senators because Anderson has not been good. He’s allowed four or more goals in each of his last four games and has a save percentage below .900. If he doesn’t get a chance to improve on those totals, the reality is, there are a lot better options out there for teams.

Avalanche Interested in Henrik Lundqvist?

While it’s the consensus feeling the veteran goaltender doesn’t want to leave New York, Mike Chambers of The Denver Post believes the Colorado Avalanche have a trade option in Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.

The Avs might be looking for another option in net with both Philipp Grubauer and Pavel Francouz struggling. They also have the cap space to add Lundqvist who shows as a $8.5 million cap hit but earns just $5.5 million in actual salary for next season.

Chambers writes:

Lundqvist could be that guy for the Avs in 2020 or 2021, and the Rangers are undoubtedly looking at trading one of their three goalies. That’s not a typo — New York is carrying three goalies, including two young ones in Alexandar Georgiev, 23, and Igor Shesterkin, 24 — the latter of whom defeated the Avs in his NHL debut Jan. 7 in New York.

source – ‘Analysis: Avalanche could look into acquiring “King” Henrik Lundqvist’ – Denver Post – 01/13/2020

Could Lundqvist be convinced to move to an Avs teams that many consider to be a legitimate contender?

Oilers Unhappy About Kassian Ruling

“The guy’s in a vulnerable position. Ask any guy in the league, no one wants to see that hit.” These were the words James Neal said to the media after news Zack Kassian had been suspended two games for his attack on Matthew Tkachuk during Saturday’s game. Neal went on to call the whole thing stupid.

Saying there is a lot of respect being lost in the league, especially by Tkachuk, he asked, “Am I going to see Lucic come around the net, target his head and try to kill him? No, because he’d kill me.” He added, “You don’t see anyone else in the league doing that because they know they have to fight him.”

Leon Draisaitl was asked how he’ll handle things if he’s slotted on the same line as Tkachuk during the All-Star Game next weekend and he said, “I’d probably get off the ice.”

By Jim Parsons on Jan 13, 2020 03:05 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, the Toronto Maple Leafs are bringing in one of their top young prospects on the blue line to help, there are a number of teams in the race for Jean-Gabriel Pageau, and the Los Angeles Kings have made a d-man available. What is the cost?

Maple Leafs Call Up Sandin

After a great World Juniors Tournament and speculation he’d be joining the team, defenseman Rasmus Sandin is back with the Toronto Maple Leafs, recalled after the Maple Leafs embarrassing loss to the Florida Panthers.

If he plays four more games in the NHL this season, the first year of his entry-level contract will kick in. That said, the Maple Leafs seem willing to burn that year knowing they badly need help keeping the puck out of their net and Jake Muzzin out with a broken foot isn’t helping matters much.

Add to that, the Maple Leafs just learned Morgan Reilly will be out eight weeks with a fractured foot that he suffered in the Florida loss.

Three Times Fighting Over Pageau?

In a recent article for The Athletic, TSN insider Pierre LeBrun noted how fierce the competition is for center Jean-Gabriel Pageau. He names three teams specifically: the Edmonton Oilers, the Philadelphia Flyers, and the Boston Bruins. 

LeBrun writes:

And if Pageau does end up on the trade market, he’ll be a hot commodity. I believe Edmonton, if the Oilers stay in the race, have Pageau on their target list. I think Philadelphia would get engaged depending on where the Nolan Patrick situation stands. Maybe Boston, given that he’s a right-hand shot?

source – ‘LeBrun: Kings open to dealing Martinez, Senators staying patient with Pageau and more trade rumblings’ – Pierre LeBrun – The Athletic – 01/13/2020

Lebrun goes so far as to call the Oilers desperate to add a forward, says the Bruins have been looking to bolster their top nine for another playoff run, and the Flyers are unsure where to go next thanks to uncertainty surrounding Nolan Patrick and his condition.

This not only means that Pageau is likely to be overpaid as a free agent in the summer but a team is going to give up a hefty sum to acquire him before the deadline.

Kings Making Martinez Available

In that same article discussing Pageau, LeBrun’s notes that Alec Martinez is available from the Los Angeles Kings. Martinez is signed through the 2020-21 season but the Kings are going to be sellers at this year’s deadline and his $4 million cap hit is affordable for some teams who have cap room and are looking for a player with a little term. He lists the Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche and possibly the Winnipeg Jets.

LeBrun writes:

What remains to be seen is what kind of return the Kings could get for Martinez compared to Muzzin, who fetched a first-round pick last June plus prospects Carl Grundstrom and Sean Durzi from Toronto.

… “Second and a prospect,’’ one Eastern Conference team executive suggested as the potential return for Martinez.

Central Scouting Ranking Released

The NHL has released their Central Scouting midterm rankings for 2020 draft eligible prospects. As expected, Alexis Lafreniere leads the North American group and projected to be the first overall selection at this year’s NHL Entry draft. Quinton Byfield of Sudbury, defenseman Jamie Drysdale of Erie, center Cole Perfetti of Saginaw and center Marco Rossi of Ottawa round out the top five.

The International list came as somewhat of a surprise to some as Tim Stuetzle, heads the list. He earned that spot over Lucas Raymond and Alexander Holtz.

Recent Articles:

Latest News