Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Archives for February 2020

Snapshots: Kings, Ryan, Giordano

at CDT | by 3 Comments

The Los Angeles Kings are a team to watch as the trade deadline approaches, and they took up a pair of notes in Elliotte Friedman’s latest 31 Thoughts column. The Sportsnet scribe writes that even though Kings’ head coach Todd McLellan wanted to re-sign Tyler Toffoli, the forward will “more likely than not” be traded in the next few weeks. The Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames and Philadelphia Flyers are all linked to Toffoli, who has turned around his season and has 17 points in his last 23 games.

Another player to watch according to Friedman is Alec Martinez, who is linked to the Nashville Predators, Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights in the piece. It’s clear the Kings are looking to rebuild their squad after struggling in consecutive seasons.

  • Bobby Ryan returned to the ice at Ottawa Senators practice today for the first time since taking an indefinite leave of absence to enter the player assistance program in late November. Head coach D.J. Smith told reporters that Ryan is still “a ways away” from returning to the lineup, but expressed his support for the veteran forward and explained how the rest of the team welcomed him back.
  • Mark Giordano is undergoing an MRI this afternoon after suffering an unfortunate injury on Tuesday night. The Calgary Flames captain fell as he shot a puck and seemed to injure his leg, but it is not clear how long he will be out for until the results come back. Eric Francis of Sportsnet examined the situation and the options the Flames have if Giordano does miss a significant stretch of time.

Edmonton Oilers Have “Looked Into” Tomas Tatar

at CDT | by 11 Comments

If there’s one line repeated ad nauseam this trade deadline, it will be that the Edmonton Oilers need help on the wing. Now that Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have been split up for the most part and are driving two different lines, the prevailing thought is that they will add a body or two to give them a little more depth. You wouldn’t blame GM Ken Holland for looking around for a familiar face then. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet writes in his latest 31 Thoughts column that the Oilers have “looked into” Montreal Canadiens forward Tomas Tatar, who of course has a long history with Holland from their time in Detroit.

Tatar, who is also drawing interest from the Pittsburgh Penguins according to Friedman, has resurrected his career in Montreal after an ill-fated stopover with the Vegas Golden Knights. After setting career-highs with 25 goals and 58 points last season, Tatar is ready to blow past those numbers in 2019-20. He currently sits with 20 goals and 50 points in 55 games, leading the Canadiens in both categories by a fairly wide margin.

Why would Montreal want to trade Tatar then? Well, this season hasn’t gone according to plan for the Canadiens who even with their recent strong play still sit seven points out of an Atlantic Division playoff spot. The final wild card position is actually even further away, and Montreal would have to jump over several teams to land either one.

There’s also the fact that Tatar is only signed for one more year and just turned 29. While he has obviously been a great fit for the team, trading him now could provide a pretty significant return given he would represent two playoff runs for any acquiring team.

In 2018 when the Golden Knights acquired Tatar from the Red Wings, he had three additional seasons on his deal at a $5.3MM cap hit. He also only had 16 goals and 28 points through 62 games, but Vegas still decided to give up a first, a second and a third-round pick for him. After the Golden Knights retained salary in the subsequent move, he now costs just $4.8MM against the cap and is having and much more successful season. That’s why Friedman writes that any team would have to “move the needle” to really interest Montreal GM Marc Bergevin, but also why he could be one of the biggest names on the market if made available.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Minor Transactions: 02/05/20

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

While the MLB dominates the newsstands with some blockbuster deals yesterday, hockey fans will soon turn back to their beloved NHL and the race to the trade deadline. Things are heating up around the league with rumors swirling around any team within a few points of the playoffs, and there is bound to be some movement in the coming weeks. As teams prepare for all that action they have games to play and minor moves to make in order to ice full rosters. We’ll keep track of all those smaller moves right here:

  • The Washington Capitals have returned Martin Fehervary and Vitek Vanecek to the minor leagues after just one game, which only the former took part in. Fehervary ended up playing nearly 20 minutes for the Capitals last night in their comeback win against the Los Angeles Kings, and will likely be back up at some point for the team. Vanecek meanwhile was just insurance after Ilya Samsonov left practice, but Braden Holtby got the start and stopped 29 of 31 shots.
  • Matiss Kivlenieks, Jakob Lilja and Andrew Peeke have all been sent to the AHL by the Columbus Blue Jackets, with some other names nearing a return. Josh Anderson and Ryan Murray are both close to jumping back into the lineup for the Blue Jackets, who outlasted the Florida Panthers last night for a 1-0 overtime win.
  • Taro Hirose and Gustav Lindstrom appear ready to get a chance at the NHL, after being recalled by the Detroit Red Wings. To make room on the roster both Frans Nielsen and Mike Green have been placed on injured reserve. Hirose has played 23 games for the Red Wings this season, but Lindstrom will be making his NHL debut whenever he gets in the lineup. The 21-year old defenseman was selected 38th overall in 2017 and is in his first year of North American professional hockey.
  • Speaking of making a debut, Andrei Chibisov has been recalled by the Winnipeg Jets for the first time this season. The 26-year old was signed out of the KHL last summer and has 24 points in 46 games for the Manitoba Moose. To make room, Cameron Schilling has been returned to the AHL.
  • The Buffalo Sabres have recalled Scott Wilson from the minor leagues, while sending Jean-Sebastien Dea back down. The Sabres are dealing with a long list of injuries at the NHL and AHL levels while also plummeting in the standings.
  • The Colorado Avalanche have assigned Mark Barberio to the AHL for a conditioning stint, while recalling Calle Rosen. Rosen, acquired last summer in the deal that brought Nazem Kadri to town, played eight games earlier in the season for the Avalanche and recorded two points.

Edmonton Oilers, Darnell Nurse Discussing Extension

at CDT | by 3 Comments

The Edmonton Oilers have finally built some stability in the organization and consistency on the ice, and they’re not willing to give it up anytime soon. The team extended heart-and-soul winger Zack Kassian recently, and now Bob McKenzie of TSN reports that they are working towards a new deal for Darnell Nurse. McKenzie explained the situation on Insider Trading:

Talks have been progressing. Over the last seven to ten days after the Kassian deal was done, the Oilers and Darnell Nurse have had some considerable discussion that seems to be headed in the right direction. Now it’s not by any stretch a done deal but they are making progress.

While McKenzie explains that both sides would want a long-term deal if possible, they might have to settle for a two-year contract somewhere under $6MM per season instead. That’s because of the tight cap situation in Edmonton, where players like Kris Russell and James Neal are still earning big money next season and there are several buyouts on the books. That shouldn’t worry Oilers fans apparently, as McKenzie explains that Nurse “wants to be an Oiler long-term.”

The physical two-way defenseman turns 25 today and has become something of a pillar in Edmonton over the last few seasons. Originally selected seventh overall in 2013 it took a few years for Nurse to really grow into his 6’4″ frame, but now that he has there may not be a more important defenseman on the team. After setting a career-high in points last season with 41, he is in the midst of another good year with 22 in his first 52 games. That comes with 118 hits–only trailing Kassian for the team lead–and nearly 23 minutes of hard working ice time every night.

Anything approaching $6MM may be a reasonable amount to pay for Nurse, but it also will complicate things for the Oilers. The team already has more than $63MM committed to just 13 players for next season, not leaving them a lot of wiggle room to fit in support pieces. Both Matt Benning and Ethan Bear also need new contracts as restricted free agents, while there needs to be an upgrade on the wing up front.

Still, the fact that Nurse wants to stick around bodes well for an organization that has had trouble convincing players to do just that in the past. A long playoff run would only do more to solidify the reputations of Holland and head coach Dave Tippett after so much dysfunction over the last decade-plus.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Trade Deadline Primer: Vegas Golden Knights

at CDT | by 3 Comments

With the trade deadline now less than a month away, we will be taking a closer look at the situation for each team over the coming weeks.  Where do they stand, what do they need to do, and what assets do they have to fill those needs?  Next up is a look at the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Golden Knights have already made one of the biggest decisions they could have, firing Gerard Gallant and bringing in Pete DeBoer to coach the team. They’re 3-1-1 since making the move, but still not a perfect hockey team. Perhaps the deadline will bring more fireworks just as it has in each of first two years of the franchise.

Record

27-20-7, 3rd in the Pacific Division.

Deadline Status

Buyer

Deadline Cap Space

$753K in a full-season cap hit, 1/3 used salary cap retention slots, 46/50 contracts per CapFriendly

Upcoming Draft Picks

2020: VGK 1st, VGK 2nd, PIT 2nd, VGK 3rd, NJD 3rd, VGK 5th, VGK 6th, VGK 7th
2021: VGK 1st, VGK 2nd, NJD 2nd, STL 2nd, VGK 4th, VGK 6th, VGK 7th

Trade Chips

George McPhee and Kelly McCrimmon haven’t been shy in making big trades at the deadline over the early part of the Golden Knights’ history, acquiring Tomas Tatar in 2018 and Mark Stone last year. Those top forwards cost a lot of future assets, and yet Vegas still has some more bullets to fire.

With five second-round picks over the next two drafts there will be opportunities for the Golden Knights to improve without removing much from their roster; the question will be whether or not they can fit any upgrades in financially.

After moving out Nick Suzuki and Erik Brannstrom it might be harder to swallow a trade that involves a top prospect, but there are some second-tier players in the system that could be had.

There are also a handful of expiring contracts that could be swapped out, depending on what was coming back. Cody Eakin, Ryan Reaves and Nick Holden were all listed in Jesse Granger’s “Most likely to be dealt” category for The Athletic (subscription required), but Tomas Nosek and Jon Merrill will also become unrestricted free agents in the summer.

Five Players To Watch For: F Cody Eakin, D Nick Holden, D Jimmy Schuldt, F Ryan Reaves, D Jon Merrill, F Lucas Elvenes

Team Needs

1) Puck-Moving Defenseman: Granger wrote weeks ago that the Golden Knights were looking for a defenseman that could move the puck, but how they’re going to fit one in is still a mystery. The team already has too many bodies on the back end and would need to move at least one out to fit in any sort of money. That said, Nate Schmidt and Shea Theodore are being asked to do too much right now as the only two players who can effectively get the puck up the ice.

2) Goaltending Help: No one wants to admit it, but Marc-Andre Fleury might be nearing the end. The veteran goaltender has just a .908 save percentage this season, his worst performance in a decade. Malcolm Subban hasn’t shown enough to rely on him as a better option, meaning the Golden Knights simply have to consider an upgrade at the position–even if it is only through the end of the season. Any goaltender with term is a tough ask given Fleury’s contract (which has two years remaining on it at a $7MM cap hit), but he at least has a history of success while sharing the net during the playoffs.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Florida Panthers Looking To Add Veteran Defense

at CDT | by 15 Comments

The Florida Panthers dressed seven defensemen against the Toronto Maple Leafs last night—though the hat-tricking Mark Pysyk should probably start thinking of changing to the wing full-time after that performance—but that doesn’t mean they aren’t still looking to add on the back end. Dale Tallon spoke to Mike Zeisberger of NHL.com and explained he’s looking for another defenseman for a very specific role:

I’d like to acquire a veteran D if I could to play with [Aaron] Ekblad and settle things down a bit back there. We need to be more consistent on the blue line.

Ekblad skated beside Mike Matheson for most of last night, who has become something of an enigma since signing his eight-year, $39MM contract in 2017. Once seen as a core piece that would eventually become a leader on the team, Matheson’s minutes have been drastically reduced this season. In fact, over his last five games the 25-year old has averaged just over 15 minutes a night, a far cry from the 22:19 he averaged last season.

If Matheson isn’t the answer next to Ekblad, it’s hard to imagine exactly who would be. Tallon’s search for a defenseman will be limited by the salary cap, given the team is already using long-term injured reserve space provided by Chris Driedger’s injury. Moving money out might be the only way to really upgrade on the back end, which certainly raises more questions.

The Panthers have three players on relatively expensive contracts that will become unrestricted free agents this summer in Pysyk ($2.73MM cap hit), Mike Hoffman ($5.19MM) and Evgenii Dadonov ($4.0MM), but each come with various levels of value to the club. The fact that Tallon suggested a “steadying influence” at forward might also be on the wish list only complicates things.

It would be hard to blame the Panthers for making a big splash though now that they find themselves in a playoff position. The franchise has almost no success since they entered the league in 1993, making the playoffs only five times in 25 seasons. They haven’t won a playoff round since their Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Final in 1996, making this current opportunity seem like a dominant performance.

The Panthers are tied for third in the Atlantic Division with the Maple Leafs, but have two games in hand and an extra regulation win.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Snapshots: Dubois, Jets, Sharks

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Columbus Blue Jackets won’t be announcing a contract extension for Pierre-Luc Dubois anytime soon, according to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic. Portzline tweets that the two sides were willing to talk during the season, but will “probably” move those negotiations to the summer.

Dubois and the Blue Jackets have bigger fish to fry at the moment as they try to shock every preseason prognosticator by making the playoffs. The team has overcome a ton this season to remain in the Metropolitan Division race and Dubois’ development into a true star has been one of the biggest reasons why. Still just 21, the third-overall pick from 2016 has 17 goals and 42 points in 53 games this season and looks every part the franchise centerman that Jarmo Kekalainen saw in the draft. He will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season, coming off his entry-level deal.

  • Though most of the talk coming out of the Winnipeg Jets’ dressing room today revolved around Dustin Byfuglien and his impending departure from the organization, the team also announced some pertinent injury news. Nathan Beaulieu has been activated from injured reserve, while Mathieu Perreault takes his place. Perreault is expected to be out for at least two weeks after being hit by Karson Kuhlman last week.
  • While Kevin Kurz of The Athletic writes today (subscription required) that San Jose Sharks defenseman Brendan Dillon “will almost certainly” be dealt before the trade deadline later this month, it is the more veteran subjects of his latest article that will raise some eyebrows. Kurz examines potential landing spots for franchise icons Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau, if either of the two decide they want to get another shot at the Stanley Cup this spring. That’s not going to happen in San Jose, with the Sharks compiling a 22-27-4 record through their first 53 games and sitting 13th in the Western Conference.

Barrett Hayton Sent To AHL On Conditioning Loan

at CDT | by 1 Comment

After scoring a goal in the World Junior gold medal game with an injured shoulder, Barrett Hayton returned to the Arizona Coyotes in early January. Labeled back then as week-to-week as he recovered, the young forward will now head to the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners for a conditioning stint. That move indicates that Hayton is close to returning, though how the Coyotes will use him is still unclear.

Interestingly, Hayton is actually too young to stay with Tucson beyond the conditioning loan. Still just 19, once healthy he has to stay with the Coyotes or be returned to his junior team. Returning to junior doesn’t make much sense at this point after the first year of his entry-level contract was already burned, but the top prospect was also not playing regularly for Arizona before leaving for the international tournament in the first place.

In 14 games this season with Arizona, Hayton has one goal and four points. He tripled that total in seven games at the WJC, as he captained Team Canada to gold. The fifth-overall pick from 2018, Hayton can do a little bit of everything on the ice and projects to be a star option down the middle for the Coyotes in the future. This short stint with the Roadrunners may prove to be his only time in the minor leagues.

Toronto Maple Leafs “Kicked Tires” On Jack Campbell

at CDT | by 5 Comments

The Toronto Maple Leafs were without Frederik Andersen at practice today as he continues to be evaluated for the upper-body injury he suffered last night. The team announced after their 5-3 loss to the Florida Panthers that Andersen—who left the game after the first period—had passed his concussion tests, but obviously they need to take things cautiously with their franchise netminder. He is now listed as day-to-day with a neck injury, but won’t travel with the team to New York. That led to Luke Fox of Sportsnet examining several potential trade options that Toronto could look at to solidify their goaltending situation, including Jack Campbell of the Los Angeles Kings.

Fox reports that Maple Leafs’ GM Kyle Dubas has “kicked tires” on Campbell, who has played in 20 games for the Kings this season and carries a .900 save percentage. That number is not something to get very excited about, but it is important to remember that the Kings have struggled in almost every facet of the game this season. Campbell did post a .928 save percentage in 31 appearances during the 2018-19 campaign.

One potential hiccup however, is the increasing salary Campbell is going to get moving forward. Though he carries just a $675K cap hit this year and could fit into the Maple Leafs’ tight financial picture, a new two-year extension kicks in for 2020-21 that has an average annual value of $1.65MM. Toronto, thanks to some incredibly large contracts signed by their star forwards, may not be able to afford a backup with that kind of deal—especially if they have any thoughts of an Andersen extension after his contract expires in 2021.

Even if Andersen proves healthy enough to return to action quickly, the Maple Leafs still may have a backup issue as they try to stay afloat in the Atlantic Division playoff race. The team hasn’t been able to rely on backup Michael Hutchinson, as evidenced by his performance last night in relief. Hutchinson allowed three goals on 13 shots, lowering his season save percentage to .886, fourth-worst in the league among goaltenders who have at least ten appearances.

Minor Transactions: 02/04/20

at CDT | by 1 Comment

It’s a busy Tuesday evening in the NHL with 13 games on the schedule, including Joel Edmundson and Justin Faulk facing their former teammates in St. Louis. The former will receive his Stanley Cup ring and will have his parents in attendance to watch. Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic tweets that Edmundson’s family is being flown in from Manitoba by the Blues so they can see their son honored by his old team. As the Blues and everyone else in the league prepare for tonight’s action, we’ll keep track of all the minor moves.

Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

scroll to top