Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Bob McKenzie

Jean-Francois Berube Could Be Included In Vegas Deal

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

According to Bob McKenzie of TSN, the Jean-Francois Berube may be included in the New York Islanders side-deal with the Vegas Golden Knights. That deal in particular has been tough to pin down for all those chasing it, with several different iterations coming out in the last few days. The latest has it involving the Islanders’ first-round pick (15th-overall this year) in order to protect some unnamed group of players from selection, while Mikhail Grabovski’s contract could be headed the other way. This is the first we’ve heard of Berube being involved.

Interestingly, the Golden Knights have been expected to already have too many goaltenders after the draft and will unlikely have room for Berube on their roster. Recently it has been reported that Antti Raanta was not the selection from the Rangers, meaning perhaps Vegas is going for more position players than originally expected. Though Berube has some potential as an NHL goaltender, he played just 14 games for the Islanders this season (seven starts) and put up a .889 save percentage. He was relegated to the third string goaltender early in the season and never really received a chance as the Islanders struggled in net. With the team re-signing Thomas Greiss in early January, the writing was on the wall for Berube’s future in New York.

15th-overall is a hefty price to pay for any trade, but protecting their exposed group and getting rid of Grabovski’s cap hit seems important enough to the team. There have been rumblings of the Golden Knights wanting to move up from sixth-overall in the entry draft, and the Islanders’ pick could be a big part of that. Pierre LeBrun of TSN mentioned early this morning that Vegas had secured ten draft picks over the next few seasons, with several expected in the first round this season. While the team they ice on opening night in 2017-18 might not be incredible, the Golden Knights seem poised to have a quick build through the draft and young assets.

Expected Trades With Vegas Golden Knights

at CDT | by 14 Comments

The Vegas Golden Knights assuredly have more deals worked out than we know so far, but Bob McKenzie of TSN gave us a long breakdown of the ones that are expected to happen. With some added details from others like Michael Russo of the Star Tribune, Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch and Arthur Staple of Newsday, here are the deals that the hockey world is pretty sure have been agreed upon. To be clear, none of these trades are final until they are announced at tonight’s NHL Awards ceremony:

Minnesota Wild

Vegas signs Erik Haula to multi-year contract, forfeiting expansion selection. Sends conditional draft pick.

Minnesota sends Alex Tuch.

Anaheim Ducks

Vegas selects Clayton Stoner.

Anaheim sends Shea Theodore.

Chicago Blackhawks

Vegas selects Trevor van Riemsdyk.

Chicago sends Marcus Kruger.

This deal in particular should be subject to skepticism, as today’s news surrounding Marian Hossa complicates things. Scott Powers of The Athletic has been told that Kruger will remain with the Blackhawks through tonight, though it’s unclear what that would mean for van Riemsdyk who is still eligible to be drafted.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Vegas will not select Josh Anderson, Joonas Korpisalo or Jack Johnson.

Columbus sends 2017 first-round pick, a prospect, and David Clarkson.

New York Islanders

Vegas will not select certain players left exposed (unclear who exactly has been included).

New York sends 2017 first-round pick, and  Mikhail Grabovski.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Vegas selects Marc-Andre Fleury.

Pittsburgh sends unknown draft pick.

There are also deals in place with other teams including Florida and Tampa Bay, but reports have been inconsistent on the details thus far. McKenzie’s thread gives some insight into what they could be, but at this point it is still speculation. Again, each of these should be considered still only expected as details are fuzzy on each of them. We’ll update this page with any other deals that are leaked in the next few hours.

Tampa Bay Expected To Have Side Deal With Vegas

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times is reporting that the Tampa Bay Lightning have a side deal with the Vegas Golden Knights to protect their young defensemen, and Bob McKenzie was on TSN 1050 in Toronto confirming that he’s heard for a while that Steve Yzerman has had a deal in place. With Jake Dotchin and Slater Koekkoek both left unprotected, it seemed as though there must be something coming from the Lightning to steer the Vegas pick. Jason Garrison

The Lightning instead decided to protect Braydon Coburn, which was a huge surprise to everyone. In our mock draft, Dotchin garnered an easy majority as the Tampa Bay pick with his upside and late play for the team showing he’s ready for an NHL role next season. James Mirtle of The Athletic notes that the Lightning may be looking to move salary out, which seems to point directly at Jason Garrison. The 32-year old has one year left on his contract for $4.6MM and has a full no-trade clause. Having the Golden Knights choose him in the expansion draft is an easy way around that clause, with some sort of asset going back the other way in return.

If first-round picks are the going currency to dump your problems on the Golden Knights, the Lightning would be giving up the 14th-overall selection. That’s a hefty price to pay, and Smith speculates a deal may be centered around a forward prospect or the team’s two second-round picks instead. It also could be that the team simply wanted to keep Coburn as well, and will give up an asset without any salary heading the other way. With Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat leading a large group of RFAs for the team this summer, clearing more salary room out would allow them to be players in free agency. Before trading Jonathan Drouin it wasn’t even clear they’d be able to sign all of their forwards, but within a matter of days cap space could turn into an asset for the Lightning instead of a burden.

While the Golden Knights apparently don’t have a deal in place with Ottawa, it could have as many as nine other trades in place with teams around the league. Their position as the only expansion team in the new salary cap NHL has given them a lot of leverage in trade talks. While it may not be five first-round picks this year, it’s clear that George McPhee and the Golden Knights will collect a strong stable of assets this offseason.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images

Entry Draft Notes: Avalanche, Stars, Flyers

at CDT | by 1 Comment

The Colorado Avalanche seem to be at least entertaining the possibility of moving down in the draft. According to Mike Chambers of the Denver Post, the team is split internally over whether to select the best player available or to draft a dynamic defenseman, which is their biggest organizational need at the moment. Finding the proper balance between these two philosophies is always difficult, and ultimately, the scouts are the ones who need to believe in a particular player. It is interesting to note that Chambers doesn’t see defender Cale Makar being taken that early in the draft, and that the Avalanche might be “stuck” selecting another forward. Makar actually got votes for the top pick from one of TSN’s analysts, and there are many who believe he will hop into the top-5. Bob McKenzie actually had him slotted in at that #4 spot, so it’s a bit difficult to determine what the Avalanche are thinking here.

If the organization did decide to trade to a lower pick, as director of amateur scouting Alan Hepple says is “a scenario…that they’re ready for”, it would likely include a piece that will provide more immediate help for the team. After a 48 point season, that could mean plugging a hole at practically any position. It’s a lot to consider, especially in light of the Matt Duchene trade rumors which haven’t stopped swirling since they began halfway through the season. This article will only keep more eyes peeled on the team from Denver headed into Friday’s draft.

  • The Flyers don’t seem to have the blinders on regarding their #2 selection, according to Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer.  They are spending most of their time and energy focusing on the later rounds. This makes sense for any team with a top selection, but especially for Philadelphia who will almost certainly draft whichever of Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier remains. The team is heavily invested in looking to load up on offensive talent, and with 11 picks in this year’s draft, they’ve set themselves up very well. One of the major criticisms for the team in recent drafting has been the over-emphasis on physicality and intangibles, while ignoring more dynamic offensive players. We’ll see if they can avoid that pitfall this weekend.
  • The Stars look to be leaning away from the big Windsor forward Gabriel Vilardi, according to Sean Shapiro of NHL.com. He also speculates that Dallas is particularly high on the aforementioned Makar and HIFK’s shifty Miro Heiskanen. They look to be focusing on defense for another draft, and with their top-end offense it’s no wonder why. They just exposed Cody Eakin to Vegas because of their glut of center-men, and even though Vilardi is an exceptional, versatile forward – he’s not a need. Both Makar and Heiskanen were ranked in the top-5 final rankings by McKenzie, so it’s difficult to see Dallas moving from their #3 position.

Snapshots: Top-93, Healy, Vegas Deals

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

TSN has released their final ranking for the 2017 Entry Draft, and Nico Hischier has finally overtaken Nolan Patrick at the very top. Bob McKenzie who compiles the list based on a survey of 10 working scouts, writes that Patrick now only received four votes for the top spot, with Cale Makar even getting a single #1 vote.

That’s a much different ranking than earlier in the season when Patrick was the unanimous selection, and shows the volatility this year’s draft board. Even at #1 there is no consensus, and there are dozens of players who could go in the top-10. With such different boards around the league, there may be quite a bit of movement in the first round as teams target who they want.

  • Former NHL goaltender Glenn Healy has been named Executive Director of the NHL Alumni Association. Healy has worked with the NHLPA in the past and had been working as the interim Director for the NHLAA. He’ll lose the interim tag now and got a ringing endorsement from Wayne Gretzky himself, saying that Healy “is the right guy to lead us into the future.”
  • Scott Cullen of TSN believes there is at least seven side deals completed with Vegas in order to protect extra players or have a particular player selected. That would explain some of the interesting choices in yesterday’s protection list reveal, such as Minnesota and Anaheim leaving top flight defenders available. The Islanders, Penguins, Blackhawks, and Blue Jackets are also expected to have deals already in place, though nothing will be official until the expansion selections come out on Wednesday night.

Latest On Alexander Radulov’s Free Agency

at CDT | by 1 Comment

While the hockey world focuses on the expansion draft and upcoming entry draft, many fans in Montreal are turning their attention to next season and the possibility of an Alexander Radulov return to the Canadiens. The pending unrestricted free agent has been expected to re-sign with the Habs for some time, though things have gone silent in recent weeks as the team focused on other things. Today when speaking to TSN 690, Bob McKenzie explained that the two sides could still be pretty far away from each other in regards to contract length.

I’m sure that initially [Radulov] was looking for a home run; six, seven, eight years. Take your pick from one of those numbers, and I’m sure the Montreal Canadiens are saying ’not a chance in the world we’re going any longer–we’d like two but we know that’s not possible.’

Because Vegas is in a unique position, they’ve already got [Vadim] Shipachyov the 30-year old Russian center that they signed. They don’t have cap issues, they don’t have to worry as much about the dollars and cents…they’re in a unique position to maybe give Radulov more years and more money than the Montreal Canadiens could.

Signing Radulov would mean that Vegas forfeits their selection from the Montreal Canadiens, but after dealing away Nathan Beaulieu and protecting most of their core players, it could be an easy choice for the Golden Knights. McKenzie also points out that Montreal signing Radulov even for three years would hinge quite a bit on a potential Carey Price extension. Price hits the open market next summer, and could be looking at the biggest contract of all-time among goaltenders. After adding Jonathan Drouin on a six-year deal, money could get very tight for Montreal in a hurry.

It also will hinge on what happens with Alex Galchenyuk, who is up for a new contract but may have played his final game in Montreal. There has been much speculation about a possible trade for the young forward, especially after Drouin was acquired. Paying Galchenyuk a similar $5-6MM long-term deal would essentially eat up a third of the cap space Montreal has remaining, and they still need to make at least one addition to their defense corps. Radulov may fit for next season in that scenario, but going forward would be even tighter.

Anaheim Ducks Thought To Have Side-Deal With Vegas

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Bob McKenzie of TSN announced on Twitter that the Anaheim Ducks and Vegas Golden Knights are believed to have a side-deal worked out already in regards to the expansion draft. This comes on the heels of rumblings that the team did not ask Kevin Bieksa to waive his no-trade clause, something that would either point directly to a deal with Vegas or a buyout of the veteran defender.

Anaheim has been the target of much speculation all season about how they would possibly protect all of their prized defenders, and while many were expecting them to sell off Sami Vatanen or Josh Manson for pennies on the dollar, this other option always remained. Ducks’ GM Bob Murray has always had the chance to make a deal with Vegas, and has seemed calm when talking about the expansion draft for months.

This doesn’t mean that Vatanen isn’t headed out of town, quite the opposite. He could be the player heading to Vegas in the deal, possibly with a bad contract headed with him. The Ducks could use the cap space currently occupied by Clayton Stoner, and if Murray is willing to sweeten the deal with another asset Vegas could be a landing spot for both defenders. Pierre LeBrun of TSN makes it clear that the team is simply not willing to lose Josh Manson in the draft for nothing, something that would surely happen if the protection lists were submitted right now with no deals.

The exact specifics of any Anaheim-Vegas trade likely won’t be clear until after the selections are revealed on the 21st, but it’s clear that the expansion club has already generated some assets just from being willing to deal. Already there were reports that Chicago will give up Trevor van Riemsdyk if Vegas is willing to take Marcus Kruger, while Columbus might give up a hefty package to see David Clarkson’s name on someone else’s ledger.

Dion Phaneuf Not Expected To Waive NMC

at CDT | by 6 Comments

Even though he was asked to waive his no-movement clause in order for the Ottawa Senators to protect a different defenseman, Bob McKenzie of TSN reports that Dion Phaneuf is expected to refuse the request. He will not waive, and thus will require automatic protection in the expansion draft should he remain on the roster when the protection lists are submitted on Saturday evening.

Phaneuf is one of the most interesting cases among players asked to waive, as his contract only contains a limited no-trade clause that allows him to block deals to all but ten teams. That’s how the Maple Leafs executed the previous deal that sent him to Ottawa, and how the Senators could potentially move him again in order to protect someone else. Currently, the team will have to choose between Marc Methot and Cody Ceci for the final defensive slot if they go with the 7-3-1 protection method, with Chris Wideman and Mark Borowiecki having cases of their own.

Ottawa could go with the eight skater protection method, but that would leave several interesting forwards available. Obviously the team hoped that Phaneuf would waive the clause, assuming his contract would be protection enough against selection. As we discussed back in February when it was first suggested that the team would ask him, there is no guarantee that Vegas would pass up a former Norris finalist and Maple Leafs captain even with his hefty cap hit. The 32-year old Phaneuf comes with a $7MM cap hit for the next four seasons, but his actual salary drops to $5.5MM by the final season.

The Senators will now have to figure out which direction they take. Do they move Phaneuf (if they can) and take whatever asset they can get for him, or risk watching another good defenseman walk out the door for free. There is always the option of making a side-deal with Vegas, something that many teams around the league may have to do.

Latest On Evander Kane Trade Talks

at CDT | by 2 Comments

While this weekend was interesting from a Stanley Cup playoff perspective, ears in Buffalo also perked up when Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet spoke about some rumblings he’d heard surrounding Evander Kane and the Los Angeles Kings. TSN Insider Bob McKenzie weighed in on the subject today on Montreal radio, saying that he believes “Kane will likely be traded by the Buffalo Sabres.”

McKenzie points out that Kane is on the final year of his current contract and “may not fit into the long-term vision” of Jason Botterill and the new front office. Botterill of course took over earlier this spring from the fired Tim Murray, and will likely want to put his stamp on the team as soon as possible. McKenzie also brings up Robin Lehner, who is arbitration eligible and should earn a heft contract this summer as a restricted free agent.

We’ve heard rumors surrounding Kane before, going all the way back to his Atlanta Thrasher days as a youngster. The 25-year old has tremendous goal scoring talent, but has still yet to put it all together for a truly outstanding season. This year, it took him 13 games to register his first goal before blazing through the middle of the season and finishing with 28 on the year, the second highest mark of his career. Capable of logging huge minutes and providing a physical presence, teams would covet him among the top forwards in the league if it weren’t for his inconsistency and off-ice problems.

Kane has been embroiled in several incidents involving police and other legal troubles, making him a risk to any franchise looking to add his talent on the ice. The fact that he would basically be a rental with only one year on his contract and the chance to hit the open market at just 26 next summer makes it tough to gauge the return Buffalo could be expecting. Friedman, following up on his weekend report this morning mentioned he’s heard conflicting reports on whether or not the Anaheim Ducks would be interested.

Western Notes: Mazanec, Schmaltz, Draft Rankings

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Nashville Predators have recalled Marek Mazanec from the Milwaukee Admirals, and will keep him around as an emergency goaltender. The Admirals were eliminated from the AHL playoffs last night, losing 3-2 in overtime to the Grand Rapids Griffins. In a three game series sweep, the Griffins put 10 goals past Mazanec on 106 shots. He’ll practice with the team as a “Black Ace” for the remainder of the playoffs.

Nashville didn’t make any further call ups which is interesting after the news that Kevin Fiala will not be able to return these playoffs. Perhaps Craig Smith or Calle Jarnkrok, who both missed game one after being present in the morning skate will return in time for the next matchup on Friday night.

  • The St. Louis Blues have recalled Jordan Schmaltz from the AHL and returned Petteri Lindbohm. Because they are only allowed three rotating callups, they’ll use Schmaltz as their defensive insurance until his next playoff series starts on May 3rd. The Chicago Wolves defeated the Charlotte Checkers in five games, but are still waiting on the other series’—some of which have played just two games—to finish around the league before moving on to face those Griffins that defeated the Admirals. Schmaltz will likely be sent back down, unless an injury were to strike one of the Blues’ defenders.
  • Bob McKenzie and TSN have released their latest draft rankings, which will be their second-last attempt at figuring out which amateur player is regarded highest around the league. The ranking still has Nolan Patrick at #1, though it is basically a tie between he and Nico Hischier. The team at TSN had to survey 23 different teams to break the deadlock, when they normally just use 10. Patrick and Hischier are followed by Gabe Vilardi from Windsor, and the late rising Miro Heiskanen, who has forced himself into the conversation for the top three. With the top four lottery teams all being from the Western Conference there is a great chance the first pick (and perhaps the second, third and fourth) will belong to one of them.

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

scroll to top