PHR Mailbag: Duchene, Kessel, Hurricanes, Bruins
We’ve been taking your off-season inquiries over the weekend in the comments and using #PHRMailbag on Twitter. Here are some questions and answers to ponder:
Conorsoxfan: Is Matt Duchene still going to be moved? What about Landeskog? Are the Avs waiting for the right offer or are they holding on to all their assets for now?
We received several questions about Matt Duchene and for good reason. The Avalanche have been speaking with teams since the Trade Deadline about moving the talented forward and Duchene himself is on record as saying that he is open to a move, but months later he is still in Colorado. It seems that GM Joe Sakic has a very specific (and lofty) return in mind and is hesitant to move Duchene without getting exactly what he wants. That return certainly includes a young, proven defenseman, which is not exactly a commodity that most teams are eager to move. The Columbus Blue Jackets and Carolina Hurricanes seem like they have the best chance of meeting Sakic’s demands, as both teams are loaded with young, NHL-ready defenseman. However, the rumor that Colorado rejected a deal for Travis Hamonic that included Duchene makes you wonder if Sakic is searching for a caliber of player that is simply unavailable. It would be best for Duchene, the Avs, and the rest of the NHL trade market if a deal would get done sooner rather than later, but don’t be surprised if Duchene is still a talking point at the next Trade Deadline.
As for Gabriel Landeskog, rumors of his deaparture have definitely been on the back burner this summer after he too was hot topic at the Trade Deadline. Although the Avalanche are coming off a historically bad season, they seem to be playing it safe with their rebuild. They have not sold off all of their veteran pieces, nor have they operated like a team that’s pushing for a playoff spot. Their only major additions this season are a backup goaltender, Jonathan Bernier, and a low risk-high reward gamble, Nail Yakupov. They got potentially the best player in the draft at #4 overall in defenseman Cale Makar, but he is at least two seasons away from seeing NHL ice time. It seems that Sakic is content with keeping his roster intact and slowly adding in younger players and moving out older pieces. That type of status quo strategy would seem to indicate that Colorado isn’t keen on losing its captain unless the return could truly change the course of the franchise. Especially if Duchene does end up traded, don’t expect Landeskog to follow. He’s likely to remain in Colorado for the time being.
@Wings16Canes13: When and will Pittsburgh trade Kessel? Or does another coach have to go first?
It always seems like there’s some controversy surrounding Phil Kessel. This question alludes to rumors coming out of Pittsburgh that the uber-talented winger and head coach Mike Sullivan don’t see eye-to-eye on many things. Moreover, it’s been said that assistant Rick Tocchet acted as go-between for the two these past two seasons, and with Tocchet likely headed to Arizona as the head coach of the Coyotes, the relationship between Kessel and Sullivan could get worse. However, the Pittsburgh Penguins are also back-to-back Stanley Cup champs, with both Kessel and Sullivan playing major roles in each title. Neither is likely to be on the move any time soon, especially not because they dislike each other. It may not be the most comfortable locker room, but the two will learn to live with each other and any struggles for the Penguins in 2017-18 will be attributed to Stanley Cup hangover, not a feuding coach and player. With that said, Kessel has a $6.8MM cap hit for five more years, which could cause cap trouble down the road for the Penguins, while the team has also shown a willingness to move on from head coaches after just a down season or two. Both Kessel and Sullivan could be gone in a few years, but it’s impossible to know which first and when, only that it’s highly unlikely to be this year.
mikedickinson: Hurricanes are loaded on defense and have three kids who can play in the AHL as well. They aren’t trading any of their top 4. Can they trade from their strength to address a weakness (center)? Also, JVR to Raleigh to play with his brother?
The Carolina Hurricanes boast one of the youngest, deepest, and most talented defensive corps in the entire league. All-Star Justin Faulk leads a group that includes 2015 #5 pick Noah Hanifin, 2012 fourth-rounder Jaccob Slavin, 2013 third-rounder Brett Pesce, 2014 #7 pick Haydn Fleury, 2014 second-rounder Roland McKeown, and now the recently-acquired Trevor van Riemsdyk, not to mention dependable depth defender Klas Dahlbeck and 2016-17 AHL surprise Jake Chelios. There’s also 2016 first-rounder Jake Bean to consider as well, though he remains in juniors. That group has one thing in common: none of them are more than 26 years old. When the Hurricanes acquired van Riemsdyk from the Vegas Golden Knights last month, many felt that the move indicated that Faulk, the team’s top right-shot defenseman, would be on the move. After all, the team has been linked to Matt Duchene as well as others as they try to bring their forward depth up to the same level as their defense. However, GM Ron Francis has stated since that he wants to keep his starters together. It also seems unlikely that he’s keen to move talented teenager Bean, leaving promising, but slowly developing players like Fleury, McKeown, and Chelios as his top trade chips from the blue line. None of those players will get a Duchene or similar-caliber player, but don’t be surprised if the ‘Canes use them to add some depth forwards this off-season or along the way next season. If Francis is posturing, then yes any of Faulk, Hanafin, Slavin, or Pesce could be used to bring in a big fish.
As for James van Riemsdyk, it is an interesting development to have his brother in Carolina, an up-and-coming team (like the Maple Leafs) that’s in need of an impact forward. JVR is entering the final year of his contract and it seems unlikely that Toronto will re-sign him, considering the expensive extensions coming down the line for Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander. The question then becomes whether or not the Leafs are interested in moving him this off-season and whether the Hurricanes are willing to pay the price for his services this year when they can sign him next summer for free. If the Leafs look to deal him, Fleury or McKeown as the centerpieces likely won’t cut it. The Leafs are on the hunt for a top-pair right-shot to pair with Morgan Rielly and Faulk certainly fits the bill, but that’s a high price to pay for an impending free agent. I think you’re on to something with JVR and TVR teaming up in Carolina, but I think it could come at a lower price toward the Trade Deadline or via free agency next off-season.
mpfallon: Will the bruins make some big offseason moves?
This depends on your definition of “big”. Despite rumors that the Bruins have been looking into acquiring a top-four left-handed defenseman and a top-six winger, GM Don Sweeney has also made it clear that he doesn’t want to acquire players that will block Boston’s talented young prospects. College star Anders Bjork, 2015 first-rounder Jake DeBrusk, Peter Cehlarik, who got a taste of the NHL last year, and possibly even Danton Heinen and Jesse Gabrielle will all compete with Frank Vatrano, Matt Beleskey, and recent signing Kenny Agostino for a top-nine spot on the left side, and Ryan Spooner could join the mix if the B’s prefer rookie Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson at third line center. The left wing battle could spill over to the right side as well, where top forward prospect Zach Senyshyn will also look to make the team. On the blue line, Rob O’Gara, Jakub Zboril, and Jeremy Lauzon will all fight for the final spot on the left side, and the recent signing of Paul Postma could indicate that the team is okay with moving Kevan Miller to the left side to free up a spot for Adam McQuaid to continue to be a starter with Postma as the seventh man.
There is more than enough depth in Boston that the Bruins may make no moves for the rest of the off-season. Odds are that they do something, but likely not anything “big”. A trade for a left-shot defenseman, possibly a Nick Holden or Jonathan Ericsson, or the signing of a stopgap winger, like Drew Stafford, Thomas Vanek, or Alex Chiasson seems possible, but anything bigger could be a long shot. So the short answer to your question is no, they won’t make “big off-season moves”. They could make a small, but significant move or two, but chances are a big trade would come closer to the Trade Deadline after they give the kids a shot first.
Submit Your Questions For The Pro Hockey Rumors Mailbag
Frustrated about your team’s off-season so far? Wondering what the next big trade will be or which free agent might sign soon? Already looking forward to next season? If you have a question regarding anything from signings and trades to the salary cap, the draft, or arbitration even to how your team ma fare in 2017-18, send us your questions for the next PHR Mailbag. You can submit your questions on Twitter using the hashtag #PHRMailbag or by using the comment section below.
Take the weekend to think about it and be sure to check back on Monday when the mailbag is posted.
PHR Mailbag: Blashill, Trade Deadline, Savard
Over the last few days, we’ve taken your mailbag questions on Twitter using the hashtag #PHRMailbag and on the site via the comments feature. Here are the inquiries for this edition of the mailbag:
@JimRouleau39: When will the Red Wings make a move on Jeff Blashill? The team seems to have no energy! And continue to beat themselves.
This season has been nothing short of a disaster so far for Detroit. They sit dead last in the Eastern Conference and their quarter-century playoff streak is in serious jeopardy. Despite that, I don’t suspect Blashill’s job is in jeopardy any time soon.
GM Ken Holland is quite patient and Blashill was long heralded as Mike Babcock’s successor even while he was still behind the bench for the Red Wings. At that time, they were hesitant to grant interviews for Blashill to interview for other NHL head coaching jobs, something that doesn’t typically happen. Blashill has been Holland’s guy for a long time now and it’s hard to see one season, as bad as it has been, cause him to change his mind.
Detroit has been hit hard by injuries this year while goalie Petr Mrazek hasn’t played anywhere near the level that he is capable of. These are also factors that suggest that Blashill will get another opportunity next season with what may be a bit of a different looking roster.
Jay: In general would you expect less trades this deadline because of the expansion draft or will that not really have a huge impact.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see a quieter deadline this year because of the dearth of sellers and a lot of teams being capped out. I don’t expect the expansion draft to be at the forefront at the deadline though except for the sellers who can try to plan ahead a little bit. For the teams that are looking to contend, their focus is going to be adding the right piece(s) to help them win now and worry about sorting out their protected list later. Most of the deadline deals are likely to be rental players anyways and it’s unlikely that those pending unrestricted free agents will be considered for protection.
For teams like Arizona, Colorado, and whoever else becomes a sure fire seller over the next month, they can determine what their list is likely to look like in June and who is most likely to be selected by the Golden Knights. From there, they could see if a buyer would have interest in making a move for that player but beyond that, I suspect the bulk of the expansion-related deals will come after the trade deadline.
@Grade5Woolgar: Where and how is Marc Savard? Post concussion and no news since. Is he ok?
Savard is living in Peterborough, ON and is staying involved in hockey as, like many retired players, he is coaching his son at the minor hockey level. He also has taken up golf and has qualified for a couple of tournaments on a lower professional golf circuit although his physical limitations have made it difficult for him to play a full four rounds. He’s also dealing with some memory loss as well given all of the concussions he has dealt with, the last one coming back in 2010-11 when he last played.
This is the final year that Savard will be on the books of an NHL team as the Devils acquired him from Florida as a salary cap dump last offseason. Once his contract expires, he will likely officially file his retirement papers.
PHR Mailbag: Duchene, Gaudreau, Julien
Over the last few days, we’ve taken your mailbag questions on Twitter using the hashtag #PHRMailbag. Here are the inquiries for our inaugural mailbag:
@DAN35NY: what would the rangers have to give to get Duchene can girardi a prospect and 2 2nd rounders
The Avalanche have a nice collection of talent up front with the likes of Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, and Mikko Rantanen on top of Matt Duchene. Unfortunately for them, their defense corps is an area of weakness, both in the short-term and long-term. Accordingly, if they’re going to move Duchene, something they’re at least willing to consider, a good young defender would need to be part of the deal.
That presents a bit of a challenge for the Rangers who really only have one young impact defensemen on their roster in Brady Skjei. They’re not likely to have interest in Dan Girardi and Marc Staal as their preference would be to add someone whose age is close to the rest of the core of their team. Ryan McDonagh is relatively close in age and has the same team control with a somewhat comparable cap hit ($6MM for Duchene versus $4.7MM for McDonagh) and if GM Joe Sakic wanted to do a one-for-one deal to shake up the core similar to the Adam Larsson–Taylor Hall swap over the offseason, that would probably be something he’d consider.
Based on their reported asking price from the Islanders (where players like Travis Hamonic and Anthony Beauvillier were mentioned on top of other players), it seems that the Avs are more interested in youngsters that can help now over future draft picks. For the Rangers, that would likely mean players like wingers Jimmy Vesey and Pavel Buchnevich would be sought after along with Skjei. Overall, I don’t see a great fit trade wise between the two teams when it comes to Duchene as I believe Colorado’s preference is to get a top pairing blueliner (or someone with that type of potential) in exchange for their top line forward and that’s something the Rangers just don’t really seem to have available.
@WG894: J.Gaudreau gets 3yr ELC in 13/14 & played 1 NHL game in 13/14 so how did he sign 6yr deal? 13/14 ELC slide,no?
The slide rule only pertains to players that are junior aged (18 and 19). At the time that he signed his entry level deal, Gaudreau was already older than that so he wasn’t eligible for a slide.
The contract was signed at a time that allowed Gaudreau to burn the first year of his rookie contract by playing just one game, a common enticement offered to college players to get them to forego the remainder of their college eligibility. That way, the player gets the full signing bonus, a few days of NHL pay, and gets to restricted free agency one year earlier. It’s a small price to pay to ensure the team gets the player under contract.
I don’t think either side is unhappy with how things turned out. Gaudreau has turned into a legitimate top line forward and as a result of being able to burn the first year of his entry level pact with just one game played back in 2014, he was able to get the big bucks quickly.
@bamoro31: What are the Bruins doing?? Can’t score some nights don’t show up others. Coaching change??
There has been plenty of speculation in recent years regarding whether or not the Bruins should make a coaching change. I thought they took a bit of a step back in the offseason so they’re about where I thought they’d be standings-wise, hanging around the edge of the postseason near the halfway mark. From that standpoint, I wouldn’t lean towards making a change if I’m GM Don Sweeney.
The fact they’ve come out listless a few too many times though is a concern, especially when you’re a bubble team in the standings. Pretty much every team deals with inconsistency at times during the year, even the top ones but a lack of energy is never ideal.
Claude Julien is one of the longest-tenured coaches in the league and there’s an argument to be made that his message is growing stale and that’s why the effort level isn’t there every night. But I wouldn’t pull the trigger on a firing just yet. If Sweeney thinks this is a playoff team (and they’re right in the hunt), I’d be more inclined from his perspective to try to add to the roster first. Then if the team continues to scuffle down the stretch, it might be the time to make a change either late in the year or in the offseason.