Tag Archives: Buffalo Sabres

Armchair GM, Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, Rumors

(3/17/21) BLH’s NHL Trade Rumors: Rakell to Toronto? Rangers to Trade Buchnevich?

BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Victor Mete (MTL), Pavel Buchnevich (NYR), Devan Dubnyk (SJ), Anthony Mantha (DET), and more!

Is Leon Draisaitl’s excellent two-way presence just a mirage? One Edmonton pundit says they may very well be, BLH says not so fast. Read about it here.

A new name in the rumor mill for Oilers fans! Check out who it is here.

Could Tyson Barrie be trade bait for the Oilers? Read about that here.

This is not the kind of news Edmonton Oilers fans will like.

Click the pic and find the NHL94 player from your team!

NHL Rumors and Speculation

Pierre LeBrun (The Athletic) posted trade proposals for six contending teams not too long ago. Here’s some of the juicier tidbits from that article,

  • Mattias Ekholm to the Boston Bruins – “What’s a first-round pick and a prospect when you’re trying to max out Patrice Bergeron’s remaining time in the NHL and win another Stanley Cup? Could Jake DeBrusk be part of this deal? Ekholm remains a stud, top-four D. If you’re Sweeney, you owe it to your team to try to swing this.”
  • Eric Staal to the Carolina Hurricanes – “I know the Carolina brass recently discussed the merits of picking up the phone closer to the April 12 deadline if Staal was still on the Buffalo roster and seeing what it would take in a softer deal to get the pending UFA.”
  • Rickard Rakell to the Toronto Maple Leafs – “For me, that starts with the Leafs offering 2020 first-round pick Rodion Amirov and still, that probably wouldn’t be enough. Toronto would need another asset in the package.”
  • Alex Goligoski to the Philadelphia Flyers – “Not top of the list, but it’s one of those situations where if the Flyers strike out on other top-four targets, they could come calling to Arizona eventually.”
  • David Rittich to the Washington Capitals – “I think if there’s still any doubt at all closer to April 12 they go out and bring in some insurance in goal.”
  • Mattias Ekholm to the Winnipeg Jets – “I’ve heard some rumblings the Predators have chatted internally about 24-year-old Jets blueliner Sami Niku, who has struggled to become a mainstay in the Winnipeg lineup but remains a player with more ceiling. Would a first-round pick and Niku do the trick for Ekholm?”

Rob Ellis (nhltraderumor.com) reckons the Montreal Canadiens could include puck-moving defenseman Victor Mete in a trade for Nashville Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm.

  • “The Habs could look at moving Victor Mete as part of a deal for Ekholm. Earlier in the season, it was reported that Mete’s agent Darren Ferris had talked to GM Marc Bergevin and told him, Mete would like to be moved to have an opportunity to play somewhere else.”

Larry Brooks of the NY Post: Wonders if the Rangers will move Russian winger Pavel Buchnevich before the trade deadline as he’s a pending RFA with arb rights. He’s also their leading scorer this season though… Brooks noted, if New York does choose to move on from Buchnevich that they could look at bringing in current Toronto Maple Leafs winger Zach Hyman as he’s set to become an unrestricted free agent this off-season.

Ben Pope of The Chicago Sun-Times has suggested that the Chicago Blackhawks may be open to adding “bad contracts” at this year’s NHL trade deadline given they $23M in cap space they’ll have at that time and the flat cap going forward.

According to Pierre LeBrun of TSN, the San Jose Sharks are expected to field trade calls on veteran goaltender Devan Dubnyk. Team’s expected to make offers include the Washington Capitals, Colorado Avalanche, Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes.

David Pagnotta (The Fourth Period) is reporting that the Detroit Red Wings are getting calls on hulking winger Anthony Mantha.

  • “According to multiple sources, the Red Wings are entertaining calls on winger Anthony Mantha, who is in the first year of a four-year, $22.8 million contract.”
  • “It’s unclear what type of return Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman would want for Mantha, or the type of trade he’d consider pulling the trigger on. Realistically, moving a player of his caliber is more likely to occur in the summer versus the weeks leading up to the trade deadline, but the right offer could compel Yzerman into making a move.”

Renaud Lavoie (TVA SPORTS): suggests Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Gudbranson could be a good trade target for the Canadiens. He wouldn’t have to be quarantined for 14 days and would bring a measure of toughness and shot-blocking to their roster, “and he speaks French very, very well.”

Arthur Staple (The Athletic): Listed Buffalo’s Taylor Hall, New Jersey’s Kyle Palmieri and Columbus’ Nick Foligno among the pending UFA forwards of his suggested trade targets for the New York Islanders to replace sidelined captain Anders Lee. The Isles recently place Lee on long-term injury reserve, allowing them to exceed the salary cap by the equivalent of his $7 million annual average value.

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Armchair GM, Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, Rumors

(3/16/21) BLH’s NHL Trade Rumors: Hall to the Oilers? Gaudreau to the Maple Leafs?

BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Rasmus Ristolainen (BUF), Josh Manson (ANA), Johnny Gaudreau (CGY), John Klingberg (DAL), and more!

Is Leon Draisaitl’s excellent two-way presence just a mirage? One Edmonton pundit says they may very well be, BLH says not so fast. Read about it here.

A new name in the rumor mill for Oilers fans! Check out who it is here.

Could Tyson Barrie be trade bait for the Oilers? Read about that here.

This is not the kind of news Edmonton Oilers fans will like.

Click the pic and find the NHL94 player from your team!

NHL Rumors and Speculation

Eric Duhatschek (The Athletic) recently listed off ten teams that MUST make a trade by the April 12th trade deadline this year. Here are some of the more interesting snippets of what he said in that article,

  • Buffalo Sabres – “Maybe the most intriguing player on the Sabres outside of Eichel is defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, 26, with this year and next left on a contract that pays him $5.4 million.”
  • Nashville Predators – “The Predators also have a long list of reasonable rentals (Granlund, Haula, Richardson) or players with reasonable term (Cousins, Borowiecki, Kunin, Calle Jarnkrok) that they could move. Duchene and Johansen likely are owed too much money ($8 million apiece) and have too much term remaining on their contracts to elicit anything more than lukewarm interest, unless two teams can get reasonably creative.”
  • Anaheim Ducks – “The most attractive bit of trade bait is Josh Manson, 29, a right-shot defenseman earning $4.1 million for this year and next, but someone who has had a difficult time staying healthy. But when he is, Manson is a tough, edgy player to play against.”
  • Boston Bruins – “There are some defensive upgrades that they could conceivably manage… Options that would fit the bill on a shorter-term basis include Ryan Murray from the Devils, David Savard from Columbus, Jamie Oleksiak from Dallas and Montour, from the Sabres.”
  • Colorado Avalanche – “If the Stars were to fall out of contention, wouldn’t it be something if the short-term solution in Colorado turns out to be Anton Khudobin? Other more realistic options: Jonathan Bernier from Detroit or Antti Raanta from Arizona, who put on a goaltending clinic vs. the Avs last Wednesday night.”
  • Toronto Maple Leafs – “The Predators’ Granlund has been linked to the Leafs in some speculative circles, but repatriating Josh Leivo would be an inexpensive insurance policy and someone such as Boone Jenner, 27, at $3.75 million for this year and next might be a nice fit as well.”
  • Minnesota Wild – “If (Bill) Guerin wants to be bold, he could dangle Matt Dumba on the market, given that if he doesn’t move Dumba either at the deadline or just before the expansion draft, he’s got a protection issue.”
  • Calgary Flames – “If they do fall further out of contention, it’s possible they’ll be sellers but other than Bennett or a depth piece such as Leivo, it’s hard to see a lot of major moves in Calgary until the offseason.”
  • Detroit Red Wings – “(Jonathan) Bernier, as an insurance policy on a contending team, probably has the greatest value here, unless they legitimately start listening on Mantha.”
  • Ottawa Senators – “The Senators can expect to get calls on their UFAs and maybe even a few signed players, such as Chris Tierney, Connor Brown or Austin Watson. Is it just me or does Watson seem like a Darryl Sutter type of player?”
  • New Jersey Devils – ” if the Devils can judiciously sell at this year’s deadline, they’ll be in a position to spend, spend, spend going forward – at a time when everyone else will be trying to shed, shed, shed salary. They will be worth monitoring, a team that could be genuinely impactful at the deadline.”

Scott Burnside (The Athletic) has written about six NHL trade deadline deals he’d like to see this year. Here are some clips of what he posted,

  • Buffalo Sabres trade Taylor Hall to Edmonton Oilers – “The Sabres would have to eat half of Hall’s $8 million salary and the return would be negligible, maybe a mid-range pick and a mid-range prospect… But maybe the Oilers sweeten the pot if the Sabres took Neal off their hands…
  • Calgary Flames trade Johnny Gaudreau to Toronto Maple Leafs – “The Flames will likely have to eat some of Gaudreau’s $6.75 million salary as well as likely take back some salary possibly in the form of Alex Kerfoot… a first-round pick in either this year’s draft or next and another solid pick plus a prospect like Timothy Liljegren.”
  • Arizona Coyotes trade Darcy Kuemper to Colorado Avalanche – “Perhaps adding Francouz, whom goaltending experts believe has NHL starter capability, plus perhaps a second-round pick for Kuemper is the smart play for the Coyotes.”
  • Los Angeles Kings trade Dustin Brown to Pittsburgh Penguins – “The Kings might eat some of that depending on what kind of piece gets sent back. Given the overloaded state of the Pittsburgh blue line maybe there’s a young defensive bauble that satisfies the Kings end of things.”
  • Dallas Stars trade John Klingberg to Philadelphia Flyers – “What would it cost? Plenty. A package that includes a first and maybe a second-round pick plus one of the Flyer’s top young offensive prospects.”
  • Los Angeles Kings trade Jonathan Quick to Carolina Hurricanes – “As for a return, at this stage of his career and given Quick’s contract a late-round pick or lower-tier prospect is likely all it would cost Carolina. Pretty small exposure for a possible big-time return on investment.”

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Armchair GM, Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, Rumors

(3/16/21) BLH’s NHL Trade Rumors PLUS Mock Trades

BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Mattias Ekholm (NSH), Timo Meier (SJ), Zach Hyman (TOR), Jakub Voracek (PHI), and more!

Is Leon Draisaitl’s excellent two-way presence just a mirage? One Edmonton pundit says they may very well be, BLH says not so fast. Read about it here.

A new name in the rumor mill for Oilers fans! Check out who it is here.

Could Tyson Barrie be trade bait for the Oilers? Read about that here.

This is not the kind of news Edmonton Oilers fans will like.

Click the pic and find the NHL94 player from your team!

NHL Rumors and Speculation

  • Elliotte Friedman (Sportsnet): The Nashville Predators are looking for a Jake Muzzin-like return for defenceman Mattias Ekholm. The hope is that they can get two prospects and a first-round pick in a trade for him.
    • The Winnipeg Jets and Boston Bruins are in on Ekholm as well. The Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Montreal Canadiens have been in on the defender as well according to some sources and not at all by others.
    • Friedman isn’t convinced that the Anaheim Ducks will trade winger Rickard Rakell. The price is too high and one team, the Maple Leafs, are unlikely to have the assets to acquire him.
    • Buffalo Sabres center Eric Staal is unlikely to be traded to a Canadian team due to quarantine rules according to Friedman.
    • The insider heard rumblings about Timo Meier being available but was told “don’t go down that road”.
    • Darren Dreger (TSN): Said he wouldn’t be surprised if the Canadiens didn’t use some of their 14 draft picks in the 2021 NHL draft to improve the team.
    • He believes that Maple Leafs forward Zach Hyman would make $5M AAV on the open market recently saying, “I can’t envision the Leafs without Hyman, but if that guy believes this is the opportunity to chase that big contract, he’ll get it. He’ll get big money on the open marke, and when I say big money, I’m thinking in the $5M to $6M range. Above $5M.”
  • Dejan Kovacevic (DK Pittsburgh Sports): The Pittsburgh Penguins “have” to move out a left-handed defenseman if they look to make a move due to the cap.
    • There’s an effort being made by the Penguins to make it work with what they have, but they’re not happy with the fourth line.
  • The Athletic: Nick Cousins (NSH) will “almost certainly” be traded out of Nashville by April 12th.
  • Chris Johnston (Sportsnet): Some Canadian teams want the North Division to exist beyond this season. They believe it’d be good money with the fans.
  • Allan Mitchell (TSN1260): Recently suggested the Edmonton Oilers consider trading goalie Mikko Koskinen and defenseman Caleb Jones to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Elvis Merzlikins.
  • Matthew DeFranks (Dallas News): The Dallas Stars could likely become sellers and their most obvious trade candidates include: Andrew Cogliano, Jamie Oleksiak, and Blake Comeau.
  • The Fourth Period: The Philadelphia Flyers could look to be aggressive by the trade deadline in hopes of making the playoffs.

MOCK TRADES

Here are a few trade proposals courtesy of NHL.Puckcentral on Instagram.

To Toronto: Mikael Granlund
To Nashville: Martin Marincin, Alex Kerfoot.

To Boston: Jake DeBrusk, 2021 2nd round pick
To Nashville: Mattias Ekholm

To Toronto: Rickard Rakell (50% salary retained)
To Anaheim: 2021 1st round pick, Pierre Engvall, Mikhail Abramov

To Winnipeg: Mattiasa Ekholm, 2021 4th round pick
To Nashville: Sami Niku, 2021 1st round pick

To Philadelphia: Filip Forsberg, Mattias Ekholm, Eeli Tolvanen
To Nashville: Jakub Voracek, Nolan Patrick, Morgan Frost

To Edmonton: Jake DeBrusk, 2021 3rd round pick
To Boston: Tyson Barrie

To New York: Jack Eichel
To Buffalo: Adam Fox, Kaapo Kakko, Vitaly Kravtsov, 2022 1st+2nd round picks, 2023 2nd round pick

To Buffalo: JT Miller
To Vancouver: Sam Reinhart

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(3/14/21) BLH’s NHL Trade Rumors PM Edition

BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Caleb Jones (EDM), Anton Khudobin (DAL), Taylor Hall (BUF), and more!

Is Leon Draisaitl’s excellent two-way presence just a mirage? One Edmonton pundit says they may very well be, BLH says not so fast. Read about it here.

A new name in the rumor mill for Oilers fans! Check out who it is here.

Could Tyson Barrie be trade bait for the Oilers? Read about that here.

This is not the kind of news Edmonton Oilers fans will like.

Click the pic and find the NHL94 player from your team!

NHL Rumors and Speculation

The Athletic recently updated their NHL trade deadline big board and had an interesting comment about an Edmonton Oilers target,

  • “If you’re a team such as the Edmonton Oilers, seeking a long-term goaltending solution, you could imagine a scenario under which they would surrender one of their multiple, young defensive prospects in order to bring the talented Merzlikins to town. How about Caleb Jones, which would give him a chance to play with his brother Seth in Columbus? It’d be even better if Columbus were to take back Mikko Koskinen in a larger version of the deal.”

BLH’s Thoughts: I think there are some rumblings that Seth Jones is far from happy in Columbus. Now I had to read between the lines a bit when I heard that. It wasn’t exactly broadcasted as bluntly as that, but one of the things that was suggested was getting Caleb Jones to Columbus in an attempt to smooth things over with Seth. 

Now, at the trade deadline the BJs will have over $7M in cap space available and we already know that if the Oilers are going to make a trade, it’ll have to be money in, money out. Koskinen makes $4.5M for another year after this… Any deal involving him will require a trade partner who will have the cap space to fit him in… 

Arthur Staple of the Athletic brought up the idea of the New York Islanders trading for struggling Buffalo Sabres winger Taylor Hall and threw out a trade proposal, 

  • “If the Islanders could somehow get the Sabres to take defenseman Thomas Hickey along with a first- or second-round pick (or two seconds), they’d be able to replace their top wing with the top wing available.”

With Anders Lee being placed on LTIR, that would free up the cap space to take on Hall’s contract.

BLH’s Thoughts: Reunited and it feels so good… That’s what Jordan Eberle would be singing as Hall walked into the Islanders dressing room. As for that suggested trade, it’s not bad. I’d have to imagine they’d like some more futures though. Maybe Simon Holmstrom plus a first in addition to Hickey? 

Aaron Portzline of The Athletic: (mailbag) There may be a mutual decision that John Tortorella may not be back with the Columbus Blue Jackets next season. Portzline also went on to give his thoughts on the idea of what it would take to get a no.1 center.

  • “If I’m the Blue Jackets, I pick a goaltender — either Korpisalo or Merzlikins — and build this roster around three pillars: the goalie, Laine and Seth Jones. I really, truly, honestly would not want to trade Zach Werenski because he’s a rare gem of a defenseman. But having two great defensemen may be a luxury they can’t afford if it’s a roster that doesn’t have an impact center. I’d do everything I could to not move Werenski. But the goaltender they trade isn’t likely to draw a top center all by himself.”

BLH’s Thoughts: I was kind of thinking this myself. Although I was wondering if it was Seth Jones that would be on the move. I think this team is going to lose the guts and heart this summer if Nick Foligno walks or is traded. They’re going to need a few players who possess the kind of leadership he provides if they don’t plan on sinking back to the bottom of the league, again. I wonder if they consider bringing in Bruce Boudreau if John Tortorella leaves… 

David Satriano (NHL.com): It looks like there’s trouble in paradise for defenseman Erik Karlssona and the San Jose Sharks. GM Doug Wilson said recently that it appears that they are heading for a “reset” and that didn’t sit well with the former Norris Trophy winner.

  • “Obviously, I did not sign here to go through a rebuild or go through what I did for 10 years in Ottawa. But it is what it is.”

BLH’s Thoughts: Oh my… I can’t see anybody taking on that albatross of a contract. Karlsson had best hope the Sharks have some amazing luck at the draft lottery. Maybe San Jose can get themselves a Shane Wright or William Eklund or both! Because that’s the kind of talent it’s going to take to right the ship in the Shark Tank. 

Matthew DeFranks (Dallasnews.com): Thinks that the Dallas Stars could trade goaltender Anton Khudobin instead of risking losing him to the Seattle Kraken at the expansion draft this summer.

  • “Trading Khudobin comes with a number of layers. The Stars will (likely) have Ben Bishop back by the trade deadline. Jake Oettinger has played well as a backup this season. If the Stars think Seattle selects Khudobin in the expansion draft, might they try to get something in return instead of coming away empty-handed? Landon Bow and Colton Point would still fulfill the goalie requirement for the expansion draft even without exposing Khudobin.”

BLH’s Thoughts: If the Stars are well on their way to a playoff-less season, they should be in fire sale mode with any impending free agents. Anything they can do to keep the cupboards full in their system is a plus in my mind. They can always circle back in the off-season to anybody they deal, right? And Khudobin has already established that he’s the kind of goalie you can depend on in the post-season. I would think a team like the Penguins would love to shore up their netminding given the slog they’re facing should they make the playoffs.

Anthony Scultore (Daily Goal Horn): Wrote about the idea of the Edmonton Oilers possibly trading for Taylor Hall before this year’s trade deadline,

  • “Thinking about reunions, how about Taylor Hall back in Edmonton? He never wanted to leave Edmonton and it looks like if the Oilers make a move they want it to be a big one.Ken Holland addressed the media and said this about the upcoming trade deadline. “If there is a player out there who we think can go into our lineup and have an impact more than depth, probably that is something I would look at.”What bigger impact player is available other than Taylor Hall. A player Connor McDavid is familiar with and could have a huge impact for them in the North Division.

    One thing is for certain, the Sabres are going to need to eat a large chunk of that salary to make it work. However cap gymnastics is something all these deadline teams will be doing come April 12.”

BLH’s Thoughts: Holland chased Hall last off-season before he chose Buffalo. I don’t think this is any breaking news to anybody. So the precedent is already there on this one. The Oilers are looking for a winger for Leon Draisaitl and the German played with Hall early on in his career with favorable results if I recall correctly. 

What kind of return would Buffalo expect though? I mean, people like to poke fun at the return Edmonton got for Hall, but Adam Larsson is by far the best thing any team has received in a trade for the former MVP and I’m thinking that the price tag won’t be that staggering. The Oiler have some prospects playing well in Bakersfield right now and are blessed with a number of good defensemen in their system. 

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Armchair GM, Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, Rumors

(3/14/21) BLH’s NHL Trade Rumors Quick Hits Morning Edition

BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Jake DeBrusk (BOS), Troy Terry (ANA), Kyle Palmieri (NJ), Vitali Kravtsov (NYR), and more!

Is Leon Draisaitl’s excellent two-way presence just a mirage? One Edmonton pundit says they may very well be, BLH says not so fast. Read about it here.

A new name in the rumor mill for Oilers fans! Check out who it is here.

Could Tyson Barrie be trade bait for the Oilers? Read about that here.

This is not the kind of news Edmonton Oilers fans will like.

Click the pic and find the NHL94 player from your team!

NHL Rumors and Speculation

  • Elliotte Friedman (Sportsnet) says he thinks that Linus Ullmark (pending UFA) is going to be in Buffalo next year and that the team that was interested in Jonas Johansson was the Colorado Avalanche. He believes the Sabres are going to try and get something for Johansson.
    • “Mattias Ekholm is definitely out there. There’s a lot of interest. Boston’s around there, Winnipeg, and some people have even suggested Toronto and Montreal. The interesting one here is Philadelphia… Mikael Granlund there’s definitely some interest in.”
    • “I would expect (the Columbus Blue Jackets) are going to move David Savard (before the trade deadline), and I think there’s going to be a lot of interest in him because he’s a good player.”
    • On Jake DeBrusk: “Yes, and I think that’s kinda been the case for a little bit… It’s obvious that the relationship between him and Bruce Cassidy is up and down.”
    • “One young player might be up for a change of scenery here is Troy Terry in Anaheim. I’m starting to hear some conversation about him and whether or not he might go somewhere else.”
  • Vince Mercogliano (USA Today) is reporting now that Vitali Kravtsov is expected to travel to New York within a matter of days. Needs to go through the visa process and COVID protocol. The Rangers believe it’ll take 10-14 days.
  • Insider Trading (Hockey Night in Canada): The NHL and its seven Canadian teams have been trying for the last number of months to get an exemption to the 14-day quarantine and are optimistic that it remains a possibility. They’re hoping to find out ASAP certainly before the April 12th trade deadline.
  • Bob McKenzie (NBC) reckons the Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, and even the Carolina Hurricanes might be interested in Buffalo Sabres center Eric Staal. He also says regarding the list for Brandon Montour, “there’s never been a shortage of teams interested in defenders.”
  • According to Josh Yohe (The Athletic), it wouldn’t shock him if the Pittsburgh Penguins are showcasing Marcus Pettersson a little bit. The Swedish defender is a trade candidate given the logjam the Pens have on the left side right now.
  • The New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins have been linked to Nashville Predators winger Viktor Arvidsson says The Fourth Period.
    • They also believe that Anaheim Ducks forward Rickard Rakell is of interest to the Philadelphia Flyers.
    • The Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders are rumored to be looking at New Jersey Devils pending UFA winger Kyle Palmieri.

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Flames Suck. Click the pic and get a shirt.
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