Mellin’s NHL Rumor Blog
The Finals are just beginning, but come June 15th, or closer depending on fast Chicago or Tampa Bay wants to win the Cup, we’ll be just a few short days away from the NHL Draft. Rumors are already starting to heat up about what teams need and want and which team want to dump salary and start fresh. There is a lot of info out there, so I’ll have more once I hear from reliable sources.
Here goes…
Forwards:
Jordan Eberle – Edmonton Oilers: The Oilers are set for yet another 1st overall pick in the NHL draft, and Conner MacDavid is already been dubbed a superstar by almost every pundit this side of PEI. This could mean that one of the former number 1s could be up for grabs. Eberle seems to be the odd man out as his name has been all over the rumor mill since last season. Nashville is the team to watch here. They could offer up a defenseman or two, which Edmonton sorely needs. The Rangers will also kick tires as will the Bruins.
Rick Nash – New York Rangers: Nash’s time in NY could be up as he hasn’t been able to get the Rangers over the hump. The Rangers say they are not interested in trading him, but things could change quickly at the draft. Nash isn’t a very good playoff performer, and NY wants scoring from its stars. Look for Detroit to offer up someone like Gustav Nyquist for Nash. Minnesota will also be interested as they need to beef up their scoring.
Joel Ward- Washington Capitals: No word out of Washington about Ward, or anyone for that matter, but Ward could be on his way somewhere else this summer. He’s a UFA, but the Caps could easily trade his rights for a few draft picks. One city that would love his grit and net presence is Vancouver.
Alex Semin – Carolina Hurricanes: Semin’s time with the ‘Canes is over. He was a trainwreck last season for $6.5M and Carolina is over him. His skill is still coveted though and Toronto should be interested. Minnesota and Detroit may kick the tires as well.
Phil Kessel – Toronto Maple Leafs: Who knows what will happen in Toronto… BUT a Kessel deal to Carolina has been talked about for a while now and Semin is the player going the other way. Kessel would do very well in Carolina with the Staals’ and Skinner. There will be other suitors though. Kessel does have a no-trade-clause with a list of 8 teams he can go to, but as far as we know, no one has asked him about moving. Watch for the Panthers as well.
Nazem Kadri – Toronto Maple Leafs: Carolina is also interested in Kadri. He has worn out his welcome in Toronto and needs a change like his teammate Kessel.
Mike Richards – Los Angeles Kings: Who knows where Richards will end up this summer? All we do know is that the LA Kings want to trade his contract to free up much needed space to resign other key players on the roster. Richards, in my opinion, still has a lot to give. A change of scenery and a better role might do him, and a hopeful team, some good. The Kings may have to take back some salary if they can swing a deal, but I think at this point they are ready to trade him for a bag of pucks. Winnipeg could be a nice landing spot for him and would give the Jets some good leadership. Edmonton and Buffalo are other teams that could benefit from his experience.
Evgeni Malkin – Pittsburgh Penguins: It may be all fluff and rumors right now, but to say that Malkin is frustrated with losing in Pittsburgh is spot on. Of course he’s frustrated, so is the entire team and management. Malkin would interest every team in the league, and even Edmonton would probably listen to a Malkin-for-McDavid deal – but it’s not going to happen. The Penguins are in the midst of a possible team-sale and they won’t do anything to jeopardize the value of the team until it sold. Then the new ownership can decide Malkin’s fate.
Mikko Koivu – Minnesota Wild: Is it time to part ways with their captain? The Wild may want to freshen up their roster and perhaps clear some room for a potential goal scorer. The Montreal Canadiens would be very fitting for Koivu.
Patrick Sharp – Chicago Blackhawks: Sharp better play well in the Finals because it might just be his last hoo-rah. The Blackhawks need to clear space going into next season, and Sharp seems to be the odd-man out. If they make him available for the draft, look for them to ask for a 1st round pick. The Caps might be interested if they can afford it (doubtful). If the Rangers trade Nash, they could be involved.
Ryan O’Reilly – Colorado Avalanche: ROR has one more year left on his contract and while he is a great two-way guy, the Avs are in desperate need of defensemen and do not want to pay O’Reilly’s contract anymore. Montreal and Toronto are always interested. The Rangers may be if they can clear space. I wonder how hard Florida would look at ROR – they have the room and if they get Kessel the two of them would be a nice pair.
Defensemen:
Mike Green – Washington Capitals: Green says he’d love to come back to DC, but chances are he’s done here. He is the most coveted defenseman going into the summer as his offensive skills are one of the best in the league. Green will attract attention from Edmonton and Detroit. Buffalo may even kick a tire or two or Green. The Caps should trade his rights at the draft and not let him walk for free.
Tim Gleason – Washington Capitals: Gleason’s time in DC was short, but he played well. He’s a big, tough defenseman that will most likely find his way south back to Carolina.
Mike Reilly – Columbus Blue Jackets: The young defenseman will most likely resign with Columbus, but Toronto, LA and Buffalo are very interested if he hits the market.
Cody Franson – Nashville Predators: Franson was lucky enough to get away from Toronto when he did when they traded him to the Preds this season. However, Franson is said to want back in now that Mike Babcock is coaching the Leafs next season. Franson is a UFA and the Maple Leafs will undoubtedly take a look. The Avalanche might also be interested as they will have a little over $11M to burn.
Keith Yandle – New York Rangers: He wasn’t a bust, necessarily, for the Rangers but Yandle didn’t accomplish what they had hoped he would. They could trade him and his $2.65M contract (the Coyotes retained half), or re-sign him and risk losing some of their rising stars next year. Detroit might still be interested, and perhaps a package deal with Nash would lead to a blockbuster.
Goaltenders:
Nicklas Backstrom – Minnesota Wild: Backstrom has become the odd-man out in Minnesota which is shocking because he was, at a time, their number one guy and a stand-out in the league. The Wild are now looking for a potential buy-out, but with Backstrom having elbow surgery to clean out a problem area, Minnesota might not be able to do so. The buy-out period starts on June 15th, or 48-hours after the Cup is awarded. Chances are, Backstrom won’t be cleared by doctors by the end of the month, If the Wild do trade him, I wonder if Arizona would be interested. It would give Mike Smith some much needed competition in net.
John Gibson – Anaheim Ducks: Gibson has a year left on his contract, but the Ducks will need to decide whether or not Gibson or Frederik Andersen is their guy going forward. Edmonton would be very interested in Gibson.
Cam Talbot – New York Rangers: It’s Lundqvist’s show in New York and unless the future management (with Sather most likely stepping down) wants to trade the best game-7 goalie in the since Patrick Roy, chances are Talbot won’t see much time. He’s a future starter and any team with goalie trouble will come calling. Edmonton is watching closely.
Photo Credit: Claus Andersen – Getty Images
