The latest on the Canucks, Penguins, and Avalanche in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST CANUCKS SPECULATION
THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma looked at the challenges that Ryan Johnson will face as the new general manager of the Vancouver Canucks.
Among them is how he will advance the Canucks’ rebuilding process. Kuzma wondered what winger Jake DeBrusk might fetch in this summer’s trade market.
Vancouver Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk (NHL Images).
Kuzma also mused over whether Johnson would be interested in Montreal Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher to bring some leadership to his rebuilding roster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeBrusk, 29, has four years left on his contract with a reasonable average annual value of $5.5 million. He’s a streaky scorer, but he has tallied 20-plus goals five times and 40-plus points seven times in his nine NHL seasons, including in this tumultuous campaign for the Canucks. He could bring back a decent return of futures.
Gallagher has a year left on his contract with an AAV of $6.5 million. He has a six-team no-trade clause, but indicated he’s open to returning to his hometown team, the Vancouver Canucks. Whether a deal can be worked out to send him there remains to be seen.
SKINNER, MANTHA TO TEST THE UFA MARKET
THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reports goaltender Stuart Skinner and winger Anthony Mantha are unlikely to return with the Pittsburgh Penguins next season.
Skinner and Mantha are UFA-eligible on July 1. The Penguins are expected to re-sign goalie Arturs Silovs and pair him with Sergei Murashov next season, which would spell the end of Skinner’s brief tenure in Pittsburgh. They wouldn’t mind signing Mantha to a short-term deal, but he’s seeking a long-term contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Skinner and Mantha were meant to be short-term additions.
They took on Skinner to move out the struggling Tristan Jarry and his burdensome contract, using him to buy time until they were certain that Silovs and Mursahov would be a decent tandem. Mantha was an affordable one-year veteran signing as they continue to transition younger forwards into the lineup.
POSSIBLE GM CANDIDATES FOR THE AVALANCHE
THE DENVER POST: Corey Masisak listed eight potential candidates to replace Chris MacFarland as general manager of the Colorado Avalanche.
MacFarland departed the Avalanche earlier this week to become president and general manager of the Nashville Predators.
One option is Avalanche president of hockey operations Joe Sakic, who has taken over the GM role for the foreseeable future. He previously filled that position from 2014 to 2022, winning the Jim Gregory GM of the Year award in 2022.
Other internal possibilities are special assistant to the GM Andrew Cogliano, assistant GM Kevin McDonald, and director of analytics Arik Parnass.
External options could include Florida Panthers assistant GM Brett Peterson, Carolina Hurricanes assistant GM Tyler Dellow, Columbus Blue Jackets assistant GM Chris Clark, and former Los Angeles Kings GM Rob Blake.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche don’t appear to be in a hurry to replace MacFarland, probably because Sakic’s there to hold the fort until they have sufficient time to find a full-time GM. They could have a new guy in place before the start of the regular season in October, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Sakic remains in the role until next offseason.