The latest on Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, Panthers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky, Ducks center Mason McTavish, Maple Leaf winger Matthew Knies, Canucks winger Brock Boeser, and many more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
IS JETS GOALTENDER CONNOR HELLEBUYCK AVAILABLE?
TSN: Darren Dreger is the latest to claim there is “noise in Winnipeg” regarding Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
Dreger believes teams are calling the Jets about Hellebuyck because the goaltender shared his disappointment about their performance this season. He believes Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff “is at least in a position where he knows he has to listen.”
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).
According to Dreger, the Jets need centers for their second and fourth lines, and they’d also like to look at their blueline. If they trade Hellebuyck, they’ll need a replacement for him as well.
The Jets struggle to make big trades because it’s hard to lure players with no-trade protection to Winnipeg. But if the three-time Vezina Trophy-winning Hellebuyck is in play, who has a no-movement clause, and teams are calling, Dreger believes Cheveldayoff “is at least willing at this point to consider that.”
SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos also reports there is “lots of noise” growing around the league that Hellebuyck wants a change of scenery. However, he acknowledged that, if the goaltender has requested a trade, both sides have done a tremendous job keeping it quiet.
If Hellebuyck has asked to be traded, Kypreos suggested the Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, and the Florida Panthers as possible landing spots.
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS: Ken Wiebe and Mike McIntyre report the Hellebuyck camp and Jets management aren’t commenting on the trade speculation.
Wiebe and McIntyre noted Hellebuyck’s frustration over the Jets’ disappointing performance during his end-of-season media availability and in his exit interview with Cheveldayoff, who praised his goalie’s competitiveness.
The expectation was that the Jets would attempt to address Hellebuyck’s concerns by making off-season upgrades while he remains front and center in their efforts to put this season behind them.
So far, there’s nothing official about a trade request. Wiebe and McIntyre suggest the recent buzz is an example of playing “connect the dots” after Hellebuyck’s Team USA teammates Dylan Larkin requested a trade from the Detroit Red Wings and Quinn Hughes forced his way out of Vancouver.
The recent speculation doesn’t mean a trade is imminent, but the prospect is at least worth acknowledging. If the Jets put Hellebuyck on the block, their asking price will be high.
History shows Cheveldayoff isn’t one to make a panic move when a player requests a trade. Evander Kane, Jacob Trouba, Patrik Laine, and Pierre-Luc Dubois weren’t moved until the Jets received what they considered to be suitable offers.
Wiebe and McIntyre also point out that this isn’t the first time that Hellebuyck was considered to be on his way out of Winnipeg. He and Scheifele were considered trade candidates entering the final season of their previous contracts, only to sign contract extensions.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The only reason I can see for the Jets to trade Hellebuyck is if he wants out. Otherwise, trading him would derail their chances of regaining playoff contender status next season, let alone any chance of winning the Stanley Cup.
The Jets are built to win right now, with Hellebuyck as the centerpiece of that plan. That’s why they re-signed Kyle Connor to a lucrative long-term extension last fall. It’s why Cheveldayoff brought in Jonathan Toews and Gustav Nyquist last summer, who ultimately turned into busts and were contributing factors in the Jets missing the playoffs.
I agree with what Wiebe and McIntyre are saying about this situation. If Hellebuyck wants out, Cheveldayoff won’t rush into a deal. The Jets will also need a new starting goaltender, and no, they won’t want a castoff or a washed-up veteran. They also won’t want a package of solely draft picks and prospects.
The asking price will be high, and Cheveldayoff will wait for the right return, even if it takes until next year’s trade deadline to get it. That shouldn’t adversely affect Hellebuyck’s performance because playing at his best will maintain his high value in the trade market.
As Dreger admitted, everything is just speculation right now, and will remain so until there’s definitive word that Hellebuyck is on the trade block.
THE LATEST MAPLE LEAFS SPECULATION
TSN: Darren Dreger reports “a number of NHL executives” believe the Toronto Maple Leafs will trade winger Matthew Knies. GM John Chayka is conducting his due diligence, while other clubs are finding out why the 23-year-old power forward would be available.
Dreger also thinks Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly seems more likely to change addresses. Management isn’t pushing it, but that’s the expectation from the Rielly camp.
Teams are also calling about defenseman Jake McCabe. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs would be interested in Darren Raddysh if the Tampa Bay Lightning blueliner hits the open market on July 1.
SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos also reports that the buzz about Matthew Knies hasn’t gone away with the Leafs’ recent management change. He noted that everyone links Knies to the Montreal Canadiens, but other clubs are also looking into it.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Understandably, Chayka would at least want to find out what Knies’ trade value would be, and whether the return would improve the Leafs. As with Hellebuyck, however, there’s no certainty he’ll be moved. Leafs ownership wants this club to bounce back as a playoff contender, and Knies would play an important role in those efforts.
As for Rielly, recent reports indicate he hasn’t been asked to waive his no-movement clause, and he hasn’t submitted a list of preferred destinations.
FOUR CANUCKS ON THE TRADE BLOCK
THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports the rebuilding Vancouver Canucks “are virtually shopping everyone this offseason”. That includes center Elias Pettersson and wingers Brock Boeser, Nils Hoglander, and Jake DeBrusk.
The Canucks aren’t going out of their way to trade Boeser, but Johnston said he’s believed to be available. A source claimed that management believes Hoglander needs a fresh start, but he won’t fetch much of a return.
DeBrusk has said he’s not keen to be part of a rebuild, and the Ottawa Senators are believed to be interested. As for Pettersson, Johnston cited a source claiming the Los Angeles Kings considered a move for the 27-year-old center at the trade deadline. He wonders if they might revisit their interest now that Anze Kopitar has retired.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeBrusk seems the most likely to be dealt. Boeser could draw some interest, but his contract (with a full no-movement clause) could be a stumbling block. Speaking of contracts, Pettersson’s $11.6 million AAV through 2031-32 makes him almost immovable unless the Canucks retain salary or take back a couple of contracts in return.
UPDATES ON BOBROVSKY AND TUCH
SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos reports the Florida Panthers and pending UFA goalie Sergei Bobrovsky remain far apart in contract talks. It’s believed the 37-year-old Bobrovsky seeks a $42 million contract over a six or seven-year period.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Any general manager who signs Bobrovsky to that type of deal should be fired immediately. It doesn’t matter how much the salary cap rises; paying a goalie who turns 38 in September a long-term deal worth between $6 million and $7 million annually is ridiculous.
Kypreos wondered if the Seattle Kraken would pursue Alex Tuch if the Buffalo Sabres winger goes to market on July 1. Kraken GM Jason Botterill is facing a lot of pressure to shake up their roster and add more scoring. Kypreos believes they can afford to sign the 30-year-old Tuch to a long-term deal worth over $10 million annually.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s a lot to hand out to a 30-year-old power forward whose best seasons could soon be in his past.
LATEST ON MASON MCTAVISH AND SIMON NEMEC
ESPN’s Kevin Weekes tweeted Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish is drawing plenty of attention in the trade market. The Ducks would be seeking a “hockey trade”.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, the Ducks prefer a player-for-player swap. They could be open to a larger deal where draft picks and/or prospects are involved, but they’ll also want to get an established player (likely a good young forward) in return.
New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec continues to be a player of interest in the trade market.