Check out the latest on the Flames, Blackhawks, Red Wings, Sharks, Blues, and Jets in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
ESPN.COM: Ryan S. Clark and Kristen Shilton recently reported that the rebuilding Calgary Flames face major decisions with veterans Blake Coleman, Morgan Frost, and Ryan Strome, who have one year left on their contracts. They could move one or all of them for draft picks or prospects.
Calgary Flames forward Blake Coleman (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Daniel Austin of the Calgary Sun believes Coleman’s future will be among the Flames’ big decisions this summer. A contract extension is possible, but not a certainty.
The 34-year-old two-way forward has shown no sign of slowing down and could become a valuable trade chip for the Flames. Austin speculated they could peddle him during the summer or wait until next year’s trade deadline.
The Chicago Blackhawks’ priority is re-signing center Connor Bedard. They could also attempt to add some veteran depth to their blueline or elect to let their young defense corps grow.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Scott Powers of The Athletic wondered if Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson will attempt to add a veteran or two to their forward lines and blueline via trade or free agency.
If Davidson attempts those moves, he should land players who are in their mid-to-late twenties who are approaching or in their playing prime. Not easy to do, but the Blackhawks have the salary cap space and the tradeable assets. Finding a suitable target is the challenge.
The Detroit Red Wings must improve their five-on-five scoring. Seeking such depth through trades and free agency is something that GM Steve Yzerman hasn’t done enough of, and that continues to hurt the Red Wings.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Max Bultman of The Athletic stated that their biggest need is their long-term plan at the No. 1 center position. With team captain Dylan Larkin turning 30 this summer and their lack of a reliable second-line center, they could be running out of time to address that issue.
Bolstering the defense should be a priority for the San Jose Sharks. Four veteran blueliners (Nick Leddy, John Klingberg, Mario Ferraro, and Vincent Desharnais) are eligible for unrestricted free agency on July 1, while Shakir Mukhamadullin is a restricted free agent.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Curtis Pashelka of The Mercury News reports Ferraro would like a long-term contract, but if it’s a two, three or five-year contract, he just wants to play and is excited about the Sharks’ future. Max Miller of Sharks Hockey Digest reports Sharks GM Mike Grier thinks Ferraro will test the UFA market, but hasn’t closed the door on his return.
Clark and Shilton wondered how much of the St. Louis Blues’ core will remain in place. Center Robert Thomas was the subject of trade rumors. Defenseman Colton Parayko seemed headed to the Buffalo Sabres before the trade deadline until he used his no-trade clause to nix the deal. There are also questions about goaltender Jordan Binnington’s future.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic reports Blues outgoing GM Doug Armstrong downplayed the trade talk swirling around Thomas, calling some of the rumors “a bit of a fabrication.” He also said the cost of acquiring Thomas is very high because he values the 26-year-old center highly. It will be up to the incoming GM, Alexander Steen, to decide Thomas’ future.
As for Binnington, keeping him could be part of the Blues’ plan for next season. He has one year left on his contract, but Armstrong pointed out the need for teams to carry two good goaltenders.
Winger Jordan Kyrou has also surfaced in trade rumors. However, he told the press that he wants to stay in St. Louis. Like Thomas and Parayko, he has a full no-trade clause.
Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff must find some complementary players to take some of the scoring burden off the club’s top stars. They must also decide what sort of term they’ll give pending RFA forward Cole Perfetti.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Murat Ates of The Athletic believes Jets center Jonathan Toews could retire after this season. He also thinks Ville Heinola, Gustav Nyquist, and Jacob Bryson will be moving on.
Ates believes Perfetti and fellow Jets youngsters Dylan Samberg, Elias Salomonsson, Brad Lambert, and Isak Rosen must step up next season. Veterans Nino Niederreiter and Vladislav Namestnikov must also step up or move on.