In the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup, it’s the latest on Zach Werenski, Kirill Marchenko, Jason Robertson, Dylan Larkin, and Darnell Nurse.
UPDATES ON ZACH WERENSKI AND KIRILL MARCHENKO
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the Columbus Blue Jackets face three possibilities regarding defenseman Zach Werenski. They can trade the 28-year-old Norris Trophy winner during this offseason, wait until next summer when he has a year left on his contract, or keep him for the remaining two years of his deal.
LeBrun indicated that Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell wants NHL players in return for Werenski, not draft picks and prospects. He also noted that the blueliner’s no-movement clause becomes a 10-team trade list next summer.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (NHL Images)
It’s believed that eight to 10 teams have contacted the Blue Jackets about Werenski. LeBrun expects the Dallas Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks, and Carolina Hurricanes to be among them. He also believes the Toronto Maple Leafs would be one team the blueliner might consider. It’s not believed that Werenski’s agent has given the Blue Jackets a list of preferred trade destinations.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Waddell can afford to take his time to evaluate his options and suitable trade offers. The fact that he wants players in return could make this situation drag on for a while.
Werenski’s $9.583 million cap hit for the next two seasons will also be a factor. It’s unlikely Waddell will retain any part of it. Of the teams noted by LeBrun, the Stars have the least amount of cap space ($9.26 million), plus they’re also dealing with the Jason Robertson situation. More on that below.
Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets must also deal with the news that Kirill Marchenko doesn’t intend to sign a contract extension. The 25-year-old winger is a year away from becoming a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.
LeBrun noted that Marchenko has not requested a trade and is ready to return to play next season and the season after that, as the Blue Jackets will still control his rights for that season. Nevertheless, he doesn’t want to stick around for the long term.
Several teams, including the Montreal Canadiens, have called about Marchenko. However, Waddell has told teams that he’s not going to trade the winger this summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Waddell’s position could change if a team is willing to overpay for Marchenko. As with Werenski, he can afford to be patient with this situation.
STARS STILL NEGOTIATING WITH JASON ROBERTSON
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Lia Assimakopoulos reports Stars GM Jim Nill said his club still wants to re-sign Jason Robertson.
The 26-year-old winger is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. Last week, Robertson rejected a trade that the Stars had lined up with the Seattle Kraken by refusing to accept an eight-year contract offer ($15 million average annual value) from the Kraken.
It’s believed the two sides are $2 million apart, with the Stars offering $12 million annually while Robertson seeks $14 million. He lacks a no-movement clause, but many teams won’t agree to trade for him if he’s unwilling to sign an extension with them.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nill and the Robertson camp could reach an agreement on a new contract. The winger could file for arbitration, forcing the two sides to settle on a one-year deal that takes him up to unrestricted free-agent status next July. If Robertson files for arbitration, he’s ineligible to sign an offer sheet from another club.
The fact that there was a sign-and-trade scenario with Seattle suggests that Robertson may have played his final game with the Stars. He could be on the move if the right team makes a contract pitch similar to what he received from the Kraken.
THE LATEST ON DYLAN LARKIN
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Bob Duff reports Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman is no closer to trading center Dylan Larkin. The 29-year-old Red Wings captain submitted a trade request earlier this month.
Yzerman made a short statement yesterday, indicating that Larkin has five years remaining on his contract. He said that he will do what’s best for the Red Wings, adding that there is no guarantee that Larkin’s request could or should be met.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Yzerman’s statement suggests that he hasn’t received any offers that would entice him to move Larkin. He seems prepared to wait the entire summer if necessary.
Larkin initially listed three clubs (Minnesota Wild, Florida Panthers, and Vegas Golden Knights) as preferred destinations. It’s rumored that he’d be open to expanding that list, and he might have to if he hopes to be moved before the start of next season.
DARNELL NURSE IS STILL WAITING FOR A TRADE
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Robert Tychkowski reports the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Boston Bruins are believed to be on Darnell Nurse’s trade list.
Tychkowski suggested the Bruins could be the most likely landing spot. The Bruins need a left-shot defenseman to pair with Charlie McAvoy. They might be willing to include Mason Lohrei in the return, but he’d only be suitable for third-pairing minutes with the Oilers.
The Anaheim Ducks have been mentioned as a destination for Nurse. However, they already have Jackson LaCombe and Pavel Mintyukov as their top four on left defense, and they need depth on the right side of their blueline.
Moving Nurse became more difficult with Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski emerging as a trade candidate.
Meanwhile, Kurt Leavins believes Nurse’s situation is holding up management’s roster plans for next season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The decline in Nurse’s performance over the past two years, combined with his $9.25 million AAV for the next four seasons, already made him a difficult sell in the trade market. Werenski’s potential availability will make it even more difficult for the Oilers to move him this summer.