Check out the latest on the Canadiens’ possible trade targets and the Golden Knights’ goaltending in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE ATHLETIC: Eric Duhatschek was asked by a reader which would be best suited to play a second-line role with the Montreal Canadiens, referring to Anaheim’s Trevor Zegras, Carolina’s Martin Necas, Columbus’ Kent Johnson or the New York Rangers’ Kaapo Kakko.
Duhatschek believes Johnson has the highest draft pedigree. He’s also the youngest of the four and scored 40 points in 2022-23 as a 20-year-old during a dismal season for the Blue Jackets. Johnson could have the best upside and could be a better fit for the rebuilding Canadiens.
Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas (NHL Images).
Johnson and Zegras still have a runaway for improvement. Kakko probably won’t ever be a top-six winger while Necas has had just one notable season.
As for which player would be the more realistic acquisition, Duhatschek thinks it would be Kakko, but only if their scouts see something in him that several Rangers coaches have not. He doesn’t see the new Blue Jackets management giving up on Johnson and cites the high asking prices for Necas and Zegras.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That could explain why Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes hasn’t acquired a scoring forward this summer. Then again, he could be zeroing in on other options. Maybe Hughes doesn’t like the current market and will wait and see what shakes out during training camp and preseason.
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: A reader asked Danny Webster who will be the Golden Knights starting goaltender in 2025-26. They currently have Adin Hill and the recently acquired Ilya Samsonov on expiring contracts.
The oft-injured Hill must prove he can stay healthy for an entire season. Meanwhile, Samsonov must prove he can bounce back from his poor showing in Toronto last season.
If Hill doesn’t play well enough this season to merit an extension, the Golden Knights will have to seek a replacement next summer. They could hope the New York Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin or Ottawa’s Linus Ullmark will hit the open market next July.
Webster also doesn’t rule out a trade this season. Ullmark could be available if the Senators struggle. Another option could be Anaheim’s John Gibson. Ultimately, he feels their best hope is for Hill and Samsonov to perform well this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers will make Shesterkin the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history. He’s not going anywhere.
I agreed with Webster that Ullmark could be available via trade or free agency if the Senators flounder again. However, the Golden Knights would face competition for his services.
Gibson surfacing in the rumor mill has become an annual summer tradition. Maybe he and the Ducks will be ready to part ways in 2025.