What’s the latest Canadiens’ speculation? Would Kings winger Arthur Kaliyev be a good fit with the Penguins? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST ON THE CANADIENS
MONTREAL GAZETTE: In Stu Cowan’s latest mailbag segment, a reader asked if the Canadiens might trade their first-round pick (fifth overall) in this year’s draft given their prospect depth.
Cowan believes Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes intends to keep that pick and use it to draft a scoring forward. The only way he sees Hughes moving that pick is for a young, established NHL scorer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rumors linked the Canadiens to Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras this season. That first-round pick would be part of the Ducks’ asking price.
Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras (NHL Images).
Speaking of Zegras, a reader asked Cowan how strong the Habs’ rumored interest might be in the 23-year-old forward. He doesn’t know because Hughes can’t publicly comment about players under contract with other teams.
If it were up to Cowan, he’d definitely be interested in Zegras if he’s available given his scoring ability. He also pointed out that Zegras is close friends with Canadiens winger Cole Caufield. The duo are playing together on Team USA at the 2024 World Championships.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cowan speculated Hughes could keep an eye on how well Zegras and Caufield perform together in that tournament.
We must remember that Ducks GM Pat Verbeek has repeatedly denied Zegras is available in the trade market. That doesn’t mean he won’t entertain offers. Verbeek might listen if Hughes pitched a package with the No. 5 pick in this year’s draft as the centerpiece.
WOULD KALIYEV BE A GOOD FIT WITH THE PENGUINS?
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Austin Stanovich believes the Los Angeles Kings have a natural trade partner for Arthur Kaliyev in the Pittsburgh Penguins.
A promising young winger, the 22-year-old Kaliyev struggled this season with the Kings. He’s completed his entry-level contract and will be a restricted free agent without arbitration rights.
Stanovich believes Kaliyev might interest the Penguins. They need to get younger and improve their power play. He suggested a swap for winger Jesse Puljujarvi, who has a year left on his contract at an affordable $800K.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kaliyev is expected to be traded this summer and could regain his scoring touch elsewhere. Whether the Penguins could be a destination remains to be seen. The Kings probably won’t be interested in Puljujarvi given his offensive struggles and the double hip surgery he underwent last summer.