Check out the latest on the Penguins and Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
MORE MOVES COMING FOR THE PENGUINS?
THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reports hearing more moves are expected for the Pittsburgh Penguins after shipping Lars Ellers to the Washington Capitals last week.
Yohe considers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to be untouchable. While Kris Letang signed a six-year contract in 2022, Yohe believes the 37-year-old defenseman might not object to a trade but moving his contract could be difficult given his age, health history and poor play this season.
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Letang has a full no-movement clause through 2025-26. Even if he waives it, they’ll have to retain a significant chunk of his $6.1 million average annual value to make him enticing given the issues cited by Yohe.
Yohe thinks Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas would like to move Ryan Graves, Tristan Jarry and Erik Karlsson. However, other clubs likely aren’t interested in them.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Poor play and expensive contracts are the reasons why.
Defenseman Marcus Pettersson and winger Rickard Rakell are most likely to be moved by the March 7 trade deadline. Yohe cites sources claiming the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks have an interest in the 28-year-old Pettersson. He expects other clubs will also covet him, suggesting he’s “as good as gone.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pettersson is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. Recent reports claim there’s been no contract extension talks between the two sides. Unless that changes, he truly will be as good as gone by deadline day.
Yohe also speculates Bryan Rust could become a trade candidate when his no-trade clause reverts to a modified list on July 1 but he doesn’t believe the Penguins are in a hurry to move him.
Shayna Goldman looked at possible moves for the Penguins going forward. She considers Pettersson to be their only real trade chip on defense. Forwards Noel Acciari, Anthony Beauvillier and Blake Lizotte (when healthy) could also hit the trade block. She doesn’t rule out Rakell becoming a trade candidate.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Acciari and Lizotte are signed through next season with affordable cap hits. They shouldn’t be difficult to move but won’t fetch much in return. Beauvillier is a UFA next summer but he’s on his fifth team since 2023.
Rakell still has value as a scorer but his contract remains a sticking point. The 31-year-old winger has an AAV of $5 million through 2027-28 and an eight-team no-trade list. There might have to be some salary retention here to make it work.
CANADIENS COULD MOVE SAVARD BY THE DEADLINE
RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico cited two sources suggesting Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard could draw interest leading up to the trade deadline. They point out the thin market for right-shot blueliners, including Cody Ceci and Jan Rutta in San Jose, Dante Fabbro in Columbus, and Erik Johnson in Philadelphia.
The sources indicate that Savard is a top-four right-shot defenseman with Stanley Cup championship experience. They don’t rule out the possibility he could fetch a first-round pick from a Cup contender.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Savard is eligible for UFA status next summer. It’s widely assumed he’ll be moved if the Canadiens are out of playoff contention by March 7.