What’s the latest Leafs speculation? Could the Avalanche part ways with Valeri Nichushkin? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST MAPLE LEAFS SPECULATION
TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan believes whoever becomes the next head coach of the Maple Leafs will want to know what the team will look like entering training camp in September. They’ll want to know how serious the club could be about potential roster changes, which could include trading winger Mitch Marner if he agrees to waive his no-movement clause.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Koshan suggested prospective Leafs coaches might want a chance to work with Marner. That could affect who becomes their next head coach as well as their roster plans for next season.
CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Nate Brown looked at whether the Blackhawks could afford to acquire Marner if he becomes available in the trade market.
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).
One rumor making the rounds is the Marner-for-Seth Jones narrative. While the Leafs could use a defenseman of Jones’ caliber, they’re also trying to simplify their salary-cap situation. Taking his $9.5 million annual cap hit for the next six years isn’t optimal even with John Tavares’ cap hit coming off their books at the end of next season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jones’ contract is the issue I have with the proposed trade that would send the 29-year-old defenseman to Toronto as part of the return for Marner. When the Columbus Blue Jackets were shopping him in 2021, it was rumored the Canadian teams were on his 10-team no-trade list. If so, Jones won’t waive the NMC on his current deal to join the Leafs.
SPORTSNET: Luke Fox wonders where the Leafs and team captain John Tavares go from here. The 33-year-old center has a year left on his contract with an average annual value of $11 million and a full NMC.
Tavares has shown no inclination that he wants out of Toronto. However, his base salary for next season will be $910 after receiving his $7.04 million signing bonus on July 1. Fox believes that could make Tavares enticing to clubs like Chicago, Anaheim, San Jose and Buffalo that would prefer saving real dollars and have cap space to spare.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Tavares won’t waive his NMC it won’t matter what his actual salary is and whether budget teams would be interested in him. At his age, he wants a Stanley Cup as soon as possible. He won’t win it by joining a rebuilding club.
TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons claims there is interest in Marner and Tavares around the league. “What they’re willing to give up, to take on an $11 million player, that’s the better question.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs won’t get equal value for Marner or Tavares if they agree to be traded. That doesn’t mean they’ll have to accept scraps and castoffs, but they won’t get a comparable talent in return.
Marner or Tavares probably won’t accept a move to a rebuilding club. They could prefer playing out next season in Toronto and trying their luck in next summer’s free-agent market.
Even if Marner or Tavares accepts a trade, the receiving team will want assurances they’ll sign a contract extension. No club will give up valuable trade assets for either guy if they’re going to depart next summer.
COULD THE AVALANCHE PART WAYS WITH VALERI NICHUSHKIN?
THE DENVER POST: Sean Keeler thinks it’s time for the Colorado Avalanche to part company with Valeri Nichushkin after he entered Stage 3 of the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. He is suspended without pay until November when he can apply for reinstatement.
This is the second straight postseason that Nichushkin has needed a leave of absence to deal with personal issues. Keeler believes the Avalanche need a winger they can rely on to keep their Stanley Cup window open.
Keeler acknowledged Nichushkin’s issues that sent him into his second stint in the assistance program. However, he wondered if the Avalanche could trust him again after this. He considers the winger too unreliable and too much of a risk to be a pillar of the club’s core.
Nichushkin has six seasons remaining on his eight-year, $49 million contract. His 12-team no-trade clause kicks in next July.
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun believes there is no easy answer for the Avalanche.
A league source confirmed Nichushkin’s $6.125 million AAV won’t count against the Avs’ cap payroll next season while he’s serving his suspension. It will apply once he’s reinstated and returns to the lineup.
Entering Stage 3 of the player assistance program isn’t grounds for contract termination.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: What’s important right now is that Nichushkin receives the necessary treatment and support. What happens with his playing career will have to wait until after he’s exited Stage 3 of the program.
The Avalanche could attempt to move Nichushkin once he’s served his suspension. Despite his skills, his trade value will be low after this. Any club willing to take the chance will want to see how well he performs over the remainder of next season.