The holiday roster freeze ended at 12:01 AM ET on Saturday. Check out the latest on Rangers winger Chris Kreider, Islanders center Brock Nelson and Wild forward Marco Rossi plus updates on the Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
COULD THE RANGERS TRY TO MOVE CHRIS KREIDER?
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks noted the Rangers made Chris Kreider a healthy scratch for their Dec. 23 game against the New Jersey Devils. However, he was told the move was made by coach Peter Laviolette to hold his veteran accountable.
New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).
Brooks cited “a knowledgeable industry source” saying there was no trade on the table for Kreider and it wasn’t an exercise in “roster management.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: He referred to the Rangers scratching Jacob Trouba earlier, threatening to put him on waivers unless he accepted a trade to the Anaheim Ducks.
Kreider, 33, has two years left on his contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million. Brooks believes those extra two years add to the winger’s value rather than detract. He thinks the Rangers could get a meaningful asset or two for Kreider if he hits the trade block.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Issues like the decline in Kreider’s production and his age make the remaining two years of his contract (and his AAV) a concern. His 15-team no-trade list is another factor, though Rangers general manager Chris Drury could play hardball with Kreider as he did with Trouba.
The Athletic’s Arthur Staple pointed out Kreider’s been nursing a back injury. That’s another factor that could hurt his trade value.
WILL THE ISLANDERS TRADE BROCK NELSON?
NYI HOCKEY NOW: Russ Macias believes the Islanders’ next 20 games leading up to the 4 Nations Face-Off will determine the club’s direction at the March 7 trade deadline and beyond.
Macias cited The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun (he mistakenly attributed it to Chris Johnston) speculating Brock Nelson could test next summer’s free-agent market. If so, trading the 34-year-old center is almost inevitable.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nelson should fetch the Islanders a decent return to build up their future and bolster their prospect pipeline.
Macias also believes pending free agents Kyle Palmieri and Matt Martin could be shopped by the deadline. So could center Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who has a year left on his contract with an AAV of $5 million.
If the Isles miss the playoffs, Macias believes general manager Lou Lamoriello will no longer be part of the club’s future.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been speculated the Islanders could fire Lamoriello or have him turn over the management reins and remain their President of Hockey Operations. He could be a goner even if the Isles squeak into the playoffs, especially if they’re eliminated from the first round again.
THE WILD AREN’T TRYING TO MOVE MARCO ROSSI
THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo reports Minnesota Wild center Marco Rossi has been the subject of trade rumors since last season as the club tries to project his ceiling. However, general manager Bill Guerin said he’s not looking to trade the promising 23-year-old after watching his performance on the Wild’s top line for most of this season.
Guerin claims he’s “very happy” with Rossi’s performance, considering him one of the Wild’s best players. Despite his small frame, the 5’9”, 185-pounder is a solid net-front presence with all of his goals coming from 10 feet or less from the net. “He’s doing all the right stuff,” said Guerin.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Russo adds that Guerin intends to re-sign Rossi, who will become a restricted free agent next summer. That should dampen the rumors swirling around this promising young center.
LATEST ON THE CANADIENS
THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: In a recent mailbag segment, Stu Cowan dismissed the notion of the Canadiens trading defenseman Mike Matheson. He indicated the 30-year-old plays an important role in logging big minutes on the young Habs blueline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matheson had a year left on his contract, which could also make him an enticing trade target. Nevertheless, moving him would hurt the growth of the Canadiens blueline.
I get why some fans believe Matheson could fetch a great return. However, the Habs need a veteran or two like Matheson to help take some of the burden off those younger rearguards until they reach the point where they’ve sufficiently improved into reliable top-four defenders.
Cowan anticipates the Canadiens’ recent addition of Alexandre Carrier means David Savard could be moved at the trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported last week that there hadn’t been any contract extension talks between Savard and Canadiens management. He also believes Carrier’s addition gives the Habs leeway to peddle Savard.