A look at some notable trade and free-agent rumors facing several Western Conference clubs in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon recently examined lingering offseason questions facing the NHL’s Western Conference teams. Among them were some notable trade and free-agent speculation.
Dixon wondered if the Anaheim Ducks would trade Trevor Zegras. Trade speculation started last fall during their contentious contract negotiations. The 23-year-old was limited to 31 games by injuries last season. He’s an imperfect player but his offensive skills continue to draw interest.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek has consistently denied the trade rumors, claiming he hasn’t shopped Zegras nor received any trade offers. He’s under no pressure to move the young winger, who has two seasons remaining on his contract. Zegras will remain with the Ducks this season.
The Calgary Flames are now rebuilding their roster. Dixon wondered if they might take on a bloated contract or two from a cap-strapped club in return for a draft pick or a prospect.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: With over $20 million in cap space and 22 active roster players under contract, the Flames are well-positioned to make that type of deal. Whether they want to is another matter. The earliest we could see such a move is in September or early October as teams with limited cap space or over the $88 million cap look to shed salary before the start of the season.
Colorado Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen is a year away from becoming an unrestricted free agent. Dixon wonders if the two sides will hammer out a contract extension this summer.
Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been quiet on the Rantanen front. The Avalanche faces some short and long-term salary cap uncertainty given Gabriel Landeskog’s attempt at a comeback from knee injuries and Valeri Nichushkin’s returning to the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. Both are on long-term contracts. The Avs could be waiting for cap clarification before opening extension talks with Rantanen.
Dixon wondered if the Dallas Stars might scour the trade market for a defenseman.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Keep an eye on this situation. The depth among the Stars’ right-shot defensemen drops sharply behind Miro Heiskanen with free-agent additions Ilya Lyubushkin and Matt Dumba signed to fill those gaps.
Arthur Kaliyev’s future with the Los Angeles Kings could be coming to an end. He’s been on the outs with the club and is a restricted free agent.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kaliyev is coming off an entry-level contract and has been the subject of frequent trade speculation. Don’t be surprised if he ends up traded before the start of the season.
Goaltender Filip Gustavsson could be a trade candidate after the Minnesota Wild re-signed Marc-Andre Fleury and promising Jesper Wallstedt waiting in the wings.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gustavsson surfaced in the rumor mill during the spring but trade speculation about him dried up weeks ago. The Wild could retain him for another season and send Wallstedt back to the minors.
Dixon pondered the possibility of the Nashville Predators trading goalie Yaroslav Askarov after they signed Juuse Saros to a contract extension and signed free-agent backup Scott Wedgewood.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Predators GM Barry Trotz will set a high asking price for Askarov, who has potential as an NHL starter. Trotz can afford to be patient as he waits for a club seeking goaltending depth to come calling, which could lead to Askarov starting this season with their AHL affiliate.
The Utah Hockey Club made some significant additions to their blueline by acquiring Mikhail Sergachev, John Marino and Ian Cole. Flush with cap space, draft picks and prospects, they might not be done making additions.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Utah GM Bill Armstrong prioritized improving his defense corps this summer. Having addressed that issue, he could shift his focus to other roster areas. Still, he could also keep his powder dry and see what unfolds during this season.
Dixon also wondered if the Vancouver Canucks will work out an extension with winger Brock Boeser.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Boeser made it clear he wants to play for the Canucks despite being the subject of trade rumors leading up to last season. He’s the only core player due for a new contract by next summer.
The Canucks have over $12 million in projected cap space based on a cap of $88 million, but it’s projected it could rise to $92 million for 2025-26. That will give them plenty of room to re-sign Boeser. However, his injury history could have management adopt a wait-and-see approach to this season.
The Vegas Golden Knights have limited cap space for 2024-25. Nevertheless, Dixon wonders if they might have a crafty move up their sleeve to bolster their roster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vegas’ depth chart took a beating this summer with the departures of Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson, Logan Thompson, Alec Martinez, William Carrier, Michael Amadio and Anthony Mantha. They brought in Victor Olofsson, Alexander Holtz, Ilya Samsonov and Akira Schmid.
The Golden Knights are over the cap by $3.6 million but they’ll get cap relief with Robin Lehner and his $5 million cap hit on long-term injury reserve. They lack room to make a significant addition unless they ship out a salaried player in return.
Recent trade history indicates sleeping on the Golden Knights isn’t wise. However, they will struggle to pull off a major deal this summer.
Dixon concludes by wondering when the Winnipeg Jets intend to trade winger Nikolaj Ehlers and prospect forward Rutger McGroarty. They still have some roster holes to fill and either player could fetch a suitable return.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ehlers has a year left on his contract while the Jets still hold McGroarty’s rights. They won’t be in any rush to move either player this summer but one or both could be moved as we get closer to the start of the season.