The Hurricanes are open to trading Jake Guentzel’s rights, the latest on Martin Necas and an update on the Rangers in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
HURRICANES OPEN TO TRADING GUENTZEL’S RIGHTS
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported Friday that the Carolina Hurricanes are open to trading Jake Guentzel’s contract negotiating rights before free agency begins on July 1.
Friedman thinks the asking price could be “a mid-round pick.” He believes there is “tons of interest,” adding that teams must think they can get the 29-year-old winger signed to a long-term extension before July 1.
The Chicago Blackhawks could be among the interested clubs. Friedman said someone told him they’d like to move their rebuild along.
CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Nate Brown believes acquiring Guentzel would boost the rebuilding Blackhawks’ anemic scoring. He thinks the contract concern would be over term more than dollars, suggesting a five-year contract wouldn’t be a deal breaker.
Carolina Hurricanes winger Jake Guentzel (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks have a projected cap space of $32.3 million for 2024-25 with 15 active roster players under contract. They could easily afford a hefty raise for Guentzel. However, it’s uncertain if he wants to join a rebuilding club. He could prefer skating with a contender.
THE LATEST ON MARTIN NECAS
SPORTSNET: Friedman also provided an update on Martin Necas. He said the Hurricanes are letting people know that they consider the 25-year-old forward a “budding star”, adding that they want “star power” in return. He indicated they’re not seeking a return of middling draft picks and prospects.
TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos recently wrote that the Montreal Canadiens were among many clubs calling about Necas. However, he thinks there’s “zero chance” of a trade given the bad blood between the two clubs over the Jesperi Kotkaniemi offer sheet in 2021.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens probably lack the roster assets that the Hurricanes would seek for Necas. I doubt it has anything to do with lingering bad feelings about the Kotkaniemi deal, at least from the Habs point of view.
Everyone directly involved on the Canadiens side is no longer with the club except for team owner Geoff Molson. I don’t see him preventing the current management from dealing with the Hurricanes.
UPDATE ON THE RANGERS
NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears reports Rangers GM Chris Drury could be ready for a roster shakeup following his club’s elimination from the Eastern Conference Final.
“We’re looking at a lot of different things,” said Drury. “And there’s different ways to get to where we want to go. To me, really, nothing’s off the table.”
Drury didn’t elaborate about his plans but Sears believes he has plenty of options to shake things up. Those could include moving Jacob Trouba, Mika Zibanejad or Chris Kreider after they struggled during the conference final. However, there are stumbling blocks such as their high salaries and no-trade clauses.
If Kreider and Zibanejad return, Drury should focus on finding a permanent right wing for their line. Winger Barclay Goodrow could also be a trade candidate given the Rangers’ need to free up cap space to re-sign defenseman Ryan Lindgren. Goodrow carries a 15-team no-trade clause.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It would be surprising if Zibanejad or Kreider get traded this summer. The same goes for Trouba, whose struggles were largely due to his playing on a broken ankle since March. Goodrow, however, seems a more likely trade candidate despite his modified no-trade clause.
Kaapo Kakko has surfaced in trade rumors following a difficult season. However, Drury defended the young restricted free agent, noting that Alexis Lafreniere was the subject of trade speculation at this time last year but has since enjoyed a breakout performance. He said the club will do everything it can to help Kakko reach his potential.