Is a rebuild coming for the Predators? What’s the latest on the Flames, Oilers and Bruins? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE TENNESSEAN: Alex Daugherty cited Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz hinting at rebuilding the roster if his club doesn’t improve soon.
Trotz added forwards Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and defenseman Brady Skjei this offseason. However, the Predators lurched to a 4-7-1 start this season.
“I’m trying to do some things right now,” Trotz said in a radio interview with Nashville’s 102.5 The Game. “We will be limited a little because of the contracts that we have…but if we don’t get going, then I’m going to start our rebuild plan.”
Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz (NHL Images).
Trotz indicated he could start calling up some of his club’s promising young players if his current roster doesn’t start winning.
The Predators GM subsequently clarified his remarks, saying he doesn’t intend to “burn it down to the studs.” He said his plan when he took over last year was to stockpile draft picks and prospects over the next three years but also to ice a competitive team.
Trotz indicated his signings of free agents this summer was to buy time for his prospects to develop. “But if it doesn’t work, I’ve still got to buy the time for those young players. He also said that veterans like Stamkos, Marchessault, Skjei, Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, Ryan O’Reilly and Juuse Saros aren’t going anywhere.
Trotz said his team is in the process of finding a second-line center, which includes trade options. If they can’t find one, they may have to move Stamkos to center and bring up a couple of young wings.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trotz also said he’s fully confident in head coach Andrew Brunette. Daugherty writes that the real issue is players not performing to their full potential, which may result in changes soon.
Trotz acknowledged last month that it wasn’t easy to find a second-line center this early in the season. For now, he’ll have to look to within his roster and his farm system.
CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson believes the Flames still need a cornerstone center but also thinks they could use a suitable defense partner for MacKenzie Weegar. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll attempt to address this issue with a trade because big-minute blueliners come at a hefty price.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The same can be said for second-line centers.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Steve MacFarlane reports there’s no talk of a contract extension for Andrei Kuzmenko. The Flames winger is high on most insiders’ trade-bait lists as the club rebuilds its roster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuzmenko is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July. The former 39-goal scorer has been inconsistent this season. He recently saw some fourth-line duty and was benched during the second half of the Flames’ 3-0 win over the New Jersey Devils.
Kuzmenko must regain offensive consistency if he hopes to re-sign with the Flames or garner a lucrative deal elsewhere via next summer’s free-agent market.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Kurt Leavins recently speculated why the Oilers haven’t pursued a top-four defenseman in the trade market. He believes GM Stan Bowman figures that at worst this Oilers roster can bumble its way into the playoffs.
Bowman could wait until Christmas to start looking for a blueliner unless he gets an irresistible offer. He should be in a much better position by then with his salary-cap space plus there should be better options available by then.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bowman could wait until closer to the March 7 trade deadline depending on where the Oilers are in the standings. He’ll have accrued more cap space and there should be plenty of suitable choices by then.
ESPN.COM’s Kevin Weekes reports Boston Bruins forward Trent Frederic is garnering some interest around the league. The 26-year-old Frederic is slated to become a UFA next summer.
Weekes claims several teams are interested in Frederic’s size, speed, toughness, character and skills.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those traits also make Frederic invaluable to the struggling Bruins. The earliest he could be available in the trade market is during the weeks leading up to the trade deadline, assuming the Bruins are out of playoff contention by then. Otherwise, they’ll hang onto him for the postseason and address the contract situation afterward.