The annual holiday trade freeze is from Dec. 20-27. Check out the latest goalie speculation plus updates on the Blues and Avalanche in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
LATEST GOALIE TRADE SPECULATION
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman said the goalie market is starting to heat up. He noted the Carolina Hurricanes placed Antti Raanta on waivers on Saturday so they’re “definitely looking around.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Pierre LeBrun said the same thing yesterday though he claims that “nothing appears imminent at the moment.”
Los Angeles Kings goalie Pheonix Copley underwent an MRI after leaving practice with an injury on Friday. It’s believed he’ll be sidelined for a bit of time so the Kings might be looking for a backup for Cam Talbot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: They’ve recalled David Rittich from their AHL affiliate. They’ll likely see if he can fill the gap until Copley can return.
Friedman noted that call-up Calvin Pickard has been playing really well for the Edmonton Oilers. While they’ve been taking a look at things, he’s not convinced that they’re going to make a trade for a goalie.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That seems to be the case following their recent surge up the standings. There was talk of Jack Campbell returning from their AHL affiliate at some point but for now, they appear content to stick with the tandem of Pickard and Stuart Skinner.
Turning to trade candidates, Friedman noted the Montreal Canadiens have an extra goalie.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: He didn’t say which one could be traded but it likely comes down to Jake Allen or Cayden Primeau. The Canadiens recently signed Sam Montembeault to a three-year contract extension as he’s taking over the starter’s job in Montreal.
Friedman also mentioned Spencer Martin of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers were reportedly scouting the Blue Jackets’ goalies in late November. Martin’s name surfaced as a trade candidate around then.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Christian Larsen listed the Canadiens’ Jake Allen, the Detroit Red Wings’ James Reimer, the San Jose Sharks’ Kaapo Kahkonen and the Arizona Coyotes’ Karel Vejmelka could help playoff contenders in the new year.
Larsen believes the experienced Allen, who’s signed through 2024-25 on a team-friendly contract, could be a good fit on a better club like the Oilers or Hurricanes. The Kings could be a logical fit for Reimer as they have a few million in cap space.
The rebuilding Sharks are near the bottom of the league and have two prospects in Eetu Makiniemi and Magnus Chrona knocking at the door. That leaves little reason for them to retain Kakhonen, who’s on an expiring contract.
Vejmelka began this season as the Coyotes’ starter but he’s lost playing time to Connor Ingram. The rebuilding club is looking to add draft picks and have the cap space to take on a bad contract like that of the Oilers’ Jack Campbell.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong made those kinds of moves before this past summer. Since then, however, he’d made deals to bring more immediate help to his roster.
The Coyotes’ pipeline is now well-stocked with draft picks and prospects. With his club jockeying for a wild-card berth in the Western Conference, he might not be interested in taking on another bad contract in return for futures.
Speaking of the Coyotes, ESPN’s Kevin Weekes said Vejmelka is drawing interest from several clubs looking to upgrade their goaltending. Perhaps he’ll be the one who gets moved first.
UPDATES ON THE BLUES AND AVALANCHE
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the St. Louis Blues were believed to be a team looking to do things in the trade market. He speculates that might calm down a bit since making their coaching change last week but they were definitely looking at what was out there.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blues general manager Doug Armstrong acknowledged this during his press conference explaining his decision to replace Craig Berube as head coach with Drew Bannister.
Following the Colorado Avalanche trading Tomas Tatar last week to the Seattle Kraken, Friedman claims there are teams “paranoid” that the Avs are looking to add to their roster though they have limited salary-cap space to do so right now.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman didn’t elaborate as to what the Avalanche are looking to add. My guess is a reliable second-line center but that could be a move that takes place closer to the March 8 trade deadline.