The holiday roster freeze is in effect through Dec. 27 but that hasn’t stopped the media trade speculation. Check out the latest on Elias Lindholm, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Jake Allen in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
POSSIBLE SUITORS FOR ELIAS LINDHOLM
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports there haven’t been any contract extension talks between Calgary Flames management and Elias Lindholm. However, management hasn’t told the 27-year-old center that they’re moving him and he hasn’t completely shut the door on staying with them.
Nevertheless, LeBrun believes all signs point toward a trade. He listed the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes as potential suitors.
LeBrun suggests it could cost the Bruins their 2025 first-round pick (they traded away their 2024 pick) or they could try to entice the Flame with a young player as part of the deal. If Lindholm were willing to sign an extension with them it would justify the cost.
The Avalanche have their 2024 first-rounder to use as trade bait but it’s too early to know what asking price the Flames will set for Lindholm. If they’re leaning toward a retool rather than a rebuild, they could want young players or prospects closer to helping them. The Avalanche, however, doesn’t want to spend too high a price.
LeBrun thinks the Hurricanes (Lindholm’s former club) have internally discussed the possibility of bringing him back. However, it’ll probably only work if Lindholm signs an extension.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Salary cap space will be a factor but we’ve seen in the recent past that clubs can get creative (use of long-term injury reserve, three-team deals) to get around that hurdle. Still, the club with the most cap flexibility near the trade deadline will have an advantage.
Of the three clubs mentioned by LeBrun, the Hurricanes are the only ones not using LTIR to be cap-compliant. They also have the most projected trade deadline cap space at $9.2 million.
Depth in prospects will be another factor. In August, The Athletic ranked the Hurricanes prospect pipeline 14th among the 32 clubs with the Avalanche 25th and the Bruins 32nd.
The Hurricanes appear to hold the advantage in cap space and prospect depth. Nevertheless, it will come down to which club makes the best offer. Despite their handicaps, the Bruins or Avs could be more willing to meet whatever asking price the Flames set for Lindholm.
MORE SPECULATION OVER EVGENY KUZNETSOV
LeBrun believes Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov looks like he could use a fresh start. However, he doesn’t see much of a market for him before the March 8 trade deadline because he’s signed through next season with a $7.8 million cap hit. The Capitals could have better luck moving him during the draft when teams have more cap space to work with.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The decline in Kuznetsov’s performance since last season will make it difficult to move him. Even with the cap going up for next season, clubs will be leery about taking on a struggling center who turns 32 next May and carries that kind of cap hit even for one season.
INTEREST GROWING IN JAKE ALLEN
LeBrun reports some teams have interest in Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen. They’ve informed the Habs that they’ll circle back next month to restart trade talks.
LeBrun believes the Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils and Edmonton Oilers have chatted with the Canadiens since the start of the season. He isn’t sure if the Hurricanes have decided for sure if they want a goaltender as they wait for sidelined Frederik Andersen to return. Allen, meanwhile, is signed through next season with a $3.85 million cap hit and a seven-team no-trade clause.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens signed Sam Montembeault to a three-year extension last month while young Cayden Primeau’s performance has been improving of late. That appears to make Allen the odd man out.
Still, Habs GM Kent Hughes seems willing to remain patient while waiting for the right offer. This could carry on through to the March 8 trade deadline.