Should the Flames consider tearing down their roster? Are the Flyers shopping Morgan Frost? What’s the latest on the Penguins? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
SHOULD THE FLAMES TEAR DOWN THEIR ROSTER?
TSN: Chris Johnston, Bryan Hayes, Jeff O’Neill and Jamie McLennan discussed the future of the Calgary Flames and what might happen if things don’t improve following their terrible start to this season.
Johnston wondered how the club’s poor start might affect plans to sign players such as Noah Hanifin to long-term contracts. He thinks it would be a painful teardown if they go that route comparable to what’s going on with the San Jose Sharks. They could also try to tough it out under new general manager Craig Conroy and new head coach Ryan Huska.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek also discussed the Flames during their “32 Thoughts” podcast on Monday. Friedman thinks some big decisions are going to have to be made.
Friedman noted in his recent report that contract talks between the Flames and Hanifin were getting closer. However, there’s now a sense of “hang on here a second.” He believes everyone is taking a deep breath and a long look at what the start of this season could mean for the Flames.
Marek wondered what it could mean for all their players on expiring contracts such as Hanifin and Elias Lindholm. Friedman thinks there’s a little bit of uncertainty now.
Friedman noted that it wouldn’t be easy for the Flames to move on from good players but things aren’t working right now. “The way this is going might make the decisions for Calgary, instead of Calgary making the decisions for itself.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Things are getting grim in the Stampede City with the Flames near the bottom of the Western Conference standings approaching November. There’s still plenty of time for them to reverse their fortunes but it’s clear that the positive vibes from training camp and preseason are gone.
The blame for last season’s disappointing performance was placed on head coach Darryl Sutter. With Sutter gone and the club under new management, there’s no one left to blame.
It’s no coincidence that this team hasn’t been the same since the departures of core players Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk in the summer of 2022. Trading away Tyler Toffoli to the New Jersey Devils in June and the ongoing absence of Oliver Kylington certainly haven’t helped.
If the Flames fail to turn things around in November it could spell the beginning of the end of any hope of re-signing Hanifin and Lindholm. Conroy could be forced to become a seller by the March 8 trade deadline.
THE FLYERS AREN’T TRYING TO TRADE FROST
THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz reports a league source informed him that the Philadelphia Flyers aren’t trying to trade Morgan Frost. The 24-year-old forward was a healthy scratch for six straight games before returning to the lineup on Monday.
Kurz indicates that Frost handled being scratched the right way and has been a good teammate throughout that period. The Flyers still view him as one of the young players they want to grow with this rebuilding team. They will give him every opportunity to become a productive player.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Frost is in the first season of a two-year, $4.2 million contract. He enjoyed a career-best 46-point performance last season. Kurz acknowledged that things could change but for now, the Flyers have no intention of moving Frost.
LATEST ON THE PENGUINS
THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe thinks a move by Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas is a possibility if the club’s upcoming California road trip goes poorly. They’re dead last in the Eastern Conference.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Yohe noted that Dubas has little leverage because of the number of players on his team with no-trade clauses. Nevertheless, he believes the Penguins GM can’t let this go on much longer.
Cap space will also be an issue for Dubas if he wants to go the trade route. He can’t afford to take on salary and most clubs are also pressed for cap space at this point in the season.