NHL rumors: Calgary in Flames, Kings, Flyers set for big deals, Hall to Chicago
By Marvin Azrak
NHL rumors: Blackhawks acquire Taylor Hall from Bruins
Despite not being in his prime, 2016 Hart-Trophy winner Taylor Hall is still a useful forward. The Blackhawks will be a bad team next season, but they hope to put Hall on Connor Bedard’s wing to help with the offense.
Meanwhile, Boston clears $6 million in cap space with this move. Boston has $11 million to spend. The Bruins are likely looking to re-sign Tyler Bertuzzi with the cap space they’ve gained from moving Hall. They may also consider reuniting with Torey Krug in a trade with St. Louis. Overall, this trade benefits both sides.
Grade: Blackhawks A-, Bruins: C
Coyotes acquire Sean Durzi from Kings for 2024 3rd round pick (MTL)
The Arizona Coyotes are moving to rebuild their team, and their recent acquisition of defenseman Sean Durzi is just part of a larger plan. With 12 picks in the upcoming NHL draft, including seven in the first three rounds, the Coyotes have plenty of draft capital to use on young players.
Durzi, 24, has a cap hit of $1.7 million. He’s a skilled puck mover who can help the power play and kill penalties.
With many picks, the Coyotes can take chances on skill and adapt to any scenario. The team’s scouts are prepared for every possibility and will meet before the draft to discuss their strategy. While there are no guarantees in the draft, the Coyotes are poised to take a big step forward in rebuilding.
Meanwhile, the Kings get a 2024 second-round pick and free up cap space for highly touted prospect Brandt Clarke. The 20-year-old made his NHL debut last season.
The team may also be positioning themselves to make a move for center Pierre-Luc Dubois, who reportedly wants a big contract and would require shedding more salary. The Kings may consider trading restricted free agent Gabriel Vilardi and some other players and draft picks to acquire Dubois.
Grades: Coyotes A, Kings C
Avalanche acquire Ryan Johansen from Predators
The Avalanche acquired Ryan Johansen (50 percent salary retained) as a replacement for Nazem Kadri. He brings size, play-driving ability, and goal-scoring, but his inconsistent performance and injury history pose a risk. The Predators traded Johansen, 30, for cap space and received Alex Galchenyuk’s negotiation rights. However, they won’t retain them and will let him hit the AHL free-agency market.
The trade seems good for the Avalanche, but it remains to be seen if Johansen is worth the reduced cost.
Barry Trotz, the new GM of Nashville, decided to part ways with Johansen. He had a leg injury that limited him to only 55 games last season. Johansen was expected to become the team’s top center when he was traded for Seth Jones in 2016, but he didn’t perform up to expectations. He starred in his first two seasons after signing an 8x$8 million deal. But he later settled in as a productive second-line center.
Due to his $8 million cap hit for the next two seasons, Johansen seemed untradeable in the flat-cap NHL. However, he now has a chance to outplay his contract. If he can stay healthy and in the lineup, he’ll only be making $4 million.
Grades: Avalanche A, Predators C
Trades are fun, but signings are too. As these transactions transpired, we were also blessed with some to players to ink long-term deals with their clubs.