Welcome to another edition of Full Press Hockey’s NHL Rumors! Teams are always looking to improve, and the excitement of another NHL season is upon us. With the March 8th trade deadline approaching, the rumors are hot and heavy!
In this Sunday edition of NHL Rumors, we’ll examine the Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers, and the Vancouver Canucks.
NHL rumors in this edition include:
Are the Maple Leafs and St. Louis Blues ready to pull off a big trade? Can the Flyers acquire Casey Mittelstadt? Is Phil Kessel headed to re-join Rick Tocchet in Vancouver?
Toronto Maple Leafs – Colton Parayko
Rumor: Per – James Wilson – nhltraderumors.me. Could a five-player trade involving Parayko be in the works for the Leafs?
The proposed trade per Wilson, via Rob Ellis of nhltraderumor.com would include the Blues sending defenseman Colton Parayko and forward Sammy Blais to Toronto, in exchange for a package comprising forward Ryan Reaves, center Calle Järnkrok, promising defensive prospect Topi Niemela, and a 2024 first-round pick. Now, what may not make this trade happen is the salary cap. Parayko makes $6.5 million through the 2029-30 season. Blais has a cap hit of just $1 million through this season. Reaves comes in at $1.35 million through 2025-26, and Jarnkrok is paid $2.1 million through 2025-26. Neimela is in the first year of his entry-level deal, paying him $856,667.
Here’s the problem: The difference in the salaries is $3.19 million, and the Leafs currently have $26,667 in cap space. Another $3 million would need to be moved. Perhaps a player like Max Domi could be traded, bringing in the difference.
There’s no doubt that the Leafs adding a huge 6’6″ 228-pound blueliner performer like Parayko would ease their concerns defensively. He has blocked 128 shots this season and almost averages 24 minutes of ice time per game.
The Blues would certainly entertain this swap if it can be worked out. Acquiring a prospect like Niemela can ease the pain of losing Parayko. He has 25 points in 40 AHL games with the Marlies and is just 21 years old.
Philadelphia Flyers – Casey Mittelstadt
Rumor: Per – Jonathan Bailey – phillyhockeynow.com. The Philadelphia Flyers have expressed their seriousness about making hockey trades that make sense for the organization, whether it be for now, the future, or both. They now have the opportunity to prove it by making a Casey Mittelstadt trade with the Buffalo Sabres.
Per @TheInstigator76 from @AfterLeWhistle, Kevyn Adams is actively shopping Casey Mittelstadt and is also looking for a goaltender. #LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/XVT4xUwSwi
— 2 Goalies 1 Mic (@2Goalies1Mic) February 9, 2024
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Even though the Buffalo Sabres may want a goalie in return, they can also use a defenseman. Say, blueliner like Sean Walker who has been in NHL rumors of late. Mittelstadt, 25, is in the final year of a three-year, $7.5 million contract, making him a restricted free agent this offseason. With 12 goals, 30 assists, and 42 points in 50 games, Mittelstadt is likely headed for a substantial raise from the $2.6 million salary he makes this season. It doesn’t seem that GM Kevyn Adams wants to pony up that kind of money to re-sign him.
The potential for the rebuilding Flyers is bright. Adding Mittelstadt as an established yet young forward with scoring credentials can be very intriguing.
A top-nine center group of Sean Couturier, Casey Mittelstadt, and Morgan Frost would be incredible for the #LetsGoFlyers. Each does something that the others don’t. pic.twitter.com/rBY2OPKjEJ
— Jon Bailey (@ByJonBailey) February 9, 2024
It’s now up to GM Daniel Briere to decide what he wants to do. It could be a decision affecting the Flyers for this season and beyond.
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Vancouver Canucks – Phil Kessel
Rumor: Per – Abhilasha Aditi – sportskeeda.com. Could Kessel be reunited with his favorite coach?
It’s no secret that Vancouver head coach Rick Tocchet likes the play of Phil Kessel. Kessel joined the Arizona Coyotes for that main reason when he was traded to the desert. No doubt Tocchet still thinks highly of Kessel. “There’s value in Phil, I think he can still play 100%,” Tocchet said.
“The #Canucks are poking around Phil Kessel..”@DhaliwalSports on the #Canucks interest in Phil Kessel and if another big move will happen before the trade deadline.https://t.co/h4e2SKM7eJ pic.twitter.com/qAPU8npe33
— Donnie & Dhali (@DonnieandDhali) February 8, 2024
Even Elliotte Friedman of sportsnet.ca got into the discussion on the Jeff Marek show. Kessel has been biding his time, and wants to still play. Friedman believes a team that wants to win the Cup, could use a player like him who can score big goals in the playoffs. With Kessel being very comfortable with both Tocchet and Jim Rutherford, it seems like a good fit. So, perhaps Phil “the thrill” still has one more Cup in the dying days of his 17-year NHL career.
That concludes this edition of NHL rumors. Be sure to catch our next article, and thanks for reading!