We’re just days away from the trade deadline so the NHL rumours are coming fast. Teams have to make decision on if they will buy or sell. There’s also long-term ramifications about upcoming contracts like Alex Ovechkin‘s. Today’s NHL rumours focus on the Washington Capitals, Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Washington Capitals
Rumour: The Athletic’s Tarik El-Bashir took at look at what Ovechkin’s contract might look like.
What could Alex Ovechkin's next contract look like? There's A LOT to consider, obviously. To help untangle the web of possibilities, I asked @thehockeycode for his thoughts and he provided three (very) detailed scenarios. #Caps https://t.co/jwg2TKuL9Z
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) April 10, 2021
Analysis: Ovechkin becomes a free agent at the end of the season, but it’s pretty much certain he’ll be staying put with the Caps. There are still plenty of factors holding up the deal. The expansion draft for the Seattle Kraken, Washington’s cap situation and The Great Eight’s age.
He’s still the franchise’s most important player and continues to defy the odds with his goal-scoring in his upper 30s. Ovechkin has 21 goals and has been a main reason the team is in the fight for first in the East Division.
The Russian winger signed a 13-year, $124 million contract in 2008 without the need of an agent and won’t use one again this time. He also insists the negotiations not play out in the media.
El-Bashir shared three options with the Caps doing a long-term deal of four years at $9.25. The second option was a one-year contract at $9.75 million where most of the money is in a signing bonus. Ovechkin’s last option would have a two-year team with the same $9.75 million hit.
The long-term deal gives security, but there are always concerns with any player’s advanced age. However, Ovechkin is the type of player that can beat back Father Time. It’s likely that Ovechkin will do either the second or third option for his next deal.
Ottawa Senators
Rumour: Ian Mendes of The Athletic looked at who will stay and who will go at the deadline.
My final thoughts and predictions on the Sens heading into the trade deadline.
• Why hanging onto Mike Reilly probably makes the most sense.
• Why I think Chris Tierney might be in play.
• And thoughts on Dzingel, Gudbranson and yes — Logan Brown.https://t.co/EOfCVwIGfL— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) April 10, 2021
Analysis: Chris Tierney is all of a sudden in play due to the emergence of Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson and Michael Amadio. North Dakota prospect Shane Pinto could be ready to go and Logan Brown will likely get a few games to determine his value. Tierney is a tireless worker on the penalty kill, but hasn’t gotten much power play time. He’s been moved to wing, so his future at centre likely isn’t with the Sens. However, he’s owed $4.2 million next season in real dollars.
Artem Anisimov may have played his way into being a trade chip and has looked recharged with Evgenii Dadonov. Braydon Coburn has been showcased also in recent games in an effort to get something for the 36-year-old. Goalie Anton Forsberg also may be a chip due to the return of Marcus Hoberg and Matt Murray.
Ottawa likely wants to keep Mike Reilly around because of his breakout season. Reilly’s 19 points and his focus on defence has made him worth keeping.
Philadelphia Flyers
Rumour: The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Ed Barkowitz thinks the Flyers might already be sellers at the deadline. Scott Laughton and Michael Raffl came up as a pair of names that could be moved.
Analysis: The Flyers terrible starts and lax defence may have doomed them to selling at the deadline. Both Laughton and Raffl are unrestricted free agents at the end of the season and solid locker room guys. Both players would be assets on the penalty kill as well. They can play pretty much anywhere in the lineup and can probably fetch something for general manager Chuck Fletcher.
Erik Gustafsson might even be moved for a later draft choice if they can find the right suitor. Philadelphia is behind the Boston Bruins and the B’s have games in hand. Selling is a reality that’s staring the Flyers right in the face.
