The 2023-24 NHL season has finally arrived and we’ve got plenty of NHL rumours. We’re off to a flying start, but there is still plenty of talk with games starting to mean something. Some teams are up against the salary cap and need to relieve some pressure. It seems to be early for a trade, but general managers have some tough moves to make. This West Coast bias edition of NHL rumours talks about the Vancouver Canucks and the Calgary Flames.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Vancouver Canucks
Rumour: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said that Conor Garland has permission to speak to other teams in order to push through a trade.
There is word this afternoon that Vancouver has granted Conor Garland permission to talk to other teams about a potential trade. Tight cap situation, see if there's a better fit around the NHL.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 10, 2023
Analysis: Garland isn’t a new name in the rumour mill. However, there seems to be smoke with this fire. The Scituate, Massachusetts native has three years left on his deal at around $4.95 million per season. Ben Kuzma of Postmedia brought up Friedman’s information to Jim Rutherford, but he was quick to refute the report.
However, it seems like the Canucks and general manager Patrik Allvin want to reallocate funds to other parts of the Canucks roster. Friedman added that Vancouver may be willing to retain some salary in order to grease the wheels on a trade. However, it seems like all sides are trying to downplay the supposed request until something happens.
Garland has scored double-digit goals in all five of his NHL campaigns. He could be an asset to a team that’s on the fringe of making the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Garland could serve as a young depth piece that gives a contender and emerging team some help.
Vancouver is in an odd spot when it comes to their situation. Are they contenders or are they selling? Trading Garland doesn’t exactly mean the team is waving the white flag. However, it does seem to raise some concerns on if the Canucks can pay some key players that have deals coming up soon.
Calgary Flames
Rumour: The SiriusXM NHL Network Radio crew on The Power Play discussed the trade rumblings surrounding backup goalie Dan Vladar.
POST 2 POST – On paper, the Flames have a strong duo between the pipes with Jakob Markstrom and Dan Vladar, with a young Dustin Wolf waiting in the wings.@jamiemclennan29 has more on the group and whether Vladar could be moved to make room for Wolf: https://t.co/DjZvLGRftd
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) October 9, 2023
Analysis: Mike McKenna and David Pagnotta talked about the hold-up with a deal sending Vladar out of Alberta. Current Flames starter Jacob Markstrom has a no-movement clause and Dustin Wolf seems to be the goalie of the future. McKenna feels that it’s a mistake to leave Wolf in the AHL, where he is clearly the best goalie in the league. Wolf should be Markstrom’s understudy and become the eventual number-one netminder.
However, Pagnotta mentions that the asking price for Vladar may be too high. There are a number of teams that need goaltending help and new general manager Craig Conroy knows that. Teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning won’t wait forever and may move on to other targets. Vladar currently makes $2.2 million for this season and the next season. His contract should be an easy one to move in theory.
Despite this, a deal hasn’t been made and Conroy may have to temper his expectations. The time seems to be now for Wolf to get meaningful action in the NHL. However, Vladar seems to be blocking a path for Wolf to get regular playing time.
Main photo by: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
