We’ve got another edition of NHL rumours to put under your Christmas tree. General mangers are asking for multiple types of present this holiday season. Some executives are seeking long-term extensions for players while others are trying to clear cap space. Will Santa Claus help grant their wishes? Today’s NHL rumours focus on the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Washington Capitals.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rumour: The latest edition of TSN’s Insider Trading has the latest on the ongoing William Nylander contract extension talks.
INSIDER TRADING…
– Talks continue between Leafs, Nylander
– Pettersson negotiations to heat up in Jan/Feb
– Kuzmenko remains patient amid latest scratches
– Potential trade fits for Lindholm
– Habs/Jake Allen
– “Progressive” OLY meeting in NYMORE: https://t.co/bhnwDW2vQ2 pic.twitter.com/aDy0oNKoGz
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) December 21, 2023
Analysis: Johnston said that the Leafs and the Swedish forward are on the same page in regards to an extension. They even seem to be on the same page in terms of numbers. However, the two sides don’t want to make it too public at this time.
Nylander has been having a great season so far in a contract year. The 27-year-old has 15 goals and 27 assists for 42 points in 30 games. He currently makes nearly $7 million and is in line for a massive payday. Young point-per-game players don’t hit the open market very often and Maple Leafs general manger Brad Treliving knows this.
Both Treliving and Nylander want a deal done so they can focus on the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs. Nylander and Auston Matthews have been excellent this season for Toronto and have carried much of the scoring.
It may be difficult for Toronto to have four players like Nylander, Matthews, Mich Marner and John Tavares making the lion’s share of the money. However, this core has helped Toronto get past the first round for the first time in years.
The league salary cap going up a few million dollars does help. However, there are still questions that Treliving is going to have to answer in the off-season. These questions are in goal, defence and with depth forwards. However, signing Nylander would be a huge boost to the Leafs’ fortunes.
Washington Capitals
Rumour: The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun talked about Russian forward Evgeny Kuznetsov‘s availability at the deadline and beyond.
Analysis: It’s no secret that the veteran forward’s production has fallen off in recent seasons. Kuznetsov used to be depended on to get at least 20 goals a season for the Capitals. However, he’s been struggling the last few campaigns.
The 31-year-old is making $7.8 million per season in his latest deal and he’s got two more to go on his contract. Kuznetsov also has a 10-team no-trade list that he would submit should the Capitals wish to make a deal.
Defence seems to be a priority under new coach Spencer Carbery and Washington is hanging in there in the Metropolitan Division. However, there are other offensive players on the Capitals that are having trouble scoring this year. Team captain Alex Ovechkin just ended a 13-game goalless skid, which has taken much of the headlines.
Kuznetsov only has five goals and six assists for 11 points in 26 games this campaign. Washington general manager Brian MacLellan may be thinking about moving some salary around to get some younger pieces.
The main problem in moving Kuznetsov this season is he’s got two years left on his deal. Most contenders are looking for a rental and may not want to keep the veteran for next season. Salary could always be retained, but that may not be what Washington wants.
However, LeBrun said a deal at the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas could be more attainable. A team could pretty much rent Kuznetsov for a season and be willing to swallow most, if not all of the nearly $8 million cap hit.
Main photo by: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
