It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’re almost a week past the NHL trade deadline, but there is still plenty to talk about. The focus now shifts to the summertime and the trade market is likely to open back up again. Late June has the return of the NHL Draft and the hot stove is going to fire up once again. General managers are going to have to make some tough decisions with that big event and free agency nearing. Today’s NHL rumours focus on the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens.
All NHL Rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Ottawa Senators
Rumour: Ian Mendes of The Athletic talked to Jacob Chychrun about the possibility of getting traded in the summer.
Jakob Chychrun is still with the Senators after the trade deadline. But he’s not exactly breathing a sigh of relief.
“It’s not like the chatter is going anywhere.”
An honest conversation with Chychrun, who opens up about all the trade rumours. https://t.co/cZWoEn5eye
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) March 11, 2024
Analysis: Chychrun was a name that popped up in conversations as teams looked into getting blueliners. However, the soon-to-be 26-year-old stayed in Ottawa at the deadline. The Boca Raton, Fla. native wasn’t told about any talks and general manager Steve Staios didn’t say if he was in talks with other teams.
Ottawa was expected to take the big step this season, but it has not lived up to expectations. Some thought Chychrun would be able to get some sort of decent return, but it’s uncertain if Staios was going to make a trade.
The rumoured trade talks didn’t bear any fruit, but Chychrun is well aware that the rumours are going to return over the summer. “It’s the reality of the situation with my contract with having one year left. We’ll see what happens with my situation moving forward,” Chychrun said in the article.
However, there the is a big difference in the defenceman’s situation. The blueliner has another year on his contract at $4.6 million and he loves being a part of the organization. He could sign a contract extension on July 1 if he wants to. However, the talk of being a tradable asset may still going to be there if he doesn’t.
Montreal Canadiens
Rumour: David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period was on TSN 690 in Montreal to discuss the Habs’ summer plan. Pagnotta said the Canadiens could be active in the summer.
Analysis: Montreal has taken some steps forward this season with its talented young players. However, the franchise is still a couple of seasons away from challenging for a Stanley Cup Playoff spot.
The Canadiens have made a good start in their upgrade in getting young players Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook. However, Pagnotta stated that the team is in the market for another young forward. Montreal would like to add another top-six goal-scorer to round out its forward group.
However, the Canadiens might have some competition in improving their roster. There are a number of teams in the division like Ottawa and the Buffalo Sabres that will look to kick-start their respective pushes up the standing. Both teams are itching to get back into the post-season, so they’ll be in the market for players. It’s likely that the Sabres and Senators will be going after the same players the Habs want.
Montreal should have more salary cap space in the summer and that could entice some of its respective targets to choose the “bleu, blanc et rouge.” The Canadiens are young and exciting, but still have some work they need to do in order to get back to the post-season. Players like Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky are forming the core of this young group.
Trading Jake Allen gave the Canadiens a bit more cap space despite hanging onto nearly $2 million of his salary. One of the retention spots will disappear with Joel Edmundson‘s deal coming off the books at the end of the season. This means Montreal could be a player this off-season.
Main photo by: Per Haljestam-USA TODAY Sports
