BS Meter on Latest NHL Trade and Free-Agency Rumors
The NHL's annual holiday roster freeze begins at 11:59 p.m. ET on Dec. 19 and runs through 12:01 a.m. ET on Dec. 28. That could spur some general managers into making last-minute trades and signings before then, or perhaps they'll use that period to finalize deals that take place once the freeze is lifted.
Four trades have taken place already this month. The most notable were the New York Islanders acquiring defenseman Robert Bortuzzo from the St. Louis Blues on Dec. 6 and the Colorado Avalanche shipping winger Tomáš Tatar to the Seattle Kraken on Dec. 15.
Since last week, there's been talk of clubs showing interest in Vancouver Canucks winger Andrei Kuzmenko. Meanwhile, there's some speculation over Patrik Laine's future with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
As the holiday freeze approaches, we're employing our trusty BS meter to determine which of the past week's notable rumors are worth buying into. As always, you can weigh in with your thoughts on this topic by using our app comments section.
Will The Philadelphia Flyers Peddle Sean Walker and Nick Seeler?
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The rebuilding Philadelphia Flyers have exceeded expectations thus far in this season. With 37 points in 30 games. They began this week sitting in second place in the Metropolitan Division.
Sean Walker and Nick Seeler are part of the reason behind the Flyers' solid performance. As the club's second-defense pairing, they've provided much-needed depth and experience to the blue line. However, they're both slated to become unrestricted free agents next summer, raising questions over their future in Philadelphia.
Walker has attracted the most attention in the trade market. On Dec. 4, The Athletic's Shayna Goldman listed the Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Dallas Stars, Winnipeg Jets, Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers as possible suitors. Six days later, The Hockey News' Caleb Kerney included Walker on his proposed list of Flyers trade candidates.
On Dec. 9, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported at least one team called the Flyers to see if they'd be willing to move Walker and Seeler together. For now, he noted that they're not in a hurry to move anyone because of how well they're currently playing.
BS Meter: Not BS
Philly Hockey Now's Sam Carchidi reported on Dec. 15 that Flyers general manager Daniel Brière is staying the course with his rebuilding plan. He doesn't intend to part with assets for quick fixes to help his club reach the playoffs. If they slip out of contention, Walker and Seeler could be shopped for draft picks before the March 8 trade deadline.
Could the Arizona Coyotes Peddle Karel Vejmelka?
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When this season began, Karel Vejmelka was the No. 1 goaltender for the Arizona Coyotes. The 27-year-old earned that role during his previous two seasons with the rebuilding club, seeing action in 50 or more games per season.
However, Vejmelka has been outplayed thus far by Connor Ingram, who has taken over the starter's job. Ingram sits among the league leaders with a 2.41 goals-against average, a .923 save percentage and 12 wins in 19 games played. Vejmelka has just three wins in 13 games played with a 3.21 goals-against and a .899 save percentage.
That's prompted speculation that Vejmelka could be available in the trade market. The Hockey News' Christian Larsen included him among four goalies who could help a playoff contender this season. Meanwhile, ESPN's Kevin Weekes reported he was drawing interest from several teams.
Vejmelka carries an affordable $2.7 million annual salary-cap hit. He's signed through 2024-25, lacks no-trade protection, and becomes eligible for unrestricted free-agent status in 2025.
BS Meter: Not BS
The Coyotes probably aren't in any hurry to move Vejmelka right now as they jockey for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Nevertheless, if Ingram maintains his solid performance throughout this season, and if they can ensure they have a reliable backup for him, they could move Vejmelka before the March 8 trade deadline.
Will The Vancouver Canucks Trade Andrei Kuzmenko?
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Coming off a 39-goal, 74-point NHL debut in 2022-23, Andrei Kuzmenko was expected to remain a key part of the Vancouver Canucks' offense this season. However, the 27-year-old winger entered this week with just six goals and 17 points in 29 games.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman pointed out Kuzmenko's scoring issues on Dec. 9. His playing time had been reduced in recent games after being scratched from two other contests.
Friedman said that the Canucks were getting calls from other clubs about Kuzmenko. While he didn't expect the winger to be traded, he pointed out that the club is always looking for ways to shed salary.
The Vancouver Province's Patrick Johnston wasn't surprised by Friedman's report but noted it didn't mean the Canucks were moving him. However, he observed that the winger shares the same agent as Nikita Zadorov, whose public call for a trade on social media last month led to Zadorov getting traded to Vancouver by the Calgary Flames.
Meanwhile, Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford told Friedman's colleague Iain MacIntyre that the club will continue trying to help Kuzmenko become a better player. Since these reports, Kuzmenko scored twice in four games as he continues seeing time on the Canucks power play.
BS Meter: Not BS
On Dec. 14, Friedman wrote he wasn't worried about Kuzemko's status, because he's still on Vancouver's top power-play unit. Nevertheless, the Canucks have been the busiest team in this season's trade market thus far. Kuzmenko could still become a trade chip to address other pressing roster needs that could threaten the club's efforts to secure a playoff berth.
Will Zach Parise Return To Action This Season?
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With Patrick Kane finally signing with the Detroit Red Wings, Zach Parise remains among the few notable players still available in this year's unrestricted free-agent market. The 39-year-old left winger spent the past two seasons with the New York Islanders on one-year, bonus-laden contracts.
On Dec. 14, The Athletic's Chris Johnston reported Parise wasn't ready to commit to the grind of a full 82-game schedule at the start of this season and remained home in Minnesota with his family. However, he's regained the itch to play and Johnston indicated he's been working his way back into game shape.
Johnston stated there was no timeline for Parise's potential NHL return. However, several clubs were interested in him, including the Islanders.
While no longer the strong two-way forward of his playing prime, Parise did tally 21 goals last season with the Islanders. His experience and leadership could be worthwhile for teams with Stanley Cup aspirations.
BS Meter: Not BS
Parise might have to sign a professional tryout offer before getting a one-year, prorated contract for probably the same base salary ($750,000) as his last contract. To be eligible to play in the postseason, he must sign before the 3 p.m. ET trade deadline on March 8.
Could Columbus Blue Jackets Winger Patrik Laine Hit The Trade Block?
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The Columbus Blue Jackets are once again mired near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Meanwhile, winger Patrik Laine has been struggling with injuries and inconsistent play since joining the Blue Jackets in a trade with the Winnipeg Jets in January 2021.
Laine's difficulties have garnered considerable attention given his scoring ability when healthy and his role as one of the Blue Jackets' leaders. He's currently sidelined for six weeks with a fractured clavicle.
Before Laine's latest injury, The Athletic's Eric Duhatschek pointed out his almost indifferent performance this season, suggesting he was lacking confidence in his game. Duhatschek mused about whether a trade to the Washington Capitals as Alex Ovechkin's potential heir apparent might help him regain his scoring touch.
The Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch didn't put much stock in the possibility of the Blue Jackets trading Laine. On Dec. 12, he indicated that the Blue Jackets winger hadn't requested a trade. Garrioch also noted that Laine carries an $8.7 million annual average value through 2024-25.
BS Meter: It's BS...for now
Whether the Capitals would be interested in Laine is a topic of discussion for another time. What's clear is the difficulty in moving him given his on-ice struggles and injury history during a season with so many NHL teams carrying limited salary-cap space. If the Jackets want to move him, the earliest opportunity would be next summer when teams have more cap space.
Stats and standings as of Dec. 17, 2023, via NHL.com. Salary info and line combinations via Cap Friendly.
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