NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs, Ice, Penguins, Flames – Hockey Writers – NHL Rumors

On today’s edition of NHL Rumors, the Toronto Maple Leafs revealed that they are not done playing with their roster before opening night. Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche need to find ways to improve the program with a tight salary cap. The Pittsburgh Penguins may acquire Lars Eller and Noel Acciari on the trade market. Finally, are the Calgary Flames in a position where they need to trade Rasmus Andersson?

The Maple Leafs Still Want to Make Changes

Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said during an interview on TSN 1050: “For me, we still have five or so weeks before camp. He added, “And, you know, we’re not ready yet.” We continue to look for ways to make our team better.”

Nick Robertson is still for sale. Pro tryout offers may still be on the cards. Fans are waiting for the outcome of the signing of Jani Hakanpaa and whether he will make the squad. Treliving also said that the change of captain will not affect the negotiations of John Tavares and that a new contract could be negotiated between the veteran and the team. There are also a few freelancers on the market that can be had for a small fee.

Avalanche can be tough on PTOs

The Colorado Avalanche are working on a tight salary cap as they look to finalize their roster, possibly using professional try-outs (PTOs) in September. According to Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now, one notable candidate for the PTO could be former Ottawa Senators winger Dominik Kubalik.

Rawal highlighted that the Avalanche took a close look at Kubalik last season and thought he could be a goal scorer for them. Kubalik struggled last season with just 11 goals and 15 points in 74 games, a drop from his consistent performance in previous seasons where he scored over 30 points a season. In 2019-20 he scored 30 goals and 46 points in 68 games.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are rumored to be shopping both Noel Acciari and Lars Eller, according to Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now. Eller looms as a potential trade candidate, but moving either player would create space for new acquisitions Cody Glass, Blake Lizotte, and Anthony Beauvillier.

Related: 5 Red Wings Hot Takes for 2024-25

Acciari can be an affordable option for teams. He has been around for the past four seasons, playing for four teams. With only 38 points in 152 games, he registered just seven points in 55 games last season. It was his physical play that likely kept him on the roster. He’s a $2 million cap hit for the 2025-26 season, $450,000 less than Eller.

Acciari could be an attractive option for teams looking to strengthen their bottom lines. Eller will also be a free agent next summer.

Do the Flames need to trade Rasmus Andersson?

Julian McKenzie wrote about the issue of whether the Calgary Flames will trade defenseman Rasmus Andersson this season. Realizing that he has the potential to be a popular player who can improve an opponent’s blue line, Andersson’s game will determine whether he is sold.

McKenzie writes:

This may be going against the grain here. But I don’t think it’s the Flames be moving on from Andersson right now unless GM Craig Conroy receives a trade offer that completely eliminates him. While the Flames have plenty of defensive prospects who will need roster spots to have a decent chance of making the team, some of their prospects still need time to develop. Given that he won’t be a free agent until 2026, I don’t know if Andersson should be moved before the next trade deadline.

Source : “Which Young Players Can’t Make This Year’s Flames Roster?” – Julian McKenzie- The Athletic- 08-15-2024

The Flames have made a number of trades and speculation is that they don’t want to make any more roster moves this offseason.