Welcome to another edition of NHL Rumours! The trade deadline is approaching and teams are making players available and working the phones. This takes us straight to the Atlantic Division, as the buzz is swirling within that division. Today we focus on the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
NHL Rumours
Ottawa Senators
Rumour: Frank Seravelli from Daily Faceoff discusses Jakob Chychrun in trade talks.
With Jamie Drysdale gone in Anaheim, is Trevor Zegras next out the door for #NHLDucks?
Zegras joins first @DailyFaceoff Trade Targets
board of 2024 at No. 4.
Plus, #Sens Jakob Chychrun is generating interest as #GoSensGo examine their core.
Link: https://t.co/MLsogBvZ1l pic.twitter.com/HH3OTgxxxz
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 9, 2024
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Analysis: It seems like all the drama still surrounds the Senators. The issues surrounding them have been ongoing since the start of the season. Even after coaching change, new ownership, and management changes, the Senators still remain the talk of the town. Only this time the changes that could be coming lie within the roster. The biggest attraction right now is defenceman Jakob Chychrun.
Ottawa won the Chychrun sweepstakes when they acquired him from the Arizona Coyotes but now are on the other side of the fence. According to Seravelli, multiple teams have made calls on if he is available. Ottawa has yet to tell teams he isn’t, so here comes the rumour mill. Although, parting ways with Chychrun in the grand scheme of things makes sense for the Senators.
Ottawa has Defencemen Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot locked up for the foreseeable future. Those two help rebound not the top four on the left side of their defence core. That leaves Chychrun the odd man out, as he deserves to be paid just as much as those guys.
Chychrun has one year remaining and makes $4.6 million, so he will be a highly coveted talent. He will be due a hefty raise and given the state of the Senators, that pay raise could come from another team. Chychrun has seven goals and 25 points in 35 games this season, and has 10 points on the power play.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rumour: Frank Seravelli discusses the goaltending situation with the Maple Leafs.
Flyers Move Gauthier | Daily Faceoff LIVE – January 9 https://t.co/g3tbBQh7ds
— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) January 9, 2024
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Analysis: Our next set of NHL Rumours keep us in the division. The Maple Leafs made history, signing William Nylander to the richest contract extension in franchise history. However, the work is to be done and more moves are on the way. If there is one area that is a concern for the Maple Leafs, it’s the goaltending.
Joseph Woll was enjoying a stellar rookie season and was the teams clear cut starter. He has been seen on the ice and in full gear but they are monitoring his movement. The big question lies with Ilya Samsonov and what they can do with him.
Samsonov was put on waivers and is currently finding his game in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies. It has been a tough go this season, as he has the third worst save percentage in the league (.862) and the worst goals saved above expected (-13.3). How will he come out of this?
Another key element is the emergence of Martin Jones. He is dynamite for the Leafs right now, as he has an 8-3 record and great stats to boot. In those 11 starts, he has a 1.98 goals against average and a .934 save percentage.
If he and Woll can hold down the fort, Toronto could look to part ways with Samsonov and obtain cap relief. Getting Samsonov and his $3.55 million off the books and John Klingberg on LTIR would give them the space they need to upgrade. Who takes on Samsonov is an entirely different question, but Seravelli thinks the Leafs could move on.
Main Photo: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
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