Check out the latest on Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and Flyers winger Owen Tippett in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
SPORTSNET: TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie recently joined Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne to discuss the possibility of the Montreal Canadiens making a pitch for Sidney Crosby if the Pittsburgh Penguins captain decides he wants to chase another Stanley Cup.
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).
Lavoie noted the Canadiens would like to add a second-line center at some point. He believes they and a couple of other clubs are keeping an eye on Crosby, and felt that they must be ready for that possibility by ensuring they have sufficient salary-cap space to acquire him.
The Canadiens aren’t in a rush and are willing to be patient to address that second-line center position. If they were to land Crosby, Lavoie believes team captain Nick Suzuki would have no problem with dropping down as the second-line center and allowing Crosby to center the top line.
As for what the Canadiens could offer in a trade package, Lavoie believes it’ll take a couple of picks and a couple of really good young players. He suggested a first-round pick, prospect defenseman David Reinbacher, and young center Oliver Kapanen as part of the return. Lavoie dismissed the idea of parting with Juraj Slafkovsky, Cole Caufield, or Kaiden Guhle.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crosby could decide at some point that he wants to chase the Stanley Cup one last time. The Canadiens would be among the interested parties if they were on his list of preferred destinations.
However, don’t expect that possibility to occur anytime soon, if ever. The Penguins captain has been insistent that he doesn’t want to leave Pittsburgh. He may change his mind, but the chances of that happening appear slim at the moment.
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James noticed the recent speculation suggesting that Flyers winger Owen Tippett could be a trade candidate. The club has plenty of depth on the wings (including within their prospect pipeline), and they could draw on that for trade bait to address other roster needs.
James doesn’t put much stock into early-to-mid October trade rumors, but doesn’t rule out the possibility. Tippett is in the second season of an eight-year contract and under pressure to produce for the rebuilding Flyers.
Tippett’s trade value is high right now, and he’d probably fetch a solid return for the Flyers. However, just because his name is floating around in the early-season rumor mill doesn’t mean he’ll be moved at some point.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: James believes that much will depend on Tippett’s performance and that of the Flyers this season. If he’s playing well, it will boost his value in the trade market, but it could also increase his value to the Flyers’ roster.