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NHL Rumors Update
NHL Rumors Update for 05/15/2020
The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.
05/15/2020 edition:
By Jim Parsons on May 14, 2020 02:20 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, the Toronto Maple Leafs have signed a prospect while forward Kyle Clifford discusses the odds he’ll re-sign in Toronto. Could the Calgary Flames take a run at one of the offseason’s top UFA defensemen? And, will the Edmonton Oilers have trouble signing Ethan Bear to the contract they’d like? Finally, what does Canucks forward Sven Baertschi see in his future with the Vancouver Canucks?
Clifford Is In Win-Now Mode
Speaking about his pending free agency, Maple Leafs forward Kyle Clifford discussed potentially re-signing with the team this week. He told Kristen Shilton of TSN, “Toronto is an amazing place to play. [My wife and I] want what’s best for the family, but she said to me to do what’s best for myself.”
The one thing that could take him away from Toronto as an option to re-sign is if another team came calling that was more prepared to win right away than the Maple Leafs. Clifford said, “I’m in a win-now mode.” The good news is, he believes Toronto is on the same page and is in win-now mode too. He explained, “We have a young team, and they’re hungry. They want it for the city of Toronto bad. I don’t think there’d be any greater feeling than to take it down those streets in Toronto for a parade.”
In other Maple Leafs news, the organization has locked up Adam Brooks to a two-year two-way contract extension. The deal will carry an average annual value of $725K in the NHL. Brooks was scheduled to become a restricted free agent this offseason.
Flames to Take a Run at Pietrangelo?
Eric Francis of Sportsnet wrote in a recent mailbag article that the Calgary Flames have five defensemen on expiring contracts so there is the possibility that they could take a run at pending UFA Alex Pietrangelo.
Even if the salary cap is flat, the Flames had the room before these blueliners contracts were coming to an end so they have some money to spend. It has to be considered a long-shot but if Pietraneglo is only after the biggest payday, Calgary is a team that could make things interesting.
If it doesn’t go down that way, Francis believes the Flames blueline will include Mark Giordano, T.J. Brodie, Noah Hanifin, Rasmus Andersson, Juuso Valimaki, Oliver Kylington, and Michael Stone. UFA defensemen Derek Forbort, Erik Gustafsson and Travis Hamonic will likely wind up somewhere else.
He also notes that Johnny Gaudreau’s time in Calgary is likely coming to an end. Francis doesn’t believe the team will trade him this summer, but he doesn’t believe Gaudreau would sign a contract extension and he thinks the Flames will eventually trade the small but skilled forward.
Oilers Could Struggle With Ethan Bear Deal
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal notes that salary cap issues could limit Oilers GM Ken Holland’s options when it comes to different types of contract offers for defenseman Ethan Bear.
Matheson says:
They may want to get him signed to a team-friendly six-year deal at Oscar Klefbom money ($4.1 million) because they see Bear as a top 4 defenceman, but the Oilers don’t have $4 million to play with next season.
The good news for the Oilers is that Bear lacks leverage to command a big payday. He’s now a top-four d-man in the NHL and a bridge deal shouldn’t cost a lot to get done.
One way the Oilers could lessen the blow of Bear’s new contract would be to move Matt Benning and bring in the more affordable Evan Bouchard ($894K).
Matheson says the Oilers may have signed Gaetan Haas out of concern they won’t be able to come to terms on extensions for pending UFA forwards Riley Sheahan and Tyler Ennis, both of whom they’d like to keep.
Minors Out for Beartschi
“I don’t want to be back in the minors,” Sven Baertschi told TSN Radio 1040 Vancouver’s Jeff Paterson. “That’s where I’ve set my goal at. It’s up to them really what they’re going to do next. That’s their job and that’s what they do.
Saying he’s now healthy and ready, Baertschi played in just 26 games last season due to a concussion, but he also believes the Canucks did not have him in their plans for this year when he arrived for training camp. “I don’t think Vancouver expected me to come back and play,” Baertschi explained. “That’s my personal opinion. Certain things sink in after a year.
He hinted that he believes the Canucks will move him, even though he knows that’s ultimately not his decision to make.
The post NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs, Flames, Oilers, Canucks, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on May 13, 2020 12:40 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, Sportsnet took a look at a player from each team likely to get traded, the Toronto Maple Leafs feel there is a spot for a certain defenseman on the roster and there’s speculation about what type of rule changes or precautions will be in the place if the game resumes. The Los Angeles Kings are saying goodbye to their assistant GM and the Montreal Canadiens signed another prospect.
Each Team’s Likely Trade Candidate
Sportsnet’s Rory Boylen compiled a list naming one player still under contract from all 31 NHL teams that are likely to get traded. Among some of the more notable names, he included Rasmus Ristolainen of the Buffalo Sabres, Johnny Gaudreau of the Calgary Flames, Matt Dumba of the Minnesota Wild, Max Domi of the Montreal Canadiens, Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers, Alex Kerfoot of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Marc-Andre Fleury of the Vegas Golden Knights.
While a buyout seems more likely for Lundqvist and it’s hard to imagine the Flames moving Gaudreau, there will certainly be a lot of talk surrounding potential NHL moves this offseason, especially as teams try to manage their respective salary cap situations.
Possible Changes to Game Action if Play Resumes
Ryan Rishaug of TSN was reporting some potential rule, equipment or game changes that might be necessary if the game resumes. Among them, the NHL would introduce full face shields, no fighting allowed, no scrums after whistles, coaches social distanced and wearing face masks, wingers would have to maintain two feet of distance on faceoffs, no spitting on the ice or the bench.
When asked about the possible rule changes, NHL Deputy Commissioner said the NHL would entertain any ideas recommended to them by by infectious disease experts but wasn’t sure it would be required.
As for how close the NHL is to a possible return, Pierre LeBrun noted that he spoke with Daly about a number of rumors regarding the season. Daly responded:
“I’d be careful about cementing anything in your mind at this point. I think, you know, there’s been a lot of discussion about a lot of different formats. A lot of different variations. Because we haven’t made any decisions.
On news of an NHL Draft, the league is taking its time and talking to teams about the pros and cons. In regard to vetting potential host cities, Daly says they are have far more cities putting in bids than they’ll need to use. And, as for a date to drop the puck, Daly cautions anyone to get too ahead of themselves as the NHL is focused on finalizing Phase 2 of their return to play initiative (opening team facilities for players).
Related: Do You Know Your Maple Leafs Trivia?
Maple Leafs Have Spot for Liljegren
According to Kristen Shilton of TSN, Maple Leafs assistant general manager Laurence Gilman said he would be “very surprised” if defenseman Timothy Liljegren isn’t with the Maple Leafs going forward as a 7-8 defenceman. That spot would likely go to him over rookie Rasmus Sandin.
Gilman did say that “he’s got to hold up his end of the bargain” in respect to Liljegren but that he’s done a good job getting himself prepared for the jump to the NHL.
In respect to other prospects looking to get a shot with the team, now that the AHL has been canceled, Gilman said a certain number of Marlies have been told they’re on standby to join Leafs if NHL returns. The organization has conducted exit interviews with all players.
Kings Say Goodbye to Futa
The Los Angeles Kings are parting ways with assistant general manager Mike Futa, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports. The team said they will not be renewing Futa’s contract, per a statement to Friedman:
“The LA Kings will not be renewing the expiring contract of Mike Futa. We appreciate his contributions to our organization and are thankful for his effort and dedication.”
Canadiens Sign Another Forward
The Montreal Canadiens have signed another top prospect, agreeing to terms with Cameron Hillis on a three-year entry-level contract. Hillis finished this season as captain of the Guelph Storm, his third season in the OHL.
After posting 83 points in 62 games, the Canadiens became quite interested in seeing what Hillis could do when he makes the jump to the Laval Rocket of the AHL.
The post NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs, Canadiens, Kings, NHL Rule Changes, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
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