NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 08/07/2020

August 07, 2020

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

08/07/2020 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Aug 06, 2020 12:26 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is talk coming out of Montreal that Max Domi is of the understanding that this will be his last run with the team, the Vancouver Canucks have lost Micheal Ferland for the series, the Oilers are down two key players, and the NHL has announced the date of Phase 2 of the NHL Draft Lottery.

Domi To Want Out of Montreal?

There’s been a lot of talk over the past 24 hours that Max Domi can’t be happy with the Montreal Canadiens. He’s been delegated to the fourth line and his minutes in each game are dropping, despite being the team’s leading scorer last season and returning to the playoffs even though it’s more dangerous for him health-wise to be there.

Eric Engels noted yesterday:

Five shifts for Max Domi in the first period. Only Evans (3:08) and Weise (3:03) with less than his 3:33. No one on either side played less than his 2:39 at even strength.

Former NHL coach and TVA Sports analyst Michel Bergeron (translation required) went off on the decision to play Domi so little. He said it is unacceptable for one of the Canadiens’ best players to be paired with the worst and thinks the relationship between Julien and Domi is beyond repair. Bergeron said:

“The time is now. You put Domi in Jonathan Drouin’s spot on the first line and you hope for the best! What makes it even worse is that general manager Marc Bergevin supports Julien’s lineup decisions. There is something going on with this team!”

Domi said of his spot on the roster:

“whenever you are on the ice, you’re expected to go 100% and do what it takes to help the team win. It doesn’t matter where you’re playing or who you’re playing with, just make the most of the time you’re on the ice…”

NHL Announces Day Two of Draft Lottery

The official date of the second NHL Draft Lottery has been announced by the NHL. On August 10, 2020, the league will hold Phase 2 of their draft lottery since a play-in team won the right to draft the first overall pick.

More than likely, that team will pick superstar prospect Alexis Lafreniere. Thedraft lottery will take place on Monday at 5pm CT, giving each of the eight teams that are eliminated in the qualification round a 12.5% chance at the first-overall pick. The seven teams that are not awarded the top pick will receive draft positions between 9-15 based on inverse order of their regular season points percentage.

Micheal Ferland Done For Series, Has Left NHL Bubble

The Vancouver Canucks have announced that Micheal Ferland has sustained an injury that will force him to leave his team and the Edmonton bubble. He will not be available for the remainder of the series with the Minnesota Wild.

The severity of his injury is not known. All that is known is that it appears not to be short-term. Early reports were that maybe a blocked shot led to a lower-body injury, but TSN has reported that’s likely not the case.

More and More Players Ruled “Unfit to Play”

As these playoffs roll along, there are more and more names being added to the “unfit to play” list. Some of them are on the list and there’s no information as to why.

Ryan Rishaug tweeted that Edmonton Oilers defenseman Adam Larsson was labeled unfit to play, but right after head coach Dave Tippett said the entire team would be available. There is no word on what happened to Larsson between the coach’s media avail and Game 3. Caleb Jones came in for the missing Larsson.

The Oilers also lost Tyler Ennis during last night’s game as he took a nasty fall while trying to avoid a hit. He was helped off the ice and didn’t return. Tippett said he would be evaluated on Thursday .

Craig Morgan of The Athletic notes that Arizona Coyotes forward Nick Schmaltz missed his third consecutive game yesterday. Goaltender Antti Raanta is also unfit to play.

The Dallas Stars were without defenseman John Klingberg and goaltender Ben Bishop were unfit to play last night against the Avalanche.

By Jim Parsons on Aug 05, 2020 01:53 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, Jesse Puljujarvi has signed a one-year extension in Finland, but there’s still reason to think a return to Edmonton is possible. In Toronto, the Maple Leafs got good and bad news when it comes to the status of defenseman Jake Muzzin. And, how many New Jersey Devils’ players will head to Europe before the start of next season? Finally, are the Devils thinking about moving P.K. Subban?

Puljujarvi Signs in Finland

Jesse Puljujarvi has signed a one-year extension with Karpat Oulu of the Finnish Liiga. He said of the extension, “It’s a good place to take the next steps in my career”.

It’s important to take note that his new deal has an out clause to return to NHL and in recent days, reports are that Ken Holland and Puljujarvi have held positive talks about a potential return.

Also important to note is that this signing may be more about continuing to play and develop than it is an indication of where Puljujarvi will suit up next season. He last played hockey on March 12. By signing in Finland, he’ll enter the Oilers training camp in much better shape as opposed to rusty.

Puljujarvi said when being asked about the Edmonton Oilers: “I have grown and I see things a little differently”. There is no guarantee he comes back from Finland next season, but his signing there shouldn’t indicate he’ll stay.

Muzzin Released From Hospital, Will Miss Series

Jake Muzzin’s injury in Game 2 versus the Columbus Blue Jackets was scary. While, at first, it didn’t seem like his fall was anything significant, when he couldn’t leave the ice on his own accord and needed a stretcher, there was a concern for his well-being.

He was rushed to the hospital but the good news is, he’s back in the team’s hotel. The bad news is, because Muzzin left the NHL bubble, he must remain in quarantine and will miss the rest of the series.

Currently, the NHL’s protocol calls for any player who returns to the bubble from an excused exit to quarantine in his hotel room until four consecutive negative tests for COVID-19 have been completed over a four-day time frame. Martin Marincin will likely replace Muzzin in the lineup for Game 3 on Thursday.

Pierre-Luc Dubois’ crosscheck that played a factor in Muzzin going down isn’t being disciplined by the NHL.

Devils Could See Players Warm-Up in Europe

Corey Masisak of The Athletic writes that it’s possible a number of Devils’ players will head overseas before the start of the next NHL season. But, one key player probably won’t be among them.

Masisak writes:

I think it’s possible a few Devils will play in Europe before the 2020-21 NHL season begins, but I don’t think Hughes will be one of them. One potential issue, particularly for players who want to play in Switzerland, could be the country not letting American citizens like Hughes in because the virus continues to spread in the U.S.

source – ‘Devils mailbag: Prospect camp scenarios, P.K. Subban’s future and the draft’ – Corey Masisak – 08/03/2020

For teams like the Devils, not being in this season’s play-ins means a lot of rest time.

Subban Offseason Trade?

Masisak also notes that writes that he doesn’t think the Devils will move P.K. Subban in the offseason. First, he says Nashville general manager David Poile admitted New Jersey was the only club interested in Subban and his full salary. Second, the Devils aren’t ready to give up on the star defenseman.

The thought seems to be, if he plays better and produces more for the new coaching staff, his trade value could increase. At that point, maybe the team will see if there are interested teams out there before the trade deadline.

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