NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 09/11/2019

September 11, 2019

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

09/11/2019 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Sep 10, 2019 01:20 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, TSN’s Darren Dreger has some information on Mitch Marner heading overseas and possibly with another NHL’er, the Philadelphia Flyers might be closer to signing one of their RFA’s thanks to the Zach Werenski deal, the Montreal Canadiens are working with Max Domi to get a new deal done and there are updates on Justin Faulk to the Anaheim Ducks.

Marner’s News and Notes

Darren Dreger was on TSN 1050 wondering why the Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t stepping up more to get Mitch Marner signed? He asked, “Why can’t they bump the offer up a little, just offer him $11 million for 6 years and draw the line in the sand?” He then added, “Unless something changes, I believe his plan is to go to Switzerland in the 3rd week of this month.”

From the way Dreger was talking, it sounds like Matthew Tkachuk of the Calgary Flames may have the same plans in mind and it definitely represents the idea that there is a school of thought by the media that the teams are letting opportunities slip in these negotiations.

Not everyone will agree with Dreger in that many think these delays are on the players.

It was also noted by Dreger that before defenseman Jake Gardiner signed with the Carolina Hurricanes, the Maple Leafs were not really in on landing the defenseman. In other words, it was between Carolina and other teams, not Carolina and the Maple Leafs.

Provorov Next to be Signed?

Thanks to a deal that came down yesterday for Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, it appears one other restricted free agent defenseman might be closer along in contract negotiations. That defenseman is Philadelphia Flyers blueliner Ivan Provorov.

Provorov’s agent, Todd Diamond, spoke to Rick Dhaliwal of Sportsnet and reported that they and the Flyers were closer yesterday on a contract than they had been for weeks. He said things are starting to move in the right direction in terms of getting a deal done.

Depending on the term, Provorov could wind up being the Flyers top-paid d-man and if he signs a bridge deal, (as Werenski did) the number in the final year of his contract will be important as he heads into unrestricted free agency.

Canadiens and Maxi Domi Talking Extension

Hoping to potentially avoid what’s happening with the restricted free agent crop this year, Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin told Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports that the organization has started extension talks with Max Domi.

An early start to negotiations gives the Canadiens time to talk a variety of options for Domi. He is entering the final season of his two-year bridge deal signed last summer and making $3.15 million for this season. He should be getting a big raise after a 72-point season and if the Canadiens choose to buy out a number of his unrestricted free agent seasons, he’ll need to be compensated for it.

For Domi, it can’t hurt to see where some of this year’s RFA’s land before signing whatever deal he ultimately signs.

Updated on Justin Faulk to Anaheim

There is more information coming down regarding the talk of Justin Faulk to the Anaheim Ducks. We earlier reported that the Ducks were interested but the organization was on Faulk’s no-trade list. Luke DeCock of the News and Observer writes he believes the Carolina Hurricanes and the Anaheim Ducks have a trade in place.

The rumored interest from the Hurricanes is Ducks forward Ondrej Kase.

Hurricanes reporter Sara Civ notes the Hurricanes are trying to get Faulk to waive his no-trade clause but it has been a challenge, while David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period says a Hurricanes-Ducks trade is basically waiting on Faulk’s decision to sign a contract extension or not.

By Jim Parsons on Sep 09, 2019 02:25 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is a team that has shown interest in defenseman Justin Faulk, but that there are complications with any potential trade. So too, Carolina wasn’t the only team to pitch to Jake Gardiner. Finally, what amount of wins or losses to start the season would be the line in the sand for Mike Babcock in Toronto?

Ducks Interested in Faulk

When the Carolina Hurricanes signed Jake Gardiner to a four-year deal, Justin Faulk’s name almost immediately came up as trade bait out of Carolina. There were a number of teams rumored to make sense and among them were the Anaheim Ducks.

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports that the Ducks have had discussions with Carolina about Faulk and there might be a trade worked out. The problem is, according to Friedman, the Ducks are on Faulk’s no-trade list. Further to that, James Mirtle of The Athletic tweets that Faulk’s 15-team no-trade clause has been “causing issues” and making any trade much more difficult to accomplish.

Depending on Faulk’s desire to stay with Carolina, he could really stick to his guns on the 15 teams.

How Long is Babcock’s Leash?

Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun writes that Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas has said Mike Babcock’s job is relatively safe when compared to wins and losses to start the Maple Leafs season. This is important for Babcock, especially if a player like Mitch Marner hasn’t worked out his contract issues prior to the season getting underway.

Dubas noted that Babcock has already proven himself as an elite coach and it’s more important to pay attention to how the team plays as a whole. Hornby writes:

“It’s a long year, and to say we have to win ‘X’ amount the first month or first two months is not really the way I’ve ever approached hockey. The major focus will be on the process of how we’re playing versus points.”

source -‘Maple Leafs GM Dubas denies coach Babcock is under the gun’ – Lance Hornby – Toronto Sun – 09/04/2019

Dubas also understands that every team has holes and it’s not just Toronto that might have a missing player or two when camp starts or the regular season begins. Not to mention, there is a turnover that happens with every new season so the coaches always get a little time to work out the bugs.

Canadiens Pitched for Gardiner

The Carolina Hurricanes were not the only team to reach out to Jake Gardiner. GM Marc Bergevin confirmed to Eric Engels of Sportsnet that the Montreal Canadiens made an offer as well.

Bergevin called the process of talking to Gardiner’s side a “two-way street” and that the player needs to be interested as well. That comment makes it sound like Gardiner might not have been interested.

Still with the Canadiens, it sounds like they won’t be bringing in Jason Pominville despite rumors to the contrary. According to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports, Montreal wants to give their young players a “fair chance” during training camp. If Pominville wants to be part of the Canadiens organization, he may have to settle for a professional tryout.

Zacha Going to the KHL?

Pavel Zacha is still without a contract in New Jersey and according to Igor Eronko of Sport-Express, Zacha has agreed to terms with Avangard of the KHL. There has been no official announcement from either side at this point, but losing Zacha would be a big blow to the Devils who are trying to be as competitive as possible this season.

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