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NHL Rumors Update
NHL Rumors Update for 08/26/2019
The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.
08/26/2019 edition:
By Jim Parsons on Aug 24, 2019 01:40 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown there is news that the Pittsburgh Penguins might find it worthwhile sniffing around Jesse Puljujarvi out of Edmonton. Meanwhile, Elliotte Friedman reports buzz contrary to the latest on Jake Gardiner and notes the Toronto Maple Leafs are worried about Mitch Marner negotiations dragging into the season. Finally, in Arizona, there are questions about what the Coyotes might do with Derek Stephan?
Penguins Interested in Jesse Puljujarvi?
Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now noted there was a time when the Pittsburgh Penguins had looked into acquiring Jesse Puljujarvi. He wonders if the team should do so again?
At that time, it was believed the Oilers were asking for Bryan Rust, which was too rich for the Penguins. But, Kingserski also writes the Penguins need to move some salary to be able to sign RFA defenseman Marcus Pettersson. If the Penguins were to move Rust for Puljujarvi, it would potentially open up the space they need.
Meanwhile, Puljujarvi’s stance that he’d like an opportunity elsewhere hasn’t changed and the latest from Ken Holland is that he needs to start re-working the phones.
Marleau to Oilers?
In other news, one Edmonton media scribe pondered out loud on Twitter what it might look like if the Oilers brought Patrick Marleau to Edmonton? There isn’t likely much, if anything, to this rumor. This is one media guy (a respected one) speculating about a player that hasn’t landed where most people thought he would, San Jose.
Marleau will likely end up in San Jose, just not until mid-September.
Gardiner Not Waiting?
Despite recent reports that free agent defenseman Jake Gardiner might be waiting for the situation in Toronto to clear itself up, Sportsnet hockey insider Elliotte Friedman says he doesn’t believe that to be the case.
While on the Maple Leafs Hot Stove, Friedman said that he doesn’t think Gardiner is waiting because it doesn’t help is long-term contract goals. If he wants to expose his talents for a future lucrative contract, Toronto is probably not the place to do so. On a short-term deal, the best he’ll get is third-pairing minutes and his power play time may be limited.
Instead, Friedman thinks Gardiner has other options. He explained:
“I’ve heard the rumours that he is waiting for a team to make a move. I do think there is some interest in him. I think Arizona has had some interest in him. I do wonder about Buffalo. If they do make the Ristolainen move, I wonder if that is a possibility. I just don’t know if it’s going to be as big as he hoped for it to be.”
There is also news that the Maple Leafs are concerned about any negotiations with Mitch Marner dragging into the season because it will affect his cap hit for this year.
Friedman noted that one team said, in reference to a similar issue the Maple Leafs might be facing, “If our guy signs after the season, that cap hit is going to go up this season and we don’t know what exactly the amount of room we have is.” Friedman notes there is widespread concern around the NHL that this could happen with a few players.
Related: 7 Cool Things About Auston Matthews
Arizona to Move Derek Stepan?
Craig Morgan of The Athletic was asked during a mailbag segment if he sees the Arizona Coyotes hanging onto center Derek Stepan after this season? He said he doesn’t believe so but that based on where the team is at, a move might come after the season.
Morgan writes:
If the Coyotes are a playoff team this season, I can’t imagine them trading him at the deadline. If they are not, maybe that is an option they will consider, but with Brad Richardson’s and Carl Söderberg’s contracts expiring after this season, they’ll have to consider how much of a hit their center depth can take.
Morgan also notes, what happens to Stepan long-term depends upon the development of players like Barrett Hayton, Nick Schmaltz, and Christian Dvorak.
The post NHL Rumors: Oilers, Penguins, Maple Leafs, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on Aug 23, 2019 12:58 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, Hockey News released a list of the most likely players to be traded during the 2019-20 NHL season, there is news out of Vancouver that Brock Boeser is looking for a four-year deal worth $7 million annually, and the New York Rangers aren’t budging on qualifying offers for two of their restricted free agents. Finally, what is the plan for Julius Honka in Dallas?
Hockey News List of Tradeable Top Players
Matt Larkin of The Hockey News writes: that the list of players most likely to be traded in 2019-20 is becoming pretty clear. Leading the way are Rasmus Ristolainen of the Buffalo Sabres and Jesse Puljujarvi of the Edmonton Oilers.
Among the other names included are Jared Spurgeon, Mike Hoffman, Mike Green, and Justin Faulk. The biggest name that could make the most impact if moved is probably may just be Chris Kreider. There has been plenty of buzz around Kreider perhaps being dealt because the New York Rangers aren’t likely to give him the extension he wants long-term.
Boeser Wants Four Years
Brock Boeser’s agent, Ben Hankinson, is seeking a four-year contract with an average annual value of $7 million for his client, reports The Province’s Ben Kuzma.
This is one of the first restricted free agent players to see specific numbers go public while names like Mitch Marner, Mikko Rantanen and Matthew Tkachuk wait for the market to present itself.
The player is using Timo Meier as a contract comparable but the Canucks aren’t loving the structure of the deal which would see the salary backloaded to make the qualifying offer skyrocket. “That scares me a bit,” said Benning because Boeser would still be an RFA after a four-year deal ends.
Kuzma writes:
In four years, Benning will also have big-ticket salaries on the books in Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes and it will also be the last year of Horvat’s extension.
Related: The Best Nicknames in Hockey
Rangers Sticking to Their Guns
The New York Rangers don’t appear ready to deviate from the qualifying offers they gave to restricted free agents Brendan Lemieux and Anthony DeAngelo. Larry Brooks of the New York Post reports those offers tendered came in at just over $874K each. That’s where they’ll stay.
Neither player had salary arbitration rights, the Rangers are tight against the salary cap and there isn’t much likelihood either is given an offer sheet. It sounds like this could be a lengthy process to get these deals done.
What’s Going on With Honka in Dallas?
Sean Shapiro of The Athletic recently wrote that defenseman Julius Honka doesn’t know if he’ll be playing with the Dallas Stars this season. Often a healthy scratch, there has been speculation the team might move him this summer and offer the player a fresh start.
Shapiro writes:
Honka is a small fish. He could fit on a number of NHL teams and thrive on a third pairing, but most GMs are waiting to see what happens with the big-time players before worrying about trading for or signing a reclamation project.
A restricted free agent, he skated in just 29 games last season and was a frequent healthy scratch.
Stars GM Jim Nill has built a blue line that will make it hard to Honka to find a consistent spot in Dallas so it’s likely he’ll be moved if there’s an interested team. He’s not going to be expensive and he’d fit in a third-pairing role on many teams.
The post NHL Rumors: Boeser, Honka, Rangers, Trade Candidates, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
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