NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 08/14/2019

August 14, 2019

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

08/14/2019 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Aug 13, 2019 01:40 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news on Justin Williams and his decision about playing hockey next season, buzz that the Calgary Flames may be looking to make a trade for a defenseman and are the Colorado Avalanche running into issues with getting Mikko Rantanen signed to a deal? Finally, what do the Edmonton Oilers have planned for newly acquired winger James Neal?

Williams Still Undecided

The Carolina Hurricanes have been patiently waiting for forward Justin Williams to make up his mind regarding his playing future. There was no expectation he’d play anywhere else and a good number of people believed he’d play for at least one more season with a decision coming soon.

Sports editor for North State Journal and Carolina Hurricanes beat writer Cory Lavalette, notes that unfortunately, there is no update on Williams playing this season and if he is ready to play, the Hurricanes aren’t aware of it. Lavalette notes that Carolina Hurricanes GM Don Waddell said yesterday that Williams is still deciding on whether to play next season or retire.

Still with the Hurricanes, the contract given to Don Waddell to stay the general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes apparently doesn’t mean all that much to owner Tom Dundon.

Media employee of the Hurricanes, Mike Maniscalco writes, Dundon said about Waddell’s contract: “It’s three years and once again he could get fired tomorrow or stay for ten years. The fact that the contract is a thing is strange to me…I value Don.”

At the very least, Waddell knows if he were to get fired, he’d still get paid.

Flames May Try to Add a Defenseman

Pat Steinberg of the Fan960 notes that after news broke that Calgary Flames defenseman Juuso Valimaki was hurt, GM Brad Treliving said the team will look externally for help, as well as consider internal options.

Treliving said that Oliver Kylington is an internal option. They will see what the trade market is like.

The Flames don’t have cap space to sign a free agent since they need all of their $7-plus million in cap space for Matthew Tkachuk. They might need to look at making a trade that moves out a player with salary, brings a lesser player on a cheaper contract back and gives them a bit more room to sign Tkachuk.

This news probably also means that any trade that might have involved T.J. Brodie leaving the Flames is off the table.

Rantanen and Avs Situation Sticky?

A recent TSN article notes that perhaps Colorado Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic is starting to get concerned about the fact star Mikko Rantanen has not yet signed with the team.

Sakic recently told NHL.com he’d prefer re-signing Mikko Rantanen to a long-term contract but is also willing to accept a short-term deal if it means getting Rantanen to training camp on time.

For a GM who wants to get his player to camp so badly, the talks to date have been surprisingly non-existent. Adrian Dater of Colorado Hockey Now cites sources “close to the situations” claiming there’s been no contact between Sakic and Rantanen’s agent, Mike Liut. The two sides haven’t spoken since the NHL Draft in June and there’s been no official offer of any kind from the Avs.

Neal to Play With Nugent-Hopkins

New Oilers coach Dave Tippett spent about 20 minutes chatting with Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer and during that chat discussed a number of topics including his plans for James Neal.

Saying he was going to meet with Neal next week, his expectation for Neal is that with the opportunities and looks he’ll get at training camp and in the preseason, he’ll put last year behind him quickly. It sounds like Neal’s first real look will be alongside center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

Tippett says he knows that from his time with Neal in Dallas, the winger needs to be with strong players who can get him the puck and Nugent-Hopkins is coming off his strongest season to date. This could be a pairing Tippett sticks with for a good chunk of the season if they can find early chemistry.

By Jim Parsons on Aug 12, 2019 01:30 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news on Braden Holtby’s next contract in Washington, the Arizona Coyotes might have interest in a few free agents, and the Edmonton Oilers may have had their third jersey design leaked a little ahead of schedule. Finally, what does John Tavares have to say about the delay in Mitch Marner re-signing with the Maple Leafs?

Braden Holtby Wants to Stay in Washington

Despite talk that the Washington Capitals may be starting their long-term planning towards living life without Braden Holtby, the goaltender would like to stay with the Capitals if something can be worked out.

JJ Regan of NBC Sports Washington writes that as Holtby enters the final year of his contract and as big-name netminders get signed, Holtby’s potential numbers become clearer. He realizes he’ll have to take less than market value to stay. He seems willing to.

That said, the discount won’t be massive if required. Holtby’s numbers should come in similar to Sergei Bobrovsky’s. Meaning, Holtby will take a bit less than $10 million per season and likely won’t get a no-move or no-trade clause with Seattle expansion looming.

Coyotes Looking at Some Remaining Free Agents?

Richard Morin of the Arizona Republic writes that the Arizona Coyotes might have their eyes on as many as five different free agents, but the price has to be right.

Mornin names winger Justin Williams and center Brian Boyle as two of the five. He also believes there might be some discussion around Riley Sheahan, Alex Petrovic, and Magnus Paajarvi.

GM John Chayka said:

“If there’s a good fit and good chance to add to our group, then it’s something we’re open to. Saying that, I think the majority of our group is in place. You can add a player, but unless that player projects significantly better than the current players we have, is that really adding value to your team?”

source – Richard Morin – Arizona Republic – 08/09/2019

One name that isn’t terribly likely is Williams who is expected to return with the Carolina Hurricanes. Folks in Carolina are just waiting for an official announcement.

Oilers Third Jersey Design Leaked?

In a story that has been picked up by most major Edmonton media outlets and social media accounts, according to Dave Waddell, a CBC Radio guy out of Calgary, the new third jerseys the Oilers will use next season have been leaked.

New jersey designs getting out there a bit early isn’t terribly uncommon but in the case of the Oilers, if this is the new design, it’s completely different than anything anyone might have expected.

There is no white, it’s totally looking towards a new direction and fan response has been mixed. Some hate it, some love it. That’s typically the way unveilings go. As of now, the third jersey is not available on any official NHL sales-partnered sites.

Tavares Comments on Marner Situation

Through an interview with NHL.com, John Tavares discussed his thoughts on what’s going on between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Mitch Marner. Hinting that he’s not worried about it, he said, “There’s a lot of restricted free agents unsigned still, a lot of guys in a similar position as him.”

Tavares noted that there was still some time to get things done but said, “… we all believe the right thing will happen and something will get worked out. I think that’s what both sides obviously want.”

With rumors that Marner might miss some time at training camp due to the inactivity of negotiations, Tavares added: “We really count on him, so obviously we want to get him there for Day 1 of camp.”

There doesn’t seem to be any friction between the players and Marner and typically there isn’t, but as things stretch out, it will be interesting to see if and how other players respond to the delay in Marner rejoining the team. Is this a way for Tavares to reach out to Marner and hint at “doing the right thing?” or is this just a player commenting because he was asked?

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