NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 02/14/2020

February 14, 2020

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

02/14/2020 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Feb 13, 2020 12:25 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there are updates on the Edmonton Oilers and their willingness to spend on trade rentals, clarification from Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin on his “quitter” comments, and buzz that the Anaheim Ducks are only willing to move certain pieces. How serious is Shea Weber’s injury and have the Maple Leafs taken the final step to figuring out their goaltending issues?

Oilers Not Eager to Pay Big for Rentals

As part of his latest 31 Thoughts article, Sportsnet analyst and hockey insider Elliotte Friedman noted the Edmonton Oilers likely aren’t willing to move a first-round pick or one of their top prospects for a rental at this year’s NHL Trade Deadline.

Further to that, Friedman said, “I’m not convinced they’d want to move Jesse Puljujarvi for one.”

The Oilers have been in the market for another top-six forward, and that was before both Connor McDavid and James Neal were out of the lineup. Still, Friedman suggests the Oilers won’t move any of their top defense prospects, Puljujarvi or their top pick to get short-term help. He notes, “The only way I’d see any of that changing is if a difference-maker with term or team control is in the picture.”

Guerin Clarifies “Quitter” Statement

Bill Guerin felt the need to expand on his statement that he’s going to make more trades if there’s “quit” on his team. Friedman noted that Guerin didn’t necessarily mean he’s looking to make deals but that he’s expecting some players to seize opportunities with Zucker now with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

And while Guerin might have backtracked slightly, Friedman did say that there are more potential trades coming out of Minnesota as the Wild are fielding calls on defensemen Matt Dumba and Jonas Brodin. The ask is a top-level center or a second-line center and a prospect.

Friedman writes:

I don’t get the sense he’s inclined to do anything with either, unless it involves an elite centre, or maybe a No. 2 centre, providing that includes something extra — like a couple of first-rounders or something along those lines.

Ducks Have Two Non-Core Players Available

The Anaheim Ducks are rumored to be keeping all of their core players with potentially only two members of the current roster available — Ondrej Kase and Derek Grant. In particular, Grant might get some interest. Edmonton Journal’s Jim Matheson writes, “Just tossing this out there as right-shot 3C rental possible addition for Oilers: Well-travelled, big Derek Grant in Anaheim. 11 goals, 16 pts in 41 games, 52.9 percent on 346 draws. He’s cheap and UFA July 1.”

Friedman writes that if Josh Manson, to Cam Fowler, to Hampus Lindholm, to Jakob Silfverberg, to Rickard Rakell are going anywhere, the interested team is “really going to have to move the needle.”

Mixed Reports on Shea Weber

The Montreal Canadiens announced yesterday that veteran defenseman Shea Weber is potentially out four-to-six weeks with an ankle sprain but is expected to fully recover. This came after reports from Nick Kypreos and Bob McKenzie that Weber’s injury might be more serious.

Kypreos explains that the injury is related to Weber’s foot that was surgically repaired in 2018 and hinted Weber might, yet again, need surgery. Montreal quickly shot that down saying he would be back.

If, for some reason, Weber is forced to retire, the cap penalties for the Nashville Predators would be massive.

Maple Leafs Waive Hutchinson

With the news that Frederik Andersen is ready to return to action, the Toronto Maple Leafs have placed goaltender Michael Hutchinson on waivers. The writing was on the wall for Hutchinson when the team acquired Jack Campbell, and will now be sent to the minor leagues should he clear waivers tomorrow.

By Jim Parsons on Feb 12, 2020 01:50 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, expect the Colorado Avalanche to spend some money and try to acquire a couple of pieces after learning forward Nazem Kadri is out long-term. The Minnesota Wild have an asking price for Matt Dumba and Jonas Brodin, there is news on Arizona’s plans for Taylor Hall and the St. Louis Blues will give an update today on Jay Bouwmeester.

Avs to Go Shopping

Head coach Jared Bednar revealed with the media on Tuesday that center Nazem Kadri of the Colorado Avalanche has suffered a lower-body injury and is set to miss “weeks, not days” of NHL action. This news means the Avs will likely go shopping before the trade deadline.

Already rumored to be on the hunt for additions to give themselves a strong chance to make a run, now that Kadri is injured media and fans should probably consider the Avalanche as an option for nearly every top name on the market.

Sami Vatanen Getting Lots of Interest

According to Craig Custance of The Athletic (subscription required), Sami Vatanen of the New Jersey Devils is getting a ton of interest heading into this year’s NHL Trade Deadline.

Custance writes:

Right now, there are six or seven teams in on Vatanen and it’s easy to see why. How many legitimate top-four defensemen who can move the puck like Vatanen are there available? Not many. New Jersey can sit and wait on the best offer and that’s the plan for the Devils.

source – ‘NHL Trade Big Board 2.0: 23 players who could move before the deadline’ – Craig Custance – The Athletic – 02/11/2020

There are rumblings the Carolina Hurricanes might be interested after losing Dougie Hamilton to a broken fibula. He’s likely to miss the remainder of the regular season and the Hurricanes might be looking for a replacement.

Pierre LeBrun noted that the Hurricanes aren’t looking for a rental though which could pose an issue with Vatanen and perhaps Matt Dumba is more likely.

Dumba Price Set on the Market

Speaking of Dumba, it appears the Minnesota Wild know what they want if they’re going to consider moving the defenseman. Darren Dreger reports the ask if a top-line center. At the very least, a second-line center plus a pick or prospect.

A similar price has been set for Jonas Brodin but the Wild are fielding calls on both players. It’s unlikely anyone in contention would part with those kinds of assets on the way to the playoffs which means if a deal does happen, it would either be with someone not in the hunt or during the summer, potentially around the NHL Entry Draft.

Taylor Hall Will Not Be Traded

According to Pierre Lebrun of TSN, the Arizona Coyotes are not looking to move forward Taylor Hall regardless of how the next two weeks look. GM of the Coyotes John Chayka is in a tricky spot considering he could recoup assets in a Hall trade but he’d like to try and re-sign Hall to an extension.

No player of Hall’s magnitude has been moved twice in just over a month before the deadline but it’s not common for a player to be picked up as a rental, the team not make it after picking him up and then move him. So too, Hall has said he’s unwilling to talk extension during the season which means Chayka must know the odds of retaining Hall on a long-term deal are low.

Chayka could see this decision backfire but he knows it’s a gamble.

Latest on Jay Bouwmeester

After a scary incident during the Blues and Ducks game, Jay Bouwmeester suffered a medical emergency and was rushed to a local hospital for treatment. The good news is that Bouwmeester was texting with friends and using Facetime last night from the hospital. Reports are he’s doing well.

The Blues have issued a statement Wednesday saying Blues GM Doug Armstrong will address the media with an update this afternoon in Las Vegas at the Waldorf Astoria hotel. The statement will be streamed live on the Blues official Twitter, Facebook and YouTube accounts.

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