NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 02/01/2019

February 01, 2019

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

 02/01/2019 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Feb 01, 2019 01:47 pm

In today’s rumor rundown, there is news that the Tampa Bay Lightning have looked into two popular forwards on the trade market, the Oilers are considering an extension for a surprise roster player, the Blackhawks might ask a star to waive his no-move clause and the Bruins are looking to add a forward.

Lightning In On Simmonds and Ferland

TSN’s Darren Dreger is reporting that while the Tampa Bay Lightning might have trouble adding significant pieces considering their mere $1.7 million in salary cap space, they have inquired about both Wayne Simmonds from the Philadelphia Flyers and Micheal Ferland from the Carolina Hurricanes.

Jake Allen, St. Louis Blues and Wayne Simmonds, Philadelphia Flyers, January 6, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Dreger explained that trick will be whether or not the Lightning are willing to send something back, especially in the case of Micheal Ferland. The Hurricanes are rumored to want to add to their scoring and that’s why a team like Toronto didn’t make a deal for Brett Pesce or Dougie Hamilton (they weren’t willing to give up a roster player).

Duncan Keith Weighing His Trade Deadline Options

The Chicago Blackhawks are sellers at this year’s trade deadline and names like Chris Kunitz and Marcus Kruger have come up as available players. Another name that might be out there is Duncan Keith.

Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks, Nov. 9, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Moving Keith comes with a few challenges. First, he’s got a full no-movement clause that gives him total control over his future. Any trade will need to be one that he approves. Second, the team that takes him on will need to be ok wit the fact that he’s now 35 years old and has four years remaining on his deal.

All that said, speculation is that the Blackhawks will approach Keith at the deadline and ask him what he what he wants to do according to Pierre LeBrun on last night’s Insider Trading for TSN.

Updates in Edmonton With the Oilers

While speculation seems to be that the Oilers will look at a trade involving Cam Talbot, Frank Seravalli of TSN reports that the Oilers have recently had a conversation with Talbot about a possible extension and are leaving the door open for a possible return at season’s end.

Cam Talbot, Edmonton Oilers, Oct. 21, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Talbot is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year and it makes more sense that the Oilers would move him to free up cap space, especially if they aren’t in the playoff picture, but if Talbot is willing re-sign at a lower cap hit, there is a chance it works for both parties.

There was also news out of Edmonton that Oscar Klefbom suffered a setback in his quest for a return to the lineup on Saturday. He’s nursing a protector on a broken finger and had it bumped in practice. He was part of the Oilers practice on Friday but didn’t take part in many of the drills, being replaced on the rushed by Andrej Sekera. Kelfbom will travel with the team but may not play against the Flyers.

Oscar Klefbom suffered an apparent setback in his recovery from a broken finger (@SportsnetSpec)https://t.co/alSkDTpPBV

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 1, 2019

Marner’s Unwillingness to Negotiate Causes Problems for Maple Leafs

TSN’s Darren Dreger is reporting that Mitch Marner’s decision to not negotiate with the Maple Leafs during the season opens up issues when it comes to offer sheet complications.“Yeah, an offer-sheet problem,” Dreger said.

He added, “I can tell you that teams are 100 percent preparing an offer sheet for Mitch Marner. We’ll see if it gets to that point. And as we’ve known, the Leafs have made it abundantly clear that if it does, they will match.”

Bruins Looking to Add a Forward

Dreger was asked on Buffalo’s WGR 550 if he thought the Bruins would do anything before the February 25 deadline and his response was:

“Yeah, or before, right… Boston is definitely thinking that they’ve got to add up front. They’d like to add a center. If they can’t find that piece, whoever it might be – Matt Duchene, if he’s available – then maybe they look to a right-winger. I think they’ve got interest in Toffoli. My understanding is Boston is going to heavily scout tonight’s Senators-Pittsburgh game, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they make a play on Ryan Dzingel.

With teams in the Eastern Conference already strong and adding pieces as the days go by, there is pressure on Boston to keep up and improve their team as well.

Listen to the Latest Episode of the Hockey Writers Podcast

By Jim Parsons on Jan 31, 2019 12:22 pm

In today’s NHL rumors, there is news out of Philadelphia that the Flyers might move Shayne Gostisbehere for the right package and that Wayne Simmonds will likely be dealt in the coming days. There is also news that teams are calling about Mats Zuccarello out of New York, the Islanders might look at the rental market, Edmonton is in no rush to hire their next GM and Colorado could make a splash on the trade market.

Flyers May Move Shayne Gostisbehere

TSN’s Bob McKenzie is reporting: that Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere could be traded and the Flyers are listening to offers. McKenzie suggests that a goaltender or a veteran top-four defenseman might be what shakes Gostisbehere loose.

Shayne Gostisbehere #53, Philadelphia Flyers – February 20, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

McKenzie notes:

“But Gostisbehere is a real good young defenceman who hasn’t played to his potential with the Philadelphia Flyers recently, and you’ve got to be careful to give those guys away… They’re looking for a veteran Top-4 defenceman to insulate some of their younger players and they’re looking for a veteran forward up front.”

Also with the Flyers, McKenzie suggests that Wayne Simmonds is more likely to be dealt than be re-signed.

Teams Interested in Mats Zuccarello

The Fourth Period is reporting that several teams have shown interest in New York Rangers pending UFA forward Mats Zuccarello. Among them are the Nashville Predators, Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars.

Mats Zuccarello, New York Rangers, Mar. 22, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Teams have also called the Rangers about Kevin Hayes, Adam McQuaid and Chris Kreider. It would take a lot to get Kreider out of New York at this point.

Islanders Willing to Move Their First-Round Pick

The Fourth Period is also reporting that the New York Islanders are willing to trade their first-round pick for a rental or a player with term that could make them a contender. One of the names that has come up is forward Artemi Panarin of the Columbus Blue Jackets who just advised the Jackets he won’t be re-signing this season.

Edmonton Taking Their Time to Find New GM

Even with the trade deadline looming, CEO Bob Nicholson and the Edmonton Oilers are not expected to rush the decision to choose a new general manager.  The team will take their time in vetting all options. After rushing to hire Peter Chiarelli, simply because he was available, the Oilers know they have to take their time and “get this one right.”

CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 23: General manager Peter Chiarelli of the Edmonton Oilers speaks onstage during Round One of the 2017 NHL Draft at United Center on June 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)

With the exception of one season, the Oilers have been a team outside the playoffs looking in for more than a decade. Their history of GM’s hasn’t helped and the next hire has to work to get the organization out of a tricky cap situation and move bloated contracts that most would have a difficult time moving.

In Edmonton, where season seats and skyboxes are up for renewal, solving the GM problem is the most important step toward pointing this team in the right direction.

Avalanche Looking at Options

Darren Dreger had a Thursday morning radio hit on Montreal’s TSN 690 and said the Avalanche could be “making a big splash at the deadline, especially for a guy who still has term left on his deal due to the fact that they have such problems with secondary scoring.”

Ryan Dzingel #18, Ottawa Senators – February 3, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Dreger explained that he thinks Joe Sakic will be searching the market for the right fit in terms of depth behind their dynamic top line. Dreger wonders if the Avs might pursue names like Panarin or Ryan Dzingel out of Ottawa.

Landing Dzingel may not be easy though as Dreger noted the Sens could be changing their focus from trading Dzingel to re-signing him.

Listen to the Latest Episode of the Hockey Writers Podcast

By Jim Parsons on Jan 30, 2019 01:58 pm

In today’s rumor rundown, the Carolina Hurricanes are quickly becoming a team to keep an eye on as it pertains to the trade deadline, the Montreal Canadiens might have their eye on a particular Penguins defenseman, the Winnipeg Jets might be looking for some help and the Los Angeles Kings are probably not even close to finished making moves.

Hurricanes a Team to Watch

In the latest TSN Insider Trading Pierre LeBrun noted that interest has picked up lately on blueliner Justin Faulk.  Talks regarding Faulk date back all the way to this past summer and he’s had a strong season logging an average of about 22 minutes per night. He’s got a similar contract to Jake Muzzin and could yield a comparable return.

(Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Meanwhile, LeBrun also notes that fans should expect Micheal Ferland to be moved sooner than later. The Hurricanes don’t want to take the chance Ferland gets injured, especially considering his style of play. Boston, Nashville, and Pittsburgh are among the teams that have shown an interest in Ferland.

Canadiens Eyeing a Penguins Defenseman?

Pittsburgh Hockey Now is reporting the Montreal Canadiens are interested in Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta. Maatta’s name has come up in the past and is under contract for another three seasons at a $4.083 million cap hit.

Los Angeles Just Getting Started

The LA Kings made likely the biggest trade so far pre-trade deadline, but they might be ready to make a bigger splash. Dennis Bernstein is reporting that Kings GM Rob Blake made it clear that this is just the beginning for his team. He is actively still scouring the trade market, even if he’s not sure when his next trade will come.

Rob Blake – Los Angeles Kings (Getty Images)

When asked about the Muzzin trade, Blake said, “We’re at the bottom of the league. We made this deal for the future of team. The 1st round pick was key. We’re looking at a lot of different options, there are active calls around the league.”

LA will keep looking for draft picks and many expect the next player to move might be defenseman Alec Martinez who will be traded at the trade deadline or at the NHL Entry Draft. It is assumed the Kings will be looking for a second-round pick and either a third-round pick or a prospect.

Other names that might be on the move are Jeff Carter, Trevor Lewis, Tyler Toffoli, Jonathan Quick, and Ilya Kovalchuk.

What Are the Jets Going to Do?

There’s tons of speculation coming out of Winnipeg that the team has been linked to nearly every potential free agent forward on the market in some way, shape, or form. Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press reported yesterday that Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has been working to bring in an experienced depth forward in order to “give head coach Paul Maurice more options in his bottom six.”

Paul Maurice, Blake Wheeler, Nic Petan and Patrik Laine – Winnipeg Jets vs Philadelphia Flyers – November 17, 2016 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

There’s also been some buzz the Jets are looking to do something similar to what they did last season when they added a legitimate second-line center grabbing Paul Stastny from St. Louis.

Some of the options include Matt Duchene, Kevin Hayes, or forwards like Mark Stone, Wayne Simmonds, and Artemi Panarin. None of these players will be easy adds if the Jets are actually seriously considering them.

The Jets will likely make a move but it would be hard to imagine the team being willing to send two first-round picks in consecutive years out of the organization. More likely is that the Jets make a smaller move to bolster their depth.

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