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NHL Rumors Update
NHL Rumors Update for 12/18/2019
The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.
12/18/2019 edition:
By Jim Parsons on Dec 17, 2019 12:05 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, Taylor Hall spoke after being traded to the Arizona Coyotes. What did he have to say about a possible extension in the desert? What about the New Jersey Devils who aren’t likely done making moves? Are they going to rebuild or just trade a few other pieces. And, the Edmonton Oilers were in it for a while but bowed out in the final hours. Finally, the New York Islanders will have one of their most flashy forwards return, but it’s not what you might think.
Hall Will Wait to Sign Extension
Taylor Hall stated in his conference call with the media after being traded that he was excited to be joining the Arizona Coyotes. When asked if he was open to signing an extension with the organization, he said he would be open to an extension before free agency on July 1st. That said, nothing is coming in short order.
Hall stated that he and Coyotes GM John Chayka have a mutual understanding that they won’t get into contract discussions until he’s played for some time, likely not talking about a new deal before the season plays out. It sounds like whether or not the Coyotes make the playoffs will play a huge factor in the discussions.
ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski says he gets the vibe from Hall on the conference call that Arizona was not where he will call home long-term.
Oilers One of Final Teams in on Hall
For what it’s worth, the Edmonton Oilers were in on Hall as Jim Matheson of The Edmonton Journal reports Oilers GM Ken Holland acknowledged speaking with Devils GM Ray Shero several times. The kicker was the first-round pick. Holland wasn’t willing to move it.
Matheson writes:
The price was just too high for Holland, again for a half-season fix, when he doesn’t have a scintella of a chance of signing him. Maybe he would have given New Jersey a second-round pick next June that would jump to a first if Oilers made the post-season but only then.
Devils Not Done
Prior to the Hall trade, Corey Masisak of The Athletic writes that more names may be leaving New Jersey, among them pending unrestricted free agents Sami Vatanen and Wayne Simmonds.
Specifically, Masisak said of Simmonds:
He’ll draw interest near the trade deadline even if he doesn’t score at a better rate, but a surge would help increase the number of teams interested and the potential return.
It was also mentioned that Andy Greene might be a name to watch. That said, the Devils are not expected to undergo a rebuild, even if they move a number of pieces.
Josh Ho-Sang Going Back to AHL
Earlier this season, New York Islanders forward Josh Ho-Sang failed to report to Bridgeport of the AHL when he was demoted by the Islanders. He was then suspended by the team and hadn’t reported back there until now.
Ho-Sang shared a creative Instagram post saying he was returning and NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reports that Ho-Sang will re-join the Sound Tigers.
The Islanders are still likely looking to trade Ho-Sang who seems to be nothing but problematic. He’ll need to show extremely well if another team is going to be interested.
The post NHL Rumors: Hall Extension, Devils, Islanders, Oilers, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on Dec 16, 2019 12:40 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, Ilya Kovalchuk was paid his bonus so what happens next? If the reports on Monday are accurate, the next steps are surprising. The Arizona Coyotes are high up in terms of odds to land Taylor Hall but one team who has dropped out of the conversation isn’t really out of it. Will the Maple leafs trade a forward based on their depth and what are the Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks talking about?
Kovalchuk to Be Suspended by Kings?
According to a statement by the Los Angeles Kings, “Ilya Kovalchuk has left the team and been placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract with the club.”
Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic reported updates on the Kovalchuk situation and he writes that Kovalchuk was expected to leave the Kings as early as today and not wait for his contract termination. This puts him in breach of contract, which would bring on a suspension and an official parting of the ways this week. He would be UFA by the end of it. LeBrun adds that the Kings remain with his $6.25 million cap hit this season and next, but would no longer have to pay him in real life.
Chris Johnston of Sportsnet writes, “By leaving the team and terminating his contract now, he gives up roughly $400,000 in salary this season and $4.25M next.”
Oilers Not Out on Hall
There are a few NHL insiders saying that this Taylor Hall situation in New Jersey is becoming such a fiasco that a few teams once considered interested but likely out of the running are not necessarily out of it. Among them are the Edmonton Oilers.
Ryan Rishaug of TSN wrote the Oilers are interested but only at the right price. He said:
My sense on Hall remains the same as before. Oilers won’t want to pay premium for him (Broberg/Bouchard/1st rounder) so they’ll wait to see if prices drop over time and if so, will try and find a deal. Just don’t see them mortgaging much for A level futures at this stage.
Jason Gregor of TSN 1260 said that the Oilers and Devils have been talking for the past three weeks, he’s just not sure if the offer on the table from Edmonton is as good as some others.
All that said, NJ.com’s Chris Ryan cites reports indicating the Arizona Coyotes, Florida Panthers, St. Louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche are the leading contenders to acquire Hall.
Oilers to Talk to Maple Leafs?
In other Oilers news, if the Toronto Maple Leafs keep the Ilya Mikheyev-Alex Kerfoot-Pierre Engvall third line, one of Andreas Johnsson or Kasperi Kapanen would be on the fourth line – not ideal at their salary.
According to James Mirtle of The Athletic, teams are keeping an eye on Kapanen and he could become a trade chip. Mirtle writes:
If the third line keeps playing like this, however, those tough decisions could become trade chips, as that talk heats up around the league, thanks to the Taylor Hall sweepstakes.
Trading Kapanen for a defenseman makes some sense and the Edmonton Oilers are in need of some additional top-six scoring help. Could Kapanen and Adam Larsson become the central pieces in a trade?
Canadiens Targeting a Player From Blackhawks?
TVA Sports writes that Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin’s recent scouting of the Chicago Blackhawks suggests there might be something to a Canadiens deal with the Blackhawks. Defenseman Olli Maatta’s name has surfaced, Erik Gustafsson could be the target.
There is speculation the Blackhawks are willing to listen to offers on Gustafsson.
The post NHL Rumors: Kings, Oilers, Maple Leafs, Canadiens, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
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