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NHL Rumors Update
NHL Rumors Update for 07/08/2019
The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.
07/08/2019 edition:
By Jim Parsons on Jul 07, 2019 11:20 am
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, does the signing of Marcus Johansson in Buffalo change any of their other plans? Is it true that Auston Matthews is not a fan of playing with one particular Maple Leafs forward? Did Kadri almost get traded to the Flames and is Taylor Hall happy with what the New Jersey Devils have done this offseason?
Maple Leafs Notes and Rumors
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun wrote a column about Kawhi Leonard leaving Toronto, but in that column, he talked about players on the Maple Leafs looking for contracts and dictating terms in much the same way he says Leonard did.
Simmons notes that newly acquired d-man Tyson Barrie will be motivated because has a year left on his contract and it is believed he’s looking for an eight-year contract at around $8 million per season on an extension. The Maple Leafs also have Jake Muzzin and Cody Ceci on the last years of their deals.
Simmons noted that he’d also be told that Auston Matthews was dictating terms of where and how he’d like to be slotted on the ice.
Simmons writes:
Last year, Auston Matthews wanted more ice-time and more power-play time and Zach Hyman playing on another line. This year, we’re told, he would rather not play with Kasperi Kapanen. So don’t be surprised if after the early season injuries are dealt with, Matthews ends up centring a line with William Nylander and the Russian rookie Ilya Mikheyev.
Is this Matthews being difficult? Is it anything like Kawhi in Toronto where he wanted the team to acquire Paul George and speculation is that because they didn’t, he moved on?
Still with the Maple Leafs, James (@Account4hockey) cites a report from Chris Johnston that when the Maple Leafs decided to re-sign both Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnson, they also decided to move Nazem Kadri. Kadri was almost traded to Calgary in a deal that would have sent Kadri and Connor Brown to the Flames for T.J. Brodie and Mark Jankowski. Kadri said no.
Sabres May Revisit Trade Options
Lance Lysowski reports that the Buffalo Sabres gained some flexibility after signing forward Marcus Johansson. It was originally believed they would try and trade defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, but with a scorer like Johansson and around $6.6 million in salary cap space, there may not be a need to move him.
Why Nothing on Ryan Dzingel?
With Ryan Dzingel maybe the biggest name still available in free agency, the New York Post’s Larry Brooks writes that some teams are worried about how productive a player he’ll actually be.
After posting career highs in Ottawa last season, Dzingel recorded just 12 points in 21 games with Columbus and things got worse with one point in nine games in the playoffs. Eventually, he became a healthy scratch. Brooks thinks that one of the “red flags” for teams is that Columbus seems to have little-to-no interest in keeping Dzingel. The thinking is, if a local player isn’t wanted in Columbus, what does that say?
The other thing to remember is that it might not be that teams aren’t interested, but they aren’t jumping based on his asking price. Speculation is that he wants a long-term deal at $5 million per season.
Taylor Hall Happy With Devils?
One of the reasons Ray Shero went out and made the moves he did this summer for the New Jersey Devils was because he wanted to show Taylor Hall there were plenty of reasons to stick around.
In an interview with TSN, Hall said this is exactly what you want to see if you’re in his shoes. He noted that Shero asked his opinion of the P.K. Subban trade before it was made and that he was totally on board and excited about the idea of the Devils landing Subban.
This is good news for the Devils who could really use a player like Hall over the long-term and not just one more season.
The post NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs, Sabres, Devils, Dzingel, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on Jul 06, 2019 10:49 am
In today’s NHL rumor rundown there is news out of Pittsburgh that the Penguins have three possible players on their list that they’re willing to move to free up cap space. In Winnipeg, the Jets have a lot of work to do and there’s growing concern about an offer sheet and in Edmonton, there is a buzz as the team looks for another forward.
Penguins Possible Trades Focused on Three Players
Shelly Anderson of Pittsburgh Hockey NOW says because there are too many other players the Pittsburgh Penguins are unwilling to move, the discussion on possible player trades focuses on Patric Hornqvist, Nick Bjugstad, and Bryan Rust.
The problem for the Penguins is, every team knows they need to move someone because of cap issues. The Penguins aren’t getting fair value. Signing Brandon Tanev for six years didn’t help the matter.
Edmonton Oilers Updates
Steven Ellis of The Hockey News took a look at teams who might be interested in trading for Golden Knights restricted free agent Nikita Gusev. Among them was the Edmonton Oilers.
The team could use a left-winger but might need to free up some salary space and Ellis suggested the possibility of the team moving Sam Gagner.Bob Stauffer of Oilers Now suggested the team will bring in one or two more forwards and thought that prospect Tyler Benson might get a long look.
Dennis Bernstein reports the Los Angeles Kings have inquired about Jesse Puljujarvi but the Oilers want to have Milan Lucic‘s contract attached to the deal. The Kings have declined.
Patrik Laine Offer Sheet?
We reported yesterday that whispers are out there about the New York Islanders or another team putting together an offer sheet for Mitch Marner. Marner isn’t the only one there is speculation about.
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period writes that the flood gates have opened with the Sebastian Aho offer. Brayden Point turned down an offer from the Montreal Canadiens to sign but Patrik Laine could accept one in the future if negotiations with Winnipeg go astray.
With the salary cap now at $81.5 million and Kyle Connor, among several other RFA’s to sign, and a serious need to upgrade their defense, that money will dry up fast and teams will see a struggle in Winnipeg to get everything done.
Justin Williams Leaning Towards Returning
GM Don Waddell told Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer that he thinks Justin Williams may be leaning towards to the NHL to play one more season with the Carolina Hurricanes.
Waddell is hoping for a final decision in the near future. Williams is coming off a solid 2018-19 season that saw him collect 53 points in 82 regular seasons games, along with seven points in 15 postseason contests. Part of the reason the Hurricanes haven’t done much in free agency is that they’re waiting on Williams.
Alexander writes:
If not, the only missing piece is Williams, who is still mulling things over and is an unrestricted free agent.
“He hasn’t given us 100 percent yet which way he’s going to go,” Waddell said Tuesday during a conference call. “I think he potentially could be leaning toward playing. We should know in the near future.”
Islanders Looking to Add a Center
New York Islanders GM, Lou Lamoriello told reporters, including Newsday’s Andrew Gross, the team was hoping to add to their center depth this offseason.
Their top three of Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson, and Casey Cizikas is strong but there is an opening that Lamoriello indicated they might have a prospect, seek a signing out of college or grab a player like Derick Brassard or Brian Boyle.
Gross writes:
But the Islanders’ offseason to-do list still includes identifying a fourth center after Valtteri Filppula returned to the Red Wings to finish his career following his one season on Long Island. And after elite playmaker Artemi Panarin spurned a larger offer from the Islanders to leave the Blue Jackets and join the rival Rangers on a seven-year, $81.5-million deal, Lamoriello is still likely looking for a scoring forward.
The post NHL Rumors: Penguins, Oilers, Jets, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on Jul 05, 2019 12:35 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, the buzz going around is that there might be an offer sheet on the horizon for Mitch Marner, the Vancouver Canucks and one of their unsigned restricted free agents are getting a bit closer to a deal, and the Flames have some internal housekeeping to do before they can do much of anything else. What’s the latest on Jake Gardiner and will Jordan Binnington re-sign?
Marner Offer Sheet Coming?
David Pagnotta reports there is increased talk that at least one team is “very seriously considering” sending Mitch Marner an offer sheet. There are no details as to when that could happen and if Marner would consider signing it. There are also reports Marner and the Maple Leafs are still talking about an extension.
The Fourth Period believes Marner is looking for around $11.5 million per season and any offer sheet would come in around $12 million per season. The team making it is hoping that because the Maple Leafs don’t want to spend more than $10 million per season, they wouldn’t match at $12 million.
If the Maple Leafs are forced to retain Marner at a $12 million cap hit, they would absolutely have to move more salary out.
Mike Kelly believes one team that might be considering this move is the New York Islanders who missed out on Artemi Panarin. They wanted to make a splash and this would do it.
All of this offer sheet speculation has been heard by more than just one person. Joey Vandetta reports he’s heard similar talk.
Canucks and Boeser Getting Closer?
Rick Dhaliwal reports the Vancouver Canucks and forward Brock Boeser are still working on a new deal. That said, there is still a long ways to go as neither side is budging at the moment.
Flames Active on Trade Discussions
Darren Haynes of The Athletic noticed the Calgary Flames have been relatively quiet during the free agent period. He says it’s because the team is being proactive in other areas like trade discussions. GM Brad Treliving said, “We’ve got internal business, which is priority No. 1.”
That internal business comes in the form of four RFAs that need attention. They are Matthew Tkachuk, David Rittich, Sam Bennett and Andrew Mangiapane. Treliving said:
“I don’t necessarily know if there’s a batting order there. Obviously, the internal business, we’re cognizant of it, before we start venturing outside the tent and looking outside and adding to our team,” Treliving said.
Once those RFA’s are taken care of, if there are trades, it might be ones that send forward Michael Frolik ($4.3 million) or defencemen Travis Hamonic ($3.85 million) out.
Jake Gardiner News
Jonathan Davis reports he’s been told that Jake Gardiner hasn’t received an offer from any team that has been for more than two years. The injury issues have GM’s concerned and Gardiner is holding out in hopes of getting a longer offer.
James (@account4hockey) cites a report from Eric Engels that says the Montreal Canadiens are interested in Gardiner but he’s not getting the term he thought he’d be getting.
Gardiner is interested in coming back to the Maple Leafs but understands how much of a discount he’d have to take to return there.
Blues and Binnington Talking
David Pagnotta notes the St. Louis Blues and restricted free agent goaltender Jordan Binnington continue contract talks. Nothing is imminent but talks are progressing in the right direction.
The post NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs, Canucks, Flames, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
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