NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 06/24/2020

June 24, 2020

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

06/24/2020 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Jun 23, 2020 11:45 am

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, is Steven Stamkos upset with the NHL and their decision to expand NHL rosters during Phase 2? In Toronto, how might they try to improve their blue line this offseason? The Edmonton Oilers are getting some players back for skating, Vladimir Tarasenko is ready to go and NHL player contracts have been extended.

Stamkos Seems to Question NHL Decision

On Monday, Sportsnet’s NHL insider Chris Johnston reported that the NHL was moving to the next stage of “Phase 2,” expanding the number of players that will be allowed to train together at any given time. He tweeted:

Effective tomorrow, the NHL will allow Phase 2 groups to be expanded to 12 players for on-ice sessions. Those had been limited to six skaters apiece since small-group workouts began in team facilities on June 8.

One player, Steven Stamkos, seemed a bit puzzled by the news. His Tampa Bay Lightning team has been hit hard by the recent outbreak of new COVID-19 cases and has been forced to shut down their facility.

With no chance to practice and with fewer players available, perhaps Stamkos is wondering why the NHL would keep moving forward at such an aggressive pace? At the very least, adding more players for other teams puts the Lightning at a competitive disadvantage. So too, Stamkos could be thinking this isn’t exactly the safest decision in the world, especially when you think about how it could affect his own teammates.

Stamkos tweeted a response to the Johnston report with a simply emoji scratching its head. He didn’t expand beyond that.

Maple Leafs Focus on Defense

Luke Fox of Sportsnet took a look at a number of items regarding the Maple Leafs in a recent mailbag article. Noting that right-handed defensemen Tyson Barrie and Cody Ceci will hit free agency, the team could use an experienced defenseman that can kill penalties. Targets may include unrestricted free agents like Travis Hamonic, Chris Tanev, Sami Vatanen, or Radko Gudas.

If free agency isn’t an option, the team could look to the trade market and focus on names like Matt Dumba, Rasmus Ristolainen, David Savard, Brett Pesce, Colin Miller, Adam Larsson, and Josh Manson. Cheaper trade targets could include Troy Stecher, Matt Roy, Matt Benning, and Ilya Lyubushkin.

In either case, don’t expect the organization to go after Alex Pietrangelo and do expect the team to give every opportunity to prospects like Mikko Lehtonen, Rasmus Sandin, and Timothy Liljegren.

As for what the Leafs would give up in trade, the same names are out there — Kasperi Kapanen, Andreas Johnsson — but a surprising name that could be in the mix is goaltender Frederik Andersen who is a UFA at the end of next season.

It’s more likely the Leafs try to extend Andersen, but if he doesn’t play well during this upcoming playoff run, GM Kyle Dubas could offer him up in a deal.

Player Contacts Extended to October 30th

According to both Larry Brooks and Elliotte Friedman, NHL contracts that would normally expire on June 30th will now run to the end of October. The idea is to ensure players would be able to get the required work visas needed in order to play.

Pierre LeBrun adds call it a “one-off agreement” and notes it only covers expiring contracts for foreign nationals who need to have work visas/work permits extended.

It will be a strange feeling for fans who are used to seeing a ton of trades and signings this time of year and as July 1 rolls around. None of that will happen.

More Oilers and Rangers to arrive

Ryan Rishaug notes that more Edmonton Oilers players are expected to arrive in the next few days to join names like Alex Chiasson, Kris Russell, Matt Benning, and Stuart Skinner on the ice at Rogers Place. Defenseman William Lagesson was en route yesterday per his Instagram account.

Rishaugh notes:

The bulk of veterans will return at the end of the month, and enter phase 2 for a week or so before training camp begins – assuming the July 10th start date remains.

Tarasenko Good to Go

St. Louis Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko talked in an interview with TSN and discussed his shoulder rehab after a long layoff. He’s rested and ready to join his Blues teammates competing for another Stanley Cup.

He said he was really close to returning when the season was ongoing, but this extra time has just really helped give it time to heal up. Tarasenko was on the ice Monday as Blues players took part in Phase 2 of the Return to Play plan.

By Jim Parsons on Jun 22, 2020 02:35 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, one scribe asks if Jack Eichel to the Boston Bruins is a possibility? He then describes what might happen with defenseman Torey Krug. Meanwhile, the Columbus Blue Jackets are out as an NHL hub city, one possible candidate for the New Jersey Devils’ GM job isn’t interested, and Chris Thorburn officially retired.

Eichel to the Bruins Unlikely

Joe Haggerty of NBC Sports asks if this would be the right time for the Boston Bruins to take a run at Buffalo Sabres star Jack Eichel? Considering there is talk of so much change in Buffalo and Eichel has voiced his frustrations with the team, Haggerty asks, ‘Is he looking for a change of scenery?’

Haggerty then notes that in order for the Bruins to even consider this move, any deal would likely start with prospect John Beecher, Jake DeBrusk, and a package of draft picks. He adds, they might have to include one of Charlie McAvoy or Brandon Carlo. That makes a trade unlikely.

If they were, somehow, able to manage it, the Bruins would then have to move out David Krejci and his $7.5 million salary.

In fact, Haggerty admits that the team is already going to have trouble extending defenseman Torey Krug. He writes:

It’s a tough spot for both player and the hockey club because of the financial uncertainty. It’s more likely now that Krug is going to sign for as much money as he can get now given the uncharted waters ahead. Krug would have been able to command an annual salary in the $8 million AAV range based on his offensive production over the last handful of seasons, something few of his peers can boast.

Blue Jackets Informed They Are Out

The Columbus Blue Jackets were informed Monday that they are no longer under consideration as a hub city or host during the 2019/20 NHL playoffs. The news was relayed by Blue Jackets’ reporter Jeff Svoboda who writes:

The Blue Jackets were informed this morning Columbus will not serve as a hub city as part of the NHL’s return to play plan. Columbus had been one of 10 cities under consideration to be one of the two hubs.

Columbus did make some sense as an option since they have two major-league arenas — Ohio State’s Schottenstein Center is only a 10-minute drive from Nationwide Arena. There was no reason given as to why they’ve been excluded so it’s difficult to know what the main criteria are the NHL is looking at when making their decisions.

Aaron Portzline of The Athletic quotes Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekäläinen:

“They had a lot of positives about our presentation, but they’ve gone in a different direction. It’s disappointing, but we were also among the last few cities to be considered. You take the positives along with the disappointment and you move on.

source – ‘Columbus, Minnesota will not be hub cities when NHL season resumes’ – Aaron Portzline – The Athletic – 06/22/2020

The NHL had been considering Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Edmonton, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Pittsburgh, Toronto and Vancouver. The belief is that Las Vegas and Vancouver are the frontrunners.

Brodeur Not Interested in GM Job

As the New Jersey Devils continue to search for a new general manager, Matt Larkin of the Hockey News writes that former Devils’ goaltender Martin Brodeur is not interested in the job.

Now in hockey operations, after the team fired Ray Shero, Brodeur has earned a ton of respect behind the scenes. He might find interest in the job down the line but says he’s not ready to take on that challenge yet. Brodeur explained:

“I’m not saying that one day, I won’t say, ‘You know what? This is the time for me to do it, maybe,’ But right now, I value my time off too much to get myself involved. Not that I’m not involved, as in my role I need to be pretty much present, but I’m able to kind of make my own schedule and not rely on the general manager setup.”

Chris Thorburn Officially Retires

At 37 years old and after over 800 NHL games, forward Chris Thorburn has decided to retire from hockey. On Monday he announced via the St. Louis Blues website that he was leaving the game.

“Thank you to everyone who supported me, believed in me, and influenced me throughout my hockey career. The Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues all took a chance on me and for that I am forever grateful.

“To finish my hockey career with the St. Louis Blues and finally get an opportunity to lift the Stanley Cup over my head, I could not have scripted a better way to go out.

…“It was an unbelievable ride with a storybook ending. As tough as it is to close this chapter, I am excited for the new adventures ahead for myself and my family.”

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