NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 03/09/2020

March 09, 2020

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

03/09/2020 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Mar 08, 2020 02:42 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news coming out regarding Jim Little’s firing in Ottawa, and the details aren’t pretty. The New York Islanders are struggling and if they miss the playoffs, questions about what they’ll do and who’ll they’ll target. Finally, it doesn’t sound like the New York Rangers will have a busy summer.

Little’s Firing Getting Messy

Reports are now surfacing — likely to refute Little’s statement that he was fired by the Ottawa Senators for using some bad language — that, while his termination was linked to the phone call on Valentines Day, there was far more going on that led to his termination.

For starters, Elliotte Friedman noted on Saturday’s Hockey Night in Canada broadcast that Senators owner Eugene Melnyk had requested Little stop being so blunt with fans about the status of the Senators organization, including but not limited to the team’s economic struggles. Little apparently “went off” on Melnyk for as much as 10 minutes and others were around to hear the tirade.

Then, to make matters worse, the Senators discovered online posts from Little’s former spouse that alleged domestic abuse charges.

She claims she was the victim of extreme control, along with psychological and at times, physical abuse. The Senators did a background check into Little’s history of these type of outburst after everything took place and decided it was best to terminate his contract. Little is threatening legal action now.

“Given that litigation is imminent, Mr. Little will not be making further public statements regarding these matters at this time,” his attorney said. A comment from the team stated, “The Senators stand by the dismissal and will vigorously defend its circumstances in court, as needed,” Gagnier said.

Rangers to Have Quiet Offseason

In a recent mailbag segment, Vincent Mercogliano of lohud.com and USA Today said he didn’t expect the New York Rangers to be big players in this summer’s UFA market, especially when you consider all they did last summer.

Re-signing free agents like Tony DeAngelo, Ryan Strome, Brendan Lemieux, Alexandar Georgiev, and Jesper Fast might be the biggest moves the organization makes and while the team could move someone to make a little more room on the cap, the free agent crop isn’t exactly swimming with the types of players the Rangers really need.

Senators Could Bring Back Ron Hainsey

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun recently reported the Ottawa Senators are open to the idea of bringing back Ron Hainsey for another season. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer and head coach D.J. Smith is pleased with Hainsey’s efforts this season, saying he’ll speak with GM Pierre Dorion about bringing him back.

Coach Smith said of Hainsey’s contribution:

“That’s something we’ll discuss with Pierre, but in saying that he’s done a phenomenal job and he’s done exactly what we brought him here to do, to provide some leadership, some stability and help Chabot grow, and I think he’s done that.”

source – ‘SNAPSHOTS: The Senators are open to the idea of bringing back Ron Hainsey next season’ Bruce Garrioch – Ottawa Sun – 03/05/2020

What if the Islanders Miss the Playoffs?

Newsday’s Andrew Gross writes that falling out of the playoffs would be a disaster for the New York Islanders and there is a lot of talk about what the team will do.

One rumored possibility might be that the Islanders show interest in forward and soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Taylor Hall. If the Islanders can find the cap room, they might considering making him a significant offer. Finding the room might be the trick part as they have over $71 million invested in 18 players and restricted free agents like Matthew Barzal, Ryan Pulock and Devon Toews are due to see big raises.

Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello would likely have to cut some payroll to make room for Hall, and that could mean a trade this summer before July 1.

By Jim Parsons on Mar 07, 2020 02:35 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, Anthony Mantha wants a long-term deal with the Detroit Red Wings, the Montreal Canadiens GM says he won’t rule out offer sheets as part of his re-tooling process and the Oilers are getting their top d-man back. Who sits?

Finally, there are more updates on the coronavirus including it affecting media coverage in NHL dressing rooms.

Mantha Seeking Long-Term Deal

Despite the fact that he could potentially earn more money if he re-signed with the Detroit Red Wings for one season then upped his production in a contract year, Anthony Mantha’s preference is to try and get a long-term deal done now.

According to Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News Mantha said, “I want to be here for the long term. I would love it, that’s for sure. We’ll see what they offer this summer.”

His injury-plagued season could make what he gets on his next deal tricky to estimate. He’s currently a $3.3 million cap hit and should see a raise, but for how much? He currently sits third in team scoring with 15 goals and 18 assists in only 40 games played. Had he stayed healthy, he’d have better numbers to negotiate with.

Mantha, 25, has admitted that he doesn’t think these negotiations will be easy. It will probably be GM Steve Yzerman’s top priority this summer, so the story may get a lot of attention over the summer.

Bergevin to Tend Another Offer Sheet This Summer?

After announcing Claude Julien would be back as head coach next season for the Montreal Canadiens, he also said he’s not closed the door on another offer sheet this summer as part of Montreal re-tooling process.

Pierre LeBrun said he asked specifically about having any regrets about using an offer sheet but failing to land Sebastien Aho, and would he shy away from using that tactic again. Bergevin said no and that if an offer made sense and it was something the club felt like they should pursue, he would do it again.

Who that might include should Bergevin go that route is unclear but Matthew Barzal may be among the biggest names on the restricted free agent market.

The consensus is that Bergevin wants to be busy this offseason despite saying he was confident in the team as is. An offer sheet is just one of the options that could be available to him.

Oilers Get Klefbom Back

The Edmonton Oilers have activated Oscar Klefbom off injured reserve and based on the lines at practice, it looks like defenseman Matt Benning will sit with rookie Caleb Jones getting the nod on the bottom pair.

Klefbom will go back to partnering with Adam Larsson and Jones will skate with Kris Russell. It also appears the Oilers have split up the deadly Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Kailer Yamamoto line trying to find that top line more scoring. Tyler Ennis and Nugent-Hopkins will switch places.

Coronavirus to Affect Media Coverage in Dressing Room

Starting today, the NHL plans to close dressing room access to media. The recommendation to do so comes from the Centers for Disease Control in effort to stop the spread of coronavirus.

It won’t just be the NHL either as the NBA, MLB and MLS are expected to follow suit. Media availabilities will now only be conducted in formal press conference areas.

Sources say the IIHF/Hockey Canada is also expected to announce today the cancellation of the 2020 Women’s World Hockey Championship scheduled to begin later this month in Halifax and Truro.

By Jim Parsons on Mar 06, 2020 01:08 pm

In today’s NHL rumors rundown, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas clarifies why he didn’t add a defenseman at this year’s NHL Trade Deadline, the Winnipeg Jets might be a big spender in free agency and defenseman Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings talks his struggles with the team’s current rebuild. Finally, what is the NHL doing about the coronavirus concerns affecting sports, especially as the virus enters North America?

Maple Leafs Didn’t See a Long-Term Fix

According to an article on TSN, Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas told The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun the reason he didn’t do anything to his blue line at this year’s trade deadline was because he couldn’t find a long-term fix that would solve the team’s problems.

Dubas wasn’t interested in rentals or short-term fixes when he believes their issue on defense is not a short-term problem. Dubas said he received calls about defenseman Tyson Barrie, but didn’t get what he needed back as part of the return. As a result, he didn’t move him and has risked losing him for nothing in free agency.

Of course, many will argue Dubas created his own problems in this area by signing so many expensive contracts at forward and that he’ll try to fix those problems by spending more over the summer as the salary cap increases.

Jets to Spend Money In Free Agency?

Speaking of cap increases, Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press writes that the projected salary cap increase for next year will entice teams to spend a little more and one of those teams could be the Winnipeg Jets.

Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff to go shopping with an extra $4-$6 million to spend and with the termination of Dustin Byfuglien’s contract likely during the summer, the Jets could have as much as $22 million in available funds. Obviously, the Jets have some internal housekeeping items to look after, such as re-signing Jack Roslovic, Mason Appleton, Jansen Harkins, and Sami Niku.

Doughty Struggling With Kings Re-Build

“It’s very hard, but it’s the position I’m in, and I gotta try to stay positive every day, as hard as it is,” Drew Doughty told TSN when asked about the Los Angeles Kings current rebuild, He likes the prospects in the pipeline, but Doughty says it’s often a struggle knowing where they were as a team not just a few short years ago.

“I have to make the best of it and just try to get better every day, both as a team and individually,” he added.

Coronavirus Update for the NHL

There are many in the NHL starting to think the coronavirus issue is going to be a major issue that affects games, meetings and other events related to North American sports, including the NHL. So far, 36 events worldwide have been affected.

Health officials had actually already requested that the San Jose Sharks cancel Thursday’s game and Sharks Sports and Entertainment issued a statement in which it said it was “aware of the recommendations” made by the county, but that Thursday night’s game against the Minnesota Wild would “go on as scheduled.”

Commissioner Gary Bettman said the NHL has barred League employees from overseas business travel and advised the media that those who make personal trips to affected countries must be quarantined out of the office for two weeks upon their return to see if symptoms arise.

Right now, the virus hasn’t hit the games yet, but the NHL is keeping an extremely close eye on things.

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