NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 01/01/2019

January 01, 2019

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

01/01/2019 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Jan 01, 2019 02:12 pm

In today’s rumor rundown, we look at the Oilers trades and the rumors about what might be coming next in Edmonton. Is Calgary trying to push one of their most versatile forwards out of town? And, could major changes be coming to the Maple Leafs if they choose to move William Nylander to the center position?

Oilers Looking for Help on the Wing

Sportsnet’s Mark Spector was all over the trade news for the Oilers on Sunday. He also reported that GM Peter Chiarelli put Ryan Spooner out there in trade but didn’t have any takers. What was learned from both the attempted trades and the media conference held on Monday morning was that Edmonton is looking for help at forward, specifically for a right-winger.

Edmonton Oilers celebrate (Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports)

Bob McKenzie was on TSN 1260 and gave his opinion on the trades over the weekend. He started with, “I think everybody in Edmonton understands and recognizes that the Oilers, they need to make the playoffs, there’s pressure on them to do that.” Chiarelli admitted as much in the media conference where he said the team looked at their five losses (now six with the loss to Winnipeg on Monday night) and at this critical juncture, they needed to shore up the defense. McKenzie also said these trades were an example of what happens when you have to make “these deals under duress.”

The big debate in Edmonton is whether or not these additions are big enough to actually help the Oilers and what else is coming. Almost everyone seems to think there’s more on the way.

Mark Stone Negotiating With Senators

The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch reports that Mark Stone said that he expects contract negotiations to start in the next two weeks and makes it clear that he wants to stay in Ottawa.

This is great news for the Sens as there are serious questions about the big free agents in Ottawa wanting to stay put or not.

Michael Frolik Being Run out of Calgary?

Agent Allan Walsh tweeted on December 30, 2018: “Many people in Calgary have been reaching out asking why Michael Frolik is a healthy scratch. Keeping one of the teams most efficient and versatile forwards in the stands marginalizes and devalues a great team player. Head coach’s attempt to run a good player out of town?”

Frolik did return to the lineup when the Flames beat the Sharks on Monday 8-5 and Frolik had two assists, but the seed is already planted now that Calgary might be trying to push Frolik out of town.

Michael Frolik Calgary Flames (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Beat reporter, Kristen Anderson later tweeted that Flames coach Bill Peters had no response to Walsh’s comments other than that “Fro is going to play and he’s going to play with Backs and Chucky…he’s missed a lot of hockey, when you missed that much time with that type of injury, it takes time…”

Peters was suggesting that Frolik staying out of the lineup was more about giving him the time to warm back up after being gone and that the reality is, you aren’t going to get the guy back that left on day one.

Some Shifting to Happen in Toronto?

In a recent mailbag segment, Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star wrote, if the Maple Leafs decided to move Nylander to the center position, insiders should add Nazem Kadri to Patrick Marleau and Nikita Zaitsev as players the Maple Leafs could move to create cap space or pick up a defenseman.

Patrick Marleau (Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports)

McGran believes the Maple Leafs will be searching for a young right-handed defenseman and wrote:

I believe Dubas will be looking for a young player, not a veteran. Pietrangelo’s price tag — $6.5 million – might be a bit much for this team, unless it’s Nylander going the other way. I wonder if the Oilers will sniff around, try to get some added scoring up front.

source – ‘MAILBAG: So … Kapanen or Nylander?’ – The Toronto Star – Kevin McGran – 12/28/2018

Moving out someone like Marleau, Kadri, or Zaitsev also frees the Leafs up to re-sign a player like Kasperi Kapanen who needs a new contract. The alternative is trading for a defenseman like Niklas Kronwall but the belief is that Dubas doesn’t see the value in adding that kind of rental.

Sabres Will Not Move a First-Rounder for a Rental

Elliotte Friedman said on 630 CHED that he looked into the rumors Buffalo might move one of their four first-round picks to make a push at playoff success and he was told, “it wasn’t happening. That they’re not doing it for a rental.”

The only way Buffalo moves one of those picks is if they’re getting back a 22 or 23-year-old player that they’re going to have under control for a while.

By Jim Parsons on Dec 30, 2018 12:51 pm

In today’s NHL rumors, the recipients of Jim Lites’ tirade out of Dallas have their chance to comment and there is speculation on what the fallout of the drama might be. The Blue Jackets are hearing the Artemi Panarin wants to stick around this season but may still want the freedom to explore his options when the season ends and the Rangers might be showcasing some of their players in an effort to trade them.

Stars Not Looking to Trade Benn or Seguin

Mark Stepneski wrote that Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn both had comments in regard to the lashing they took from Stars CEO Jim Lites over their respective performances this year. Specifically, Seguin said he had not spoken with Lites at all prior to these comments that came as a shock.

“I guess, in one aspect because I obviously didn’t know how he felt. So, it came as a bit of a surprise. But, I said it yesterday in practice that I understand I need to be better, Jamie understands he needs to be better, and we need to lead this team to be better.”

Dallas Stars Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Elliotte Friedman reached out to Stars owner Tom Gaglardi and asked if these comments were an indication the organization might be looking to move either player. The response was, a definite no and that these comments were meant to motivate and get the players playing up to the expectations that come with their large contracts.

"Our best players have to be our best players. This is not about trading anyone. This is not about firing anyone. We are in danger of missing the playoffs for the third straight year, and this team is built to win and contend now (2/3)…

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) December 30, 2018

Mark Stepneski then reported that Jamie Benn commented that he doesn’t play for Lites, he plays for the players in the room and his coaches. He’d have preferred the discussions about their performances be kept internal but it is what it is and “I am proud to be a Dallas Star and I am proud to go out every night and battle with these guys in games. I really put my teammates first.”

Nick Kypreos said during Saturday’s Headlines segment the NHLPA will likely take a look in the matter and they’ll want to talk with both Seguin and Benn beforehand. Kypreos isn’t sure if there is anything the PA can do aside from making a statement.

Panarin to Stay in Columbus But Look at New York?

Nick Kypreos also said the Columbus Blue Jackets and pending free agent forward Artemi Panarin might be getting closer to making things work between the two sides. Kypreos said, “His agent went public, said all the right things in terms of how happy he is now in Columbus. He doesn’t want to get traded. He’d like to see out the season with Columbus, see how far they can go.”

Backing that feeling Panarin is more likely to stick around, Dan Milstein (Panarin’s agent) told TSN’s “Leafs Lunch” on Friday that the player is also reportedly opening up to the idea of an extension with the Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets and Panarin will meet to discuss a contract over the All-Star break.

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Artemi Panarin and Anaheim Ducks defenseman Josh Manson (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

Unfortunately, not everything is perfect when it comes to Panarin. Kypreos isn’t sure if this is just lip service because Panarin still isn’t committing to a new contract and many still believe he’ll explore free agency with the Rangers the favorite at this point to land him.

If this is the case, this is a tricky situation for the Blue Jackets who might choose to trade him if the odds are he’ll leave. It also means the Rangers might have to start moving pieces to clear cap space in the event they need to make room for Panarin’s contract.

Rangers Shopping Shattenkirk?

Larry Brooks of the New York Post writes that the Rangers aren’t going to be a playoff team and that they should coach towards the trade deadline and “build the value of his players, even if that might not align with the short-time objective of winning the next game.” In short, Brooks suggests that winning or losing isn’t as important as taking the next steps towards their future gameplan with our without certain players.

Kevin Shattenkirk, New York Rangers, September 27, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Brooks names Kevin Shattenkirk as the type of player the Rangers should showcase on the top unit power play when he returns in an effort to highlight his value and see if there’s a potential landing spot out there for him.

By Jim Parsons on Dec 29, 2018 12:38 pm

In today’s NHL rumors there is talk about the New York Rangers and forward Kevin Hayes, the Oilers need to find secondary scoring in the absence of Alex Chiasson and the Carolina Hurricanes may look towards the Toronto Maple Leafs to solve their offensive woes. Plus, what is the reaction to the tirade delivered by the Stars organization towards Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin?

Rangers and Kevin Hayes

The Rangers are officially allowed to negotiate with pending free agent Kevin Hayes after January 1st but the winger who has 32 points in 36 games has no idea if the team is going to do so. In an article published by Rick Carpiniello of The Athletic, Carpiniello writes the two sides have about two months to figure things out.

Kevin Hayes, New York Rangers, September 27, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Carpiniello writes:

By signing the one-year deal, and thus becoming eligible to hit the unrestricted free agency jackpot on July 1, Hayes became just as likely to be traded before the Feb. 25 trade deadline as he is to sign an extension.

“I have no idea what the Rangers are going to do at this point,” said Hayes’ agent Robert Murray. “That’s their decision more than ours. We’ll see what they do after the first.”

source – ‘With negotiations about to begin, Kevin Hayes leaves contract (or trade) decision up to the Rangers’ – By Rick Carpiniello – The Athletic- 12/28/18

To get him re-signed, speculation is that it will take at least a six-year contract worth $6 million or more per season. Should that not be in the cards for the Rangers and they look to trade him at the deadline, they could ask for at least a first-round draft pick, maybe a top prospect or a young NHL-ready player.

One of the reasons Hayes might not be part of the future in New York is that there is speculation the Rangers have their eyes on some big fish. Pierre LeBrun reports that the team might be looking at trying to land Artemi Panarin.

Oilers Looking for Yamamoto to Fill in For Alex Chiasson?

After the Oilers lost to Vancouver on Thursday, the loss wasn’t the only bad news. Winger Alex Chiasson is headed for injured reserve and the team waived Valentin Zykov. They’ll call up Kailer Yamamoto from the AHL Bakersfield in hopes that he can find some success scoring goals.

Kailer Yamamoto, Edmonton Oilers, Oct. 21, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

There is no confirmation on where the Oilers will place him in the lineup but it is assumed he’ll get a look in the top six to maximize his ability to score goals and produce points.

Carolina Still Looking for Offense

Darren Dreger was on TSN 1050 and commented on the plans for the Carolina Hurricanes heading towards the trade deadline. Rumors were already rampant that the team was looking for offense after losing Elias Lindholm and Jeff Skinner. The expectation is that the Hurricanes will be busy.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Kasperi Kapanen (John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports)

Dreger said, “I think we’re going to continue to link the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Carolina Hurricanes. We know that the Hurricanes were interested in William Nylander, and are interested in Kasperi Kapanen.” He added, “So who knows, maybe there’s a fit there for both of those clubs in the New Year.”

The Reaction to the Dallas Stars Tirade

It appears the tirade that was delivered by Stars CEO Jim Lites is getting a reaction, which was his plan. It’s simply not known what kind of reaction is ideal for the organization.

While the consensus that the comments were meant simply to light a fire under Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, there is some speculation that the rant was meant to urge one or both players to stand up and ask for a trade. If the Stars miss the postseason this year, expect the chatter of either or both being traded to go up.

Benn and Seguin both met with media this morning and said they have not heard from Lites during this season. Benn also said he doesn’t play for Lites, he plays for the rest of his teammates

— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) December 29, 2018

Benn already told the media that his phone lit up like it was his birthday yesterday after the comments went public and both he and Seguin were part of the Stars optional skate on Saturday morning.

Recent Articles:

Latest News