NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 11/01/2019

November 01, 2019

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

11/01/2019 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Oct 31, 2019 04:30 pm

In an Edmonton Oilers news and rumors update, there is news regarding Jesse Puljujarvi’s status with the team, questions about whether or not the Oilers would have interest in Andreas Athanasiou, and what it might cost to keep Zack Kassian around. Finally, what does November look like for the team after a better-than-expected October?

Holland to Visit With Puljujarvi

There have been a few nuggets thrown out there in the rumor mill lately when it comes to the Edmonton Oilers and the likelihood Jesse Puljuarvi ever dresses again for the organization.

According to Mark Spector of Sportsnet, general manager Ken Holland will travel to Helsinki, Finland for the Karjala Cup this week to check in on the disgruntled restricted free agent. While he’s not the leading scorer on the Karpat team, Puljujarvi is playing well and has scored 11 goals so far in just 17 games.

Spector writes however, leaving him in Finland all season may be the best option for the Oilers at this point. That whatever they talk about, Holland may not be trying to find out if he’s ready to come back.

Meanwhile, Brian Lawton was a guest on Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer and was asked if he would move Puljujarvi. Lawton said, “My first thought would be to be patient.” He added:

“He’s still part of the Edmonton Oilers, regardless of how he feels and there’s nothing to say that couldn’t be repaired in the future. He could come back and be a meaningful player for Edmonton.”

Stauffer noted all the things that happened between Puljujarvi, his agent and the Oilers, but Lawton said he would be surprised if Holland didn’t go over there and just be himself, which is one of the hardest-working executives in the NHL. There’s no animosity between Jesse and Ken, they’ve never worked together. Their respective positions doesn’t mean he’ll be traded.

Oilers Eyeing Athanasiou?

Elliotte Friedman noted in his latest 31 Thoughts article that while he’s not heard Athanasious’ name out there in trade rumors, the forward is ranked No. 8 on TSN’s latest Trade Bait Board and Friedman noted that as the forward continues not to score, the Red Wings might grow impatient. That they waived Jonathan Ericsson proves they aren’t allowing players to struggle during a rebuild.

In a contract year, Athanasiou is an affordable forward for the Oilers at a pro-rated $3 million for the rest of the season and he’s got speed to burn. If a trade were there, it probably wouldn’t happen until later in the season but Holland saw how dangerous Athanasiou was when the Red Wings defeated the Oilers on Tuesday. He’ll likely keep his eyes on the forward and knows him well from his time as the GM in Detroit.

Other Names Emerging as Options?

According to Allan Mitchell of The Athletic, other names worth keeping an eye on are righty centre Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Mathieu Perreault, Mark Jankowski and Jack Roslovic.

He writes:

Considering all things, Jankowski is the most attractive option. He brings size, some skill and utility. He has had NHL success and now is an odd man out …Calgary is a successful team but isn’t immune to making errors in player evaluation. Perhaps the team is making another mistake.

source – ‘Oilers in need of a two-way centre; some candidates emerging’ Allan Mitchell – The Athletic – 10/30/2019

How Much Will Zack Kassian Cost?

Jonathan Willis of The Athletic took a look at what it might cost for the Oilers to keep forward Zack Kassian on an extension. Playing in the final year of a contract season, Kassian is making $1.95 million this season. Willis suggests keeping Kassian around, even if his results are coming from playing almost exclusively with Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid.

Willis writes:

On the whole, this decision with Kassian looks a lot like the one the Oilers faced with Chiasson last season, and frankly, he’s a better candidate for a contract. Even if Edmonton ultimately splits up McDavid and Draisaitl, there’s a reasonable chance that Kassian can play a middle-six role with a good centre and deliver on a $2.25- or $2.50-million cap hit, especially if the risk is limited to a two-year term.

source – ‘Willis: How much will the Oilers have to pay to keep pending free agent Zack Kassian?’ – Jonathan Willis – The Athletic – 10/31.2019

Oilers Expecations For November

After a fantastic month of October that sees the Oilers sitting fourth in the NHL standings and first in the Western Conference, what are the expectations for November?

The Oilers play 14 games — half of which are against non-playoff teams from last season. So too, many of the teams Edmonton will face in November aren’t ranked in the top 10 standings so far this year.

The real question will be whether or not the bottom-six forwards can start to contribute and if McDavid, Draisaitl and James Neal may take a step backward.

By Jim Parsons on Oct 31, 2019 11:50 am

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is plenty to digest from Elliotte Friedman’s 31 Thoughts article. In addition, Taylor Hall comments in his unhappiness with the fans in New Jersey and there’s some buzz the Edmonton Oilers and Jesse Puljujarvi aren’t quite finished with each other.

Bruins Won’t Trade Krug

Torey Krug has nine points in his first 12 games. As an offensive defenseman, he’s living up to his end of the bargain in a contract year. As a result, Friedman points out that whatever the Bruins decide to do with Krug long-term, no one expects him to be dealt if he’s unsigned by the deadline.

Krug has made it clear he’d like to stay in Boston but the Bruins haven’t made re-signing him a priority. Set for a hefty pay bump he’s important to any playoff run and the team can’t afford to lose him, even if they can’t keep him.

Dustin Byfuglien Issue Getting Complicated

It was recently learned that Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien had surgery on an ankle issue last week. The recovery on said surgery is expected to keep him out until the New Year, assuming he decides to return to the NHL — to this point, no decision has been relayed to the Jets organization.

Where this could get tricky, is around his contract situation, because he can argue he deserves to be paid while recovering from a legitimate injury. At this time, he’s being suspended by the Jets and not entitled to his salary for the season. Going on LTIR could/would change that.

Blues and Pietrangelo Waiting in Each Other

Friedman also says, that while things could change with one phone call, negotiations aren’t going well in St. Louis where Blues GM Doug Armstrong and Alex Pietrangelo’s representatives are “circling each other like two elite cage fighters, waiting for their opponent to make the first move.”

The Roman Josi extension should have given both sides a better idea as to where Pietrangelo might sit, but the over $9 million on an eight-year deal given to Josi is considered high by many people.

Also with the Blues, Friedman notes that with the injury to Vladimir Tarasenko, the Blues might look to enter the marketplace and one name to watch is Chris Kreider out of New York. Friedman suggests he’d be perfect for them.

Taylor Hall Unhappy With Environment In New Jersey

While everyone keeps an eye on the situation in New Jersey as it pertains to Taylor Hall’s future, recent comments from Hall aren’t going to sit well. Corey Masisak of The Athletic noted comments Hall made post-game on Wednesday and speculation about his unhappiness is running wild.

Hall said, “We’re kind of battling our own fans right now. We were 1-for-3 on the power play and we are getting booed. It’s a tie game that we are getting booed.” He called it a tough environment to play in.

Masisak also notes that people shouldn’t jump to conclusions about the comments and that this isn’t an indication Hall wants out of New Jersey. Still, this has to be concerning to GM Ray Shero who is working hard to give Hall reasons to want to stay.

At the end of the day, the Devils need to start getting wins on the board or most will assume Hall’s time in New Jersey is likely over.

Red Wings Not Comfortable With Status Quo

Friedman is wondering if the Detroit Red Wings might dangle Andreas Athanasiou on the trade market. Friedman is not suggesting he’s heard the speedy forward’s name out there in trades, but noted that the Red Wings waiving Jonathan Ericsson indicates the team is not willing to simply lose games.

The Red Wings got a big win over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday and while Athanasiou didn’t score, he was one of the Red Wings best players. In 2018-19, and he still ended up with 30 goals despite a slow start and he could do so again. He’s worth keeping an eye on as he’s in a contract year and the previous negotiations didn’t exactly go smoothly.

Maple Leafs Looking to Move Marincin

Friedman notes that the Toronto Maple Leafs would be open to trading Martin Marincin. Marincin started the year on the third pairing, then was replaced in the lineup by Kevin Gravel and has now lost his spot to a returning Travis Dermott.

Oilers and Puljujarvi Reunion Possible?

While a guest on Bob Stauffer’s Oilers Now program, NHL insider Brian Lawton of the NHL Network said it’s possible the Edmonton Oilers and Jesse Puljujarvi work things out and that a Puljujarvi trade isn’t a foregone conclusion.

Stauffer didn’t know if the Oilers and Puljujarvi could get passed what has already transpired and maybe both sides are too far down the road but the best return for Edmonton would actually be for Puljujarvi to find a home on the third line in Edmonton.

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