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NHL Rumors Update
NHL Rumors Update for 11/04/2019
The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.
11/04/2019 edition:
By Jim Parsons on Nov 03, 2019 12:35 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there are major developments when it comes to what’s going on between the Winnipeg Jets and Dustin Byfuglien. In addition, there is news out of Edmonton when it comes to Jesse Puljujarvi and how many options the Oilers have. There is news on Milan Lucic and his hearing with the NHL, an update on Scott Sabourin and more.
Jets and Byfuglien to Need an Arbitrator
Elliotte Friedman provided a ton of information on the saga that is the Winnipeg Jets and Dustin Byfuglien. One way to potentially start looking at this now is the Jets versus Byfuglien because it sounds like there’s a lot of bad feelings and the two sides won’t be able to figure out their issues by themselves.
Friedman said an arbitrator is now likely to get involved because the Jets felt Byfuglien didn’t properly disclose his injury and was given a medical clearance at the end of last season. Byfuglien’s side says that’s not the case as everyone knew Byfuglien was injured, he finished out the season anyway, tried to rest all summer and come back, only to learn his ankle wasn’t healed and he’d need surgery.
Chris Johnston said Byfuglien offered to return and play hockey but there are questions now about how long he’d need to recover, how much money is owed to him based on when it is deemed the injury was discovered and more. Friedman added that there are now questions as to whether or not the Jets would even want him back or if Byfuglien would want to play for the Jets after all of this?
That new information obviously opens up the door to trade talks should Byfuglien decide he does want to heal up and return to the NHL.
Oilers Have Options for Puljujarvi
Johnston also said during the Saturday Headlines segment that Ken Holland was going to speak with Jesse Puljujarvi while in Finland and that the belief is he still isn’t interested in playing for the Oilers. If true, it sounds like Holland has trade options.
Johnston notes that a number of teams have stayed in contact with the Oilers, among them the New York Rangers who Johnston believes have been persistent in their interest for the forward.
Where things get interesting on the Puljujarvi front is that there is now less than a month left to get Puljujarvi signed to a contract or he can’t play in the NHL at all this season. The December 1st deadline might create a situation where Puljujarvi’s rights are moved.
Related: A Brief History of NHL Uniforms
Seattle Team Name Coming?
According to Chris Johnston, the new Seattle NHL franchise could have a team name in place before the All-Stars game. He said, “It sounds as though they’re very, very close behind the scenes on finalizing that name.” He added that they intend to release the name before the game and that, “we’ll start to get a little bit of personality to go with that team.”
Scott Sabourin Doing Ok
After what was an unfortunate incident during the Ottawa Senators vs Boston Bruins game, Scott Sabourin went to deliver a hit, his head collided with David Backes’ and as he went unconscious, fell face first onto the ice. He was taken from the game on a stretcher and there was real concern by both teams about his injuries.
Sabourin took to Instagram on Sunday and posted a photo and captioned it “Thanks for all the well wishes, hope to be back out on the ice in the near future.” He seems in good spirits considering how scary an incident that was.
That’s great news for fans and everyone who saw that attempt at a clean hit go so badly.
Sekera Nearing a Return
Sean Shapiro of The Athletic reports that Dallas Stars defenseman Andrej Sekera is nearing a return to the team. The undisclosed injury meant the Stars weren’t sure if he’d be ready to go on Tuesday, but he might be. Sekera skated with the team Saturday.
Milan Lucic to Have Hearing With NHL
After sucker-punching Kole Sherwood during the Calgary Flames game versus the Columbus Blue Jackets, Milan Lucic is set to have a hearing with the NHL Player Safety committee and could face a fine or suspension.
Lucic is no stranger to the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. Last season, as part of the Edmonton Oilers, Lucic received the maximum fine ($10,000) for roughing Tampa Bay Lightning forward Mathieu Joseph.
The post NHL Rumors: Byfuglien, Oilers and Puljujarvi, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on Nov 02, 2019 01:10 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news regarding the Calgary Flames, the Vancouver Canucks extending Elias Pettersson and an injury scare, the New York Rangers are worried about the cost of two free agents and news on the Buffalo Sabres blue line situation.
Flames Could Move T.J. Brodie
We wrote in a report yesterday that the Calgary Flames may be forced to move Travis Hamonic if the team isn’t competitive. He’s unwilling to negotiate during the season and is a perfect trade deadline candidate option for some teams. Hamonic is not the only defenseman worth keeping an eye on out of Calgary.
The Fourth Period notes a report from Darren Dreger where he stated earlier this week that the Flames and T.J. Brodie have held some contract talks but they don’t appear to be close on anything.
What makes this interesting is that apparently, the Flames have tried to trade Brodie in the past, dating back to the 2019 draft where the New Jersey Devils and Toronto Maple Leafs were interested.
Brodie owns an eight-team no-trade clause so if the Flames do decide to move him, that will be something they have to contend with.
Related: Top 10 Dirtiest NHL Players
Canucks Updates
Rick Dhaliwal of TSN 1040 is reporting that NHL agent sent him a text saying the Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks is going to cost the team anywhere between $9 and $11 million per season on an extension.
In a separate report out of Vancouver, the initial prognosis is Quinn Hughes will not be out long despite concern over an injury after he appeared to suffer when he torqued his left ankle and fell during a recent game.
Hughes will be re-examined Saturday in San Jose. There’s a chance he’ll play against the Sharks but the Canucks will keep a close eye on him.
“I don’t think it’s anything too crazy, so that’s good,” veteran centre Brandon Sutter said of the injury. He added, “Hopefully it’s something pretty small and we’ll see him real soon here.”
DeAngelo and Strome Too Expensive For Rangers?
Larry Brooks of the New York Post is writing that he believes the way both Tony DeAngelo and Ryan Strome are playing, they might be pricing themselves out of the range the New York Rangers can afford. Both are restricted free agents next summer with salary arbitration rights.
Brooks writes notes DeAngelo has recorded eight points (4-4) in 10 games and is likely looking at a two-year deal in the range of $4 million to $4.5 million per if he keeps up his current pace. Meanwhile, Strome, who has 10 points, could be looking at $4.5 million to $5 million on a one-year deal leading to 2022 unrestricted free agency. That’s assuming he’s able to collect 60 points this season.
Sabres Taking Defensemen Off the Market?
Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News noted in a recent mailbag segment that he believes all of the blueliners in Buffalo are off the table in terms of trade talks. While rumors were that players like Rasmus Ristolainen or Marco Scandella could be traded, he no longer believes that to be the case.
When asked the question about who will be moved, Lysowski responded:
None of them will be traded. For now, at least. The Sabres don’t have salary-cap restrictions after placing Zach Bogosian on long-term injured reserve. They will likely need to create room at some point, especially if Botterill intends to add to this roster before the trade deadline in February, but there won’t be a rush to make a move.
The post NHL Rumors: Flames, Canucks, Rangers, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on Nov 01, 2019 01:35 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news and conversation coming out of TSN’s Trade Bait Board, injury updates in Buffalo, and reports that the Dustin Byfuglien show in Winnipeg could get messy. Finally, there are expected and obvious developments in Ottawa when it comes to Bobby Ryan.
Flames to Move Hamonic?
While Chris Kreider topped TSN’s most recent trade board, Calgary Flames defenseman Travis Hamonic’s name appeared quite high as well. When the news surfaced that Hamonic was unwilling to negotiate a contract extension during the season, the likelihood of his being traded went way up.
If you look at Hamonic’s situation, there’s a good chance he gets moved. Just 29, he’s a right-handed defenseman with an expiring contract. He’s being paid fair dollars at $3.86 million and, even though they are still on the playoff bubble, the Flames have not quite lived up to expectations. There is plenty of time for the Flames to bounce back, but if they look like they won’t be a playoff team, Hamonic is likely one of the first names to get mentioned in trade rumors.
Related: Top 10 Dirtiest NHL Players
Sabres Jimmy Vesey Back Soon?
The Buffalo Sabres listed Jimmy Vesey as out week-to-week due to an upper-body injury but Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports Vesey might return sooner than expected, specifically as early as this Saturday.
Harrington writes:
Forward Jimmy Vesey made a surprise return to practice and said he’s hoping to return to the lineup for the game against the Islanders.
Vesey only has two assists this season but he’ll be a welcome addition back. “I’m hoping to try to get in Saturday, depending on how I feel,” he said. “I’ve got to see the doctor to get cleared. But I’m hoping Saturday. If not, definitely Sweden.”
Byfuglien Talking to NHLPA
We noted in yesterday’s rumor report that because of ankle surgery, Dustin Byfuglien would be eligible to seek salary payments while on LTIR. To date, he’s merely been suspended by the Winnipeg Jets.
According to Darren Dreger of TSN, Byfuglien’s representatives have reached out to the NHLPA to see what his options are and Dreger suggests things “could get complicated” if it is determined that the ankle injury occurred playing hockey.
Ken Wiebe of The Athletic wrote a detailed article on what this all means for the Jets and Byfuglien. He suggested there are so many questions around why Byfuglien didn’t just show up for camp, get a physical and go on injured reserve? Or, did the medial staff have a differing of opinion from Byfuglien about his injury? Still, until more news is available, things won’t change and Byfuglien will stay suspended.
Wiebe writes:
At least for the time being, it’s status quo regarding Byfuglien and the Jets, though there could be a plot twist or two that bubbles to the surface in the coming weeks and months.
Senators and Ryan Working Together on Trade
Ken Warren of the Ottawa Sun reports after being scratched from the lineup, Ottawa Senators GM Pierre Dorion and Bobby Ryan‘s agent are working together and exploring the market to see if they can’t find a trade destination for Ryan.
When asked about his contract – a $7.25 million salary cap hit for the next two seasons – being a potential hurdle to him being moved, Ryan responded, “To a degree … I think my contract is OK. It works for me,” he said. But he also understood that it becomes a big part of the conversation.
“Everything gets magnified because of it and I understand that. And have I lived up to it? At portions of the contract, yes. At portions of the contract, absolutely not. And I understand what comes with that.”
At the end of the day, it’s going to be hard to move Ryan at his salary. The Senators will have to retain at least 50% and then possibly throw in a sweetener.
The post NHL Rumors: Byfuglien, Ryan, Flames, Sabres, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
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