NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 08/05/2020

August 05, 2020

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

08/05/2020 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Aug 04, 2020 01:17 pm

In today’s NHL rumors, there is speculation Henrik Lundqvist could have played his final game as Ranger. In Anaheim, the Ducks might try to acquire key pieces with limited cap space. In the Flames versus Jets series, will Winnipeg get Patrik Laine or Mark Scheifele back for Game 3? Finally, what is the latest news on COVID-19 tests?

Lundqvist Done With Rangers?

Larry Brooks of the New York Post wonders if Henrik Lundqvist has played his final game for the New York Rangers. With the Rangers on the verge of elimination today, if Igor Shesterkin is healthy, he’ll probably get the start against the Carolina Hurricanes. If Shesterkin isn’t healthy, the Rangers might elect to go with backup Alexandar Georgiev.

Lundqvist has one year remaining on his contract and at a value of $8.5 million. It will be an interesting situation to watch as Lundqvist still holds a full no-movement clause. Would they elect to buy out his contract if he doesn’t agree to waive?

NHL Reported Zero Positive COVID-19 Tests

On Monday, the NHL provided another weekly update on their COVID-19 testing, indicating once again that they have had zero positive results inside the bubble.

This is huge news because it shows that the system the NHL is using works. The league administered more than 7,000 tests and other leagues should take notice.

 Ducks Trade Target Options

Eric Stephens of The Athletic took a look at the options in the offseason for the Anaheim Ducks and with limited cap space. Stephens keys in on five potential trade options that include Dylan Strome, Kasperi Kapanen, Jaden Schwartz, Jake Virtanen, and Antti Raanta.

Stephens wonders if the Blackhawks could be a target as they have just over $7 million in projected cap space and have to sign players like Strome, Dominik Kubalik, and prospect Kirby Dach. Of Strome being available:

We haven’t addressed Strome, who was stellar in 2018-19 after coming over from Arizona for Nick Schmaltz and less so in 2019-20. But the former No. 3 overall draft pick is coming out of his entry-level deal and ready to cash in with 89 points over his 116 games with Chicago. What could make him available is Kirby Dach showed promise as a rookie and could become the No. 2 center behind captain Jonathan Toews (and possibly supplant Toews for No. 1 status).

source – ‘Five players the Ducks could add from cap crunched teams’ – Eric Stephens – The Athletic – 07/28/2020

In Toronto, there’s a similar situation as the Leafs potentially only have the room to sign both Frederik Andersen and Zach Hyman — who will be UFAs after next season — if they move Kapanen or Andreas Johnsson, or Alexander Kerfoot.

In St. Louis, things will be tight and the Blues would like to avoid moving Schwartz. Vince Dunn could interest the Ducks.

If the Ducks could choose from the Canucks, they’d pick Brock Boeser, but Virtanen seems to be on the outs with the franchise and could shake loose this offseason.

Antti Raanta could be on interest to the Ducks if Ryan Miller chooses to retire or the team goes another direction. Should the Coyotes continue pursuing Taylor Hall, moving the $4.25 million cap hit of Raanta would give them some needed space.

Jets Still Without Laine and Scheifele

Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice declined to say whether or not Patrik Laine or Mark Scheifele could return to the team’s lineup for Tuesday’s Game 3 against the Calgary Flames.

The series is tied 1-1 and the Flames failed to take advantage of an opportunity to put a stranglehold on the series. If Laine and/or Scheifele return, it could be a huge confidence boost for the Jets.

By Jim Parsons on Aug 03, 2020 12:15 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, it is all about the quick hits and news items as it pertains to a number of teams and game action from Saturday an Sunday in the NHL play-ins and seeding games.

There is news on the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets, and Chicago Blackhawks.

Latest on Bruins’ Tuukka Rask

Deputy managing editor, for NHL.com, Adam Kimelman notes that Boston Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy provided an update yesterday on goaltender Tuukka Rask. Rask was deemed unfit to play in yesterday’s loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Cassidy explained:

“We were told last night that he would be unavailable so we let Jaro know. Then it was going to be a day-to-day thing. We expect and hope that he’ll be back in the net Wednesday. Let’s see if he’s on the ice tomorrow. Probably can give you a better idea then how he’s feeling. And we’ll go from there with Tuukka. Obviously he’s an important part of our team. My understanding is he is feeling better.”

Dougie Hamilton Close to a Return?

Senior Editor for the Hurricanes Canes, Michael Smith shared photos of Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dougie Hamilton on the ice skating yesterday before the team’s practice. Coach Rod Brind’Amour said on Friday that Hamilton was “getting better.”

That he wasn’t with the team means he’s perhaps not quite ready.

Lundqvist Will Start Again

We reported yesterday that Igor Shesterkin was back at practice for the Rangers, but apparently, he’s not quite ready to get the net as Henrik Lundqvist will start again.

There’s some speculation that Lundqvist’s play earned him another start and that his experience is playing a role as the Rangers are down one game in a five-games series. If you remove him after a good game, do you send the wrong message and help a sense of panic set in?

Shesterkin is listed as day-to-day.

In other Rangers news, Vincent Mercogliano of USA Today Sports reports the team has ruled out forward Jesper Fast for Game 2.

Caggiula Suspended One Game

NHL Player Safety came down on Chicago Blackhawks forward Drake Caggula as he was handed a one-game suspension for his illegal check to the head of Edmonton Oilers forward Tyler Ennis.

Update on Scheifele and Laine Injuries

Sara Orlesky of TSN notes that both Mark Scheifele and Patrik Laine are doubtful for today’s game against the Calgary Flames. Scheifele was seen in a walking boot Sunday, but his injury may not be long-term.

Ken Wiebe of Sportsnet covers Paul Maurice’s comments on the Tkachuk hit and Maurice said on two separate occassions that he believed Tkachuk intentionally tried to hurt Mark Scheifele.

“It was intentional. It was a filthy, dirty kick to the back of the leg,” Maurice said after his team dropped the series opener 4-1. “You can’t see it on the program feed, but take the blue line feed and you zoom in. He went after the back of the leg. He could have cut his Achilles. He could have ended the man’s career. It’s an absolutely filthy, disgusting hit.

“I was about as clear as a man can be about what I saw.”

Many are saying Maurice is wrong here and just posturing in an attempt to get a good player suspended and out of the lineup. Tkachuk has a history and at the very least, the officials may watch him more closely now.

Micheal Ferland Fined For Spear

Vancouver Canucks forward Micheal Ferland will be fined $5,000 for his spear in Game 1 of the club’s qualifying round series against the Minnesota Wild.

Wild forward Luke Kunin was also fined $1,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct as he was holding Ferland’s stick while on the bench and not part of the play.

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