NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 03/13/2019

March 13, 2019

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

03/13/2019 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Mar 12, 2019 12:54 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, the focus is on the New York Islanders and an extension with Anders Lee, the Rangers are not bringing over one of their KHL prospects, the Toronto Maple Leafs have their eyes on an under-the-radar college free agent and the Coyotes are still looking for new ownership.

Lamoriello Deal With Anders Lee Done?

Brett Cyrgalis of the NY Post is reporting that it sounds like an announcement that Anders Lee has signed an extension with the New York Islanders is coming. He says the deal is pretty much done, and just the final details need to be hammered out.

New York Islanders’ Anders Lee celebrates with teammates (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Lou Lamoriello will then need to turn his attention to re-signing Brock Nelson and Jordan Eberle so that the team doesn’t lose them for anything come July 1st. There is speculation that Islanders may have interest in pending UFA’s Artemi Panarin, Sergei Bobrovsky, and Erik Karlsson so if the Islanders don’t sign some of their own key players, it could be a sign they are saving money in an attempt to land someone with a much higher salary.

Don’t Expect Playoff Format Change

Elliotte Friedman had a Friday morning radio hit on Calgary’s Sportsnet 960 and said fans shouldn’t expect that the NHL will change their playoff format despite some widespread desire from many to do so. Friedman believes TV rights could be the big reason behind a lack of desire to change.

“I believe it was NBC because we were told at the time they liked the more predictability of knowing who the matchups were going to be,” Friedman explained. He also added that the television rights holders weren’t thrilled about the re-seeding last time they did so because it was much harder to prepare for.

KHL Team Won’t Terminate Kravtsov’s Contract

Despite an earlier report that the Rangers might be bringing over Vitali Kravtsov from the NHL, Igor Eronko tweeted this is not the case and the GM of Traktor of the KHL said that they won’t terminate Vitali Kravtsov’s contract. As a result, don’t expect Kravtsov to sign with the New York Rangers this season.

Vitali Kravtsov, KHL, 2017. (Photo: HC Traktor)

Maple Leafs and College UFA Joseph Duszak

Elliotte Friedman is reporting that the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in college free agent defenseman Joseph Duszak. A report from College Hockey News suggests that it may already be a done deal.

TOR looking at right-shot D Joseph Duszak of NCAA Mercyhurst as a free-agent addition. Led team with 47 points in 37 games.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 12, 2019

Chris Peters added that at 21 years old Duszak would be one of the younger college free agents. He also says that Atlantic Hockey hasn’t produced a ton of NHLers, but as a low-risk add he could be a win for the Leafs. Duszak has 47 points in 37 games for Mercyhurst this season.

Scott Wheeler figures that the fact where Duszak comes from is an under-the-radar program, it may reduce the number of suitors. As Bob McKenzie noted, Most of the NHL is currently focused on Max Veronneau, Ryan Kuffner from Princeton, Taro Hirose from Michigan State and Joe Snively from Yale who has received interest from at least 20 NHL teams

Coyotes Ownership Questions

There have been various reports the Arizona Coyotes have been moving forward on finding someone to add to their ownership group. A recent report by Richard Morin of the Arizona Republic suggests that isn’t necessarily true and no new ownership has presented itself and the arena situation is ongoing.

Morin writes that the Coyotes did approach the Phoenix Suns regarding a possible partnership of a downtown area but they were turned away by Suns owner Robert Sarver. Morin also writes that the team will likely put the arena deal on the backburner for now and owner Coyotes owner Andrew Barroway will continue to look for someone to add to the ownership group.

By Jim Parsons on Mar 11, 2019 03:24 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there are updates on what the plans are for Quinn Hughes in Vancouver, what the Rangers will do with their rebuild and how it might include a big-ticket free agent and how the Arizona Coyotes tried to get creative after the NHL Trade Deadline. Finally, the Oilers are short-listing their search for a new GM and there are some surprising names on the list.

Canucks May Delay Debut of Quinn Hughes

As per a report by Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos, Quinn Hughes is now signed to an entry-level deal, but there is some concern that if he plays in 10 or more games this season, it would make him eligible for the Seattle expansion draft in 2021. If the Canucks decide they’re in a playoff push and Hughes is part of the reason they get there, the organization will have a difficult decision.

Welcome to the #Canucks Quinn Hughes! Last year’s 7th overall pick signs a three-year entry-level contract with Vancouver. https://t.co/lDwkuR7EPU

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) March 10, 2019

Speculation is that Canucks would never risk losing Hughes in that manner and won’t let him play the 10 games. His debut may already be delayed, even though there was some thought he might play on Wednesday. Kypreos said, “But he did block a shot the other night on his ankle, which could jeopardize that start.”

Coyotes Tried to Add After Trade Deadline

Elliotte Friedman had a Friday morning radio hit on Calgary’s Sportsnet 960 and said Arizona Coyotes GM John Chayka was trying to add a piece to the roster after the trade deadline and when Derek Stepan got hurt. He was under the impression you could trade for someone but they wouldn’t be playoff eligible if the Coyotes had made it. That rule is no longer in practice.

BUFFALO, NY – JUNE 24: General manager John Chayka of the Arizona Coyotes. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)

The new rule is that only European free agents are allowed to be added to your roster after the deadline passes and the Coyotes couldn’t find anyone they liked enough to pull the trigger on bringing him in.

Friedman called it a smart idea, but not one the NHL would have allowed.

McKenzie Says Rangers Rebuild Begins With Panarin

Bob McKenzie had a Monday radio hit on Edmonton’s TSN 1260 and said while the New York Rangers are rebuilding thanks to the trades of Kevin Hayes and Mats Zuccarello, “it’s kind of a soft rebuild if you want to call it that.”

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

McKenzie said once Artemi Panarin hits free agency, the Rangers will line up with their bags of money saying, ‘Come see us, come play with us.’ The Rangers believe this will be one of the best ways to shorten the rebuild from five, six or seven years to only a couple.

There is speculation Panarin is interested in the Rangers as well.

Oilers Are Narrowing Down Their Search

There is some speculation that while the Oilers are saying they will take their time and interview a ton of candidates for the new GM role, there is already a short list and it includes interim GM Keith Gretzky. Oilers radio host, Bob Stauffer suggested that names he thinks make sense (and he’s often got an inside track on these sorts of things), is Kelly McCrimmon, Ross Mahoney, Laurence Gilman, Mark Hunter, and Gretzky.

Oilers GM search:

5 Names that make sense to me:

Kelly McCrimmon

Ross Mahoney

Laurence Gilman

Mark Hunter

And Interim GM Keith Gretzky

— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) March 11, 2019

Some are suggesting that the list is being shortened and Gretzky a serious contender because of the candidates the team has reached out to, there might not be as much interest in the job as many would have figured.

Darren Dreger suggested that Dave Nonis, Sean Burke, and Mike Futa might be candidates as well.

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By Jim Parsons on Mar 10, 2019 01:32 pm

In today’s rumor rundown, there are some items on the New York Rangers, the Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, and Los Angeles Kings.

Quick New York Rangers Rumors Hits

Larry Brooks of the NY Post wrote a few updates on the New York Rangers. Among them was that the team is trying to bring 2018 first-round draft pick Vitali Kravtsov to North America. Still in the KHL until the end of April, if he gets his release from his KHL team, he could join the Rangers.

The team will have to be careful about what kind of deal they sign him to because they don’t want to burn off one year of his entry-level deal just for a few games in the NHL. The Rangers might try to get him in on an amateur tryout (ATO).

Vitali Kravtsov, KHL, 2018. (Photo: HC Traktor)

According to Aivis Kalnins, who offered a statement from Traktor Chelyabinsk on the situation, they are willing to allow Krastov to come over and get a look so the Rangers can decide if he should stay in the KHL for one more year or join the team in the NHL.

In other Rangers news, the team could look to buy out the contract of Kevin Shattenkirk. Brooks notes that he was a healthy scratch again on Thursday and his two years remaining at $6.65 million is prohibitive. The buyout window opens at the start of June and if he is bought out the Rangers cap hits would be $1,483,333, $6,083,333, $1,483,333, and $1,483,333.

Part of the move to get rid of Shattenkirk appears to be to make space so that the Rangers can go after Artemi Panarin.

Keith Gretzky Expected to Stay With Oilers

Even if the Edmonton Oilers choose to hire a new GM at the end of the season, it appears as though interim GM Keith Gretzky wants to stay on with the organization.

CEO and Vice-Chair, Oilers Entertainment Group, Bob Nicholson (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson)

There were some rumors that Bob Nicholson might move on from Gretzky, but according to Elliotte Friedman,“He [Gretzky] believes this is an important time to be part of the organization and that he wants to be part of the solution. He’s not looking to go anywhere.”

The Oilers don’t seem quick to move on from Gretzky either. They believe in his abilities and they are going to take their time making a decision on whoever the next GM is. Gretzky will get strong consideration.

Kings Going After NCAA UFA?

Fox Sports’ Jon Rosen reports that the Los Angeles Kings are interested in undrafted Michigan State forward Taro Hirose. Hirose is currently the leading scorer in NCAA and apparently friends with Kings’ prospect James Anderson-Dolan.

There is no word on whether Hirose is ready to leave college and join the NHL, but he has 16 goals and 37 points this season for Michigan State and it is expected he could make the jump.

Canucks and Quinn Hughes

Sportsnet’s Rick Dhaliwal reports that Quinn Hughes will talk things over with his parents and coaches before deciding on whether he will turn towards the pro game now that his Michigan team is officially eliminated from the first round of the Big 10 tournament.

Quintin Hughes poses for a photo with team representatives after being selected as the number seven overall pick to the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft. (Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)

Canucks’ general manager Jim Benning said of bringing Hughes in, “We’ll get right on it.” The team wanted him to focus on Michigan, but now that he’s not making a run with that team, they want him.

This doesn’t mean that Hughes will immediately join the Canucks but the reports are that the 19-year-old blueliner is ready. The Canucks have major issues on defense and if he comes right away, gets signed, he could play in the lineup as early as Wednesday.

By Jim Parsons on Mar 09, 2019 02:23 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, we focus on the negotiations between the Vancouver Canucks and Alex Elder, whether or not the San Jose Sharks would be willing to move on from Erik Karlsson and what the Colorado Avalanche will do with defenseman Tyson Barrie.

Alex Edler Deal Coming But Not Imminent

Rick Dhaliwal of Sportsnet 650 tweeted that the agent for Alex Edler, Mark Stowe, said Edler has all eyes on staying a Vancouver Canuck but they aren’t in a rush to get a deal done immediately. “We have till July 1 to get a deal so we aren’t in a rush as of now,” Stowe said. The expectation by the Edler camp is that a deal will be done before July 1.

Alexander Edler, Vancouver Canucks, Nov. 21, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Ed Willes of the Vancouver Province also wrote on the Edler negotiations and he believes a contract extension between the Vancouver Canucks and Edler is a matter of “when” and not “if” based on conversations he’s had with coach Travis Green and GM Jim Benning.

Green said, “It’s obvious in how much we play him and how we treat him as one of our main leaders. I like having him on our team. You hope it works out.” Benning said yesterday morning that he thinks it will get done.

The hang-up appears the be the length of term on the deal. Anything over two years at Elder’s age is concerning for Vancouver.

Could Sharks Walk From Karlsson?

Paul Gackle of The Mercury News wondered during a mailbag segment if the San Jose Sharks would be willing to let Erik Karlsson go considering signing him to an extension would cost the team between $11 and $13 million per season on an eight-year deal. It would certainly handcuff them in terms of the salary cap and Gackle cites that their play of late has shown that they can be successful without him.

Erik Karlsson, San Jose Sharks, Oct. 9, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Gackle also mentioned that if Sharks GM Doug Wilson chose not to pursue a more expensive deal with Karlsson, he could instead sign players like Gustav Nyquist as well as other UFAs. Not to mention, he has to decide what to do with the contracts of Joe Pavelski, Joe Thornton, and Timo Meier.

Clearly, the Sharks would not want to move on from Karlsson for nothing, meaning that should they decide not to extend him, they would look at trading his rights in the summer, potentially at the NHL Entry Draft.

Gackle writes:

If Doug Wilson is willing to let Karlsson walk, he can re-sign the aforementioned players and still have money left over to bring in another impact player… Regardless, Wilson will have options if it doesn’t work out with Karlsson. Whichever way Wilson goes, the Sharks should be a contender again next season.

Source – ‘Mailbag: are the Sharks better off without Erik Karlsson?’ – Paul Gackle – Mercury News-03/05/2019

Tyson Barrie Wants to Stay in Colorado

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie recently told Mike Chambers of the Denver Post, he wants to remain with the team and get an extension done this offseason. Barrie said, “I love it here. I’ve been here my whole career and I’d like to be a part of it going forward.”

Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

That said, Barrie realizes he may not be what the organization envisions as a fit long-term. “But at the end of the day, that’s up to management and where they see this going. That’s probably a conversation for a later date,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s a business. But I do love it here.”

Chambers adds:

And Barrie’s $5.5 million salary next season? It could be used elsewhere, while Makar and Timmins, both 20, are on their modest entry-level contracts. Girard, also 20, is on the second year of his three-year ELC. “Obviously, I’m not blind to it,” Barrie said.

Source – ‘Is the Avalanche’s Tyson Barrie expendable?…’ – Mike Chambers – Denver Post – 03/08/2019

Barrie will be 29 at the start of the 2020-21 season when his next contract will begin and he’ll probably be expecting a raise on his $5.5 million per season salary. For the Avs, that could make the negotiations interesting because there are rumors of a Barrie trade in the past and they don’t traditionally like to spend money. They’ll also have money they’ll have to set aside for winger Mikko Rantanen.

With quality prospects like Cale Makar and Conor Timmins in the system, will the Avs choose to trade Barrie and let someone else pay him the money he’ll likely want in free agency? Barrie will have a ton of value as an offensive, right-shot defender. It wouldn’t be surprising to see his name resurface in trade speculation closer to the draft.

Penguins Interested In Josh Wilkins

It appears the Pittsburgh Penguins might jump into the college free agent market again, this time with their eyes set on Providence center Josh Wilkins. Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette noted in a reader chat they have interest in the 21-year-old who recorded 31 points in each of his first two years and scored 36 points (14-22-36) in just 34 games this season.

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