NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 05/22/2020

May 22, 2020

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

05/22/2020 edition:

By Jim Parsons on May 21, 2020 01:55 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, Tyson Barrie comments on his pending unrestricted free agency, and where he sees himself next season. In Montreal, there is renewed talk about the Canadiens going after Mikhail Sergachev. Finally, the NHL has focused in on a playoff format that it plans to propose to the players.

Barrie Comments on Being a Free Agent

Kristen Shilton of TSN spoke with pending unrestricted free agent Tyson Barrie and the Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman noted he’s not sure where his future will be but he knows what he wants.

Barrie is in the final year of his four-year, $22 million contract and noted:

“It’s a weird time to be heading into free agency, that’s for sure. We’re still not certain what’s going to play out here for the second half of the season and playoffs, and obviously that will extend into free agency. It’s an odd time, but at this point I think all I’ve got to do is focus on getting ready to play, if we are going to play, and try to take a run with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the playoffs. That’s why they brought me in and that’d be pretty spectacular, so hopefully we get a chance to do that.”

Of what his intentions are after the season, he says it’s got to the be the right fit. He notes:

“I think it has to be a spot where they obviously are in need of someone like myself and a good team headed in the right direction and a good organization. I think there’s a lot of right organizations that tick those boxes, so it’ll be a process where you sit down, and we’ll just go through everything important to me.”

Some insiders believe he won’t be back with the Maple Leafs but that the Vancouver Canucks might be strong possibility. Barrie was linked to the Canucks before the trade deadline and was born in Victoria, BC. If the Canucks split with Chris Tanev or Troy Stecher in the off-season, Barrie makes sense.

Canadiens Interested in Sergachev?

Eric Engels of Sportsnet discussed the idea of the Montreal Canadiens trying to offer sheet Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev in his latest mailbag post. If the Canadiens offered a long-term deal in the $4.2 to $6.4 million range, Tampa Bay would definitely match it. Then, it’s a matter of moving out salary to make room for his new deal.

Engels suggests that if the Canadiens really wanted Sergachev, they’d need to offer around $8 million per season and that’s likely too rich because it also includes giving up a first-, second-, and third-round pick. Instead, Engels writes, “But I would think the Canadiens will be sniffing around on whoever the Lightning might look to move to make room for Sergachev and their other restricted free agents.”

24-Team Playoff Brackets

Elliotte Friedman and Chris Johnston of Sportsnet reported last night that the NHL will be proposing a 24-team “bracketed” playoff structure to the players. If the players agree, it could be the plan to award the Stanley Cup if and when the season resumes.

There are details and approvals that need to be ironed out even if the players give it the green light, but this is the closest the league has been to determining which direction they want to head.

What Teams Would Be Included?

Friedman notes the teams decided for the playoff brackets would be based on points percentage and include play-in round between seeds 5-12 in each conference. The Boston Bruins (1st in East), Tampa Bay Lightning (2nd), Washington Capitals (3rd), Philadelphia Flyers (4th), St. Louis Blues (1st in West), Colorado Avalanche (2nd), Vegas Golden Knights (3rd) and Dallas Stars (4th) would all have “byes” for the play-in round. He does say that those bye teams would likely participate in a three-game tournament (the details of which are not clear.)

The brackets were appear as follows:

5. Pittsburgh vs. 12. Montreal (winner plays four seed)6. Carolina vs. 11. Rangers (winner plays three seed)7. Islanders vs. 10. Florida (winner plays two seed)8. Toronto vs. 9. Columbus (winner plays one seed)

5. Edmonton vs. 12. Chicago (winner plays four seed)6. Nashville vs. 11. Arizona (winner plays three seed)7. Vancouver vs. 10. Minnesota (winner plays two seed)8. Calgary vs. 9. Winnipeg (winner plays one seed)

How Many Games in Each Round?

The play-in round would be a best-of-five. From there, each round would be a best-of-seven series to follow. There would be no re-seeding which would give the playoffs a March Madness-style bracket system that be different and fun for fans.

One thing to keep in mind is that this proposal that will be presented by the league will not include medical procedures and testing. Johnston tweeted yesterday this “does not cover other critical issues, such as testing protocols, hub cities, visas and many other things.”

There’s still a ways to go before fans get to watch hockey again but it sounds like the NHL is finally settling in on a plan.

By Jim Parsons on May 20, 2020 11:12 am

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news out of Edmonton that the city’s Mayor is behind the push to see the city officially approved to host NHL games. Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, there is more speculation that defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere might be on the move. In Anaheim, Ryan Miller isn’t sure about his future, and former first-overall NHL pick Nail Yakupov is having a bad time in the KHL.

Edmonton Mayor Behind Bid to Host NHL Games

The city of Edmonton has been working hard trying to be recognized as a viable option for NHL games should the league decided to return to play and choose a few host cites for upcoming games. It appears the Oilers have one additional important backer when it comes to their bid.

Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson is fully behind the idea and tweeted:

I’m thrilled to lend my support for the #Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG) bid to be a host/hub city for the @NHL’s resumption of play for the 2019-20 season. We hope the NHL will consider bringing back hockey to one of Canada’s great hockey cities!

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney called Edmonton the “safest place in the continent” to host the NHL playoffs due to the city’s low number of COVID-19 cases, according to Global News’ Scott Johnston.

As it now, the NHL is looking at “probably eight or nine different places” that can accommodate “a dozen or so teams in one location” as it explores options for resuming the season.

In other Oilers-related news, former first-overall pick Nail Yakupov has run into contract issues over in the KHL. After not agreeing to renegotiate his contract with SKA he was traded to Vityaz. Now, Vityaz wants him to renegotiate as well. Should he refuse to, the organization has said they too will trade him or terminate his contract if they don’t reach a deal.

Not all of this is on Yakupov as a new, stricter salary cap in the KHL is forcing clubs to renegotiate contracts with a number of players.

Flyers to Move Gostisbehere?

NBC Sports Philadelphia scribe Jordan Hall reports Shayne Gostisbehere remains the subject of frequent trade speculation in Philadephia. Despite a drop in production, Gostisbehere, 27, may never provide better value in trade for the Flyers and they are trying to maximize their return as his offensive skills and an attractive contract could be key for other clubs.

That the Flyers have looked into re-signing Justin Braun make a Gostisbehere trade even more likely. The defenseman lacks trade protection so it will simply be a matter of finding a team that believes he can turn things around in a new location.

Ryan Miller’s Future Uncertain

According to NHL.com, Ryan Miller of the Anaheim Ducks isn’t sure if he’ll play next season. The veteran goaltender will be 40-years old in July and while he’d like to keep playing and catch Dominik Hasek for wins, he’s not sure his desire to stay in California or the changes that are taking place with the pandemic will make it possible to sign an extension.

“I fell off that pace a little while ago, and I’ve just been trying to chip away at it, becoming a backup in Anaheim,” he said in the interview. He adde that he was:

“Still having fun, still enjoying going to the rink, and still very competitive. This whole situation we’re all going through is definitely a curveball. … I would love to have a chance to put the gear on and give it another chance, but like everybody else we’ll have to wait and see how it’s going to play out.”

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