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NHL Rumors Update
NHL Rumors Update for 10/23/2019
The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.
10/23/2019 edition:
By Jim Parsons on Oct 22, 2019 12:35 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news on the rumored interest from the Toronto Maple Leafs in KHL forward Konstantin Okulov. Plus, are the Pittsburgh Penguins ready to shake up what one insider is calling an “imbalanced roster”? There is more news about the Carolina Hurricanes being connected to Edmonton Oilers forward Jesse Puljujarvi and finally, there is talk surrounding the Seattle expansion franchise, including the team being down to five final names, when those will be released and when a coach will be hired.
Maple Leafs and Okulov Have Spoken
We reported yesterday that the Maple Leafs appeared to be front runners to land Konstantin Okulov out of the KHL and that while the Montreal Canadiens were also interested, other teams were taking themselves out of the race because Toronto was farther along in the process of securing a deal.
Further to that, Igor Eronko of Sport-Express confirms that the Russian forward has indeed spoken to Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock already. What they’ve spoken about and where he would fit on the team is unclear, but it appears he’s versatile, listed at 6’0 and 185lbs and can play all three forward positions, with centre being where he’s used most often.
Penguins Eyeing Free Agent?
Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now writes that an already injury-plagued team just got more bad news as the Penguins scratched Brian Dumoulin and Jared McCann due to injury on Saturday. Kingerski says it’s clear that this roster is imbalanced and needs fixing.
The suggestion is that general manager Jim Rutherford try to fix things by trading for someone like the New York Islanders’ Josh Ho-Sang or signing a free agent like winger Jason Pominville.
Kingerski writes:
Rutherford doesn’t seem to have good luck when he gambles on unbalanced rosters. It seems to invite worst-case scenarios, such as 2015 when the Penguins were forced to play with five defensemen for the final weeks of the season.
… He’s not without options, though none are ideal.
Specifically, when speaking about Pominville, Kingerski notes that he’s perhaps not got much left in the tank at his age but he’s a right-handed shot who potted 16 goals with Buffalo last season. He would be an immediate upgrade.
It is assumed Pominville is waiting on Buffalo but their 7-1-1 record suggests he may be waiting for a while.
Seattle Seals Names
Tne new expansion Seattle franchise has decided to hold off a bit longer before announcing their team names. The team announced they had sealed the final five options in the Space Needle 100th anniversary time capsule.
While fans will learn the team name before that time capsule is opened in 2062, it does suggest that the final name of the five won’t be announced until just prior to their first season in the NHL, the 2021-22 season.
GM Ron Francis also announced that his timeline for hiring a coach is likely the summer of 2021. He’s not in a hurry and wants to find a coach who has vast NHL experience.
New Name Tied to Puljujarvi
Pierre LeBruin had reported a few days ago that he believe the Carolina Hurricanes were keenly interested in the service of Edmonton Oilers disgruntled forward Jesse Puljujarvi. Allan Mitchell of The Athletic has added more fuel to that fire.
Mitchell discussed LeBrun’s report in his latest column for The Athletic with one key difference. He writes:
Julien Gauthier was reportedly the player discussed; perhaps there’s a more attractive name in play. … One player who hasn’t been mentioned: Dominik Bokk, who was a high-skill winger in the St. Louis Blues system. Carolina acquired him in the Justin Faulk trade, Bokk is playing in the SHL in Sweden and might be a good fit for the Oilers.
One thing both reporters noted was that Puljujarvi’s impressive play in Finland has sparked an increase of interest in the young winger and if he keeps on playing well, perhaps it won’t just be the Hurricanes who come up as a rumored destination.
The post NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs, Penguins, Oilers, Seattle Names, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on Oct 21, 2019 11:35 am
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news out of Toronto that the team might be making moves and interested in an unexpected international player. And, while they negotiate, the team will be making moves to free up roster spots for two returning players.
Also, one insider gets into detail about how likely a Taylor Hall reunion with the Edmonton Oilers might actually be. Would he actually want to come back?
Finally, there is news out of Florida where the Panthers have just signed Brian Boyle and are concerned about an injury to Alexander Barkov.
Maple Leafs Clearing Space, Looking For Help
Just a couple of days ago, Sportsnet insider Chris Johnston explained that the Toronto Maple Leafs have a potential interest in Konstantin Okulov out of the KHL. That said, they aren’t the only ones.
While other teams are rumored to have backed off due to Toronto’s known interest, the Montreal Canadiens aren’t shying away from trying to land Okulov as well. And, why not? The KHL forward had 20 goals and 31 points last season and is doing well to start this season with 13 points in 17 games.
Still with Toronto, Sportsnet is reporting that defenseman Travis Dermott and forward Zach Hyman are close to being activated but the Maple Leafs are going to need to clear some roster spots. As a result, the Maple Leafs are an organization to watch as they shuffle things around.
Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston reported that Toronto may have to clear at least four players from their roster which could include sending players down to the Toronto Marlies, or more likely, a trade or waivers. Elliotte Friedman suggested the Maple Leafs are looking at moving Nic Petan, a newer member of the team who is also reportedly not in Mike Babcock’s good books.
Petan isn’t the only player to keep an eye on here. Names like Jason Spezza, Nick Shore, Justin Holl, Kevin Gravel and Martin Marincin could be in play.
Finally with the Maple Leafs, forward Andreas Johnsson was not at practice Sunday after blocking a shot Saturday. According to TSN’s Kristen Shilton, his X-rays showed there’s noting too serious going on and he shouldn’t miss much time.
What’s Next In Florida As Far as Boyle Goes?
The Florida Panthers signed free agent Brian Boyle to a one-year contract on Sunday worth $900K. He is expected to immediately join their bottom-six and center the fourth line.
The Panthers moved Henrik Borgstrom to the AHL to get more playing time, and that open spot is where Boyle will now fit in, hopefully assisting with puck possession and adding leadership.
While he’s not a replacement, the timing helps because just before Boyle was signed, there was some concern that Alexsander Barkov was seriously hurt after leaving Saturday’s game during his second shift. He didn’t seem to take a hit, just hurt his left side and didn’t return.
The first reports about the injury come from TSN’s Bob McKenzie who is reporting that Barkov is out day-to-day with an upper body injury.
How Likely is Hall to the Oilers?
As often as Taylor Hall to the Oilers talk has sprung up, there’s also often been an underlying belief that it’s not incredibly likely based on the history that surrounded his exit out of Edmonton. Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal believes that history is not the factor many make it out to be.
Leavins describes how there were four influential voices in the Edmonton Oilers decision to trade Taylor Hall. They were Peter Chiarelli. Kelly Buchberger, Head Coach Todd McLellan and Craig MacTavish. None of those people are still with the team. As Leavins notes, ”If there were any hard feelings in the Hall Camp at the time (and there most definitely were) those who embodied those feelings are no long around.”
Leavins also notes that Hall liked Edmonton and enjoyed the Canadian market experience. Those that are close in Hall’s circle are also close to many inside the revamped Oilers organization and Leavins writes:
I use the term “the Hall Camp” (by the way) because the group that will influence Taylor Hall’s future should be defined more broadly than just the player and his agent, Darren Ferris (who, incidentally, also represents Philip Broberg). Hall’s circle of most-trusted advisers is a little bigger than that.
Leavins finishes by saying that the wounds felt back in 2016 as a result of Hall being moved have largely healed and that’s huge factor in Edmonton’s favor. The only questions now are what other offers will Hall be weighing against a return to Edmonton and how the Oilers afford his asking price if they are interested.
Tyler Seguin’s House Destroyed?
There were early reports from Dallas that the tornado that ripped through the area had done major damage, including to Dallas Stars’ forward Tyler Seguin’s house. Seguin took to Twitter on Monday and reached out to fans thanking them for their concern but that the house that was destroyed was one he’d just moved out of.
He was trying to sell the home that was wrecked. Seguin is safe and there is no word yet on if he’ll miss any games to take care of business regarding the home he’s trying to sell.
The post NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs, Canadiens, Oilers, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
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