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NHL Rumors Update
NHL Rumors Update for 09/25/2019
The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.
09/25/2019 edition:
By Jim Parsons on Sep 24, 2019 11:26 am
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news on the Winnipeg Jets and how far apart they are with forward Kyle Connor. There is also news on negotiations starting between the New Jersey Devils and Taylor Hall. What’s going on with Michal Neuvirth in Toronto? He’s fighting for a backup role but not seizing opportunities. Finally, will Brayden Point’s new contract affect negotiations for players like Mikko Rantanen and Matthew Tkachuk?
Jets and Connor Miles Apart
The Winnipeg Jets seem to be the focus of the off-ice hockey rumor mill the past few days. In a bit more bad news for the team, both Bob McKenzie of TSN and Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic are reporting that things aren’t close with Kyle Connor on a new extension. LeBrun goes so far as to quote Connor’s agent Rich Evans who said that any reports or speculation that the two sides are close to a deal is “just not true.”
While the rumors aren’t good, there are also reports, Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff is working to get Connor signed. As LeBrun writes:
“We will keep on working at them until we reach an agreement,” Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff said Monday, keeping consistent with his reluctance to say much while negotiations on both fronts are ongoing.
Part of the issue for the Jets is that Cheveldayoff is now forced to wait for Dustin Byfuglien to decide on his future and if a decision isn’t made, Darren Dreger suggested the Jets might consider terminating Byfuglien’s contract. Going that route would be the far end of the extreme where the Jets felt they had no other choice. It would also require the involvement of the league. He also said the Jets are talking to teams about potential trades but the Byfuglien situation complicates things.
Taylor Hall Talking With Devils?
LeBrun also reports that Taylor Hall’s agent Darren Ferris is having preliminary talks with the New Jersey Devils about a new contract. The Devils are taking their time with this knowing that a decision from Hall now or later likely doesn’t change his value in trade, should they be forced to move him.
LeBrun says his gut feeling is that Hall stays in New Jersey, choosing not see if the grass is greener elsewhere. Should he stay with the team, it will probably cost the Devils $11 million or more per season if Hall bounces back healthy from an injury-riddled season.
What’s Up with Neuvirth in Toronto?
The Toronto Maple Leafs played Monday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens without goaltender Michal Neuvirth who was originally scheduled to play. Michael Hutchinson instead played and made 38 saves for the shutout victory.
Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock told reporters including Kristen Shilton of TSN that Neuvirth “wasn’t feeling up to playing”. Minor injuries were the reasoning but it’s not good that Neuvirth is missing crucial time as he battles with Joseph Woll for the backup spot. On a professional tryout with the Maple Leafs, this is leading to speculation Neuvirth could be on the list of upcoming cuts.
How Point’s Deal Affect Other RFAs
TSN’s Bob McKenzie noted on the recent Insider Trading segment that Brayden Point’s new contract likely won’t affect negotiations for players like Mikko Rantanen with the Colorado Avalanche or Matthew Tkachuk with the Calgary Flames. He added that the Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor deals in Winnipeg are completely different.
McKenzie doesn’t think these other teams will get such team-friendly deals because they all have state or provincial taxes, they aren’t Stanley Cup contenders like the Lightning and their franchises don’t have a history of players taking less to stay.
The post NHL Rumors: Jets, Devils, Maple Leafs, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on Sep 23, 2019 12:55 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, things can change quickly. What was Brayden’s Point agent saying things were far apart now appear closer than ever before. There is news out of Boston that a future RFA is preparing for what could be a holdout and in Philadelphia, there injury questions. Finally, could the Buffalo Sabres trade Rasmus Ristolainen and the Edmonton Oilers trade Matt Benning?
Point and the Lightning Making Progress
When negotiating a contract for a star player, things can change in a hurry, if you want them to. At least, that’s what both Eric Francis of Sportsnet and Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic are reporting when it comes to talks between Brayden Point and the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The two NHL insiders have noted that Point and the Lightning have made considerable progress over the last few days. Francis specifically notes that the two sides were about $2 million apart as of a couple of days ago, but now are nearing a resolution. LeBrun believes the solution will come in the form of a three-year contract if completed.
** Update: Point has officially signed with the Lightning today, as per Eric Francis.
Jake Debrusk Already Looking at Contract Situation
With Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo signed in Boston and the Bruins looking at possibly negotiating something with Torey Krug (who keeps talking about wanting a new deal), it’s not great news to hear that soon-to-be restricted free agent, Jake Debrusk is already thinking about his contract situation.
NBC Sports’ Joe Haggerty writes that Debrusk — who is coming off of a 27-goal season — has kept a careful watch on the negotiations with McAvoy and Carlo. “Obviously that’s going to be my situation [as an RFA]. Hopefully not [as a holdout],” Debrusk said.
Debrusk went on to add:
“It’s one of those where you ask questions on the business side of it. Things change and different stuff happens with talks, but at the same time I mostly just try to stay out of it. I try to stay dialed in to get ready for training camp and the season. I guess when that time comes, though, I’ll be more aware of what to expect.”
Status of Nolan Patrick in Philadelphia
Adam Kimelman of NHL.com writes that there are still questions surrounding Nolan Patrick’s injury situation. So far, Patrick has missed all of training camp and while an update is scheduled for next week, it is assumed he’ll miss all the games this week.
Patrick is skating so perhaps he’s not too far off of a return but no one really knows until GM Chuck Fletcher decides to divulge more information.
Ristolainen and the Jets?
According to Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News, Brandon Montour’s injury in Buffalo could ensure Rasmus Ristolainen starts this season with the Sabres. That hasn’t stopped the trade rumors of Ristolainen to the Winnipeg Jets.
Harrington writes:
“While many observers quickly connect the Jets to the Sabres because Winnipeg pro scouting director Peter Ratchuk is a former St. Francis student often in the press box at Sabres games, the Jets have a complicated cap situation.”
That complicated situation is the extensions for Patrick Laine and Kyle Connor and the absence and suspension of Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets can’t really afford to go out and add Ristolainen’s salary without knowing more about the futures of these three players.
Matt Benning on the Trade Block in Edmonton?
The Athletic’s Allan Mitchell suggested in a recent article that Edmonton Oilers defenseman Matt Benning could become a trade candidate as general manager Ken Holland tries to figure out the best blue fits.
The Oilers have had a number of younger defensive prospects show they might be able to do the same, if not more, than what Benning is offering and if so, Holland may choose to move him.
With many teams looking for help on the blue line and with Benning an affordable $1.9-million cap hit, he may be a fit somewhere. That he’ll be a restricted free agent next summer means he’s not a long-term commitment either.
Mitchell writes:
Although wisdom suggests it takes 240 to 300 games for a defender to fully mature in the NHL — Benning is at 205 games — one can make the case he will be the odd man out. He has struggled early in the preseason, and several young right-handed defenders — Persson, Ethan Bear and Evan Bouchard — have played well enough to be considered an option this season.
Mitchell wonders if the Benning might be used to try and acquire the third-line center the Oilers still badly need.
The post NHL Rumors: Lightning, Bruins, Oilers, Jets, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
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