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NHL Rumors Update
NHL Rumors Update for 05/27/2020
The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.
05/27/2020 edition:
By Jim Parsons on May 26, 2020 02:50 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, while fans have heard from the Tampa Bay Lightning, there are comments from the other team to vote “no” on the 24-team play-in, the Carolina Hurricanes. In Detroit, there seems to be some correction on an earlier report about Dmytro Timashov, and in Colorado Bowen Byram got some less-than stellar news.
Hurricanes Comment on Their “No” Vote
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman relayed comments from Jordan Martinook on Carolina’s decision to vote against the 24-team play-in format that was approved by the players this weekend. Martinook said the decision wasn’t a reflection of the team’s thoughts on the season or the NHL as a whole, but specific to where their Hurricanes team current landed in the new format.
Martinook said, “For where we were and where our team thought we could get to, it hurts our odds.” He then clarified that it was a matter of having to take part in a play-in round over going straight to the regular postseason where they had strong odds of making it outright. Assuming the proposal stays as many have outlined, the Hurricanes would take on the New York Rangers in the play-in round.
Still, the Hurricanes are fine to play and aren’t trying to say they would stand in the way of the voted-on format.
Reports on Red Wings’ Timashov Inaccurate?
Last week, reports surfaced that Detroit Red Wings winger Dmytro Timashov was possibly signing a deal with Dinamo Riga of the KHL. However, Mark Falkner of The Detroit News writes:
Representatives for Detroit Red Wings forward Dmytro Timashov denied a report in Russia’s Sport-Express that Timashov is close to signing with Latvia’s Dinamo Riga of the Kontinental Hockey League.
He doesn’t dig into what role Timashov will play next season, only that the reports of him leaving aren’t necessarily accurate. Timashov was claimed by the Red Wings off waivers from Toronto and played in five games. If things don’t resume and Detroit’s season is done, he’s slated to become a restricted free agent without salary arbitration rights.
NHL To Make Return To Play Announcement
According to TSN, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman will make an announcement later on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. ET regarding the NHL’s Return to Play format. Also expected is information on the NHL Draft and the lottery. A few rumors suggest June 26th will be the date of the lottery.
The assumption is that the teams and GM’s will get all the details before the public announcement. After getting the go-ahead on a 24-team playoff format, a Phase 2 memo was delivered and an official announcement was to follow.
Avalanche Won’t Burn a Year of Byram’s Deal
Adrian Dater is reporting the Colorado Avalanche have informed prospect Bowen Byram that they won’t be using him during this season’s playoff, despite the fact he would be eligible to the play.
Playing him would burn a year of his entry-level deal and the Avs are not interested in doing so. This is probably a wise decision long-term for Byram, but perhaps not the best news for the immediate future and in terms of money being made sooner than later.
Questions Remain With Rangers Three Goalies
Dan Rosen of NHL.com writes in a recent mailbag post that he’s not sure what will happen with New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist next season, but wonders if the team would consider keeping him in a mentoring role. He likes the idea of Lundqvist working with Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev will be a RFA. Rosen says it doesn’t make sense for them to carry three goaltenders next year.
The post NHL Rumors: Hurricanes, Avalanche, Rangers, Red Wings, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on May 25, 2020 02:10 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is speculation on what kind of contract the Edmonton Oilers will sign with Andreas Athanasiou. In St. Louis, there are questions about who the Blues will move to free up space for Alex Pietrangelo. In New Jersey, the Devils tried to bring in a coach but were shut down, and the NHL released a memo providing more details on Phase 2.
Oilers Likely Won’t Sign Athanasiou Before Play Resumes
According to Bruce McCurdy of the Edmonton Journal, the Edmonton Oilers and Andreas Athanasiou’s camp might have a plan for future contract negotiations. One thing seems clear, he doesn’t believe those talks will happen before the NHL returns to play.
McCurdy writes that there are many expiring contracts on the Oilers that will need addressing and many of them may be signed before play resumes. That said:
I doubt that Andreas Athanasiou will be one of them, as both player and club turn their attention to the impending playoffs to establish his value. Which makes the following “best guess” a tad premature.
A qualifying offer of a flat $3.0 million is required to keep the player, and that seems a reasonable starting point as a valuation of the former 30-goal scorer.
McCurdy adds that he doesn’t expect a dramatic negotiation here, just a quiet extension for one season at similar cap hit.
Blues to Move Jake Allen?
Tom Timmermann of St. Louis Blues Dispatch feels trading Jake Allen is a real possibility for the St. Louis Blues. As the team finds ways to make space for their captain, both Allen and Jaden Schwartz are players to watch.
He writes:
Trading Allen could be the easiest way to get the cap space needed to re-sign Pietrangelo. Allen’s play has likely driven up his value to where other teams would be interested. And Husso seems like he’s ready to go, though the team really wishes he got some in-season NHL experience.
As for Schwartz, if the Blues decide to move him, trading him early and before he gets his last full season in before his contract expires could improve his trade value.
Devils Had Eye on Coach
Jokke Nevalainen reports via a Hockeysverige.se story that the New Jersey Devils were interested in Rikard Gronborg as their head coach but he wasn’t allowed to get out of his contract with Zurich.
Considering the NHL coaches available, that’s an interesting development.
NHL Phase 2 Memo Released
The NHL has released a memo to all teams and players, noting that their plans are to move to “Phase 2” of their return-to-play plan at some point in early June. This will include small informal workouts (six players at a time), but not include coaches or support staff.
As part of the Phase 2 plans, all players will be tested for COVID-19 two days before starting the workouts, and will then be tested twice a week thereafter. According to Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia, players returning from other countries will need to go through a 14-day quarantine
The NHL has left it open for the dates to change. As the NHL continues to monitor respective markets the overall timing of Phase 2 might be adjusted.
NHL Draft Lottery Date
Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports is reporting that he’s hearing June 26 is the date that we should have the NHL Lottery Draft. He added that he has not heard reports on any specific dates for the actual NHL Draft yet.
The post NHL Rumors: Oilers, Blues, Devils, NHL Phase 2 Memo, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
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