- Morning Skate
- Posts
- NHL Rumors Update
NHL Rumors Update
NHL Rumors Update for 04/17/2019
The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.
04/17/2019 edition:
By Jim Parsons on Apr 16, 2019 02:09 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there are some questions surrounding Milan Lucic’s mysterious injury, Matt Duchene is loving the experience in Columbus and is rethinking a future he thought he had all planned out and the Ottawa Senators are talking to two pending free agents and it looks like things are going well in that regard.
Milan Lucic in Breach of Contract?
Ryan Rishaug of TSN was on TSN1260 Monday and when speaking with host Jason Gregor said that for all the uncertainty surrounding Milan Lucic’s recent injury, there are questions as to why the Edmonton Oilers haven’t really come out and been more transparent regarding the details.
Bob Nicholson said that the Oilers were going to be more open, specifically communicating to the fans, but no one seems to know how Lucic got hurt. Rishaug points out that a lot of fans are asking if Lucic is somehow in breach of contract considering the injury took place outside the organization and not on the ice (rumored to be in a scuffle in Calgary). Could the Oilers call him out and say, ‘Hey, you did something you weren’t supposed to do as a pro hockey player.’?
All three men on the show seemed to agree that this is not something the Oilers would pursue and with Lucic speculated as someone who will be ready to roll for the upcoming season, this is something that will just get swept under the rug.
Senators Have Spoken With Free Agents Chabot and Ceci
TSN 1200 is reporting that Ottawa Senators GM Pierre Dorion has already held preliminary contract talks with defenseman Thomas Chabot. They want to sign him to a long-term extension.
In addition, Chris Stevenson of The Athletic reports that contract talks with defenseman Cody Ceci are also ongoing and have been positive. Ceci wants a longer-term deal because he believes it will help the way he plays and settle him in.
Stevenson writes:
“I think we’re on the same page now going forward and we’re trying to avoid anything short term especially since I’ll be unrestricted coming up. We’re trying to get something done with a little bit of term and I think it could happen and hopefully I’ll be here for a long time.”
Duchene to Stay in Columbus?
Could the gamble the Columbus Blue Jackets made before the NHL Trade Deadline pay off? Some people thought the team was crazy but with a stranglehold on the series against the Tampa Bay Lighting, players the Blue Jackets added with no guarantees are extremely happy.
One name includes Matt Duchene and Aaron Portzline of The Athletic writes that Duchene said:
This is exactly what I’ve been looking for for a long time. It’s unbelievable. I’m so happy to be a part of this team and just doing whatever I can each night to help out.
… Did I think I’d be a Columbus Blue Jacket? I had no idea, obviously. It’s amazing.
Duchene added that he’s reflecting on a future that he thought he might have already foreseen. He knows the team has much more to do but he wants to be in Columbus as long as possible right now.
Canucks Parting With Derrick Pouliot
According to Postmedia’s Ben Kuzma, the Vancouver Canucks aren’t likely to bring defenseman Derrick Pouliot back next season.
Pouliot is slated to be a restricted free agent this summer with a $1.1 million qualifying offer require to retain him. Vancouver could trade him between now and June’s qualifying offer deadline.
Kuzma writes:
Hard to imagine the Canucks will bring RFA defenceman Derrick Pouliot back because of his struggles and they also have to figure out where Ashton Sautner, Guillaume Brisebois, Olli Juolevi and Alex Biega work into the mix.
The post NHL Rumors: Lucic, Duchene, Senators, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on Apr 15, 2019 01:54 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there are more conversations about the future for Nazem Kadri and, in some respects, that carries over to questions about the future of head coach Mike Babcock. There are also rumors that the Montreal Canadiens have made a shopping list of players for the offseason and the Philadelphia Flyers will look to improve their defense with a veteran either by free agency or trade.
Questions About Mike Babcock?
Kevin McGran of the Toronto Sun wrote in his mailbag segment, that while Nazem Kadri has obviously lowered his trade value and moved himself to the top of GM Kyle Dubas’ trade list, others are wondering what coach Mike Babcock’s future holds?
McGran answered one question about Babcock’s future with:
There are knives out for Babcock. Some who don’t like his approach, or his personality. Some think he’s over-rated. To be honest, his Detroit teams under-achieved after 2008. Some just want change. Some want to see a more progressive coach and feel that’s Sheldon Keefe.
McGran is not calling Babcock’s team a playoff dud yet but if they suffer another first-round exit in the playoffs, that opinion could change.
Montreal Canadiens Shopping List Might Include…
TVA Sports has listed a number of players on the wish list of the Montreal Canadiens. Among them are San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski, New York Islanders winger Anders Lee, Buffalo Sabres left winger Jeff Skinner, Columbus Blue Jackets left winger Artemi Panarin, and Blue Jackets center Matt Duchene as possible free-agent options for the Canadiens this summer.
Don’t expect Pavelski to want to head east as he likely intends to finish his career with the Sharks franchise. The Islanders aren’t keen on losing another captain and will work hard to re-sign Lee and Panarin seems to have other options higher on his radar than Montreal. Duchene and Skinner are the most likely of the options for the Canadiens but at the same time, rumors are Duchene has a hankering for Nashville and the Sabres might pony up to keep Skinner as Jack Eichel’s line-mate in Buffalo.
Flyers Looking to Add Veteran D-Man
Dave Isaac of The Courier-Post writes the Philadelphia Flyers blueline is a priority for general manager Chuck Fletcher and he’s looking for a veteran defenseman this summer.
One of the reasons he’s thinks so is because Fletcher said:
“I think we spent too much time defending this year and that’s not all on our defensemen. Again, I think our forwards at times are very loose with the puck and we lose a third guy in the offensive zone all the time. We’re giving up odd-man rushes. We’re turning the pucks over. I think we put a lot of pressure on our defense at times by the way we play.”
Perhaps the most likely of targets will be Erik Karlsson, Tyler Myers, Alexander Edler, or Anton Stralman. That said, while free agency offers some options, Isaac seems to think that this defenseman might come via trade. Perhaps the Flyers will look to acquire the rights of Winnipeg’s Jacob Trouba.
One player that may be moved to improve the blueline is Flyers defender Shayne Gostisbehere who had a disappointing season. Isaac suggests Gostisbehere has a friendly contract other teams will be excited to add and that as a one-time 65-point defender, teams will take a flyer on him (pun intended).
It is also possible the Flyers believe Gostisbehere had an off year and if he’s healthier could rebound next season.
The post NHL Rumors: Babcock, Canadiens, Flyers, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on Apr 14, 2019 04:14 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown the Ottawa Senators are hopeful when it comes to the signing of one of their prospects, Nazem Kadri is about to be suspended and there are questions in Toronto as to whether or not this could be the writing on the wall for him being traded, Jason Zucker wants to stay in Minnesota but knows he might be on the move, and the Florida Panthers might have a lot going on with Joel Quenneville now in town.
Did Kadri Seal His Fate With the Maple Leafs?
After cross-checking Jake DeBrusk in the face, an in-person hearing has been set for Nazem Kadri so that, if the NHL chooses, they can suspend him for longer than five games. NBC analysts Eddie Olczykand Keith Jones seem to think Kadri could face upwards of ten games in this case.
Now on his eighth interaction with the Department of NHL Safety, it is safe to assume that his punishment will go up significantly. A repeat offender, it is expected Kadri will miss the remaining games against the Bruins, could be gone the rest of this postseason and his long-term future in Toronto could be in question.
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun suggests the Maple Leafs should consider trading Kadri this summer. Calling him too large a liability for a contending team, the Maple Leafs were going to need to do some cap juggling anyways. Kadri may have made the decision a little easier with another poor decision.
He’s in the third season of a six-year contract with an annual salary-cap hit of $4.5 million and has a 10-team no-trade list. Despite his suspension history, it’s a good number and there will be some interested teams.
Senators Hope to Sign Josh Norris
John Rodenburg tweeted that Ottawa Senators GM Pierre Dorion said on TSN 1200 that they are hopeful to sign prospect Josh Norris this offseason and having him play in the AHL next season.
Minnesota Wild and Jason Zucker Speculation
If the Minnesota Wild wanted to make more salary-cap room, one trade candidate is Jason Zucker who was almost moved to the Calgary Flames at this year’s trade deadline.
Dane Mizutani reports Zucker understands his future isn’t a given considering former teammates Nino Niederreiter, Mikael Granlund, and Charlie Coyle all got traded. Zucker would like to stay in Minnesota and will work on his game to get better but there is some buzz he’ll be on the move and if a team comes calling with a decent offer, he’ll likely be traded.
Mizutani writes:
It wouldn’t shock anyone if general manager Paul Fenton starts to shop Zucker again in advance of the June 21-22 daft. Fenton already has made major personnel changes since replacing Chuck Fletcher last May, and it seems Zucker has been at the epicenter of potential moves.
Quenneville Dominos in Florida
Eric Duhatschek of The Athletic writes that the hiring on Joel Quenneville creates questions as to what’s next in Florida. The team has some cap space available to add big names and some suggest adding Coach Q only adds to the idea that Sergei Bobrovsky or Artemi Panarin might see the Panthers as an option.
If that happens, there will have to be some movement as Duhatschek writes:
According to CapFriendly.com, the Panthers have $17.55 million in projected available cap space for the 2019-20 season, … But $17.55 million probably doesn’t get you both Panarin and potentially his Columbus Blue Jackets’ teammate, goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, without some further paring of the payroll.
Duhatscheck writes that more scoring might not be the Panther’s biggest needs but one potential free agent that they should absolutely target is pending UFA Tyler Myers, if the Winnipeg Jets cannot find a way to fit him into their payroll.
The post NHL Rumors: Kadri, Zucker, Panthers, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on Apr 13, 2019 02:17 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown there are updates on the Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings and their respective coaching searches, a few New York Islanders are showing their stuff, namely, Jordan Eberle and the Arizona Coyotes need to find a way to boost their offense while not spending money.
Flyers Talking With Alain Vigneault?
He’s not often at the top of the available coaches list but one name the Flyers might be talking to is former New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks coach Alain Vigneault. The Flyers have asked for (and been granted) permission from the Rangers to speak to Vigneault, reports Sportsnet’s, Elliotte Friedman.
Vigneault has one year left on his existing deal with the Rangers and is due to see a pay increase while sitting at home. If the Flyers want him, they’ll probably have to offer more than $4.25 million and assume some of his salary for the coming 2019-20 season.
Vigneault is next scheduled to lead Team Canada at the upcoming World Championships. Any deal could be announced before he starts that job.
Sam Carchidi reports that the Flyers said that there is no timetable to name a new head coach, but it would be “well before” the draft in June.
McLellan Out in Buffalo, Headed to LA
Bob McKenzie tweeted that Todd McLellan isn’t a candidate for the Buffalo Sabres head coaching position anymore. Instead, McLellan is expected to be named the next coach of the Los Angeles Kings which has long been rumored as his preferred destination and the Kings were actively pursuing him.
Dennis Bernstein reports the deal is expected to be for five years and should be announced as late as Monday, if not sooner.
Islanders Could Be Facing Tough Decisions
Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post writes that the New York Islanders are going to find it more challenging to keep pending unrestricted free agents like Anders Lee, Robin Lehner, Jordan Eberle, and Brock Nelson if they continue to stay hot during the playoffs.
GM Lou Lamoriello admitted:
“As far as evaluation, I know everyone is talking about our free agents. We want to keep them and we’ll try. But they’re focused — and we’re focused — on the task at hand right now, and that’s Game 2.”
While focusing on the task at hand, he understands too, the better they play the more other teams will come calling this summer and the more expensive it will get to keep their core.
In particular, Cyrgalis suggests Eberle could be playing his way to a bigger offer in free agency. He finished the regular season strong and has a goal and an assist in each of the first two games of the postseason, Eberle is erasing questions of his productivity during playoff time. Should he keep it up, Cyrgalis believes suitors will be lining up for his services.
Coyotes Will Focus on Improving Offense
Greg Wyshynski and Chris Peters of ESPN.com are reporting the Arizona Coyotes will focus on boosting their scoring this offseason. The limited market via free agency and the team’s unwillingness to spend big money on available players could hamper that agenda. As a result, Arizona may search the trade market.
Danny Shapiro of Arizona Sports added GM John Chayka said, “We didn’t score enough goals, so we have to go through and figure out how to get more out of our own group and how to add to the group and that’s the summer plan.” Outside of hoping injured players rebound, that could mean trying to offload players who didn’t produce while adding players who did… basically, the same dilemma facing every team in the NHL.
The post NHL Rumors: Eberle, Flyers, Kings, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
Recent Articles:
Latest News