NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 12/14/2018

December 14, 2018

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

 12/14/2018 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Dec 13, 2018 02:40 pm

In today’s rumor rundown, Elliotte Friedman provides another update to his 31 Thoughts articles which provides nuggets on everything from the Blues to the Maple Leafs, the Minnesota Wild and other teams around the NHL.

So too, Pierre LeBrun thinks the Flyers will be a team to watch as they’ve reached out to more than half of the teams in the league about a potential trade.

How the Pietrangelo Rumors Started

Elliotte Friedman admitted in his 31 Thoughts article that Nick Kypreos dropped a bomb on the hockey world when he said the Toronto Maple Leafs might be connected to the St. Louis Blues and were potentially discussing a package to land Alex Pietrangelo. Friedman tried to explain where that connection may have come from guessing that the Blues brought up William Nylander‘s name in trade talk and the only player who might have made sense for Toronto in that context was Pietrangelo.

Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis Blues, January 6, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Obviously, the Leafs opted not to move Nylander but that doesn’t remove their need to add defense before the playoffs begin. Whether or not Pietrangelo is part of that is not a given. But, Pietrangelo’s name is out there, so it shows that it might be something the Blues would consider and lends credibility to the buzz that a number of GM’s have heard anyone from St. Louis could be available for the right package including their top-end talents.

The Hockey News’ Matt Larkin lists the Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Colorado Avalanche, and Vegas Golden Knights as possible destinations for Pietrangelo.

Charlie Coyle and Bruins Linked?

There is plenty of buzz around Charlie Coyle of the Minnesota Wild, but as Coyle pointed out, “I’ve been [getting traded] to Montreal since five years ago. So it really means nothing.” He may be downplaying the speculation but there are certainly teams who have inquired and among them may be the Boston Bruins who may have also looked into Jeff Carter and Kevin Hayes.

(Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)

As Friedman points out, Coyle is known as a player who keeps himself in good shape, he can play up and down your lineup in different positions, is strong and hard working. If the Wild move him, the hope is they can add a bad contract to the trade to move out a piece they want to remove from their salary cap.

Other 31 Thoughts Notables

Maple Leafs Offer Sheet

There’s certainly been some buzz around the idea that a team may tend an offer sheet to one of the big-two in Toronto (Marner and/or Matthews). Friedman points out there is some truth to it but GM’s have to consider a few things. He wrote, “As one GM said this week, there’s only one bad thing about doing it to Toronto: “Who wants to be on the receiving end of their revenge?”

Flyers and Wayne Simmonds

New Philadelphia Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher will “re-start” contract talks with Wayne Simmonds soon. The old news was that Hextall was not interested in offering term to Simmonds but Fletcher may have a different opinion on that matter.

Dave Hakstol, Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier and Wayne Simmonds, Philadelphia Flyers. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Outside of Simmonds, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun notes that Fletcher has already spoken with at least half the teams in the league to see what the trade market is like. It’s crystal clear now that Fletcher wants to get something going on the trade front.

Available Goaltenders

The Detroit Red Wings are wanting a first round pick for Jimmy Howard and won’t move him without a strong return.

There may be a team out there interested in netminder Craig Anderson. That said, there is real worry the Senators are overplaying Anderson and it could change their stance on acquiring him.

The Montreal Canadiens may or may not want to trade goaltender Charlie Lindgren but he’s worth keeping an eye on.

Muzzin to Tampa Not Happening

There was some buzz around both Jonathan Quick and Jake Muzzin in Los Angeles and with Muzzin’s big performances as of late, potentially a strong market out there for him in trade. There was a rumor that the Tampa Bay Lightning were linked to him but Friedman says that rumor has been debunked.

Jake Muzzin #6, Los Angeles Kings – December 18, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

With that mind, the Pittsburgh Penguins could be a team that might have interest in Muzzin and/or Alec Martinez.

For discussion on these rumors and more, check out The Hockey Writers Podcast

By Jim Parsons on Dec 12, 2018 04:20 pm

On an almost daily basis, the Rumor Rundown looks at the biggest rumors in the NHL. Gathering buzz from some of the media’s most trusted sources, the idea behind the series of speculative posts is to take a closer look at what’s floating around the rumor mill, often leaving critiques for such gossip out of the equation.

In the Rumor Shootdown, we’ll take a look at a handful of the reports posted in the rundown articles, dissect them and give our best assessments as to why they’re not just unlikely, but so improbable, those rumors will potentially fade away in short order.

In the first edition of the Rumor Shootdown, the focus is on two rumors that made the rounds on Monday. The first was a potential trade between the Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers, the second, an offer sheet or trade for Mitch Marner by the San Jose Sharks.

Rumor: Krug for Nugent-Hopkins

Matt Porter of the Boston Globe wrote an article that was retweeted by Kevin Dupont asking if the Oilers and Bruins might be working on a trade that would include Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Torey Krug. It started because the Bruins had been seen scouting the Oilers versus Calgary Flames game on Sunday and since that sighting, the rumor picked up steam. On Wednesday morning, Dupont tweeted it again after hearing the Oilers leading-minute defenseman Oscar Klefbom was injured in Tuesday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton Oilers, Oct. 21, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

While there may be some truth to the idea that both teams could be looking for players that offer what Krug might offer the Oilers and what Nugent-Hopkins might offer the Bruins, this particular trade is unlikely at best. In fact, there’s little to no chance the Oilers do this move.

First, if we assume that general manager Peter Chiarelli has the power to make such a trade on his own — which I have on authority from a couple sources who think he no longer does — we have to examine the value of Nugent-Hopkins to the Oilers versus the value lost by not having Nugent-Hopkins with the Oilers.

To Edmonton, Nugent-Hopkins is their third-best offensive weapon — not something you move lightly, especially when the team is struggling to find depth scoring behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. He scored another two goals on Tuesday night as the Oilers beat the Avs and that puts him on pace for close to 80 points and cements him as the Oilers best two-way forward.

Nugent-Hopkins has two additional seasons after this one where he’s under contract at a reasonable cap number and he just showed his leadership when he came out on defended his team against an interview by Andrew Ference that put the Oilers in somewhat of a less-than-stellar light. Simply put, the organization has thought about trading him the past, but now realizes how important he is to the team. Nugent-Hopkins holds incredibly high value to the organization now.

BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 23: Torey Krug #47 of the Boston Bruins. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)

Krug, on the other hand, is an offensive defenseman with some major upside but has only one year left on his deal after this season and could leave Edmonton in search of bigger money in free agency. Krug carries a modified no-move clause that allows him to select eight teams he can refuse a trade to, and, despite Klefbom being out for the next couple weeks, Edmonton doesn’t need another left-shot defenseman — they need a righty.

Adding to the long-shot odds, in the article, Porter suggests throwing in a player like Jake DeBrusk, Anders Bjork, Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson, Ryan Donato or Danton Heinen. Would the Bruins really move DeBrusk and Krug for Nugent-Hopkins? It doesn’t seem likely.

Rumor: San Jose To Target Mitch Marner

The original rumor that the San Jose Sharks might look to scoop Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs was started by Paul Gackle of the Mercury news who wrote:

At this point, the assumption is that the Maple Leafs will do everything possible to hang onto Matthews. If that’s the case, the Sharks could take a run at Marner, either through trade or offer sheet. The latter would be costly and require some real finagling.

source – ‘Sharks ramblings: Erik Karlsson, Mitch Marner and a possible Plan B’ – Paul Gackle – The Mercury News – 12/10/2018

While the idea of Marner in a Shark’s jersey seems appealing, the problem with the rumor ever coming to fruition was that a lot of pieces would have to fall ever-so-perfectly into place for that option to become available to the Sharks, many of which are out of their control.

Mitch Marner (Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports)

First, it suggests Erik Karlsson has determined he’s leaving San Jose. While the murmurs he may not be sure what his future holds are likely true, it would be shocking to think he’s decided his long-term plan, let alone given an indication to the Sharks he’s leaving. Without that, San Jose’s top priority will be to re-sign him. Second, it means that the Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t figured out a way to keep Marner (something they intend to do).

Marner is a restricted free agent which means the Maple Leafs have control over his contract. He would have to sign an offer sheet if he’s not traded and with the drawn-out process Toronto went through to keep William Nylander in the system, one can only imagine the lengths the Maple Leafs will go so as to not lose Marner. An offer sheet is possible, but not terribly likely and even then, Toronto can match.

This rumor, beyond anything else, was likely just wishful thinking in the face of some whispers Karlsson hasn’t quite fit in with San Jose like many have hoped he would.

For discussion on these rumors and more, check out The Hockey Writers Podcast

By Jim Parsons on Dec 12, 2018 12:41 pm

In today’s rumor rundown there is more talk about the LA Kings and potentially the moves of Jonathan Quick and/or Jake Muzzin, the Oilers new coach may be sticking around and the GM in Philly is ready to pounce on moves in more than one area. Finally, will the Blackhawks trade a core player?

Still Plenty of Talk Surrounding LA Kings

Dennis Bernstein tweeted on Monday, after the Kings lost again, that there is more truth to the rumors about trades out of LA that people probably care to admit. First, he said, “When you hear whispers about dealing Jonathan Quick, tonight’s performance by Cal Petersen is Exhibit A.” Then he added, “For those who think Jake Muzzin isn’t worth a significant return from a contending team, tonight’s performance is Exhibit B.”

Jonathan Quick #32, Los Angeles Kings – December 18, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Quick did not get the start for the Kings versus the Sabres on Tuesday and Petersen played well despite the loss. Meanwhile, Muzzin scored on a nice one-timer and played over 30 minutes upping his value tremendously. John Hoven tweeted in response to Bernstein’s tweet, “Exhibit A nets a 1st, a 2nd, + pick/prospect in return.” That was in regard to Quick. He added, “Exhibit B nets a 1st + another asset (preferably 2nd or prospect).” in respect to Muzzin.

Speculation is that either deal could involve player coming back to LA if needed for cap reasons but in both cases, the team would prefer to take back higher-end draft picks.

Hitchcock to Continue On With Oilers

After last season, new head coach of the Edmonton Oilers, Ken Hitchcock, announced his retirement from coaching only to only to join the Oilers when they called with just under 20 games gone in the 2018-19 campaign. To many who know Hitchcock well, coaching the Oilers — the team that plays in the town he grew up in — was a dream come true. Not only did he jump at the chance but it sounds like he’s worked in extension options that will present themselves at the end of the season.

EDMONTON, AB – NOVEMBER 27: Ken Hitchcock of the Edmonton Oilers stands on the bench prior to the game against the Dallas Stars on November 27, 2018 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

Darren Dreger of TSN believes that a winning season would leave Edmonton with little choice but to extend their new coach’s contract while others already think Hitchcock was ahead of the curve and worked an extension into the deal if the Oilers make the playoffs. Dreger adds that Hitchcock could wind up transitioning from the bench into a front office role if he so chooses, but doesn’t doubt that Hitchcock could continue to coach the team “well beyond this season”.

Under Hitch, the Oilers are now 8-2-1 after defeating the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night.

Chuck Fletcher to Get Busy with Flyers

The overwhelming opinion seems to be that new Flyers GM, Chuck Fletcher, will get busy right away on making moves in Philadelphia. He has a history of being a deal-maker and TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports in the latest “Insider Trading” segment that Fletcher has already spoken with at least half of the teams in the NHL about a trade.

In this May 10, 2016, file photo, Minnesota Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher speaks at a news conference in St. Paul, Minn. The Philadelphia Flyers hired Fletcher as their general manager on Monday in hopes that he can resuscitate one of the worst teams in the NHL. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP /Jim Mone, File)

LeBrun adds that Fletcher has at least three different areas of the depth chart that he would like to adjust and is hoping to make at least one move prior to the holiday roster freeze beginning next week. Among the rumored changes are moves in goal, adding a veteran defenseman to an otherwise very young unit, as well as acquiring a top-nine forward. There is also the looming status of forward Wayne Simmonds that won’t go away.

What the Latest in Chicago?

With the Blackhawks struggling as badly as they are, there will be continued talk surrounding the team. Still, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun doesn’t believe any of the Chicago Blackhawks core players are in play, in part because they all have no-move contracts.

If one is, it would be defenseman Duncan Keith who would still attract plenty of interest around the NHL. So far, LeBrun says there’s no evidence this is a trade the Blackhawks are prepared to make at this time.

For these rumors and more, check out The Hockey Writers Podcast

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