NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 02/28/2020

February 28, 2020

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

 02/28/2020 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Feb 27, 2020 11:46 am

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news on the Edmonton Oilers, including updates on injuries and a player they were rumored to be in on but didn’t land. There is also speculation that Joe Thornton may elect not to return to San Jose next season, and who he might consider is surprising. And, what’s the latest on Jacob Markstrom? And, why did the Chicago Blackhawks move on from Robin Lehner?

Oilers Were in on Patrick Marleau

According to Elliotte Friedman in his latest 31 Thoughts article, “Edmonton, which pitched [Patrick] Marleau before the season, considered him again before his trade to Pittsburgh.” Essentially, Edmonton swung and missed on Marleau twice.

Oilers GM Ken Holland did say that he was talking to other GM’s about deals that never materialized and logically, Marleau might have been among them.

In other Oilers news, one player the Oilers did acquire was Andreas Athanasiou from the Detroit Red Wings. He was injured in Wednesday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights. He came out briefly in the third period but didn’t return and the Oilers called it a lower body injury that head coach Dave Tippett didn’t think was too serious.

Could Thorton Choose the Maple Leafs?

Friedman also noted, “If Thornton is not sold on the Sharks, and he’s willing to seek out new life (boldly go where no one has gone before), my prediction is Toronto will be a factor.” That’s an interesting statement considering the rumors were, Thornton wanted to move to a “contender”.

Thornton did say following the trade deadline that he was disappointed the Sharks couldn’t facilitate a trade that worked for their franchise and gave Thornton a chance to compete for a Stanley Cup. “It would have been nice to at least have a chance,” Thorton said. So, does that mean he thinks Toronto will not only have a better chance next season than anyone else, including the Sharks?

It was reported by TSN’s Pierre LeBrun that not a lot of contending teams showed interest in Thorton at this year’s deadline but Friedman believes the Maple Leafs considered adding him, that is, until, they got blown out by Carolina with a 42-year-old zamboni driver in goal.

Still with the Maple Leafs, Friedman noted the team wasn’t trading Tyson Barrie unless they got a return that immediately replaced the blueliner plus a sweetener for the future. That included Kyle Dubas not accepting Troy Stecher as a fair return, especially since the Canucks didn’t have the draft picks and weren’t parting with futures.

Why the Blackhawks Moved Lehner

Friedman believes the Chicago Blackhawks didn’t want to go past two years on a contract extension with Robin Lehner even though speculation was that Lehner was willing to take a discount and sign a three-year extension.

When the extension couldn’t be figured out, Lehner was shipped to the Vegas Golden Knights. It will be interesting to see if Vegas tries to extend him at all or just lets him walk to free agency and how many other teams offer up a three-year deal or more for Lehner on the open market.

Canucks Injury News on Markstrom

According to an update by the Vancouver Canucks and GM Jim Benning, goaltender Jacob Markstrom underwent a minor lower body procedure on Wednesday and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

This means, at they very least, Markstrom will be out two more weeks and could be out much longer. That means he’ll miss at least seven-to-nine games for the Canucks while they battle it out in a very tight Pacific Division.

By Jim Parsons on Feb 26, 2020 01:10 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there are comments from Joe Thornton after not getting traded by the San Jose Sharks. What does that mean for his future with that organization? So too, what did Zach Parise say when it came to the trade rumors of him going to the Islanders? Finally, there’s buzz out of Montreal and Toronto.

Joe Thornton to Leave San Jose?

For a player who many thought would never want to leave the Sharks organization, Joe Thorton’s comments are the NHL Trade Deadline came and went and he wasn’t moved were a bit surprising.

“As you get older you realize you only have so many shots at this thing, and it would have been nice to have a chance. … I wanted a shot. I’ve been hunting this thing down for 22 years,” Joe Thornton told the media after Tuesday. He added that he wanted the Sharks to get something back they could use to build their future and, at the same time, give himself a chance to win a Stanley Cup. That neither happened is disappointing.

There was interest in Thornton yesterday, from 3-4 teams, but I don’t think they were the elite Cup contending teams he would have waived for. Which is to say, I don’t believe Boston, Vegas or Colorado inquired with San Jose.

Perhaps these teams, or other contenders may take another look at Thornton in July and does his comments hint at Thornton considering other locations? The Sharks have said they want to be contenders right away again but it’s hard to imagine next season being one that the Sharks will dominate. Thornton only has so many attempts left. Could he move on during the summer? This was the first time Thornton was so open about his dream to win the NHL’s biggest prize which has to suggest he’s going to look at what city gives him the best odds.

Parise Downplays Trade Rumors

In speaking with TwinCities.com, Zach Parise was measured in his messaging to Dane Mizutani who reportedthe Parise insists he’s happy to still be in Minnesota and part of the Wild organization.

There were rumors on Monday he’d be traded to the New York Islanders, buzz he’d waived his no-move clause and comments he’d spoken last year about how things weren’t working out with the Wild. Parise said he loves playing in Minnesota and want the Wild to succeed.

He refused to comment on waiving his no-trade and wouldn’t discuss his potential future, even though GM Bill Guerin let it be known the two teams could revisit trade talks down the road.

Montreal Canadiens to Swing For Fences During Summer

There was an interesting lack of action from the Montreal Canadiens at this year’s trade deadline and The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun wonders if GM Marc Bergevin will make up for that this off-season.

Montreal Canadiens will be worth watching in the off-season. He and several colleagues believe Habs general manager Marc Bergevin will be busy. LeBrun writes:

One team to monitor this offseason? Montreal. I’ve talked to a few of his colleagues around the league over the past few weeks who believe GM Marc Bergevin will be swinging for the fences this summer. Stay tuned.

source – ‘LeBrun Notebook: Wrapping up what did and didn’t happen on deadline day’ – Pierre LeBrun – The Athletic – 02/25/2020

Thank Goodness Barrie Wasn’t Moved

Even though Tyson Barrie didn’t get traded, LeBrun believes the Vegas Golden Knights, Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks inquired. The fit wasn’t there.

That’s incredibly good news for the Maple Leafs who just lost Jake Muzzin to a hand injury for four weeks. If the Maple Leafs were without Barrie and Muzzin and still without Morgan Reilly for a while, their chances of making the playoffs would have been almost nill.

Recent Articles:

Latest News