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NHL Rumors Update
NHL Rumors Update for 01/10/2020
The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.
01/10/2020 edition:
By Jim Parsons on Jan 09, 2020 04:10 pm
In our second look at the NHL rumor rundown report for January 9, 2020, we continue with more news out of Craig Custance’s Top 27 trade candidates piece plus get into news surrounding the Winnipeg Jets. There are updates on the Toronto Maple Leafs and Minnesota Wild plus news on what the Chicago Blackhawks are making available. Finally, are the Montreal Canadiens going to become sellers?
Byfuglien Ready to Get on the Ice?
It is believed that defenseman Dustin Byfuglien could be inching closer to an NHL return as TSN’s Darren Dreger reports he’s at the point in his rehab that testing his ankle on the ice might be the next step.
Dreger tweeted prior to the Jets vs Maple Leafs game on Wednesday, “He hasn’t yet, but a potential return clearly hinges on the next phase and some think he’s at that point.”
The Jets are already thinking about Byfuglien’s return as GM Kevin Cheveldayoff admitted that he’s aware what options he has nearing the trade deadline hinges on Byfuglien’s situation.
Buy Low Option for the Maple Leafs?
Pierre LeBrun said on TSN Radio 1050 Toronto on Wednesday that he believes a buy low candidate for the Toronto Maple Leafs would be Josh Anderson from the Columbus Blue Jackets. There’s no indication Columbus is looking to move Anderson, but that Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas might want to inquire.
LeBrun says:
“If I were the Leafs, (Josh Anderson) is a guy – with his skills set – it’s one thing to be able to grind it up and be a physical player, but he’s also a guy I believe that can score 25 goals a year in the National Hockey League when he gets his game right.”
Anderson is a risk considering he’s been injured but when he returns, he could provide the physicality most insiders and fans believe the Maple Leafs are lacking.
Custance reports that another possible option for the Maple Leafs but at the backup goaltender position is Alexandar Georgiev, a wild card trade piece at this year’s deadline. “It wouldn’t be surprising to hear that the Maple Leafs have inquired on this front,” he writes.
Blackhawks Have a Number of Players Available
If the Chicago Blackhawks don’t make a push here, and quickly, there could be a number of pieces available from their organization at the deadline. Custance says there is still some debate about which goaltender the Blackhawks might move as Corey Crawford has value and Robin Lehner has potentially played himself into the starting role but could fetch a bigger return.
Custance quotes one NHL source when he says, “If there’s a guy like him [Lehner] available at the trade deadline, there’s a ton of value there. And there’s a ton of value with (Crawford). That’s two No. 1 goalies … two huge trade chips.”
The Blackhawks also have Erik Gustafsson and Brandon Saad potentially available.
Interest in Jason Zucker Remains Strong
“Everyone is seeing what Guerin is going to do,” said a GM of Minnesota’s willing to move Jason Zucker. Zucker is still sidelined with an injury but Bill Guerin has admitted he needs to make room in his top six for Kirill Kaprizov, Teams are asking, “Is he selling or not?”
Reports are that Jonas Brodin would draw a lot of interest if the Wild decide to move him as well.
Could Canadiens Decide to be Sellers?
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman noted that if the Montreal Canadiens fail to climb back into playoff contention, general manager Marc Bergevin might decide to start selling assets.
Among the names mentioned are Tomas Tatar and Jeff Petry who are both playing well. Jean-Francois Chaumont of the le Journal de Montreal also speculates Bergevin could listen to offers for Max Domi if the pending RFA proves too expensive to re-sign.
The post NHL Rumors: Blackhawks, Maple Leafs, Jets, Wild, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on Jan 09, 2020 12:40 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown there is news on a variety of team thanks to Craig Custance’s piece for The Athletic, and the focus is on few teams in this first edition of the rumor report today.
Everyone knows Chris Kreider as the name most teams see as the big fish. Where might he fit? Are the Edmonton Oilers willing to move a high-end prospect for a rental and who might be leaving the Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks?
Kreider a Good Fit in With Lightning
Custance mentions Chris Kreider holds the top spot on his list of 27 players with Taylor Hall off the board. He adds one NHL executive said a number of teams are interested but that Kreider could be a good fit in Tampa Bay with the Lightning.
He writes:
Lightning GM Julien BriseBois has shown reticence about going into the rental market, as he mentioned in this Joe Smith piece, but Kreider would be a fantastic addition for the Lightning, who happen to have an extra first-round pick because of the J.T. Miller deal and that’s likely what it’s going to take. .
Elliotte Friedman took a good look at BriesBois’ research about what successful teams are doing in the NHL as they approach the deadline and the patterns Friedman noticed were that fewer teams were swinging for the fences with blockbuster trades. If the Lightning GM uncovered the same information, that could mean he’s less likely to give up a lot to obtain such as sought-after rental.
Related: Top 10 Best Ice Hockey Leagues
Oilers Willing to Move Puljujarvi for Rental
Oilers GM Ken Holland did say that it would depend on the rental but that one of his options would be to move forward Jesse Puljujarvi for someone that could help the Oilers make a playoff run.
Custance writes that the Oilers had multiple offers for Puljujarvi but Holland couldn’t find the return he was looking for. “Kenny is in tough there,” said an executive. “You’re never going to get that pick. Maybe you want somebody else’s problem and you both swing for the fence.”
One of the people Holland might be interested in is Andreas Athanasiou out of Detroit. The Edmonton Journal’s Jim Matheson says Holland, “Loves his speed. His hands don’t quite match his top 5 wheels but he’s restricted free-agent, and Wings’ Steve Yzerman didn’t draft him.” Matheson also wondered if Edmonton might take a swing at Nick Bonino out of Nashville.
Toffoli Deal With Get Done
Custance also mentioned that he spoke to another executive who said the expected asking price on Los Angeles Kings forward Tyler Toffoli is a second-round pick and a prospect. This makes Toffoli being moved as almost a guarantee because GM’s see this price as fair.
“(It) is pretty reasonable,” he said. “They’ll get it.” Custance then added that he could see a situation where the Calgary Flames inquire because speculation is they missed out on Hall.
Custance also noted that, from the Kings, teams are interested in Alec Martinez and that he has one more year on his deal since rentals aren’t the answer for every GM.
San Jose to Look at Moving a Number of Pieces
“The expectation is that, unless things change dramatically in San Jose, [Brenden] Dillon will get moved, and he’s exactly the type of defenseman contenders like to add,” explained Custance. He also noted that the Sharks have Melker Karlsson who could boost another team’s penalty kill and Joe Thornton who will only get moved if he wants to.
Custance said it would sexy to add Thornton’s name to the list and would attract more readers but that Thornton says the thought of leaving San Jose hasn’t crossed his mind.
The post NHL Rumors: Rangers, Kings, Sharks, Oilers, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on Jan 08, 2020 01:35 pm
In today’s NHL rumors, there is news on who and how many team Justin Williams turned down before rejoining the Carolina Hurricanes, the Edmonton Oilers may make one particular forward available in an attempt to grab a useful rental, and Lias Andersson opens up about his issues with the New York Rangers.
Williams Returns to Carolina, Turns Down Leafs
There were rumors an announcement might be close and it didn’t talk long before Justin Williams has made up his mind regarding his NHL career this season and has returned to the Carolina Hurricanes. But, he didn’t just get offers from the Hurricanes.
Williams signed a $700k deal with $1.3 in bonuses for the remainder of this season but there is speculation he may have turned down an offer by the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun revealed that the Toronto Maple Leafs made a pitch to land Williams and Boston looked into it but Williams was keyed in with the Hurricanes.
Considering their depth up front and injury issues on the blue line, it’s a bit surprising to hear the Maple Leafs were going after him.
Related: Alexei Yashin Trade Revisited
Oilers Ready to Offer Up Puljujarvi
Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland told Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic that in the Oilers efforts to make the playoffs and be competitive, they are prepared to move Jesse Puljujarvi.
Holland said there are three choices. First, to move him for a rental, second to move him at the NHL Draft and finally, to wait and see if he changes his mind next season or wants to stay in Europe. Of the option to trade Puljujarvi as a rental, Holland explained:
“One, do you want to trade him in a rental? He’s a 21-year-old player who was the fourth-overall pick, do you want to trade him in a rental deal and get someone on the short term and they’re gone and that asset is gone?
… his agent have made it very clear to me last summer that he didn’t want to play for the Oilers. So, I’m going to proceed along that way.
But, it sounded as though Holland would only consider the rental option if the rental coming back was exceptional.
Lias Andersson Breaks Silence
In a Swedish-language interview with Aftobbladet, Lias Andersson finally started talking about what was going on between he and the New York Rangers organization. He didn’t tell all, but he certainly hinted at his unrest and some physical and mental struggles.
He explained, “I have a small lower body-injury that I’m trying to take care of.” But, he added, “There is a career that’s more important – and that’s friends, family and my health.”
Basically, Andersson hinted at the struggles he was facing mentally and that he needed a break. He realizes that this break could cost him his NHL career saying, “There’s been a lot of incidents that have affected me personally, thing that have made me feel bad mentally. Hockey wise it might be an idiotic decision, but I have to think about my personal life as well.”
He’s hoping it doesn’t mean he’ll miss hockey over the next year and one half but he understands that’s a risk and he can always find other places to play if he’s alienated himself from the NHL.
The New York Rangers have yet to comment and it is believed are still looking for a trade partner.
The post NHL Rumors: Williams, Maple Leafs, Oilers, Rangers, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
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