NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 09/02/2019

September 02, 2019

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

09/02/2019 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Sep 01, 2019 12:55 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown there is news on Roman Josi out of Nashville, more information on Jake Gardiner and where he might land, plus news on Andrei Markov, Patrick Marleau and Mitch Marner.

Predators and Josi Talking Extension

Greg Hardwig of the Naples Daily News writes that the Nashville Predators and defenseman Roman Josi are talking contract extension one year early. Josi is entering the final year of his deal but he wants to stay in Nashville.

Josi said:

“I never made it secret that I’d like to stay in Nashville. I think we’re talking a little bit over the summer, and I’ll let my agent deal with that and just focus on getting ready for the season.”

source – ‘NHL stars Auston Matthews, Patrick Kane, others at Darryl Belfry camp at Hertz Arena’ – Naples Daily News – Greg Hardwig – 08/30/2019

It could be an important season and contract extension for the Predators who moved P.K. Subban in the summer to the New Jersey Devils.

Marner to Sign a Three-Year Deal?

Luke Fox of Sportsnet has added to the Mitch Marner updates saying he believes the forward will eventually sign a two- or three-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He believes the Maple Leafs and Marner are too far apart on a long-term deal.

Marner continues to tease the idea of playing with Zurich, Marner’s using as much leverage as possible in negotiations. Fox says his agent, Darren Ferris is completely comfortable having his clients miss Toronto Maple Leafs camp to crank up the pressure on the GM.

Oilers and Marleau Update

Fox also adds fuel to the fire that the Edmonton Oilers are rumored to be interested in Patrick Marleau. He believes the team realizes it lacks in good veteran leadership in the dressing room and that Marleau would help there.

Fox says at least three sources unpromptedly told him the Oilers were in the conversation. There is also speculation Marleau would like to stay on the West Coast. Marleau absolutely still believes he has a lot to offer a team and is just waiting for someone to give him an opportunity to prove it.

Possible Landing Spots for Jake Gardiner

According to Elliotte Friedman, the Winnipeg Jets could be a possibility to land Jake Gardiner. Fox says he thinks the Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings are in play.

Former Maple Leafs player Dominic Moore said to Fox he believes that part of Gardiner’s issue is the timing of his conversations with teams. Moore said, “So if you don’t agree [on a deal] right away, you have to wait it out.” He added that based on how the calendar momentum works he’s going to have to be patient for now, but he should get opportunities. Moore would know as he’s been in Gardiner’s spot, even if he was not quite as coveted a free agent.

Markov Not Interested in PTO

Talking to Andrei Markov’s new agent, Allen Walsh, TSN’s Melnick in the Afternoon show discussed what could come of Markov’s quest to land a job in the NHL this season. The one thing that was made clear, Markov has no desire to sign a PTO offer with any NHL franchise.

Walsh has said that five teams that have expressed interest and he will sign a contract with one of them before training camp. Walsh explained:

“Andrei and I have never even discussed a PTO and I’m expecting and I’m assuming that he’ll be signed to a contract before the start of training camp. We don’t feel any time pressure. I would expect that there will be something done before the start of training camp based on my discussions so far.”

It was also noted that Markov will choose a team that has a chance to win a Stanley Cup over a team that doesn’t. Markov told Walsh to relay to people he can help any team on the powerplay, 5-on-5 and as a leader in the dressing room.

By Jim Parsons on Aug 31, 2019 01:30 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown there is news out of Toronto where one media member says the Toronto Maple Leafs should considering trading Mitch Marner and suggests the possible return. In Los Angeles, Rob Blake provided a number of updates on a number of topics related to the Kings. What are the Edmonton Oilers going to do with Darnell Nurse and might the Calgary Flames have a deal in the works with the Columbus Blue Jackets?

Should Maple Leafs Trade Marner?

Damien Cox of the Toronto Star writes there is a good possibility that Mitch Marner won’t be at camp and that he could miss the start of the season. If things appear to be headed that direction, Cox wonders if the Toronto Maple Leafs will “imagine other possibilities” when it comes to Marner’s future.

The Maple Leafs either need Marner or whatever they get for Marner in the lineup and the return could be at least two players that are under 27-years-old and under contract for at least two years. Cox says the combination might be a top-four defenseman along with a forward that could score 30 goals.

Meanwhile, Marner’s agent, Darren Ferris, says his client could start skating with Zurich when training camp opens on September 12th.

Updates in LA Through Rob Blake

Los Angeles Kings GM Rob Blake met with reporters, including LA Kings Insider’s Jon Rosen and touched on a number of topics. Among them, he acknowledged that the Kings took a look at UFA defenseman Ben Hutton.

Blake downplayed the possibility of signing Hutton but speculation is that Hutton still has the Kings on his list of teams he’s considering.

When it comes to winger Tyler Toffoli, there’s been a ton of trade speculation. Blake indicated to the media that he’s not in a hurry to re-sign the forward after a down season. Blake will wait until later in the season to look at a new deal should the Kings look at all.

Finally, Blake said that he spoke a lot with forward Dustin Brown this past offseason and while the Kings will be going through big changes, he doesn’t see a scenario where he would trade Brown.

Michael Frolik for Riley Nash?

Brian Costello of The Hockey News writes that the Calgary Flames are still working on ways of signing Matthew Tkachuk and Andrew Mangiapane with the $7.7 million in salary-cap space they have left. It could require a trade.

He notes one option might be sending Michael Frolik and his $4.3 million cap hit to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Riley Nash. Nash has two years left but at $2.75 million per and if the Blue Jackets retained about $500k in salary, the Flames would have an extra $2 million in cap space.

Oilers Keep or Trade Darnell Nurse?

Jonathan Willis of The Athletic writes that the Edmonton Oilers will have an important decision ahead of them when it comes to defenseman Darnell Nurse. Nurse is entering the final year of his deal and due for a big raise.

Willis says comparables for Nurse include Matt Dumba’s five-year, $6 million per deal and Esa Lindell’s six years at $5.8 million per.

Willis writes that there is another option. He explains:

The other option, often floated online, is for Edmonton to trade Nurse next summer rather than re-sign him. The timing would be right: a player looking for a raise, but one who still has two years left under team control. The rationale is that with Klefbom signed long-term, Larsson and Russell still under contract, and a wealth of prospects graduating the Oilers could move a valuable player from their blue line to address other problems.

source – ‘How much money will Darnell Nurse make on his next NHL contract?’ – Jonathan Willis -The Athletic – 08/29/2019

Willis suggests Nurse has already put himself in a position to get a big raise but this season could be massive in terms of dictating the type of deal Nurse could ultimately ask for.

By Jim Parsons on Aug 30, 2019 02:20 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news on two major names in Washington where the Capitals will have some big decisions to make, news on Matt Hunwick’s season in Buffalo and how it might affect another defenseman, and an update on the potential re-opening of the CBA by the NHL and the NHLPA. Finally, are the Montreal Canadiens done making moves? The coach doesn’t seem to think so.

Capitals Plans for Backstrom and Holtby

Tom Gulitti of NHL.com writes that the Washington Capitals have preliminary contract plans for both Nicklas Backstrom and Braden Holtby and the organization will start talking to them in September.

In Backstrom’s case, he’s said he’d like to stay in Washington for a couple more seasons. The team also knows they don’t have a replacement. In Holtby’s case, the team has options with Ilya Samsonov eventually ready to take on the role as the future No. 1 goaltender. For the Capitals, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to salaries.

Addressing the fact Capitals are currently over the salary cap ceiling, GM Brian MacLellan said:

“I think we’ll probably have to move someone. Injuries and all the stuff that happens in training camp and exhibition season probably dictates it a little bit, but we’re going to be patient. We’re not in a rush. We’ll wait and let it play itself out.”

Meanwhile, Holtby says he doesn’t want to go anywhere. “This is all I know here,” Holtby told NBC Sports Washington on Wednesday. He added, “I’d love [to re-sign]. I think that’s pretty clear.”

Hunwick Out for Full Season?

GM of the Buffalo Sabres Jason Botterill has issued the following statement today in regards to defenseman Matt Hunwick:

“After further medical evaluation this offseason, we unfortunately do not expect that Matt will be physically able to play this upcoming season due to a neck condition.”

Hunwick being on long-term injured reserve does change the optics of the Sabres salary cap a touch and might affect the desire to move a defenseman like Rasmus Ristolainen now.

NHL To Decline Option to Re-Open CBA

Pierre LeBrun writes on Twitter that the NHLPA executive board will be meeting next Wednesday to talk CBA items. Among the items to be discussed is the September 15th deadline that allows them to opt-out of the CBA for 2020. The NHL side has until Sunday to opt-out.

LeBrun notes that both the NHL and NHLPA have spoken numerous times this offseason about the next CBA and Darren Dreger adds that the expectation is the NHL will announce in the next day or two their desire to decline re-opening the CBA.

Montreal Canadiens Not Done Adjusting Roster?

Canadiens head coach Claude Julien suggested that the team may not be done tinkering with their roster. He told Sportsnet’s Eric Engels that there are still some things being discussed and accordingly, he didn’t want to anything except let media draw their own conclusions at this time.

Julien’s lack of detail has led some to believe Montreal has something cooking and another move is coming. Montreal has a good chunk of cap space to make one or two more moves and if they clear out a contract (they are at 48 out of 50) they could realistically add one or two more pieces.

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