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NHL Rumors Update
NHL Rumors Update for 08/19/2019
The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.
08/19/2019 edition:
By Jim Parsons on Aug 18, 2019 02:10 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news Adam Boqvist might be pushing for an NHL job, the Edmonton Oilers have a prospect on the blue line worth watching for and the Buffalo Sabres are trying to appease Rasmus Ristolainen. Meanwhile, what do the comments by Patrik Laine from earlier this week really mean?
Boqvist Making The Blackhawks?
According to NBC Sports’ Charlie Roumeliotis, perhaps the most impressive player in Chicago’s development camp was defenseman Adam Boqvist. Boqvist was the franchise’s eighth-overall draft selection in 2018 and if you ask Blackhawks’ player development coach Brian Campbell, there may be a chance he makes the main roster.
“Yeah, I was impressed,” Campbell said. He added there’s no pressure for Boqvist to have to make the team but his teammates love him, he wants to learn and he’s preparing himself to make it.
Klefbom Says Watch for Lagesson in Edmonton
In speaking with Jamie Umbach as part of the Roster Reboot series on the Edmonton Oilers official website, top blueliner Oscar Klefbom thinks fans should keep an eye on defensive prospect William Lagesson.
Saying the team has a ton of potential on the blue line, he calls Lagesson a perfect example. Klefbom notes, “the way he played in Bakersfield is very impressive. I think he’s going to get a chance to play in the big leagues this year for sure, and I think he’s going to do a great job.”
Still with the Oilers, there is a rumor (not much substance to it) that Taylor Hall might be up for a redemption tour in Edmonton once he becomes available as an unrestricted free agent.
The speculation started with a tweet from well-known rumors account in Edmonton and then media writer Robin Brownlee expanded on the idea saying, “I haven’t heard anything from anybody else about Hall letting it be known he’d like to return to the Oilers. Is it possible he feels that way? Sure. Would it make any sense for him to say that now? None.”
Sabres Expect Ristolainen at Camp
Rumors of Rasmus Ristolainen being traded out of Buffalo don’t seem to disappear. That said, Sabres general manager Jason Botterill says to expect Ristolainen in training camp next month, according to Buffalo News’ Mike Harrington.
Botterill adds that the Sabres have worked hard to put the defenseman in the best possible situation possible moving forward and make it so he wants to stay. Botterill said:
“Yeah, he wants to win. We also want to put him in a situation where he plays very well, and that’s what we’ve tried to do with some of the acquisitions, add depth to our defense, add competition to our defense.”
With that in mind, don’t think the trade buzz that includes Ristolainen’s name will quiet down. There is still a firm belief that moving him can solve a problem for both the player and the organization who has extra blueliners and could use the forward help.
Update on Laine’s Comments
The comments made by Patrik Laine that he doesn’t know exactly where he’ll play next season have certainly caught the attention of the hockey world. Perhaps people are reading too much into things but it does serve as a reminder that the Winnipeg Jets are prone to an offer sheet or might need to make a move to free up the space they need to sign both Laine and Kyle Connor.
Sean Reynolds of Sportsnet believes the comments were made by Laine in an attempt to get the process moving a little quicker. There is no confirmation that any other NHL organizations have reached out to Laine’s side about an offer sheet.
The post NHL Rumors: Blackhawks, Sabres, Oilers, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on Aug 17, 2019 11:35 am
In today’s NHL rumors, Patrik Laine fills everyone in on where he’s at with the Winnipeg Jets on a new contract while Kyle Connor isn’t panicking just yet. There are a handful of teams in on prospect Chase Priskie and is David Poile on the hot seat in Nashville?
Laine Says There’s Nothing Going on With Jets
Chris Johnston of Sportsnet caught up with Patrik Laine while the forward was overseas and asked him about where his contract negotiations were with the Jets. He responded with nowhere.
In Johnston’s report, he writes that contract talks have been “non-existent all summer” and Laine sounded like he wasn’t sure where he’d be playing next season. Laine said, “But yeah, you never know where you’re going to play next year so I’m just prepared for anything.”
This isn’t great news for the Jets that Laine might be thinking he’s not sure if he’ll be a part of the team next season. Meanwhile, Winnipeg isn’t only worried about Laine. They need to get Kyle Connor extended as well.
When Connor was asked by TSN whether he hopes to have a deal done before training camp starts, he said that was the plan and seemed a little less unsure about his future. Connor said, “I don’t think it’s anything to press the panic button on. It’s just kinda how these things do—take a little bit of time.”
The Competition for Chase Priskie
Jimmy Murphy noted that Tampa Bay, Florida, and Montreal are all in on prized NCAA unrestricted free agent and former Quinnipiac defenseman Chase Priskie. In Murphy’s words, the Lightning are “coming in hot”.
Hurricanes beat reporter Sara Civian says Priskie heading to the Carolina Hurricanes is not a foregone conclusion but they are high on him.
There are many, including NHL Draft and prospects analyst for ESPN, Chris Peters who noted, Priskie is a bonafide player worth this much attention. He brings a ton of offense and will a contributor for whatever team acquires him. Priskie had 39 goals and 77 assists in 154 games during his collegiate career.
Eyeballs on David Poile
Joe Rexrode of The Athletic writes that Nashville Predators GM David Poile is under fire for the first time in a long time. People are questioning his decision to trade PK Subban when the Predators power play could use work and that Poile thought Matt Duchene was a better option is leaving some with doubts.
Rexrode writes:
Poile has more misses than hits since his league-rattling move to get Subban from Montreal for captain Shea Weber in 2016. As it stands, the Turris deal is more than a miss, it’s an albatross.
Next up, Poile needs to get an extension done with Roman Josi. Is there concern and is Poile gambling that underperforming players will turn things around?
Aho Doesn’t Regret Offer Sheet
Based upon recent comments from Sebastian Aho, if he had to do it again, he might not jump to signing an offer sheet with Montreal, but he’s happy he did because it kept him in Carolina.
There was plenty of speculation as to why Aho would sign an offer sheet with the Canadiens. Even Marc Bergevin publicly said Montreal is where Aho wanted to be. But, Aho spoke with NHL.com’s Dan Rosen and said, “Last year was awesome in Carolina with great teammates, a great coach. I love it in Carolina.”
Aho added when asked specifically about the offer sheet. “It wasn’t an easy decision, but at the same time I had literally like a day or less, actually, to think about it.” Upon reflection, Aho added, “Now I’m thinking about it, I’m happy with my situation. It worked out. It really did.”
It’s hard to know if Aho was suggesting he’d have regretted his choice had Carolina chosen not to match but he’s glad he doesn’t have to think about that for the next five seasons and can just play hockey.
Islanders Have Two Signed, Sort Of
The New York Islanders still have three important restricted free agents in Anthony Beauvilier, Michael Dal Colle, and Josh Ho-Sang to sign. GM Lou Lamoriello told Newsday’s Andrew Gross that the Islanders have already reached an agreement with two of them.
“None of our restricted free agents will be an issue, we’ll have everyone signed. A couple of them have already agreed, it’s just getting everything executed.”
The post NHL Rumors: Priskie, Poile, Jets, Islanders, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
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