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NHL Rumors Update
NHL Rumors Update for 06/05/2020
The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.
06/05/2020 edition:
By Jim Parsons on Jun 04, 2020 02:15 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is talk that defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere may be on the outside and looking in when it comes to playing with the Philadelphia Flyers. Meanwhile, one team looking to improve their blue line, the Los Angeles Kings, are being linked to a KHL defenseman. The Vancouver Canucks are in search of defensive help, but have little money to work with, and the New York Rangers might be calling upon a disgruntled forward to help with the playoff push.
Gostisbehere Not a Long-Term Fit in Philadelphia?
Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer was asked about where defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere fits in long term for the Philadelphia Flyers. Carchidi doesn’t believe the Flyers will keep the 27-year-old blueliner.
In fact, Carchidi expects Gostisbehere will have a difficult time even getting into the lineup if and when the season returns since the Flyers defense has excelled without him. Carchidi adds:
Bottom line: I think Gostisbehere, 27, will be shopped, but the Flyers will probably hold out for a first- or second-round pick, or a winger with 20-goal potential before they move him.
Canucks Looking to Improve Blue Line
Thomas Drance and Harman Dayal of The Athletic note that the Vancouver Canucks are trying to improve their defense but won’t have a lot of salary cap space to do so. Their biggest need is a right-handed defenseman.
The scribes noted that the Canucks might need to move out salary to land someone like: Tyson Barrie, Travis Hamonic, Radko Gudas, Dylan DeMelo. Justin Braun, Mark Pysyk, Tim Heed or Jan Rutta.
As for left-handed defensemen, they write:
And with Alex Edler and Quinn Hughes in the fold on the left side of Vancouver’s blue line, it’s not going to make much sense for the Canucks to commit UFA-levels of cap space and dollars to a left-handed defender.
Related: Top 3 All-Time Rangers Goalies
Nesterov Headed to Kings?
Rick Dhaliwal of TSN is reporting that he’s hearing former NHL defenseman Nikita Nesterov is leaving CSKA in Russia and is being linked to the LA Kings. Nesterov spent the last three seasons in the KHL after playing for both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens.
In March, Nesterov reportedly turned down a two-year deal with Kings, according to Igor Eronko of Sport-Express. But, as GM Rob Blake appears to have remained steadfast in his pursuit to improve the left side of his blue line, something appears to have changed.
Blake told Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider when talking about adding for the upcoming season, “I think that would be one area of need that we would look at, whether it’s the free-agent market or the acquisition market.”
New York Rangers Want Lias Andersson Back for Playoffs
According to a report by Swedish language publication Götenborgs-Posten (Gothenburg Post) (translation required) the New York Rangers have had discussions with Lias Andersson about re-joining the team when the 2019-20 season resumes.
Andersson had been in the news this past season because he was quite public about his discomfort as part of the Rangers’ organization and requested a trade. One wasn’t facilitated so he was loaded to the Swedish Elite League’s HV71 team. The report notes:
“Both GM Davidson and Coach Quinn has called Sweden in order to get Andersson interested in playing for @NYRangers in the playoffs”
It’s unknown if Andersson is actually interested in a return to the organization.
NHL Playoff Format News
As per Elliotte Friedman, the NHL Playoffs will not be bracketed, but re-seeded after every round. Qualifying will be best-of-five. All other rounds will be best-of-seven.
Pierre LeBrun of TSN notes:
“Keep in mind, this is just the format agreement. Still to come are Phase 3 (training camp) and Phase 4 (games/hubs/protocol) which still have to be negotiated. Only preliminary talks so far on those fronts.”
The post NHL Rumors: Flyers, Kings, Rangers, Canucks, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on Jun 03, 2020 01:10 pm
In today’s NHL rumors rundown, we take a look at what the Ottawa Senators will do with all of their draft picks. Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs have a couple of immediate needs that GM Kyle Dubas is keeping an eye out for. Will the St. Louis Blues let Alex Pietrangelo walk this offseason? And, one scribe makes an argument that the Edmonton Oilers should sign Ryan Nugent-Hopkins right away.
Senators to Keep or Flip Picks?
As Josh Beneteau of Sportsnet points out, “while having a large pool of picks is important for any rebuild, at some point those picks need to turn into players.” He was referring to the Ottawa Senators and wondered if the team will be looking to package up some of their picks in this year’s draft for bigger stars?
Beneteau adds that the pressure is now on general manager Pierre Dorion to get the picks right and begin building a competitive roster. Dorion will likely use most of his 13 picks, but could target cap-strapped teams to pluck players who can help the Senators now.
Blues to Let Pietrangelo Walk?
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Dispatch was asked if there’s any chance Alex Pietrangelo could simply walk from the Blues organization? The plan in the scenario would be to use the money he would cost on other players, specifically someone like Vince Dunn.
Thomas noted that there are some other teams in pretty good cap shape and that it’s possible Pietrangelo isn’t keenly interested in staying with the Blues. He writes:
With Scandella re-upping, maybe Armstrong feels the club can remain a Cup contender without Pietrangelo, especially with defensemen like Mikkola, Perunovich and Walman in the pipeline.
Thomas doesn’t expect the Blues to just let him walk away without at first trying to get him re-signed.
Maple Leafs Have Two Key Needs
Luke Fox of Sportsnet writes in a recent mailbag post that the Toronto Maple Leafs main offseason priority should be to find a top-four right-handed defenseman. After that, a No. 3 center should be on their radar, as both Alexander Kerfoot and Pierre Engvall struggled in the faceoff circle.
Fox wonders if the Leafs will look to sign a short-term free agent deal with a player like Joe Thornton, Derick Brassard, Nate Thompson, Brad Richardson, and Greg McKegg.
Fox also notes that Nick Robertson will be one of the Toronto Maple Leafs playoff call-ups, but he’s not just going to be given a spot.
Oilers Need to Lock Up Nugen-Hopkins?
Allan Mitchell of The Athletic points out, that the Oilers might be playing with fire if they let another season go by without first signing forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. “Nuge” has gone on offensive runs that, while not sustained over the course of a full season yet, prorate to more than a point-per-game.
Mitchell writes that some Oilers fans would find anything more than the $6 million he’s currently making laughable. But, Mitchell also adds:
What isn’t funny is his potential value to other teams. A big offensive season in 2020-21 would make the next contract a headache for general manager Ken Holland. The cap hit for a 60-point two-way forward is one thing. But coming off an 80-point season at 28?
Mitchell sites that Nugent-Hopkins started getting hot in January and if he’s figured out how to stay hot, he’s the type of player that could get expensive in a hurry. He asks, “If Holland can sign Nugent-Hopkins to a six-year, $45 million deal ($7.5 million cap hit) should he do it this offseason?” Even more interesting is that Mitchell points out that other teams might be quick to scoop him up. “What if it takes a seven-year, $56 million dollar deal to keep Nuge away from the Canucks, Rangers or another NHL team?”
The post NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs, Senators, Oilers, Blues, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on Jun 01, 2020 01:35 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news the Edmonton Oilers will still be using a player who’s already signed elsewhere next season. Meanwhile, the New York Rangers have a third-string goalie who doesn’t want to go anywhere. In Ottawa, the GM is putting in plans around the draft, and one NHL player has spoken out about a battle that could exist between the players and the NHL if the league asks players to separate from their families.
Oilers To Use Markus Granlund
Edmonton Journal’s Kurt Leavins reports that despite having already signed a contract with Ufa Salavat Yulaev in the KHL for next season, the Edmonton Oilers still intend to call upon forward Markus Granlund during their play-in and potential playoff series.
Leavins writes:
Even though he reportedly has a contract for the KHL next season, I fully expect Markus Granlund to be on the Oilers “Black Aces” taxi squad this Summer. His veteran presence and versatility are too valuable to ignore. And he would fill a hole left by the sadly departed Colby Cave.
Granlund remains under contract with the Oilers until the season is over and played in 34 games, scoring three goals and four points.
Lundqvist Not Retiring Anytime Soon
During an interview with GP-Sporten’s Johan Rylander (translation required), goaltender Henrik Lundqvist says that not only is he ready to play against the Carolina Hurricanes this season in the play-in round, he sees himself playing in the NHL for years to come.
The 38-year-old netminder said:
“The focus is training and this summer. Now we go for it right here. I can sense that I have it in me – to go another few years over there in the NHL. I’m sure about it! It’s clear that I’m thinking about how much I love hockey and how long I think I can continue, or even want to continue. I also realized that I can’t look that far ahead.”
When discussing the current situation in New York, where he’s potentially going to be the third-string goalie or could be moved, he explained his disappointment. He noted:
I’m not blind. They’re thinking ahead. There are many pieces that go into building a team right now, but also for the future. You’re going to have to widen the view a little. Obviously it is disappointing to not play as much as you want. That’s where the disappointment is. It’s more … not on them (the Rangers), but more that it became as it became. And if I not had been disappointed, then I sell myself short. I want to play, to deliver at a high level. If I don’t, I will be disappointed.”
Related: Best NHL Player From Each U.S. State
Senators to Add Veterans on Short-Term Deals?
According to Wayne Scanlan of Sportsnet, GM Pierre Dorion wouldn’t say if they will try to package some the team’s draft picks this offseason and move up in the draft. What he did say was that the Ottawa Senators are prepared to do what they did last season and surround young players with veterans.
Dorion noted:
“Last year we added veterans (in free agency and trade) because we felt it would help the growth of our young players and the growth of our team. And it is something we could look at in the short term.”
The Senators will have a lot of young players, considering they are loaded with prospects and picks and could potentially draft two piece this offseason that might play in the NHL.
Nick Foligno Warns About Possible Player Clash With NHL
While he might be referring to himself more than anything, Columbus Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno seemed to warn that if the NHL asks players to return to the game but tells them they can’t see their families in the process, there is going to be a battle.
There has a been a lot of talk about how a return to play will take place, some of the discuss revolving around player accommodations and travel. Foligno addressed some of that talk during an interview with the Winnipeg Sun and said, “If somebody’s going to tell me I can’t see my family, there’s going to be a fight at some point.”
Foligno has reasons to be concerned about leaving his family for long periods of time. His daughter Milana has dealt with a congenital heart defect since she was born and his son Hudson had a serious case of pneumonia. One of Foligno’s concerns is that players who choose not to return will be looked upon poorly.
He added:
“If you don’t feel safe to return, I think there needs to be some sort of way for those guys not to be vilified. No one’s going to look at you (unfavorably) for not wanting to go back, and I don’t think they should be.”
The post NHL Rumors: Oilers, Rangers, Blue Jackets, Senators, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on May 31, 2020 02:35 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news that Alex Lafreniere might be considering options outside the NHL if the 2020-21 season is delayed too long. Meanwhile, the NHL has decided on what constitutes an NHL playoff teams versus a non-playoff team.
The Vancouver Canucks and other Canadian teams are considering major training camp changes and the Ottawa Senators could be busy this offseason.
The NHL Rules on Playoff Trade Conditions
According to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun the NHL has determined that the playoffs won’t technically start until the play-in rounds are done and there are 16 teams. That means, for the eight teams that lose, they won’t have been considered playoff teams in 2019-20, which also means any trade conditions that include their organization making the playoffs will not have been met.
LeBrun writes a league representative told him, “We believe this interpretation will best reflect the intentions of the parties at the time of the Trade.” LeBrun adds:
In my opinion, when it comes to conditional trades affected by this ruling, it’s the right call from the league. Nobody made an NHL trade contemplating anything other than 16 teams in the playoffs. So for the spirit and integrity of those trades, this is the right ruling.
There are a few trades this rule may affect. The Canucks traded their 2020 first-round pick to Tampa Bay for J.T. Miller, conditional on the Canucks making the playoffs. The Pittsburgh Penguins sent a first-round pick to Minnesota for Jason Zucker (assuming the Penguins got into the playoffs).
This does not answer the question about what happens with conditional picks attached to individual regular season production, such as the Milan Lucic and James Neal trade.
Lafreniere Might Elect to Play in Europe
With the NHL playoffs potentially not getting underway until July or August, the start of the 2020-21 season could be delayed until November. If so, the consensus first-overall pick might decide to play in a league that starts much earlier, according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie.
On the recent Insider Trading, McKenzie notes that Lafreniere is likely to look into options that let him start playing on time and if that means finding a deal in Europe, he could take it. McKenzie notes:
“When is the National Hockey League going to begin the 2020-21 season? October? November? December? Even January? We don’t know,” said McKenzie. “On top of all that, where’s Alexis Lafreniere going to play this fall if the NHL season isn’t happening until January and the draft isn’t until October or November? Is the CHL going to be playing? Is the American Hockey League an option? We don’t know at this point. But one thing I can tell you – Emilie Castonguay for Alexis Lafreniere is looking at all the options on the table and that will include seeing if the European club teams are up and operating in September and October.”
One would think that if he’s considering starting elsewhere, he might look for an out clause to join the NHL as soon as their season starts. It would be difficult to know if and how it might affect his draft status if teams knew he wouldn’t be available for his first season.
Senators Could Be Busy This Offseason
The Ottawa Senators are a team that can start making moves now if they want to and while that may not happen, John Matisz of The Score suggests GM Pierre Dorion could be busy.
He has 13 players on expiring contracts, including Craig Anderson and Anthony Duclair and speculation is that Anderson could be brought back on an inexpensive one-year deal. Duclair may have to prove his strong season wasn’t a fluke, also signing a one-year deal to get a long-term offer from the club.
Canucks May Hold Training Camp in U.S.
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet recently noted that Vancouver Canucks, led by GM Jim Benning have said they are considering holding their training camp in the U.S.
With questions about quarantines coming into Canada and travel concerns, Friedman reports that Benning doesn’t think they are the only Canadian team considering that.
The post NHL Rumors: Canucks, Senators, Lafreniere, Trade Conditions, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on May 30, 2020 01:55 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there are updates on the status of KHL stars Ilya Sorokin and Kirill Kaprizov, there is buzz about which nine players will make up the Toronto Maple Leafs’ taxi squad, and the Detroit Red Wings talks offseason plans.
Sorokin and Kaprizov Won’t be Staying in the KHL
With reports that the NHL was going to deny the right for NHL clubs to let signed players from the KHL play in this year’s postseason, there was speculation names like Ilya Sorokin and Kirill Kaprizov might choose to stay in the KHL versus signing a deal with the NHL teams that were rumored to have landed them. That’s not accurate.
According to Aivis Kalnins of Full Press NHL and a KHL insider, both Sorokin (New York Islanders) and Kaprizov (Minnesota Wild) intend to sign their entry-level contracts.
Maple Leafs’ Taxi Squad
NHL teams will be allowed to carry an extra seven skaters — to bring the total to 28 — and an unlimited number of goalies when the season resumes. Because the AHL has officially shut down and with potential injuries or call-ups, all 24 teams needed some kind of assurances.
For the Maple Leafs, speculation is that their additional skaters will include Nick Robertson, Egor Korshkov, and Kenny Agostino at left wing, Nic Petan and Adam Brooks, at centre, Timothy Liljegren, Martin Marincin on defence, and Kasimir Kaskisuo and Joseph Woll, in goal. Missing the cut will be Pontus Aberg, Kevin Gravel, Kristians Rubins, and Jeremy Bracco.
James Mirtle and Joshua Kloke of The Athletic write:
The only NHL regular missing is Andreas Johnsson, who continues to rehab from knee surgery and likely isn’t available until deep into the summer. These players will all be part of the Leafs play-in roster when games resume against the Blue Jackets.
This will give the Maple Leafs a final roster of 32.
Trades Not Expected Yet
Luke Fox of Sportsnet writes, “Just because the seven eliminated teams are free to make trades with each other, I’d be stunned to see any transaction of significance.”
The seven eliminated teams can make trades start immediately, and while that might seem like an advantage, most insiders don’t really think it will be. Fox asks why any team would want to pitch to just 20 percent of the market? He adds:
“that most deals involve movement of draft picks, and we don’t even know the draft order let alone the draft date, and I wouldn’t be refreshing your Twitter feed searching for that Rasmus Ristolainen blockbuster just yet.
He refers to Ristolainen, likely because the Sabres defenseman mentioned he thought he’d be one of the first players moved out of the organization.
Red Wings Won’t Sign Big Free Agents
There’s been talk about how GM Steve Yzerman will reshape the Detroit Red Wings this offseason and whether he opts for a slow rebuild or uses free agency in a summer where he might have more money than some clubs to add good players.
Yzerman told Bob Wojnowski of the Detroit News that he will use free agency but stressed he won’t go into the free-agent market to make a splash. He’ll instead focus on “sensible signings”. Yzerman explained:
“We’re prepared to do anything we can in free-agency, but it’s not get a player at all cost, that’s not the plan. We’re not trying to do everything overnight because that can really handcuff you. The reality is, I think it’s very difficult to do that with free-agency, to get those elite players. You’ve got to spend a lot of money for a long time, and I don’t know if we’re a market for those type of players at this time. That’s the reality.”
He also said of Tyler Bertuzzi and Anthony Mantha, he expects to re-sign both players. “We’re not gonna let them go anywhere, we’ll get deals done.”
The post NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs, Red Wings, KHL Contracts, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on May 29, 2020 02:05 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, Edmonton’s Connor McDavid spoke about the process of the players voting for the 24-team play-in and how it specifically affected the Oilers. Why did the team vote for the format despite it not being in their favor?
One of the teams out as a result of that vote was the Buffalo Sabres whose season ended. Rasmus Ristolainen of the Sabres told media that he assumes he’ll be traded now. And, as a member of one of the seven teams that didn’t make the play-ins or the playoffs, could his trade come sooner than later? Technically, these teams can make deals starting right away.
Finally, there is news from the NHL on Phase 3 of the league’s return to play plan, even though Phase 2 hasn’t technically began yet.
McDavid and Nurse Comment on Oilers Vote
Despite the fact that the approved format hurts the Oilers as much as hurts any of the teams now forced to compete in a play-in game, Connor McDavid noted this is what was best for the league as a whole.
McDavid said, “Lots of guys had to make sacrifices and the Oilers were part of that. We had a good season and put ourselves in a good spot but we still got to play in the Play-In Round and that’s the way it goes.” Now, if the season resumes, Edmonton has to get past the Chicago Blackhawks.
Ultimately, the Oilers didn’t vote based on what was best for them. He said, “It’s best for the League and guys understood that.”
Darnell Nurse was the Oilers’ team rep in meetings and he explained that the Oilers decided by democracy vote. “There’s no perfect situation here. We want to play and I think we showed that,” he said. He added:
“No matter what position you’re in, you got to win every series to get that ultimate goal. We could sit here, complain and hope for a different format but at the end of the day, the Return To Play Committee put together a good format. They worked hard on it and if we have to play an extra series, we’re OK with that.”
Related: Best & Worst Oilers of the Decade
Rangers Unsure About Kakko’s Status
Larry Brooks of the New York Post notes that New York Rangers president John Davidson isn’t sure what Kaapo Kakko’s status will be for any games the Rangers play during the pandemic. Like Max Domi of the Montreal Canadiens, Kakko has Type 1 diabetes and that means medical staff may determined it’s not safe to play.
When it comes to playing in the playoffs, Davidson said, they “will listen to science and the medical people.”
Ristolainen Thinks a Trade is a Given
Rasmus Ristolainen spoke with media after confirmation the regular season closed and made a few newsworthy comments. Among them, he told John Vogl of The Athletic, he believes he’ll be “one of the first ones that’s probably going to get traded”.
Ristolainen has been a part of trade rumors out of Buffalo for a couple of seasons but recently re-upped GM Jason Botterill referred to him as a “core player” for the organization. Obviously, there’s a disconnect there.
If the Sabres do try to trade Ristolainen, some teams will be a bit leery of his advanced stats numbers but he’s a strong defenseman that could do well on a team with some cap room. Risotalinen has two years remaining on his current contract which carries a $5.4 million per season.
Phase 3 Set For July?
According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the NHL has informed players that Phase 3 of the league’s return to play plan, a three-week training camp, will not start before July 10. This estimate comes without Phase 2 actually having gotten underway yet. Phase 2 is small group workouts, but could being next week.
If mid-July is accurate for a training camp, James Mirtle of The Athletic suggests it could be October before a 2019-20 champion is crowned.
The post NHL Rumors: Oilers, Rangers, Sabres, Phase 3, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
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