NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 12/25/2018

December 25, 2018

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

 12/25/2018 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Dec 24, 2018 11:58 am

In today’s NHL rumors (the Christmas Eve Edition), there are updates on the Flyers search for a goaltender, which apparently includes Jonathan Quick. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs are chatting with Mitch Marner’s agent and the Oilers realize they have depth issues that might be addressing. Will Ray Shero deviate from his plan to help the New Jersey Devils?

The Flyers in on Jonathan Quick?

Nick Kypreos said on Saturday Headlines the Philadelphia Flyers have spoken with the Los Angeles Kings about goaltender Jonathan Quick. Kypreos did explain that it doesn’t sound like any contract talks have happened, but a conversation has started and he expects the story to gain steam coming into the new year.

Jonathan Quick #32, Los Angeles Kings – December 18, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Quick has four years left on his deal at a $5.8 million salary cap hit but his actual salary declines from $3.5-million to $3-million to $2.5-million in the final three seasons.

It will be interesting to see if these talks pick up what that means for a player like Carter Hart. Chris Johnston of Sportsnet suggests the Flyers are looking for an experienced goalie to help mentor Hart. If not Quick, the Flyers may also look at names like Scott Darling, Cory Schneider, Keith Kinkaid, Jimmy Howard, and Sergei Bobrovsky.

Status on Mitch Marner

According to Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston, Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas met with Darren Ferris, the agent for Mitch Marner to discuss a contract extension earlier this week. The two sides were also slated to meet again this weekend.

Toronto Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews celebrates with teammate Mitchell Marner (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)

The good news is, the sides are talking. The bad news seems to be that Marner has no desire to sign right now. With a deep 2019 class of restricted free agents, no one seems to want to set the market for the others and Marner stands to gain a lot if he continues to have a strong season. He could hit it out of the park and the threat of an offer sheet means he’ll maximize his value on the market. He and his agent are well aware of what it means to wait things out and it appears they intend to do so.

Meanwhile, Luke Fox of Sportsnet writes the Maple Leafs have lots of salary cap space this season to improve their blue line at the trade deadline if they want. He lists Alex Edler, Jay Bouwmeetser, Niklas Kronwall, Nick Jensen, Ben Lovejoy, and Marc Methot as options.

Oilers Realizing They Aren’t Deep Enough

While the Edmonton Oilers sit in a playoff spot over Christmas, they have now suffered three-straight losses with their loss to Tampa Bay on Saturday. The reason is a lack of depth scoring and a couple key injuries on the blue line. The team doesn’t have much salary cap room to add players and head coach Ken Hitchcock is realizing it.

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mikko Koskinen celebrates with left wing Drake Caggiula and center Cooper Marody in front of head coach Ken Hitchcock. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Jeff Chiu)

Hitchcock said, “Unless it changes, it’s looking a lot like we don’t have enough support… for our group. We’re going to end up running on fumes if we don’t.” This suggests Hitchcock is speaking to management about ways to find more support for the top lines. Right now he’s trying to connect the pieces they currently have but Edmonton may need to make a trade to get the help they need.

Senators Looking at New Possible Ownership?

Chris Johnston of Sportsnet said it is believed that Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk turned down a $400 million offer. There is some behind the scene talk about gauging some interest in potential ownership groups. Could Melnyk get an offer that he can’t refuse?

Devils Will Veer From Plan if Needed

Abbey Mastracco of North Jersey reports that while the New Jersey Devils continue to fall in the standings Devils GM Ray Shero is actively looking for any short- or long-term deals that could improve the team. The Devils are likely more than one or two moves away from being a contending team.

GM Ray Shero addresses the media at the New Jersey Devils 2017 Development Camp. (Photo Credit: New Jersey Devils/Patrick Dodson)

Mastracco writes:

Shero is not sitting by idly waiting for the Devils to snap out of this funk and suddenly start playing like a contender. He’s actively looking for deals to better the club in the long- and short-term and everyone knows he’s willing to deal just about anyone, regardless of the emotional connection they may have to the team and the fan base.

source – ‘Why NJ Devils’ Ray Shero isn’t deviating from his rebuild plan’ – northjersey.com – Abbey Mastracco – 12/20/2018

In an effort to right the ship and get back to where they were last season, Shero will veer from their original plan. “I’ll deviate from the plan at the right time for the right reasons. Absolutely,” Shero said. “I didn’t promise this was going to be without some bumps. That’s part of a rebuild.”

Check Out the Latest Episode of The Hockey Writers Podcast

By Jim Parsons on Dec 22, 2018 01:18 pm

In today’s rumor rundown, there are ideas floating around as to where Jake Muzzin might end up if traded from the Los Angeles Kings, there is some debate about whether or not the Kings should move Tyler Toffoli and Elliotte Friedman gives his best updates on the status of some big names out of St. Louis.

Will the Predators go after some scoring help in the form of Andre Burakovsky?

Muzzin and Some Possible Destinations?

Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now writes that Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin has been linked to the Pittsburgh Penguins. A source said the Kings are looking for high draft picks for Muzzin, which would make it difficult for the Penguins to be players, if true, but it appears to be a story to watch.

Jake Muzzin (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Murat Ates tweets that the belief is also that the LA Kings and the Winnipeg Jets might have something on the go although the two have not been linked in any formal talks at this time.

At 29 years old and a $4 million cap hit, Muzzin is going to be very popular on the trade market if he is, in fact, being moved by the Kings organization.

Tyler Toffoli Trade, Yes or No?

Lisa Dillman and Josh Cooper of The Athletic wrote an article debating the pros and cons of the Kings moving forward Tyler Toffoli. He has struggled a bit in LA with only five goals through 35 games.

Tyler Toffoli #23, Los Angeles Kings – December 18, 2017 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Dillman and Cooper write that the reasons to trade him include the fact that he could fetch a strong return because he still has a reputation as a strong scorer and that if placed with the right linemates, could light it up again. The case for not trading him includes the fact the Kings are an older team and Toffoli is younger. It’s too soon to give up on a player who could be a part of their future.

Both scribes add there are some teams definitely interested in Toffoli including the Edmonton Oilers. They write:

The Edmonton Oilers could use some help on the wing, if this rebound under Ken Hitchcock is for real and they decide to go for it. Toffoli played some of his best hockey when Oilers forward Milan Lucic was with the Kings in 2015-16. Another fact to consider: Jesse Puljujarvi (No. 4 pick, 2016 Draft) hasn’t fit in Edmonton and at some point, the Oilers might be prepared to cut their losses. He could be one of those young players who could benefit from a change of scenery.

source – ‘Rebuilding the Kings: The case for and against trading Tyler Toffoli’ – The Athletic – Lisa Dillman and Josh Cooper – 12/21/2018

Where are the Blues at with Big Decisions?

Elliotte Friedman was on Sportsnet 960 and was asked where he thinks the St. Louis Blues are at with some of the big-name players in the rumor mill. Friedman thinks the Blues will take their time with some hard decisions but knows there will be moves coming.

St. Louis Blues trade rumors

Friedman said, “I think Pietrangelo, he’s got one more year to unrestricted free agency.” when speaking about the star defensemen that was rumored to be part of a package to Toronto. On Vladimir Tarasenko, Friedman said, “he’s got a no-trade list that kicks in July 1.” There was also news on Brayden Schenn, who Friedman explained, “I think he’s a guy a lot of teams would really like to have, or could say, ‘That guy could help us.’”

“And even Parayko. I mean, his name has constantly been in rumors since the draft,” he added.

Friedman doesn’t believe the Blues will move Jaden Schwartz. “I know that’s a player that they really like there and they’ve always thought he was an important key to how they win. I don’t see him going anywhere. I’d be surprised,” he said.

Predators and Andre Burakovsky?

Predators GM David Poile is feeling the heat a bit in Nashville as some of the starting forwards are falling to injury. It was already expected the Predators might look for some scoring help via trade and now there is some belief Poile might have his eyes on a player like Washington Capitals forward Andre Burakovsky.

One of the reasons there might be some teeth to this rumor is that the Capitals are reportedly looking to make a deal that would bring back a roster player and the Predators are one of the few competitive teams who could afford to make that kind of a move.

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