NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 03/04/2020

March 04, 2020

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

03/04/2020 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Mar 03, 2020 02:15 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is buzz the Montreal Canadiens may look at moving Jonathan Drouin before next season, the Edmonton Oilers are getting James Neal back in the lineup but who comes out, and there is some news that the Coronavirus has the NHL working on contingency plans. Finally, what did the GM’s decided to do about the offside rule in the NHL after voting not to touch the EBUG protocols?

NHL Exploring Options with Coronavirus Outbreak

According to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, the NHL is “starting to explore contingency plans” in the event the coronavirus epidemic becomes a more serious threat to North Americans. There have now been a number of cases diagnosed in the United States and 27 cases confirmed in Canada.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly would not rule out postponing games, cancelling games and playing games to empty arenas without fans, although he called that “very unlikely.” Daly added, “But certainly everything is possible, and we have to look at all possible contingencies. If it gets to that point, we will be ready.”

Daly did say that it is unlikely the NHL will travel to China for exhibition games next season.

Josh Anderson Done For Season

The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that Josh Anderson will not return to the team this season. The power forward who may be moved by the team in the offseason, has undergone surgery to repair the labrum tear in his left shoulder.

GM Jarmo Kekalainen said of the news, “Unfortunately, the injury has not responded as any of us had hoped,” and he said a decision was made to have the surgery now so that Josh will be fully healthy and ready to go next season.

It will be interesting to see if the talk surrounding Anderson changes when he’s healthy. There was all sorts of buzz the team and player may choose to go their separate ways and the Blue Jackets will see what value is out there for him.

Drouin to Be Traded Out of Montreal?

Jean-Charles Lajoie of TVA Sports notes that there is speculation the Montreal Canadiens could shop forward Jonathan Drouin this summer. He figures, if so, the Canadiens would be looking for a left-side defenseman.

One player who might be on the Canadiens radar is Colorado Avalanche’s Samuel Girard and the Canadiens had two scouts in Colorado just before last Monday’s trade deadline.

Palmieri Interested in Staying With Devils?

NJ.Com’s Chris Ryan recently reported that New Jersey Devils winger Kyle Palmieri hasn’t really considered signing a contract extension with the team. He’s not opposed to it, he just hasn’t thought about it.

Palmier is slated to become a UFA next July and he was the subject of many trade talks this trade deadline. In the end, it was believed the Devils didn’t move him this season because if they find themselves in a similar position next season, he’s just as tradable as a rental.

Oilers Get James Neal Back

After an 8-3 drubbing over the Nashville Predators, the Edmonton Oilers get more good news as forward James Neal is ready to return and will join the roster as the Oilers take on the Dallas Stars Tuesday evening.

Who comes out is unclear but it might be Alex Chiasson or Jujhar Khaira may sit. One thing worth noting is that if Neal scores one more goal for the Oilers this season, the draft pick compensation going back to the Calgary Flames as part of the Milan Lucic trade changes.

It is also being said that defenseman Oscar Klefbom may be back in the lineup for the Oilers on Thursday versus the Chicago Blackhawks. Kris Russell is a bit banged up and will be a game-time decision.

GM’s Vote to Change Offside Rule

While the emergeny backup goaltender protocols won’t change, during the second day of the general manager meetings in Florida, the group of NHL executives have voted to amend the offside rule.

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports that the new rule will mean a player no longer has to keep their skate one the ice, but over the plane of the blue line.

By Jim Parsons on Mar 02, 2020 12:05 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is speculation as to who the Toronto Maple Leafs might target for their blue line in the off-season. There is also news out of New York that the Rangers are being given a free pass on their pending goaltender decision but that won’t last forever. Finally, emergency backup goaltending David Ayres officially signed on with the coolest company to add a few more minutes to his 15 minutes of fame.

Toronto’s Blue Line Targets

Luke Fox of Sportsnet recently looked at some trade and free-agent targets for the Toronto Maple Leafs. As it stands now, the Maple Leafs could lose Cody Ceci and Tyson Barrie via free agency and their right side is not all that strong.

Among the names mentioned, St. Louis Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo is the most intriguing and certainly most expensive option. At an ask of around $9 million per season, the reality is, Toronto can’t afford him. As backups, Fox also names Sami Vatanen, Travis Hamonic, Mike Green, Dylan DeMelo, Justin Schultz, Chris Tanev and Kevin Shattenkirk, all of whom might be more affordable.

If there’s going to be a trade made because GM Kyle Dubas either can’t afford or doesn’t see any of the free agents as the right fit, he could look at Minnesota’s Matt Dumba, Anaheim’s Josh Manson, Vancouver’s Troy Stecher, and Buffalo’s Brandon Montour and Rasmus Ristolainen.

Oilers Could Get James Neal Back

The Edmonton Journal’s Jim Matheson reports that the Edmonton Oilers might be getting good news on the injury status of James Neal. The latest reports is that Neal is close to a return and traveling with the team.

Matheson notes that Neal will likely join the Oilers on their current road trip that will see the team travel to Nashville, Dallas and Chicago. While it’s not confirmed if he’ll play, he could play in one of those games. It won’t be tonight’s match-up against the Nashville Predators, however.

There is also speculation Kailer Yamamoto might be ready to return to the lineup and will be a game-time decision.

What Will Rangers Do With Lundqvist?

Henrik Lundqvist has now been relegated to the backup goaltender position in New York and there is some belief that he might be bought out if he cannot be traded or won’t agree to a trade when injured netminder Igor Shesterkin returns.

Larry Brooks of the New York Post wrote at the start of February, the process of having three netminders isn’t working and “It’s hard to keep three guys sharp.” While the Rangers are only working two netminders with Shesterkin down and the team has been given a little extra time to make a decision, Brooks adds, “The process has reached the point, I believe, where the team isn’t going to try to do that for very much longer, if at all.”

Fox writes that Rangers GM Jeff Gorton has been granted a moment to breathe, but he must make a decision in the off-season and one of the three goalies won’t be back next season.

Emergency Backup Goalie Gets His Own Hockey Card

David Ayres — the Zamboni driver who came in as an emergency goalie for the Carolina Hurricanes and his story captured the hearts of many fans, is getting his own hockey card.

Upper Deck hockey tweeted, “You asked for it and we made it happen.” Because of the serious demand for Ayres cards, fans can now go to Upperdeckepack.com to get the cards.

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