NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 01/11/2019

January 11, 2019

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

01/11/2019 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Jan 10, 2019 01:05 pm

It was a busy day for rumors and innuendo in hockey, so for today’s second installment of the rumor rundown, we look at updates on Sergei Bobrovsky, Wayne Simmonds and an Auston Matthews offer sheet coming out of Arizona.

Sergei Bobrovsky Suspended by Team? Anything to do With Free Agency?

In a bit of a shocking development on Thursday, the Columbus Blue Jackets have issued a press release indicating that Sergei Bobrovsky will not dress for the team’s game against the Nashville Predators on Thursday, citing an “incident” which has caused the team to pull the star goalie and pending unrestricted free agent from the lineup.

If Bobrovsky is gone, is Joonas Korpisalo a viable number-one option? (Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)

Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen made the following statement on the official team website:

There are certain expectations and values that we have established for our players that define our culture. An incident occurred in which Sergei failed to meet those expectations and values, so we made the decision that he would not be with the team for tonight’s game. This is an internal matter and we will have no further comment at this time.

The team has recalled Jean-Francois Berube and Bobrovsky is expected to return to practice on Friday. The organization made no further comments and coach John Tortorella would not go into any more detail about the situation when asked by media.

As a result, speculation will run wild as to what led to this “suspension” by the team and if any connection can be made to the fact Bobrovsky is a pending free agent, seeking the highest annual salary of any goaltender in the NHL. He’s having a less-than-Bobrovsky-like season which can’t be good for the prospects of him hitting a home run in free agency and there will certainly be rumblings the former two-time Vezina Trophy winner is lashing out or having issues in Columbus.

So this would seem like a one-day thing…. although in the bigger picture, hard to fathom Bobrovsky re-signing at any time with UFA status July 1… https://t.co/mrqRQSavzI

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) January 10, 2019

Update on Status of Wayne Simmonds

Darren Dreger of TSN reports that the Philadelphia Flyers haven’t made a decision on the future of pending unrestricted free agent forward Wayne Simmonds. Should they choose to trade him, there would be plenty of interested teams, including, as Dreger notes, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets and Calgary Flames.

Jake Allen, St. Louis Blues and Wayne Simmonds, Philadelphia Flyers, January 6, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Dreger also said he doesn’t believe Simmonds is eager to just sit around and wait to see what happens to him. He might want to have an idea of what direction he’ll be headed and Dreger thinks he could be a name to watch in the coming days and weeks ahead.

Dreger’s TSN fellow panelist, Bob McKenzie said on NBCSN that it’s “more likely than not” that Simmonds is dealt, but it’s not a slam dunk. The Flyers could still look to re-sign him. McKenzie said of the expectations for Simmonds next contract:

“The expectation is if he goes to market he’s going to get at least five years, maybe more, and perhaps $6 million a year or more. And again, it could be a long term for less AAV, or it could be a shorter term for higher AAV. But in any case, it might be difficult for the Flyers to get in on that type of contract.”

Teams are calling the Flyers right now and asking about Simmonds and they’re being told by GM Chuck Fletcher “we’ll get back to you on that.”

Will Auston Matthews Get an Offer Sheet from Arizona?

One of the stories to watch as the rest of the season unfolds and all the way up until July 1, 2019, is what happens with restricted free agents like Auston Matthews and the potential for an offer sheet by another team. One hasn’t been used by an opposing GM in ages, but this could be the year a team gives it some serious thought.

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

“Now, there’s all sorts of rumors out there. And one of the rumors – and I stress a rumor. If it was a report, if there was any evidence to back this up, I would say it. But he’s an Arizona boy. So there’s all sorts of speculation that the Arizona Coyotes would come in on a one-year max deal, $16 million a year that would make it difficult for the Toronto Maple Leafs to match.”

It would be something if Arizona decided to make a play for Matthews and just how interested Matthews would be in going “home” to Arizona.

Listen to the Latest Version of The Hockey Writers Podcast

By Jim Parsons on Jan 10, 2019 12:17 pm

In today’s rumor rundown, the fire to do something in Pittsburgh has cooled a bit while the Sharks have made it known they’re looking to add a rental at the deadline. Elliotte Friedman laid down his 31 Thoughts article and gave us a few nuggets including that the Jets might move Laurent Brossoit but won’t contemplate moving one specific player teams are asking about. He also suggested a trade for Michael Ferland is a “when” and not “if” scenario, naming a few teams that might be interested.

The Penguins Aren’t as Urgent to Make a Move as they Once Were

Reports out of Pittsburgh are that the franchise isn’t as eager to shake things up down the middle as they were a year ago. Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette cites that general manager Jim Rutherford indicated that he’s not as determined as he was in the past. Rutherford said, “I don’t know where things will go on the trade front, but I don’t feel the same urgency as I felt last year to strengthen our center position, which was a big need last year.”

Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)

One person that has been among the players most frequently discussed in Pittsburgh is Derick Brassard. He’s in the final year of his contract and the Vegas Golden Knights are paying 40% of his salary but it’s not looking like he’ll stay with the Penguins beyond this season. Just don’t expect him to be moved this season as he has a lot to offer the Penguins in a playoff run.

Expect the Sharks to Make a Push for Rentals

San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson indicated to Paul Gackle of the Mercury News that the team is going to be a player on the rental market this season. In fact, they’re open to acquiring an impact player at the deadline. This is the same team that went out and grabbed Evander Kane last season.

San Jose Sharks Evander Kane celebrates with teammates (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

It has to be assumed that if a GM is openly coming out and stating he’s willing to be active and acquire a big-time player, you know that the feeling in San Jose is that they want teams to call and make offers. Needless to say, San Jose is going to be active and it makes sense to do so, especially if they aren’t sure of the status of a player like Erik Karlsson.

One thing to watch for in San Jose is the lack of cap space the team has to make a move for anything over $4 million in cap space.

Ferland is When Not If in Carolina

Carolina is not in a position to allow its potential unrestricted free agents to walk for nothing which means for Michael Ferland, moving him looks like a “when” not “if” scenario. Elliotte Friedman reported in his 31 Thoughts article on Wednesday at he thinks Pittsburgh makes sense, and so does Edmonton.

Carolina Hurricanes left wing Micheal Ferland (James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports)

The Hurricanes will also have to make decisions on Curtis McElhinney and Petr Mrazek but may wait a little longer than they’ll wait on Ferland.

Keep an Eye on Laurent Brossoit But Not Roslovic

Friedman says that as long as the NHL has teams starving for goaltending help, people should keep an eye on Winnipeg’s Laurent Brossoit. He’s been very good in the backup role for the Jets and one year away from free agency. He may shake loose based on the fact that the Jets have a lot of questions when it comes to future contracts for some of their bigger-name players.

Friedman also added, “Sounds like a few teams have asked about Jack Roslovic, only to have GM Kevin Cheveldayoff swat their requests Mutombo-like into the upper deck.”

By Jim Parsons on Jan 09, 2019 01:43 pm

In today’s rumor rundown, the Vancouver Canucks are wondering what’s best for the team and their relationship with Alex Edler. Meanwhile, the Jets might have their eyes on a few different options before the trade deadline. We take a look at which teams are interested in defenseman Dougie Hamilton and finally, is Jimmy Howard staying in Detroit?

Vancouver Weighing Edler Options

Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province says the Canucks are trying to re-sign defenseman Alex Edler versus asking him to waive his no-trade clause and trying to get a draft pick or prospect for him at the deadline (which they could certainly do based on his play this season). That said, one option Kuzma believes the Canucks have toyed with is trading Edler then trying to re-sign at the start of free agency.

Alex Edler. Photo: Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers

Kuzma quotes Jim Benning as saying, “We’re going to look at all of our options. He (Edler) has been a part of the organization for a long time and I know he wants to continue on.” Part of what the Canucks will explore is what happens if they move him? Benning isn’t sure the team has someone ready to step in.

When asked, Edler says he wants to stay in Vancouver. “It’s such a competitive league and I think it’s pretty exciting with the change here. We had a great team and it’s been a rebuild and we’re on our way up.” He added, “I like it here and I’ve been treated well and like the city.”

Who is on the Jets Radar?

Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press writes that the Winnipeg Jets might have their eyes on a few different players leading up to the trade deadline on Feb 25. At the top of his list is Matt Duchene who should be a target for the Jets but only if the price is right.

Kevin Cheveldayoff (Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports)

As for other centers, McIntyre suggests Eric Staal out of Minnesota and Kevin Hayes from the Rangers. On defense, he thinks the Jets should focus on Jake Muzzin who carries a reasonable salary but one more year on his deal.

The issue for the Jets is that they have to be careful in acquiring players with term on their deals because they have a group of free agents in the next season or two that will require their attention and big raises. They are not in a situation where they can haphazardly sign players without considering their salary cap.

Teams Interested in Dougie Hamilton

Elliotte Friedman said during an interview on Toronto’s Sportsnet 590 that Dougie Hamilton’s potential availability from the Carolina Hurricanes has multiple teams interested.

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dougie Hamilton (James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports)

He believes the St. Louis Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins and potentially Toronto Maple Leafs are three teams that are taking a look. Hamilton has two years beyond 2018-19 remaining on his current six-year, $34.5 million contract, which carries a $5.75 million cap hit so it seems like Toronto doesn’t work from a cap perspective.

Jimmy Howard to Stay in Detroit?

Friedman also said that he believes Jimmy Howard may actually stay in Detroit despite being a trade rumor candidate for most of the season. He said:

“I think one of the more interesting ones is Jimmy Howard. Detroit is talking about they want a first-round pick for him, but I think he wants to stay. I’m not going to be surprised if at some point Detroit comes to him and says, ‘Okay, we’ll put a two-year offer on the table. What do you think?…I think his preference is to stay, although I’m sure if Detroit gets a first-rounder, they’re going to think about it.”

Friedman believes the best shot at seeing Howard stay in Detroit is if the team tables something like a two-year deal pretty quickly here. If they wait, the closer things get to the deadline, the more likely he is to be traded.

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