NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 03/02/2020

March 02, 2020

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

03/02/2020 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Mar 01, 2020 07:50 am

In today’s NHL rumor rundown report, there is news on Steven Stamkos’ injury situation, speculation on what’s going to happen with the general manager’s position in New Jersey and some news about what might be discussed at the GM meetings in Florida next week. Finally, are the Toronto Maple Leafs getting a couple of players back sooner than expected. And, did Robin Lehner just throw the Chicago Blackhawks under the bus?

Devils GM Search Continues, Interview Gillis

Elliotte Friedman noted on Saturday’s Headlines report that there were many who wondered if the New Jersey Devils might elevate interim GM Tom Fitzgerald to the permanent GM position after his work at the NHL Trade Deadline this season. His work was “highly praised” said Friedman.

Friedman went on to say that the answer is no. The Devils will continue to search for a GM. Fitzgerald will certainly get strong consideration but the team will open up discussions.

One of the first people interviewed was former GM and player agent, Mike Gillis. He’s not currently tied to any teams so interviewing him is not a problem. From there, the Devils will move onto more interviews after the season.

Steven Stamkos Injury Details

The earliest anyone will see Steven Stamkos back in the NHL is the first round of the playoffs, assuming the recovery is on the positive side of expectations, noted Chris Johnston.

Now out six-to-eight weeks and ready to undergo surgery. Johnston added, this is something Stamkos was trying to play through and manage. He sat out a couple of games but ultimately, it became a question of whether or not he could continue. They decided he couldn’t.

If Tampa misses the playoffs, it is expected Stamkos won’t play during the rest of the season.

GM Meetings in Florida This Week

One of the items on the docket is the emergecy backup goaltender protocol. Other items of note is the offside coaches challenge and whether or not players have to keep their skates on the ice versus the blue line being treated like a plain. Salary cap projections are among the other topics.

Johnston noted this was going to be one of the “slower” GM meetings for news items regarding the league which might give teams a chance to talk a few trade ideas for when the season ends.

Update on Maple Leafs Muzzin and Rielly

According to a report from Sportsnet insider Chris Johnston, both Jake Muzzin and Morgan Rielly will be joining the Toronto Maple Leafs on their upcoming road trip. This is great news for the Maple Leafs as it wasn’t expected either would be back this quickly.

Both players are expected to skate with the team, and while that doesn’t equal a return, it might mean a potential return is not far off. This also comes after news that Cody Ceci skated with the team for the first time after suffering a serious ankle injury.

Lehner Comments on His Exit From Chicago

Following the trade that sent goaltender Robin Lehner to the Vegas Golden Knights, Lehner spoke with Justin Emerson of the Las Vegas Sun, and essentially threw the Blackhawks organization under the bus.

Lehner said of his time in Chicago:

I went to Chicago to help them out and got promises of getting a fair chance to play. I came there with a good mindset, fit into the team. I didn’t play much in the beginning, or middle, beginning of the season, even if I played well, had a good camp.

Eventually, I took over and I won — I think I won like nine out of 10, 12 out of 15 — and we walked up one point out of a playoff spot. Then, all of a sudden, I found myself on the bench for no reason. That was tough. Plus, negotiations totally died out.

source – ‘Goaltender Lehner doesn’t predict his future with Golden Knights’ – Les Vegas Sun – Justin Emerson – 02/27/2020

By Jim Parsons on Feb 29, 2020 01:00 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, the Montreal Canadiens might have changed plans with a good, young prospect, while the Philadelphia Flyers clear the air on rumors they tried to trade a defenseman. The New York Rangers had a plan when they traded Brady Skjei, and the Edmonton Oilers might be getting a chunk of players back from injury.

Cauflied to Stay at Wisconsin

Considering the struggles of the Montreal Canadiens this season and with the Wisconsin Badgers not the national contender that many expected them to be, Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin tells Mathias Brunet of La Presse that Cole Caufield will remain at Wisconsin for another year.

Brunet quotes Bergevin who said:

Cole Caufield is having a good year. But, in our eyes, he is not ready. We will make a decision at the end of the year. If he really wants to leave college, we won’t force him, but we’ll recommend that he stay [at Wisconsin]. That doesn’t mean it’s a disappointment. We aim for the best in long-term development.

It doesn’t look like Caufield will jump to the AHL either as the Canadiens really want to ensure he’s ready before the move him anywhere.

Flyers Weren’t Looking to Trade Gostisbehere

NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jordan Hall reported the Philadelphia Flyers weren’t shopping Shayne Gostisbehere despite rumors he was on the trade block at the deadline this season. Part of that might have been to do with his lower trade stock because of injuries.

General manager Chuck Fletcher admitted teams had called about acquiring him. He said, “Nothing really makes sense right now to me to move one of our seven D unless we’re getting a really great impact player back in some area.”

He added, “Those types of trades usually don’t happen right now.” suggesting that this could be something the Flyers look at over the summer or at the NHL Draft.

Green Injured, But Oilers Getting Players Back

Despite a new injury announcement by the Edmonton Oilers that Mike Green would be out for four-to-six weeks with a sprained MCL, there is some good news in Edmonton on the injury front.

Paul Gazzola of the Oilers’ team website notes that winger Kailer Yamamoto participated in a full practice and defenseman Kris Russell might be close to a return. The Oilers are getting both Zack Kassian and winger Andreas Athanasiou back as well.

The Oilers take on the Winnipeg Jets Saturday and need to go on a run of victories to really secure a spot in the Pacific Division hunt.

Rangers Looking to Sign Most of Their Pending Free Agents

The New York Post’s Larry Brooks believes the New York Rangers traded Brady Skjei to the Carolina Hurricanes, in part, so they would have the room to re-sign most of their pending free agents over the summer. They now have the money to sign players like Ryan Strome and Tony DeAngelo and they might not have to trade winger Pavel Buchnevich.

That said, the Rangers have over $67 million invested in 15 players for 2020-21 and arbitration rights held by restricted free agents could complicate things a touch. The Rangers need to hope these players aren’t seeking much more than the team is willing to pay.

By Jim Parsons on Feb 28, 2020 11:20 am

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news out of the St. Louis Blues organization that they might be thinking about a Alex Pietrangelo contract extension. So too, in Boston, there’s buzz around what a Torey Krug extension looks like. Where do the Columbus Blue Jackets and Josh Anderson sit and what did Joe Thornton say about rumors he might consider joining the Toronto Maple Leafs?

Can Blues Afford Alex Pietrangelo?

The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun notes that it will be interesting to see how things play out between the St. Louis Blues and Alex Pietrangelo. The Pietrangelo camp was rumored to be seeking $9 million annually but LeBrun doesn’t believe the Blues will offer up more than eight years and $64 million.

LeBrun writes that one executive told him John Carlson’s contract out of Washington is the comparison the Blues are using. He writes:

“Yes, $8-million AAV is an excellent comp and I think Carlson is well ahead of Pietrangelo career to platform on stats,’’ one rival player agent who is not involved in any of this said. “But the (Erik) Karlsson deal ($11.5-million AAV) will have Newport trying to get in between.’’

source – ‘LeBrun: Previewing the top storylines in what promises to be a wild offseason’ – Pierre LeBrun – The Athletic – 02/27/2020

If Pietrangelo doesn’t re-sign with the Blues, LeBrun speculates the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs might be interested.

What Does a Torey Krug Extension Look Like?

Boston Bruins’ defenseman Torey Krug has indicated a willingness to accept a hometown discount. So, what does his extension look like?

LeBrun expects the Bruins will be reluctant to pay Krug more than teammates David Pastrnak ($6.6 million AAV) and Patrice Bergeron ($6.875 million) are making.

Josh Anderson and Blue Jackets to Part Ways?

Darren Dreger of TSN tweeted on Thursday that Josh Anderson could be done for the rest of the season thanks to his shoulder issues and required surgery. Pierre LeBrun added that, if accurate, Anderson’s NHL career with the Blue Jackets could be over.

LeBrun writes:

I can only deduce is that there’s been a difference of opinion between the players’ camp and the team on how to proceed in terms of the injury and recovery.

All of which suggests this is likely headed to an offseason divorce. He’s RFA this summer but will be one year away from UFA status. Therefore, it makes no sense for the Blue Jackets to allow an arbitration award to walk Anderson right to July 1, 2021, and get nothing in return for him.

Seattle Head Coach Hiring Held Off?

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports that the hiring timeline for the first head coach of the Seattle expansion franchise has been moved up and will likely happen over the summer.

LeBrun notes that with the likes of Peter Laviolette, Bruce Boudreau, Mike Babcock, and Gerard Gallant now available, he believes they’ll be eager to hire before the Minnesota Wild or New Jersey Devils do their hiring.

Seattle President and CEO Tod Lewieke announced today that the team also started building the team’s practice facility which is just a few minutes away from the arena.

Thornton Likely to Stay With Sharks

Despite a report from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman that Joe Thornton could look at other options over the summer, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Curtis Pashelka of The Mercury News reports that Joe Thornton fully intends to return with the San Jose Sharks next season.

Thorton said when asked about the rumor:

“It’s an iconic team for sure. But I’m a Shark. I’m a Shark. I’ve been privileged to play here and understand what it is to be a Shark. I’m trying to pass it on to the younger guys and how much pride we take out here playing in front of these fans. I’ve always said I’m a lifelong Shark and that I will make no apologies for that.”

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