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NHL Rumors Update
NHL Rumors Update for 01/08/2020
The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.
01/08/2020 edition:
By Jim Parsons on Jan 07, 2020 02:05 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is speculation that the Chicago Blackhawks and Robin Lehner are talking, there’s news surrounding a Winnipeg Jets prospect and his unhappiness with the team and updates on what the Nashville Predators will do after firing their coach and replacing him.
Blackhawks and Lehner to Talk Extension
A report earlier in the week by Chicago Sun Times reporter, Ben Pope suggested that the Chicago Blackhawks would be reaching out Robin Lehner‘s agent soon (if he hasn’t already) to see what they are looking for with regards to money and term on an extension. One year players are now eligible to sign with their respective teams.
Unfortunately for the Blackhawks, talks might have to be put on hold with more focus going to their other netminder. Lehner is dealing with a right knee issue so Corey Crawford will get more opportunities to showcase his ability and that things in Chicago aren’t as bumpy as they appeared when he pulled himself from a game against the Devils just prior to Christmas.
Both Lehner and Crawford are unrestricted free agents at the end of the season and speculation is Chicago has been leaning towards Lehner to stick with the team moving forward.
Jets Niku Denies Trade Request
Paul Friesen of the Winnipeg Sun reports Jets defenseman Sami Niku downplayed a report out of his native Finland that he’s unhappy with the Jets organization.
Friesen writes:
The 23-year-old acknowledged he had a disagreement of some kind with Huddy, at least enough that he felt the need to apologize.
“Just some miscommunication,” Niku said. “Nothing really, and I apologized to him so we don’t think about that.”
Head coach Paul Maurice shed a little more light on the incident, calling it “fairly standard.”
Maurice said he likes the kid and Niku said he doesn’t want to be traded or go to the KHL. Still, reports exist that he’s not happy being in the AHL. “… that is just the wrong league” and “Playing there is starting to be a little too easy…” he said.
What’s Next for Predators
We’d already reported David Poile’s comments about the Predators being “open for business” and his move to replace Peter Laviolette with John Hynes is evidence of his growing impatience. But, what is he thinking of doing between now and the end of the season?
Greg Wyshynski of ESPN absolutely expects the Predators to make some trades before the February 24th NHL trade deadline. The team has five draft picks in the first three rounds and could have around $8 million in salary cap space at the deadline. He mentions Mikael Granlund, Craig Smith, Nick Bonino and Kyle Turris as options to be moved.
Bonino carries a $4.1 million cap hit through 2021 but could still draw interest whereas Turris has four years left at $6 million per season and has been a healthy scratch this year. They’ve been trying to move him for while now with no luck.
One interesting thing of note is that Poile has never retained salary in a trade before. Would he start with Turris as his first trade where the Predators pay money to have him play elsewhere?
TSN Extends Deal With World Juniors
TSN, RDS, and Hockey Canada today announced a long-term media rights agreement that extends through the 2033-34 season and will allow them the continued covereage of the IIHF World Juniors tournament.
The partnership dates all the way back to 1991 and will last another five years.
The post NHL Rumors: Blackhawks, Predators, Jets, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on Jan 06, 2020 01:35 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is buzz surrounding the New York Rangers and what they’re doing with their goaltending situation, the Pittsburgh Penguins have a decision to make in net and is literally every contending team in the market for the same Ottawa Senators’ forward?
Rangers Catch Attention With Goaltending Moves
The New York Rangers recalled goaltender Igor Shesterkin from their American Hockey League affiliate team, the Hartford Wolf Pack which has caught some attention around the NHL. Many consider Shesterkin to be the eventual started in New York and this will likely see Shesterkin and current backup Alexander Georgiev competing for similar minutes.
Larry Brooks of the New York Post tweeted that the call up of Shesterkin could indicate the Rangers plan moving forward is to deal one of their goaltenders. He also adds that Shesterkin has a clause in his contract that would allow him to return to Europe and he may be pressuring the Rangers to call him up.
If this is leading to a move, who is being dealt? The most likely is Georgiev, who has been excellent in his NHL appearances so far, posting a .913 save percentage over 63 appearances through three seasons. Add the fact that Georgiev is a restricted free agent after this season and things point his direction in most scenarios.
In a separate bit of Rangers’ news, Brooks suggests in a recent New York Post article that Chris Kreider limited no-trade clause likely means he won’t be accepting a trade to a Canadian team. It’s one of the reasons the Montreal Canadiens went out and signed winger Ilya Kovalchuk.
Related: NHL Owners: Who Are They?
Penguins to Move Matt Murray?
Speaking of goaltenders, in a recent Ottawa Sun article, Bruce Garrioch speculated on the future of Matt Murray with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Murray has seemingly lost his starting spot to Tristan Jarry and Garrioch wonders if Murray will be back with the Penguins after this current season.
He writes:
The 25-year-old is a restricted free agent this summer — and making $3.75 million this season — with rights to arbitration. Given the fact he’s helped lead Pittsburgh to two Stanley Cups, there’s not much chance he’ll be moved this season, but this is a situation to watch in the off-season.
Every Playoff Contender Interested in Pageau?
It’s hard to imagine it being true that every team that’s making a run for the playoffs would be interested in the same player but that’s what Garrioch said just a few paragraphs after talking about the goaltending situation in Pittsbugh. The player he’s suggesting everyone is after is Ottawa’s Jean-Gabriel Pageau.
Garrioch notes that if the Senators decide to put the center on the market before the deadline, “a couple of league executives suggested Saturday that “every team” involved in the hunt for a playoff spot will make a call to Ottawa GM Pierre Dorion about the slick 27-year-old who will be a UFA on July 1.”
Garrioch noted Pageau’s production this season and specifically said the Penguins, Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche would be among the teams interested. He also said the Senators are expected to hold contract discussions with Pageau before making a decision.
It’s not just Pageau either as Garrioch says, “There are a lot of teams keeping one eye on Ottawa right now because Dorion has plenty of pieces than can help a contender.”
The post NHL Rumors: Rangers, Penguins, Senators, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
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