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NHL Rumors Update
NHL Rumors Update for 06/01/2019
The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.
06/01/2019 edition:
By Jim Parsons on May 31, 2019 11:20 am
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, it appears Nikita Zaitsev has asked the Toronto Maple Leafs to move him, there are talks about Mitch Marner and an offer sheet and in Edmonton, while the Maple Leafs are dealing with offer sheets, the Oilers might have their eyes on a different Toronto forward.
Zaitsev Wants Fresh Start
Reports from multiple sources on Thursday suggest that Nikita Zaitsev has approached the Toronto Maple Leafs and asked them to try and facilitate a trade that would see him leave Toronto. Elliotte Friedman called it the player wanting a “fresh start.”
Bob McKenzie of TSN is reporting that it was Zaitsev who, for personal reasons, asked to be traded. With five years remaining on a contract with an AAV of $4.5 million, it would help the Maple Leafs salary cap troubles if they could move him and they will try, but there could be a challenge in doing so if everyone knows Zaitsev is looking to leave and the Maple Leafs can’t afford to retain salary.
The other issue for Toronto now is that they’ll badly need to add defenders in the offseason with little salary to do so. With Zaitsev leaving and Jake Gardiner likely gone, their blue line needs work.
Zaitsev has a ten-team no-trade clause that kicks in July 1, 2019, so it’s likely he is moved before then.
Related: NHL Rumors: Avs, Oilers, Stars, More
Maple Leafs and Marner Talking, Concern Over Offer Sheet?
TSN’s Darren Dreger was on TSN 1050 and said that the Toronto Maple Leafs and Mitch Marner’s camp have held some talks. There’s been nothing official put on the table but Dreger says that he expects an aggressive offer from Dubas before July 1st. The offer could be north of $10.5 or $11 million.
Dreger says the aggressive offer might come because there is a feeling Marner wants to get to July 1 and actually interview with teams that would be willing to put in an offer sheet for him.
Clearly, any offer sheet would need to be accepted by Marner, but this feels more like the process an unrestricted free agent might go through. That potential tactic has stirred up a number of opinions.
Scott Wheeler tweeted, “If Mitch Marner thinks he’s worth $11M and is willing to visit with offer sheet options, the Leafs should absolutely play chicken with him and allow that to happen.” Wheeler believes any team taking on Marner in this situation is likely far from winning a Cup.
Others think there’s no way a team goes over the $11 million mark and gives up four first-round picks in this salary cap era. It certainly doesn’t seem beneficial being a team that would be known publicly as willing to do that either.
Some believe that if the choice is taking four first-rounders or paying Marner $11 million, take the first-round picks.
Oilers Interested in Kapanen?
Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal writes that the Oilers might take a look at Kasperi Kapanen out of Toronto. He notes that with the increased chatter in offer sheets, it could cost the Oilers very little to snag Kapanen if he were interested.
Leavins notes a comment made by fellow scribe Jim Matheson when he said:
Kasperi Kapanen scored 20 goals in the final year of his ELC. He would fill a big hole on the Oilers right side. As Matheson points out, if you offer sheet him $4m then “all” it would (in theory) cost you is money and a 2nd round draft pick. I’d pay that. Wouldn’t you? Edmonton’s cap space is only 10% of a problem until October. Lots of ways to skin that particular cat.
Leavins also writes that Dylan Cozens remains the player Edmonton wants at number eight in this year’s NHL Entry Draft and that Darnell Nurse is extremely excited to come back this season and is a priority for new GM Ken Holland.
The post NHL Rumors: Zaitsev, Marner, More Leafs and Oilers appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on May 30, 2019 02:14 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news out of Colorado where the Avs might be pitching a big-name free agent, speculation out of Edmonton that the Oilers will hang onto an underperforming forward and the Dallas Stars might add to their coaching staff.
Avs Going After Artemi Panarin
Adrian Dater is reporting that the Colorado Avalanche have will have some salary cap space to work with this offseason and will use it to go after a big-time free agent.
The Avs are rumored as ready to make a pitch for pending free agent Artemi Panarin. Dater says if Panarin instead chooses a team like Florida, it would be more of pure financial decision and not a decision based upon the odds of winning or losing.
John Stevens to Join Dallas Stars?
Bob McKenzie is tweeting that there has been some talk that former Los Angeles Kings coach John Stevens could join the Dallas Stars. Stars coach Jim Montgomery and Stevens have a previous relationship working together and are close friends.
In Los Angeles, it is expected that Todd McLellan will bring in almost an entirely new coaching staff.
Tobias Rieder Staying Put?
Jonathan Willis notes that the Edmonton Oilers might be reconsidering just abandoning Tobias Rieder this summer. It was almost a given at the end of the season he wouldn’t be back, but with Dave Tippett now coach, things may have changed.
Willis says you have to wonder with Tippett now leading the Oilers and his previous relationship and ability to get a lot out of Rieder when he played under Tippett in Arizona, could he rebound? If so, the Oilers know he’ll be an inexpensive re-signing and the team could use some of that this offseason.
Still with the Oilers, David Staples of the Edmonton Journal wrote that Oilers GM Ken Holland was on CHED 630 and it sounds like defenseman Andrej Sekera will be back next season to help mentor some of their young defensemen.
Holland said:
“I always reflect back on my Detroit days. You know you look at Sekera whose a really good veteran, I look at the impact that Niklas Kronwall had on Dennis Cholowski, had on Filip Hronek. Sekera can have that role. You got to have some veteran well respect people in the locker room that mentor those young kids.
Holland suggested he needs to find the right mix of veterans to youth, especially on the backend.
Latest on Jeff Skinner
Bob McKenzie said on NBC Sports last night that the Buffalo Sabres and Jeff Skinner are getting closer on a new deal. McKenzie said, “The sense seems to be that there’s optimism, but not to the point where either side is entirely comfortable with the numbers.”
McKenzie expects more dialogue between Skinner’s [representatives] and the Buffalo Sabres and that he believes the sweet spot for a number is an eight-year deal somewhere between $8.5 million per year and $9.5 million per year range.
Buffalo and Skinner seem to want to make it work but both sides have to be happy with the dollar figure and term. McKenzie said, it’s very close, but it’s not done. And until it’s done, it’s not done.
The post NHL Rumors: Avs, Oilers, Stars, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on May 29, 2019 11:49 am
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, could Andrei Markov find his way back to the NHL? There have been some internal discussions in Vancouver about a trade but not one with the team they’re considering trading with and the Ottawa Senators are trying to lock up two d-men to long-term extensions.
Love for Markov
Andrew Zadarnowski is reporting that former Montreal Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov has received three NHL contract offers and one from a KHL team.
There is no word on which NHL teams have been reaching out and there was a time that Markov said he would never play for another NHL team that wasn’t the Montreal Canadiens. Are the Habs one of the teams interested?
A Lucic/Eriksson Deal
While a guest on TSN Radio Vancouver, the host of the Jason Gregor show on TSN 1260 (Jason Gregor) said, “I heard from a really good source that Jim Benning and his staff did sit down and discuss a Loui Eriksson for Milan Lucic trade.” Gregor said he understands why both teams might be looking at it, saying, ‘Here’s our bad guy for your guy who’s underachieved’ kind of deal.
TSN’s Bob McKenzie was also on the show and said, “As of recently, there were no conversations between the teams on the subject matter. But that’s not to say there won’t be, particularly as we get closer to the draft. I would think you’re dealing with close to an untenable situation on both sides.”
So, while the teams have not spoken with each other about a deal, there could be something to it. Lucic has said publicly that he’s thought about playing in his hometown so he’d certainly waive his no-trade clause for the Canucks.
Senators Trying to Lock Up Some Long-Term D-Men
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun writes the Ottawa Senators have spoken with defensemen Thomas Chabot and Cody Ceci about potential long-term extensions.
Chabot is eligible to sign after July 1, 2019, and Ceci is a restricted free agent. If the team doesn’t think they can sign Ceci, he could be traded. Garrioch writes:
The Senators have held discussions with RFA Cody Ceci’s agent J.P. Barry on a long-term contract and if that doesn’t get settled then he will be dealt. The expectation is the two sides will get a contract in place at some point but you can never be certain.
Tippet’s Deal in Edmonton
Considering Dave Tippett left a good job in Seattle and was a highly-touted coach around the NHL, it sounds like the Edmonton Oilers got a fairly good deal on their new head coach.
Pierre LeBrun reports it is believed that Tippett‘s new deal is worth between $2.75 and $3 million per season. A good price for the Oilers considering what some recent coaches have signed for.
Why Maple Leafs Extended Keefe
As per a report by Michael Traikos, the Toronto Maple Leafs have signed Toronto Marlies head coach Sheldon Keefe to a two-year contract extension to remain with the AHL team.
This new extension isn’t supposed to be an indicator that he is not up for a promotion, however. Chris Johnston of Sportsnet reports the Maple Leafs would not stand in Keefe’s or anyone’s way if they were to be offered a higher up position.
The post NHL Rumors: Markov, Oilers, Canucks, Sens, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
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