NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 08/23/2019

August 23, 2019

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

 08/23/2019 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Aug 22, 2019 12:15 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news on Jared Spurgeon out of Minnesota, there is a report by Elliotte Friedman that the Toronto Maple Leafs and Mitch Marner may not be far apart on a short-term deal, the Pittsburgh Penguins have a plane to replace their assistant GM and George Laraques finds an easy away around the incorrect reporting of Derick Brassard’s new deal.

Wild Could Trade Spurgeon This Season

Michael Russo of The Athletic writes during a recent mailbag segment that he believes the Minnesota Wild will likely trade defenseman Jared Spurgeon instead of signing him to an extension.

Spurgeon will be turning 30 years old soon and looking for big money on a long-term deal. Saying new GM Bill Guerin should sit down and chat with Spurgeon about his plan for the team, Russo writes:

If Spurgeon’s going to consider a contract extension, he has made it crystal clear that a path to success is even more important than the right financial package that’s only increasing by the day.

source – ‘Ask Russo: On Wild’s GM search, Winter Classic, future of key players and more’ – Michael Russo – The Athletic – 08/18/2019

If the Wild are out of the playoff race at the deadline they could look to move Spurgeon. Noting that Spurgeon may look for $8 million per season on a long-term deal, Russo adds:

That’s a lot of coin for a soon-to-be 30-year-old. I really believe at this point there is a better chance of Spurgeon being traded this season than him re-signing. 

Maple Leafs and Marner Close on Short-Term Deal?

During a Maple Leafs Hot Stove segment, Elliotte Friedman said on Sportsnet 590 that restricted free agent Mitch Marner and the Maple Leafs aren’t far apart on a short-term contract.

Friedman says, “I’ve had people tell me they don’t think they’re really that far off on a short-term deal. I’ve had other people telling me the team is really starting to get fed up with the way this is going. We’ll see how it goes.”

Speculation is that talk centers around a three-year deal and that any conversations that include long-term plans aren’t close between the two sides. “… they just haven’t moved anywhere. I think that the organization is really frustrated by that.” Friedman explained.

He also says that the Maple Leafs are getting frustrated at the thought of a William Nylander situation repeating itself. GM Kyle Dubas absolutely does not want a situation where Marner doesn’t sign until December.

Who Will Replace Bill Guerin in Pittsburgh?

Beat writer for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Mike DeFabo tweeted that Penguins GM Jim Rutherford said he has already made up an informal list of assistant GM candidates to replace Bill Guerin.

That said, Rutherford also said he is not in a rush to fill the position: “I probably will wait for a period of time – maybe even until the end of this coming season.”

Guerin took the job as new GM of the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday.

Laraques Says Brassard “Changed His Mind”

When former Edmonton Oiler Georges Laraque incorrectly tweeted that Derick Brassard was ready to sign a one-year deal with the Oilers, (Brassard instead signed with the New York Islanders), Laraques took some heat for tweeting what he said was, essentially, a done deal.

Laraque responded simply with “Changed his mind, Lou probably convinced him that his role would be bigger.”

Laraque also noted that he spoke directly with Brassard and said the decision was extremely close and that Laraque hold told him Edmonton was the “best place to play.” He also suggested Brassard didn’t get much of a chance with the Colorado Avalanche and that he’s “a gamer” who should have a much better season.

Meanwhile, it sounds like the Oilers did have conversations with Brassard but they weren’t ever as close as Laraques suggested. Chris Johnston of Sportsnet had tweeted, the wheels were in motion at the time of Laraques tweet but it wasn’t with the Oilers.

By Jim Parsons on Aug 21, 2019 12:20 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown there is news surrounding the Ottawa Senators and an RFA, the Washington Capitals are letting one of their non-qualified players skate to the KHL while another one of their forwards has recovered from injury, and there are updates on what Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski is looking for in a new deal. Finally, is the Mitch-Marner-to-play-hockey overseas rumors just posturing?

Senators to Sign Colin White?

People were wondering when the first restricted free agent shoe might drop. According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, the Ottawa Senators may make the first dent in the market as he reports they are closing in on a six-year deal with RFA forward Colin White.

The contract would carry an average annual value of $4.75 million and might be one of the catalysts to get other teams with significant RFA’s talking with their players.

Washington Letting Jaskin Walk to KHL

The Washington Capitals decided not to issue a qualifying offer to Dmitrij Jaskin at the end of the season. Not doing so made Jaskin an unrestricted free agent. It sounds like Jaskin has found a home.

While he didn’t sign with another NHL team, Igor Eronko of Sport-Express reports that Dynamo Moscow of the KHL has acquired Jaskin’s rights. He is expected to sign a one-year contract with the organization.

Still with the Capitals, T.J. Oshie should be back and ready to roll for next season. Oshie told reporters, including J.J. Regan of NBC Sports Washington, he has fully recovered and will be ready for training camp.  He also said that had the Capitals made the Stanley Cup Finals, he likely would have played.

Latest on Zach Werenski Negotiations

Today, Brian Hedger of the Columbus Dispatch tweeted that there is a bit more information on what’s going on between Zach Werenski and the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Werenski is apparently negotiating towards a three-year deal with a cap hit that will “begin with a five” according to Hedger. That still may not come for some time as there isn’t much movement in the restricted free agent market (outside of Colin White who might sign today). Hedger did not know when that deal might be announced or how close the team was to accept those types of numbers.

If Columbus does go forward with these terms, it opens up some issues with Seth Jones who would need an extension around the same time and it would potentially set the market for other RFA d-men like Ivan Provorov and Charlie McAvoy.

Marner to Play in Zurich?

News that Mitch Marner has spoken to the Zurich Lions and reached out to practice with the team is not necessarily an indication he plans to go train or play there. The Old Prof took an in-depth look at the reports here.

Despite the drama this report now creates around the negotiations between the Maple Leafs and Marner, if there’s anything to this, Igor Eronko of Sport-Express points out that Marner’s rights were never drafted in the KHL meaning he could potentially sign with any team there. Why choose the Lions when better-paying options exist?

And, while many in the media are suggesting there’s no way Marner makes this move,James Mirtle of The Athletic was on TSN radio maintains that the Zurich news is likely “posturing.” If Marner’s camp can put some pressure on the Maple Leafs by suggesting he has other options, perhaps they’ll move a little quicker on trying to get a deal signed.

Vancouver Updates Through Jim Benning

Sportsnet 650 provided a number of updates on the Vancouver Canucks through an interview with Jim Benning. In regards to Loui Eriksson: “I had conversations with Loui. At one point in the summer we had conversations with teams to see if there might be a fit for him somewhere – it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen now.”

Benning also said the team has had good conversations with Brock Boeser and that the team will probably try and recoup the first-round draft pick they gave up for J.T. Miller before the end of the season.

Recent Articles:

Latest News