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NHL Rumors Update
NHL Rumors Update for 11/06/2019
The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.
11/06/2019 edition:
By Jim Parsons on Nov 05, 2019 12:25 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there is news out of Philadelphia where the Flyers are being cautious with forward Sean Couturier. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Tyler Toffoli comments on trade speculation, there are updates on Jesse Puljujarvi possibly staying in Finland, plus news on the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers.
No Faceoffs for Couturier
Philadelphia Flyers center Sean Couturier is playing through a shoulder injury, reports Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia. While he won’t be coming out of the lineup, it’s been asked of coach Alain Vigneault not to use him in certain situations.
Vigneault acknowledged that Philadelphia’s team doctors had asked him to limit or eliminate faceoffs from Couturier’s game over the next week or so. The idea is to avoid putting any unnecessary pressure on the injury.
Toffoli Has Thoughts on Trade Rumors
Tyler Toffoli was recently made a healthy scratch as new Los Angles Kings head coach Todd McLellan tried to motivate him to get going offensively. The team, along with Toffoli, have struggled with only five wins in 14 games.
With his name out there in trade speculation, Toffoli commented on the rumors while speaking with Sportsnet’s Luke Fox. “I mean, it’s just the way it is. It comes with not playing well and not winning games, so whatever happens, happens,” he said.
The Kings are also rebuilding and with that, comes rumors Toffoli might have been moved anyways because he’s one of the few expiring deals on the team. At a $4.6 million cap hit, he’s not cheap but he is a target that might get some interest around the NHL.
Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now wonders if the Bruins will revisit their previous interest in Toffoli to help out their second line. The Bruins might look at Toffoli or Jeff Carter but Toffoli seems like the more likely option.
Red Wings Already Sellers?
With the Detroit Red Wings struggles early in the season, their team might already be considered a seller at this year’s trade deadline. If so, that’s pretty early in the year to believe the team isn’t going to bounce back.
Unfortunately, as MLive’s Ansar Khan points out, GM Steve Yzerman’s options are relatively limited. The veterans on expiring contracts aren’t exactly going to garner a lot of attention so someone like Andreas Athanasiou may ultimately be their best trade chip.
Puljujarvi to Stay in Finland?
Mark Spector of Sportsnet has written more about the deadline to get Jesse Puljujarvi either traded or signed by the Edmonton Oilers (December 1, 2019) and noted that there are parties in these negotiations interested in keeping Puljujarvi in Finland.
Some watching this situation closely have noted that moving Puljujarvi at this point might set him back at square one. “Let’s say there’s a trade. I don’t see how he could go to a different spot right now, and start all over again,” said Sami Hoffrén, the lead hockey writer for Ilta-Sanomat. He added that it would be best to let Puljujarvi keep finding success. “Why make changes? Everything would be going back to Square 1,” he asked.
Puljuarvi’s GM in Karpat, Harri Aho agrees. Aho thinks Puljujarvi should remain with the team to build up his confidence. While the Oilers could use more bottom-six scoring, they’d like a motivated Puljujarvi back or to trade him while his value is at its highest.
Marc Staal on the Trade Block?
Rick Carpiniello of The Athletic believes the New York Rangers will eventually part ways with Marc Staal. The defenseman has been a healthy scratch of the team’s last three games and the Rangers are bringing in younger defensemen to fill important roles.
Carpiniello writes:
The Rangers could try to trade him – which would require him waiving his no-trade clause and the Rangers eating some salary. And make no mistake, he can still play in a lesser role on a better team.
Such a move, however, may not come until over the summer, and it could include the Rangers taking back a bad contract at another position.
Related: Do You Know Your Rangers Trivia?
The post NHL Rumors: Flyers, Rangers, Oilers, Kings, Red Wings, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on Nov 04, 2019 12:50 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown there are two players potentially emerging as options for the St. Louis Blues, a couple of veteran forwards are staying in the best possible shape in case they get called and the Chicago Blackhawks might be ready to shop a struggling defenseman.
Blues Looking at Two Big-Time Forwards?
Larry Brooks of the New York Post took a closer look at Taylor Hall‘s comments about the New Jersey Devils fans and speculates that the team and Hall aren’t close on a new deal. Brooks believes Hall comments suggest he’s not someone who plans on sticking it out long-term with the Devils’ organization.
If his hunch is correct, he believes Devils GM Ray Shero may try to see what’s out there in terms of interest for Hall so he has a backup plan ready to go. Brooks believes the St. Louis Blues are a team that would have interest thanks to the injury to winger Vladimir Tarasenko.
Brooks also speculated that if Hall does end up looking like New Jersey is where he’ll stay, Chris Kreider from the New York Rangers is an option the Blues might look at. This falls in line with previous speculation from Elliotte Friedman that Kreider would be a good fit for the Blues.
Related: The NHL’s Best Farm Systems Ranked
Blackhawks Shopping Erik Gustafsson?
Jimmy Greenfield of the Chicago Tribune notes that the Chicago Blackhawks may be contemplating a big decision when it comes to their blue line. If defenseman Adam Boqvist is NHL ready, is the organization ready to trade defenseman Erik Gustafsson?.
Gustavsson has the remainder of this season before he hits unrestricted free agency and the likelihood he re-signs seems low. The Blackhawks have Calvin de Haan, Olli Maatta and Connor Murphy on reasonable deals and Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook aren’t about to be moved, even if there is buzz Seabrook may be shopped by the team. Having been an offensive d-man in the past, Gustafsson’s numbers have sharply declined this season and he’s on pace for less than half of what he posted for points in 2018-19.
Should he continue to struggle and be a healthy scratch, he’s bound to be moved by February’s trade deadline. Greenfield writes it appears he’s not turning out to be what the franchise had hoped:
Even if his defensive skills remained average at best, the Hawks still needed him to quarterback a power play that became one of the league’s most effective when he was added to it midway through last season.
Related: Chicago Blackhawks Logo History
Veteran Unsigned Forwards Staying Ready
John Vogl of The Athletic took a look at two veteran NHL forwards who have yet to be offered a spot on an NHL roster this season, but are staying in shape in the event their teams come calling.
One of those players is Jason Pominville who said:
“I’m still working out and skating as much as I can just to keep myself somewhat sharp. I don’t know if I’m really doing this for a reason, but I still feel like I owe it to myself in case something happens.”
Meanwhile, Thomas Vanek is skating in Minnesota while spending time coaching his son. Vanek said:
“I’m still skating and staying in shape and if the right thing – and it would absolutely have to be the right thing – would come along, then I would think about it very hard to come back and give it one more shot.”
The big difference between the two players is that Pominville seems to only want to sign in Buffalo and Vanek would play in any situation if he felt it was the right fit and if he believed he had a legit shot at winning a Stanley Cup.
The post NHL Rumors: Vanek, Pominville, Blues, Blackhawks, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
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