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NHL Rumors Update
NHL Rumors Update for 05/15/2019
The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.
05/15/2019 edition:
By Jim Parsons on May 14, 2019 12:35 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there are additional updates on the coaching situations in a few cities, there is a list building of potential buyout candidates and more details on a possible Phil Kessel trade out of Pittsburgh.
NHL Coaching Vacancies
As the interviews keep taking place, there are updates on the coaching jobs with a few franchises including the Anaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers, Buffalo Sabres and more:
Ducks Coaching Vacancy
John Shannon reports that the Anaheim Ducks will be interviewing Lane Lambert for their vacant head coaching position. Josh Cooper has backed up that report and says a source confirms that the Ducks will interview Lambert.
Oilers Coaching Vacancy
Jim Matheson writes that he doesn’t believe Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland has asked for permission to speak with Todd Nelson about their vacant head coaching position. Nelson was at one time an early candidate for the job and a former hire of Hollands. He still may be up for consideration, but it appears Holland might be leaning in a different direction. Dave Tippet seems to be an early favorite.
Matheson also notes he doesn’t believe that the Oilers have asked to speak with potential candidates Lane Lambert and Todd Richards.
Sabres Coaching Vacancy
Elliotte Friedman was on WGR 550 and suggested Ralph Krueger is the leading candidate for the coaching job in Buffalo. Friedman said, “I have had people tell me that I’m under-selling this and that talks are further along than we thought.”
Friedman believes this could be something that happens some time later this week. He added, “I think he has a legitimate shot at the job.”
Pierre LeBrun notes that the Sabres have spoken to Krueger. Originally, Krueger wanted back in the NHL at the level of President/CEO. Perhaps there wasn’t an opportunity there. Some believe if Krueger chooses to coach, he might see it as a gateway to an executive position and step up in the organization when a higher-profile coach is hired.
Biggest NHL Buyout Candidates
TVA SPORTS has compiled a list of the strongest candidates to be bought out by NHL clubs this summer (possible translation required). Among the names listed are Montreal Canadiens defenseman Karl Alzner, Edmonton Oilers winger Milan Lucic, and defenseman Andrej Sekera, New York Rangers blueliner Kevin Shattenkirk, and Vancouver Canucks winger Loui Eriksson.
The buyout period runs during the final two weeks of June and buyouts for these players count as two-thirds the remaining value over twice the remaining term. That means none of them will be easy pills to swallow for their respective NHL franchises but candidates to be moved along anyway.
Financially, Sekera tops the list of most feasible but he might also be the player who looked like he could be worth his contract if he sticks to form after returning from injury toward the end of this most recent regular season.
The other four players have signing bonuses that come into play and skew the numbers a touch. They are also harder players to trade thanks to these bonuses.
Kessel Trade Details
Jonathan Bombulie of TRIBLIVE.COM reports that if the Pittsburgh Penguins trade Phil Kessel, he believes it must be more than addition by subtraction. Bombulie believes the Penguins will focus on targeting someone who makes them better away from the puck and improves the chemistry on the second line.
Still a productive scorer, there will be interest in Kessel but he has an eight-team trade list. The team may ask if he is willing to widen that list and if he’s moved, the Penguins will target a younger, less expensive forward.
The post NHL Rumors: Coaches, Buyouts, Kessel, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on May 13, 2019 02:04 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there are changes in Buffalo when it comes to the coaching candidates, plus other news in the NHL coaching world. There is news out of Florida when it comes to how they’ll spend their money and a rundown of items from Elliotte Friedman’s 31 Thoughts article.
A Leader Emerges in Sabres Coaching Search?
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet suggests that Ralph Krueger is climbing thhe ladder of coaching candidates for the job with the Buffalo Sabres and he may be the most likely to be the next head coach. It is believed that Jacques Martin is officially out and that Dave Tippet may be more destined to be the next coach for the Edmonton Oilers. John Shannon reported that Todd Richards is also out.
More Coaching Hits
The Ottawa Senators are looking at Rick Bowness, Marc Crawford, Nate Leaman, Troy Mann, Jacques Martin, DJ Smith and possibly Todd Nelson. (Nelson might also be a strong candidate in Edmonton).
The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to lose assistant coach Jim Hiller who isn’t expected back. The Nashville Predators are one team that is interested.
Florida Panthers Active But Cautious
Dale Tallon tells The Athletic’s George Richards that high on the wishlist for the Florida Panthers is a top-four right-handed defenseman. That said, cap space is going to be tight taking players like Erik Karlsson and Tyler Myers out of their price range.
Richards lists Anton Stralman and Adam McQuaid as options. He writes:
This addition may come through a trade instead of via free agency and Tallon has some pieces to work with including two players (Mark Pysyk and Mike Hoffman) who can become free agents after this coming season and could be available.
Richards also says, when it comes to defensemen, the Panthers could make their big move through via trade and add depth through free agency.
Hits from Friedman’s 31 Thoughts
Despite the fact that Evgeni Malkin trade discussions are a real thing, some executives think the Malkin trade rumors will die down.
There was interest by other teams in Colin Miller out of the Vegas Golden Knights organization but the offers were too weak. There are likely teams to be interested again, as they will be with RFA William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault.
Minnesota Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon is a likely trade candidate out of Minnesota. He has a year left at $5.2 million and while they’d like to keep him, realize they can get more in trade. Teams have already reached out regarding his availability.
Don’t expect Minnesota Wild winger Jason Zucker to be back.
The Colorado Avalanche are willing to trade defenseman Tyson Barrie but have told teams that if they are interested, they need to come forward with an offer that will help the Avs now. They want to make a hockey trade, not trade for prospects or picks.
The New York Islanders are actively trying to get Brock Nelson re-signed. They should be able to get that done. Expect Jordan Eberle to move on.
The Winnipeg Jets may choose to hang onto Tyler Myers. But, it may all hinge on whether or not the team can trade Jacob Trouba. From Myers end, if he wants to stay, it sounds like he’ll have to take a slight cut over what he could get as a free agent.
Expect the Vancouver Canucks to bring back Luke Schenn. Also, expect them to only bring back one of Alex Edler, Ben Hutton and/or Chris Tanev.
The Nashville Predators and Montreal Canadiens are interested in Matt Duchene. Duchene may wind up in Nashville when all is said and done.
Before the Edmonton Oilers hired Ken Holland, they were considering buying out the last four years of Milan Lucic‘s contact if they couldn’t find a trade. It is unknown at this point if Holland will go along with that plan or if he’s decided to try something else. Friedman did say he thinks Holland will try and send “jolt” through the Oilers organization in some way.
The post NHL Rumors: Sabres, Panthers, 31 Thoughts, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on May 12, 2019 11:37 am
In today’s NHL rumors, there are updates on Mats Zuccarello out of Dallas, updates on the coaching situations in Edmonton, Toronto, and Buffalo with some specific details on Ken Hitchcock, Sheldon Keefe, and Mike Babcock.
Dallas Stars Updates
Matthew DeFranks of the Dallas News says that Dallas Stars pending free agent winger Mats Zuccarello is looking to stay with the Stars but waiting on the team. He says, “This is my team now. We’ll see what’s going on. I’m kind of a guy when someone believes in you and wants you, I usually like that. We’ll see.”
Larry Brooks of the New York Post doesn’t think Zuccarello will be back in New York as there are some hard feelings by Zuccarello toward management and if the Stars re-sign him, they get New York’s 2020 first-round pick. Zuccarello’s comments on being wanted tend to lead credibility to the idea he wouldn’t rush back to New York.
Sean Shapiro of The Athletic believes that forward Jason Spezza’s time in Dallas is done. Shapiro isn’t saying he think Spezza is done in the NHL, just with the Stars who used him primarily as a fourth-liner.
In coaching news, Bob McKenzie reports that the Dallas Stars have given the Ottawa Senators permission to talk to assistant coach Rick Bowness.
Ken Hitchcock’s Role Moving Forward
It appears former Edmonton Oilers head coach Ken Hitchcock might have a few options available to him for next season. The Edmonton Journal’s Jim Matheson writes that there are rumors that the Columbus Blue Jackets might have interest in Hitchcock as a possible team president if John Davidson leaves for New York.
Matheson writes:
They’re running Ken Hitchcock’s name up the flagpole in Columbus as a possible team president if John Davidson leaves for the Rangers, citing Hitchcock’s availability and ties to the Jackets as coach for four years.
From the sounds of things, Hitchcock is expecting that he’ll stay in Edmonton and work with Ken Holland. He said he believes they would work well together and the team just needs “to find a role for me that would have value,” said Hitchcock. Speculation is that Holland is relying heavily on Hitchcock’s opinion when it comes to player and coach evaluations. Hitchcock has been tasked with gathering information on all the coaching candidates and using his contact list to help the Oilers in their search.
As far the Columbus job goes, Matheson believes another former Oilers coach, Ralph Kreuger, might be more suited for the gig.
Sheldon Keefe Staying with Marlies?
Apparently, Sheldon Keefe‘s window to interview for a coaching job in the NHL is very short. Because of this and other factors, Elliotte Friedman suggests that Keefe may just stay with the Marlies organization in the AHL knowing he might get a shot at the Maple Leafs head coaching job, especially with Mike Babcock on a shorter leash.
Friedman suggested that if Keefe leaves, it’s because he’s leaving for a great situation. Keefe makes well above $400k per year, probably the highest paid coach in the AHL.
The Maple Leafs may have taken less time to worry about Babcock staying or going if they were under the impression they’d have Keefe ready and able if they needed to make a change.
The post NHL Rumors: Zuccarello, Hitchcock, Maple Leafs, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on May 11, 2019 12:50 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, there are updates out of Nashville with a few particular Predators players, there are updates on the Buffalo Sabres coaching search, a free agent staying in Washington and updates on the LA Kings.
Pekka Rinne Ready to Leave Nashville?
Is it possible, if Nashville doesn’t win the NHL’s big prize, he’ll move on? From comments the Predators’ goaltender recently made, there are some speculating that might be the case.
The quote is nearly two weeks old at this point, and perhaps there’s been more revealed since the words were said, but Paul Skrbina of The Tennessean quoted Rinne:
“I’m healthy. I don’t want to put any numbers, but at the beginning of the season, I signed two more years. In my head, that gives me a two-year window to win. I don’t look past that.”
When Rinne repeated the sentiment in a later media scrum, it was believed he was going to pass the torch to Juuse Saros, and either retire or look for other options.
Still with Nashville, Roman Josi acknowledges change is coming with the team but wants to be part of the Nashville roster. He’s speculated to be holding out for the best deal and well aware of what fellow defenders P.K. Subban and Ryan Ellis are making or about to make.
Josi’s future numbers, could be another of the many reasons Subban’s name stays in trade rumors. Kyle Turris is a name that is still out there in trade rumors as well.
Sabres Coaching Updates
John Shannon is reporting Todd Richards won’t be interviewing with the Buffalo Sabres for their head coaching position and he keeps hearing the front runners for the Sabres coaching position are Jacques Martin and Dave Tippett.
Walker Open to Staying with Capitals
He didn’t get much NHL action but Washington Capitals winger Nathan Walker has no issues re-signing with the Caps this offseason if they’d like him back. According to NBC Sports Washington’s J.J. Regan, Walker is eligible for Group VI free agency, but would rather just stay put.
He posted a career high in points per game with AHL Hershey and the Capitals will need several players at or near the league minimum salary for next season. It makes Walker a good fit.
Updates on the LA Kings
Lisa Dillman of The Athletic provided updates on some of the speculation of Los Angeles, including trade talk on Jonathan Quick.
Dillman explained:
Making effective trades is all about maximizing asset value. Unlike a year ago, Quick is more like a tech stock in 2008. His value has plunged. He had another year checkered by injuries and when he did play, before and after the injuries, he wasn’t very good. If you are a team seeking a goaltending, and you see Quick at age 33 with that kind of term, coming off the year he had, would you make that trade?
She suggests instead that the Kings will wait to see if he can bounce back and improve his stock next year.
She also mentions that the Kings could consider buying out defenseman Dion Phaneuf that they won’t be big players on free agents like Kevin Hayes and/or Matt Duchene and that Adrian Kempe could start the season as the Kings second line center.
With Jeff Carter unlikely to be traded, he could start the season in their bottom-six.
The post NHL Rumors: Rinne, Subban, Kings, Capitals, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
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