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NHL Rumors Update
NHL Rumors Update for 08/19/2020
The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.
08/19/2020 edition:
By Jim Parsons on Aug 18, 2020 01:05 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, Montreal Canadiens coach Kirk Muller provides an update on head coach Claude Julien. For the Calgary Flames, what is the status of Matthew Tkachuk? Will the Ottawa Senators look at trading up in the this year’s NHL Entry Draft? Finally, what type of defenseman will the Toronto Maple Leafs be able to land via trade?
Julien Slowly Recovering
Kirk Muller has taken over the coaching duties for the Montreal Canadiens in the absence of Claude Julien who was taken to hospital last week with chest pains. Muller provided an update on Julien’s condition when speaking with media.
“Yes, yeah I spoke to him yesterday and he told me he’s getting our for a few walks, which is great news. So, again the most important thing is his health, so that was really good to hear. We had a good chat yesterday to get caught up.”
The news of Julien recovering is wonderful. The reality is, however, it is not likely he will be back with the team this season. Between the fact he’s still recovering, the quarantine rules about reentering the NHL bubble and that Montreal is down 2-1 in the series to the Philadelphia Flyers, Muller will likely steer the ship the rest of the way.
The Canadiens will meet the Flyers Tuesday in a critical Game 4.
Tkachuk’s Health a Day-to-Day Thing
Eric Francis of Sportsnet writes that Calgary Flames assistant coach Ryan Huska said yesterday regarding Matthew Tkachuk: “He’s a day-to-day situation and each day we feel he’s close.”
The early speculation was that he was out with a concussion. If accurate, Ryan Pike of Flames Nation points out that it takes about six days (from date of injury) to work through the protocol… if everything goes smoothly.
Senators Won’t Trade Up in Draft
After the draft lottery, the Ottawa Senators wound up landing the No. 3 and No. 5 picks in this year’s draft. Because the odds were in their favor to land the top pick and it didn’t work out that way, there’s been some talk that the team might try to package those two picks to move up into the top spot.
Senators owner Eugene Melnyk told Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch that they won’t be entertaining the idea of trying to move up in this year’s draft. Melnyk says:
The idea of trading our 3rd and 5th picks for the No. 1 pick is nonsensical. We’re very excited to welcome our many new Ottawa Senators that will come to us via the upcoming draft.
Ottawa seems happy to land either OHL center Quinton Byfield or German forward Tim Stutzle with the third pick. Both could be ready to play in the NHL next season.
What Kind of Defenseman Will Toronto Land?
Sportsnet’s Rory Boylen took a look at all eight teams that were eliminated from the play-in rounds and examined one question per club. In Toronto’s case, it was what kind of defenseman will they go after in the offseason?
He suggested that given the flat cap, the trade market is more likely than free agency but that moving Kaspari Kapanen or Alex Kerfoot might be an option. Unfortunately for the Maple Leafs, it also might not completely solve the problem.
Kapanen or Kerfoot might bring a second-pairing right-side defenseman, but not a top-pairing blueliner. GM Kyle Dubas would have to package a first-round pick and/or a top prospect with one of those players and target a team need to clear cap space.
There’s still a belief by many members of the media that the Edmonton Oilers and Maple Leafs are potentially natural trade partners.
The post NHL Rumors: Canadiens, Flames, Senators, Maple Leafs, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Tony Wolak on Aug 18, 2020 11:05 am
While 16 teams compete for the Stanley Cup, the Detroit Red Wings wait at home for the 2020-21 season to begin. But that’s not to say that Steve Yzerman isn’t busy. He recently re-signed Evgeny Svechnikov and has draft preparations to finalize. In addition, the Red Wings just loaned Gustav Lindstrom to a European club.
Let’s dive into the latest news and rumors surrounding the Red Wings.
Gustav Lindstrom Loaned to Almtuna
On Tuesday, the Red Wings announced that they were loaning Lindstrom to Almtuna of Sweden’s second-tier professional league.
This comes after the organization allowed Filip Zadina, Moritz Seider, and defensive prospect Kasper Kotkansalo to skate with European clubs before the 2020-21 NHL season kicks off. Lindstrom moving overseas gives the defenseman additional ice time so he can continue to improve his game. Almtuna is scheduled to play their first game Sept. 11.
Evgeny Svechnikov’s Future with the Red Wings
After a subpar 2019-20 season, Svechnikov signed a one-year extension with the Red Wings. According to CapFriendly, Svechnikov’s new deal will be worth $874,125, which is exactly what I pegged him at earlier in the offseason.
The 2020-21 season will be a huge one for the former first-round pick. Svechnikov can no longer be assigned to Grand Rapids without having to pass through waivers. Essentially, it’s a make-or-break year for the young winger, who has only produced only four points in 20 career NHL games.
The Athletic’s Max Bultman suggested that Svechnikov could potentially be loaned to a European team while the Red Wings wait for the 2020-21 season to start:
“He’s preparing for what will be a massive season in his career. He signed a one-year contract with the Red Wings over the weekend, and could be a natural candidate for a temporary loan if the right fit emerges.”
With others already loaned out and European leagues starting up, we should find out shortly if Svechnikov will in fact get some ice time with a team across the pond.
Red Wings Taking a Center at No. 4?
Now that we know the New York Rangers will draft first overall, mock drafts are starting to roll out. And at No. 4, the Red Wings are in a prime spot to draft a high-end forward.
Related: Red Wings Salary Cap Snapshot
The Draft Analyst Steve Kournianos has Detroit selecting center Marco Rossi from the Ottawa 67s. “Rossi’s vision and IQ are off the charts,” said Kournianos, “but he also owns a deadly shot and was one of the [OHL’s] better two-way centers.”
Rossi’s competitiveness and commitment to the game may give him an edge over other top prospects. According to most draft analysts, the center wants to be the best and it shows in his preparation, focus, and drive. Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby are the same way and they’re decent enough NHLers.
The Athletic’s Corey Pronman predicts the Red Wings will take a center as well, though not Rossi. Instead, he has Cole Perfetti going fourth-overall to Detroit.
“I’ve heard Lucas Raymond mentioned with the Red Wings, but a fair amount of sources seem to think the team likes Cole Perfetti a lot,” said Pronman. “His elite skill and hockey IQ with average feet and size has a lot of resemblance to Brayden Point, who Detroit GM Steve Yzerman picked during his tenure in Tampa Bay.” (from ‘Pronman’s Mock Draft: Projecting the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft’ – The Athletic – 8/10/20)
In The Hockey Writers’ latest mock draft, I chose Rossi with the fourth-overall selection. Adam Kimelman and Guillaume Lepage of NHL.com also took the Austrian-born center in their most recent mock draft.
Either Rossi or Perfetti would be huge additions for the Red Wings. Both could potentially be part of Detroit’s lineup as soon as next season.
Which player will the Detroit Red Wings draft at No. 4? Share your pick below.
The post Red Wings News & Rumors: Mock Drafts, Lindstrom & More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
By Jim Parsons on Aug 17, 2020 12:50 pm
In today’s NHL rumor rundown, how long will Evgeni Malkin be out after undergoing elbow surgery? In Toronto, will the Maple Leafs extend Frederik Andersen? There is uncertainty as far as his future with the team is concerned. The Nashville Predators are likely to use a key free agent and will the NHL consider an expanded playoff format moving forward?
Malkin Has Elbow Surgery, Out a Month
The Pittsburgh Penguins have announced that Evgeni Malkin underwent successful surgery on his left elbow and has been given a recovery timeline of three to four weeks.
Malkin took some heat for his lack of production in this most play-in series against the Montreal Canadiens, but if he was dealing with an injury, it could explain part of the problem.
Frederik Andersen Likely Won’t Be Extended
Luke Fox of Sportsnet reports Frederik Andersen could face an uncertain future with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He’ll become an unrestricted free agent next summer and there doesn’t seem to be a sense of urgency to extend him prior to his contract coming due.
Elliotte Friedman tends to agree, but unlike Fox who doesn’t believe there is a suitable replacement in the market for Andersen, Friedman notes on his latest 31 Thoughts podcast that the goalie market is flush with players who the Leafs could try while using Jack Campbell more often. Friedman mentions, Braden Holtby, Corey Crawford, Robin Lehner, Cam Talbot, Thomas Greiss, or Anton Khudobin as names the Maple Leafs could look at.
James Mirtle of The Athletic writes, “The most likely outcome for the Leafs starter is he gets JVR’d: He comes back for the final year of his contract and is allowed to walk as a UFA in 2021.”
Mirtle does admit that there might not be a better starter out there but also notes the risk in re-signing him early is too great. He explains:
But the risk in keeping him is he doesn’t rebound from a trying fourth season in 2019-20. And that being in the final year of his contract is a season-long distraction. The Leafs are going to need to fill this hole at some point; I don’t mind starting that search a year early.
Boudreau an Assistant With the Leafs?
In other Maple Leafs news, Lance Horby reports the Maple Leafs are looking for two assistants this off-season, announcing Andrew Brewer is not coming back along with Paul McFarland who is heading to Kingston (OHL).
Hornby reports that there’s talk Bruce Boudreau wouldn’t normally want to be an assistant but might consider the job if it meant working with his hometown Maple Leafs. His preference is to explore potential NHL head coach options first before “giving himself a demotion.”
Predators Unsure Regarding Two Biggest Free Agents
There is already talk that the Nashville Predators could look to make some pretty big changes this offseason and NHL.com’s Brooks Bratten reports that general manager David Poile said he isn’t sure what will happen with their top two unrestricted free-agent forwards in Craig Smith and Mikael Granlund.
Poile is expected to talk to both player’s agents in the next couple of weeks but the team’s cap situation means that bringing both back is not likely. Smith finished with 18 goals and 31 points, while Granlund finished with 17 goals and 30 points.
Expanded Playoff Format Moving Forward?
Elliotte Friedman. of Sportsnet notes that fans shouldn’t expect the NHL to adopt this expanded playoff format moving forward. While the league has done a sufficient job of making the most of a bad situation, this isn’t how they foresee the playoffs working permanently.
Friedman said during Saturday’s Headlines report:
“We’ve all enjoyed watching this and I was hoping it would create the momentum for the possibility of seeing this in the future… but this is not looking like it’s going to happen. There doesn’t appear to be the momentum for it and it doesn’t look it’s something that’s going to be tacked on to future NHL seasons.”
The post NHL Rumors: Penguins, Maple Leafs, Predators, More appeared first on The Hockey Writers.
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