NHL Rumors Update

NHL Rumors Update for 04/03/2020

April 03, 2020

The latest NHL rumors from The Hockey Writers.

 

04/03/2020 edition:

By Jim Parsons on Apr 02, 2020 01:50 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, one scribe asks if the Vegas Golden Knights might consider keeping Robin Lehner and moving on from Marc-Andre Fleury. Speaking of goaltenders, have the Calgary Flames lost confidence in David Rittich? And, if the NHL condenses their playoff format, what cities might they be looking at to host games?

Golden Knights to Shop Fleury?

Jesse Granger of The Athletic posted a recent article looking at the potential chance the Vegas Golden Knights retain Robin Lehner and move on from netminder Marc-Andre Fleury.

The Golden Knights acquired Lehner, 28, from the Chicago Blackhawks at the February trade deadline. He’s eligible for unrestricted free agent status at season’s end. Meanwhile, Fleury is 35 and might only have value on the trade market for a couple more seasons. Granger explains:

If Lehner outplays Fleury in the postseason, it presents an option to sign Lehner to a long-term contract and perhaps move Fleury. That would be the most shocking move in franchise history and this team just fired Gerard Gallant to hire the coach of its hated rival just a few months ago.

source – ‘Five pressing questions the Golden Knights need answered this offseason’ – Jesse Granger – The Athletic – 03/30/2020

Granger admits the more likely option is that the Golden Knights let Lehner walk in free agency and that it would take a huge effort from Lehner with Fleury falling hard to make this decision, assuming the playoffs even take place. It’s easier for Vegas just to find another backup on the market.

What Will Flames Do In Goal?

On the topic of goaltenders, Sportsnet’s Eric Francis recently examined the Calgary Flames’ goaltending depth and what may happen with Cam Talbot and David Rittich. Talbot, 32, is due to become a UFA after this season and the Flames may not be sure Rittich is up to the task of being a starter.

Francis believes the Flames will try to re-sign Talbot after a strong season but how well he played and interest around the league in goaltenders might convince Talbot to test the free-agent market. Francis suggests the Flames might even use their extra cap space to try and land someone like Lehner or Jacob Markstrom.

NHL Looking at Playoff Host Cities?

NHL insider Pierre LeBrun noted on the TSN Insider Trading update that the league is considering a “four city” playoff format. Basically, the 16 teams who qualify for the playoffs will play to empty crowds in just four chosen cities across the league.

Shawn Simpson of TSN notes, “The NBA is looking at Vegas as a quarantine site, to finish the NBA season. What could possibly go wrong? The NHL is talking about Saskatoon.”

Evason Will Remain Coach of Wild

If the NHL season resumes, GM of the Minnesota Wild Bill Geurin has noted that interim coach Dean Evason will remain head coach. Guerin explained that any decision on who will coach the team next season can wait.

“Other people can do what they want, but to me personally, it doesn’t seem the time or place to do that,” Guerin said. He added, “If we come back (this season), hopefully we do, we already went through one coaching change. I want to give the guys the consistency of Dean’s thoughts and give Dean that opportunity too. And I’m very happy with him.”

Micheal Ferland Finally Getting Healthy

When Rick Dhaliwal of TSN looked into the status of Vancouver Canucks’ forward Micheal Ferland, there was finally good news to report. He was told by Ferland’s agent Jason Davidson that “Mike is back in Brandon working out and experiencing zero symptoms.”

By Jim Parsons on Apr 01, 2020 01:22 pm

In today’s NHL rumor rundown, the San Jose Sharks might have a need for a goaltender that may not get the deal he wants in free agency. The Edmonton Oilers are recouperating during this pause in the NHL and the coach says two injured players are good to go. Finally, Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask felt the need to clarify comments he made about possibly retiring.

And no… none of these are April Fools jokes.

Sharks Interested in Holtby?

Larry Brooks of the New York Post took a look at what’s in store for goaltender Braden Holtby who is becoming an unrestricted free agent at an inopportune time. His lower-than-average save percentage combined with what is expected to be a flat salary cap doesn’t bode well for him getting the kind of contract he might like.

Brooks wondered if the San Jose Sharks might have interest as their goaltending has been dreadful over the last two seasons, ranking next-to-last in overall save percentage and last in five-on-five. Unfortunately, while, Martin Jones‘ production has dropped he’s signed through 2023-24 with an annual average value of $5.75 million and a three-team trade list. The Sharks would have to somehow move Jones to be able to afford Holtby, even if he were to take a discount.

Oilers to Get a Couple Players Back For Playoffs

Head coach Dave Tippett told reporters, that defenseman Mike Green (knee) and winger Joakim Nygard (upper body) have both recovered from their respective injuries and are good to go if the season resumes.

Green was picked up at the trade deadline and only got a couple of games in before going down with an injury. He was expected to be a power play and depth guy for the Oilers on their blue line. Nygard was a depth forward with speed to burn. He’s scored nine points in 33 games during his rookie season but broke a bone when blocking a shot in the heated game versus the Calgary Flames following the Matthew Thackuk and Zack Kassian incident.

Rask Tries to Clarify Retirement Comments

When Tuukka Rask publicly stated he might consider retirement after his current contract comes to an end, there was a lot of talk and speculation around the Boston Bruins and what they might do about their goaltending situation.

Joe Haggerty of NBC Sports Boston writes that Rask thought it was wise to clarify his recent comments. Rask noted that he hasn’t made any decisions regarding his future. “I’m sure we’re going to have good conversations with (Don Sweeney) after this season and go from there,” said Rask during an interview with WEEI’s Greg Hill. He added:

“But I’m only 34, so it’s not too old, might play another year or two and go from there. I don’t want to promise anything either way because you never know what’s going to happen.”

For the Bruins, short-term deals with Rask after this one ends makes sense. they don’t really have a netminder in their pipeline to replace him.

Flyers Not Talking to Free Agents

Philadelphia Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher told Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia that he hasn’t started any talks with any of his pending free agents about new deals.

Even though the team has a few contracts to consider and other teams are starting to chat with their respective players, the Flyers are waiting on names like Brian Elliott, Justin Braun, Derek Grant, Oskar Lindblom and Nolan Patrick.

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