BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring the likes of Keith Yandle (FLA), Taylor Hall (BUF), Marc-Andre Fleury (VGK), Evgeni Kuznetsov (WAS), and more!
The Oilers have a bit of a mind-bender brewing on the right side of their defense and a couple of big contracts set to expire there with some high-end prospects almost ready to take over. What is Ken Holland set to do?
TSN’s Frank Seravalli says that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins might not be in the Oilers’ plans going forward. Read all about it right here.
NHL Rumors and Speculation
- Jimmy Murphy (Florida Hockey Now): Recently pondered upon the idea that the reason Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito wanted to get Keith Yandle to waive his no-movement clause was to set up for a deal to acquire Pierre-Luc Dubois and the scribe was told by a source that was the reason behind the Barkov rumors.
- Murphy was also told by an NHL scout that the Buffalo Sabres should go out and acquire Vegas Golden Knights veteran netminder Marc-Andre Fleury now that they’re ready to move him.
- Mark Chambers/Mike Kiszla (Denver Post): Say that the Avs might have to move d-men Ian Cole or Sam Girard to make room for emerging NHLers Bowen Byram and Connor Timmins.
- “Some folks will cringe, but Girard, 22, is probably the most tradable of the bunch, because he began a seven-year, $35 million extension this season and losing his $5 million cap hit would give the team money to make a move at forward or goaltending.”
- Frank Seravalli (TSN): Is of the belief that the Edmonton Oilers will make a trade for a goalie this season.
- He also thinks that 37yr old Chicago Blackhawks d-man Duncan Keith will seek a trade after this year when he’ll be on the final year of his contract.
- Seravalli also said that if Winnipeg can’t get a deal done with the Blue Jackets for Pierre-Luc Dubois, then the Carolina Hurricanes will be Laine’s new home. The Jets are said to be interested in defenseman Brett Pesce and forward Vincent Trocheck.
- Tarik El-Bashir (The Athletic): Is curious about whether the Washington Capitals may trade center Evgeni Kuznetsov.
- “If the Caps were to ever entertain shipping him out, they’d have to be getting a top-six center in return. Or they’d have to be darn sure a prospect like McMichael is ready to step in immediately and produce 20 goals and 50 assists,”
- Scott Burnside (The Athletic): Has made predictions on the futures of four players, Taylor Hall, Jonathan Quick, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Patrik Laine.
- “Hall has a no-move clause but surely he’d be open to moving to a Stanley Cup contender if the Sabres continue their playoff drought, which is currently the longest in the NHL… Wouldn’t it be interesting if Hall ended up back in Canada with either Calgary or Montreal?”
- “The Kings will be better because Todd McLellan is that kind of coach. But better is not necessarily good and that means GM Rob Blake will be in a position to find Jonathan Quick should be on the move before the deadline.”
- “Lots of teams have and will kick the tires on Laine, who will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season and has been a bit prickly on where he views his NHL future. As noted below, Winnipeg is going to be better than people think and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff will be focused on one thing: getting the Jets into the postseason. Like Kekalainen, Cheveldayoff will only move the 22-year-old Laine if it’s a knock your socks off kind of deal that isn’t about futures.”
- “I see almost zero chance GM Jarmo Kekalainen makes a move to unload Dubois unless it’s a deal that brings in an age-appropriate, commensurate talent, and that’s more likely to happen at the draft.”
- Nick Kypreos: Says Florida Panthers d-man Keith Yandle prevented a 3-way trade from going down over the weekend,
- “The Talk is Boston, Islanders, maybe a three-way trade, maybe Yandle ending up with the Boston Bruins. I’m sure the Panthers would have to eat some money on that but it didn’t come to fruition. It appears he stood his ground.”
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