BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Sidney Crosby (PIT), Travis Dermott (TOR), Peter Chiarelli, Taylor Hall (BUF), Bobby Ryan (DET), 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.
Craig Button absolutely tore the Oilers a new a$$hole on TSN 1260 recently. Click this link and read what he said!
TSN1260’s Jason Gregor is pissed! Check out this rant on the Oilers here!
NHL Rumors and Speculation
- Elliotte Friedman (Sportsnet): Says the Vancouver Canucks are looking for help on the blueline and Victor Mete (MTL), Vince Dunn (STL), and Travis Dermott (TOR) may be available.
BLH’s Thoughts: Will any of those players move the needle in Vancouver aside from Dunn maybe?
- Pierre LeBrun (TSN): Says as many as 20 candidates have reached out to the Pittsburgh Penguins to let them know of their interest in the GM’s position including Peter Chiarelli, Mike Futa, Mike Gillis, Chris Drury, Ron Hextall, Mark Hunter, etc.
BLH’s Thoughts: Please be Chiarelli!
- Darren Dreger (TSN): Wonders if the Pens miss the playoffs again or get knocked out early, could there be potential for a gargantuan change in philosophy that includes moving their big boys out. He says the club owes it to Sid Crosby, Gino Malkin, and Kris Letang to have a sit-down and discuss the direction of the club and if they would prefer to chase a championship elsewhere.
- “Imagine if those names were in play at some point in the future?”
BLH’s Thoughts: If Pittsburgh or their stars wait too long to transition they’ll miss their window to help each other out. Their new GM is going to have his work cut out for him and I’m here for all of it if they decide to go full rebuild.
- Jim Thomas (St. Louis Post Dispatch): Says the Blues will be looking for a draft pick in return for Vince Dunn and that when Vlad Tarasenko returns there’s going to be a salary cap challenge to deal with.
- “If they trade Dunn — or someone else — they won’t be wanting an active NHL player back. (Unless it’s part of some bigger, more complex deal.)”
BLH’s Thoughts: Can’t see Edmonton being in on Dunn if the price is a draft pick. They’re already down a 2nd rounder and I don’t believe Holland will deal their first round selection unless a player of real quality is going to Edmonton.
- Joe Haggerty (Boston Hockey Now): Says trading Anders Bjork makes a lot of sense for the Boston Bruins given the return of David Pastrnak is going to give the club more forwards than required.
- “It obviously wouldn’t happen until the Bruins get David Pastrnak back this weekend and it may be pushed back a bit with the current injuries to wingers Jake DeBrusk and Ondrej Kase. But once the Boston Bruins have a full, healthy complement of forwards, they are going to have too many players for not enough spots in the everyday lineup.”
BLH’s Thoughts: With Edmonton’s PK shitting the bed like it is, I wonder if that Bjork-for-Chiasson deal doesn’t spark up again. The Boston winger is assertive, big-bodied, and quick. An upgrade on JJ Khaira, if anything.
- The Hockey News: Ken Campbell, Matt Larkin, and Ryan Kennedy got together for a roundtable recently and were asked who they thought hockey fans should keep an eye on trade-wise.
- Campbell – Bobby Ryan
- Larkin – Taylor Hall
- Kennedy – Darcy Kuemper and Clayton Keller
BLH’s Thoughts: Kuemper isn’t off to the hottest of starts this year but I’d be willing to bet that the Oilers make a call on him once Mike Smith is back and playing again. Might that be too late by then though? Bobby Ryan is a player I’ve always liked. He had a really nice run a few seasons ago with Ottawa and given his cheap contract, I’d probably prefer him to Tyler Ennis right now.
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