Speculating from an Edmonton Oilers fan’s perspective, BLH comments on the latest NHL rumors featuring players such as Tyler Toffoli, Alex Kerfoot, Patrik Laine, Dustin Byfuglien, and more!
The News and Rumors
- Iain MacIntyre (Sportsnet): Canucks GM Jim Benning prioritized upgrading the top four on defence over maintaining his top-six forwards. Before Tyler Toffoli left to join the Montreal Canadiens, Benning was in the process of trying to make a cap-clearing trade.
BLH’s Thoughts: When Toffoli signed with the Habs I thought that the Canucks had made a terrible mistake, but when I think about it, without Schmidt, their defense would be pretty average. That trade with Vegas was a godsend for them and if they want a top-6 winger, Mike Hoffman, Anthony Duclair, and others are still available.
- Sean Reynolds (Sportsnet): According to Reynolds, one of the main reasons the Winnipeg Jets traded for Paul Stastny was to up the value of winger Patrik Laine. They’ve had success playing together in the past and there’s a hope the two forwards rekindle that flame.
BLH’s Thoughts: I don’t mind this bet, to be honest. There’s another outcome that may play out and that’s Laine having a change of mind with regards to his playing future. A good season with a good center might have him thinking that maybe Winnipeg is the place he wants to play.
- Kurt Leavins (Cult of Hockey): Dominik Kahun had more offers on the table before joining the Edmonton Oilers on a one-year 975k deal.
BLH’s Thoughts: The word around Edmonton is that there was another Pacific Division team that was offering double what he signed for in Edmonton. Bob Stauffer (630CHED) is on the record saying that he could’ve signed with multiple teams for 975k.
- Michael Russo (The Athletic): Dustin Byfuglien’s agent Ben Hankinson still hopes that the big defenceman will return and sign with the Minnesota Wild. Hankinson says multiple teams have checked in to see if Byfuglien was interesting in coming back.
BLH’s Thoughts: It’s obvious that Big Buff’s agent is working to find his client a suitable situation. I’m not him, so I can’t say for sure, but I would think that there’s still a part of him that wants to play in the NHL but won’t just go anywhere. He wants to cherry pick his spot and I would imagine that’s with a club that will give him the money and TOI that he feels he is worth. No league minimum or PTOs for him…
I’ve got two rumored trades that fell through for you as well courtesy of NHLTradeRumors.me,
- “There has been talk that the Columbus Blue Jackets have sent the Winnipeg Jets multiple trade offers including the likes of David Savard, Boone Jenner, and Oliver Bjorkstrand, however, it wasn’t enough to tickle Winnipeg’s fancy.”
- “The team (Toronto) discussed Alexander Kerfoot with the Blue Jackets, in exchange for defenceman, David Savard. The Leafs wanted another ‘futures’ piece in the deal, and the two sides could never agree.”
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