Speculating from an Edmonton Oilers fan’s perspective, BLH comments on the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring players such as Mikael Granlund, PL Dubois, Jake DeBrusk, Joe Thornton, and more!
The News and Rumors
- DJ Bean (NBC Sports): believes a short term deal at $4 million makes the most sense for the Boston Bruins with regards to Jake DeBrusk’s new contract.
BLH’s Thoughts: This is another one of those Mike Hoffman-like sagas that continues to drag out. To me, $4M/yr for DeBrusk sounds like a very fair deal but from my point-of-view, I think the Bruins have a deal on the table to move the Edmonton-area product and are just waiting on some shoes to drop. If nothing happens, they re-sign him and both parties move on ammicably.
- Elliotte Friedman (Sportsnet): says the Columbus Blue Jackets were worried about an offer-sheet on PL Dubois, they’re trying to move Brandon Dubinsky’s contract as his playing career looks done, and the club has looked at both Mike Hoffman and Mikael Granlund. Friedman said he wouldn’t be surprised if Columbus signed one, if not both, before the season started.
BLH’s Thoughts: Columbus have a shit-ton of cap room right now and they’d have even more if they waited to register Dubois’ deal with the league until after they put Dubinsky on LTIR. In the meantime, they could ink both Hoffman and Granlund if they wanted.
- Brian Hedger (Columbus Dispatch): thinks that Sami Vatanen would be a good fit with Columbus since the team took a hit on defense after moving Ryan Murray and Markus Nutivaara.
BLH’s Thoughts: I couldn’t think of a better spot for Vatanen, to be honest. Currently, it looks like CBJ has Vladislav Gavrikov sitting on the 2nd-pair left side but the 3rd pair is Dean Kukan and Vatanen is an upgrade there.
- Scott Wheeler (The Athletic): reckons the right usage could help Joe Thornton have a better season than a year ago, when he finished eighth in scoring on one of the league’s worst teams.
BLH’s Thoughts: Soft minutes and lots of o-zone starts should keep Thornton’s stats up. Also, if there’s an appetite to give Auston Matthews some more “industrious” linemates and spread the talent about within the lineup, maybe that means Jumbo Joe gets someone like Mitch Marner on his line or William Nylander?… Both would probably be pretty good for his production.
The last thing the Leafs want is a situation akin to when Jaromir Jagr went to Calgary…
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