Speculating from an Edmonton Oilers fan’s perspective, BLH comments on the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring players such as Olli Juolevi, Patrick Marleau, Allan Walsh, the Remaining UFAs, and more!
Is the All-Canadian division a bad idea for Canadian teams? Read about that here.
What are the pundits in Edmonton saying about their new signing? Check that out here.
The News and Rumors
- Allan Walsh (via Sportsnet): “There was a worst-case scenario, a moderate-case scenario and a best-case scenario contemplated between the parties when they negotiated the deal, so to come back four months later, when we might be looking at the worst-case scenario of no fans in the buildings or most of the regular season, and possibly playoffs, to then say, ‘Hey, you know that worst-case scenario we talked about during the negotiation? Yeah, we’d like a do-over on that and we’d like you guys to defer another 16 percent and we’d like you guys in years four, five, and six of the deal to take another three percent a year of escrow. For the pleasure of giving this all back to us, we’ll let you play the 2020-21 season.”
BLH’s Thoughts: Shots fired! Not that reading this sort of comment from Walsh is surprising. He’s a straight-shooter (if you will) and he calls things as he sees them. His antics during the post-season and that tweet he sent out with a sword labeled “DeBoer” going through Marc-Andre Fleury’s back sent shockwaves through the entire sporting world.
I’m with the players on this one. The owners always seem to get their way in these labour negotiations. Coming back four months after ratifying a new CBA to ask for more changes is ridiculous.
I like Walsh a bit. I don’t agree with everything he says or does, but he definitely keeps things interesting in an NHL and there’s no doubt in my mind, it needs to get more interesting if it is to keep up with the other major sporting leagues around the globe.
- Tom Gulitti (NHL.com): Regarding the Washington Capitals looking to make a move to free up some cap space to which defenceman Nick Jensen and Richard Panik have been rumored to be on the move, “The signings of right-handed defensemen Justin Schultz and Trevor van Riemsdyk appeared to make Nick Jensen, also a righty defenseman, expendable… Washington would like to add a forward to supplement its scoring depth on the third line, which was supposed to be Richard Panik’s role when the Capitals signed him July 1, 2019.”
BLH’s Thoughts: Why do teams do this? They handcuff themselves in free-agency, as Washington has done here, with apparently no exit plan in case things don’t work out?
I don’t know, maybe it’ll turn out for the better and they’ll need the depth these players provide due to injuries or suspensions.
- Brian De La Rose (Pro Hockey Rumors): Had this to say on the remaining high-end UFAs that have yet to be signed,
- Mike Hoffman – Nashville looks to be a strong fit.
- Mikael Granlund – New Jersey can afford to pay him more than most teams.
- Travis Hamonic – I’ve liked Winnipeg as his landing spot going back to the start of free agency and I’m not changing that one now.
- Sami Vatanen – I could see the Kings looking at him on a one-year deal.
- Erik Haula – Returning to Florida may make the most sense for him.
BLH’s Thoughts: I see that Columbus isn’t really in the picture here according to De La Rose. Odd. I would think that with all the cap room that they have that maybe they’d be in on some of these players. Elliotte Friedman thinks that Hoffman and Granlund could both go to the Blue Jackets for what it’s worth.
Personally, I wonder if LA is going to get in on one or more of the remaining UFAs out there. Maybe Anthony Duclair? And what about Boston who have both Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak out until March-ish? Hoffman would clean house on that club.
- Olli Juolevi (Vancouver Canucks): “Just the way I can play a defensive game now, it’s a huge difference (from four years ago). I’m definitely a better player overall. I think I’m really close to the player I always thought I could be. I think my pucks skills and my hockey IQ has always been there, and now you add that defensive side of the game, it’s going to be really good.”
BLH’s Thoughts: I’m rooting for this young fella. He’s been through hell and back with all of the injury troubles he’s endured. If both Puljujarvi and Juolevi can come in this year and become full-time impact NHL players, that will be a helluva story!
- Brodie Brazil (NBC Sports): Patrick Marleau is a mere 45 games away from passing the legendary Gordie Howe and becoming the NHL all-time games played leader but even if there’s no season in 2020-21, he’s staying in shape in the event a 2021-22 season does take place.
BLH’s Thoughts: I can’t wait until we’re at the point to where players are breaking Wayne Gretzky’s records like they have been with Gordie Howe’s all these years. If Marleau became the all-time games played leader, what a testament to his durability that would be. He’s been one of the quietest NHL stars in the history of the game.
Give us a follow on the socials!
- Twitter: @beerleagueheroe
- Instagram: @beerleagueheroes
- Facebook: Beer League Heroes
