Coming from an Edmonton Oilers fan’s perspective, BLH comments on the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Johnny Gaudreau, Phillip Danault, a few cases of NHL and national junior teams getting hit by COVID-19, and more!
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- Eric Engels (Sportsnet): “I’ll be at camp. The Canadiens gave me a three-year contract (worth $9.24 million) two years ago, and I still have a year to play with the Canadiens,” Danault said. “After that, we’ll see. I really have the intention of honouring my contract and then, after that, we’ll see what the future holds.”
BLH’s Thoughts: I wish the Oilers had thought of moving RNH up to the wing earlier and went for Phil Danault as their 3C. He’s an elite two-way center now and the Habs have a wonderful problem on their hands. Do they pay the man and trade out one of Nick Suzuki or Jesperi Kotkaniemi OR do they trade Danault and stick with the two kids down the middle?
- Hockey Canada: “Hockey Canada confirmed earlier today that two players at Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Selection Camp have tested positive for COVID-19, and have been placed in quarantine at the team hotel in Red Deer.”
BLH’s Thoughts: Tough break. You knew as soon as the coaches tested positive that it was only a matter of time before some players did as well. We’re a month away from the World Juniors getting started and the team is supposed to be playing exhibition games and making cuts. I think it’s safe to say that this little setback is going to offer up some unique challenges to that process.
- Frank Seravalli (TSN): The Columbus Blue Jackets and Vegas Golden Knights had a number of players test positive for COVID-19 recently. Subsequently, both clubs’ training facilities have been shut down.
BLH’s Thoughts: This is only the tip of the iceberg. More teams will make announcements and I read recently that Shane Doan is holding a camp of sorts down in Arizona and the best players in the league are participating in it. Players like Jonathan Toews, Auston Matthews, and Connor McDavid to name a few.
Is it just me or wouldn’t it be a bit safer to avoid traveling in North America all-together right now?
- Joe Haggerty (Boston Hockey NOW): “It may be that the Bruins simply can’t afford Mike Hoffman even on a one-year contract given their cap constraints. If that turns out to be the case, I wouldn’t hate the Bruins taking a flier on Anthony Duclair at all. He’s a player that will be cheap this offseason and could have a high upside as a goal-scoring wing after his excellent rebound season in Ottawa last year.”
BLH’s Thoughts: Well, if it’s not Hoffman, it’s Duclair and if it’s not Duclair, it’s Mikael Granlund or Andreas Athanasiou (who’s looking more likely to be suiting up for a European club than an NHL one)… Slow news days means everything gets considered.
- Lyle Fitzsimmons (Bleacher Report): “We’ll suggest Gaudreau and his $6.75 million salary heads to Buffalo in a swap that sends 26-year-old defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen ($5.4 million) and perhaps an additional contract or two to Alberta that will help augment a blue-line deficient Flames roster.”
- Scottie Upshall (Missin’ Curfew Podcast: Johnny Gaudreau could don the black and orange for a package including winger Jakub Voracek and defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, along with a prospect.
BLH’s Thoughts: Not a bad couple of suggestions. Can I assume that the Sabres wouldn’t be signing Taylor Hall long-term in this scenario? I’m not sure I’ve seen a club tie up $23M in left-wingers before.
New Jersey is my bet. Not only because it’s his hometown, but they have the assets and room to bring him in. That said, they need to do something with their defence before augmenting their forward group. Hughes and Hischier will be fine throwing the club on their back and braving it as the team grows.
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