Speculating from an Edmonton Oilers fan’s perspective, BLH comments on the latest NHL rumors featuring players such as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Karl Alzner, Braden Holtby, and many more!
The News and Rumors
- Lyle Richardson (Spector’s Hockey): Defenceman Karl Alzner is still an option for the Boston Bruins in case Zdeno Chara decides against re-joining the club.
- It’s still possible that Mat Barzal, Anthony Cirelli, and Mikhail Sergachev sign an offer sheet, but the odds are stacking against it.
BLH’s Thoughts: Man, Tampa is up against it here. I reckon it could cost them a first and a second round draft pick to move one of their $5M men (Gourde/Johnson/Palat) and what a decision that must be when it comes to which player they decide to move. Gourde has five years left, Johnson has four, and Palat has two. All make over $5M AAV…
There is another option though. A very unorthodox one that few would agree on, including myself, and that’s moving Brayden Point and his $6.75M that has two more seasons left on it before the team.
What kind of futures could the Lightning get for a player like Point?
- Kurt Leavins (Cult of Hockey): An extension in the 5yr, $6.5M AAV range could be reasonable for Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
BLH’s Thoughts: Personally, I think that’s more than reasonable. It’s downright theft but it is what it is and normally a player like RNH would be making $8M plus, but thanks to COVID, salaries will be tempered. But watch, as soon as fans are welcomed back into arenas and the cashflow is rushing in, the cap will get raised and players will be making fat cash once again.
There’s a small window here for some clubs to build some outstanding rosters on the cheap. I’m very interested in seeing whose done the best job when things go back to normal. Maybe one of those teams will be the Oilers.
- Pierre LeBrun (TSN): It is believed that the Seattle Kraken have spoken to free agent Gerard Galland for the coaching job.
- Canucks goalie Braden Holtby and Canadiens netminder Jake Allen will be available for the Kraken in the expansion draft in 2021.
- There will be more trades and free agent signings in December when teams know when the season will start up.
BLH’s Thoughts: Gerard Gallant would be a fantastic option for the Kraken. I think he’s one of the best coaches in the NHL and with how the league is trending and how the players have developed, he’s a great candidate for an expansion team. I mean, he’s got a pretty good track record…
Who would you rather take if you were Ron Francis, Holtby or Allen? I think I like Holtby a bit better myself but who knows how I’ll feel after the next season concludes. He’s won a Cup with Washington a couple years back as the team’s starter, Allen can’t say the same, can he?
- ESPN: The 2020-21 NHL season will be a minimum of 48 games. The league is stilll aiming for an 82-game season.
BLH’s Thoughts: 82 games in 4 months and then the playoffs for the next two months? The Olympics start in July, right? That seems hectic but not impossible, however, they’d need to start right away in January and I just don’t see that happening. The shortened season is more realistic.
- Columbus Blue Jackets: Gustav Nyquist will miss 5-6 months after undergoing successful shoulder surgery for a labral tear.
BLH’s Thoughts: Add another $5.5M in cap space to Columbus’ already $15M… They could really make some big moves if they wanted this year. Jarmo Kekalainen is quite the cowboy in recent years too… It sure is hard not to like watching how he manages his team.
- Luke Fox (Sportsnet): Devils goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood is expected to start contract talks soon and a bridge deal may make sense. Elvis Merzlikins‘ two-year bridge deal at $4 million per could be a comparable.
BLH’s Thoughts: I had my doubts about Blackwood, but he’s starting to really grow into an excellent goaltender. $4M for a starter who isn’t yet 24 years old would be good value. It’s too bad his club isn’t slated to be that good.
If I were him and I liked playing in NJ and believed that the direction the club is going is right, I might be tempted to sign a long-term deal though. The reason is I don’t think that goalies are going to be making huge money in the upcoming years as GMs have been scared off after watching Carey Price and Sergei Bobrovsky perform at average rates. I also think that the managers aren’t interested in tying so much of their salary cap space to the net.
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