Speculating from an Edmonton Oilers fan’s perspective, BLH comments on the latest NHL rumors featuring players such as Ilya Kovalchuk, Robin Lehner, Liam Foudy, Ty Dellandrea, and more!
The News and Rumors
- Saad Yousuf (The Athletic): The Dallas Stars are going to have to rely on some rookies to step in for Ben Bishop and Tyler Seguin who are both expected to a major portion of next season. The team will turn to top prospects like Ty Dellandrea and Jake Oettinger to pick up the slack.
BLH’s Thoughts: Any time I hear that high-end prospects like Dellandrea are going to be given a serious shot at earning a roster spot on a team, I get very excited. I love when young players get a chance. Dellandrea is highly-skilled, a burner, and extremely hard-working, he should fit in very well with that group in Dallas. I can’t wait to see how he does.
- Tarik El-Bashir (The Athletic): It’s highly unlikely that Connor McMichael and Hendrix Lapierre crack the Washington Capitals lineup next season. Washington would like to take their time with these players and they’d be in tough to beat out one of Evgeni Kuznetsov, Niklas Backstrom, or Lars Eller for a spot.
BLH’s Thoughts: Now, on the other hand, I hate it when teams force young players into the NHL when they’re clearly not ready (*cough* Puljujarvi *cough). This is a very smary move by the Capitals. If McMichael and Lapierre can be as good in the NHL as they were in major junior, they’ll be worth the wait.
- Aaron Portzline (The Athletic): Liam Foudy could get a shot on the Columbus Blue Jackets’ 2nd line as a replacement for Gustav Nyquist who is expected to miss the next six months due to shoulder surgery.
BLH’s Thoughts: Here’s another young buck looking to force his way into the NHL. He had a very good audition in the playoffs. I was really impressed with his work ethic, intensity, and obviously his speed. Very Cogliano-like.
- Elliott Teaford (OC Register): The Anaheim Ducks still need to add a backup goalie in order to satisfy the requirments for their Seattle Kraken expansion protected list.
BLH’s Thoughts: The Ducks won’t have a problem finding a backup. It’s just a matter of time.
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- Emily Sadler (Sportsnet): Ron Hainsey is still available and could be a depth insurance policy for a Stanley Cup contender.
BLH’s Thoughts: I wonder if the Oilers would sign him? I mean, it’d have to be with the understanding that he wouldn’t be playing every night though. He’s damned near 40 years old but he still brings a lot to the locker room and the ice. I think Ottawa really benefitted from having him around their young players. Edmonton could use a humble vet too.
- Boston Hockey NOW: Oddsmakers gave the Boston Bruins 14-1 odds to win the 2021 Stanley Cup. They’re only behind the Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, and Tampa Bay Lightning.
BLH’s Thoughts: You know what? I’m picking the Bruins to have a real shite season. Marchand and Pastrnak won’t start the year with them, they lost two of their top-4 defenders in Krug and Chara (most likely), and I’m not sure Tuuka Rask is all that enthusiastic about returning to play for Boston after the abuse he took when he left the club to be with his ailing daughter.
- James Mirtle (The Athletic): “My sense is the Maple Leafs at least liked Robin Lehner, but Vegas wasn’t going to let him go.”
BLH’s Thoughts: Everybody liked Lehner. He’s one of the most intense goalies in the league and he’s been one of the better ones over the last three seasons. What’s not to like? Does everybody think he’ll be back to the old version of himself after the surgery though? I mean, wouldn’t it be something if Vegas dealt Fleury and he went on to win a Stanley Cup with his new team while the Golden Knights were stuck with an underperforming Lehner?
I still think that the Oilers will take a run at Fleury at some point before the 2021 trade deadline. If not him, why not Rask?
- Eric Engels (Sportsnet): He would be shocked if Ilya Kovalchuk returned to the Montreal Canadiens. Kovalchuk is a better fit on a team that isn’t as deep on a league-minimum deal. If the Habs run into injury problems during training camp, that could change things but Engels still believes it’s a longshot.
BLH’s Thoughts: Engels makes a good point here. Montreal is pretty deep on the wings and Kovalchuk would probably be best served on a team where he could make more of an impact. I’d love to have his experience and talent on Edmonton’s roster, but that’s nothing new. I’ve said that more than once in the past.
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