BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Mikael Granlund, Mike Hoffman, Jonathan Toews, Mat Barzal, and more!
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NHL Rumors and Speculation
- Andy Strickland (The Athletic): Carolina and CBJ (among other teams) remain two potential landing spots for Mikael Granlund. Preds also interested in both him and Hoffman but have a much better chance of landing Hoffman than they do Granlund.
- Scott Powers (The Athletic): According to a source of Powers’, Jonathan Toews still has value although his offense is diminishing and the feeling is paying Toews that much just to be a defensive player could be problematic. If the Blackhawks were willing to eat $3-$4M, it might be feasible.
- Rory Boylen (Sportsnet): Brayden Point’s contract might be a solid place to start when trying to determine what the Islanders might do with Mat Barzal. The belief is that a long-term deal simply isn’t going to work and a short-term one is preferable at this point in time,
- “If Point is any indication, Barzal could command around $7 million on a short-term bridge deal — but remember, Tampa often gets their players at a discount. And if Barzal and the Islanders were to lock in for max term or something close to it, the AAV would shoot up much higher since some of his UFA years would have to be bought.”
- Josh Wegman (The Score): Believes the Florida Panthers are a good candidate to sign UFA Mikal Granlund,
- “Florida’s secondary scoring is now a major problem. In steps Granlund, who is arguably the best offensive player available aside from Hoffman.
- Darren Dreger (TSN): Regarding Alexis Lafreniere being loaned to Team Canada for the World Juniors,
- “They’re in a holding pattern right now. The biggest concern from the NHL team’s perspective of course would be an injury. Lafreniere got injured last year in the World Junior Championship. The Rangers need to have them available if there is an opening night.”
- Eric Duhatschek (The Athletic): Replying to a mail-bag question regarding what the Tampa Bay Lightning will do to get cap compliant, Duhatschek offered this scenario,
- “In a perfect world, I would try to move not just one, but two of the remaining contract headaches (preferably Johnson and Killorn) to Detroit, and be prepared to surrender both a first-round pick and a quality young player to get the Red Wings to bite. Detroit would probably jump on that deal if that quality young player were Cernak, who is highly valued around the NHL.”
- Luke Fox (Sportsnet): Kyle Dubas on why he feels shameful for how he’s underestimated the power of leadership,
- “Why, after the first time, I just didn’t realize it and learn it then and then apply it every time moving forward, that’s just a mistake on my end,” Dubas said. “Shame on me for that.”
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