BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Jack Eichel (BUF), Taylor Hall (BUF), Ryan Getzlaf (ANA), Oscar Klefbom (EDM), and more!
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NHL Rumors and Speculation
- Boston Hockey Now: Jimmy Murphy is saying that the Boston Bruins have had interest in Jake Virtanen for some time and with the news that defenceman Mattias Ekholm could be on the trade block, the 30yr old Swedish defender would make sense for Boston as well.
- “Also of interest when it comes to the needs of the Boston Bruins, was TSN and Athletic NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun noting that Nashville Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm is also available on the NHL trade market right now… one would imagine Ekholm won’t last long on the NHL trade market. With Matt Grzelcyk in and more out of the lineup, will Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney try to fill that second pairing left slot with Ekholm?”
- TSN: Frank Seravalli says the Ducks would only consider a trade if Ryan Getzlaf asked for one, but it would take him coming to the team and letting them know he’d be open to a deal or would like to be moved to a contender if possible.
- WGR550: Elliotte Friedman believes that there’s a chance the Buffalo Sabres could move Jack Eichel. He was recently on The Instigators and replied “Yes.” to the question of Eichel possibly getting moved. The insider also suggested that the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings are two teams that have the assets to put together a package to obtain the Sabres superstar. Eichel has no-trade protection but it doesn’t kick in until 2022/23.
- “Look, we know that this was something that came up last summer. I don’t know that it was ever close. The feeling that I’ve always had is that Buffalo knew Eichel was unhappy. They asked Eichel to take a step last year and he really did, we’ve talked about how much of a step Eichel took last year. Still, when it came to team success it just didn’t really go anywhere. Now you look at where it is this year, you know he’s going to be frustrated, and there were conversations last year. But what I was told was, the Sabres just said ’we are not ready to do this. We are not ready.’ Teams made offers, it was communicated that he was restless. I don’t think he ever asked for a trade, I don’t think it got that far. But he was restless and teams knew it. The Sabres took some offers and said ’no we’re not ready to do this.’”
- Dallas Morning News: Matthew DeFranks doesn’t expect the Dallas Stars to make any significant trades this year as they’ve got some big contracts that will end up getting activated when Tyler Seguin and Ben Bishop return from LTIR.
- “If the Stars were to make a move for a forward without shedding a roster player, it would likely be a depth player on a minimal cap hit.”
- TSN1260: Jason Gregor is of the belief that there’s a chance Oscar Klefbom’s shoulder arthritis is extremely serious and is putting the Swedish d-man’s career in doubt. He said in a recent Twitter exchange that he’d be surprised if Klefbom returns next season.
- Sportsnet: Rory Boylen reckons that if the Buffalo Sabres don’t turn things around quickly, they might be dealing one of their bigger names before the season is out.
- “It’s time to start wondering about Hall and his one-year deal. He wants to play in the playoffs – which made Buffalo an odd choice for a UFA – and he might yet get it. If the Sabres aren’t in it, they can’t go beyond the deadline and not get anything for Hall ahead of him becoming a free agent again. It’s too early for this talk to have picked up yet, but if things don’t turn around fast this is headed towards a trade.”
Friedman on 31 Thoughts says another reason the #Preds may be looking to move Ekholm is cause they have an expansion draft issue, they don't want to protect 4 D again. You have to protect Josi, Ellis & Fabbro. They're also high on prospect David Farrance, they think he'll play.
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) February 19, 2021
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