BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Sam Bennett (CGY), Tony DeAngelo (NYR), Phillip Danault (MTL), and more!
Craig Button absolutely tore the Oilers a new a$$hole on TSN 1260 recently. Click this link and read what he said!
TSN1260’s Jason Gregor is pissed! Check out this rant on the Oilers here!
BLH has some ideas for the Oilers lineup card. Check those out here!
NEW: Keith Jones and Patrick Sharp think the Calgary Flames have a better chance at the playoffs this year than the Oilers. Read about that here.
NHL Rumors and Speculation
- Vincent Mercogliano (USA Today Network): Speculates that the New York Rangers and Calgary Flames could swap problems (Sam Bennett/Tony DeAngelo) if the Rangers would be willing to eat a bit of salary,
- “Contrary to what some have speculated, the Rangers are not prepared to retain 50% of DeAngelo’s salary…Would they be willing to retain 25%? That’s less clear. That would leave them with a cap hit of $1.2 million for this season and the next, but it’s important to point out that the cheaper option for the Rangers is simply to buy DeAngelo out.”
- “A potential DeAngelo-for-Bennett trade comes down to two basic questions:
- Do the Flames believe the risk is worth the reward with DeAngelo?
- If so, can the two sides come to a salary retention compromise?”
BLH’s Thoughts: I dig Bennett a lot and reckon he’d be a fine addition to the Rangers because he’s a definite upgrade over Howden. A line with Lafreniere and Bennett could be formidable for opposing defenders just from a physicality point-of-view, right? But what is Calgary thinking sniffing around DeAngelo?
- Eric Francis (Sportsnet): Wonders if Sam Bennett will even be allowed near the team if he’s scratched for Calgary’s game against the Edmonton Oilers Saturday night.
- “Assuming he’s scratched Saturday, it will be fascinating to see how the Flames allow Bennett to continue interacting with the team, if at all.”
- Darren Dreger (TSN): Commented on a recent question with regards to a report that the NHL is considering pushing back the 2021 NHL Draft to next summer and possibly holding back-to-back drafts.
- “It sure sounds like that; there’s ongoing conversations at the NHL level, hockey operations, the National Hockey League is deeply involved, the commissioner’s office will get involved as well. I will say this, there’s no guarantee that the NHL is going to host the draft in July. Now, there’s lots of talk across the National Hockey League about the draft being pushed from 2021 – this summer – to 2022 – the summer – and the NHL hosting back-to-back drafts. NHL general managers are very much in favour of this and you got to think the 2021 draft eligible players would also be in favour of it, given the fact a majority of these kids aren’t playing hockey right now. But, keep in mind this is a CBA-related issue, the NHLPA is not involved yet, but they will have to get involved if there’s change.”
BLH’s Thoughts: I wonder if talk of augmenting the draft age will come up? There probably wouldn’t be a better opportunity and it’s something I support. Maybe increasing the age to be drafted to 19 and then introducing an exceptional player-like rule for 18 year olds.
For me, I love seeing young players in the league dominating, but I’m not a fan of seeing them struggle because of a trivial decision made by a general manager. Has a player’s career ever been damaged by spending another year in junior or their respective league?
- The Fourth Period: Say that the Montreal Canadiens and center Phillip Danault have ceased negotiations on a new contract and won’t be continued until season’s end.
- “According to a source close to the organization, TFP has learned that barring a sudden change from management, contract talks between the Canadiens and Danault have been tabled for the rest of the season. There are no negotiations scheduled and Danault’s camp will wait until the off-season to revisit discussions, unless Bergevin picks up the phone, the source, speaking on the basis of anonymity, confirmed.”
- Daily Goal Horn: Has Calgary Flames superstar Johnny Gaudreau sitting at #6 on their latest NHL trade board. It also includes Danault.
- “Finally, Phillip Danault has been added to the list. While a trade isn’t imminent, it is worth keeping an eye on when the deadline approaches. He turned down the Canadiens contract offer in September. No progress has been made and Montreal has reportedly stopped talks.”
BLH’s Thoughts: I’m starting to feel like we’re looking at “when” not “if” trade scenario with Danault. Both parties are clearly unhappy, right? Now, if I was Brad Treliving, Danault and Victor Mete might be a couple of players I’d be looking into. Especially if one off-season plan might be to shake up the roster.
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