BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Derek Ryan (CGY), Kirill Kaprizov (MIN), Mikael Granlund (NSH), Kyle Palmieri (NJ), and more!
Is Leon Draisaitl’s excellent two-way presence just a mirage? One Edmonton pundit says they may very well be, BLH says not so fast. Read about it here.
A new name in the rumor mill for Oilers fans! Check out who it is here.
Could Tyson Barrie be trade bait for the Oilers? Read about that here.
This is not the kind of news Edmonton Oilers fans will like.
NHL Rumors and Speculation
Bob McKenzie (NBC): “It’s my understanding, and if you read the release, Tim Peel is not being fired. He’ll continue to be paid, his pension is still intact… I don’t get the sense there’s any significant appetite on the NHL’s part to change policy on how games are officiated.
- “Teams that do have UFAs are going to maybe play a few games on that front and not formalize contract extensions until after the expansion draft.” (So they can protect another player instead)
Sheng Peng (SJ Hockey Now): Devan Dubnyk and being a pending UFA: “When you think about it, you don’t want to go anywhere.” He’s loved his time in San Jose, but the Sharks haven’t approached him about a new contract yet.
David Pagnotta (The Fourth Period): Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher: “There doesn’t seem to be a lot of teams out there willing to take on dollars and term at this point in time… We’re certainly not looking at selling right now.”
Josh Yohe (The Athletic): Pittsburgh Penguins POHO Brian Burke: “I will tell you this, we are looking to do something, very much. Ron Hextall is working the phones hard right now… Here’s the thing, we don’t have any draft picks left and we aren’t putting our top kids (Poulin/Legare) in play.”
Michael Russo (The Athletic): Pail Theofanous (Kirill Kaprizov’s agent) and Wild GM Bill Guerin sat down Wednesday to begin initial discussions toward eventually signing the Russian to a new contract… The Wild prefer to sign him to a long-term deal but there’s no rush to get this new deal signed.
- Russo also speculated that Kaprizov could get a two-year deal in the summer worth between $6.5M and $7M AAV.
Darren Dreger (TSN): I know Winnipeg is looking for a defender, I think they prefer a puck-mover… I’m sure teams are calling (Ottawa) on Mike Reilly and I know it’s been reported that he’s been a good fit (with the Sens), so perhaps they just sit tight and try to extend him.
Sam Carchidi (Philadelphia Enquirer): “GM Chuck Fletcher says teams prefer gaining picks in 2022 because of the uncertainty of scouts being able to see players in-person in 2021. He also says some teams do want 2021 picks because they see this draft as an opportunity to get a quality player late in the draft.
NHL Rumors Daily: The Florida Panthers have been linked to Sabres forward Taylor Hall numerous times over the years. They were very close to getting him last year.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs have been in touch with Nashville. They’re obviously looking at Viktor Arvidsson, Matthias Ekholm, and Mikael Granlund.
- The New York Rangers practically tried to pay teams to take Tony DeAngelo off of their hands.
Frank Seravalli (TSN): It’s believed that the Toronto Maple Leafs main target is Predators Forward Mikael Granlund.
- “The Edmonton Oilers are looking for a right-shot center who can win faceoffs on the PK where they have struggled this year.” Seravalli also named Derek Ryan (CGY), Luke Glendening (DET), and Brandon Sutter (VAN) as potential targets. He also noted that they’ll try and trade a 4th rounder for one of them.
George Richards (Florida Hockey Now): Thinks that the Florida Panthers will pursue a centerman and suggests a player they like is Columbus Blue Jackets pivot Riley Nash.
CBC News: The Canadian Federal government has approved the rumored 7-day quarantine with extra testing for NHL players traded to Canadian franchises.
Pierre LeBrun (TSN): Kyle Palmieri and the New Jersey Devils are struggling to come to terms on a contract. It looks more likely than not he gets dealt.
He also said if the #Oilers can get RNH signed for $6M, Barrie for $5M, Larsson for $4M, that could theoretically leave room for a $4M LW and a $4M netminder
Previously, Stauffer said to remember Tomas Tatar's name too…
Most of this hinges on kelfbom's future I'd say. pic.twitter.com/gYHeizucDc
— BLH (Edmonton Oilers Enthusiast} (@BeerLeagueHeroe) March 24, 2021
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