BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Ryan Getzlaf (ANA), Jamie Oleksiak (DAL), Henrik Borgstrom (CHI), Elvis Merzlikins (CBJ), and more!
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NHL Rumors and Speculation
Eric Duhatschek (The Athletic): St. Louis is reportedly listening on its UFAs, which is a bold strategy but also in keeping with general manager Doug Armstrong’s long-time modus operandi.
- The biggest question is, how hard do you chase it if you really don’t think you have a chance to win? So even if Arizona gets in, they’ll have to get through Colorado and Vegas to get out of the division. Probably not going to happen. Boston’s worried about its goaltending, so they’re a little on the fence. Nashville, even if they make it, has Tampa, Florida and Carolina to contend with.
Chris Johnston(Saturday Headlines): On Taylor Hall, Johnston believes that the New York Islanders will still try to make a trade for Hall if the asking price goes down.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs are out of the Hall sweepstakes but the St. Louis Blues could swing a trade for Hall now that the team has turned things around and are in playoff contention.
Elliotte Friedman(Saturday Headlines): The Minnesota Wild are interested in Nick Foligno. The Leafs are also interested in making a trade for Foligno.
- Johnston and Friedman also discussed Ryan Getzlaf on Saturday Headlines and mentioned some teams have contacted the Anaheim Ducks if he would be interested in being traded.
Ed Barkowitz (Philadelphia Inquirer): Could Scott Laughton and Michael Raffl be two of the names headed elsewhere by Monday or sooner? That remains a possibility as poor starts and poorer defense have doomed the Philadelphia Flyers’ once-promising season. Even Erik Gustafsson could fetch a late-round pick perhaps with the right dance partner.
Tom Callahan (Vegas Hockey NOW): Kelly McCrimmon knows his team struggled mightily scoring goals in last year’s playoffs and maybe Scott Laughton is that surprising answer. Laughton could allow players to slide into more comfortable roles and that chemistry could help their playoff run.
Frank Seravalli (TSN): The Blues are believed to have spoken with the Buffalo Sabres about Taylor Hall. Could the Sabres retain salary and the Blues send Hoffman to Buffalo? Could Hall then fit into their longer-range plans.
Lance Lysowski (Buffalo News): The Florida Panthers make some sense as Taylor Hall could be insulated while being allowed to play his natural position on an already stacked power play. They are one of several teams to watch.
Pierre LeBrun (The Athletic): The Edmonton Oilers are already without their second-, third-, and fifth-round picks in the 2021 NHL draft. Their fourth-round pick may be used to find a rental, bottom-six forward. Detroit Red Wings Luke Glendening could be a fit. The Oilers may not be looking to add depth though.
Jim Matheson (Edmonton Journal): Things are tight for the Edmonton Oilers and they don’t have a lot to work with.
- Could they get the St. Louis Blues to retain 50 percent of Mike Hoffman‘s $4 million cap hit and take a B-level prospect like Dmitry Samorukov or Raphael Lavoie?
- The Oilers could also use an experienced second-pairing left-handed defenseman. Could they pry Jamie Oleksiak out of Dallas?
- Pending UFA Scott Laughton could be a third-line option but he could be costly.
Luke Fox (Sportsnet): The Boston Bruins have about $5.9 million in cap space and could move Jake DeBrusk. They could use a second-line left winger and could target Taylor Hall.
Darren Dreger (TSN): The Kings have made an offer to Andreas Athanasiou. Contract negotiations are ongoing.
Ben Pope (Chicago Sun-Times): It is likely that Henrik Borgstrom comes back from overseas next season. Nonetheless, this was a trade Chicago felt it needed to make. Does anyone remember Dylan Strome and his Arizona days? Exactly. He was thought to be a bust and has turned into a pretty good player. It is safe to stay Stan Bowman and Chicago see something similar.
Aaron Portzline (The Athletic): Re: The futures of Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins,
- “If Columbus wants a roster player out of the deal, that will have to wait until the summer. It seems that is where everyone is headed. However, one thing is clear. One of these goalies will be traded — eventually.”
Jonas Siegel and James Mirtle (The Athletic): The case for acquiring Taylor Hall is that he is better than Alex Galchenyuk. Now, that is true. Hall could mesh well with William Nylander and John Tavares. There is a top-heavy feel with the Toronto Maple Leafs and some feel Hall could fix that. He could set up Nylander and Tavares with ease.
Sources: The Athletic, NHLTradeRumors.com, nhlrumors.com,
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