BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Taylor Hall (BUF), Matt Dumba (MIN), Rasmus Ristolainen (BUF), and more!
This is not the kind of news Edmonton Oilers fans will like.
*NEW* What’s the plan for Edmonton’s defense after this season? Check that out here!
*NEW* Are the Edmonton Oilers poised to make a tough trade before next year? Maybe…
*NEW* Will the Oilers land Taylor Hall or Mike Hoffman at the deadline? Read about it here.
Preface: I do up these rumor posts the night before and schedule the posts for the next day and with that comes the risk that portions of the article could be outdated. Maybe a trade has been made or a contract has been signed. So, please forgive me in those rare instances as we approach the trade deadline. – BLH
NHL Rumors and Speculation
Kurt Leavins (Cult of Hockey): says that the longer Taylor Hall stays a Buffalo Sabre, the more likely it is that he could return to Oil Country…
- Leavins also mentions that Oscar Klefbom will likely be exposed in the expansion draft this summer because there’s a chance his contract wasn’t insured due to the fact that Klefbom’s shoulder injury was both chronic and pre-existing. He reckons Seattle wouldn’t want that straight cash burden.
BLH’s Thoughts: If I’m being honest, I don’t know if it would be a good move to bring in Hall at this point in time. They’ll have their crack at him in the summer and there are other teams with better trade assets than Edmonton. However, as I’ve said before, the ball is in Hall’s court. He’s the one with the NMC.
As for Klefbom, Bob Stauffer (630CHED) has intimated on numerous occasions this year that Klefbom’s contract isn’t insured even going as far as saying “I know the answer but I’m not telling you.” on his daily radio show. Which begs the question, how far does Stauffer’s reach go in the Oilers organization if he’s got his hands on that kind of private info?
So I’m going to make an educated guess that it’s not insured and Klefbom will remain an Edmonton Oiler beyond this summer’s expansion draft. Just imagine if he comes back to play… A defense core that includes Nurse, Larsson, Bouchard, and Bear? That, I like.
Scott Burnside (The Athletic): Wonders if there’s a market for Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba at the deadline that would give the Wild a first or second round draft pick and an asset or two or a young NHL-ready player that wouldn’t need to be protected at the expansion draft.
- He adds that maybe there’s a deal for Panthers GM Bill Zito to make before the expansion draft trading goaltender Chris Driedger to a team like the Edmonton Oilers or the Buffalo Sabres but also says as good as goalie of the future Spencer Knight might be someday, Florida is a legit Stanley Cup contender in a division that features three legit Cup contenders. Goaltending depth is critical even if it means watching Driedger walk as a free agent this off-season.
- James Reimer looks to be the most likely to be traded out of Carolina if they make a move with their goaltending.
- Taylor Hall is a shadow of the player he once was, so buyer beware warns Burnside.
- John Klingberg could be a surprise trade candidate because he has one more year on his deal and no-trade protection and then he’ll become a UFA at the same time Miro Heiskanen will be a restricted free agent. Can the Stars afford to pay around $13M for the pair in a flat cap era?
The Fourth Period: Speculates that the Buffalo Sabres could move big right-shot defender Rasmus Ristolainen and mentions the Winnipeg Jets, Montreal Canadiens, and Carolina Hurricanes as clubs still in the market for a defenseman.
- The Pittsburgh Penguins are believed to be in the market for a physical power forward but not expected to make a big splash today or Monday, but some cosmetic changes could be in the cards for Ron Hextall.
- The Carolina Hurricanes are looking for a top-four right-shot defenceman signed beyond this season, as TFP reported on Friday, and one player they have had talks about is Anaheim Ducks defenceman Josh Manson, who has one more year left on his contract… The Hurricanes have also been linked to Buffalo Sabres blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen and asked the Los Angeles Kings about Sean Walker.
- Several teams are believed to have interest in Detroit Red Wings d-man Jon Merrill, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, Vegas Golden Knights and Pittsburgh Penguins.
- The Edmonton Oilers have reportedly shown interest in several forwards, including former Oiler and current Buffalo Sabres left wing Taylor Hall, St. Louis Blues sniper Mike Hoffman, Nashville Predators forward Mikael Granlund and Anaheim Ducks winger Rickard Rakell, who has one-year left on his contract after this season.
BLH’s Thoughts: I’ve heard that the Oilers have cooled on Rakell a bit because there might be an unsavory injury history there. Things could change though.
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