BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Tuukka Rask (BOS), Max Domi (CBJ), Frederik Andersen (TOR), and many 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…
NHL Rumors and Speculation
Stan Sweeney: Believes the fit between the Columbus Blue Jackets and forward Max Domi isn’t working out and anticipates there will be trade interest in the player from these three teams this summer,
- Minnesota Wild: The 26-year-old Domi would provide the Wild with another option for their top-2 center positions. The Wild have a ton of depth on defense so these two make a ton of sense as trade partners.
- Edmonton Oilers: The Oilers need help up front and Domi would be a great option as a #3 center for the Oil, or something who can fill in on their top-six if there’s an injury. This will especially be the case if Edmonton is unable to sign Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to an extension, look for them to bring in some fresh faces via trade if they let RNH walk.
- Anaheim Ducks: The Ducks have a tremendous amount of depth on defense with the likes of Cam Fowler and Josh Manson, two defensemen who the Jackets could have interest in acquiring.
BLH’s Thoughts: Unless Connor McDavid goes out on a limb to get the Oilers to bring in Max Domi, I’m not sure he’d be a fit in Edmonton. Yes, they could use a third-line pivot who can move up into the top-six as a winger and I think most fans would love to have an abrasive Theo Fleury-like forward on the team, but personally, I’m concerned about how his career is trending. Plus that $5.3M/yr contract is a massive hurdle not to mention that he’s going to be paid $6M next year. If they want him, I’d suggest waiting until the 2022 offseason when he’s a UFA.
Anthony Scultore (Daily Goal Horn): Lists out the top-5 UFA goaltenders heading to the free agency market this summer,
- Tuukka Rask: The Bruins may like to brink him back, but it won’t be for the $7 million AAV he’s coming off of. That being said, some desperate Cup contender just might if he hits the open market.
- Frederik Andersen: The 31 year-old is currently on LTIR, and earns $5 million AAV. He will be looking for a raise, but it appears the Leafs may be very happy with Jack Campbell going forward.
- Pekka Rinne: If Rinne is looking to play past this season and the Preds want to go a different direction, will he retire? Or chase a Cup with a contender on a one year-deal? That’s the question.
- Phillip Grubauer: The Colorado Avalanche will look to lock up the 29 year-old Grubauer but they will have to fork over more than his current $3.33 AAV.
- Linus Ullmark: The Sabres want to keep him and thus refused to move him at the deadline, his camp may be looking at the freedom of free agency. We will see where this goes
Craig Morgan (AZ Coyotes Insider): Dmitri Jaskin’s agent Allain Roy has confirmed that the Arizona Coyotes are one of the teams they are talking to, but that no decision has been made yet.
Steven Ellis (The Hockey News): Lists out 15 overage players to keep an eye on at the 2021 NHL Draft,
- James Hardie, LW – Hardie has quick hands and despite not being a big kid, he puts a ton of power into his wrist shot. Hardie’s skating was good enough to hang with some top talent, albeit not at a level that sets him apart from other big goal scorers.
- Janis Moser, D – Moser’s skating has taken big leaps, specifically in how much quicker he is off of his first stride and he wastes little effort getting back into his zone to retrieve a puck. He’s more offensively minded, too, and his coaches continue to give him opportunities to move the puck without any real restraints. His defensive awareness, specifically how he gets himself to break up passing lanes, has always been a nice trait of his.
- Ethan Cardwell, C – Cardwell has a solid wrist shot – nothing incredible about it, but the results show he knows what he’s doing – and his own zone play is a big asset that many other fringe prospects haven’t figured out.
- Joel Nystrom, D – The 18-year-old has fantastic acceleration and despite not seeing a ton of offense, his wrist shot often contains a nice degree of velocity. Nyström is a great puck-mover that doesn’t give up the puck often and doesn’t lose a ton of 1-on-1 battles going towards his own net.
- Zakhar Bardakov, F – Bardakov plays a power forward game, but at points, it looked like he was more focused on the power side of things, evidenced by leading the MHL in penalty minutes in consecutive years.
- Josh Doan, C – Doan’s most exciting trait is his all-out, never-stop-moving style that really makes you value him as a team player – he plays every shift like he’s on a tryout contract trying to earn one last shot at an NHL deal.
- Ilya Safonov, C – Scouts like his big 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame, but as he continues to develop, he has to prove he’s more than just a big body. Don’t be surprised if he’s selected in the top 100.
- Simon Knak, RW – Knak’s skating – in top speed, fluidness and acceleration – has taken nice leaps over the past few years and he has become a more confident shooter, too.
- Theo Rochette, C – He has some diamond in the rough potential and might get another look after a good season with the Remparts.
- Ruben Rafkin, D – Rafkin will never wow you in any particular area, but he doesn’t let playing against top competition drag him down and he has the energy and fight in him that you like to see in tight contests.
- Brett Brochu, G – It’s hard for a goalie to not get into any meaningful game action, but scouts took notice of what he did during the streamed Hockey Canada camp games and could – and should – take a chance on him.
- Florian Elias, C – For a small prospect, Elias does engage quite a bit physically and if you’re not paying attention, he’ll sneak up on you and take the puck down to the other end of the ice.
- Alexi Kolosov, G – Kolosov’s flexibility and athletic style can make him an entertaining goalie to watch, and while entertainment isn’t an actual goaltending trait, you can never count him out on a scoring chance.
- Pavel Tyutnev, C – At 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, he’s pretty feisty for his frame and he’s got one heck of a wrist shot.
- Josh Lopina, C – His mix of hard forechecking and penalty kill prowess could result in him getting some NHL attention down the line.
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