BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Brent Burns (SJ), Rasmus Ristolainen (BUF), Zach Bogosian (TOR), and more!
This is not the kind of news Edmonton Oilers fans will like.
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NHL Rumors and Speculation
Larry Brooks (NY Post):Brooks feels they (New York Rangers) need to add a veteran presence to their blue line. Someone in their mid-to-late 20s or even in their thirties from a winning program, preferably with a Stanley Cup on his resume, would be ideal.
- Lyle Richardson (Spector’s Hockey): The Rangers could look into this year’s unrestricted free agent market to address that need. The one who best fits that description is Vegas’ Alec Martinez (33), who won two Stanley Cups with the Los Angeles Kings. Minnesota’s Ian Cole and Toronto’s Zach Bogosian also have Stanley Cups on their resume but aren’t as skilled as Martinez.
Elliotte Friedman (Sportsnet): Dmitrij Jaskin‘s could be looking to return to the NHL next season after two years in the KHL. The Arizona Coyotes could be the front-runners on a two-year deal.
- Sounds like the New Jersey Devils and GM Tom Fitzgerald are working on a contract extension.
- The Carolina Hurricanes are working on a contract extension with head coach Rob Brind’Amour. Believe it will get done but it has been it’s been a challenge. Some teams are wanting to reign in coaching and front-office salaries.
- Expect talks between the Vancouver Canucks and Travis Green to get serious soon.
- Wonders if AHL Bakersfield’s Jay Woodcroft becomes a dark horse for any future coaching openings.
BLH’s Thoughts: This would be a massive blow to the Oilers’ developmental system but not exactly surprising if it did happen. Woodcroft and former Edmonton Oilers rearguard Dave Manson have worked miracles with Edmonton’s farm team. For the first time in a long time, the Oilers are very close to having a steady stream of plug-and-play prospects and those two coaches have a lot to do with that.
The big problem they had before was that the coaches were more interested in winning games than developing the young talent and the kids that were sent to Bakersfield to play never got the required ice-time and leash.
It’s different now. Woodcroft knows his role in the organization and he’s very good at man management. Every time you hear him on Edmonton sports talk radio he’s never at a loss for positive words for his players.
I like this coach and hope he can stay with the Oilers organization for a long time considering what he’s doing for them but we all know that his goal is to make it back to the NHL as a head coach. My question is, could he be Dave Tippett’s replacement in couple of seasons when his contract expires and the roster is full of players he’s sent to the NHL?
John Vogl (The Athletic): Rasmus Ristolainen has one year left on his deal at $5.4 million and will become a UFA after his deal is up. He’ll unlikely be interested in signing back on after all the losing in Buffalo since he arrived.
Stan Sweeney (NTR): According to multiple reports the Seattle Kraken are expected to take a long-look at San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns, as they create their roster this upcoming offseason.
- “Erik Karlsson and Marc-Edouard Vlasic, have full no-move protection and are unlikely to waive it. Internally, it’s a decision the Sharks will need to wrestle over and if they do make Burns available, then it’ll be up to Seattle to decide if it wants to add a 36-year-old, earning $8 million until 2025.”
Sources: Spector’s Hockey, nhlrumors.com, nhltraderumors.com, The Athletic
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