BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Taylor Hall (BUF), Mike Hoffman (STL), Mike Smith (EDM), Adrian Kempe (LA), and more!
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.
*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
Mark Spector (Sportsnet): A good thing about depth is having the luxury of plugging players in when there are injuries, etc. There are a few bad things though. The same deficiencies can get repeatedly exposed. Edmonton needs a third-line center and top-six winger. With this unique of a deadline, Ken Holland‘s standing pat may be the most prudent idea possible.
I'm hearing some quiet whispers that Edmonton could be in on Hall but the only way I see that happening is if Hall denies a trade everywhere else.
Would Kevyn Adams take a handful of contracts and a conditional first rounder to move Hall?#LetsGoOilers
— BLH (Edmonton Oilers Enthusiast} (@BeerLeagueHeroe) April 8, 2021
Pierre LeBrun (TSN): Mike Hoffman hasn’t worked out well as well as hoped in St. Louis and the pending UFA could be on the move despite the Blues not being out of the playoff race.
Chris Johnston (Sportsnet): Doesn’t think the Buffalo Sabres trading Taylor Hall by Monday is as open-and-shut as much as most think.
“That’s one that has my attention. I’m not sure which way it’s going to go yet. I do think there’s the potential circumstance where he’s not moved, just because some of the cap issues, other teams maybe not being able to talk extension with him. I think that there’s a lot of moving parts to that one, even though he is a rental player.
Oilers Now: GM Ken Holland intimated this week that he’d be open to bringing Mike Smith back next season.
- “I don’t look at age, I look at how you play. If he keeps going what he’s going, why wouldn’t we want to do it again? He’s playing at a high level.”
Frank Seravalli (TSN): Henrik Lundqvist has very quietly continued to skate, he is intent on resuming his career after undergoing open-heart surgery so long as his health allows. He’s awaiting word from doctors this week, a critical appointment that will determine his near-term and long-term future. The Washington Capitals, while everything would have to go right, aren’t ruling out a return for Henrik Lundqvist this season.
I’d be shocked if there’s not a new backup by Monday https://t.co/XbzFJmfiHY
— Adrian Dater (@adater) April 8, 2021
The Fourth Period: In an interview with TSN, Treliving admitted that while he’s got to focus on Monday’s 3pm ET trade deadline, he will also be keeping the future in mind when it comes to making any deals.
- “We’ve got a trade deadline that’s upon us on Monday, so we’ll look at seeing what, if anything, takes place there and then we continue to work at it every day… In terms of making any proclamations on the direction of the team, we’ll save that for another day.”
Josh Yohe (The Athletic): Believes defenceman Marcus Pettersson may be expendable due to the emergence of youngster P.O. Joseph. The Penguins lack high-level prospects and draft picks to give away for rentals.
Mark Zwolinski (Toronto Star): Said recent reports have the Maple Leafs linked to Calgary Flames forward Sam Bennett and Nashville Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm. An industry source told Zwolinski the Leafs have been heavily scouting Los Angeles Kings right-winger Adrian Kempe. They’re also believed eyeing Predators forward Mikael Granlund. Salary cap space is a major consideration as the Leafs are among nine teams with less than $1 million in cap room.
- “One name that hasn’t been mentioned is Kings right winger Adrian Kempe. According to an industry source who requested anonymity, the 24-year-old Kempe has been heavily scouted by the Leafs. At six-foot-two and 200 pounds, he would come with a $2-million (U.S.) salary-cap hit this year and next before restricted free agency.”
No Hoffman or Bortuzzo for warmups. They appear to be healthy scratches. Looks like Blais and Walman will take their spot in the lineup. #stlblues
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) April 8, 2021
Sources: nhlrumors.com, NHl Trade Talk, nhltraderumors.me, Spector’s Hockey
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