BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Jake DeBrusk (BOS), Mikael Granlund (NSH), Anthony Mantha (DET), 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
David Pagnotta (TFP): The Buffalo Sabres want a 1st round pick and a prospect for Taylor Hall (50% salary retained.
The Fourth Period: The Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, and Buffalo Sabres have poked around at Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins in the past.
- There is some talk outside of the Bruins organization that goaltender Tuukka Rask is playing his final season.
- Mikael Granlund (NSH) has been linked to the Edmonton Oilers.
- New Jersey Devils players Ryan Murray and Aaron Dell are generating trade interest. Bot could be moved by Monday’s trade deadline.
- The Tampa Bay Lightning have been linked to Detroit Red Wings defenseman Marc Staal.
- The Vegas Golden Knights are rumored to be looking at Red Wings center Luke Glendening.
Pierre LeBrun (TSN): “It’s going to take a 1st round pick and a top prospect to get your hands on Anaheim Ducks defenseman Josh Manson.”
- The St. Louis Blues have indicated that they are willing to move pending UFAs like Mike Hoffman and Tyler Bozak.
Aaron Portzline (The Athletic): Nick Foligno would be open to signing with the Blue Jackets in free agency after he’s had a chance at the cup with another team.
- Foligno is drawing interest from Colorado, Minnesota and Toronto.
Dan Kingerski (Pittsburgh Hockey Now): lists three players as some “Big Name Targets” for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
- Anthony Mantha (DET) – What might he look like playing beside a generational talent who can get him the puck in scoring areas?… If Detroit saw something it liked, the Penguins could part with a defenseman, a prospect, or even a well-salaried winger to make room.
- Sam Bennett (CGY) – He’s a playoff performer. His nickname is Playoff Sam. He’s a gritty, tough western Canadian forward who fits the mold of Burke’s stated objective… The Penguins can offer a legitimate NHL player, forward or defense, or a higher 2022 draft pick. Perhaps a second-rounder? The Penguins could also offer a defenseman.
- The Penguins can offer a legitimate NHL player, forward or defense, or a higher 2022 draft pick. Perhaps a second-rounder? The Penguins could also offer a defenseman.
- Jake Virtanen (VAN) – Virtanen is a hitter. A ferocious hitter. He also scored 36 points in 69 games last season, including 18 goals. He had 15 goals two years ago… Vancouver should want a young prospect or NHL help… Vancouver has literally ZERO cap space. Any deal would have to create space for them, so scratch any of the Penguins veterans who make more than $2.55 million, unless the Penguins offer to eat years of salary.
The Athletic: The St. Louis Blues could be a seller going into Monday’s trade deadline and with that they might have some of the best pieces on the market in players like Mike Hoffman, Vince Dunn, Jaden Schwartz, and Tyler Bozak.
- New Jersey, Buffalo and Detroit head the list of teams most heavily invested in a sell-now approach with Columbus, Calgary and Anaheim moving up fast.
- In terms of buyers, the Avalanche and Maple Leafs remain the consensus most likely to buy after the Islanders got their deal done, although one source mentioned the Brendan Gallagher injury as a potential market shifter.
- Nashville becomes the most fascinating team to watch in the final days before the trade deadline. We’ve moved Mattias Ekholm well down the trade board because of Nashville’s leap back into a playoff spot.
- The two favorites to advance to the Stanley Cup Final — Tampa Bay and Colorado — could use a proven backup goalie and there remains an easy connection to make to Detroit’s Jonathan Bernier for both.
- For teams interested in a younger player who would remain under team control, Jake DeBrusk might be the most interesting option. Teams continue to call the Bruins to inquire about DeBrusk and get a sense of what it would take to acquire the 24-year-old winger.
- It is expected that Calgary will make deeper cuts to a core group that appears to have gotten stale and seems out of step with how Sutter wants them to play.
- The Devils likely aren’t done considering they are loaded with options to build out defensive depth for buyers. Ryan Murray has had this weird uptick in offense just the last week (six points in a three-game stretch) and has been reasonably healthy of late.
- Florida goalie Chris Driedger remains on the list but the Panthers’ surprising success this season keeps him sliding down to the bottom. At this point, it’s a long shot that he gets moved but we’re not ruling it out completely.
- With Palmieri off the board, focus shifts to Taylor Hall, who has publicly stated his willingness to waive his no-move clause to go to a contender, and any number of possible suitors seeking a top-six forward would be in the bidding, if they can make the salary and compensation work.
- The pricetag on defensemen in that Detroit trio (Staal, Merrill, and Nemeth) by one executive, was estimated to be in the fourth-round range. And, depending upon how the Flyers approach the deadline, Erik Gustafsson is a player who can quarterback a power play and was a trade-deadline move a year ago (Chicago to Calgary).
Give us a follow on the socials!
- Youtube: Beer League Heroes Channel
- Twitter: @beerleagueheroe
- Instagram: @beerleagueheroes
- Facebook: Beer League Heroes
