BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (EDM), Filip Chytil (NYR), Pekka Rinne (NSH), and more!
This is not the kind of news Edmonton Oilers fans will like.
What’s the plan for Edmonton’s defense after this season? Check that out here!
Are the Edmonton Oilers poised to make a tough trade before next year? Maybe…
*NEW* Three Teams want to get tougher and are targeting Zack Kassian. Read about that here!
NHL Rumors and Speculation
TSN: Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dougie Hamilton topped Frank Seravalli’s recent list of this summer’s top unrestricted free agents. Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Boston Bruins winger Taylor Hall, Toronto Maple Leafs winger Zach Hyman and Oilers defenseman Tyson Barrie round out the top five.
Lyle Richardson (Spector’s Hockey): The Oilers hope to re-sign Nugent-Hopkins but that will depend on what he’s seeking in terms of salary. He’s completing a seven-year, $42 million contract. Barrie’s future in Edmonton is less clear.
THE BOSTON GLOBE: Matt Porter examined possible paths for the Boston Bruins to acquire Jack Eichel.
- “One way to afford him: let unrestricted free agents David Krejci ($7.25 million), Jaroslav Halak ($2.25 million), and Sean Kuraly ($1.275 million) walk, which would free up $10.775 million in cap space. That’s without considering a Hall extension, and other UFAs (Mike Reilly, due a raise on his $1.5 million AAV). The Bruins will also shed David Backes’s $1.5 million retained cap hit this summer. Money doesn’t have to be the holdup.”
- ” In this scenario, it would be good business to ask for David Pastrnak or Charlie McAvoy.”
- “Neither is anywhere near expendable. But if the Bruins wanted Eichel and those were the choices, parting with Pastrnak seems more reasonable than McAvoy. Finding an elite winger is easier than landing a do-it-all defensemen (or game-changing center). It would be painful to try to replace Pastrnak’s dynamic blend of offensive skills (not to mention his charisma), but the Bruins would still have elite forward pairs with Marchand-Bergeron and Hall-Eichel. They wouldn’t have anyone who matches McAvoy’s three-zone effectiveness.”
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks makes the case for the New York Rangers to sign Pekka Rinne if the Nashville Predators goaltender becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. He feels the 38-year-old Rinne would bring much-needed leadership to the Rangers’ dressing room and act as a mentor for starting goalie Igor Shesterkin.
Brooks believes Alexandar Georgiev, the Rangers’ current backup, might benefit from a change of scenery if the Blueshirts move him and his $2.425 million cap hit.
Kevin Kurz (The Athletic): It seems unlikely that pending RFA forward Donato will be back with the Sharks next season. They could look to trade him or possibly not send him a qualifying offer.
Aaron Portzline (The Athletic): Says former Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella tried to leave the club after his fifth season.
- “The Athletic confirmed this week, however, that Tortorella tried to step down last offseason after the Blue Jackets were bounced from the bubble in Toronto following a qualifying-round win over Toronto and a first-round playoff loss to Tampa Bay. The veteran coach was reading the room and reading the tea leaves, realizing the direction of the club was heading was nothing close to what he thought they were building just two years earlier.”
Allan Mitchell (The Athletic): Thinks the Oilers may target the Rangers as an offseason trade partner. In particular, he has three potential players in mind to address some of Edmonton’s needs.
- Filip Chytil – “Chytil is 6-foot-2, 206 pounds and has impressive skill plus speed. He can win puck battles and pass well and has a good, quick release. He also has defensive acumen and could slide in on the 97 line with Jesse Puljujarvi and help provide two big, skilled wingers with speed next season.”
- Alexandr Georgiev – “Georgiev doesn’t represent a clear upgrade on Koskinen, but he is less expensive. It’s also possible the Oilers could make a deal for more assets by taking on Georgiev’s contract and moving Koskinen elsewhere by trade or buyout. At 25, Georgiev should be a productive NHL goaltender for years to come.”
- Julien Gauthier – “I see Gauthier as a possible replacement for Alex Chiasson. The Rangers winger is an RFA whose cap hit was $863,333 in 2020-21, so he should come in at a reasonable number. Gauthier could slide up the depth chart when one of Puljujarvi or Yamamoto slump and increase competition among the younger group (he turns 24 in October).”
Sources: Spector’s Hockey, nhltraderumors.com, thedailygoalhorn.com
Give us a follow on the socials!
- Youtube: Beer League Heroes Channel
- Twitter: @beerleagueheroe
- Instagram: @beerleagueheroes
- Facebook: Beer League Heroes
