BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Mattias Ekhom (NSH), Jack Eichel (BUF), Jake Bean (CAR), and a whack of HF Boards mock trades!
This is not the kind of news Edmonton Oilers fans will like.
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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
LOS ANGELES TIMES: Helene Elliott believes Kings GM Rob Blake is on the clock to transform his club into a playoff team. He’s under pressure to use his $20 million in salary-cap space and the young talent he’s accumulated and turn the Kings into a Stanley Cup contender.
THE ATHLETIC: Lisa Dillman believes adding one or two top-six wingers for Kopitar’s line should be among the Kings’ priorities this summer. Given their prospect depth, Dillman proposed they consider shopping their first-round pick if it remains at eighth overall following the draft lottery.
They could also use some help on the left side of their defense. She suggested checking into the availability of Nashville Predators blueliner Mattias Ekholm or the Carolina Hurricanes’ Jake Bean. Perhaps Vegas Golden Knights pending UFA Alec Martinez might be willing to return to the Kings.
Shawn Simpson (TSN): The Ottawa Senators are looking for a No. 1 center and a top defenseman.
- “In a proper rebuild, the cost would ruin the process. Stay the course and keep things in the hands of Mr. Mann and the amateur side. A year or two from now, they can enter the big boy buyers market.”
Pierre LeBrun (The Athletic): Philadelphia Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher said defensively they didn’t live up to expectations and played poorly.
The Flyers should have a busy offseason. sees them showing some interest in Buffalo Sabres Jack Eichel. They could also call the Nashville Predators again about defensemen Mattias Ekholm or Ryan Ellis. If the Columbus Blue Jackets aren’t able to extend Seth Jones and start listening to offers, the Flyers will be calling.
HF Boards Mock Trades
1 – From Web in Power:
To MIN: Evgeny Kuznetsov + Nick Jensen
To WAS: Kevin Fiala + Matt Dumba
- “Done before the expansion draft (Wild protect Kuz, Zucc, JEE, Foligno, Greenway, Parise, Hartman, Suter, Spurgeon, Brodin; Caps protect Ovie, Backstrom, Mantha, Oshie, Wilson, Fiala, Eller, Carlson, Orlov, Dumba). How much would Minnesota need to add? One of their firsts or is it closer than that as is due to Kuznetsov’s off-ice issues?”
2 – From Kevin Mustro:
To OTT: Nikita Zadorov
To CHI: Logan Brown
3 – From jonlin:
To BUF: SAm Reinhart, Rasmus Ristolainen, 2022 1st round pick
To CBJ: Zach Werenski and Max Domi
- “Columbus get a better C and Buffalo upgrade their D. Buffalo adds a 1st getting the best player in the trade.”
4 – From Heusy_70:
To ANA: Pavel Buchnevich, Carter Savoie
To EDM: Rickard Rakell 50% retained
To NYR: Isac Lundestrom, Oilers 2021 1st, Oilers 2022 2nd
- “Edmonton can easily be swapped out here for whichever other teams would be willing to give up a 1st and a couple B assets for Rakell at 1.9M. Considered also using Manson for this portion of the trade.If Buchnevich is available, he represents the type of player Anaheim needs to be looking into. He’s proving he can produce and he’s young enough to commit to long term. It’s difficult to give up a young NHL center with upside in Lundestrom, but the Ducks top 6 could use at least one more sure thing.
From the Rangers side, I read a couple comments that a cheap young center who could slide into a 3C role, would represent at least one of your needs. Lundestrom is a strong and competitive, in the very least will round out as a solid character center. He’s still sort of finding his identity on the offensive side, remains to be seen whether he can grow into top 6 type production. Sam Steel was another consideration but I thought Lundestrom offered more value at this point.
Again I was sort of operating under the notion that there might not be enough long term money to give Buchnevich a big extension, hence the offering of cheap young assets. But if its rather a case of the Rangers needing to spend that money on other needs (have read that a top four D upgrade would be one of them), would there would any chance that a Fowler/Buch trade could be possible?”
5. From Unbiased Fan:
To SJ: Erik Karlsson
To FLA: Sergei Bobrovski and a 2022 first rounder
- “Florida gets rid of a goalie the don’t need that’s blocking Knight. Drieger and Knight is a great tandem at 1/4th the price. Karlsson while overpaid could be a great addition as PP specialist and a solid 5v5 contributor when payed with a defensively competent partner. IMO he’d put up 60+ points easily in Florida. Yandel could also be part of the trade as he becomes redundant.”
Sources: Spector’s Hockey, nhlrumors.com,
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