BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Konstantin Okulov (CSKA), Chris Driedger (FLA), Rod Brind’Amour (CAR), and more!
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NHL Rumors and Speculation
The Fourth Period: According to Geoff Baker (Seattle Times), KHL forward Konstantin Okulov of CSKA Moscow is believed to be a player on Seattle’s radar.
- In 55 games with CSKA this past season, Okulov registered 18 goals and 31 assists for 49 points, along with six goals and 20 points in 23 playoff games.
Aaron Portzline (The Athletic): When Columbus Blue Jackets’ GM Jarmo Kekalainen heads into the talent-acquisition mode of his offseason, the overwhelming focus will be center ice.
- It’s hard to imagine Kekalainen adding three centers this offseason — truth be told, he might be lucky to add one prominent center, given how hard they are to pry off a roster — but how many does he feel he needs?
James Mirtle (The Athletic): As Mirtle was talking about the Leafs plans for next season, he nonchalantly threw in that the Seattle Kraken have their eyes on somebody specific,
- “There are going to be all kinds of goalies available between the expansion draft and free agency. (Sources say Seattle likes Chris Driedger as one of their goalies, by the way.)”
Elliotte Friedman (Sportsnet): Recently commented on the latest regarding Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour’s ongoing contract negotiations with his current club.
- “I understand that one of the biggest issues there is that Brind’Amour has asked that as much as he wants himself to get a contract extension, he also wants extensions for his coaching staff, the training staff and the equipment staff, which also are not signed for next year,” said Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman during the Headlines segment on Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday. “And he said as much as a priority as his contract is, that is also an enormous priority for [Brind’Amour]. So what he is telling the organization is that he wants a situation where they are taken care of as well.”
Anthony Scultore (The Daily Goal Horn): Is Rod Brind’Amour playing hardball with the Carolina Hurricanes because the Seattle Kraken are his backup plan?
- “In just under three seasons as an NHL coach, Brind’Amour has amassed a record of 116-64-19. Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want him? This should get done soon, unless Rod wants to hear what his old buddy Ron Francis has to say out in Seattle.”
- “The Seattle Kraken have made it a point not to rush a coaching hire saying they would go all the way up to June 30th if they need to. It’s not like there aren’t excellent coaching candidates available in Gerard Gallant and Claude Julien for instance. So who is Ron wanting for? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this one out.
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