BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Tom Wilson (WAS), Evgeny Kuznetsov (WAS), Evander Kane (SJ), and more!
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
Sean Gentile (The Athletic): Says the NHL wants Tom Wilson in the league because he’s a feature of the league not a bug. As for not suspending Wilson for his attempted injury of Artemi Panarin, Gentile adds,
- “The option that didn’t involve asking nicely for whatever small bills Wilson had in his wallet — the pipe dream, in other words — was a reputation judgment. Four regular-season games falls below that threshold, and a first-round suspension was never going to happen, because — and this is important — the NHL didn’t want it to happen. For 15 minutes on Tuesday, it seemed like a cornball tweet from the Capitals’ official account was going to Streisand effect an actual punishment into reality. Then, everyone went to sleep, and voila, the league chose violence.“
BLH’s Thoughts: EXACTLY! With the NHL having new TV partners in the US, players like Wilson are going to be promotable. The easiest way to draw in new viewers and create new fans is to use the lowest hanging fruit and then use the McDavids and Ovechkins to draw them in further, or at least, that’s what I reckon.
Is it right? The purists, the woke, the SJWs, they’ll all say no and I can’t say I disagree with them but I don’t think that matters to these ginormous corporations. If it bleeds it leads.
Consider this, what was everybody talking about yesterday on every NHL podcast, radio show, TV show, etc? Tom Wilson and his non-suspension! And what will everybody be watching tonight? The Rangers/Capitals game. Why? Because they want to see if someone takes revenge on Wilson… This is SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT people!
Look, in a country where WWE and UFC are as popular as they are and with the NHL lagging WAY behind the MLB, NFL, and the NBA in addition to being in a precarious position financially. My feeling is that they’re willing to go down this route and then deal with the consequences later.
Chris Johnston (Sportsnet): Says the league didn’t suspend Wilson because the league didn’t look at the fact it was Tom Wilson who did this. Not only that, but they have an unwritten rule about scrums that left Panarin open to be abused.
Pierre LeBrun (TSN): Thinks that the Washington Capitals could consider trading center Evgeny Kuznetsov this summer because they might be getting tired of having to deal with his issues, inconsistent on-ice performances, and a $7.8M contract that the team is saddled with for another four years.
- “What I’m hearing is that, at some level, it’s starting to irritate some members of the Caps organization. Keep an eye on this one.”
BLH’s Thoughts: I do wonder if the Columbus Blue Jackets come calling on this one… Jarmo Kekalainen is in the market for a no.1 center and from the way it sounds, the Capitals would love nothing more than to move Kuznetsov, the headaches he’s bringing the team, and that bloated salary.
Sam Carchidi (Philadelphia Inquirer): Flyers chairman, Dave Scott believes they need another scorer, top pairing defenseman, and a backup to Carter Hart. Carchidi also relayed that Scott wasn’t happy with the job the coaching staff did this season.
- “All I can tell you is that we’re going to have a busy summer.” Scott continued. “I’m determined to get his thing back on track, and that ‘s everything from spending to the cap and giving the resources to Chuck and A.V. (Alain Vigneault).”
BLH’s Thoughts: It takes a lot to bring in a top-pairing defenseman. Perhaps they could swing a deal for John Klingberg (DAL) or one of Columbus’ top d-men since they’ll be looking for a big pay increase next summer. The Flyers were connected to a couple of Nashville Predators before the trade deadline, right? Ryan Ellis and Mattias Ekholm were the targets I do believe.
I wonder if they finally move Shane Gostisbehere like they’ve been trying to do for a few years now. Could he be the asset that gets the Flyers their scoring winger? How would Evander Kane look in Philly?
Another player who I think might be on the move is Nolan Patrick. Injuries have derailed his career in Philly and I’m thinking a change of scenery might be in store. Maybe his former GM in junior would look to bring him to Vegas?
Sources: The Athletic, nhltradetalk.com, thedailygoalhorn.com
Give us a follow on the socials!
- Youtube: Beer League Heroes Channel
- Twitter: @beerleagueheroe
- Instagram: @beerleagueheroes
- Facebook: Beer League Heroes
