Speculating from an Edmonton Oilers fan’s perspective, BLH comments on the latest NHL rumors featuring players such as PK Subban, Jonathan Marchessault, Ville Husso, Tim Stutzle, and many more!
Leon Draisaitl upon hearing that his friend Dominik Kahun will be signing with the #Oilers. pic.twitter.com/S09jFDBqDw
— BLH (Edmonton Oilers Enthusiast} (@BeerLeagueHeroe) November 2, 2020
The News and Rumors
- Joe Haggerty (Boston Hockey NOW): Believes that the Edmonton Oilers are among a handful of teams that could be in on UFA forward Mike Hoffman.
BLH’s Thoughts: I can’t see that being the case anymore with the Oilers picking up Dominik Kahun for a cool 975k. Who knows what might happen next summer though?
- Bruce Garrioch (Ottawa Sun): 2020 first-round pick Tim Stuetzle is under contract with Mannheim this season but there is the expectation that he’ll be released in time for the start of the Ottawa Senators training camp.
BLH’s Thoughts: As long as his club team in Germany releases him, there shouldn’t be any problems. I can’t wait to watch this young fella, especially if there’s an all-Canadian division.
- Jim Thomas (St. Louis Post-Dispatch): Barring the acquisition of a backup goaltender, it’s looking like Ville Husso will back up Jordan Binnington.
BLH’s Thoughts: Husso has been marinating in the minors for four seasons and the three seasons prior to that he was a starter in the SM-Liiga for HIFK. It’s about time the Blues graduate this guy.
- Jeremy Rutherford (The Athletic): Figures the St. Louis Blues might be interested in Corey Perry as someone who could bring some leadership qualities to the club while Alex Steen is out.
BLH’s Thoughts: Makes some sense I suppose. The Blues are a pretty veteran-laden club though. If the GM is bringing in a player who’s on his last legs for “leadership”, what kind of message does that send to the rest of the roster. After watching how the Pietrangelo debacle played out, I can’t imagine bringing Perry in to help out in the locker room would go over well.
- Ryan Dixon (Sportsnet): P.K. Subban could be a trade piece out of New Jersey if the Devils were willing to retain a good chunk of his salary for the last two seasons, getting a decent pick or prospect back in return.
BLH’s Thoughts: Do you think the Predators would bring him back to Nashville with all that cap room for the final two years of his deal?
- Ron Francis (Seattle Kraken GM via The Athletic): On hiring a head coach, “We don’t know yet the kind of team we may be able to draft, so we’re comfortable kind of sitting back and waiting right now and watching what happens here. There’s still, hopefully, a 2020-21 season getting up and running and playing. Are there guys that end up losing their jobs or looking for other things elsewhere? I just think we have time on this. We’re not in a race to make that decision at this point.”
BLH’s Thoughts: You can’t say this isn’t a prudent way to go about the hiring of the club’s first coach. And it won’t be just the head coach, the assistants will need to come along as well and nobody knows who is going to be available by the time the Kraken are ready to hire.
- Adam Vingan (The Athletic): As one of a few teams with ample space, the Predators are in a position to take advantage of high-spending clubs by poaching quality players at a fraction of the cost. Although the Golden Knights now have less need to make such a deal, it still is an interesting thought (Nashville trading for Jonathan Marchessault).
- Jesse Granger wrote Tuesday that “staying below the $81.5 million ceiling is going to be a constant balancing act for the Golden Knights this season.” If that proves to be too difficult, then the Predators should come calling.
BLH’s Thoughts: Nashville has played this off-season quite well, in my opinion. They have a lot of options and will be of great value to some teams who are tight to the salary cap or over it and need to make some moves to help relieve some of that financial stress.
As for Marchessault heading there, he should be stoked if it comes to reality. Nashville is a gorgeous city, the fans are amazing, and the in-game experience is amongst the best in the whole NHL. Plus, as a player, he can still walk around in public without getting stopped by fans everywhere.
Marchessault has actually been pretty lucky with where he’s played his NHL hockey. Florida, Vegas, and maybe Nashville… Some pretty decent locales if you’re asking me.
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