Speculating from an Edmonton Oilers fan’s perspective, BLH comments on the latest NHL rumors featuring players such as Noah Hanifin, Nick Leddy, Jimmy Howard, Scott Darling, and more!
The News and Rumors
- Jimmy Murphy (Florida Hockey NOW): Wonders if the Calgary Flames might shop defenceman Noah Hanifin for a cheaper right-shot defender. Murphy ponders upon clubs like Boston, Detroit, Buffalo, and Columbus as teams who could give the Flames a phone call and ask about Hanifin.
- Murphy also wonders if Stars GM Jim Nill’s history in Detroit might have him considering old Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard as a temporary replacement for Ben Bishop while he recovers from surgery.
- The Montreal Canadiens are said to have pursued Islanders defenceman Nick Leddy according to Murphy.
BLH’s Thoughts: Calgary has five left-handed defenders signed up for this upcoming season; Mark Giordano, Hanifin, Juuso Valimaki, Nikita Nesterov, and Oliver Kylington. Rasmus Andersson and the newly-signed Chris Tanev will patrol the right side. I could be wrong but I thought I read Flames GM Brad Treliving say that Valimaki could play the right-side too. If that’s the cases, he’s a really good blueliner and there might not be any need to trade Hanifin aside from cutting some fat off the cap.
Anton Khudobin and Jake Oettinger can surely handle the netminding duties in Dallas while Bishop recovers, right? They did a fine job in the playoffs. Howard is done as an NHL goalie.
Where does Montreal even have room to bring in a player like Leddy? That one doesn’t make much sence to me. Are they trading someone like Jonathan Drouin for him because they only have a shade under 400k in cap space.
- Satiar Shah (Sportsnet): “We have heard that there might be a correction when it comes to head coaches salaries but when you look at what Travis Green was making and the fact that he’s not going to be commanding the same type of money that Barry Trotz did, or that Mike Babcock did or that Joel Quenneville did. I’m not sure I quite buy that Travis Green needs a correction on his future salary.”
- Rick Dhaliwal (Sportsnet): If the Canucks let Green hit free agency, he will be picked up by another team.
BLH’s Thoughts: This is an interesting way to find yourself a new coach… I’m sure other coaches, employed and unemployed alike, are watching this and making a note… What kind of message is it sending to the players on the team too though? Yikes…
- Lyle Richardson (Spector’s Hockey): Tony DeAngelo and Pavel Buchnevich are most likely trade candidates for the Rangers than Ryan Strome.
BLH’s Thoughts: I agree with Richardson. What Strome is making isn’t bank-breaking and centers are a helluva lot more valuable than wingers. As for DeAngelo, maybe his lip-flapping has cost him a bit more than he expected. Lucky for him, he’s got a future career as a podcast when everything is all said and done. I think New York is fine with Trouba and Fox in their top-4 for the next five years, so DeAngelo will price himself out of that organization. Do you think he’s the kind of guy who’d play in the KHL?
- Rick Dhaliwal (Sportsnet): An option for Canucks forward Michael Ferland could be to sit out the entire 2020-21 season and return healthy for the 2021-22 season.
BLH’s Thoughts: Whatever Ferland needs to get back to 100% health is what he should do. I’m a huge fan of his and the league is a much more entertaining place when he’s playing in it.
- James Mirtle (The Athletic): Maple Leafs forward Zach Hyman is expected to stay in Toronto and may even take a discount to stick around.
BLH’s Thoughts: Ok. Good for Toronto? I like him and I think he’d look nice on McDavid’s LW, I’m just not sure the Leafs couldn’t do better with the $3.5M or so that he might want on a new deal. That might be money they’d best be using on their defence or in net after they platoon Freddy Andersen out of town.
- Frank Seravalli (TSN): Has stated that no one has had a better offseason than the Ottawa Senators. He also reports that after signing Galchenyuk, the Sens might not be done. Kicking tires on a few others including Corey Perry — where there’s been mutual interest.
BLH’s Thoughts: We’ve heard this a couple of times now. There’s also talk that Perry might go back to Dallas. I mean, if you’re him, where would you rather go? I don’t even think it’s a debate.
- David Pagnotta (The Fourth Period): Scott Darling has signed a PTO with the Florida Panthers.
BLH’s Thoughts: Good for Darling. He’s had a tough go in recent years but he’s been working his ass off over in Europe and has earned a tryout to show every GM in the league who might need a backup or a good no.3 that he’s still got what it takes to be an NHL goalie.
#ReverseRetro @adidashockey pic.twitter.com/B9nhVAyK0b
— NHL (@NHL) November 10, 2020
Give us a follow on the socials!
- Twitter: @beerleagueheroe
- Instagram: @beerleagueheroes
- Facebook: Beer League Heroes
