Coming from an Edmonton Oilers fan’s perspective, BLH comments on the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation featuring Patrik Laine, Jonathan Toews, Brent Burns, and more!
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NHL Rumors and Speculation
- Shug McSween (NHLTradeRumors.me): According to McSween, when word got out that the stars in Chicago were unhappy with the direction their team was going, the Winnipeg Jets called up and offered Patrik Laine in a deal for Jonathan Toews. He goes on to speculate on a possible transaction saying, “It would have to include something more than Laine to make it work. Something along the lines of a first-round pick and the last year of Mathieu Perreault’s deal.”
BLH’s Thoughts: This is an interesting bit of speculation being floated out there. I don’t doubt that Toews would be willing to return to his home to play out the remainder of his career, but my feeling is that he’d probably rather do it when the club is a bit better than it is right now. Akin to when Bryan Trottier went to win with the Pittsburgh Penguins after all of those seasons with the Islanders.
For me, I think that Chicago and Winnipeg are most likely best off keeping their stars and working with what they have right now. Besides, as good as Captain Serious is, the Jets stand to lose the most in a trade like this moving a young pure goal-scorer and a first-round pick for an aging super star.
- TSN Radio Vancouver: Thomas Drance of The Athletic believes that the Vancouver Canucks may be forced into considering short-term extensions for star youngsters Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes when their deals expire next off-season. He adds that how the New York Islanders handle their Mat Barzal may dictate the direction GM Jim Benning goes.
BLH’s Thoughts: Can you hear that? Off in the distance. You can barely here them. The low rumblings of offer-sheet rumors…
If Benning doesn’t get these two tied up before the off-season, you can bet your bottom dollar that the offer-sheet speculation will be rampant. I mean lnowing that Canucks ownership is notorious for hating to spend on its stars AND a pandemic happening at the same time… I hope you’ve got your popcorn ready.
- Kevin Kurz (The Athletic): Kurz thinks that San Jose’s most likely trade candidates are Devan Dubnyk, Marcus Sorensen, Patrick Marleau, Matt Nieto, and Stefan Noesen should the club be sellers at the trade deadline. Brent Burns was also brought up as the likeliest of their big-name defenders to be traded IF the Sharks could find a willing taker for the 36yr old and his massive $8M/yr deal that doesn’t expire for another five seasons.
BLH’s Thoughts: I would be shocked if anybody even stayed on the line with Doug Wilson should the name of Brent Burns be brought up in a conversation. As for the other players listed, Dubnyk might have some value if he playes well. Sorensen and Nieto won’t bring you any offense, but they’ll contribute to the muckier side of the game. Noesen has had a bit of an emergence in San Jose, I’m just sure if he’d get the club much in a trade. As for old man Marleau, a team like the Edmonton Oilers might look at him for playoff depth and locker room guidance given all the post-season experience he has.
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