Today’s edition of The Scoring Touch trade rumors features Joonas Korpisalo, Yakov Trenin, Calgary Flames, and more.
Let’s kick it off with the latest from former GM and player agent Brian Lawton from his appearance on Oilers Now (630 CHED) yesterday.
“I expect, in my opinion, that we won’t see TWO of the guys next year that played top-four this year.”
This is coming from the fella that broke the news that Dave Tippett was a candidate for the Oilers head coaching job last year, so there’s some credence to these words.
So… I think we can rule out Ethan Bear as one of the options. Oscar Klefbom’s contract is quite good for the amount of hockey he plays but health is a problem for him, Adam Larsson is a year away from unrestricted free agency but there’s a lack of depth on the right side at this very moment, and lastly, we have Darnell Nurse. He’s part of the Oilers leadership, plays a lot of hard minutes, and brings an edge to the club but he’ll be making a shade over $5M for the next two seasons and then a raise on top of that with arb rights when that contract expires.
The flat-cap is here for a few years and therefore money has to be amongst the highest of priorities for the Oilers. Holland has said that consistency is very important but there must be change. Would he move Edmonton’s #1 and #2 defensemen or risk upsetting McDavid by trading his BFF?
Bold moves are coming…
- James Mirtle: “According to multiple NHL teams, no fewer than four intriguing Toronto Maple Leafs players are being dangled to varying degrees: Frederik Andersen, Alex Kerfoot, Pierre Engvall, and Andreas Johnsson.”Lowetide: “Sounds like the ask on Andersen would be a player/prospect/pick with utility and a low cap hit, so Edmonton would need to offload Kris Russell to make it happen.”
BLH’s Thoughts: If the Oilers could find a way to send Mikko Koskinen back to Toronto in an Andersen trade, that’d be ideal, but I can’t see that happening. I’ve got some interest in Engvall though. He’s a big lanky forward with hands and speed. He’d be a cheap replacement for JJ Khaira possibly.
- David Pagnotta: Might not be the worst time to offer the Coyotes some draft picks for some current players…Interested to see which cap maxed team deals (or tries to deal) a draft pick or two for Hossa’s contract, to use on LTIR when needed next season.
- Dean Blundell: According to sources at MLSE, the team is in the middle of talks with the St Louis Blues, for a right-handed defenseman.The talks reportedly include LW Andreas Johnsson, RHD prospect Timothy Liljegren and the Maple Leafs newly acquired 1st round pick (15th overall) going to St Louis for defenseman Colton Parayko.
BLH’s Thoughts: Woof! That is quite the rumor. A Morgan Reilly/Colton Parayko pairing sounds dynamite and the Blues are going to need some scoring help now that Vladdy Tarasenko is out for another 5 months, so Johnsson addresses that in a minor fashion but what is the deal with Liljegren? The Maple Leafs don’t seem fancy the guy and he plays a position they’re looking to fill, right-hand puck-moving defenseman… He’s cheap and young too.
- Kevin Woodley on TSN1040: “I had someone tell me Joonas Korpisalo is on the block last night… I believe they like Merzlikins more. They have three more young guys in the system that might become even better. And they need help elsewhere in their lineup.There are options out there on the goalie market. You can’t afford to overspend and afford to get carried away on term with a Markstrom extension – but he’s undeniably the best option in goal for Vancouver right now.”
BLH’s Thoughts: It would not shock me if we started hearing Korpisalo to Edmonton rumors any day now. What would that kind of trade look like? What does Columbus even need?
- TSN1040 Post Game: Canucks forward Tyler Toffoli had suffered a high ankle sprain, he’s back in the lineup but not 100% fit yet.
- Johnny Gaudreau reacts to trade speculation: “To be honest, I hear it every once in a while now. But, to be honest, Calgary has been a second home to me … It’s a team I could see myself playing on for the rest of my career.”
- Adam Vingan: Nick Bonino probably has the most trade value among the Predators’ “non-core players.”Predators pending RFA Yakov Trenin was recently pictured with an executive with SKA Saint Petersburg of the KHL. It is unclear what it could mean for Trenin’s future with the Predators.
BLH’s Thoughts: Toffoli has been outstanding for Vancouver since the trade. Edmonton did have interest in him before he was dealt but could agree on the price tag (obviously). Maybe they circle back?
I wonder if Nashville might take a run at Gaudreau. They’re going to lose Granlund and Smith this offseason and Filip Forsberg can’t do all of the scoring for the Preds.
Aside from being a lefty, Bonino would be a rad 3C for the Oilers if he could come in a bit cheaper.
- NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly: “We would love to be in a position where we could open on Dec. 1 to full buildings in every one of our markets. That may or may not be possible and we don’t control that, so you have to adjust to that reality. That adjustment could take a variety of forms. It could be pushing back the start of the season until that might be possible, or it might be opening to partial buildings in either all the markets or a portion of the markets. We recognize there’s not a lot of certainty with respect to what this looks like yet, and there may not be for some period of time.”
BLH’s Thoughts: What if everyone entering the facility was required to wear a mask? Wouldn’t that get fans back in the seats? Teams could offer special gameday masks and/or certain incentives for fans who brought their own… I dunno. Just spitballing here.
- Blackhawks pending RFA Slater Koekkoek: “I would love to come back to Chicago. I’ve really enjoyed my time there. I owe Jeremy Colliton a lot for giving me that opportunity this season and allowing me go out and play my game. I hope to be back.”
- TheAthletic: Likely the Calgary Flames let go of Travis Hamonic, Erik Gustafsson, Mark Jankowski, and Michael Stone to free agency this off-season. Jankowski is an RFA, but he’s simply not worth a $1.75M qualifying offer.Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, Noah Hanifin, David Rittich, and Oliver Kylington are “movable” in the right deals with worthwhile returns.
BLH’s Thoughts: Gustafsson to the Oilers… C’mon… Interesting that Hanifin would be one of the players Calgary is willing to move since he’s only been on the club for a short time… On the other hand, Kylington should absolutely be a mainstay on that team’s backend. Every time I watch that guy he’s fantastic. He skates so well and he transports the puck very effectively.
Meh. If Calgary wants to burn it down, go ahead. It’ll make those Battle of Albertas that much more of a cakewalk for Edmonton. Also, Matthew Tkachuk only has a couple of years left on his deal and if the Flames are still choke jobs, he’ll move on…
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