Today’s NHL news, rumors, and speculation feature the likes of Nik Ehlers, Robin Lehner, Jake Gardiner, Shane Gostisbehere, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Mat Barzal, Zdeno Chara, and more!
"I've heard they want to add a little bit of physicality." – Bob Stauffer referring to the Florida Panthers.
The #Oilers have some physical players 😉
— BLH (Edmonton Oilers Enthusiast} (@BeerLeagueHeroe) September 10, 2020
The News and Rumors
- Josh Yohe (The Athletic Pittsburgh) says the Penguins would like to move Nick Bjugstad due to his $4.1M cap hit. He’s been a topic of conversation between Jim Rutherford and other GMs in the past few weeks.
BLH’s Thoughts: Good luck with that. The Pens are going to need to pay to move that contract or find another team with a player in a similar situation and agree to one of those “change of scenery” deals.Â
- Darren Dreger (TSN) reckons the Penguins are expected to trade goalie Matt Murray sooner than later.
BLH’s Thoughts: Please! Get it over with so we can start this circus!Â
- Pierre LeBrun (TSN) is of the belief that one of Gerard Gallant, Peter Laviolette, or Mike Babcock is expected to be hired as the next coach of the Washington Capitals in the coming weeks.
BLH’s Thoughts: I like Laviolette for this job. I’m not sure if Babcock will be back coaching so soon and maybe he’s biding his time in order to get the Seattle job… I still think Gallant is Detroit’s #1 option when the give Jeff Blashill the old boot.Â
- Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston believes that Mat Barzal could be the target of an offer-sheet because of the Islanders’ salary cap situation.
BLH’s Thoughts: Barzal is a great talent and he should get a massive raise but are there really teams out there flush with funds AND draft picks? Montreal? Again…? Lou Lamoriello will find a way to get things done, I have no doubt about that. He’s not going to lose a player to an offer sheet. He’d rather just trade the player I think.Â
- Blue Jackets beat writer Brian Hedger says Columbus could pursue Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins this off-season. He also notes that the Blue Jackets could use Alexandre Texier and Alex Wennberg to upgrade their roster.
BLH’s Thoughts: Are the Blue Jackets all of a sudden interested in moving one of their top-two defensemen? If not, I can’t see them acquiring RNH. Not even by dangling Texier and/or Wennberg.Â
- Matt Porter of the Boston Globe reports the Bruins will explore opportunity with 43yr old captain Zdeno Chara on an extension. They feel he’s been an iconic and important player for the club.
- The Athletic’s Sean Shapiro has said that the Dallas Stars are impressed with what Rick Bowness has been able to do with the Stars and Jim Nill will discuss Bowness’ future with him after the season concludes.
- The Wild and pending UFA Carson Soucy haven’t made a lot of progress on a new deal according to Michael Russo (The Athletic Minnesota).
- A Jake Gardiner/Anders Bjork deal could make sense for Boston if Torey Krug leaves according to Fluto Shinzawa (The Athletic Boston). He also notes that the Flyers may listen to offers on Shane Gostisbehere.
BLH’s Thoughts: For some reason, I think that the Bruins would regret making that deal. Not because Bjork is better than Gardiner, but because Gardiner is not a good candidate to fill Torey Krug’s absence in my opinion. I think he’s a player you can slot into specific situations and one that needs some sheltering to get the best out of him. Can Boston offer that?Â
- Nick Kypreos is reporting that a 5yr/$5M deal is all but done between the Vegas Golden Knights and goalie Robin Lehner.
- Murat Ates (The Athletic WPG) says that Patrik Laine and Nik Ehlers continue to surface in trade rumors. Sources outside Winnipeg confirm asking prices for them are unreasonably high.
BLH’s Thoughts: Is that why Jim Matheson threw out the RNH+Klefbom for Laine tweet the other day?… It’s funny how the Oilogosphere reacted to that proposal with such vitriol but does anybody really know how much it costs to acquire a player who scores at the rate Laine does? It’s not cheap.Â
The Oilers Speculation
Today, I just want to post up some names that I think the Oilers are going to target over this offseason or have been targeting since last summer or before that even.
UFAs:
- Taylor Hall (LW)
- Tyson Barrie (RHD)
- Erik Haula (C)
- Thomas Greiss (G)
- Andrew Cogliano (LW)
- Pat Maroon (LW)
- Anton Khudobin (G)
- Trevor Lewis (C)
- Kyle Clifford (W)
- Erik Gustaffson (LD)
- Tyler Ennis (LW)
- Tyler Toffoli (LW)
Trade:
- Darcy Kuemper (G)
- Antti Raanta (G)
- Oliver Ekman-Larsson (LHD)
- Aaron Ekblad (RHD)
- Andreas Johnsson (LW)
- Jakob Silvferberg (RW)
- Anders Bjork (LW)
- Sean Kuraly (LW)
- Josh Anderson (RW)
- Kyle Turris (C)
- Miles Wood (W)
- Bryan Rust (W)
- Jared McCann (C/W)
- Brandon Sutter (C)
- Jake Virtanen (RW)
Oh, and here’s my list of Oilers who could be on their way out of Edmonton:
- Andreas Athanasiou (LW)
- Zack Kassian (RW)
- Jesse Puljujarvi (RW)
- Jujhar Khaira (C/W)
- Darnell Nurse (D)
- Adam Larsson (D)
- Kris Russell (D)
- Matt Benning (D)
What do you think? Do you have any names you’d like to add? Let us know in the comments below!
