Coming from an Edmonton Oilers point of view, BLH provides you with the latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation from all of the internet’s best sites including Spector’s Hockey, The Fourth Period, NHL Trade Talk, The Hockey Writers, Sportsnet, The Athletic, TSN and more!
From NHLRumors.com
Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer: The main priority for Chuck Fletcher lies with finding a right-handed defenseman. Preferably, a defender that replaces the effect Matt Niskanen had on the team two seasons ago. Seth Jones and Dougie Hamilton come to mind immediately.
Now, at Hayes’ center position, some changes could be afoot as well. Claude Giroux and Scott Laughton are more effective at left wing. They can play center but just not in Philadelphia. If Fletcher feels that neither one can, then Morgan Frost has a spot on the team. That leaves one more possible spot if the general manager sees fit.
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BLH’s Thoughts: The Flyers are very deep on forward with more coming from the minors this year or next. I wonder if it’s time to move a guy like Travis Sanheim or Philippe Myers and one or two of those prospects for an upgrade on the right side AND bring in Dougie Hamilton? Then go with Provorov/Hamilton, Gostisbehere/New Guy as their top two pairs. Someone like Rasmus Ristolainen comes to mind here.
I mean, if that didn’t work, what more can you do with that roster?
From NHL Trade Talk
David Krejci Leaves Doubt About Return to Bruins Next Season
David Krejci needs time to figure out his NHL future. He spoke with the media following the Boston Bruins elimination from the 2020-21 NHL playoffs and was asked about his future in the league and with the team as a pending UFA. Saying, “I’ve thought about it a lot… I’m gonna need a few weeks to think about a lot of things.”
There are big questions about what it will take to get Krejci to come back. He’s finished off a multi-year contract that paid him big bucks and there’s no way he gets that kind of money from the Bruins again. Fortunately, he noted that his upcoming decision won’t be about money. He said, “it’s not about money. I guess that’s all I can tell you. My next deal is not gonna be based on money.” Again, this is good news for the Bruins who have a lot of offseason housekeeping to do, among them bringing back Krejci and Taylor Hall, who Krejci clicked so well with.
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BLH’s Thoughts: I’m tellin’ ya, if Krejci doesn’t return, the Bruins could do worse than signing Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as his replacement… Another option would be to sign both if money is no issue for the Czech and the Boston could go with a 1-2-3 or Bergeron, RNH, and Krejci. Don’t like that? Then Nuge can move to the wing on the 2nd line to play with the long-time Bruins 2nd-line center.
From NHLTradeRumors.me
Capitals and Blues Discussing Blockbuster Deal
The Washington Capitals and St Louis Blues are in the same boat this offseason. Both teams are trying to freshen up their top-six forwards and are looking to make a trade to do so. Turns out they could be a match made in heaven as Evgeny Kuznetsov and Vladimir Tarasenko could be changing teams.
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BLH’s Thoughts: That’s not a bad deal for both clubs. How would Kuznetsov fit in on Craig Berube’s team though?…
If the Tarasenko trade chip was burning a hole in my pocket, I’d be seeing what defenders are out there that I could swap for him. Jordan Kyrou most likely will not score like Vladdy, but he’ll help fill the void, but last year the defense took a step back after losing Alex Pietrangelo and Torey Krug, to nobody’s surprise, wasn’t the answer…
Two New Jersey Devils Who Could Be Dealt
Miles Wood: The speedy winger will be one of the most sought after players on the trade market this summer as teams love his mix of speed, skill and physicality. The 25-year-old has one season left on his contract, paying him $2.75 million and it’s likely a team will overpay for his talents. Last season Wood scored 17 goals in 55 games and was a candidate for the Cy Young with only eight assists (17-8). If the Devils move Wood, expect it to be for an elite young defenseman.
P.K. Subban: This deal is going to come down to how much money the Devils will retain of Subban’s contract, but there’s a very good chance the polarizing defenseman gets dealt this summer. At $9 million per season he’s a bit much, but at $7 million, he’s affordable. Last season in 44 games Subban scored 19 points, which was one more point than he had all last season. In the right situation, Subban could get back to his 50-point production. Teams who could be interested include the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Anaheim Ducks.
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BLH’s Thoughts: Normally I wouldn’t expect a player like Miles Wood to demand an elite young defenseman but with the way the final four teams left in the playoffs are built, the value of these kinds of players are going to be at a premium this summer.
Maybe a team will come in and overpay and as much as I’d like the Oilers to be in on this fella (as they’ve been in the past), I’m not prepared to accept an overpayment on him.
The other thing is, why would NJ want to trade him? He’s exactly what they need, he’s on a good deal, and the Devils should be taking steps to improve in the standings very shortly. In addition to those factors, they play in a very physical division and aside from him and Nathan Bastian, who do they have to provide some protection for the likes of Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier?
The only teams willing to touch Subban are the ones who need to reach the cap floor or need to swap headaches. Otherwise, he’s a Devil until bought out or his contract expires.
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